"Would you like us to arrange your stay?" the Crown Prince asked politely.
"Thank you," Bai-Xue replied calmly, "but I prefer to rely on myself."
A young man stepped forward and cupped his fists respectfully.
"Greetings, great warrior. I am Shai-Ming, the Fourth Prince of the Wang-Jin Kingdom. This is my elder brother, the Third Prince, Min-Sheng."
Min-Sheng nodded with a warm smile.
"It is an honor to meet you. A summoner of your caliber is rarely seen in our country."
Bai-Xue's gaze briefly rested on Min-Sheng.
So you are Min-Sheng, she thought coldly.
Very well... this might become interesting.
"If you ever need assistance," Min-Sheng continued, "I would be honored to help."
Without replying, Bai-Xue stepped onto Fri-Ze's back. She did not even glance in his direction as the phoenix spread its wings, ready to depart.
The Crown Prince hurried forward.
"Great warrior, what should we call you? And where may we contact you?"
"You may find me at the Hell Black Market," she said calmly.
"Call me White Mask."
With that, she vanished into the sky.
The Crown Prince turned to the old man beside him.
"Master Yan, you are experienced in cultivation. What level do you think White Mask is?"
Master Yan inhaled sharply.
"Your Highness... he tamed a legendary phoenix. His level far surpasses ours. I estimate he is at least an Eleventh-Level Summoner. Once he breaks through a few more realms, he may step into the Godly Cultivator Realm."
The Crown Prince fell silent.
"Only twelve or thirteen years old... and already an Eleventh-Level Summoner," he murmured, staring into the sky.
"Who are you... and where did you come from?"
A Few Days Later
The entire Wang-Jin Kingdom was buzzing with a single name.
"Did you hear? He defeated that terrifying phoenix and tamed it effortlessly!"
"Yes! White Mask is a monster. A true summoner has appeared in our country!"
From nobles to commoners, his name spread like wildfire.
Nine Vault Forest – Moonlight Residence
Bai-Xue had claimed Dark Moon's domain as her own. A beautiful house now stood beside a quiet lake, glowing softly under moonlight. The area was renamed Moonlight.
She lived there with Fri-Ze and Dark Moon.
"How much longer will this take?"
Dark Moon snapped irritably.
"Do you have any idea how much effort it takes to forge weapons? All you do is eat, sleep, or burn things in anger."
Fri-Ze snorted.
"You're no better, rabbit."
"Hmph!"
"Enough," Bai-Xue said calmly.
"I'm done. It's time to earn money."
She turned around.
"We'll sell the spirit weapons we forged over the past five days."
Fri-Ze frowned.
"Master... I don't understand these weapons. They're nothing like anything I've seen before."
"Of course you haven't," Bai-Xue replied.
"They're self-made. I designed them myself."
She lifted a bracelet.
"This is the Arrow-Shoot Bracelet. It can fire condensed energy projectiles up to fifteen meters."
Then she held up a ring.
"This is the Illusion Ring. Anyone wearing it becomes immune to illusion techniques."
Fri-Ze pointed at a glowing crimson sword.
"And that one?"
"This is a Fire Spirit Sword," Bai-Xue explained.
"With it, a Gold-Rank warrior can defeat a Summoner two or even three levels higher—if he knows how to use it."
Dark Moon narrowed his eyes at several strange items on the table.
"And these... things?"
Bai-Xue picked up a thin glove-like thread and slipped it onto her hand. She poured spiritual energy into it and clenched her fist.
A crimson thread shot out, wrapping tightly around a thick iron pillar nearby.
She pulled.
BOOM!
The pillar shattered.
"This is the Hell-Killing Thread," she said calmly.
"It can bind and slaughter even high-level beasts."
Fri-Ze and Dark Moon felt chills run down their spines.
"And these cards?" Fri-Ze asked carefully.
Bai-Xue flicked the cards between her fingers. They shot forward, curved through the air, and returned to her hand.
"Just toys?" Fri-Ze asked uncertainly.
Bai-Xue smiled faintly.
Suddenly—
Trees in the distance collapsed one after another.
Fri-Ze's eyes widened.
