Chapter 159 - 153: Hundred Flowers Assembly

Chapter 159: Chapter 153: Hundred Flowers Assembly

"Valued guest, my sincerest apologies! I did my best to gather what you asked for, but I was only able to collect these maps and books. I hope they are to your satisfaction."

Just as the entire Snow Feather Tower was embroiled in a fierce bidding war over a Beast-eared Maiden Courtesan, the door to Li Heng’s room was suddenly pushed open. After entering, Mo Ya took out roll after roll of maps, along with two books.

"I’m satisfied!"

It would have been a lie to say he wasn’t satisfied. Mo Ya was highly efficient; in the short time she had been gone, she had already brought back several large scrolls.

As Li Heng took a closer look, he saw there were maps of Li Liang City. One of them covered a radius of two thousand li!

Not only was the area vast, but some locations were also described in exceptional detail, down to the resources they produced and the soul beasts that roamed them.

Most critically, this detailed map was a Soul Energy Item!

For Li Liang City, Li Heng took only this one detailed map. As for the Meteor Dynasty, he gave the items a quick glance and chose a rather thick book.

Its thickness wasn’t the key. What mattered most was that it was a Soul Energy Item, meaning he could take it with him when he left the Dungeon.

The entire time Li Heng was taking a map and a book from the pile, Hongyu and Mo Ya simply stood quietly to one side, smiling without saying a word.

"Well then, let’s get back to the auction!"

Only after Li Heng had put away the map and book and spoken up did the two young women act. Hongyu resumed massaging Li Heng’s shoulders, while Mo Ya gathered the remaining maps.

Returning to the subject of Mei Xue’Er’s auction, Li Heng finally learned of the tier above Epic: Mythic!

A jade flute, cyan from end to end, appeared in Mei Xue’Er’s hands. Her beast ears twitched gently, and the snow-white tail at her back slowly stood on end.

"This humble one entrusts herself to you tonight, my lord! I pray you will cherish me!"

From the moment she appeared and chose the jade flute to when she vanished from the Illusory Mountain Stone, Mei Xue’Er had only spoken that single line. And yet, that one line alone was enough to make countless hearts tremble.

Even Li Heng found her a bit hard to handle. He subtly shifted his left leg outward, adjusting his posture.

Mei Xue’Er’s patron had been decided. A wave of sighs rippled through Snow Feather Tower, but the sound of disappointment quickly passed.

After all, this was the Hundred Flowers Assembly; Snow Feather Tower would never allow a lull in the excitement or let regret linger. Almost instantly, a heroic-looking beauty holding a Longsword appeared within the Illusory Mountain Stone! 𝘧𝓇ℯℴ𝓂

Name: Yun Han

Category: Soul Energy Equipment

Value: Mythic

— —

Within the Illusory Mountain Stone, the swordswoman Li Heng was watching had a valiant and heroic air. The Longsword in her hand was coated in a layer of frost, and a cloud-shaped charm on the hilt rested against her wrist.

Just as with the first treasure he’d seen, Li Heng could only see the item’s name, category, and value. The ’Effects’ section was currently hidden from him.

But none of that mattered. A Mythic-tier Longsword—this was the first time Li Heng had ever seen one. Looking at the blade of "Yun Han," Li Heng figured it was most likely a piece of Soul Energy Equipment with an ice or snow affinity.

After a moment of thought, Li Heng decided to bid on it. He just wasn’t sure what the auction method for Yun Han would be.

"This sword is named Yun Han. It was originally the personal sword of the Young Palace Master of Cold Mountain Palace, but for various reasons, it has found its way to this assembly! I am sure you are all familiar with the name Cold Mountain Palace, so this humble one will say no more, lest I spoil the mood."

Only after the woman in the red-gossamer dress began her introduction did a buzz of discussion about an item start up in Snow Feather Tower for the first time.

Mei Xue’Er was all but forgotten. The three words now echoing most often through Snow Feather Tower were "Cold Mountain Palace."

Li Heng had no idea what Cold Mountain Palace represented, but judging by the current atmosphere in Snow Feather Tower, it had to be an immense power!

"The auction for this sword is rather unique," the hostess continued. "I will state the rules now. If they trouble any of our valued guests, I can only ask for your forgiveness."

"Bidders for the Cloud Cold Treasure Sword must satisfy three conditions: they must be a Swordsman, demonstrate a Swordsmanship technique, and possess Sword Intent! After that, the sword will go to the highest bidder in Soul Crystal Coins."

"Any valued guest who wields a Longsword and has comprehended Sword Intent may participate in the bidding after performing any set of Swordsmanship techniques. All... interested guests, please present your swords!"

The moment the woman in the red-gossamer dress finished speaking, longswords began flying out from the various floors, seemingly from thin air, tracing arcs of light through the open space.

[Ding! Checking for relevant compatibilities...]

[Ding! You have observed Aurora Sword Intent!]

[Ding! You have observed Quicksand Sword Intent!]

[Ding! You have observed Illusory Sword Intent!]

...

As he watched the longswords slice through the open atrium of Snow Feather Tower, a timely and continuous stream of system notifications sounded in Li Heng’s ear.

’What... what kind of monsters are these people?’

One moment, Li Heng was still listening intently to the bidding rules laid out by the woman in the red-gossamer dress. The next, her voice had barely faded, and before he even had time to react, everyone had already made their move.

A dazzling procession of longswords flashed before his eyes, each one accompanied by a Sword Intent with an incredibly profound-sounding name!

Furthermore, as these Sword Intents drifted past, the system was recording information about them, which left Li Heng a bit baffled. He couldn’t see the point.

But his confusion was secondary to his desire to bid on "Yun Han."

’After all,’ he thought, ’strictly speaking, I more or less count as a Swordsman, and my Swordsmanship should be decent enough.’

’As for Sword Intent...’

’A rudimentary Sword Intent... should still count as a type of Sword Intent, right?!’

So, despite being a step behind, Li Heng had no intention of being left out. He drew the Empty Cicada Longsword from his medium-sized Space Stone and began to execute the techniques of the Ghost Butterfly Illusion Sword, sending shimmering silver butterflies fluttering into the air.

When they saw Li Heng draw his sword and perform his technique, Mo Ya and Hongyu exchanged a look. Mo Ya then quietly slipped out of the room.

After drawing his sword, Li Heng saw the other longswords were still performing their displays in the air, so he naturally didn’t stop. He continued to execute his sword techniques until all the other longswords had flown back to their respective floors, only then did he put away his Empty Cicada Longsword.

Just as Li Heng sheathed his sword, Mo Ya re-entered the room and spoke to him in a gentle voice.

"Valued guest! Your Swordsmanship is exceptional and perfectly meets the bidding conditions for Yun Han. You are fully qualified to bid on this treasure!"

Hearing Mo Ya’s words, Li Heng couldn’t help but think to himself, ’See? I knew it. Even if it’s not exactly top-tier, my rudimentary Sword Intent at least made the cut. My qualification should be fine.’

Despite his inner commentary, Li Heng did his best to keep a calm expression as he addressed the two young women.

"Hongyu! Mo Ya! I’ll leave the bidding for Yun Han to you. No matter what anyone else bids, just bid higher! To me, money is just a number. I have no interest in money!"