World version update

Chapter 274 Celebrating the Saint
For the many extraordinary individuals present who possessed lineages, the extraordinary path was the foundation of their school and could not be easily passed on, in order to prevent the leakage of the extraordinary path and the emergence of competitors outside the school.

However, Lu Yan only took the knowledge of the extraordinary path and had no need for information about potions or advancement rituals, which was undoubtedly good news for the extraordinary individuals.

Any extraordinary path requires corresponding potion recipes and advancement rituals; in fact, to some extent, potions and rituals are the core of an extraordinary path.

Otherwise, even if one obtains knowledge through extraordinary means, it will be difficult to use it if one cannot take magic potions to complete the advancement.

Lu Yan's decision not to take the potion and the advancement ceremony meant that even if the knowledge of the extraordinary path to advancement was leaked, it wouldn't cause much trouble, which greatly reduced the concerns of the school's extraordinary individuals.

In addition, the generous gifts Lu Yan made when trading the plague route were witnessed by many extraordinary individuals present.

First, he pointed out the flaws in the plague pathway, indicating a path to advancement for the Black Robe Transcendent, and then personally took action to resolve the hidden dangers of the Transcendent pathway.

This is an opportunity that is priceless for any extraordinary person.

The extraordinary individuals in the hall seemed to have received some kind of revelation, their eyes gleaming with excitement. Without hesitation, they immediately stepped forward, vying to express their sincerity.

The Crimson Council member named Dukao stepped forward first, respectfully presenting a simple, red-covered book with both hands:

"I am willing to offer up the extraordinary knowledge of the Crimson Path Sequences Nine to Five!"

This is our council's extraordinary ritual, containing the essential secrets of blood transformation, which can help practitioners master the source of life.

Following closely behind, a female superhuman dressed in a silver-gray robe stepped forward and took out a small, gleaming metallic box from her chest:
"I possess extraordinary knowledge of the Magic Silver Path, which leads directly to Sequence Five, and I wish to trade with His Highness the Saint."

This path involves a resonance between metal and soul, and is extremely rare.

Her eyes gleamed with wisdom, yet she couldn't help but show awe in front of Lu Yan.

Seeing this, other extraordinary individuals also stepped forward, each offering their most valuable extraordinary knowledge or items:

"The complete inheritance of the Ironblood Knight path, Sequence Nine to Sequence Six!"

"I once obtained a prophetic crystal from a astrologer, which contained a fragmented Sequence Four mystery. However, without the prerequisite extraordinary means, it is difficult to unleash its full potential. I am willing to offer it to Your Highness!"

"I have inadvertently obtained some extraordinary knowledge about the path of the Threads of Destiny. I wonder if the Sage would be interested?"

In an instant, extraordinary methods and esoteric knowledge converged in the hall, forming a peculiar competition.

Every extraordinary individual hopes that their contributions will earn the favor of this mysterious saint, granting them access to more profound extraordinary knowledge or some kind of special protection.

Those once arrogant nobles and capitalists now stood aside, watching these extraordinary individuals, who were usually unapproachable, so humbly offer up their treasures. They couldn't help but look at each other in disbelief, deeply shocked.

They finally realized that in the face of true power, status and wealth are nothing but fleeting clouds.

Count Violet stood aside, watching as the banquet he had meticulously organized turned into Lu Yan's personal stage. A complex emotion flashed in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

As a shrewd nobleman, he knew how to find opportunities amidst change.

Lu Yan smiled and readily accepted the deal with the extraordinary individuals present.

Unlike those who transcend through the Plague Path, these other schools of transcendents do not carry many of the hidden dangers associated with transcendent paths, making it impossible for Lu Yan to replicate his previous trading methods.

However, Lu Yan had already made preparations when he learned about the extraordinary gathering.

Reaching out, Lu Yan took the extraordinary knowledge of the Crimson Path from Dukao's hand. After briefly flipping through this extraordinary path, spatial fluctuations flickered in Lu Yan's hand, and a small, pale purple bag appeared in his palm.

