Courtyard Check-in: Starting with a Small World of Cultivation

On the morning of April 10th, Hong Kong was bathed in bright sunshine after the rain. Several black cars were already quietly parked in front of Wing On Auction House, located on the second floor of an English-style building on Queen's Road Central in Central. Suit-clad waiters stood at the entrance, checking the gold-embossed invitations of each guest—this special auction, touted as featuring the "Tang Dynasty Buddhist Treasure Seven-Star Plate," had invited fewer than thirty guests, yet it included prominent figures from Hong Kong's collecting and business circles, as well as some lesser-known figures.

At 10 a.m., Chen Yu changed into a custom-made dark gray striped suit, put on gold-rimmed glasses, and disguised the Demon-Slaying Sword as a cane using a specially made sword pouch. He quietly left through the back door of the Peninsula Hotel. Instead of going directly to the auction house, he detoured to Causeway Bay and had a simple brunch at a long-established tea restaurant—shrimp dumplings, siu mai, and char siu buns, accompanied by a pot of Pu'er tea.

"System, check-in for today." Sipping his mellow Pu'er tea, Chen Yu silently recited in his mind. Today's matter was of utmost importance, and any assistance would be invaluable.

[Ding! Japanese visa successfully obtained]

[Received: HK$280, Basic Auction Psychology (small), A 1964 Hong Kong Upper Social Circle Profile, Three sticks of calming incense, One spiritual pocket watch]

Auction psychology knowledge flooded my mind, encompassing bidding strategies, psychological game theory, and atmosphere creation techniques. The biographical catalog, a hefty 120 pages, meticulously detailed the backgrounds, preferences, grudges, and even secrets of Hong Kong's prominent figures. The concentration incense, once lit, could enhance focus and ward off external distractions. The spiritual pocket watch, though unassuming in appearance, could, when infused with spiritual power, briefly distort time perception within a small area—lasting only three breaths, but potentially life-saving in a critical moment.

Chen Yu carefully put away his pocket watch, then lit a calming incense stick; its delicate fragrance invigorated him. As he paid the bill and left, he noticed two figures across the street pretending to read a newspaper—it was the young man and the aloof woman from Zhao Wuji's men, keeping watch on him.

"Pseudo-Man Seven," he communicated via telepathy, "is there anything unusual near the auction house?"

"Master, there are two groups of people monitoring the auction house, one at the front and one at the back. They're all unfamiliar faces and are probably peripheral members of the Heavenly Dao Alliance. Also, Master Long's car arrived ten minutes ago. He brought four bodyguards, all of whom are skilled in martial arts. There are also three other cars with Macau license plates, which are suspected to be Ho Hung-cheung's men."

"He Hongchang also sent people?" Chen Yu was slightly surprised.

"Yes, but I'm just here to observe; I probably won't participate in the bidding."

"Continue monitoring; report any abnormalities immediately."

Chen Yu hailed a taxi, which drove around two blocks before finally stopping two blocks away from the auction house. He walked through the alley and entered through the fire escape on the side of the auction house—the route he had Lin Wanru arrange for him the day before.

The auction hall was small, about two hundred square meters, and elegantly decorated. Directly in front was the auction stage, with more than twenty small round tables covered with white tablecloths, each with two high-backed chairs. A dozen or so guests were already seated, mostly elderly people with gray hair or composed middle-aged people, exchanging hushed greetings. The atmosphere seemed harmonious, but undercurrents were running deep.

Chen Yu chose a seat towards the back left, an angle that offered a clear view of the entire room while minimizing his chances of being noticed. He had barely sat down when he saw Su Man enter through the main entrance—she was wearing a dark green cheongsam with a white mink shawl and brown sunglasses, exuding confidence as she linked arms with a man in his sixties with slicked-back hair. Chen Yu recognized the man; he was Xu Bancheng, a titan of Hong Kong's art collecting world, whose collection was said to be worth half the city of Hong Kong.

Immediately afterward, Taoist Jingxu arrived, dressed in a brown Tang suit, disguised as Xu Bancheng's attendant, and followed discreetly behind the two.

The three people's eyes met briefly in the air before they looked away, pretending not to know each other.

