"Cut the crap."
Chu Dong rudely interrupted the Gourmet. "If you want to apologize, go home yourself. You can offer a humble apology or a sincere apology.
Do you really think my father is the same as he was twenty years ago?
Twenty years ago, did you ever see him cry?
But not long ago, when he learned that you had successfully ascended to the Sovereign Realm, and that you had taken on the title of Nether Vanguard, his eyes became moist. He used the crudest method to tell us that he had been blinded by the wind, but is that even possible?
He misses you, but he's your father. Can he say that?
Do you know that this time, he even told me with a strong sense of righteousness that he would participate in the auction for the future of the family?
I didn't let him come.
Can't you leave him with a little pride? "
The Gourmet froze. The image he'd once held in his heart, tall, valiant, stubborn, even unyielding, had crumbled.
In his mind's eye was an image of an old man, old and frail, with one foot in the grave.
"I'm going back!
When the auction is over, I'll go with you! "The Gourmet blurted out, without hesitation.
Seeing Chu Dong, hearing his words, the Gourmet could no longer suppress his emotions.
Chu Dong nodded and patted the Gourmet's shoulder. "I'm going to the auction." With that, he turned and headed for the Museum.
"Brother, wait!" The Gourmet called after Chu Dong, hurrying to his side.
"Hm?" Chu Dong looked at him, puzzled.
"Don't participate in the auction," the Gourmet said.
"I'll think of a way to get the vital crystals."
Chu Dong's eyes flickered, and after a moment's thought, he nodded. "This auction has a strong political purpose, but it's important to see how it plays out.
I know what I'm doing. "
"Alright." The Gourmet nodded.
The normally quiet Skyfire Museum welcomed a rare day of excitement.
Responsible for maintaining order in front of the Museum was An Liu, captain of the Skyfire Avenue Enforcement Squad.
The entrances and other important areas were guarded by Adepts from the Enforcement Squad.
An Liu was still in her silver combat suit, no different from usual. She glanced coldly at everyone who passed by. All the participants who came to participate in the appraisal day had to show their invitation letter and go through strict screening and inspection before they could enter.
The Northern Alliance, the Western Alliance, and the Eastern Alliance made a total of 84 seats.
As for the Eastern Alliance, only the financial groups and families were participating. The government naturally did not need to participate in the auction.
An Liu's eyes suddenly froze. Her gaze was naturally attracted by a tall figure walking over from afar.
The man had blonde hair and wore a well-ironed white suit. He had a tie, a vest, and a pocket handkerchief.
Coupled with his extremely handsome appearance, it was easy for him to become the center of attention.
But what Undercurrent paid attention to was his eyes. He had a pair of deep and experienced eyes, making it impossible to tell just how old he was.
The ripples of energy around him were barely discernible, but if one were to look closely they would be able to feel the pressure.
The man in white stopped in front of the Skyfire Museum. He lifted his head to look at the building, a look of disappointment in his eyes. Then he walked to the door and presented his invitation card.
"Hello, Sir Metatron.
Please come in. "An Liu examined his card and gestured for him to enter.
Indeed, this man in a white suit was the Archangel Metatron of the Pontiff's Citadel.
He was second only to the Pontiff, and was known as the Paragon.
But after all these years he had never been able to take that final step.
The reason was simple – he had once used the Genetica Decoction.
The Genetica Decoction was a great aid to an Adept's early development. But at Metatron's level, the overexertion of his potential had led to problems. He had been stuck at the peak of ninth level for twenty years now, with no chance of a breakthrough.
Metatron smiled, and nodded to An Liu in a gentlemanly manner. Then he walked in.
Without question, he represented the Pontiff's Citadel.
Vital crystals were of utmost importance, and each party could only send one representative. Of course, they had to send the one with the most confidence.
Just then, a silhouette appeared in front of An Liu. He was equally handsome, but unlike Metatron, he was clad in a black formal attire. His short, crimson hair was a little messy, but it only added to his demonic charm. His eyes were dark and gloomy, but to a woman it was a deadly attraction.
