Wei Tianqi only gave Han Zheng one month to find the Xuanbing Pearl.

    However, Han Zheng was not in a hurry.

    He had accumulated enough merit on him and could go directly to the Guardian Storage at the Demon Cleansing Bureau headquarters to exchange it.

    But when Han Zheng went to the Guardian Storage at the headquarters, the Xuanjia Guard responsible for the storage said that there was no Xuanbing Pearl inside.

    Han Zheng frowned slightly and said, "The headquarters'' Guardian Storage is all-encompassing, with all kinds of treasures. This Xuanbing Pearl, though precious, is not that world-shattering treasure. How could there be none?"

    The Xuanjia Guard responsible for the Guardian Storage smiled bitterly and said, "Lord Han, your timing is rather unfortunate. There was indeed a Xuanbing Pearl in the storage a month ago, but it was exchanged by someone. Sёarch* The N??eFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    The Xuanbing Pearl, although not a world-shattering treasure, is the essence of the creation of all things. It can be used for cultivation, breakthroughs, array constructions, and artifact refining, among other things, and is indeed considered a niche secret treasure.

    Moreover, the Xuanbing Pearl is completely generated by heaven and earth and is said to take thousands of years to form just one.

    So if the headquarters finds a Xuanbing Pearl, it is usually exchanged within three days."

    "Then, can you reveal who exchanged it? I want to privately trade for the Xuanbing Pearl."

    The Xuanjia Guard shook his head with a bitter smile, "The Guardian Storage is not permitted to reveal information about exchangers.

    And besides, even if I tell you the name, it won''t be useful.

    The exchanger was a lord from the Demon Suppression Pass, who used the Xuanbing Pearl to repair the great array of the pass.

    Now, a month has passed, and the Xuanbing Pearl has probably already merged with the array. It can''t be taken apart, and even if it could, it wouldn''t be as effective as before."

    Han Zheng rubbed his head, realizing his bad luck.

    He had agreed so readily because he believed Wen Tingyun wouldn''t deceive him. The Xuanbing Pearl shouldn''t be considered a top treasure and shouldn''t be difficult to find. After all, the Guardian Storage at the Demon Cleansing Bureau should have one.

    Who would have thought the item did exist, but that was in the past?

    Helpless, Han Zheng had to leave his information, hoping to be notified the first time if the storage acquired another Xuanbing Pearl.

    Returning to Jing''an Guard, Han Zheng coincidentally encountered Liu Yuan, holding a jar in his hand.

    The jar was filled with ashes, used to nourish yin ghosts.

    Of course, Liu Yuan, now a Deputy Director of Jing''an Guard, certainly wouldn''t resort to grave-digging. These ashes were purchased with money.

    Seeing Han Zheng, Liu Yuan hurriedly put the jar away, afraid it might disgust Han Zheng.

    "Lord Han," Liu Yuan greeted with slight unease.

    Han Zheng nodded and suddenly asked, "By the way, Liu Yuan, do you know if there are places in the Capital City where I can buy some cultivation-related secret treasure materials?"

    Among the three Deputy Directors of Jing''an Guard, Xiang Yuangong and Bao Chong walked the righteous path.

    Only Liu Yuan, having practiced the Profound Yin Ghost Technique early on, didn''t look like a good person.

    Therefore, he was once sent as a spy into some demonic oaths in the Martial World, making him familiar with the various sects and professions.

    Failing to find the Xuanbing Pearl at the Demon Cleansing Bureau, Han Zheng decided to see if he could find it elsewhere.

    Liu Yuan, surprised, said, "Lord Han, you must have accumulated substantial merit, especially after eliminating the Blood Demon Sect. Isn''t that enough to exchange for materials at the Guardian Storage?"

    Han Zheng sighed, "The material I need is a treasure called Xuanbing Pearl, and I need it within a month.

    But this Xuanbing Pearl is very scarce and in demand. It was just exchanged recently, so I want to see if other places might have it."

    Liu Yuan thought for a moment and said, "I haven''t heard of Xuanbing Pearl, but there are many underground auctions in the Capital City, where you can find many good items. We can go there and ask; if you''re in a hurry, we can go now."