By 10:30, most of the guests had arrived. Chen Yu subtly scanned the entire room with his spiritual sense, a chill running down his spine—there were at least eight cultivators present! Besides Zhao Wuji and his two companions, Master Long and his two bodyguards, there were three unfamiliar faces: a lean, elderly man in a black Zhongshan suit sitting in the front row; a middle-aged man with gold-rimmed glasses who appeared scholarly, sitting on the right; and a man in a gray robe sitting in the corner, his head always bowed. These three were all at the fifth or sixth level of Qi Refining, likely local Hong Kong rogue cultivators.

"Distinguished guests, please be quiet." The auctioneer stepped onto the stage; he was a meticulously groomed Englishman in his fifties. "Today we are auctioning only one item, but it is absolutely of great importance—a Tang Dynasty Seven-Star Plate, said to be a Buddhist treasure brought back from India by the monk Xuanzang. Now, please present the item!"

Two hostesses in cheongsams pushed a small cart covered with red velvet and black velvet cloth onto the stage. The auctioneer carefully lifted the cloth—

Under the spotlight, the Seven Star Plate gleamed with a bronze luster. The Big Dipper at the center was inlaid with jade, and the Sanskrit inscriptions along the edges were clearly visible. More importantly, under the influence of the simulated talisman, the surface of the plate was enveloped in a faint golden halo, emanating a subtle aura of "Buddhist nature"!

"Huh?" The lean old man in the front row let out a soft exclamation, clearly sensing the aura.

The middle-aged man wearing gold-rimmed glasses pushed up his glasses, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes.

The gray-robed man in the corner raised his head, revealing a scarred face, then lowered his head again.

Zhao Wuji sat in the center, his expression calm, but Chen Yu noticed that his fingers, which were resting on his knees, curled slightly—a sign of inner turmoil.

"Starting price: HK$500,000." The auctioneer brought down the gavel. "Minimum bid increment is HK$10,000. Begin now!"

A brief silence.

"Five hundred and one thousand." The first bidder was Xu Bancheng—a shill arranged by Chen Yu beforehand.

"Five hundred and twenty thousand." Another white-haired old man held up a sign.

"Five hundred and fifty thousand," the lean old man said, his voice hoarse.

The bidding climbed steadily. Chen Yu observed Zhao Wuji; the other party hadn't raised his paddle at all, seemingly just there to "observe." Something was wrong.

When the price reached 680,000, a middle-aged man wearing gold-rimmed glasses suddenly raised his paddle: "800,000!"

The room erupted in uproar. A single bid of 120,000 was extremely rare in antique auctions.

Following the script, Xu Bancheng made a hesitant expression, then shook his head, indicating that he was giving up.

"Eight hundred thousand for the first time... eight hundred thousand for the second time..." The auctioneer raised the gavel.

Just then, Zhao Wuji finally moved. He slowly raised the bidding paddle in his hand: "One million."

"Increase the bid by 200,000!" A low gasp rippled through the auction hall.

The middle-aged man's expression changed slightly, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "One million and fifty thousand!"

"One million two hundred thousand." Zhao Wuji didn't even lift his eyelids.

"One million two hundred and fifty thousand!"

"One million five hundred thousand."

This wasn't bidding anymore; it was a complete rout. The middle-aged man's face was ashen; his lips moved, but he finally slumped down, putting down his bidding paddle in despair.

"One and a half million for the first time... one and a half million for the second time... one and a half million for the third time! Sold!" The gavel fell. "Congratulations, Mr. Zhao!"

Sparse applause broke out. Zhao Wuji rose and, accompanied by the aloof woman and the young man, walked backstage to complete the handover procedures. As he passed Chen Yu, he paused slightly, glanced at Chen Yu, and a meaningful smile played on his lips.

Alarm bells rang in Chen Yu's mind. Zhao Wuji's gaze seemed to see right through him.

In the transaction room, Zhao Wuji handed a check for HK$1.5 million to the auction house manager and took the sandalwood box containing the Seven Star Compass. He didn't open the box to inspect the goods on the spot, but instead handed it directly to the young man behind him: "Keep this safe."

