I was slightly shocked. I didn’t know this number. Who in Beijing knew my phone number?

Even my father didn't know my phone number, only the few people closest to me. This included He Yi, Murong Mingyue, Beiming Xue, Du Thirteen, Yamete, and the others. Of course, Lin Yixin was among them, but I didn't know what category to put her in.

"I am Lu Chen, you are?"

"Oh, hello. I am a female mage from the southernmost city of the China server, Ice Moon City. My ID is ‘Luo River God of the Capital’. I think you’ve heard my name, Falling Dust."

I stilled. Honestly speaking, I had heard of this ID. In the later stages of Spirit of Grief, the ID of Luo River God of the Capital had been known as the top female mage of the China server, and remained invincible in Cool Breeze City. The city had even managed to last a year against the Candle Dragon led by Candlelight Shadow. However, Luo River God of the Capital retired, and Candlelight Shadow naturally dominated.

"Of course, who wouldn't know Beauty Luo?"

I smiled and added, "Have you called me because of an important matter?"

"Yes!"

Luo River God of the Capital laughed and said, "There is a 2-star Outstanding high-level staff at Floating Ice City. You know anything about it? I’ve been thinking. In all of Floating Ice City, there were only a few who could drop such a staff. And today, the only high-level map that was discovered was the Devil Sealing Tower. Dominating Heaven Blade was outside the Dragonfall Lake, Wind Fantasy was leveling in some forest. Dominating Knight God and the others were with Dominating Heaven Blade, Indigo Collar chose not to enter the tower. With this simple elimination process, the only person who could get the Purgatory Scepter and has 4 characters in their name[1] is you, Broken Halberd Sinks Into Sand!"

I stilled. This woman was terrifying, her intelligence might rival Lin Yixin’s!

However, I was not very wary of Luo River God of the Capital because she was an enemy of Candlelight Shadow, and so was I. The enemy of an enemy was my friend.

Faced with her questioning, I smiled and said honestly, "Yes, the Purgatory Scepter is mine. Does Beauty Luo want to buy it?"

She laughed softly. "Of course, I am already Level 78, and have been leveling on my own in Ice Moon City. However, my staff is only a Level 65 Dark Gold–grade, much worse than this Purgatory Scepter, so I want it. Also, in the China server, I am the only one who can make this scepter show off its true might!"

I laughed. Yes, Luo River God of the Capital was also a member of the China CGL Hall of Fame, and ranked in the upper half, above even Candle Dragon’s mage, God’s Dance. But because she had retired too early, she had vanished from people's minds. As the River God was once again descending onto the mortal soil, great waves would surely rock Ice Moon City!

Also, Luo River God of the Capital was an extremely confident woman. Her achievements before her retirement had been glorious and her win rate against the Candle Dragon's top mage, God's Dance, was 77%. Her 1v1 win rate against Candelight Shadow even was a terrifying 23%. Of course, this number may look low, but if Candlelight Shadow was the opponent, the number was super high. For a great majority of players, their win rate against Candlelight Shadow was a round 0%. Top experts’ chances would be around 5%. With 23%, Luo River God of the Capital was a peak expert. Candlelight Shadow was just too strong!

"Falling Dust?"

"Yes.”

"Could you cancel the auction of the Purgatory Scepter? I am willing to pay a high price!" Luo River God of the Capital was speaking in a soft voice, close to pleading.

I frowned and said, "It's not that I don't want to cancel, but the auction has rules. If I cancel the auction, especially of items of high prices, then the seller will be punished severely. There is a reduction in reputation, and I can’t use the auction system for 60 days. The punishment is too severe for me to tolerate. So, Beauty Luo, come to Floating Ice City to attend the auction. I will cheer for you in secret...”

Luo River God of the Capital laughed helplessly. "You little... cheer me on. You mean cheer me to up the price?"

"Haha, no no, I’d never...”

"Oh!"

Luo River God of the Capital laughed. "Never mind. It seems that I must spend 5000 gold to buy a teleportation scroll from the main city to Floating Ice City. In any case, I will definitely get the scepter. Even if someone else buys it, I’ll have a way to get it for myself!"

I shuddered all over. This woman could not be offended, she was too possessive!

"Alright, Falling Dust, that's it!"

Luo River God of the Capital smiled and said, "Ice Moon City and Floating Ice City are at the two extremes of the China server. I heard that you have rebuilt Ancient Sword Dreaming Souls. Let's team up against Candle Dragon!"

"Yes, good luck!"

"Yes, bye!"

……

I hung up and gulped down wine. He Yi had gotten the wine from the workshop. Supposedly, it was a few thousand per bottle. I felt this was too luxurious and pricey, but He Yi told me some CEOs in China would drink wine that cost fifty thousand per bottle. Compared to them, I was very frugal.

