"Wait a moment—does the side pavilion have a trading venue as well? Isn't this place primarily used for auctions?" Han Li heard this and asked. "Master Han, you may not be aware of this. When bidding for items, one typically needs a substantial amount of spiritual stones. Many of our fellow practitioners prefer to bring out their stored rare materials and exchange them for spiritual stones just before the auction begins. Therefore, prior to each cycle's four clans' auction, a period is usually reserved so that practitioners can first engage in mutual trading, exchange spiritual stones, or obtain other necessary items. If an item cannot be sold otherwise, it can also be directly sold to the Grand Pavilion. They will certainly purchase it, though at a slightly lower price than the regular rate. The advantage, however, is that the four clans provide strong backing—so even the most rare items will always find buyers for spiritual stones. As for the pavilions on either side of the Grand Pavilion—one is dedicated to receiving goods, and the other to selling goods." Tie Jian explained. "Receiving goods?" Han Li seemed genuinely enthusiastic. "Really, Brother Han, do you also have any treasures you'd like to sell? However, I'd suggest that Brother Han first visit the selling area, and then proceed to the pavilion where items are being collected. If your offerings can be exchanged for something you actually need, that would be ideal." The bald man gently reminded. "Yes, what you've said makes sense. I'll go take a look first," Han nodded in agreement. "Then, why not join me, then? If luck is on our side, we might indeed make some valuable finds." Upon hearing Han's words, Iron Jian beamed with delight and immediately led him toward the entrance on the right side. The several blue-robed guards stationed at the entrance merely glanced at Iron Jian and Han, and without any further questions, let them pass through. "The original intention of this four-tribe auction is to enhance the popularity and reputation of Yun City, so anyone of noble lineage or above is welcome to attend freely." Therefore, the attendees of this auction have varied levels of cultivation and status, differing greatly. Yet precisely because of this, each year it draws a much larger crowd than any of the other major auction houses in Tianyun. "As we walk through this side entrance, I'd like to share this with you," said Jie Jian, smiling to Han Li. "All the upper clans can participate—how is it possible that so many people can gather here?" Han Li furrowed his brows, clearly skeptical. It made sense that Han Li would express such doubt—there were undoubtedly tens of thousands of upper-clan families in Yun City. Yet even though the hall before them was spacious, it simply could not accommodate such a large number at once. "Heh, the reason behind this will become clear to you shortly—there's really no need for me to explain further," Jie Jian said, his expression now somewhat enigmatic. Han Li's expression brightened, and his gaze shifted toward the front. Only now did he realize that he had been standing at the entrance for too long. After walking for a while, he still hadn't entered the side pavilion. That was impossible! Just a moment ago, the exit ahead, faintly glowing white, had seemed quite close. Yet after walking for so long, it still appeared as if it hadn't come any nearer at all. A look of surprise crossed Han Li's face. "A spatial technique!" Han Li murmured, his expression serious. "Ha ha! Finally, Friend Han has noticed. This auction hall itself is actually a super-item法宝 that can freely expand or contract, and it possesses certain spatial abilities as well. The space inside the hall is over ten times larger than what one sees from outside. It can easily accommodate hundreds of thousands of people, with ample room to spare." Iron Jian smiled and explained. "Ah, now I understand. That's why the circular ring at the top of the building looks so unusual." Han Li nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Although this entrance requires a bit more walking due to spatial constraints, it's not actually very long. We should be able to exit right away," said Tie Jian, confidently brushing his smooth forehead with his large hand. Han Li merely nodded, saying nothing further. Han Li watched intently, while Tie Jian turned and bowed, saying, "Friend Han, let's part ways here. I need to find a few suitable sellers to quickly offload the treasures I hold. I'll no longer accompany you further." "Should you need anything, please don't hesitate to go ahead. I'd also like to take a stroll around on my own." Han smiled politely in reply. "Then, friend Tie, take care!" With a final bow, Tie Jian hurried off toward a certain edge of the area. Han watched the large man's back, his gaze flickering several times before he finally turned again to study the jade platform at the center, and then suddenly walked toward it. In a short while, he reached the platform's vicinity. At that moment, several others had stepped onto the platform. Now, Han finally saw