When Zhang Yang and the others arrived, they saw the Qingcheng Mountain Master standing beneath a towering ancient tree.
Beneath the ancient tree, there was a square, stone-built box.
However, this stone box had already been damaged, and it was empty!
"So you were after this! You should have said so earlier; I would have given it to you without any problem!" the Qingcheng Mountain Master cried to the heavens.
If he had known that this item would bring such disaster to Qingcheng Mountain, he should have thrown it away instead of sealing it up.
At this moment.
Zhang Yang and his group walked forward, looking on with curiosity.
"Qingcheng Mountain Master, is the item inside lost? What was originally stored within?" asked the Sixth Prince.
"A box, I don't know its specific use, but a descendant of King Mo once secretly scouted this area. I didn't pay much attention at the time, thinking they were just inquiring about Qingcheng Mountain," the Qingcheng Mountain Master said self-reproachfully.
A box?
The speaker was unintentional, but the listener took heed!
"Mountain Master, is the box you mentioned a green box? With mysterious patterns carved on it?" Zhang Yang asked.
"How did you know?" the Qingcheng Mountain Master asked curiously.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yang immediately took out a green box from his embrace, the one found in the Zhang family's ancestral home.
"Because I have one too. It was likely left in the Zhang family's ancestral home by my father, Zhang Yingxiong. I found it after I went inside," Zhang Yang replied.
The Qingcheng Mountain Master approached Zhang Yang and looked at the green box in Zhang Yang's hand, nodding repeatedly.
"It's exactly the same, it's this box! Young friend Zhang, do you know the purpose of this box?" the Qingcheng Mountain Master asked.
"I wish I knew. To be honest, I came to Qingcheng Mountain today because of this box."
Mid-sentence, Zhang Yang turned to look at the Green Ox Daoist and continued.
"Today, during my duel with the Green Ox Daoist, when he used his martial skills, this box reacted strongly. It never does anything at other times, so I was curious and wanted to come and see."
Hearing this,
The Qingcheng Mountain Master and the Green Ox Daoist exchanged glances, as if they understood something!
"So it wasn't this Bodhi tree that helped comprehend martial skills back then, but this box beneath the Bodhi tree?"
The two fellow disciples said in unison.
The others didn't understand, and the Sixth Prince couldn't help but ask.
"What do you mean? What are you talking about?"
"It's like this, Qingcheng Mountain did have martial skills, but none were suitable for the Green Ox Daoist to cultivate. Later, I thought of letting the Green Ox Daoist try beneath the ancient Bodhi tree, perhaps he could have an epiphany and comprehend martial skills on his own."
"Later, the Green Ox Daoist successfully comprehended them, but none of us attributed the reason to this box."
The Qingcheng Mountain Master explained.
"Yes, although my cultivation talent was good at the time, I couldn't grasp martial skills. After coming under the ancient Bodhi tree, I comprehended three martial skills in half a month," the Green Ox Daoist also testified.
Instantly.
Everyone turned their gaze towards the box in Zhang Yang's hand.
"Is this green box really that powerful?" the Sixth Prince asked curiously.
"Zhang Yang, may I see it?" Xiao Zhan also stepped forward, asking Zhang Yang for it.
In response.
Zhang Yang was very generous and threw it to Xiao Zhan.
However, the other party held it and examined it for a long time, then checked it with his Yuan Qi, but there was no special reaction.
"Strange, why can't I sense anything? Green Ox Daoist, you try it." Xiao Zhan frowned and then threw the box to the Green Ox Daoist.
After the Green Ox Daoist took the box, his Yuan Qi surged out, but there was still no reaction.
Then, he moved away from the crowd and displayed his martial skills.
With a 'moo,' a green ox appeared and charged towards a nearby wall.
And at this time.
The originally silent green box instantly stirred, vibrating and emitting a humming sound.
"What kind of reaction is this?"
Everyone looked at the green box, unable to understand.
Afterward, they tried various methods to research it, and even the Qingcheng Mountain Master personally intervened.
But the green box showed no reaction.
Finally, everyone sighed.
"Stop trying. I've tried this box before, but I couldn't figure it out," the Qingcheng Mountain Master said.
Zhang Yang took the green box back and asked.
"Mountain Master, where did you get this box from Qingcheng Mountain?"
"I found it in a snow mountain relic. At that time, some people from the Five Dragons of Huaxia were also there," the Qingcheng Mountain Master recalled.