The more I thought about it, the more sense it made. The world was truly unreasonable.

Murong Mingyue smiled and asked, "Who was it?"

"Luo River God of the Capital!"

"Oh? She’s also come back?"

"Yes!"

Murong Mingyue laughed softly, "Ha, it looks like Heavenblessed's China server is growing more interesting. Lu Chen, you've returned, Wind Fantasy’s a rising star, Dominating Heaven Blade’s working diligently, and even Luo River God of the Capital has returned. Haha, I want to see how Candlelight Shadow will dominate!"

I couldn't help but laugh. "The future situation is easy to imagine. It will definitely not be dominated by a single person. Candle Dragon may be strong, but not strong enough to order all of us around. Also, I don’t plan to ever work with them. The moment I created Bloody Mercenaries, I’ve already had a plan!"

"What plan?" He Yi laughed and asked.

I clenched my fists and said, "Before the national wars begin, I will erase Candle Dragon from the China server!"

"Haha....”

He Yi laughed softly and gave a praising gaze.

Murong Mingyue said, "Why do these words sound like a boast?"

I shook my head and laughed. "Those that achieve great things need ambition. They dare to think and do, they go as far as they can see!"

"Yes yes, eat up first!"

……

After eating quickly and drinking some wine, I was slightly dizzy. Inside, I thought about the two items I was auctioning off. I had to return on time, and see the day I would become rich!

I looked at the time. It was 11 at night, about half an hour left before the auction of the Golden Scale Bow. I could imagine the news on the auction of these two items must have spread through the nine main cities of the China server. Many people would have spent lots to buy a super teleportation scroll to come to Floating Ice City to participate.

I went out of the restaurant. Feeling the cold autumn breeze, I calmed down.

He Yi stood next to me and looked into the distance, saying, "The night is so quiet. Are you going online after returning?"

"Mn, I am going to the auction house to see the situation!"

"Okay, I am going as well!"

"Okay!"

Ultimately, Murong Mingyue and Beiming Xue were also curious about my auction, so our entire workshop went together.

Sitting in the car, I opened the window, letting wind blow in.

I sat in the back, looking up at the starry sky and said, "The situation of Heavenblessed is growing more complex and interesting. There are all kinds of experts. We need to take the opportunity and get famous, making Ancient Sword Dreaming Souls into an epic guild!"

"Yes!"

He Yi nodded and smiled. "Right, we haven't finalized the name of our workshop. How about we call it the 'Storm workshop'. How about it, very imposing...”

My eyes lit up. I said, "A workshop in Shanghai seems to have registered with this name. Let's use another one, how about ‘Frost Cloud workshop’?"

"Frost Cloud? Is there some meaning behind?" He Yi asked.

I nodded. "Frost, like ice, is hard and unyielding. There is an ancient saying—frost, the time for heaven to kill! Therefore, the frost itself symbolizes slaughter. Some people say white dew is frost. Also, a mighty person of the Jin Dynasty once wrote: ‘those with pure intentions are as clean as frost, their aspirations reach the clouds’. All of this is the meaning of ‘Frost Cloud’.”

Murong Mingyue laughed and turned the wheel, saying, "Alright, so this name is quite good. Eve, how about we settle this and find someone to make our Frost Cloud workshop official?"

He Yi nodded. "Okay, I have no problem with it.”

I looked outside the window and smiled slightly.

He Yi looked at me, surprised. "Why the smile?"

"Actually... the words Frost Cloud has another meaning...”

"Oh, what is it?" He Yi laughed as though she was interested.

I looked up into the sky and said, "There are four whites in the world—the clouds in the sky, the frost on the ground, the behind of beauties, and cabbage!"

"Damn!"

The women blushed. He Yi couldn't resist punching me and said, "You’re getting worse!"

Murong Mingyue said, "Maybe it’s his true nature. Oh, we met a bad person!"

……

I gave two suggestions, and the women seemed to like the second one more. Thus, the matter of our workshop’s name was settled. Frost Cloud workshop. It only proved the beauties’ pale complexion.

……

When I returned to the workshop, it was 11:30 pm. The auction would begin in a few minutes . Everyone charged into their rooms and went online!

Swhoosh!

I appeared in Floating Ice City's inn and sprinted out to the auction house. There, I found a sea of people. I was too late to even reserve a booth.

But at this time, I heard a “ding”.

System Notice: Dear player, because you are selling a high-grade item, you have the privilege of a VIP booth. Your room is 001!

Very good. Seller had such a privilege!

I was sent into the booth. This was the centermost booth in the auction house. If I looked down, I could see the crowd, as well as the auction ladies.

1. The auction listing said “XXXX”, and Broken Halberd Sinks Into Sand consists of 4 characters, 折戟沉沙