Book 10: Chapter 66: Three-tailed Kite Club

For the next three days, the serial killers exchanged all but the most essential recovery items for funds. Every Shattered Crystal they didn’t need went to Qin Lun, amassing a colossal sum close to four million.

Even Qin Lun felt shocked by this number. He’d thought his own seven hundred thousand Shattered Crystals were substantial. He hadn’t expected the others to be so much wealthier. This news would likely stun many high-rank Apostles. Four million was liquid capital, not assets accumulated across dozens of mission worlds.

Three days later, at the Lost Team’s headquarters castle, Kelly brought Qin Lun to a quiet room. Inside, a solitary, deep-blue teleportation gate stood alone.

“The Apostle club we’re headed to is called ‘Three-tailed Kite,’” Kelly explained briefly. “It opens once every two months. Members come from five nearby Apostle Cities and a dozen powerful floating settlements. Around a thousand Apostles attend—half are high-rank, the other half are elite second-order Apostles, vouched for by their seniors. Though, second-order members rarely show up due to poor funds.”

Kelly stepped through the gate. Blue light swallowed her. Qin Lun followed immediately. Brightness flooded his vision. He steadied himself and surveyed his surroundings.

The demiplane he arrived in was the tiniest he’d ever seen. Like a crystal snow globe, it had a clear, sphere-shaped protective cover shrouded by misty, chaotic storm clouds outside.

Inside stood an elegant, dignified castle-style manor. The estate had two main sections. A tall stone wall guarded the front. Through its open metal gates, Qin Lun saw fan-shaped flower beds leading towards a large fountain under the castle’s shadow.

“Let’s go,” Kelly said, having patiently watched Qin Lun observe everything. She waved for the young man to follow.

At the gates, Kelly slid her Devil’s Horn Identity Plate over a device to the left. She gestured for Qin Lun to do the same.

“I sent your details to the club in advance,” Kelly explained. “We just swipe here. Entry costs get deducted instantly.”

“No guards?” Qin Lun lowered his voice, glancing around. “The wall isn’t high. What if I sneaked in without paying?”

“Try it!” Kelly covered a laugh with her hand and winked. “Don’t worry—no danger.”

“No danger?” Qin Lun studied Kelly. This ‘Female Tyrannosaurus’ had earned his trust. He pushed off the ground, leaping towards the wall crest.

Smack! Qin Lun lost balance barely halfway up. He tipped forward. Quick second instincts sent his hands catching his fall—but his strength felt thin. He crumpled onto his stomach.

“Hahaha!” Kelly doubled over with laughter behind him. “Silly! See now?”

Qin Lun spat dust from his mouth. His expression darkened. “My Apostle Soul Mark… it feels suppressed. And my body… weakened to normal human levels?”

“Yep,” Kelly wiped tears of mirth from her eyes. “The Star Void made this demiplane special just for the club. Either comply with its control… or don’t enter.”

“But why didn’t I notice anything wrong?” Qin Lun pressed, puzzled.

Kelly grinned. “That’s what’s so special here. Your Soul Mark isn’t sealed. Instead, the very physical laws are altered—tailored against Apostles. No other dimension can force such Shattered Laws. The Star Void made these itself.”

“Fine,” Qin Lun gave in. He pulled out his Identity Plate, swiping it over the gate’s device. One hundred thousand Shattered Crystals vanished.

Inside, the grounds already held many Apostles. By the flowerbeds, small groups murmured in quiet conversation.

“Shouldn’t we wear masks?” Qin Lun whispered to Kelly.

“No need,” Kelly shook her head. “The club isn’t just for trading. High-rank Apostles use it to build trust and plan missions here. Concealing identities? That destroys trust.” She gestured dismissively. “Plus, power is stripped here. See a mortal enemy? What will you do? Shout insults like fishwives?”

“But revealing trade details is safe?” Qin Lun persisted. “Dealing with Apostles from other cities is one thing. But from Devil’s Horn… if they remember your face, covet what you trade… won’t there be problems back in the city?”

