The next day.
Xiao Qi and Liu Yun hadn't rested well that night. Though they successfully escaped Shadow Snake Pavilion's pursuit, the auction's fierce competition and mysterious Heavenly Box One occupant left them endlessly thinking. As dawn light crept through window cracks, Xiao Qi was still reviewing yesterday's events when a knock came at their door.
Who? Liu Yun's hand moved to her sword, voice sharp.
It's me, Qian Buduo. An familiar voice came from outside—yesterday's chief auctioneer!
Xiao Qi and Liu Yun exchanged glances, both seeing puzzlement in each other's eyes. Why would the auction house's chief auctioneer personally come to their inn?
After setting up restrictions, Xiao Qi opened the door. Qian Buduo stood outside alone, wearing simple robes, looking even more aged than yesterday. His expression was complex—, also with trace of nervousness.
Qian-zhuren, why come personally? Xiao Qi asked, not moving aside, maintaining.
Qian Buduo sighed softly: I come on behalf of my master to deliver something. Please, daoist, hear me out.
My master? Liu Yun frowned. Yesterday's Heaven Box One—was it your master?
Qian Buduo nodded: My master has long observed this auction, waiting for the appearance of Four Symbol Soul Crystals. Yesterday's action was also... planned. Please accept this.
He took out a storage bag from his, bowing deeply as he offered it: Inside is the Five Hundred Soul Crystal Fragment your daoist competed for yesterday. My master asks me to return it to its rightful owner.
Return it? Xiao Qi's gaze sharpened. Qian-zhuren, please speak plainly. What does your master want? And how do you know this fragment belongs to us?
Qian Buduo smiled bitterly: My master said you would ask this. He said: Those who possess the purification source and Xu family bloodline, competing for Four Symbol Soul Crystals, can only be one person—Xu Xiaoqi, son of Xu Zhan.
Xiao Qi's heart; his hand's spiritual energy automatically circulated defensively. Who exactly is your master?
Qian Buduo's expression became solemn: My master... is Tianjizi.
Tianjizi! That mysterious figure who had appeared at Clear Void Sect, delivering the Azure Dragon Jade! That master whose predictions were unfathomable!
He's in the city? Liu Yun asked sharply.
No. Qian Buduo shook his head. My master exists between heaven and earth, rarely staying anywhere long. He left me with instructions before departing: When the purification inheritor appears and obtains the auction fragment, deliver this jade slip to him.
He took out a plain jade slip from his sleeve, offering it together with the storage bag: My master says, on this jade slip is the location information of another Four Symbol Soul Crystal—the Azure Dragon Soul Crystal. Its location is in the deep East Sea, within eternal mist—the legendary Fallen Dragon Palace.
Xiao Qi took the jade slip, his gaze complex. Why help me? What does your master want?
Qian Buduo smiled: My master seeks no repayment. He only said one sentence: The battle between light and darkness approaches; one person carrying great fortune also bears great cause. This child must live.
After speaking, he bowed once more: My duty is complete. Farewell, Xu-daozi. May you succeed in your endeavor.
He turned and departed, his figure quickly disappearing into the street crowd.
Xiao Qi and Liu Yun stood at the door for a long while, holding the storage bag containing the soul fragment and the jade slip with Azure Dragon Soul Crystal location—these objects heavier than mountains.
Tianjizi... that mysterious master was actually watching over him all along. Why? What was his purpose? The jade slip mentioned great fortune and great cause—what did it mean?
More importantly—East Sea, Fallen Dragon Palace, eternal mist. Another Four Symbol Soul Crystal was waiting there! And this time, Shadow Snake Pavilion would also be hunting for it!
The journey ahead was about to become even more dangerous.