On the day of the once-every-twenty-years grand auction hosted by the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, Duanshan City was packed with people. Even the usually quiet outskirts were jammed with traffic, not to mention the always-bustling city center, which had become even more crowded. Last time had already been a grand occasion, but with twenty more years of development and the Pavilion's growing fame—now with branches across over a dozen surrounding continents—this auction had drawn an even bigger crowd. In front of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion's main hall, a space that was typically very spacious had become shoulder-to-shoulder packed. The VIP guests were treated better; they could go directly to the second floor. But ordinary guests had to enter through the main entrance and pass through the first-floor lobby. Fang Ting stood at the top-floor window, gazing down at the scene below, his expression reflective and emotional. "If it weren't for Fang Hao—the Heaven's Chosen who can bring goods straight from the Immortal Realm—the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion wouldn't have developed this far. Not in twenty or thirty years… maybe not even in two or three centuries." Thanks to the Pavilion's growth, the Fang Clan's income had increased dramatically. With abundant resources, paired with enough innate talent, the clan's younger generation naturally grew at an astonishing pace. Even though—aside from the three Domain Masters—the Fang Clan only had one Saint King Realm expert (Fang Ting himself), which technically didn't make them a dominating force yet… ...in terms of overall strength below the Saint Realm, the Fang Clan completely crushed all other dominant powers across Cangzhou. Once all of the clan's Heaven's Chosen reached the Saint King Realm, and all of the Hidden Dragon Guards advanced to the Saint Realm… …the Fang Clan would undoubtedly become Cangzhou's strongest force. At that point, even the so-called Three Sacred Lands and Five Demon Sects wouldn't be able to stop them—even if they joined forces, the Fang Clan could wipe them all out. At that moment, the Third Elder knocked and entered. "Clan Leader, the Saint King Realm experts from all the major forces have arrived. They're already taking their seats one after another." Fang Ting waved casually. "Handle it as you see fit." These were merely Saint Kings from Cangzhou's ruling-class factions. They weren't nearly significant enough to warrant Fang Ting showing his face. If they had a good relationship with the Fang Clan, sending a single elder would already be an honor. And even though the seven elders of the Fang Clan were at most in the Integration Realm, and had reached it through sheer amounts of resources... ...even Saint Realm experts from other factions would still treat them with respect. "Understood," the Third Elder replied before turning to leave. Not long after, Yin Xianhong walked in. Fang Ting drew her into his embrace and asked, A few years ago, she had once again gone off in search of fortuitous encounters, like she had before, venturing beyond Cangzhou. "Mm." Yin Xianhong gently nodded, her manner soft and graceful. If any of the powerhouses currently gathered at the Pavilion below saw this scene, their jaws would drop. One of the three Domain Masters of Divine Palace Mansion, and a Saint King Realm cultivator, Yin Xianhong... ...was snuggling obediently in Fang Ting's arms?! That was beyond shocking! Everyone knew Fang Ting had monstrous talent and terrifying strength, but no one expected him to be this capable in other areas. "You're back because of the auction, aren't you?" This auction was even grander than the last, attracting far more experts. If anyone caused trouble, the Fang Clan would need someone powerful to control the situation. "Not entirely," Yin Xianhong replied. "Oh?" Fang Ting asked, "What else?" Yin Xianhong slowly explained: "I haven't ventured far these past few years. I've mostly stayed in Mountain Continent (Shanzhou). Back in ancient times, Shanzhou was quite powerful, but like Cangzhou, it gradually declined after several great upheavals." "Recently, an ancient relic site surfaced in Shanzhou—a minor world. Legend says this world is a mystic treasure once owned by an Emperor Realm expert from the ancient era. Whoever receives his inheritance can take the entire pocket world for themselves." "Throughout history, this world emerges once every ten thousand years or so. Every time it opens, countless Saint Realm cultivators enter, hoping to find the inheritance and seize the world." "Now that it's about to open again, the powerhouses of various factions are already preparing. Most will likely head there