    Han Zheng smiled and said, "Then I''ll trouble you."

    "It''s no trouble at all," Liu Yuan replied quickly.

    He came from a poor background and was often discriminated against for practicing the Profound Yin Ghost Technique.

    Han Zheng was one of the few superiors who treated him without any disdain or different attitude, and Liu Yuan even held a bit of gratitude toward Han Zheng deep down.

    Being able to help Han Zheng was a bit of a relief to him.

    The two left the Demon Cleansing Bureau, and on the way, Liu Yuan chatted with Han Zheng about the underground auctions.

    The Capital City is the center of the Great Zhou, a place full of mixed people, where if someone from any region of the martial world or forces obtains a treasure, they may sell it at a low price locally. Only in the Capital City can they fetch a good price.

    As time passed, many of these underground auctions formed, where identities remain anonymous and everything depends on wealth. Payments can be made with Elemental Crystals, or one can estimate prices and exchange items.

    The first place Liu Yuan intended to take Han Zheng was the largest of these underground auctions, called the Crystal Palace.

    The reason it''s called the Crystal Palace is that it''s hidden in an underground river.

    Liu Yuan took Han Zheng to change out of their Profound Armor and entered an ordinary-looking pharmacy.

    The pharmacy''s manager smiled as he approached and asked, "What medicine do you two need?"

    Liu Yuan said calmly, "One liang of Dragon Meat, two Dragon Eyes, and three Dragon Scales."

    The manager frowned slightly, "The customers must be joking. How can a pharmacy sell Dragon Meat?"

    "The pharmacy doesn''t have it, but the Crystal Palace does."

    The manager looked around cautiously, then bowed slightly and said, "Please, come inside."

    Once inside, Han Zheng immediately sensed an array enveloping him, isolating sound and presence.

    Liu Yuan got straight to the point, "When is the next auction? Is there a catalog of auction items?"

    The manager smiled and said, "It seems you''re no stranger to this place.

    The next auction is tonight, in just three hours. You can wait here with some tea.

    We do have a catalog, and there might be some unexpected surprises during the auction."

    As he spoke, the manager handed over a small booklet. It not only listed various secret treasures but also included cultivation techniques, weapons, elixirs, and more.

    There were even living people!

    The listing described them as disciples of great sect leaders, a certain family''s legitimate daughters, detailing their strength, appearance, and more.

    Han Zheng recognized most of the elixirs and cultivation techniques, though not so much the secret treasures.

    There were quite a few high-level elixirs in the booklet, and even a Yang God Realm cultivation technique, being the finale of the auction items.

    But Han Zheng wasn''t interested; he wasn''t lacking in cultivation techniques now.

    On the last page, Han Zheng finally found the Xuanbing Pearl.

    "Are you sure the Xuanbing Pearl will be at tonight''s auction?"

    The manager smiled and said, "The Crystal Palace is known for its rules. The Xuanbing Pearl was sent in three days ago and has been sealed within an array. Not even the seller can retract it before the auction''s end, so you can rest assured.

    You''re quite lucky, as the Xuanbing Pearl is a rare item, sometimes not showing up for years."

    Han Zheng nodded slightly, "Then we will wait for the auction to begin."

    Upon hearing this, the manager beamed, "Pardon the wait, I''ll have some refreshments brought immediately.

    By the way, auction rules take 20% from both buyer and seller; hope you understand."

    Han Zheng was slightly taken aback.

    Taking 20% from both parties, this auction house is quite greedy.

    However, Han Zheng was wealthy now and didn''t say much, just nodded casually.

    The manager quickly had various exquisite refreshments served, along with two masks to conceal their presence, being extremely respectful.

    He wasn''t this polite to everyone, of course.

    Han Zheng and Liu Yuan weren''t wearing Profound Armor, but their intimidating aura was unmistakable.

    Especially Han Zheng, who had previously led the Kui Character Camp in Southern Mountain and now led the Jing''an Guard at the Capital Demon Suppression Department headquarters, had an aura of authority that could not be concealed.

    So young, yet with such a strong and intimidating aura, he was undoubtedly a significant figure in the Capital City and a major client for their auction house, so he had to be served with utmost care.