"At that time, the snow mountain relic appeared suddenly after an avalanche. At first, we all treated it as a natural disaster and ignored it."
"But after seeing the news reports and analyzing the situation reported by my subordinates, we instantly reached a conclusion!"
"This was not a natural disaster, but something had broken through the earth. So the Five Dragons of Huaxia went, and we from Qingcheng Mountain also moved."
"Besides us, many other forces also went, such as the overlord force of the Northwest, Leng Yue Mountain Villa, the southwest's Luoyue Valley, and... various other forces went."
"After the avalanche, a large hole extending into the mountain did appear. We encountered many large wild animals as we advanced, which was extremely dangerous."
"These two green boxes were discovered at the deepest part of the cave at that time, and besides these, there were many heavenly treasures within."
"And there were also boxes of gold, weapons, and other items."
Hearing the Qingcheng Mountain Master's recollection, everyone finally understood where the green boxes came from.
Xiao Zhan had also participated in this matter, but he went later to clean up the mess.
"The gold and weapons from back then were indeed handed over to the national treasury. I didn't expect you two to hide these two green boxes," Xiao Zhan said with a smile.
"You can't say we hid them. The agreement between us and the State Lord was like this: whoever discovered or jointly discovered heavenly treasures could have them. We didn't touch the gold, and these two boxes should also be classified as heavenly treasures, which is why the Five Dragons of Huaxia and I each took one."
Xiao Zhan shook his head slightly and did not argue with the Qingcheng Mountain Master about this.
"I was just saying, don't take it to heart. Mountain Master, do you have any other information about this green box?" Xiao Zhan asked.
"No," the Qingcheng Mountain Master shook his head. Perhaps only the descendant of King Mo knew what this green box really was.
However, finding them now was as difficult as reaching heaven.
Unless they showed themselves.
Wait!
Thinking of this, the Qingcheng Mountain Master looked at Zhang Yang and requested.
"Young friend Zhang, I have something to ask. Can you agree to it?"
Zhang Yang frowned slightly and guessed.
"Mountain Master, you want to borrow the green box in my hand to lure out the descendant of King Mo?"
"Young friend, you are astute. That is exactly my intention. What do you think?" the Qingcheng Mountain Master asked.
The Sixth Prince by his side's eyes immediately lit up.
"Zhang Yang, I think it's feasible. Since the descendant of King Mo wants the green box, let's use it as bait to attract them, then catch them off guard and take them down!"
Zhang Yang first shook his head, then nodded.
This attitude made everyone unable to understand. The Sixth Prince quickly said.
"Zhang Yang, you don't need to worry about losing the green box. I guarantee you here that I will send all my forces to guard this box."
"I consider my strength to be not bad; there are not many people in Huaguo who can defeat me," the Qingcheng Mountain Master also said.
"And me. I am also very interested in the descendant of King Mo. If possible, I would like to try," Xiao Zhan also said.
Everyone wanted to see the descendant of King Mo.
Zhang Yang was also very curious, and to unravel the mystery of the green box, it was indeed necessary to capture someone.
After all, the descendant of King Mo needed this item, so they would surely know about it.
Zhang Yang thought for a moment and also nodded.
"It's possible, but if we openly take out the green box to ambush them, won't they be too foolish to fall for it?" Zhang Yang asked.
In response.
The Sixth Prince chuckled.
"Leave that to me. I have plenty of ways."
...
The next evening!
The Sixth Prince had made all the preparations.
Zhang Yang and his group arrived at the largest auction house in the capital, Duobao Pavilion.
Duobao Pavilion held a grand auction every month.
This auction was not for ordinary people, but for those with a certain power and status in Huaguo.
Yesterday, the Sixth Prince entrusted Zhang Yang's green box to Duobao Pavilion for auction today.
Duobao Pavilion also increased its publicity for it. Although they didn't know its purpose, they described it as miraculous.
As a result, many people came for this green box.
Even the Second Prince and the Fourth Prince came.
After Zhang Yang and his group were seated, Luo Yiren propped her chin and exclaimed.
"This Duobao Pavilion is amazing! There are many good items being auctioned tonight. Look, there's even the Fire Spark Silver Tree Fruit we used in the Zhang family's ancestral home."
"Who is the owner behind this? They are so resourceful," Han Xiyao also said in surprise.
