"Have you taken that item to the auction yet?"

Huh...!?

Zheng-Fu's words immediately caught everyone's attention. They had curious expressions, alternating their stares between Zheng-Fu and Wen-Xi several times.

"That item?" Wen-Xi was puzzled at first, but soon he understood Zheng-Fu's question. He replied, "Ah... Nephew, I've sent it to the headquarters, and they've already included it in the upcoming auction. If you're interested in attending, I'd be happy to take you with me," Wen-Xi said with a sly smile.

If anyone present could see their true expressions, they would have noticed the faces of an old fox and a young fox having a conversation.

"So great, Uncle Wen-Xi. I'd like to attend the auction as well, to broaden my horizons and meet adults who are kind enough not to hold grudges against someone as young as me," Zheng-Fu said sarcastically, directing his words toward the clan leaders.

Though it looked childish, his remark made the clan leaders feel bitter because Zheng-Fu's words stabbed right in their chests, especially the Frenzy Lion Clan Leader, whose hot temper caused his face to contort in an instant. He was about to say something, but Dan-Ge interrupted.

"It must be something you found, right?" Dan-Ge asked, clearly curious what was the item that had created such a stir.

"That's right, City Governor. I found the item and sold it to Uncle Wen-Xi that day," Zheng-Fu responded without hesitation. However, he still didn't reveal what the item was, even though Dan-Ge's question was suddenly directed at him.

Had it been another young man or someone of his age, they might have let something slip. But Zheng-Fu was sharp. His composure was intact, and he had the ability to judge situations well. With his energy level as high as it was, it was even more difficult for him to make a careless mistake.

"Mhm… I'm thinking of going as well. Would you like to come with me?" Dan-Ge, knowing Zheng-Fu wouldn't reveal anything, changed his tone to a friendly one, smiling as he invited Zheng-Fu to the auction.

"For that, I'm afraid I must decline, City Governor," Zheng-Fu replied immediately, without hesitation.

Huh...?

"Did he just dare to refuse the City Governor?"

"This kid is asking for trouble!"

"Who does he think he is? Just because the City Governor spoke kindly to him, he acts arrogant!"

Many people thought Zheng-Fu would be reprimanded for rejecting Dan-Ge's invitation. But instead of showing anger, Dan-Ge smiled and spoke calmly, as usual.

"Mhm... It's alright. Since you're not coming with me, I won't force you," Dan-Ge said with a slight smile before his expression returned to normal.

"City Governor, I apologize for rudely declining your invitation, but I've already accepted Uncle Wen-Xi's offer, so I cannot go with you," Zheng-Fu said, slightly surprised by Dan-Ge's calm demeanor, so he explained with a tease.

"Haha! You're overthinking it. I'm not offended. If you don't go, why should I force you if you've already refused me once?" Dan-Ge laughed heartily, though he was saying he was not offended, his words layered with a subtle sting.

The exchange made those around them feel uneasy. It seemed as though they were joking, yet it also felt like they were sparring. Even so, both men kept smiling at each other.

Only the Flaming Dawn Clan Leader understood what was really happening. Not wanting the situation to escalate, he spoke up: "Actually, Monster Liquor Clan Leader, you brought some excellent liquor today, didn't you? By the way, where is it?"

His question turned everyone's attention to him, including Zheng-Fu and Dan-Ge. Dan-Ge seemed momentarily puzzled by his own actions, as if he had just realized he had been acting like a child arguing over a toy.

"Of course, I brought my clan's finest liquor. I guarantee it's even better than the Enchanted Monster liquor from the Enchanted Monster Tavern," the Monster Liquor Clan Leader said proudly, boasting about his clan's liquor, which had been fermented with the best ingredients for hundreds of years.

"Oh wow! If that's the case, I'd love to try it. Do you really think it's better than our Enchanted Monster liquor?" asked the Enchanted Monster Tavern Leader, placing a medium-sized jar of his famous liquor on the table. Everyone knew exactly what the jar contained.

"Certainly, Tavern Leader. We'll soon find out which liquor is superior! Boys!" The Monster Liquor Clan Leader then ordered his men to bring over ten large jars of his liquor.

"This is 'Dream-Creating Monster Liquor,' fermented with hundreds of fine ingredients and dozens of special herbs for over a hundred years. Today, I, the Monster Liquor Clan Leader, offer it to everyone!"

Oww!!!

Yay!!!

"May the Monster Liquor Clan Leader prosper!!!"

"Wow! This is incredible! I never imagined I'd get to taste a hundred-year-old liquor!"

"My life is complete! I can die peacefully now!"

Those from lower-ranking clans or who weren't very wealthy had never had the chance to taste such an ancient liquor. Now that the opportunity had come, and for free, they couldn't help but rejoice.

Even the ordinary Enchanted Monster liquor was expensive, so the value of a hundred-year-old liquor was unimaginable. Those lucky enough to drink it for free were filled with joy and gratitude, praising the Monster Liquor Clan Leader.

However, Zheng-Fu and the other leaders in the special area remained quiet, showing none of the exuberance of the others. Then, suddenly...

"Young men, there's one more thing I want to share with you two. I'll grant you both access to the Secret Realm of Deceitful Blood as a reward for withstanding my palm-attack," Dan-Ge said after a brief silence.

Huh...?

"The right to enter the Secret Realm of Deceitful Blood!!?"

"Wow! Aside from the top ten youths, someone else can enter?"

"Oh, it's them—the ones who withstood the City Governor's palm-attack last month!"

"What? It's them?"

"They're from the Silver Body Clan, right? Why didn't they participate in the rally this time?"

"Haven't you heard? They're not part of the Silver Body Clan. That's why they couldn't join the rally!"

A buzz of conversation followed Dan-Ge's announcement, when people looked at the two young men who were not far from Dan-Ge, they speculated about how Zheng-Fu and Jin-Tian had withstood his palm-attack and discussed their backgrounds.

Recently, rumors had spread that they weren't really from the Silver Body Clan, sparking further gossip. Only the city's elites paid no attention, too caught up in their own importance.

"City Governor, I don't think it's appropriate to give these two kids the right to enter, given that the rules we've followed for so long clearly state that..."

"This secret realm belongs to my clan, and it's up to me who enters. What right do you have to say otherwise?" Dan-Ge interrupted the clan leader sharply even before he could finish his sentence.

The Secret Realm of Deceitful Blood was the property of the Huang-Di Clan, not the city as a whole. Dan-Ge had full authority to decide who could enter. Over the years, access had traditionally been granted to the top ten juniors from the rally as a reward, but many had come to treat this custom as an unchangeable rule.

They were used to the rule that they forgot that, actually, this secret realm was of the Huang-Di Clan, which was the governor of the city for many generations. Dan-Ge's words today were a stark reminder to everyone that upsetting the City Governor could mean losing the chance to have other clans' juniors enter the secret realm.

If it were like that, the chance of other clans to receive treasures, such as magical items, potions, and other treasures within the realm would disappear. And the person who caused this to happen would not have a good ending. Thus, the thought of missing out made the clan leader who started this discussion fall silent.

"Thank you, City Governor, for your generosity in allowing my brother and me to enter the Secret Realm of Deceitful Blood," Zheng-Fu said. Surprised, he didn't think that Dan-Ge would grant him permission to enter the Secret Realm of Deceitful Blood. He initially wanted to explore it as well, so why should he decline the chance?

He had been hoping to find a way to enter the realm because, deep inside, he had a feeling that he should enter that realm, feeling as though something important was waiting for him there, waiting for him to take it out.

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