as soon as the auction ends." "I came back this time to invite Senior Brother Shen to accompany me—it's always better to have backup." Of course, in addition to Shen Hong—the other Domain Master—she had hoped to invite the powerful and enigmatic Elder Wang, but his whereabouts were far too unpredictable. He might vanish for decades at a time. Having Elder Wang around would make her feel much more secure. After all, among all the Saint Kings in Cangzhou, Elder Wang was one of the most formidable. Back when the incident at the Great Zhou Imperial Palace occurred, it took Saint Kings from eighteen different factions joining forces just to force Elder Wang to retreat. Even then, they dared not lay a hand on him directly. That alone spoke volumes about Elder Wang's power and deterrence. "What if I go with you?" "No need," Yin Xianhong replied. "Senior Brother Shen and I can handle it." Fang Ting smiled faintly. He could tell Yin Xianhong thought his cultivation level wasn't high enough and that bringing him along would just hold them back. After all, twenty years ago, Fang Ting was only at the Grand Saint Realm. Even if he had since broken through to the Saint King Realm, how much stronger could he be? They would be facing competition from opponents who were likely fifth-level Saint Kings and above. Fang Ting didn't argue. Instead, he simply released the sealed aura of his cultivation base. A terrifying wave of pressure instantly swept across all of Duanshan City. But it lasted only a single breath—then it vanished without a trace. Still, that moment of suffocating force left a deep impression on all who sensed it. Those closest—especially in the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion—felt it the most. Everyone inside the Pavilion trembled, stricken with fear. "That was definitely a Saint King!" "It came from upstairs. Someone from the Fang Clan, maybe a guest Saint King?" "Probably one of the three Domain Masters, brought in to maintain order during the auction." "That was terrifying! I thought I was going to die just now!" "Who peed in my pants?!" The pressure had come and gone inexplicably, but to many, it made perfect sense: A show of force from the Pavilion, a warning to all powers present—not to get any ideas. It was quite effective. The chaos outside the Pavilion immediately settled. Visitors queued up calmly. The Pavilion's attendants had tried to get people to behave earlier—but this single blast of power accomplished what no words could. Now, every Saint Realm cultivator in Duanshan City was wondering the same thing: "Whose pressure was that?" They all knew it had come from a Saint King associated with the Fang Clan—most assumed it was one of the Divine Palace's Domain Masters. But no matter how hard they guessed, none could imagine that it was Fang Ting himself. The only person who knew the truth—Yin Xianhong, standing right beside him—was currently staring wide-eyed, her exquisite face frozen in stunned disbelief. She had known Fang Ting's cultivation rose quickly—that much she could accept. For true geniuses, advancing through the realms below Saint level was as easy as eating or drinking. But to still ascend so rapidly after entering the Saint Realm? That defied everything she understood. She remembered clearly: when they first got together, it was after a dual cultivation session that allowed them both to break through. Fang Ting had gone from Grand Saint level eight to nine, and she had gone from Saint King level six to seven. That wasn't long ago at all. Follow current novᴇls on N0velFire.ɴet She hadn't advanced a single level since. And now, Fang Ting was already Saint King level five?! Even Yin Xianhong—who had traveled extensively across the continents and seen all manner of strange phenomena—was so stunned she lost her composure. Fang Ting, seeing her reaction, suddenly put on a mysterious face. "That's right. I suppose you've guessed by now... I'm no ordinary man. In truth, I'm a reincarnated immortal. Before my ascension, I had no obstacles to cultivation at all." Yin Xianhong burst out laughing and lightly swatted him. A joke, just like that, brushed the whole matter aside. Even without the joke, Yin Xianhong wouldn't have pressed the issue. Everyone had their secrets—she respected that. "I can't believe you're already fifth-level Saint King," Yin Xianhong said with emotion. "In that case, we **really can go together this time."" What truly made her emotional was the contrast. When she first met Fang Ting, he had still been wandering the countryside with his child in tow, playing the role of a humble father with low cultivation. Who would have thought—today, he had grown into someone strong enough to fight alongside her as an equal?