"Isn't this your friend Xu? I heard you were planning to return to Tianxing City, yet you still can't make the teleportation?" The woman's voice was soft and delicate. Yet Han Li unintentionally furrowed his brow, inwardly sighing with a touch of frustration. It seemed that most female cultivators he had encountered had practiced some secret techniques for charm and allure. Although the current woman's charm paled compared to Zi Ling and Yuan Yao, she still easily enchanted lower-level male cultivators, making them lose their composure. With this thought in mind, Han Li glanced around. The dressed-in-embroidered-robes man and Xu Yun remained composed, while the others looked increasingly uneasy, their eyes constantly shifting toward the woman. "These are new friends who have just arrived. I'm bringing them to experience a bit of what we have here. As for returning to Tianxing City, I think we won't be able to make it anytime soon. I hadn't expected the rumors to be true—there really is going to be a conflict over there." Xu Yun said with a touch of resentment. "Staying here might be just as good. If we do leave, wouldn't I then lose another client?" "A clear-eyed woman covered her plump lips, her deep, autumnal gaze shimmering with grace as she smiled softly and spoke. The alluring charm of a mature woman flowed effortlessly, captivating the black-faced cultivator and others without them blinking once—even the two female cultivators grew flushed. 'Mistress Ming, these guests were all invited by me! Please give me a proper designation right away!' Xu Yun called out the woman's name, clearly displeased that she had been so openly seductive in front of him. 'Haha! Understood. These two cultivators clearly possess as much discipline and calmness as even Brother Xu. It seems they will have no trouble staying on this Qiyuan Island at all.' Mistress Ming smiled gently, glanced at Han Li and the well-dressed man, then withdrew her charm, transforming into a plain, ordinary woman. The swift change left the others momentarily stunned, then quickly turned to embarrassment. With two soft claps, she waved her hands. From behind the screen stepped a young ordinary woman. 'Please escort Master Xu to the auction hall—the auction has just begun!' "The young woman coldly stated to the ordinary mortal woman, then raised her hand and tossed a jade-green plaque to Xu Yun. Xu Yun took the plaque without looking at it and followed the mortal woman toward the side gate. Han Li and the others naturally trailed behind. As they passed through the side gate, Han Li sensed a subtle shift in the spiritual energy, as though entering a certain seal—his expression briefly changed, but soon settled back to normal. To everyone's surprise, the pavilion behind them revealed a completely different world! A long corridor, two zhang wide, divided the rear stone pavilion into two spacious halls. The hall on the left was open and bright, with only a few tall black stone pillars providing support. Inside, it was bustling with activity—nearly twenty or thirty cultivators stood there, lined up in a long queue. Each of these cultivators, regardless of gender, was accompanied by a young mortal woman standing beside them." Although some male cultivators gazed at the plainly dressed mortal women with a dazed, admiring gaze, they no more than exchanged a few jesting words—none of them actually made any move. It seemed as though they were hesitant, wary of something. "There are so many infant-stage cultivators! Could it be the Four Merchant Alliances?" The Liu woman gasped, murmuring in astonishment. "The Four Merchant Alliances—there's no room for them here. Perhaps the other beast-islands have already been monopolized by them. But this Qiyuan Island is the only one entirely controlled through a joint effort among numerous factions. Individually, these factions might not be able to compete with the Four Merchant Alliances even within the Inner Stellar Sea. Yet, together, they are strong enough that even the Star Palace would hesitate to offend them. Nevertheless, their alliance is limited solely to this Qiyuan Island." Xu Yun spoke calmly. "From the way Xu brother is saying it, does this Qiyuan Island have something special about it? That's what allows so many factions to stand up and challenge the Four Merchant Alliances!" The well-dressed man, known for his keen insight, immediately sensed the subtle implication. "Haha! Yi brother is absolutely right." Since the place has been named Qi Yuan, it clearly indicates that there is indeed a deep, unfathomable beast-haven in the surrounding seas. Rarely seen high-tier beasts—those not commonly found on other beast-islands—frequently appear there. It's even said that beasts of eight or higher ranks have been spotted. Naturally, the senior