"The owner of Duobao Pavilion is very mysterious. Even the Sixth Prince and the others don't know, but the owner behind it is definitely not an ordinary person," Zhang Yang said.
He sat with the two women, while Xiao Zhan, disguised, sat in another corner. The Qingcheng Mountain Master and the Green Ox Daoist were also present, both disguised.
As for the Sixth Prince, he sat in the main seat, with Huang Zhan, who was in the Hunyuan realm, guarding him.
Zhang Yang and the others were divided into four positions, observing the surroundings to see if there were any suspicious individuals.
Soon.
The Duobao Pavilion auction hall was full, and the auction officially began.
Treasures were auctioned off one by one, but Zhang Yang and the others did not bid.
It wasn't that they didn't have enough money, but these items were not of much use to them at the moment. Their purpose tonight was to wait for the appearance of the person with black Yuan Qi.
After about an hour.
It was finally time for the green box to be auctioned.
This item was the grand finale of the night, and everyone at the auction paid attention.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this green box comes from beyond the heavens, it is extremely mysterious, it can comprehend martial skills, it can bring the dead back to life, it can predict the future, it can trace the past, it can..."
"The auction officially begins, with a starting bid of one hundred million! Each increment cannot be less than thirty million."
The host of the Duobao Pavilion auction spoke eloquently, continuously describing the marvelous uses of the green box.
However, apart from the first point about comprehending martial skills, the rest were fabricated.
But even with just this one point, it was enough to make everyone's hearts flutter.
Soon, people eagerly raised their bidding paddles, and many others gave up midway due to insufficient funds.
Zhang Yang and the others did not bid, and instead observed the bidders.
But after looking around, they found no one suspicious.
After a while.
The price of the green box had already been driven up to one hundred billion.
There were not many bidders left, only the Second Prince and the Fourth Prince.
"Strange, have they not come yet? Or is the publicity not strong enough?" the Sixth Prince frowned.
Zhang Yang and the others were also disappointed, it seemed their plan to use the green box as bait had failed.
"Three hundred billion!"
Suddenly.
The Second Prince, in his excitement, shouted, standing up from his seat.
"Fourth Brother, can you let this box go to Second Brother? I can compensate you privately." the Second Prince said.
"Heh heh, Second Brother, haven't you heard the story of Kong Rong yielding the pear? Why don't you yield to me?" the Fourth Prince shook his head.
"So there's no room for negotiation? Then let's rely on our own abilities!" the Second Prince's expression turned cold, and he continued to bid.
The Fourth Prince was not to be outdone and also followed suit.
Neither of them yielded, and soon the price of the green box was driven up to one hundred billion.
The Sixth Prince and the others were still waiting.
But no one appeared.
At this moment.
The Sixth Prince raised his eyebrows at Zhang Yang and prepared to raise his paddle to bid.
After all, it was Zhang Yang who brought out the green box at their behest. If it was really auctioned off, it would be difficult for them to explain to Zhang Yang.
Fortunately, the item belonged to Zhang Yang. If they won the bid, they would only have to pay a handling fee.
However, as the Sixth Prince was about to bid, Zhang Yang suddenly shook his head and sent a text message to remind him.
"Sixth Prince, don't bid. Let your two elder brothers take it."
"What? Let them take it? Then what about you? Don't you want the green box anymore?"
"Let them take it for now. At worst, we can find a way to steal the green box later."
"Alright."
...
The Sixth Prince gave up bidding. He vaguely understood Zhang Yang's intention.
Perhaps the auction today made the descendant of King Mo feel suspicious, so they did not appear.
But it didn't mean that if someone else took the green box, they wouldn't try to snatch it. Perhaps they didn't have that much money.
The competition between the two princes had reached a fever pitch.
The price of the green box had also risen to two hundred billion.
Basically, both princes had emptied their coffers. The Second Prince even used the sword he carried with him as a hundred billion contribution.
"Heh heh, it seems both princes are very fond of this item. The Second Prince bids two hundred billion, does anyone else want to bid?" the Duobao Pavilion host said with a smile.
The Fourth Prince's face turned ashen. The Second Prince had deeper pockets than him, and he could no longer afford it.
Seeing the Fourth Prince fall silent, the host immediately began the countdown.
"Two hundred billion, first call."
"Second call, third..."
Just as the third call was about to be made, the doors of the auction hall were forcefully pushed open.
"Can I bid? Two hundred and ten billion!"