The heavy doors of the General Manager's Mansion closed slowly behind Xiao Yan.
The moment the final echo faded, the atmosphere outside instantly changed.
Dozens of powerful auras surged forward almost simultaneously.
The Dou Zongs who had been waiting outside—some openly, some deliberately keeping a polite distance—no longer concealed their enthusiasm. Smiles bloomed across faces that normally commanded fear across empires.
"Little Friend Xiao Yan, everything went smoothly inside?"
"School Master Ning, was the General Manager satisfied?"
"If there is anything we can assist with, please do not hesitate!"
"Does the General Manager have any new instructions for the Northwest?"
Voices overlapped, courtesy layered upon courtesy, but beneath the politeness lay unmistakable eagerness.
This was no longer merely about escorting a junior.
This was about standing close to the Sacrificial Shop's inner circle.
Xiao Yan responded calmly, neither arrogant nor obsequious, exchanging a few words with the surrounding powerhouses before turning decisively toward the Sacrificial Shop.
Under countless gazes, he stepped inside.
Inside the hall, the clerk behind the counter straightened immediately upon seeing Xiao Yan approach. His movements were crisp, respectful, and efficient—clearly someone accustomed to handling extraordinary matters.
Xiao Yan placed an ancient jade on the counter.
The jade was simple in appearance, its surface worn smooth by time, without dazzling radiance or obvious inscriptions.
"Please appraise this," Xiao Yan said calmly.
The clerk accepted it with both hands.
The moment his fingers made contact, a faint ripple of light spread from his fingertips. His pupils contracted sharply. His breathing stalled.
A long moment passed.
Then—
The clerk abruptly lifted his head.
Shock was written plainly across his face.
"This…" His voice trembled. "This is one of the eight keys to Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's cave."
Silence.
Then—
"Tuoshe Ancient Emperor?!"
"The Dou Di of legend?!"
"This is a key to a Dou Di inheritance?!"
The hall exploded.
Shock spread like wildfire. Even the Dou Zongs who had long since mastered emotional restraint felt their hearts pound uncontrollably.
A Dou Di.
The pinnacle of cultivation.
A realm that had vanished from the continent for tens of thousands of years.
Countless gazes locked onto the ancient jade, greed flashing nakedly in eyes that moments ago still held polite smiles.
At that instant, Xiao Yan stepped forward.
He picked up the jade.
Then, without hesitation, turned and handed it directly to Ning Fengzhi.
"This treasure is too great," Xiao Yan said clearly. "The Xiao Family is not qualified to hold it. I entrust it to School Master Ning."
The hall froze.
This was not hesitation.
This was decision.
Ning Fengzhi accepted the jade without ceremony, as if this outcome had already been settled long before today.
He swept his gaze across the hall.
"In three months," he announced, "Wanbao Pavilion will publicly auction this key."
A stir ran through the crowd.
"This auction will accept only sacrificial coins. Highest bidder wins."
Then, his voice turned colder.
"Soul Hall may use Patriarch Xiao Zhan as collateral to offset part of the price."
No one spoke.
No one dared.
This was no longer a negotiation.
This was a declaration.
Ning Fengzhi continued, as if announcing routine matters.
"For those who escorted Xiao Yan from Qingshan City onward—each Dou Zong will receive 1 million sacrificial coins. Each Dou Huang, 100,000."
"For those who joined midway—Dou Zongs will receive 100,000, Dou Huangs 10,000."
"You may collect them from Wanbao Pavilion."
The hall inhaled sharply.
Individually, the amounts were not earth-shattering.
But combined?
The total payout was astronomical.
Far beyond what anyone had anticipated.
Some powerhouses instinctively moved to refuse. Their true goal had never been coins—it was connection.
Before they could speak, Xiao Yan stepped forward.
"There is no need to decline," he said. "I have formally joined the Sacrificial Shop. These rewards are my teacher's intention."
A slight bow.
Humble.
Unavoidable.
"Joined the Sacrificial Shop?!"
"Congratulations, Brother Xiao Yan!"
The hall erupted again—this time louder, warmer, more genuine.
That single sentence changed everything.
Being hunted by Soul Hall no longer meant isolation.
It meant backing.
Ning Fengzhi raised a hand, suppressing the noise.
"One more thing," he said calmly. "Please spread the news of this auction as widely as possible."
Smiles widened instantly.
"Leave it to us!"
"The entire Northwest will know within days!"
"We guarantee it!"
Xiao Yan and Ning Fengzhi exchanged a brief glance.
This was exactly what they wanted.
The ripples spread faster than anyone expected.
"Soul Hall can see through this scheme," Soul Miesheng said coldly, fingers tapping against the armrest. "But we have no choice."
"Block all information leaving the Northwest," he ordered. "Anyone attempting to transmit news of the Sacrificial Shop—erase them."
In the shadows, Soul Qing knelt.
"This subordinate understands."
Far away, in the Ancient Clan.
Gu Yuan listened in silence.
"The Xiao Clan auctions the Tuoshe Jade…" Gu He sighed. "They have truly fallen far."
"Or risen," Gu Yuan replied calmly.
He stood.
"Gu Nanhai. Go."
"Observe first. Do not force the auction if the price exceeds reason."
"And disrupt spatial fluctuations between the Northwest and the Central Plains."
The order was clear.
This secret was not meant to spread.
Wanbao Pavilion · Secret Chamber
The round table was full.
Ning Fengzhi.
Xiao Yan.
The Ninja World Alliance.
Tsunade leaned forward eagerly. "Starting price—100 million sacrificial coins."
Shikaku closed his eyes. "Please stop."
Ning Fengzhi lifted his teacup.
"A Heaven-tier low-grade cultivation method costs 700 million."
"This jade concerns a Dou Di."
"Starting price—4.5 billion sacrificial coins."
The room went deathly still.
Xiao Yan finally spoke.
"Set it at 4.5 billion."
Then, quietly:
"How will my father be collateral?"
Ning Fengzhi met his gaze.
"A bounty."
"Five million sacrificial coins—for Lù Protector."
"Five million—for rescuing Patriarch Xiao Zhan."
"Complete both—additional 40 million."
He paused.
"This is not an insult."
"It is a declaration of stance."
Xiao Yan clenched his fists.
Then nodded.
The net closed, the space sealed.