At this moment, Master Long also entered the transaction room and laughed, "Mr. Zhao, what a bold move! Buying a Tang Dynasty plate for 1.5 million, that's quite a generous investment!"

"It's worth the price," Zhao Wuji said calmly. "Master Long, could you please make arrangements for a few friends to 'appraise' this treasure?"

"Oh? Which friends would Mr. Zhao like to invite?"

"Those people who were bidding just now, and..." Zhao Wuji's gaze drifted towards the door, "...that gentleman with the gold-rimmed glasses."

Chen Yu overheard this conversation in the auction hall and sneered inwardly. Was Zhao Wuji planning to "inspect the goods" on the spot, and had he gathered all the potential competitors together? Was he trying to wipe them all out, or did he have some other motive?

Ten minutes later, in a small VIP room on the second floor of the auction house. A long table was covered with a white tablecloth, with the Seven Star Compass placed in the center, surrounded by seven people: Zhao Wuji, a cold and beautiful woman, a young man, Master Long, a lean old man, a middle-aged man wearing gold-rimmed glasses, and Chen Yu—who had been invited as a "young collector with a research interest in the Seven Star Compass."

"You are all experts. I am new to Hong Kong and have acquired this treasure. I would like to ask you all to help me take a look at it." Zhao Wuji spoke politely, but his tone left no room for doubt.

The lean old man picked up the Seven Star Plate first, examined it carefully, and then tapped the plate lightly with his fingers, listening intently to the echo. After a moment, he nodded: "The bronze is rich and the patina is natural. The inlaid jade is top-quality Hetian jade, and the Sanskrit carving is simple and elegant... Judging from its shape, it is indeed in the style of the Tang Dynasty."

The middle-aged man with gold-rimmed glasses took it, took out a magnifying glass from his pocket, and examined it inch by inch: "The aging technique is superb, almost flawless. However..." He paused, "there's something wrong with the 'qi' of this plate."

"Oh? What's the problem?" Zhao Wuji asked.

"It's too 'new'." The middle-aged man put down the magnifying glass. "A real antique, after a thousand years, should have a rich and restrained aura. But the aura of this plate... although it's a very good imitation, it lacks that sense of vicissitude."

Chen Yu secretly praised the man, thinking that he had a good eye. The simulation talisman could mimic spiritual energy, but it could not simulate the accumulation of time.

Zhao Wuji looked at Chen Yu: "Mr. Chen, what do you think?"

It's finally here. Chen Yu knew this was a test, and he calmly said, "I only have a superficial understanding of antiques. However... if this plate is truly a Buddhist treasure brought back by Xuanzang, it should have 'Buddha's blessing.' I've heard that some eminent monks can sense the authenticity of Buddhist treasures."

"Blessed by Buddha-nature?" A strange light flashed in Zhao Wuji's eyes. "Mr. Chen seems to have some knowledge of cultivation?"

"I have elders in my family who are Buddhists, and I've heard them mention it," Chen Yu said, keeping his mouth shut.

Zhao Wuji stopped asking questions, stood up, and walked to the window, turning his back to the others. After a few seconds of silence, he suddenly turned around, holding a palm-sized black jade tablet in his hand! The tablet was engraved with intricate runes and was now faintly glowing!

"Since we're on the topic of 'qi,' then I, Zhao, will use some 'unconventional methods' to test the goods."

Before the words were even finished, the jade tablet erupted with a blinding black light! A chilling aura instantly enveloped the entire room! Under the black light, the pale golden halo on the surface of the Seven Star Disc fluctuated violently, and then... shattered and dissipated like a bubble!

The effect of the simulation symbol has been forcibly dispelled!

"This is... a Jade Token for Breaking the Law!" the lean old man exclaimed in surprise. "You're a cultivator!"

Zhao Wuji sneered, "Not only me, but everyone here... I'm afraid you're not ordinary people, are you?" His gaze swept over the crowd, lingering for a moment on Chen Yu's face. "This Seven Star Plate is a fake. And a very sophisticated fake at that, imbued with a false 'Buddha-nature' using talismans. As for where the real Seven Star Key is, I think... someone should know."

The atmosphere in the room suddenly became tense!

Master Long's expression changed slightly, and he quietly took a step back. The two bodyguards he brought immediately stepped forward to protect him.

