Chapter 223: The Oriole Behind, Packing Everything Up

"One and a half million!"

Bids rose one after another, the price skyrocketing frantically.

In the Jiang Family's booth, Jiang Lie sneered, "A bunch of fools, quite a generous move."

A nearby Jiang Family Disciple asked, "Elder, are we not bidding?"

"Bid for what?"

Jiang Lie waved his hand, "No need to say more, I have my own arrangements."

In the Ying Family's private room, the Ying Family Elder narrowed his eyes, "That old fox Jiang Lie isn't bidding; it seems he's going to make a move."

"Elder, should we…"

"Don't worry about it."

The Ying Family Elder interrupted him, "Let the Jiang Family wade into the muddy waters; we just need to wait for an opportunity."

Just as all parties were calculating, a Black Robed Man raised his bidding sign.

"Two million Top-Grade Spirit Stones."

The voice wasn't loud, but it silenced the entire auction house.

This price had already exceeded the value of the Snow Lotus Essence itself.

"This guest bids two million, are there any higher?"

The Host's voice trembled slightly.

No one responded.

"Two million once… two million twice… two million thrice! Sold!"

The Black Robed Man stood up and walked backstage under everyone's gaze.

Jiang Lie narrowed his eyes, "Go check this person's identity."

Soon, a subordinate reported, "Elder, this person is an Enshrined Elder of the City Lord's Mansion, with a Quasi-Emperor cultivation level."

"Someone from the City Lord's Mansion? That makes it even easier."

Jiang Lie sneered.

In an inn not far from the City Lord's Mansion.

Zhou Chen sat cross-legged, his Divine Sense quietly locking onto the direction of the City Lord's Mansion.

"Kid, are you so sure the Jiang Family will make a move?"

Elder Xuan asked.

"Naturally, just wait and see; it's almost midnight."

Zhou Chen opened his eyes and looked at the night growing darker.

Sure enough, when the moon reached its zenith, a subtle aura suddenly emanated from the direction of the City Lord's Mansion.

"It's coming."

Zhou Chen stood up, circulating the Divine Concealment Art, and his entire being instantly vanished into the night.

Jiang Lie was dressed in black with a veil over his face, followed by four Jiang Family Disciples in similar attire.

"Remember, I've already made arrangements; there will be no guards at midnight tonight. Finish it quickly, take the items, and leave—do not linger for a fight."

Jiang Lie whispered.

"Yes!"

The five figures flickered and slipped into the treasury.

The treasury was heavily guarded, but it was nothing to a Quasi-Emperor powerhouse.

Jiang Lie easily broke through the Formation and entered the inner chamber.

A crystal box lay quietly on a jade platform, the Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Lotus Essence emitting a soft glow.

"Got it!"

Greed flashed in Jiang Lie's eyes as he reached for the crystal box.

At that moment, a pebble flew through the air and struck the treasury's warning Formation.

A piercing alarm instantly echoed throughout the City Lord's Mansion!

"Damn it!"

Jiang Lie's expression changed drastically as he grabbed the crystal box to flee.

But it was already too late.

"What lowly thief dares to break into the City Lord's Mansion at night!"

With a thunderous shout, the Enshrined Elder descended from the sky and struck a palm toward Jiang Lie.

Jiang Lie was forced to let go of the crystal box, flipping his palm to meet the attack. The auras of two Quasi-Emperors collided violently, causing the entire treasury to shake intensely.

"Hmm? A tough nut to crack. Retreat!"

Sensing another Quasi-Emperor aura rapidly approaching from the distance, Jiang Lie suddenly roared.

The four men in black immediately rushed out to support Jiang Lie.

But the powerhouses of the City Lord's Mansion had already surrounded the treasury.

"Want to leave? It won't be that easy!"

The City Lord of the City Lord's Mansion also appeared, also at the Quasi-Emperor level. He and the Enshrined Elder stood on either side, trapping Jiang Lie in the middle.

"Two Quasi-Emperors… I'll hold them off, you guys find a chance to run."

Jiang Lie gritted his teeth.

He hadn't expected such a hitch in his foolproof plan.

