Li Pin was slightly taken aback by Liu Suxin's words. "Sincerity?" "Hall Master Li, it seems you are unaware of the current situation," said Liu Suxin, letting out a soft sigh. "I don't know what that Black Abyss Highlord is thinking. He's a human, yet the majority of the people he imprisons in the Heavenly Prison are also humans." She glanced at Li Pin, her eyes filled with deep sorrow. "Over the years, you must have come to understand the dire state of the Heavenly Prison World. Those in the Silver Lands are struggling on the brink of survival, living each day in uncertainty, sacrificing everything just to earn a single Creation Gold Coin each year. "As for those in the Exile Zone... their fate is even more tragic. Their thoughts, potential, comprehension, and even their Fortune are all drained and stripped away by the prison's laws. Year after year, countless people perish in some forgotten corner of the Exile Zone, their deaths going unnoticed." After speaking, she turned her gaze toward the outside of the private room. Xiao Huan, seizing the moment, drew back the curtain to reveal a window resembling one-way glass. Through it, they could see they were on the third floor of a building, overlooking a hall below. A few people had already taken their seats, and it seemed the preparations for the auction were nearly complete. Thanks to the room's excellent soundproofing, the noise from outside was barely audible. "This charity auction has been meticulously organized by our Stormwind Tower to raise sufficient Creation Gold Coins to rescue those human prodigies suffering in the Heavenly Prison World. "Each of them has a promising future. Many could even ascend to become Astral Gods, bolstering the foundation of our people. They shouldn't be left to perish in obscurity in a place where the very rules are unjust, their potential brilliance extinguished before it can shine." As she finished speaking, Liu Suxin turned her gaze back to Li Pin, her tone soft and imbued with compassion. "Hall Master Li, what are your thoughts?" A faint, almost sacred radiance seemed to envelop Liu Suxin, casting her in an aura of righteousness and nobility. Li Pin observed her thoughtfully, though his mind wasn't on the auction itself. Instead, he found himself recalling certain news stories from his days as an ordinary person—stories about blind dates where the woman would take the man straight to a bar and order the most expensive drinks and dishes under the guise of "testing sincerity" or "assessing capability." The scene before him felt strikingly similar to those tales. "Hall Master Liu, I believe your intentions are admirable," Li Pin replied. Liu Suxin's expression brightened with pleasant surprise at his agreeable response. "Hall Master Li, it seems you are a person of kindness and integrity as well. That's truly wonderful!" Li Pin stood up. "Since you're busy hosting this charity auction, I won't take up any more of your time. I'll be on my way." The smile on Liu Suxin's face instantly stiffened. "You're leaving?" Seeing that Li Pin was serious about departing, Tai Xi, the Vice Hall Master, could no longer sit still. Li Pin was rumored to have tens of thousands of Creation Gold Coins, a sum vital to their plans for retaliation against the Prodigy Hall. If they let him leave now, their entire strategy could collapse. What would Suxin think of him then? He quickly stepped forward. "Hall Master Li, there's no need to rush. Didn't you come here seeking our assistance? Our Hall Master has made time in her busy schedule to meet with you, and now you're leaving without even discussing your request? Are you mocking us?" "Oh, I simply thought you were preoccupied with the auction and didn't want to bother you. But if the auction isn't a priority, then we can certainly continue our conversation. As long as we steer clear of auction talk, I'm more than happy to engage." Liu Suxin's expression darkened at Li Pin's words. "Master Li, you are mistaken. Your matter is important, but so is the auction." "If both matters are being handled simultaneously," Li Pin countered, "then which one is truly important, and which one is not?" "We can discuss plans to escape the Heavenly Prison World while conducting the charity auction, extending aid to those talented individuals stranded in the Exile Zone. One side focuses on strategy, the other on action, why can't we do both?" Liu Suxin argued. Xiao Huan, who had been silent until now, couldn't hold back any longer. "Hall Master Li, if you seek to collaborate with Stormwind Tower, you should at least understand our principles. Our mission is to aid all suffering human kin. "Our Hall Master has extended a gracious invitation for you to join this charity auction, yet you refuse and turn to leave without showing the slightest compassion. If that's the case, what's the point of cooperation?" Li Pin responded calmly, "Escaping the Heavenly Prison World or completing the Black Abyss Highlord's trial—either of these could save everyone. Even if Stormwind Tower were to dedicate all its resources, you might rescue a thousand, ten thousand, or even a hundred thousand people. "But how could you possibly save the billions suffering in the Heavenly Prison World? Instead of wasting precious time and energy on such efforts, wouldn't it be better to focus on finding a way out... or mastering the fourth level of the Supreme Technique?" "This theory is practically identical to that of Worldbreaker Peak. It seems you're just like Wang Fuyun, full of lofty talk while turning a blind eye to the struggles of the common people." Xiao Huan frowned. "If you can't even manage your own household, how can you hope