"This item is called a storage bag. It has internal space for storing items. Use this to exchange for your extraordinary abilities."

As he spoke, Lu Yan handed the storage bag to Dukao.

Dukao looked pleasantly surprised and immediately accepted the storage bag respectfully.

In the Mysterious version, only a handful of paths lead to spatial abilities after reaching Sequence Five.

To create the corresponding extraordinary items and sealed artifacts, one must possess the corresponding extraordinary characteristics, and their value will not be less than that of a level three sealed artifact.

Lu Yan casually produced such a treasure; how could Dukao not be pleasantly surprised?
Amidst the expectant gazes of the crowd, Dukao used his mental power to probe the space within the storage bag, and his pupils immediately trembled violently.

"At least ten cubic meters?"

Dukao exclaimed in surprise, immediately drawing envious glances from many extraordinary individuals.

Dukao gripped the storage bag tightly, then asked nervously:

"May I ask, Your Highness, does this extraordinary item have any negative effects?"

In the extraordinary world, most extraordinary items and sealed objects are made from extraordinary characteristics, and they all contain pollution and have special negative effects.

The more powerful the sealing artifact, the stronger its negative effects; it is said that only a true god can ignore its negative effects.

In Dukao's view, extraordinary items with such a large space must be extremely valuable, and there is a high possibility that they may have unbearable negative effects.

Lu Yan raised an eyebrow. This storage bag was actually purchased by Lu Yan in the Xianxia version last time. It was not a sealed item of this world, so naturally it did not have any negative effects.

However, if Lu Yan were to speak in this way, it would arouse suspicion from other superhumans, so he simply made up an excuse.

"The storage bag is not a supernatural item in the strict sense. It was created with supernatural power. Its internal space is unstable and it will collapse after a hundred years of use."

Lu Yan's words relieved Dukao.

A hundred years is a long time for these Sequence 5 powerhouses. Unless they can advance to Sequence 4, they can use a storage bag until they die.

If you can advance to Sequence Four, you won't need to care about a mere storage bag anymore.

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

Ducao clutched the storage bag tightly and retreated, satisfied.

With Dukao as an example, most of the other extraordinary individuals who made the transactions also opted for the storage bag.

However, the value of the knowledge gained through extraordinary means varies, and the size of the storage bag that can be obtained in exchange also differs.

Extraordinary items in this space are priceless and unavailable anywhere; even if you don't need to sell them, you can still exchange them for what you want.

After the transaction, all the extraordinary individuals looked at Lu Yan with even greater awe.

In their view, Lu Yan's ability to casually produce so many storage bags likely indicates that he possesses extremely high attainments in spatial manipulation.

The extraordinary path involves spatial power, and even among saints, it is considered a powerful path.

With the last superhuman completing the transaction, the banquet fell silent once more.

The atmosphere in the hall was subtle and complex, with the light from the crystal chandelier shining on everyone's faces, outlining a variety of expressions.

The extraordinary individuals stood aside, contentedly accepting the gifts they had received, their eyes gleaming with anticipation.

The other newly emerging nobles and capitalists looked at Lu Yan with regret and envy.

Dressed in magnificent gowns and adorned with precious jewels, they wield great influence in secular society, yet in this extraordinary world, they can only be bystanders.

They also wanted to make a deal with Lu Yan, this saint, but as newly powerful figures, they had very few extraordinary resources besides worldly wealth, and they didn't even have the qualifications to make a deal with Lu Yan.

Just when they thought they were going to miss this opportunity, Lu Yan suddenly spoke up.

His voice was neither hurried nor slow, yet it clearly reached everyone's ears.

"The first trade is complete. We will now proceed with the second trade."

These words were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples and rekindling the sparks of hope in the eyes of the nobles who had been disappointed.

Lu Yan's gaze swept over the emerging aristocrats and capitalists present, a meaningful smile curving his lips as he said:
"I'd like to discuss a business deal with you all. Would you be interested?"

Many newly emerging nobles and capitalists looked delighted, exchanged glances, and whispered among themselves.

