Chapter 2196 — Chapter 2196 Auction for the Spirit Stone(3)

"A second spirit stone! He actually has a second spirit stone!"

"Do you intend on selling that spirit stone as well?!"

Yuan responded to the inquiry, "Yes, I do intend on selling the spirit stone, but I don't want money for it."

"What do you want?" someone asked.

"I'll give this spirit stone to whoever can provide me with the location of the Spirit Tree."

"What…?"

The room fell into instant silence, the guests glancing at one another with uncertain, wary looks.

Although the spirit stone was an attractive offer, it wasn't something worth offending the Asura Clan for.

Seeing the deafening silence, Yuan reached into his pocket and retrieved a third spirit stone, causing everyone to widen their eyes again.

"He's pulled out another spirit stone!"

"Heavens! How many of those does he actually have?!"

While some started considering telling Yuan about the Spirit Tree, others wondered if he would pull out more spirit stones if they waited a little longer.

"If you don't mind me asking, why are you searching for the Spirit Tree?" Someone suddenly asked.

Yuan turned to look at the individual, a middle-aged man wearing green robes, who was the same person bidding against the Chaotic Sect for the spirit stone at the very end.

The man continued, "Even if you know its location, you cannot enter it without the Asura Clan's permission."

"I want to go there exactly because I have some business with the Asura Clan."

"..."

The room fell silent again.

When no one responded, Yuan spoke up. "Perhaps some of you prefer not to speak in public, so I'll end it here. My offer will remain in effect until I am informed of the information I need to know. You can find me in room 302 at the Black Inn, four blocks from here."

Having said that, Yuan turned around and disappeared, leaving everyone speechless.

The other guests began leaving shortly after.

Meanwhile, Yuan went to collect his earnings for the spirit stone.

"Your earnings for the spirit stone are nine billion, three hundred and fifty million small Chaos Coins after deduction from our auction house's 15 percent fee. However, due to the massive amount, we regret to inform you that it'll take some time for the money to be transferred," said Chen Cheng.

"And how long will that take?" Yuan asked.

"We should have the money ready by next week," he said.

Yuan smiled and asked, "You sure the Chaotic Sect isn't trying to screw me over?"

"I… have no comments…" Chen Cheng shook his head.

"Very well. Since I have some time to spare, I'll wait. However, if I don't have my money by then, I'll personally visit the Chaotic Sect, and there won't be any conversations, if you know what I mean."

"T-That's…" Chen Cheng opened his mouth but didn't know how to respond.

Yuan continued, "Don't worry, I wasn't talking to you, but the sneaky rat in this room."

"?!?!"

Chen Cheng's eyes widened at his words.

In the next moment, the hidden presence unveiled itself, revealing none other than the male Chaos Elder from the other day.

"That's quite the bold threat, even though it's nothing but an empty one."

"If you think it's an empty threat, you can go ahead and test me. Then, I'll be back in a week."

Yuan turned and left. After departing the auction house, he returned to his hotel room to wait for someone to accept his offer—and it didn't take long.

At the sound of a knock, Yuan opened the door to find a figure cloaked in grey, their appearance concealed from head to toe.

"Is the offer still available?" asked the man in a rough tone.

"Sure is. Want to talk inside?"

However, the man shook his head and said, "There are too many people here. Let's talk somewhere more private."

"Sure. Lead the way."

"Want me to come with you?" Mu Xuelian asked him from the other room through voice transmission.

"No, you can stay here."

And so, Yuan followed the man out of the hotel. Before long, they had left the city behind entirely, traveling until even the distant outline of its walls was lost from sight.

"Surely, this is far enough," Yuan said.

The man halted his movements and turned toward Yuan, who wore a calm expression despite the sketchy situation.

"You're a little too calm. Are you not worried that I might rob you?" asked the man.

"Would I have followed you all the way out here if I were worried?" Yuan responded.

"Fair enough."

The cloaked figure pulled back his hood, revealing himself as the very man who had questioned Yuan at the auction house about his interest in the Spirit Tree's location.

"I don't mind telling you the location of the Spirit Tree, but I must ask, what business do you have with the Asura Clan?"

"Just some personal business."

The man narrowed his eyes and fell silent to ponder.

"Are you… planning to fight the Asura Clan?" he finally asked.

Yuan raised an eyebrow. "And what makes you think that?"

"You're wealthy enough to possess three spirit stones, so you're clearly from a powerful background. If I had to guess, you belong to one of the factions long denied access to the Spirit Tree… and now you seek revenge against the Asura Clan."

Yuan was amazed at the misunderstanding, but he didn't deny it and played along to see where they would go.

"Are you now going to say that you won't tell me the Spirit Tree's location because you don't want any involvement?" However, to Yuan's surprise, the man shook his head and said, "No, that's not it. In fact, I—we would like to help you."

"We?"

"The Asura Clan has monopolized the Spirit Tree since ancient times, and there are many people who are sick of it. That's why many of us are going to put an end to it. Why don't you join us? We'll get you to the Spirit Tree and back you in your revenge," the man urged.