Chapter 24

The exploration report of the Everfrost Rift dungeon was solemnly placed on Qin Lan's desk.

Looking at the list of resources that far exceeded expectations, the extremely low casualty rate, and the efficient advancement record created by Qin Feng's team in extreme conditions, the iron-blooded female city lord's frown finally relaxed.

The huge profits are like the most powerful evidence, washing away the remaining doubts about the energy tower incident.

She leaned back in her chair, her fingertips tapping unconsciously on the table, reviewing her logic.

If Lin Yao was an invader, why did he risk his life to warn the enemy in the Everfrost Rift Valley and save the entire team, including Qin Feng? This was equivalent to personally strengthening City B's strength.

If he had the ability to silently invade the energy tower, why didn't he take the opportunity to eliminate this biggest threat in the future when Qin Feng was seriously injured and unconscious deep in the ice crevasse?

Why would an enemy continue to demonstrate such great strategic value and place itself in a more valued position?

The Energy Tower intruder appeared during the window of time when Lin Yao was alone and Qin Feng was away. Perhaps it was just a small coincidence? After all, the heavily guarded Energy Tower had not been without flaws in its history.

Conclusion: Lin Yao’s value far outweighs the risks, and the energy tower incident is most likely a coincidence.

Lu Tianheng from City D is such a blind fool! He actually traded such a treasure like merchandise. Qin Lan's lips curled up in a mocking arc.

When Qin Lan hires people, she only looks at their value and does not stick to any particular criteria.

Status? S-class with F-class? As long as Lin Yao's value is high enough, Qin Lan dares to break the rules.

Her eyes fell on the description of Qin Feng's injuries at the end of the report, and she recalled the adjutant's vague mention of her eldest son's unusual concern for Lin Yao... his subconscious protective gesture during the battle, his silent yet meticulous care after returning, and the rare softness and... barely perceptible blush on his icy face when he occasionally glanced at Lin Yao.

A gleam of light flashed in Qin Lan's eyes: Very good.

Lin Yao needs comfort, and Qin Feng needs enlightenment.

Maybe... we can kill two birds with one stone.

…

A few days later, Qin Feng's injuries had stabilized thanks to advanced healing abilities and medication, but he still had some difficulty moving.

Lin Yao still plays the role of the melancholy beauty immersed in the shadow of double betrayal, as quiet as a soulless porcelain doll. Occasionally, when she stares blankly by the window, the inextricable sadness between her brows makes people feel uneasy.

"Feng'er," Qin Lan summoned her eldest son, her tone unusually gentle. "Lin Yao is suffering. Staying stuck at home isn't a solution. There's a top-tier private auction going on at the Galaxy Eye Auction House tonight. Take him there to relax. If he sees something he likes, don't hesitate, just buy it. Our Qin family has some solid foundation."

She didn't point out her intention to make the beauty smile, she just said that she wanted to relax.

Qin Feng looked at his mother, then thought of Lin Yao's dull look, and nodded silently.

He had originally planned to take Lin Yao out for a walk, and the auction might be an option.

As for taking pictures... he thought of Lin Yao's calm and almost cruel rescue under the ice crevice, and the life-saving grace he owed him... repaying the favor, this reason made him feel at ease, and also covered up the inexplicable throbbing in his heart.

…

The Galaxy Eye Auction House is located on the top floor of the most prosperous Sky Garden in City B.

The dome is designed as a transparent energy membrane, the vast starry sky seems to be within reach, and under your feet is a brilliant galaxy formed by thousands of lights.

The extremely luxurious layout contrasts sharply with the cruelty of the Everfrost Rift.

The well-dressed guests chatted in low voices, and the air was filled with the smell of money and power.

Lin Yao sat in the VIP box next to Qin Feng, still looking uninterested.

He was wrapped in a silver-gray cloak with the brim of his hat pulled low, revealing only his delicate chin and slightly pale lips.

He was indifferent to the rare materials, antique artworks, and even potions that could temporarily enhance supernatural powers on display.

His mind had already flown to how to use Qin Feng as a channel to contact the Purifier's top leaders and how to obtain more advanced energy sources.

Auctions? Just a boring pastime.

Qin Feng looked at Lin Yao's absent-minded look, and the confidence that had risen in his heart from repaying the favor dissipated a little, leaving only clumsy worry.

He didn't know how to make people happy, so he could only sit there in silence, with a cold aura that kept strangers away.

Halfway through the auction, a highlight item was brought to the booth.

It was not a material with surging energy, nor was it a luxurious jewel, but rather a pocket watch that looked quite old and even a little damaged.

The case is a dull brass color, covered with scratches, and the pattern on the cover is blurred.

"Everyone," the auctioneer's voice was tinged with mystery. "This item has an extremely unique origin, believed to have come from an ancient ruin deep outside the wall. Its material is unique, not composed of any known alloy, and its internal structure is intricate. Multiple expert appraisers have confirmed that its age... may be far older than the Cataclysm. It may even... possibly come from a legendary otherworld! Starting price: 5 million credits!"