Some of them immediately straightened their backs and adopted the most proper posture, while others began to consider what resources they could offer.

However, some remained uneasy, a hint of wariness flashing in their eyes. In this world filled with mysterious powers, making a deal with a saint carried unpredictable risks. A handsome middle-aged nobleman in a dark blue suit stepped forward, bowed slightly, his expression cautious and proper.

He was the head of the Welton family and had considerable influence in emerging industries.

"What kind of deal is Your Highness referring to?" His voice was steady and powerful, his eyes showing both anticipation and a hint of caution. "We mortals are probably unable to provide resources as precious as those of the extraordinary."

Lu Yan chuckled softly, a smile that seemed to have already seen through the deepest thoughts of everyone present. The light from the crystal chandelier cast a soft halo around him, adding a touch of mystery to this saint.

"The deal I'm talking about is very simple for you."

The nobles and capitalists present held their breath, afraid of missing a single word. Some had already begun calculating the possible stakes and returns, their eyes gleaming with anticipation.

"Just today, I established an organization called the Trade Union, which aims to unite workers and help them obtain their due rights, including wages, healthcare, disability benefits, and working conditions."

As Lu Yan spoke, the atmosphere in the hall subtly shifted. Some nobles' smiles froze on their faces, a hint of wariness flashing in their eyes, while others wore thoughtful expressions, seemingly assessing the deeper meaning behind his words.

"Most of you here own a large number of factories in the industrial zone, or manage certain industries."

If you agree to the union bylaws and publicly declare that your subordinates' workers will join the union, I can offer you a small amount of assistance.

Lu Yan's proposal was like a bombshell, exploding in the hearts of nobles and capitalists. They looked at each other, their eyes filled with surprise, hesitation, and even anger.

Some nobles began to whisper among themselves, their voices filled with unease and doubt, while others remained silent, their eyes gleaming with calculation, as if weighing the pros and cons.

The ladies in elegant dresses covered their lips with folding fans and whispered among themselves, while the young capitalists frowned, pondering the impact of the proposal on their industries.

Strictly speaking, Lu Yan's request was not troublesome. The nobles and capitalists present were all powerful figures with vast wealth. Lu Yan's request could be fulfilled by them paying a portion of their profits. Exchanging these things for the help of a saint seemed like a very worthwhile deal.

However, after a brief silence, the first to speak was Baron Welton, who had just asked the question.

He stepped forward, his dark blue suit gleaming coldly under the lights, his face serious and resolute.

"Your Excellency, please forgive me for refusing this deal."

His voice was firm and clear, ringing out in the silent hall. The other nobles and capitalists turned to look at him, some astonished by his courage.

With a serious expression and eyes fixed on Lu Yan, Wilton stated his position neither humbly nor arrogantly:
"From a short-term perspective, your help far exceeds the value we have given, but once this door is opened, it will inevitably lead to a chain reaction."

More and more workers will use the treatment you mentioned as a benchmark and make more unreasonable demands in order to get better treatment.

This will directly lead to increased costs across the entire industrial system, making our factories less competitive in industrialization and damaging our foundation.

Even accepting your deal would put us at odds with more factory owners and even the great nobles.

Wilton took a deep breath: "Excuse my bluntness, Your Excellency, but you are playing with fire!"

The last few words echoed like thunder in the hall.

The other nobles and capitalists were filled with doubt and suspicion, and they all realized the hidden problems from Welton's words.

If they were to agree to Lu Yan's deal, it would be tantamount to cutting themselves off from the aristocratic system, which was the foundation of them and their families.

The kindness of a saint is far more than worth this price.

Lu Yan watched Welton's performance quietly, a hint of amusement in his eyes. He clapped his hands gracefully, making a crisp sound.

"A good argument. But I'm curious, who gave you the courage to refuse this deal?"

Although Lu Yan's voice was calm, it carried an undeniable authority that sent a chill down the spines of everyone present.

Baron Welton's expression changed slightly, but he maintained his composure.

