Jin Yuan looked at the Matriarch of the Metal Clan in shock. She had not dared tell anyone she had killed Tu Xiao in the Land of Divine Remains. How had her mother learned of it?

“If you do not wish people to know, then do not do it,” the matriarch said, her expression as unyielding as ice. “The Earth Clan already suspects you. If I had not worked to cover your tracks, do you think you could still be cultivating here in peace?”

Jin Yuan went pale, a chill of fear rising; her mind was still a muddle when her mother’s next words made her freeze on the spot.

“However, you were quick-witted enough to hand Tu Xiao’s Storage Bracelet to someone else and divert the calamity,” the matriarch said with a faint nod. “That move was well played, at least enough to shift the Earth Clan’s attention for the moment.”

Jin Yuan’s expression turned odd. She opened her mouth to explain that she had not given the Storage Bracelet away, that Yu Zhao had taken it by force, but she swallowed the words. She dared not reveal the truth—especially now, when her mother seemed, for once, somewhat satisfied.

Unaware of the hitch in her daughter’s thoughts, the Matriarch of the Metal Clan continued, “The Earth Clan is hunting whoever took the Storage Bracelet, which has bought us some time. But that does not mean you can sleep easy. If they catch the person, the truth will come out sooner or later, and then the Metal Clan will face a grave crisis.”

Jin Yuan’s heart tightened as she asked, “Mother, what should we do?”

“There is only one way,” the matriarch said. “Distinguish yourself in the Great Thousand Alliance selection, go to the Great Thousand World, and take a worthy master. Only then will the Metal Clan have the standing to contend with the Earth Clan.”

“I will pass the selection,” Jin Yuan said through clenched teeth. “I will not disappoint you.”

“The other families are nothing to fear,” the matriarch said, “but news from the Wind Clan is that Feng Jiu Si intends to enter the Storm Abyss. If he returns successfully, your chance will be gone.”

Jin Yuan’s entire body shook, then she dropped to one knee and said, “Please permit me to enter the Tomb of Ten Thousand Gold.”

Any clan that could occupy a Small World had an incommunicable secret realm of its own. For the Wind Clan it was the Storm Abyss; for the Metal Clan it was the Tomb of Ten Thousand Gold.

The Matriarch of the Metal Clan looked coldly at the kneeling Jin Yuan and said, “In the past I gave you ample freedom. You said you did not want a Furnace Cauldron and would break through on your own, and I believed you. And the result? You botched everything and brought enormous trouble to our clan.”

“Mother, I am willing to stake my life on it and swear to break through,” Jin Yuan said. “If I fail, I will accept whatever consequences come.”

The matriarch stared at her for a long time, then said, “Very well. Since you have such resolve, I will give you one last chance. Remember, it is the last. Do not disappoint me again.” She turned toward the doorway and said, “Come with me.”

Jin Yuan rose at once and followed close behind. [Yu Zhao!] she intoned silently, eyes burning. [You had better pray I do not walk out alive. If I pass the Great Thousand Alliance selection, the first account I settle will be yours.]

While the great clans of the Middle Thousand World were making feverish preparations for the impending selection, Yu Zhao and her companions quietly arrived at the site of the Myriad Realms Treasure Fair.

The fair did not rest upon any one Small World; it existed alone in a pocket of void. A faint silver Light Screen wrapped it round like the brightest pearl of the night, seizing the eye at a glance. It was said the market had once been the portable space of an ancient great cultivator who died; later, various powers of the Middle Thousand World joined hands to refit it into a fixed trading ground, opening it at intervals.

Standing on Senior Ling Long’s Starship and gazing at the bustling market in the distance, Yu Zhao’s eyes were full of awe as she murmured, “The Myriad Realms Treasure Fair truly lives up to its name.”

Ancestor Sui Bian chuckled and said, “This place gathers more treasures than anywhere else in the Middle Thousand World. Of course it’s lively—and there are even better things inside.”

At that moment, Senior Ling Long explained the rules for entering the fair: no casual fighting, no reneging after a deal is struck, and no deceit of any kind. Yu Zhao committed each point to memory.

Soon, the Starship slipped through the Light Screen and settled upon an open stretch outside the market. They disembarked, and after Senior Ling Long waved the Starship into her sleeve, they flew together toward the entrance.

Before they could enter, a woman with antlers darted past Yu Zhao. Yu Zhao arched a brow and asked, “Is she demonfolk?”

“You could call them demonfolk,” Sui Bian said, “but strictly speaking they’re no longer classed among demons. They’re a separate race that call themselves Beastkin.” In the cultivation world, half-human bloodlines were often shunned, yet in the vast Middle Thousand World they were common; indeed, there were Small Worlds inhabited solely by Beastkin. They possessed human intellect and the gifts of beasts; though their numbers were few, each tribe was not to be taken lightly.

“Are there people with Dragon Clan blood in the Middle Thousand World?” Yu Zhao asked, thinking of Quan Ye, who bore two bloodlines.

“There are,” Sui Bian answered, almost offhand. “I met a Dragon Blooded once. That lineage is powerful, but rare, and exceedingly protective of its own. Few dare provoke them.”

Yu Zhao nodded and asked no more.

As they spoke, they reached the entrance. The moment they entered, a wave of boisterous noise surged over them.

“Come look, come look! Top-grade spirit herbs—once in a millennium!” cried one hawker.

“Ancient-artefact model, power without end! Miss this and you won’t get another chance!” shouted another.

“Specialty spiritual fruit from the Great Beast Realm! Boosts cultivation and beautifies the skin—if it isn’t delicious, don’t pay Spirit Stones!” yelled a third.

The streets of the market ran in all directions, and both sides of every avenue were crowded with dazzling wares. Cultivators and Beastkin walked shoulder to shoulder. The Beastkin came in every shape: some with tails, some with faces sheathed in scales; a six-armed Beastkin in the middle of a circle was even demonstrating limb regrowth.

Yu Zhao was enthralled. Ancestor Sui Bian gave a sly grin and said, “Little Yu Zhao, the goods here are fine, but don’t let them bedazzle you and forget the main task.”

By “main task,” he meant seeking a Starry Sky Stone and a Jade Core. Yu Zhao nodded obediently and said, “I remember, Ancestor.”

Senior Xiu Yu shot Sui Bian an annoyed look and said, “Little Zhao is still a child; this sort of thing is hardly hers to worry about. Come, Little Zhao, your aunt will take you to see something fun.” Ever since seeing the miniature version of Yu Zhao, Xiu Yu’s maternal instincts had overflowed—she had even tried to adopt Yu Zhao as her goddaughter. After Yu Zhao and Ancestor Sui Bian gently refused, Xiu Yu began calling herself Yu Zhao’s aunt and doted on her all the more. Taking Yu Zhao by the hand, she led her toward the liveliest street.