"M-Master?!"
"These are Death Cards," Bai-Xue said coldly.
"They can kill high-level summoners. These are not for sale. They are mine."
The air grew heavy.
"These weapons are far too dangerous," she continued.
"In the wrong hands, they would become a disaster."
The table was filled with countless unique creations.
"What shall we do with the rest?" Dark Moon asked.
"We'll sell them at the Hell Black Market," Bai-Xue replied.
"All of these are Soul Weapons—rare treasures in this world."
She explained calmly:
"Spirit weapons can be connected to one's spiritual energy. Just as spirit beasts become familiars, soul weapons can also bind to the soul, becoming an extension of one's power."
Hell Black Market
The Hell Black Market was a place where treasures of every kind gathered. Auctions, private deals—anything could be bought or sold.
Security was absolute.
Bai-Xue entered.
A man rushed toward her, bowing deeply.
"Master White Mask! Have you come to buy or sell today?"
"I wish to meet the head of the Hell Black Market."
The man froze, sweat dripping down his face.
"Is there a problem?" Bai-Xue asked coldly.
Before he could answer, two elderly men hurried out and bowed deeply.
"Master White Mask, please forgive us for the delay. It is an honor to have you here."
They escorted her inside.
"We have prepared a VIP room exclusively for you."
The room was on the fourth floor, elegant and luxurious, overlooking the entire auction hall.
"Master," one of them asked respectfully, "may we know your purpose here?"
Bai-Xue's voice was calm—but heavy with authority.
"I am here... to sell Spirit Weapons."
The two men standing before Bai-Xue were the head masters of the Hell Black Market. They were responsible for everything that happened within its walls; all matters required their approval.
They exchanged a glance, eyes wide with surprise.
"Spirit weapons... Master White Mask, how is this possible?" one of them stammered.
"It is... difficult to trust," the other added, his voice heavy with hesitation.
"Not only us, but no one could be trusted so easily. If you provide us proof, then... perhaps we may reconsider. Forgive us, but this is the rule."
Bai-Xue stood tall, her gaze steady as she pointed toward the horizon beyond the window.
"Why don't we test it in the arena?" she said.
The two masters nodded, understanding immediately.
"Yes... the arena ring," one said. "It is the battlefield where the weak fall and the strong take the prize. A clear test of skill."
Outside, in the open arena, two young men were engaged in combat. One stood tall and imposing, his energy radiating strength. The other was wounded and clearly weaker, barely able to hold his dagger.
"Who do you think will win?" Bai-Xue asked the head masters.
"Master," one said without hesitation, "the injured one is destined to lose. There is no chance otherwise."
The weaker combatant's dagger was on the verge of breaking, yet Bai-Xue moved with precise grace. From her storage ring, she produced a glowing dagger and handed it to him, leaning close to whisper a few words.
The young man's eyes widened as he grasped the dagger and reentered the battlefield. His spiritual energy flowed into the weapon, and inscriptions of shining light appeared along its blade.
With renewed speed and precision, his attacks became lightning-quick, almost imperceptible. The stronger opponent stumbled, unable to match the pace. Within moments, the injured fighter had won.
Bai-Xue turned toward the two masters, a faint smile on her lips.
"That was only a Fourth-Level Dagger," she said. "I also possess Summoner-Level and Godly-Level weapons. You have not even seen my full strength."
The head masters, shocked and humbled, dropped to their knees.
"Forgive us, Master White Mask," they said in unison. "We should not have doubted you. Please allow us to correct our mistake."
Bai-Xue nodded slightly.
"Very well. Today, the largest auction of the year will be held here," she said. "Many nobles and royals will attend. I have heard whispers that the most precious treasures will be present. Tell me... what are they?"
The masters exchanged uneasy glances.
"Forgive us, Master White Mask," one said. "We cannot disclose the details. Truthfully... we do not know much ourselves. You will see for yourself soon enough."
Bai-Xue's eyes glimmered with anticipation.
"When does the auction begin?"
"In four hours, Master. By then, you should go down and have our staff introduce your weapons."
"Very well," Bai-Xue said, leaving with several staff members to prepare.