clearly. Each of the foreign guests, after handing over a bag of high-tier spiritual stones to two attendants, received a small banner of varying colors from them. Han Li's gaze followed one person intently, and upon noticing that after the individual reached a spot near the edge of the plaza where no one else was present, he waved his small banner several times, a semi-circular luminous screen materialized, completely concealing his figure. Han Li extended his divine awareness to probe the screen. As soon as his awareness touched the screen, it was met by a layer of restriction, preventing him from smoothly and silently penetrating into it. Clearly, these screens were specifically designed to enable the cultivators on the plaza to conduct transactions. Thus, he need no longer worry about his privacy being spied upon. Surveying the surroundings, Han Li observed that wherever his gaze reached, the screens flickered continuously. Even farther away, several smaller plazas were occupied, bustling with activity as well. Han Li exhaled deeply and shook his head. Even if he possessed valuable treasures, with so many people eager to find suitable buyers, securing a match would surely be as difficult as searching for a needle in a haystack. He had no intention of wasting much more time here. If he also wished to secure the Wànmiào Pill, he would have to raise a substantial sum of spiritual stones before the auction. Thinking thus, Han Li began to move slowly along the edge of the plaza, remaining mostly outside, glancing at the pavilions for a few moments at a time, only occasionally stepping inside one or two of the luminous screens before quickly stepping out again. After a full minute passed with no notable gains, Han Li furrowed his brow and decisively turned around, retracing his steps back toward the entrance. Whether by coincidence or by design, when he stepped back into the entrance, it happened that the entrance was exactly occupied by him alone. As he walked, his sleeve suddenly brushed against something, and a black silk scarf materialized. Then, with a soft "thud," a faint black mist enveloped him, blurring his form so that he appeared indistinct. But almost at once, a flash of light appeared within the black mist, and the vapor surged and rolled, transforming into a long, dark, lustrous robe that settled upon Han Li. At this moment, Han Li emerged from the mist, his head slightly lowered. His aura had become faint and elusive, remarkably delicate. Yet when he lifted his head again, the face revealed was pale and unfamiliar. In an instant, Han Li had changed both his attire and his appearance. With calm composure, Han Li stepped out of the entrance and passed by several foreign visitors who had entered inside. The blue-robed guards stationed outside merely glanced at Han Li as he emerged and then resumed their usual post without any further notice. Han Li walked confidently into the adjacent pavilion. The space was similarly spacious, yet the scene within caught Han Li slightly off guard. Unlike the area where goods were being sold, where a considerable number of people gathered, here the crowd had assembled on only half of the plaza. There, towering stone walls several dozen feet high stood, each displaying shimmering silver characters. The foreign cultivators gathered around these walls, each observing with different expressions. A little further back, several connected jade pavilions surrounded a multi-story tower, each pavilion transparent and exceptionally snowy-white. Yet at the entrances of these pavilions, bright white light flashed, veiled by a shimmering aura, making it appear as though all the doors were open. At the center stood the red-tiled tower, gently veiled in a light green mist, emitting a subtle fragrance—seeming distinctly unlike anything from the mortal world. Those gathering around the stone walls occasionally entered the pavilions. Some emerged with fluctuating expressions, others with a sense of gloom, while others were filled with excitement. After observing the scene clearly, Han Li moved without hesitation toward one of the stone walls. But at that very moment, a slender figure near another stone wall suddenly turned around, shifting her destination to walk in the same direction. Subconsciously scanning the figure, Han Li's body trembled and his face instantly turned pale, unable to control the sudden change. The woman had long, black hair, dressed in a blue robe, with a graceful appearance, yet her expression was unusually cold, and she had not noticed Han Li's unusual demeanor. She walked straight to the stone wall where she had just emerged and furrowed her brows, gazing intently. "How could it be her? It's impossible. Yet, is there truly someone in the world who could imagine such a person?" Han Li completely halted, his face slightly pale, his eyes fixed on the blue-robed woman, speaking in a voice barely audible to himself, murmuring continuously. Han Li's visibly shaken gaze seemed to have stirred something within the woman, who instinctively turned her head, and their eyes met directly.