If Metatron was like the sun, then this man was like the abyss. Even more alluring.
"Your invitation card?" An Liu asked, as calm as ever.
The devilish man smirked. "Can't I enter without an invitation card?
Why don't we make a deal and let me in? "
An Liu slightly frowned. The man in front of her was the first one among all the people who came to the appraisal day to provoke her. Moreover, she knew the man in front of her. Of course, she was familiar with such a famous figure.
"Sir Lucifer, if you represent the Dark Citadel, please show me your invitation card." An Liu's voice grew colder.
The man following Metatron was none other than the fallen angel Lucifer.
Lucifer looked her up and down. "You're a dual Adept, aren't you?
If I'm not mistaken, there should be a dark attribute in your special ability, which is an extremely rare existence among the elemental attributes. Moreover, your dark attribute is very pure.
Are you interested in becoming my woman?
You should know that even without vital crystals, the Dark Citadel has many ways to extend a person's life.
If you cultivate with me, it won't be long before you're on the same level as me. I need your pure darkness to support me. Once I become a Paragon, I'll be able to help you become one. "
An Liu's eyes grew cold. "Not interested!" she said without hesitation.
Lucifer was a fallen angel, but he was also a proud man. Perhaps even more so than the Seraphim. His eyes flashed with a scarlet light. "Are you sure you won't consider my offer?
It'll be of great benefit to you. Why don't you think about it? "
An Liu's voice was low. "I said I'm not interested.
If you want to participate then show me your invitation card. If you don't, don't delay the others.
Please get out of here. "
Lucifer laughed, arrogantly. "Very well, little girl.
You're the first woman to refuse me. "
As he spoke, he pulled out his invitation card and handed it to An Liu. His eyes, however, were glued to her, glinting with a strange light.
"If you dare place a curse on her, I won't mind erasing the title of Fallen Angel." A cold, melodious voice filled the air.
Lucifer started, for he hadn't sensed where the voice had come from.
Instinctively, he turned his head in the direction of the voice, and saw a tall, slender figure.
Tall, slender, clad in black, but not a suit. It was a military uniform.
It was the uniform of the Eastern Alliance's elite corps. The uniform was straight, without the slightest crease. The material was of the highest quality. Not only did it look good, but it could also be used as a combat uniform.
What caught Lucifer's attention the most were the four golden stars on the man's shoulders.
The epaulettes of every country's military were about the same. Four stars. General?
That was the highest rank in the military.
Even a Marshal would only have such a military rank.
But this man in front of him was ridiculously young.
What shocked Lucifer the most was that when he looked at him, the first thing he felt was fear.
Lucifer wasn't too far off from Metatron in terms of Discipline. It was only because his Attributes countered Metatron's that Lucifer's evaluation came in second.
In a fight to the death, it was hard to say who would emerge victorious. They were both peak ninth-level Adepts, and suffered from the same problem. Both had overdrawn their potential in their early years, which made it difficult for them to break through to Paragon.
Lucifer's combat experience was vast, and his understanding of the world of Adepts ranked in the top twenty.
Under these circumstances, just looking at the man was enough to fill him with dread.
The number of times this had happened to him could be counted on one hand.
Even the Pontiff wouldn't have made him feel this way.
However, this man with four general stars was like a blazing sun in his eyes. When he looked at him, even his own soul felt like it was about to be ignited.
It wasn't a pleasant feeling, but an indescribable pressure.
Lucifer was a dark element Adept, and hated light. But this man's aura wasn't pure light.
"Who are you?"
Lucifer unconsciously took a step forward, inching closer to An Liu. If this man wanted to harm him, and if it had something to do with this girl, then using her as a hostage wasn't a bad idea.
But there was a problem. He didn't have the chance.
His vision blurred for a moment, and Lucifer felt a terrifying oppressive force suddenly fall on his body. It felt like a vampire suddenly appearing under the scorching noon sun. The dark elements that he had condensed showed signs of dissipating in an instant. If he continued to move forward, the oppressive force would be even greater and more terrifying.
While he was distracted, the man appeared in front of him, blocking An Liu's path.