The lean old man and the middle-aged man exchanged a glance, both secretly on guard.

Chen Yu's mind raced. Zhao Wuji was about to completely break off relations! And the fact that he dared to make a move on Boss Long's territory showed that he was fearless!

"Mr. Zhao, this is Hong Kong, not Taiwan," Master Long said in a deep voice. "There are rules for doing business. The auction is over. Whether the goods are genuine or not is your own fault for misjudging them. You can't blame anyone else."

"Rules?" Zhao Wuji laughed. "Master Long, we are both cultivators, why bother with these formalities? I invited you all here today not for this 1.5 million, but for the true whereabouts of the Seven Star Key. Whoever can provide clues..." He took out three jade bottles from his robes. "These three bottles of 'Condensing Essence Pills' are the reward."

Condensing Essence Pill! A foundation-building auxiliary pill, extremely precious to Qi Refining cultivators! The breathing of the lean old man and the middle-aged man became heavier.

Chen Yu noticed that Zhao Wuji's gaze kept glancing at him, albeit subtly, as he spoke.

"I don't know anything about the Seven Star Key," the lean old man spoke first. "I'm just an old man who collects antiques."

"Me too," the middle-aged man quickly echoed.

Zhao Wuji remained noncommittal, then turned to Chen Yu: "Mr. Chen, what about you?"

"I'm not even a cultivator, so I don't know anything about it," Chen Yu shook his head.

"Is that so?" Zhao Wuji suddenly raised his hand, and a beam of black light shot towards Chen Yu!

This attack came suddenly and from a tricky angle, aiming straight for Chen Yu's dantian—it was meant to cripple his cultivation!

Chen Yu was prepared. He instantly drew the Demon-Slaying Sword from his cane and cleaved the black light in two! The sword hummed, blood-red runes lit up, and its awe-inspiring righteousness dispelled the chilling atmosphere in the room!

"The Demon-Slaying Sword!" Zhao Wuji's eyes lit up. "It really is you! Hand over the Seven Star Key and the cave's inheritance, and I'll spare your life!"

His identity was exposed! Knowing he could no longer pretend, Chen Yu unleashed his full power at the seventh level of Qi Refining and thrust his sword at Zhao Wuji!

"Overestimating yourself!" Zhao Wuji sneered, and the Jade Token of Breaking the Law shone brightly again, shooting out an even thicker beam of black light!

As the two forces collided, Chen Yu grunted and staggered back three steps. The light on the Demon-Slaying Sword dimmed slightly—the difference in their cultivation levels was too great!

Upon seeing this, the lean old man and the middle-aged man simultaneously rushed towards the window, trying to escape. However, the aloof woman and the young man were already guarding the door; both were at the mid-stage of Qi Refining, so blocking their path was no problem.

Master Long's face was grim, but he didn't move. His two bodyguards were merely on guard, showing no intention of intervening—clearly, they didn't want to get involved in this mess.

"Benefactor Chen, this humble Taoist has come to your aid!" The voice of Taoist Jingxu suddenly came from outside the door! The Green Bamboo Sword burst through the door, its light swaying like a bamboo forest, entangling Zhao Wuji!

Su Man also appeared at the door, her Flowing Moon Sword transforming into a beam of moonlight, piercing straight at the cold and beautiful woman!

The battle instantly turned into a three-on-three situation!

But Chen Yu knew they were still at a disadvantage. Zhao Wuji was at the eighth level of Qi Refining, and his methods were unpredictable; that magic-breaking jade tablet seemed to specifically counter the spiritual light of magical artifacts.

"Set up the formation!" Taoist Jingxu shouted, throwing out eight small flags that landed in eight directions around the room—this was a simple trapping formation he had learned from the "Xuanzhen Daozang"!

The small flag lit up with a blue light, forming an octagonal light shield that trapped Zhao Wuji in the middle!

"A mere trick!" Zhao Wuji scoffed. The Jade Pendant of Breaking Laws erupted with an even stronger black light, causing the light shield to fluctuate violently and shatter on the verge of breaking!