The words "Another World" were like a boulder dropped into a calm lake, causing quite a stir. While authenticity was impossible to verify, the remains beyond the walls and the labeling predating the Cataclysm were enough to pique the interest of collectors and researchers.

The bidding soon began.

Lin Yao's originally drooping eyelashes suddenly raised up.

His spiritual perception was like being attracted by a magnet, instantly locking onto the worn pocket watch.

An extremely faint, yet extremely familiar wave emanated from it—the source code of the Old World Supernatural Association. Furthermore, it was an identification code that only core members possessed.

More importantly, the frequency of this coded wave echoed faintly with the incomplete runes pointing to the Ark Project that he had seen on the ice wall of the Everfrost Rift.

His heart beat uncontrollably faster, but he remained calm on the surface, only tightening his hands slightly on his knees.

Qin Feng keenly noticed Lin Yao's subtle change. He thought Lin Yao was interested in the pocket watch itself.

The opportunity to repay the favor has come!

"Seven million!"

Qin Feng's deep voice echoed through the auction hall for the first time, carrying an undeniable sense of strength. He skipped several rounds of small bids.

The whole place fell silent. Did the Qin family's young master take action? Or was it over an old, unidentifiable item?

"7.5 million!" Someone raised the price tentatively.

"10 million." Qin Feng didn't even raise his eyelids and directly quoted a crushing price.

He didn't care about the money, only the momentary interest Lin Yao showed. If this thing could bring a smile to his face, or even just dispel a trace of gloom, it would be worth it.

This price completely stunned everyone. In the end, this worn-out pocket watch fell into Qin Feng's hands at the exorbitant price of 10 million credit points.

The waiter respectfully brought the velvet box containing the pocket watch to the private room. Qin Feng picked up the box, without even glancing at it, and handed it directly to Lin Yao. His voice remained stiff, yet with a subtle hint of anticipation: "This... is for you. It's in the dungeon... Thank you for saving me."

Lin Yao looked at the box that was handed to him, then raised his head to look at Qin Feng.

There was no expression on the other person's cold face, but deep in those deep eyes, he clearly reflected his face that was pretending to be surprised and confused.

Qin Feng's eyes were serious, with a clumsy, almost stubborn determination to repay his gratitude, but without Qin Mu's deliberate show-off and greasy feeling of determination to win.

Lin Yao felt nothing, even finding it a little ridiculous. 10 million? Just for this crappy watch? Truly... the behavior of a well-off young master. But he still had to act his part.

He hesitantly reached out his hand and took the box, his fingertips carelessly brushing the back of Qin Feng's hand. Qin Feng's body stiffened almost imperceptibly.

"Thank you... Thank you, Young Master Qin Feng..." Lin Yao's voice was very soft, with a slight tremor of being flattered.

He slowly opened the box, revealing the pocket watch inside that was covered with traces of time.

His fingers brushed the cool copper shell, and a complex, indistinguishable emotion flickered in his blue eyes, a mixture of nostalgia and sadness. "It... reminds me of something... from long ago..."

He just didn't go into detail, leaving room for imagination.

Qin Feng watched Lin Yao intently poring over his pocket watch. The melancholy that had enveloped him seemed to be dispelled a little by the light of the pocket watch. An indescribable sense of satisfaction quietly rose within him, even stronger than when he had killed an S-rank contaminated beast in the dungeon.

The corners of his tightly-pressed mouth softened imperceptibly for a moment.

The auction is over and we return to the aircraft.

Lin Yao still held the velvet box quietly, as if he was holding some rare treasure.

Qin Feng sat next to him, looking at the stars and lights flowing outside the window. For the first time, he felt that this cold city night scene seemed to have a hint of warmth.

And Lin Yao, in the shadows where no one could see, was gently stroking an extremely hidden buckle inside the pocket watch with his fingertips.

His mental power had penetrated the case, sensing the complete source material coded information engraved within: a line of incomplete coordinates, a code name, and a meaningless phrase.

"...Coordinates 08...Gatekeeper...The key is in the eye of the storm..."

Eye of the Storm? Lin Yao muttered to himself. Another clue pointing to something unknown.

The Purifiers... The Ark Project... The Gatekeepers... The Keys... The legacy of the Old World Association is like scattered puzzle pieces, and this unexpected pocket watch seems to point to the location of the next piece.

He tilted his head slightly and looked at Qin Feng, who was resting with his eyes closed. The lines of his cold and hard face seemed slightly softened under the light and shadow.

This key...perhaps it will depend on this cold-faced young master to insert it into the keyhole leading to the truth.

He clenched his fingers and gripped the pocket watch tightly in his palm, as if holding a pass to a deeper fog.