“Oh, trust me,” Kelly waved impatiently. “Just check the auction area behind the manor later. You’ll understand.” She turned towards castle doors. “I’ve got business. Explore yourself. Contact me if needed. The club stays open two whole days—plenty of time to buy that gear you crave.”

Watching Kelly stride off, Qin Lun sighed. Hands clasped behind his back, he ambled towards the castle.

Moving through the gardens and into the castle, Qin Lun realized this estate wasn’t truly a castle at all. Inside stood a haphazard arrangement—meeting rooms, sparse halls, a few storerooms holding food and drink.

Not a furnished guest room existed. The bare halls offered only simple tables and chairs—no ornaments anywhere.

Qin Lun almost laughed at this Star Void’s minimalist taste. Barely functional. Food and drinks stacked messily as makeshift buffets? Only because the rotating club managers had unlocked the pantries. Otherwise, everyone would’ve camped under the stars for two days.

“Trade and leave fast,” Qin Lun murmured to himself. “No chance to rest properly here.” Grabbing a drink from a long buffet table, he quickly headed towards the auction section behind the estate.

Outside the rear castle doors lay another expansive garden—though stranger. Above these flowerbeds drifted flying objects like wingless, chunky tablets. They flapped miniature wings, hovering uncertainly over Apostles’ heads.

One such gadget noticed Qin Lun’s entry. It swooped down in an arc, stopping right before his eyes. Qin Lun grasped its sides, examining it curiously.

Truly a flying tablet—but with specialized, locked functions. Simple to operate. Designed solely for estate auctions. Unremovable from garden boundaries.

The moment Qin Lun touched it, its wings folded. The screen lit up with an auction list categorized:

– Apostle Equipment

– Skill Scrolls

– Consumables

– Special Treasures

– Bloodline Items

Tapping on any item label displayed its details: an auction minimum set by the Star Void, plus trade demands from its owner—usually requests for item exchanges.

Qin Lun tapped the button for listing one’s own auction items. Shock rippled through him as everything from his storage space appeared listed.

He tapped his screen, selecting an Angel bloodline item. Instantly, that treasure left his storage space and appeared on the flying tablet before him.

His Apostle Soul Mark buzzed with instructions: input any specific swap demands into the item listing bar. The Star Void had already suggested a minimum crystal bid.

Understanding dawned on Qin Lun. This explained Kelly’s certainty about hassle-free trading. With this flying agent as a buffer? The rules handled all transfers. Safer than any Demiplane Trading Floor. Negotiation? Unneeded. Utterly inhuman efficiency—pure Star Void style.

Qin Lun reclaimed his Angel bloodline item. The auction tablet fluttered away. Sipping his drink leisurely, he strolled around the gardens. Time was ample; many elites hadn’t arrived. No need to rush bids yet.

Recently, the colossal war between the Star Void and the Superstring Space had sent rippling shortages across cities. Many struggled like the Order Front. Flames of conflict burned everywhere.

Survival trumped planning. High-rank Apostles urgently traded valuable—previously hoarded—gear for instant power. Converting treasures into liquidity.

This flood caused an unexpected dip: though auction pricing stayed accurate, markets saw deflation. Meaning crystal values had surged. The earlier one spent, the cheaper the gain.

And auctions lasted two full days. Unless sellers closed deals early, most items kept climbing with competitive bids till the very end. Everyone wanted maximum returns for their wares.

Qin Lun paced the manor edges, realizing the grounds were far larger than he’d judged. Even with hundreds present near the gardens? The space never felt cramped.

Back at the front gardens, Qin Lun paused. Near the north, a small group laughed lightly. Among them stirred familiarity—a blond Apostle with a boyish face.

The youth glanced back at Qin Lun’s stare. Confusion knotted his brow, mirroring Qin Lun’s own puzzling sense of recognition.

A spark ignited in Qin Lun’s mind. He knew this forever-young blond brat.

“Casey…” he whispered.