cultivators at the core of these factions cannot allow the Four Merchant Alliances to monopolize this resource once again. When the site of the beast-haven was first discovered, these factions engaged in several battles with the alliances. Eventually, the Star Palace stepped in to mediate. The exact terms of the agreement remain undisclosed. In short, the island has now been entrusted jointly to these factions for management. The true nature of Qi Yuan Island has been strictly sealed from the Inner Stellar Sea. Otherwise, these factions would launch a coordinated campaign—complete with pursuit and elimination. Xu Yun explained this calmly and composedly. Hearing this, Han Jin was deeply astonished. The well-dressed knight and others immediately grew pale. "Beasts of eight or higher rank—aren't those comparable to Yuan-Ying cultivators? Is there truly such a creature here?" "The magnificently dressed young man could no longer remain composed. 'As for this one, I haven't personally witnessed it. However, there have indeed been instances where seven-tiered beast beasts have been slain! That very seven-tiered beast essence was auctioned off at the Jade Pearl Hall for a record-breaking price, ultimately purchased by a senior cultivator at the Yuan Ying stage.' Xu Yun expressed admiration, murmuring in awe. 'According to Xu brother, the beast beasts of Haiyuan seem easier to find than those in ordinary sea regions. Is that correct?' Having remained silent until now, Han Li slightly furrowed his brows before finally speaking. 'The beast beasts of Haiyuan are indeed easier to locate. Yet, due to the frequent appearance of high-tier beasts, the number of cultivators who have perished there is also countless.' Xu Yun glanced at Han Li with a look of surprise, then thoughtfully added. Upon hearing these words, the magnificently dressed young men who had never visited other beast-islands remained somewhat skeptical. In Han Li's mind, Haiyuan now came into clearer focus—clearly a place where both rewards and perils coexisted. No wonder, such a remarkable scene! While Han Li remained silent, the ordinary female guide respectfully inquired, "Master Immortals, shall we proceed first to the Appraisal Hall, or shall we go straight to the Bidding Hall?" "The Appraisal Hall has little to offer—only unfamiliar items that require the appraiser's inspection, after which they are either exchanged for spiritual stones or put up for auction. We can go straight to the Bidding Hall, where the items will surely impress all of you. Xu Yun clearly knows this place well and, without waiting for the guide, took the lead in heading toward the large hall on the right. As he approached the light shield, he simply raised his jade card and lightly brushed it against the surface, opening a circular gate. Then, he gestured to Han Li and the others and stepped inside. The dressed-in-royal-clothes men and others naturally followed without further hesitation, entering one after another. "You don't need to go in?" Han Li glanced at the ordinary female guide standing respectfully outside the gate, and asked curiously. "As ordinary mortals, we aren't allowed entry to the Jingbao Hall. I'll simply wait here for all of you, the celestial masters." The mortal woman smiled and explained to Han Li. Han Li nodded, said nothing further, and stepped into the blue light curtain, which automatically closed behind him. The hall was simple, featuring only wooden chairs, with a stone platform several zhang long at the far end. Behind the platform stood an elderly man, holding a shimmering blue stone in his hands, speaking fluently and passionately. Facing him, there were dozens of cultivators at various stages—some at the Qi Condensation stage, others at the Foundation stage—but no one at the higher Dan Condensation level. "This blue-shimmering stone is an ideal material for crafting water-element artifacts. The original owner is now offering it at a discounted price of five hundred spirit stones. As per tradition, the bidding must increase by at least thirty spirit stones per round. We may now begin the bidding," the elder announced in a resonant voice. "The 530, the 580, six hundred lingshi," as the elder finished speaking, several cultivators below immediately began bidding. While not particularly enthusiastic, the item was eventually purchased by a younger cultivator at the seventh-hundred mark, who paid in full and promptly took possession of it. "Next, a terrestrial-type artifact..." the elder barely paused, continuing the auction without interruption. Naturally, Han Li showed no interest in any of the artifacts. He simply glanced at the display screen and spotted Xu Yun and the others conversing quietly in the corner of the hall. Without changing his expression, he walked over to them.