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Chapter 59: Boundless Mountains and Rivers, Difficult to Paint in a Lifetime

“Is that so… So there are super VIP guests as well.”

Although Vilyric was somewhat curious about the identity of the mysterious visitor, she didn’t worry too much since she’d find out soon enough. The selling event had officially begun, so she focused her attention on it for the time being.

The so-called selling event was more or less the same as others: presenting rare treasures one by one, with the host introducing them and perhaps avoiding any sensitive topics while boasting a little, followed by attendees bidding from below. Despite the mysterious and powerful Lingyin Merchant Association, they too seemed unable to escape the usual practices in this regard.

However, the content of the auction items caught Vilyric a bit off guard.

It was not some magical weapon or crystal gem; the first item for sale was actually a painting.

“An extraordinary masterpiece by the famous Eden Priestley from over four hundred years ago, the only and last work of his life, the ‘Map of Boundless Mountains and Rivers,’ preserved by special methods until today, with no duplicates in sight, starting price… one million holy light coins? What on earth is this?”

“It’s not anything special, Miss Xī. As you can see, it’s just a painting.”

After quickly reading the simple introduction displayed on the magical crystal board, the expression of Miss White Fox, hidden behind her mask, turned strange.

“Um, let me ask, this painting should…”

“Yes, let me emphasize once more, this is just an ordinary painting with no other use; there are no hidden treasures, mysteries, or any magical fluctuations. No need to speculate.”

“Uh…”

The old man’s straightforward, fortune-teller-like response made Vilyric swallow back the guess she had almost voiced.

Glancing at the bid rising to over two million within such a short time and steadily heading towards three million, Vilyric couldn’t help but start questioning if these people had some sort of problem with their brains or if perhaps this ‘Map of Boundless Mountains and Rivers’ had some secret use that even the Lingyin Merchant Association didn’t know about.

One million holy light coins was equivalent to a high proportion of two times the United Kingdom’s gold coins. If used to buy magical equipment, even if it was often overpriced and unobtainable, one could still get at least a premium-grade purple magical weapon. While that might not matter much to Vilyric, spending it on a painting that had only collectable value and no practical significance was truly…

Moreover, the one million was just the starting bid. Given the unhesitating bidding momentum, the final price might approach five million holy light coins, which meant ten million United Kingdom gold coins.

Seemingly sensing the astonishment in Vilyric’s heart, the old man stroked his beard and smiled.

“There’s no trick, but indeed, this ‘Map of Boundless Mountains and Rivers’ hides a story. I wonder if Miss Xī might be interested to hear it?”

Since the Oracle had said so, and she didn’t have anything else to do, it wouldn’t hurt to listen.

Thinking this, Vilyric nodded slightly, and the elder wasted no time, diving straight into the tale.

“A long time ago, a traveler sought to cross the vast ocean from the outer seas to this world. However, the Eastern Sea is expansive and fraught with danger; countless explorers have already found their ambitions buried beneath the sand. The traveler’s ship encountered a storm midway, mercilessly dragged everyone down to the seabed, turning them into lost souls beneath the water.”

“Although he was strong and miraculously survived, without a place to stand in the boundless Eastern Sea, the traveler drifted alone for a long time on a few wooden planks, exhausted, and was about to perish in the vast outer sea…”

“At that moment, a magnificent scroll suddenly descended from the heavens. The traveler felt the world spinning around him and fainted from fatigue.”

“When he woke up, he found himself in a new, incredible miraculous world.”

“It was neither this world nor his homeland, but a mysterious realm never recorded anywhere, filled with various magical creatures he had never seen before—peaceful and serene, a true paradise!”

“The traveler was incredulous. He wandered through that world for countless miles, made numerous friends, and savored the flavors of life. He didn’t know how long it had been, and then, once again, he felt the world spinning… Upon waking again, he found himself back on the beach of the Eastern Sea in this world.”

“At that time, the scroll danced around him and soared into the sky. The traveler hurriedly peered at it, astonished.”

“The vast mountains and rivers depicted in the painting were exactly as he had seen and experienced!”

“This was a world within a painting.”

“Later, the traveler told others about his experiences, but he was met with cruel laughter, mocked as merely having washed up on the beach and created an absurd dream along the way.”

“The traveler was furious and decided to recreate the breathtaking landscape depicted in that magnificent scroll. He dedicated all his efforts to mastering the art of painting, exhausting his resources and time over a hundred years, painstakingly reproducing the scenes from his memories.”

“However, every living being has an end to their life. Though the traveler did his utmost, he could never finish the whole landscape of mountains and rivers before his life came to an end, and the painting he created reflected merely a small portion.”

“Before dying, the traveler entrusted the unfinished painting to his disciple, urging him to take good care of it and to never let the mountains and rivers depicted in the painting be lost to the world, before passing away quietly.”

“This painting was named ‘Map of Boundless Mountains and Rivers’ by his disciple, with a length of 1197 meters and weighing a great deal.”

After finishing, the Oracle smiled gently at the silent Miss White Fox.

“Miss Xī, what do you think of this story?”

“That traveler was Eden Priestley, right? I guess that’s a pseudonym.”

“Haha, indeed! So does Miss Xī still think this ‘Map of Boundless Mountains and Rivers’ isn’t worth the mere millions?”

“…If this story is true, then it’s indeed worth it.”