"Is it the powerful noble family behind you? The extraordinary artifacts you possess? Or this saint you've been secretly in contact with?"

As the last word fell, a golden light flashed in Lu Yan's eyes, and the air in the entire hall seemed to freeze.

As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Yan slowly raised his right hand and made a grasping motion in front of him.

All that could be seen were tiny cracks suddenly appearing in the air, like shattered mirrors, gradually widening and intertwining. Layer upon layer of space shattered, revealing a middle-aged man with a gloomy face within the broken space.

The man was dressed in a gray robe, clearly displaying the aura of a fourth-order saint. His brows revealed an undisguised arrogance, but at this moment his face was full of panic.

His eyes gleamed with disbelief, as if he had never imagined that his hiding place would be so easily exposed.

He opened his mouth as if to speak, but no sound came out. He could only watch helplessly as Lu Yan's five fingers slowly closed.

As Lu Yan tightened his grip, the shattered void spun and contracted like a black hole, completely engulfing the figure of the saint. A shrill scream, inhuman in sound, rang out briefly before abruptly ceasing.

The shattered void completely buried all life, leaving only nothingness.

The whole process took only a few seconds, but it terrified everyone present.

The superhumans were pale, and the nobles were utterly terrified; some had already collapsed to the ground. Fear had barely surfaced on their faces, their eyes still filled with disbelief and shock.

At that very moment, in the steam church cathedral far in the city center, a powerful aura suddenly shot straight into the sky, transforming into a pair of cold eyes looking down at the earth. The fluctuations of the saint's fall were captured in an instant.

But in that instant, supreme divine power manipulated creation and enveloped the entire manor, and everyone felt their consciousness fall into a blank.

Lu Yan used his fingers as a brush to draw strange runes in the void, golden light flowing from his fingertips, weaving together everyone's memories.

The runes, as if alive, burrowed into the foreheads of everyone present, silently altering their memories and erasing everything that had just happened.

This miraculous change happened silently, and even though those eyes high in the sky searched the Violet Manor, they could only return empty-handed.

When everyone regained their senses, Lu Yan was still standing there with a smile on his face, as if nothing had happened.

The atmosphere in the hall returned to normal, and everyone's memory remained stuck on the moment Lu Yan proposed the deal.

After a while, the previously oppressive and tense atmosphere began to ease, like a frozen lake welcoming the spring breeze and quietly melting.

Count Violet, the host of the banquet, suddenly raised his glass of red wine, the deep red liquid inside shimmering like jewels under the light. He smiled, his voice loud and firm:
"Your Highness's compassion is truly humbling for this old man. The guild's affairs benefit the people, and my Violet family should certainly support them!"

Count Violet's prestige as a long-established nobleman should not be underestimated.

When Earl Violet spoke, it immediately drew the agreement of many nobles.

A middle-aged man in a brown tuxedo stepped forward with a humble smile: "Kran Company is willing to abide by the union bylaws."

“The Avitt family is willing to participate in union activities,” a tall, thin young man added, his eyes gleaming with ambition and anticipation.

One after another, nobles and emerging capitalists expressed their opinions.

Some people spoke with firm voices and sincere eyes, while others hesitated, but they had no choice but to go with the flow in the atmosphere of the crowd.

They instinctively sensed that something seemed amiss, but their subconscious perceptions led them to respond accordingly.

It's just some trivial matter involving commoners; how could it compare to pleasing a saint?
Lu Yan stood in the center of the hall, shrouded in an indescribable aura of authority.

With a smile on his face, he took a glass of red wine from the servant's hand, raised the glass to toast the crowd, and the liquid in the glass was as deep as blood.

"One day, you will be glad you made this decision."

Lu Yan's voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears, as if echoing directly in the depths of their souls, causing a slight tremor in the hearts of everyone present.

Count Violet respectfully raised his wine glass in return, his eyes gleaming with awe.

"Congratulations to the saint!"

The nobles echoed in unison, their voices reverberating throughout the magnificent hall, like a solemn ceremony.

"Congratulations to the saint!"

(End of this chapter)