Chen Yu seized the opportunity, took out a Qi-exploding pill, and swallowed it! The pill entered his stomach and instantly transformed into a surge of violent spiritual energy that rushed into his meridians! He felt as if all the meridians in his body were burning, but his power was skyrocketing!

"Heaven-Slaying Sword Drawing Technique!" This time, he unleashed his full power!

The Demon-Slaying Sword surged with black light, its blade groaning under the strain, yet its power was astonishing! With a single slash, the very air itself was torn apart!

Zhao Wuji's expression finally changed! He hadn't expected Chen Yu to have such a desperate tactic! In a panic, he held the Law-Breaking Jade Token in front of him!

"clang--!"

A deafening crash! A crack appeared on the surface of the jade pendant! Zhao Wuji staggered back several steps, a trickle of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth!

But he was, after all, at the eighth level of Qi Refining, and quickly regained his footing, his eyes flashing with murderous intent: "Good! Very good! None of you will leave here today!"

Just as he was about to unleash an even more powerful technique, a loud Buddhist chant suddenly came from outside the window:

"Amitabha--"

A beam of golden Buddhist light pierced through the window and shone into the room! The light was warm and peaceful, a stark contrast to Zhao Wuji's chilling aura!

Zhao Wuji's expression changed drastically: "A bald Buddhist monk?!"

Outside the window, an old monk in a yellow robe, holding a staff, stood suspended in mid-air, his face like a full moon, his eyes filled with compassion. Behind him followed four young monks.

"Benefactor Zhao, the Heavenly Alliance's reach is far too far." The old monk's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority. "Hong Kong is a pure land, and evil spirits and heretics will not be tolerated."

"A peaceful place?" Zhao Wuji sneered. "Cihang, your 'Puji Temple' also wants to get involved?"

"The Seven Star Key is of great importance, and the Buddhist sect naturally has to intervene." Monk Cihang landed slowly. "Benefactor Zhao, please return. Let's leave it at that."

Zhao Wuji's expression shifted, clearly weighing his options. Although the Buddhist sect's influence was not ostentatious, it possessed profound foundations. This monk Cihang had at least the ninth level of Qi Refining cultivation, and with his four disciples at the mid-stage of Qi Refining, he had no chance of winning in a real fight.

"Fine! We'll give Master Cihang face today!" Zhao Wuji gritted his teeth. "Let's go!"

He led the aloof woman and the young man out of another window, disappearing into the buildings in a few leaps.

Upon seeing this, the lean old man and the middle-aged man also quickly slipped away.

Only Chen Yu, his two companions, Master Long, and the Buddhist monks remained in the room.

"Thank you for your help, Master." Chen Yu clasped his hands in thanks.

"No need for formalities." Monk Cihang looked at him. "Benefactor Chen, the Seven Star Key is both a blessing and a curse in your hands. The Heavenly Alliance will not let this go easily. You should take care of yourself."

Why did the master help me?

"The Buddhist sect has some connection with Senior Xuanzhenzi," Monk Cihang said without elaborating. "Furthermore, I was entrusted by Benefactor He Hongchang to ensure your safety today."

He Hongchang! Chen Yu suddenly realized.

"This fake..." Monk Cihang glanced at the Seven Star Plate on the table, "I'll take it with me. We'll tell everyone that the Buddhist sect has retrieved this 'Buddhist treasure,' which will bring this auction to a close."

"Thank you for your help, Master."

After the Buddhist monks left, Master Long said with a wry smile, "Mr. Chen, you've gone too far this time. Zhao Wuji has lost face and money; he will never let you off the hook."

"I know." Chen Yu wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth—the side effects of the Explosive Qi Powder were starting to appear. "Master Long, about today's events..."

"I know nothing," Master Long said tactfully. "However, Mr. Chen, you probably can't stay in Hong Kong any longer. Zhao Wuji still has some connections in the local cultivation world."

Chen Yu nodded. He had originally planned to return to Beijing, but this was just an earlier move.

It was 3 p.m. when Chen Yu left the auction house. The sun was still shining brightly, but Chen Yu knew that the danger lurking in the shadows was not over.

Qin Huairu's due date is April 15th.

Five days left.

He must resolve the remaining issues in Hong Kong within these five days, and then...

Come back home.