(Special thanks to 'Yin Emperor's Uncle' for the 200,000 red donation, making him the sixth alliance leader of 'Heaven's Ninth'!)
Joe Di didn’t feel anything unusual. He’d heard that Martial Kings could traverse the skies.
"Are there many people like that?" Joe Di grew eager to go to Celestia. If it’s not dangerous, it means there’s nothing left for those who come later. But if it’s dangerous, it means latecomers still have a chance to get a share.
Miles Hu pondered for a moment before saying, "I left Celestia a year ago. Back then, there were reportedly six people at the Half-Step Innate stage. Now, there may be some who have truly entered the Innate Realm. After all, Celestia has so many treasures. If someone gets lucky and obtains one..."
Miles Hu didn’t finish his sentence, but Joe Di understood.
"Miles, how did you get into Celestia back then? Is it now only possible for Martial Academy students recognized by the Federation to go?" Joe Di asked.
Hearing Joe Di’s question, Miles Hu quickly replied, "Young Master Joe, Celestia is a huge trap—you mustn’t go. Of the people who went early on, only a few returned to Earth; most died there. Those who reached the Half-Step Innate stage were unbelievably lucky. It’s not that Celestia doesn’t have good things—on the contrary, it’s full of treasures. But it’s simply too terrifying."
Joe Di didn’t ask further. He had to go to Celestia.
Even if Joe Di hadn’t said he was going to Celestia, Miles Hu could sense his resolve. He had no choice but to say, "Now, the only way to get to Celestia is with money. Previously, as a member of the Hu Family, I spent a fortune to secure a spot. As for Martial Academy students, even if they go to Celestia, they’re still at the mercy of others. Because Celestia is so dangerous, most people stay within the Celestia Plaza.
The entire Celestia Plaza is protected by laser walls. All the major factions form teams to go treasure hunting. In Celestia Plaza, there’s the Celestia Federation Martial Academy. Students selected from Earth’s Martial Academies must study there before being recruited by the factions, only then earning the right to truly explore Celestia."
"How can I buy things from Celestia?" Joe Di wanted to go to Celestia right away, but before that, he needed to master the Di Family Seven Blades.
"Most items from Celestia are brought back for auction. As far as I know, there’s a special auction for Celestia goods in Yanjing in three months. But that auction is extremely high-level—I couldn’t get a ticket. Every item there fetches a staggering price…" Miles Hu said.
Joe Di knew that right now, he lacked both money and the strength to attend such auctions. When he lived in Jade Nation on the Yalen Continent, he’d attended a few auctions before.
He was well aware that whenever a top-tier treasure appeared at auction, it would attract countless greedy eyes. Whoever won such a treasure might be inviting disaster. Earth might be a bit safer, but in Joe Di’s view, envy over treasures was universal.
Joe Di was silent for a moment, then stood up and said, "Thank you for telling me all this. I have to go now."
Miles Hu quickly stood up as well. "Young Master Joe, it’s my family who should thank you. This little money is embarrassing—please don’t mind."
Joe Di patted Miles Hu on the shoulder and chuckled, "What I need is a large sum of money, and a way to get into the auction. You keep this money for yourself—I’ll figure out the rest."
He didn’t say this for no reason. Back in Jade Nation, while frantically compounding medicines to develop martial roots, he accidentally discovered several formulas. These formulas couldn’t help him cultivate, but were very beneficial for those with martial roots. Unfortunately, he himself couldn’t cultivate. One particular formula used Wild Reed as its main ingredient—it could greatly boost a martial artist’s strength and training progress. He’d secretly tested it on disciples training in the Di Family.
He still had some of those herbs left. When the time came, he’d make a few bottles of medicine—not just for himself, but to sell the surplus at auction.
Hearing that Joe Di was heading to the auction, Miles Hu could only put away his card. He had a few million, but he knew that at a Celestia auction, it wouldn’t be nearly enough.
"Young Master Joe, if you want to go to the auction, you could try visiting the Ji Family in Yanjing," Miles Hu suggested.
Before Joe Di could ask, he explained, "The Ji Family is one of the world’s top commercial families, ranking in the global top ten. Benson Ji, the patriarch, is as kind as his name suggests—a true philanthropist. Unfortunately, his direct grandson Stanley Ji was poisoned on Celestia. Although he was brought back to Yanjing, the poison remains incurable. Stanley’s father, Howard Ji, went to Celestia to find a cure, but he’s gone missing."
"You mean you want me to visit them as a doctor?" Joe Di asked immediately.
Miles Hu nodded. "Exactly. Benson Ji is extremely influential—not only can he get tickets to the Celestia auction in Yanjing, he’d do anything for his direct descendants."
"I understand. Thank you," Joe Di nodded.
Miles Hu knew Joe Di lacked two things for the auction: eligibility to enter, and money.
Joe Di always acted quickly—after bidding farewell to Miles Hu and Lin Bo, he headed straight to the station and boarded a high-speed train to Yanjing.
......
Daicheng City, considered the northern border city of China.
Three Bridges in Lakeview District, Daicheng City, is the most scenic and expensive area in town. Especially the Immortal Villas in Three Bridges—each villa is decorated with utmost luxury.
The villa at the very edge of Immortal Villas was several times larger than the others. Right now, in its grand hall, Zane Bi stood respectfully at the lower seat. Aside from the scar-faced woman and the old man beside him, no one else was qualified to enter.
In addition to Zane Bi, there were more than a dozen men and women in the hall, all sitting quietly and listening to his explanation.
At the head seat sat a man who looked only a little older than Zane Bi. He was vigorous and imposing. In reality, he was already sixty-three years old—this was Zane Bi’s mentor, Quentin Jia.
Anyone in the underworld had heard of Quentin Jia. Rumor had it that before Celestia appeared, he was already a Mystic-level expert. After Celestia’s emergence, he was among the first to go there. Many who went to Celestia died, but Quentin Jia survived, and his martial arts broke through to the Earth level.
He had another nickname: 'The Unfalsifiable.' It meant that his word was as good as gold—never a lie.
When Zane Bi finished speaking, Quentin Jia finally said coolly, "So this Joe Di confronted your people head-on, killed seven of them, and left unscathed. Meanwhile, you exposed the Peace Arena at Beyond Tower and got driven out here?"
Zane Bi had none of his former arrogance from Beyond Tower. Hearing Quentin Jia’s words, he immediately knelt and pleaded, "Master, I was careless this time. I’ll personally bring Joe Di here."
Quentin Jia picked up his tea and sipped slowly. After a long pause, he said calmly, "You weren’t careless—you’re just too used to comfort. Do you realize how hard it is for me to establish a Peace Arena in China? The one in Luojin is especially crucial, and you ruined it. Tell me, do you think I’ll give you another chance?"
"Master…" Zane Bi sensed trouble and quickly called out.
Quentin Jia raised a hand to silence him, then turned to a strikingly beautiful young woman beside him. "You report what you’ve found in your investigation."
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