Chapter 56: The Attention of Heaven

Lin Chuan and his group of four walked briskly through the bustling streets of the inner city of Tianyun, leaving the clamor of the roadside shops gradually behind them.

Zhang Lin turned his head back from time to time to confirm that no one was following them, while Li Yun tightly gripped her husband's hand, her palms slightly damp with sweat.

"Relax," Lin Chuan lowered his voice to comfort them. "We are legitimate merchants now, holding VIP invitations."

Wang Tieju patted the bulging storage pouch at his waist and grinned broadly. "Exactly, we are here to spend money today, not to steal anything."

Zhang Yida swallowed hard and nervously, "B-but that is Young Master Wan San! I just glanced at him from afar, and that entourage..."

A sharp gleam flashed through Lin Chuan's eyes, and he did not reply.

In his mind, he replayed the scene from when Young Master Wan San's convoy had just passed by—the nine-headed Venerable-martial Earth Dragons, the Heaven-grade supreme carriage, and the Undying Heavenly Phoenix mentioned by Fatty.

The sudden appearance of an entity of this caliber in Tianyun City was definitely not just for sightseeing or leisure.

Turning the last street corner, the majestic architectural complex of the Tianyun Tower Main Building suddenly loomed before them.

The main building, supported by twelve dragon-carved jade pillars, soared a hundred zhang into the air, its glazed tiles shimmering with a colorful radiance in the sunlight. Hundreds of people had already gathered in the plaza in front of the tower, but everyone's gaze was fixed on the dark golden carriage at the center.

"Look, Young Master Wan San is getting off the carriage!" Zhang Lin suddenly lowered his voice and said.

Lin Chuan narrowed his eyes as he watched the carriage door slowly open. A foot clad in a gold-threaded cloud-patterned boot stepped out first. Immediately following it, a young man draped in a moon-white brocade robe gracefully descended from the carriage.

His features were handsome, and a natural arrogance was etched between his brows. The jade pendant hanging at his waist swayed gently with his steps, emitting crisp, melodious sounds.

"Is this Young Master Wan San?" Li Yun whispered in astonishment. "He's much younger than I imagined."

Lin Chuan did not answer; his attention was entirely drawn to a blurred shadow lingering behind Young Master Wan San—it was a fiery-red avian creature shrunk down to the size of a parrot, its tail feathers displaying a dazzling, multicolored luster. It was precisely the Undying Heavenly Phoenix of which Fatty had spoken.

"This bloodline pressure doesn't seem quite right..." Fatty's voice suddenly echoed in Lin Chuan's mind. "The bloodline purity of this Undying Heavenly Phoenix shouldn't be very high, at least not ranking among the Undying Heavenly Phoenix race in the Cangxuan Continent."

Just as Lin Chuan was inwardly marveling, a sharp sound of breaking air suddenly rang out from the sky.

A gray figure descended from the heavens, landing steadily three zhang away from Young Master Wan San.

The newcomer was a lean, middle-aged man clad in a plain gray robe, with only an inconspicuous wooden plaque hanging at his waist.

"Who dares to block Young Master Wan San's path?" An explosive roar blasted through the crowd.

Master Zhao of the Heavenly Eagle Martial Dojo glared with wide eyes, his muscles bulging as the full momentum of the mid-stage Venerable Martial realm was unreservedly unleashed. "Get lost!"

The gray-robed man acted as though he had heard nothing, merely cupping his fists slightly toward Young Master Wan San. "Third Young Master, long time no see."

A sincere smile surfaced on Young Master Wan San's face. "City Lord Qi, trust you have been well."

"C-City Lord Qi?" Master Zhao's momentum withered instantly, his complexion turning ashen white in an instant. His legs went weak, and he nearly collapsed to his knees.

An uproar swept across the plaza.

Who would have thought that this seemingly ordinary gray-robed man was actually the elusive City Lord of Tianyun City—Qi Tian, an expert in the early stage of the Emperor Martial realm!

Qi Tian cast a casual glance at Master Zhao, his gaze so freezing cold it felt as though it could freeze the soul.

Master Zhao trembled all over, beads of sweat the size of soybeans oozing from his forehead.

