Chapter 12: Deal Struck, Eleventh Level Blood Pagoda

Treasure Pavilion, sixth floor, inside a private room.

Three people sat facing each other, with Lu Yuan at the head of the table. Manager Lin was seated to the right, pouring tea with a deferential posture. On the left sat a middle-aged man, perhaps in his forties, his hair sparse and his belly prominent. His appearance was somewhat honest and simple, yet the sharp glint in his eyes betrayed a shrewdness characteristic of seasoned merchants.

“Allow me to introduce—this is Mr. Lu, and this gentleman is Mr. Wan from Wan Fortune Enterprises,” Manager Lin spoke after pouring the tea, giving the two a moment to acquaint themselves. It was clear he held Lu Yuan in higher regard, addressing him as ‘Mr.’, while the other was simply called ‘Boss Wan’. Most would scarcely notice the difference, but the distinction was there.

“Hello,” Lu Yuan nodded, wasting no words. “I trust you know the reason I invited you here?”

“Of course,” Wan replied with a smile. “Mr. Lu, you’ve taken a liking to my Eleven-tier Blood Pagoda.” He continued, “You truly have an eye for treasures. That piece has been in my collection for years—top-notch in both condition and age.”

He went on, praising his own prized artifact with considerable pride.

“Boss Wan, I agree the age is remarkable, but as for the condition…” Manager Lin interjected, “Forgive my frankness, but generally pagodas come in sevens, nines, or twelves. Yours is eleven-tiered, so strictly speaking, it’s not quite as rare—perhaps missing a layer.”

As the intermediary, Manager Lin ordinarily wouldn’t speak at this moment. Yet he knew Lu Yuan was intent on acquiring the piece, and didn’t mind lending a hand. As for Wan, though he was a VIP, he’d never actually purchased anything from Treasure Pavilion. Even this item wasn’t offered in earnest. Manager Lin had his own opinions. Unlike Lu Yuan, from whom he had earned real benefits.

“You… you… Lin, you don’t quite understand,” Wan was momentarily speechless, eager to explain.

“Enough,” Lu Yuan cut him off. “I want your item. Name your price.”

He was pressed for time and wanted to settle matters quickly.

“Mr. Lu, I haven’t even said I’m willing to sell…” Wan began, trying to stall.

“Twenty-five million.”

Lu Yuan spoke, knowing Wan’s previous asking price was twenty million, so he increased his offer directly. Manager Lin opened his mouth, thinking his attempt at lowering the price had barely begun.

There was nothing he could do now but watch, unable to intervene.

“Mr. Lu, it’s not about the money,” Wan insisted.

“Thirty million.”

“I’ve kept this piece for years.”

“Forty million.”

“Mr. Lu, surely you—”

“Fifty million.”

Lu Yuan quoted the price again, adding, “This is your last chance. If you refuse, I’ll walk away.”

He had money, but that didn’t mean he’d offer blindly. If Wan hesitated, he had other methods in mind.

“Deal.”

Wan stood immediately. Fifty million far exceeded his expectations. He understood that pushing further might ruin the transaction entirely. All parties were clever enough to know when to yield.

“Mr. Lu, your eye for treasures is extraordinary. Only in your hands will the pagoda reveal its true worth. I brought the item with me—please examine it for any issues,” Wan said, pulling the Eleven-tier Blood Pagoda from his bag and placing it on the table.

His previous hesitation was gone, replaced by enthusiasm and even a hint of respect in his tone. The shift in demeanor was striking.

Manager Lin shook his head at the scene.

Lu Yuan studied the pagoda closely. It was about the size of a palm and exceptionally well-preserved. Most importantly, in every detail, it matched the one in his memory.

“Very well, the item is flawless. I’ll have the payment processed through Treasure Pavilion,” Lu Yuan said once satisfied.

Since the deal was made within Treasure Pavilion, it ensured a secure transaction.

“Of course, of course,” Wan agreed, chatting a bit more before excusing himself, afraid Lu Yuan might change his mind. Fifty million—even after Treasure Pavilion took its commission—was no small sum.

“Mr. Lu, you acted a bit rashly just now,” Manager Lin commented once Wan had left, sounding regretful.

To him, the Eleven-tier Blood Pagoda was hardly worth such a price. He had hoped to bargain harder before Lu Yuan made his move.

“Manager Lin, I appreciate your concern.” Lu Yuan smiled. “But I know better than anyone what it’s truly worth.”

The Eleven-tier Blood Pagoda, once transformed, would become a divine artifact, merging with the internal organs and providing untold benefits—how could fifty million ever compare?

“As long as the deal goes smoothly, I’m relieved,” Manager Lin said, knowing these matters ultimately belonged to another.

Lu Yuan did not linger and prepared to leave.

Just then, Manager Lin seemed to recall something and offered a reminder, “By the way, Mr. Lu, you should avoid going out for a while.”

“Oh? And why is that?” Lu Yuan asked, sensing something amiss. Had Treasure Pavilion caught wind of something as well?

“I can’t say for certain. At a recent meeting, the big boss advised caution—strange things are happening outside, lots of unusual incidents. You’ve probably seen it on the news,” Manager Lin explained, referring to Treasure Pavilion’s secretive owner.

“Thank you,” Lu Yuan nodded.

The global anomaly was drawing closer. All sorts of bizarre events kept occurring alongside earthquakes, tsunamis, fires, and more. While these could be explained as natural phenomena, the frequency was alarming; he saw it daily on television. It wasn’t just here—everywhere in the world was experiencing the same.

He’d thought only he cared about such matters, but now it appeared the upper echelons were aware as well.

Of course, unlike Lu Yuan, they didn’t know exactly what was coming.

He said nothing more and drove away from Treasure Pavilion.

“With the Eleven-tier Pagoda in hand, there’s only one thing left to do in Shanghai—I need to handle it quickly,” Lu Yuan thought as he drove. The only items left were the Extraterrestrial Sword Embryo and the Wordless Stone Tablet. Both required his personal attention.

There remained a month.

If he delayed further, he would run out of time.

Thus, Lu Yuan decided to drive to Elder Ge’s residence.

On the way, he didn’t forget to buy fresh fruit and vegetables.

However, when Lu Yuan arrived at Elder Ge’s home and was about to step into the courtyard, he heard a fierce quarrel erupting inside.