#987 - Chapter 987: The Art of Calculation

The others remained silent, tacitly agreeing to this approach.

"Creak~"

The door of the Treasure Pavilion opened once more, and two masked women entered.

Zhi Qiuzi, noticing the activity below, spoke up.

"Ladies and gentlemen, if there's nothing else, I'll head down to attend to the guests."

She saw Zhi Qiuzi going to greet the two masked women.

I wonder what treasures will be at this Treasure Seizing Assembly, Lin Yaoyao mused, watching Zhi Qiuzi's back.

"So, this is the Treasure Pavilion!"

The maid Xiao Qing, beside the woman, was visiting the Treasure Pavilion for the first time and couldn't help but exclaim at the magnificent sight before her.

The other woman, however, remained calm and composed.

"Hahahaha, welcome to the Treasure Pavilion! Your arrival truly brings honor to my humble establishment."

Zhi Qiuzi smoothly delivered his flattery.

"Are you the Treasure Pavilion's Master, Zhi Qiuzi?" the pink-clothed woman asked.

"Indeed, I am."

Zhi Qiuzi cupped his fist and saluted the two women.

They returned the greeting in kind.

With a wave of her hand, the pink-clothed woman produced a Xuan Iron token the size of a palm. The token had curved edges and a jade tassel hanging from the bottom.

The pink-clothed woman held the token out to Zhi Qiuzi, whose eyes widened in surprise.

"So, you are from the Tianxuan Sect. My respects!"

Upon seeing the token in the woman's hand, the smile on Zhi Qiuzi's face grew even brighter, and his attitude became even more sincere.

"We're here to participate in the Treasure Seizing Assembly," the woman stated directly, before returning the token to her sleeve.

"Esteemed guests, your viewing platform has long been prepared. Please, follow me upstairs."

Zhi Qiuzi then led the two women up to a private viewing platform on the second floor.

The distance between the second and first floors was quite considerable. Lin Yaoyao only saw the pink-clothed woman take out something that made Zhi Qiuzi so respectful. She guessed that the woman must be from a noble family.

Zhi Qiuzi led the two women to a small room next to Lin Yaoyao's viewing platform.

"This is your viewing platform."

"Thank you, Master. Here are our spirit stones for the fee."

The maid Xiao Qing took out spirit stones and handed them to Zhi Qiuzi.

"Thank you both. Then, I shall take my leave."

Xiao Qing cupped her fist to Zhi Qiuzi to show her respect.

"Wait!" the pink-clothed woman interjected.

Zhi Qiuzi, who had turned to leave, turned back around.

The pink-clothed woman slowly approached Zhi Qiuzi, stopping in front of him.

"Human affairs are incomprehensible like the cycle of sixty years, and one falling leaf heralds the coming of autumn. I have long heard that the Master of the Pavilion possesses divine calculation abilities. This time, I've come not only for the treasures but also to ask the Master a question. Is that acceptable?"

The pink-clothed woman wore a mask, her voice clear and cold like jade, yet also like the murmuring of flowing water. Tall and graceful, her lowered gaze seemed to scatter shimmering light, while her raised eyes resembled the rising of a cold moon.

Zhi Qiuzi lowered his head, sensing the woman's tone, which carried an invisible aura of determination. It seemed that if he didn't agree, something unpleasant might happen.

Zhi Qiuzi knew very well that the art of divination could only be used three times a day, and each use consumed more true essence than the last.

Therefore, Zhi Qiuzi intended to only perform one divination each day. He had already promised the fifteen people, and now this woman was also requesting it. What was he to do?

Seeing Zhi Qiuzi hesitate, the pink-clothed woman gave Xiao Qing a look. She then walked to the table and sat down.

Xiao Qing faced Zhi Qiuzi and stated bluntly.

"Master, my lady simply wishes for you to perform a divination for her. If you refuse, you should know the methods of my Tianxuan Sect!"

Xiao Qing activated her spiritual power, and a ball of blue light gradually gathered in her hand.

Zhi Qiuzi glanced at her hand, noticing her subtle movements.

Forget it, forget it. Better to expend some true essence than lose my life.

Zhi Qiuzi lowered his head even further.

"Of course, I am willing to perform a divination for the lady, but…"

Zhi Qiuzi hesitated, wondering if he should try to extort a sum of money.

"But what?"

Xiao Qing put away the light in her hand and asked.

"It's just that divination comes at an additional price."

He needed to protect his life and also earn some spirit stones. Zhi Qiuzi knew that the Tianxuan Sect was wealthy, so they would surely have enough spirit stones. He wouldn't let the opportunity pass.

"Hahahaha, I thought it was something important."

The maid wore a disdainful expression and directly produced a bulging pouch, throwing it to Zhi Qiuzi.

As soon as Zhi Qiuzi caught it, he knew there were many spirit stones inside. His merchant nature was immediately exposed.

"Hehehe, thank you, miss. After the Treasure Seizing Assembly ends, someone will come to find you both. I will then perform the divination for you."

The pink-clothed woman seemed satisfied with Zhi Qiuzi's answer, and a slight smile appeared on her lips.

"You may leave."

"Yes."

After Zhi Qiuzi retreated, people gradually entered, and most of them took seats on the first floor.

"Miss, I wonder if the Heavenly Radiance Extreme Lamp will appear at tonight's Treasure Seizing Assembly."

The Heavenly Radiance Extreme Lamp was an ancient, lost mystical artifact.

"The information obtained by the sect's Heavenly Secrets Hall should be accurate."

The pink-clothed woman silently prayed in her heart, hoping that this trip would not be in vain.

"Creak~"

The Treasure Pavilion's door opened again, and five people led by a wealthy man entered.

"Hey! Senior sisters, look quickly!"

Ye Qingjun, with sharp eyes, noticed the wealthy man and immediately called her fellow senior sisters to look.

Hearing Ye Qingjun's voice, the others looked down from the second floor.

"Why is it them?" Lin Yaoyao asked, puzzled at the sight of the wealthy man.

"Could they be following us, trying to get back the jewelry they were swindled out of!"

Mu Qianqian thought that the group probably realized they had been scammed and came to the Treasure Pavilion to find them.

After entering the Treasure Pavilion, the wealthy man merely glanced at the circular battle stage and did not look towards the second floor, so he naturally did not notice Lin Yaoyao and the others.

"Don't worry. We're wearing masks; they shouldn't recognize us. Besides, he looks like he's here to participate in the Treasure Seizing Assembly."

The others agreed with Lin Yaoyao's assessment.

Lin Yaoyao walked into the room, wanting to remind them of a few things. She glanced around and noticed that Bai Wuchen was missing.

"Where's Little Bai?"

"Eldest Senior Sister, Second Senior Brother just went downstairs. He should be back soon."

Downstairs, Zhi Qiuzi saw more people entering and immediately went to greet and attend to them.

At this moment, Bai Wuchen passed by and casually glanced at the five people. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but it quickly disappeared as he calmly walked on.

Bai Wuchen was wearing a mask, which effectively concealed his face. The wealthy man only gave him a fleeting glance.

Outside the Treasure Pavilion, Ye Kong stood before the massive building.

He had been following the wealthy man and his group of five here, and then they had disappeared. He figured they must have entered this building.