"I have been swamped with official duties and haven't had the chance to visit the Wan family to thank the Third Young Master for saving my life. It is truly discourteous of me." Qi Tian's voice was gentle, yet it carried an unquestionable authority. "Since the Young Master has personally graced us with his presence today, why don't I act as the host and fulfill a fraction of my duties as a local?"

Young Master Wan San nodded gracefully. "Then I shall respectfully decline to refuse."

Just as the two big figures exchanged pleasantries, the feathers of the Undying Heavenly Phoenix suddenly bristled all over. It whipped its head around to look in the direction of the crowd, its eyes filled with absolute terror.

It vigilantly scanned its surroundings, as if searching for some terrifying entity.

"What's wrong?" Young Master Wan San noticed the anomaly in his bound beast and asked in a low voice.

The Undying Heavenly Phoenix hesitated for a moment and shook its head. "It might have been my imagination... For a split second, I sensed an extremely terrifying aura, but now it has vanished."

City Lord Qi's eyes flashed imperceptibly, his gaze lingering briefly on the spot where Lin Chuan stood before returning to normal. "Young Master, please follow me. The auction is about to begin."

Lin Chuan stiffened all over, keenly sensing that both City Lord Qi and the Undying Heavenly Phoenix had paused their gazes upon him.

Not until the two big figures entered Tianyun Tower did he let out a long breath.

"Fatty, what was that just now?" Lin Chuan asked anxiously in his mind.

"Hehe, interesting." Fatty's voice carried a hint of triumph. "I just used my divine soul to probe that Qi Tian and found that he had already noticed you."

"What?" Lin Chuan's heart jolted. "Why would he notice me?"

"I suspect he might have guessed that I am attached to you." Fatty's tone turned solemn. "As for that little bird, it was because I casually probed its bloodline concentration and frightened it."

Lin Chuan almost blurted out a curse. "Are you insane? Exposing yourself in front of an Emperor Martial powerhouse and a peak Venerable Martial bound beast?"

"What's there to be afraid of?" Fatty said dismissively. "I have recovered to the Saint Martial tier. Even if I am left with only my soul, dealing with these small fries is more than enough."

Lin Chuan forcefully suppressed the unease in his heart, turned to his companions, and said, "Let's go, we're going in too."

Relying on Zhang Lin's Earth-grade VIP invitation, the five of them successfully passed the strict inspections of Tianyun Tower.

Passing through the opulent grand hall, an attendant led them to a private room on the third floor.

The room was not large, but it was exquisitely decorated. Facing the auction stage was a one-way transparent spirit crystal wall, through which the outside could be clearly seen, while the inside remained completely hidden from external view.

"Tsk tsk, this treatment really is different." Wang Tieju plumped down onto the soft animal-skin seat and picked up a spiritual fruit from the table to bite into it.

Zhang Lin cautiously inspected the private room once over, confirming there were no eavesdropping arrays, before lowering his voice to ask, "Lin Chuan, what happened just now? Your complexion didn't look right."

Lin Chuan pondered for a moment and decided to reveal part of the truth. "That City Lord Qi might have noticed us."

"What?" The teacup in Li Yun's hand almost dropped. "We've been targeted by an Emperor Martial expert?"

"Don't panic," Lin Chuan placated her. "He should only be somewhat interested in our soaring firm and soaring pharmacy, and shouldn't make things difficult for us."

"No," Lin Chuan shook his head decisively. "Leaving suddenly would only make us more suspicious. Besides, we haven't achieved our purpose for coming today yet."

He walked up to the spirit crystal wall and overlooked the guests gradually entering below.

The main hall was already packed with people, and the VIP private rooms on the second, third, and fourth floors were lighting up one after another.

There were only five Heaven-grade private rooms on the top floor, and one of them had already lit up, presumably housing Young Master Wan San and City Lord Qi.

"Fatty, can you sense what Qi Tian is doing right now?" Lin Chuan asked in his mind.

"He has set up an isolation barrier. If I try to break through it forcefully, I'll be discovered." Fatty displayed a rare streak of caution. "However, once the auction starts, he will definitely drop the barrier to focus on the auction items."

Lin Chuan nodded, his gaze sweeping over the facilities inside the private room before suddenly noticing a jade plaque hanging on the wall.