Meanwhile, the bidding for the first item, the ‘Map of Boundless Mountains and Rivers,’ was nearing its end, reaching an astronomical price of 4.99 million holy light coins, and Vilyric was surprised to recognize the wealthy bidder.

Dressed in a gentleman’s black formal attire, with his right eye covered by a pirate-like eyepatch, his snowy hair meticulously arranged, he sat alone at the front of the first floor, everyone else seemingly careful to maintain a distance from him.

This was the same person who had led the Ost Empire’s envoy to the Kingdom of Azure during the Wing Emperor’s birthday celebration. Although the official representative was that unknown red-haired prince, it was clear to everyone that this man named Xiu was the true leader of the imperial envoy, making it hard for even the prince to go against his wishes.

Moreover, after the great collapse on the Island of Spris, he had returned to the homeland under the pretext of prioritizing the prince’s safety. Vilyric found it hard to evaluate his actions, but due to their prior unexpected connection at the Wing Emperor’s court, Miss Priestess, who was somewhat interested, had simply looked into his background.

Xiu Wickliffe, human, a minister of the Ost Empire, current martial arts instructor of the emperor and the royal family, with at least legendary strength, and he was also the current leader of the only three legendary mercenary groups, the Silver Claw. Compared to young talents like Fiery Blossom and Vurnar, Xiu undoubtedly possessed deeper strength, foundation, and reputation.

She hadn’t expected that old fellow to suddenly show up in the Holy Empire and spend heavily on such a painting without any practical significance; the mind of the elderly was truly hard to guess.

“What is Miss Xī thinking about?”

As the auction was about to conclude, the Oracle’s question prompted the White Fox girl to suddenly speak up.

“By the way, can I participate in the bidding too?”

The elder instantly laughed.

“Of course, but if Miss Xī wishes, aside from the final item, you may choose any three of the selling items here to take as a small gift from the Lingyin Merchant Association for our first meeting.”

Looking at the astonishing offer from the elderly president with surprise, Vilyric smiled beneath her mask.

“You’re quite generous, but there’s no need for that. Taking something for free devalues the worth of the collection and the hard work of previous creators. I’ll take this ‘Map of Boundless Mountains and Rivers’ for ten million holy light coins.”

Seemingly having anticipated her response, the Oracle didn’t insist, smilingly beckoning a servant nearby and whispering a few words. The servant immediately nodded and hurried off.

Before long, in the auction that was about to conclude, Vilyric’s high bid suddenly outbid Xiu’s 4.99 million, standing proudly in the air and causing a stir among the audience!

After all, the ‘Map of Boundless Mountains and Rivers’ was merely a collection item of little practical use, and the inflated price of ten million holy light coins had far exceeded normal boundaries. Although Xiu’s expression darkened at this, he quickly returned to his original demeanor and did not continue to raise his bid.

Thus, the final winner of the first item was decided, yet due to the Lingyin Merchant Association’s intentional secrecy, no one knew it was some fox lady who had made the purchase.

“Congratulations, Miss Xī. Your discerning eye is commendable; I admire you.”

“Tch, cut it out… To be honest, I’m starting to doubt if that story was just a made-up scheme to trick me into being the big spender…”

In response to the Oracle’s congratulations, Miss Vilyric, who had impulsively lost ten million, merely felt as if she was being sarcastic. However, having already bought it, she wouldn’t regret it, as the story truly had a profound impact on the young girl.

After a moment’s thought, she decided to change the topic.

“By the way, where do the Lingyin Merchant Association’s rare and peculiar items come from? Are they all collections from the Lingyin Clan? But this painting is only a few hundred years old, and wasn’t that Eden supposed to entrust the painting to his disciple before he died? How did it end up in your hands?”

Although the change of topic felt a bit abrupt, the wise elder could easily understand the White Fox girl’s meaning and smiled.

“Indeed, some come from the Lingyin Clan, but that’s only a small number, usually reserved as pièce de résistance for each auction. Most of the Association’s goods come from countless branches scattered worldwide that covertly acquire them, as even the Lingyin Clan, no matter how rich and powerful, will eventually run out if they just sit and eat.”

“Covertly acquiring them…”

This carried some depth.

The value of treasures lies in their rarity and secrecy; the intelligence related to them is worth millions. Ordinary people would find it difficult not only to acquire them but even to get a glimpse of such information.

Since the Lingyin Merchant Association could easily gather rare treasures from every corner of the world, it showed that…

Their network of informants must be extraordinary.

Speaking of intelligence…

“By the way, Oracle, you still haven’t told me why your name was erased, and what about the heavenly secrets and your eyes?”

Hearing the White Fox lady’s frank inquiry, even the elder’s exceptional composure couldn’t help but show a wry smile.

“Miss Xī really is straightforward, just as Ming Lan mentioned. Well… my eyes are not defective; the reason I cover them is a necessary condition of an ancient technique. As for the so-called heavenly secrets… Hmm, have you ever heard of a group called the ‘God’s Favored’ while walking in the world?”

“God’s Favored?”

Frowning slightly, Vilyric quickly nodded again.

“I’ve certainly heard of them.”

Not only had she heard of them, she had also personally seen quite a few, and had connections with some. Those with the power of ‘Revelation’, like Mona, or the City Lord Nastaia Siniel from the Flame Dragon City, as well as the legendary figure ‘Thunderlight’ from the City of Courage, all possessed incredible and irreplicable abilities, what people commonly refer to as ‘God’s Favored’ in the world.

Of course, in different places, this group has various names.