to govern the world? Saving even one person matters. When we see so many people exiled and suffering right before our eyes, how can we stand by and do nothing? "No matter how grand your words may sound, no matter how much you claim to see the bigger picture, at least we've taken action. Unlike you, who talk a big game but never follow through." "Xiao Huan, Hall Master Li is our guest. Mind your manners," chided Liu Suxin. Out of consideration that Li Pin was one of their potential financial backers, she chose not to escalate the situation and instead pretended to gently chide Xiao Huan. She then turned to Li Pin. "While Xiao Huan's words may have been blunt, she isn't entirely wrong. Whether it's the Supreme Technique or the Highlord Technique, the fourth level is no simple feat. If you study these methods closely, you'll find that the fourth level is where the true essence of a Supreme Technique lies. Everything before it is merely foundational." Her voice was soft and gentle, and her demeanor was that of someone deeply concerned for the world. She was so persuasive that almost anyone would find it hard to refuse her. "Just like writing an essay requires literacy, reaching the True Spirit stage is a threshold many true prodigies of the human path struggle to cross. "Some remain stuck for an entire epoch—100 thousand stellar years. In such a situation, how can we turn a blind eye to the suffering of others? At the very least, we must do something to give them hope. Only then can they endure and persist." Li Pin remained silent for a moment before speaking. "So what you're saying is, if I don't participate in this charity auction, it means I lack compassion? That I'm a cold-hearted man indifferent to the plight of my fellow humans?" It felt as if he was being accused of being a "penniless miser." "That's not what I meant. I just hope people wouldn't be so selfish. With great power comes great responsibility. Hall Master Li, since you have the power to help more people, why not extend a hand to them?" Liu Suxin said softly. "If everyone contributes a little love, the world will become a better place." "You make a good point," Li Pin nodded. "I'll go back and do what I can to help more people. Farewell." With that, he turned to leave. Liu Suxin froze. I have already said so much.... My talent is similar to that of a special race in the universe. I naturally excel at persuading others and gaining their support. The fact that I built Stormwind Tower into such a formidable force and united hundreds of elites around me is proof enough. So why... does it seem like none of this has any effect on Li Pin? Seeing that Li Pin insisted on leaving, Liu Suxin quickly called out. "Hall Master Li—" Li Pin cut her off before she could continue. "Hall Master Liu, don't stop me. I've decided to set aside a sum of money to help the homeless people struggling to survive in the Silver Lands. You're right, actions speak louder than words." Then, he turned to Yun Lai. "Go back and tell Yu Xuexian that we can expand our recruitment efforts." Yun Lai nodded. "Understood." Tai Xi, seeing that Li Pin was about to leave without donating a single Creation Gold Coin, quickly stepped forward. "Hall Master Li—" "Oh? Hall Master Tai, are you feeling inspired by Dragon Abyss Tower's initiative and planning to contribute some Creation Gold Coins to our cause? If so, I would be most grateful," Li Pin said. Tai Xi quickly explained, "No... uh... I was just going to say that the Stormwind Tower can handle this. Hall Master Li, you can entrust the funds to us, and we'll take care of the relief efforts. After all, we've built a strong reputation over the years. If we step in, the impact will be much greater." Li Pin replied, "Stormwind Tower has already done enough. With great power comes great responsibility. We may be limited in our capabilities, but we're still willing to shoulder what little responsibility we can." He waved his hand and continued, "Hall Master Tai, if you aren't here to , then there's no need to see us off. Farewell." With that, he left with Yun Lai. Tai Xi had no choice but to stop, watching helplessly as they walked away. After a long while, he glanced at Liu Suxin. Noticing the frustration on her face, he quickly spoke up, "That Dragon Abyss Tower is utterly ungrateful. They come to us for cooperation but refuse to show even a hint of sincerity. Do they really think they can stay comfortably in the Golden Lands without us drawing the fire? Without us, they'd be under constant harassment from Prodigy Hall!" Liu Suxin, however, ignored his words and instead asked pointedly, "Hall Master Tai, is this the person you found to solve our funding problem?" Tai Xi's expression faltered slightly. He hurriedly replied, "Suxin, don't be upset. I'll find another way." Liu Suxin pressed, not giving him any face, "And what way would that be?" Tai Xi's mind raced. After a brief pause, an idea struck him. "Prodigy Hall has been relentlessly targeting us, hasn't it? Why don't we spread the word that we've formed an alliance with Dragon Abyss Tower? "At the same time, we'll hype up Li Pin's incredible strength, how he mastered the second level of the Supreme Technique in just ten stellar years, with a future of limitless potential. The more he spoke, the more confident he became. "A human prodigy aligning himself with Stormwind Tower.... Whether Prodigy Hall wants to make an example of him or simply suppress a rising human prodigy, they'll have no choice but to act against him. "Once he's pushed to the brink and can't hold his ground, he'll have no option but to come back to us. By then, do you think he'll still refuse to cooperate?"