In the darkness, another dozen figures rushed out; they were all Jiang Family powerhouses providing backup.

For a time, the City Lord's Mansion fell into a chaotic battle.

"Tsk tsk tsk, what a lively fight."

From the shadows, Zhou Chen watched with great interest.

At that moment, a sudden change occurred.

Impacted by the aftershocks of the battle, the Snow Lotus Essence in the crystal box suddenly erupted with powerful cold air.

The cold air spread instantly, and the entire treasury was frozen over.

"Not good! Retreat quickly! The Snow Lotus Essence is going berserk!"

The Enshrined Elder's expression changed.

The cold air grew stronger, and both sides of the battle had to retreat.

The place where the Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Lotus Essence lived was originally an extremely cold place, and with ten thousand years of cold air accumulation, the chill was terrifying.

Frost immediately began to spread in all directions, and the entire City Lord's Mansion was flash-frozen into ice sculptures.

Jiang Lie took this opportunity to flee quickly.

And how could the City Lord and the Enshrined Elder let him go? They chased after him.

The cold air of the Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Lotus Essence was difficult to dispel by ordinary means, so they weren't worried about it being taken away.

"Now's the time!"

The moment the several Quasi-Emperors left, Zhou Chen's figure flickered. He pushed the Divine Concealment Art to its limit, completely merging into the night.

He quickly moved through the chaotic crowd, his footsteps so light they didn't even leave a mark on the ice.

The City Lord's Mansion treasury was now deserted. The cold air was heaviest here; an ordinary Saint Realm cultivator would be frozen into an ice sculpture if caught off guard.

However, for Zhou Chen, who possessed the Samadhi True Fire, it wasn't a problem at all.

Before long, Zhou Chen melted a doorway into a corner of the treasury.

By now, all the Formations in the treasury had failed.

Zhou Chen entered the treasury without any obstacles.

Along the way, various Cultivation Techniques, Medicinal Pills, and ancient texts—anything that could be moved, even the decorative crystal lamps—were all packed up and taken away by Zhou Chen in one go.

At the end of the treasury.

A crystal box floated quietly in mid-air, the surrounding cold air forming a barrier.

Zhou Chen took a deep breath. The Samadhi True Fire surged within him as he reached through the cold air toward the crystal box.

Sizzle…

The moment his fingertips touched the box, a bone-chilling cold rushed into his body, but it was instantly dispelled by the Samadhi True Fire.

Zhou Chen grabbed the box in his hand.

"Ding! The Host has obtained a Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Lotus Essence, triggering a ten-thousand-fold return! Congratulations to the Host for obtaining an Ancient Transformation Pill!"

The System's prompt echoed in his mind, and Zhou Chen was stunned for a moment.

"Ancient Transformation Pill?"

"What is this thing?"

Without time to think more, Zhou Chen turned and left.

"Who?!"

The City Lord's Mansion's Enshrined Elder suddenly turned his head, his Divine Sense sweeping toward the treasury.

But Zhou Chen's figure had long since disappeared, leaving only a floor of melted ice water.

"The Snow Lotus Essence… is gone?"

The Enshrined Elder's eyes widened.

However, what distressed him even more was that the entire City Lord's Mansion treasury seemed to have been stripped bare?

Jiang Lie also noticed this and was completely dumbfounded, "How is that possible?!"

"Your people stole it!" the City Lord roared, his attacks becoming even more intense.

"Bullshit! We didn't get it either!"

Jiang Lie shouted in exasperation.

However, no one listened to his explanation. Outside East Desolation City, the fierce battle resumed. In the end, Jiang Lie had to detonate a Saint-Rank Top-Grade Spiritual Artifact to escape.

Even though the Imperial Clan was wealthy, Jiang Lie couldn't help but feel a twinge of heartache.

It wasn't that he hadn't thought about using his influence to suppress them by revealing his identity, but the Imperial Clan also cared about their reputation.

If Jiang Lie had done that and the news spread, his own fate might not have been much better.

Therefore, their unspoken bottom line was usually not to affect the Imperial Clan's dignity. No matter how much they caused trouble normally, the clan would turn a blind eye.