"That may be true in principle, but you can't just say it like that. How about this... As a gesture, I'll sell Throne Chu a personal favor."
Horace Hong didn't elaborate, but Evan Chu understood completely, inwardly shocked—nothing escapes Star-Treasure Pavilion's eyes.
"Er, cough cough! Anyway, I do have a word of advice for Throne Chu: lately, three people have been plotting against the Starry Void Sigil, but their intentions are far from pure—they intend to use other means."
After bidding farewell to Horace Hong, Evan Chu hurried back to the inn and immediately summoned Violet Thunder.
Evan Chu shook his head; the favor Horace Hong was offering didn't seem to be worth much.
"Heh, of course no one would dare snatch something directly from Star-Treasure Pavilion. But what if they make their move after the deal goes through? Three Holy Emperor-level powerhouses joining forces—there aren't many in this star-region who could face them head-on. As for who will actually buy the Starry Void Sigil in the end, I still don't know yet."
"But what I want to remind Throne Chu is—the true wonders of the Starry Void Sigil, the effects it can unleash..."
Horace Hong didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear. Evan Chu's heart skipped a beat—this was a real headache!
With a wave of his hand, Evan Chu placed fifty thousand high-grade Starstones in front of Horace Hong.
"The leader of those three is Malcolm Mo—you should know him well. His hatred for you runs deep. This time, he's teamed up with two other dynasties' Holy Emperor-level experts, planning to target whoever gets the Starry Void Sigil after the auction, then strike and seize it.
Their goal is to break through the defenses you've set up..."
While Evan Chu was giving orders to Violet Thunder, Horace Hong left the Star-Treasure Pavilion branch and headed to a secret location to meet someone.
Those fifty thousand high-grade Starstones were well spent! At least now Evan Chu had more plans forming in his mind.
Outside a massive stone gate, Horace Hong spoke with utmost respect.
"The situation has changed. Tell Lance Li and Nathan Yates to give up raiding the Star-mines, gather all the brothers, and station them in a small star-region three thousand stars outside Yellow-Blade. Then wait for further orders.
Also, halt all Starstone transports. Have Lance Li and Nathan Yates get to me as fast as possible!"
"Senior brother, did something happen?"
"I'm not entirely sure yet, but this time... something unexpected might happen. I can't afford to be careless. Just do as I say."
Horace Hong pushed open the stone gate and entered a dim secret chamber. The room was completely bare, with only one figure in a purple-black robe, sitting cross-legged with his back to him.
"Prefecture Master, Evan Chu has already been here."
"Yes, understood!"
"It's done. I relayed everything to Evan Chu, word for word. With his abilities, he should be able to arrange things quickly."
As Horace Hong spoke, he was secretly shocked.
Outside a massive stone gate, Horace Hong spoke with utmost respect.
Horace Hong didn't know the exact realm of the four Prefecture Masters, but he understood he wasn't even qualified to 'look up' to them. Why would someone so formidable suddenly appear at his tiny branch?
But now, he was acting just like an old servant, waiting humbly outside the door for an audience.
"Come in."
A deep, aged voice sounded from inside.
Horace Hong broke open the stone gate and entered a dim secret chamber. The room was completely bare, with only one figure in a purple-black robe, sitting cross-legged with his back to him.
"Understood! I'll personally take charge this time and lead the team myself. I'll make absolutely sure the Starry Void Sigil ends up in Evan Chu's hands."
"Mm. Did you handle what I instructed you to do?"
"It's done. I relayed everything to Evan Chu, word for word. With his abilities, he should be able to arrange things quickly."
Horace Hong's eyes lit up, but inwardly he was even more shocked. Just what kind of secret was Evan Chu hiding, to draw such attention from Star-Treasure Pavilion?
Aside from the supreme headquarters, Star-Treasure Pavilion also has four Prefecture Masters, and each one is an absolute powerhouse—so strong that even among the Five Sacred Lands, they rank as top experts.
"I wouldn't dare!" Swish—Horace Hong broke out in a cold sweat. The meaning was obvious: everything about Evan Chu came from even higher up in Star-Treasure Pavilion. Even the Prefecture Master was just following orders!
But that wasn't even the most shocking part. The ten-thousand-year auction—he'd hosted so many he couldn't count, but he'd never handled a heaven-defying treasure like the Starry Void Sigil before!
To put it another way, a treasure of this level should be auctioned by someone several realms above him. He was sure the supreme headquarters had no shortage of such experts, so why would the Prefecture Master assign it to him?
And although news of this auction has spread, he vaguely sensed the information was somehow being blocked. For a heaven-defying treasure to appear, the news should've gone everywhere, but it was only circulating in the southeastern Star-River Dominion—something was seriously off!
Horace Hong left the secret chamber. The dim room returned to silence, but the mysterious Prefecture Master's deep, dark eyes flashed with a sharp light.
"Evan Chu... I hadn't planned to choose you at first. Someone who can't control his own fate under the Heavenly Dao laws is bound to be a wildcard.
"Good. Whether you get promoted this time depends on how well you handle this. If you succeed, I'll personally help you break through by one realm and transfer you to the Phantom-Sword Star-Region branch."
In short, I have no choice but to do this! I just hope... you can help me accomplish what I want. If you do, I'll truly be grateful."
Horace Hong's eyes lit up, but inwardly he was even more shocked. Just what kind of secret was Evan Chu hiding, to draw such attention from Star-Treasure Pavilion?
"Do more, talk less. Don't go guessing what the higher-ups mean unless you have to. I'm saying this for your own good—the top brass have already issued strict orders not to cause trouble this time, so... just do your job."
"I wouldn't dare!" Swish—Horace Hong broke out in a cold sweat. The meaning was obvious: everything about Evan Chu came from even higher up in Star-Treasure Pavilion. Even the Prefecture Master was just following orders!
In other words, he'd better not get involved—one wrong step could cost him his life! To protect a secret, Star-Treasure Pavilion could easily sacrifice an early Holy Emperor. What kind of secret could this be...
"Alright, you may go."
"Yes, Prefecture Master!"
Horace Hong left the secret chamber. The dim room returned to silence, but the mysterious Prefecture Master's deep, dark eyes flashed with a sharp light.
"Evan Chu... I hadn't planned to choose you at first. Someone who can't control his own fate under the Heavenly Dao laws is bound to be a wildcard.
But your talent makes me jealous, makes me envious... Time is running short, and those other three have already picked their candidates. If I don't act now, disaster will fall on me too.
In short, I have no choice but to do this! I just hope... you can help me accomplish what I want. If you do, I'll truly be grateful.
The mysterious Prefecture Master let out a heavy sigh, then closed his eyes and fell silent, not releasing a trace of his aura—like a corpse.