Floating Island - Triple S Talent-Chapter 542: Requirements

The stores within the building were incredibly diverse and uniquely themed. One of them mimicked the feel of a jungle, with the scent of damp earth and dried leaves filling the air. Inside, rare beast parts—dragon fangs, snow tiger claws, and thunderbird hides—were carefully displayed in enchanted glass cases.

Not far from there, a store with an ancient design caught their attention. Old wooden pillars with strange carvings supported a curved roof, and within, glowing stones and ancient artifacts were neatly arranged. The air felt heavy with the presence of the past, as if time moved slower inside.

On the other side of the corridor, a high-tech shop showcased sleek, cutting-edge robots. Blue neon lights blinked along the store's walls, while holographic displays highlighted the robots' features—from personal assistants to heavy-class battle protectors.

Lein and Efan wandered from store to store, moving from one floor to the next, enjoying the stunning sights and mentally bookmarking spots to revisit later. Eventually, when they reached the third floor, Lein stopped.

With a calm but firm tone, Lein turned to the robotic attendant beside him. "Where can we find the two items I'm looking for?"

The female robot, who had remained loyally by their side, responded gently, "The items you seek fall under the Five-Star Artifact category. All such artifacts are located in the Spirit Artifact Zone, which spans floors 50 to 70."

She continued, "Would you like to proceed there now?"

Lein nodded firmly. Without wasting time, the robot turned and led them toward the nearest large elevator, its walls made of softly glowing transparent metal.

When the elevator doors slid open, several prominent figures were already inside. Powerful auras radiated from their bodies, nearly pressing against the air around them. Lein could tell immediately that most of them were high-level individuals, far beyond ordinary Sovereigns. One of them, in particular, caught his attention.

An old man in white robes stood calmly in the corner of the elevator. His hair was pure white, his robe was all white, and even his belt was nearly plain. He said nothing, but there was a deep tranquility surrounding him—like a serene lake hiding immeasurable depths.

"An interesting one," Lein murmured inwardly. But just as that curiosity began to take shape, he sensed something unusual.

The old man slowly turned his head and looked directly at Lein. His gaze was piercing, as if it could cut through every layer.

"Young man... guard your heart," the old man said softly, yet his voice echoed like a whisper from a vast, empty space. frёeweɓηovel.coɱ

Lein's heart skipped a beat. His body tensed for a moment before he regained his composure. He didn't respond. Instead, he lowered his gaze and shifted his attention to the steadily rising floor counter.

He knew that even in this trade zone, not even a High Sovereign would recklessly start a fight. Still, that man had shaken him—not through strength, but through the ability to read into the depths of one's soul.

Ding—

The elevator doors opened. Everyone stepped out without a word, including the old man. Lein and Efan were the last to leave the lift.

Efan glanced over, his voice low and laced with confusion. "Brother Lein… who was that old man? And why did he say that?"

Lein let out a quiet breath. "Forget it. It's not worth dwelling on. That's not what we're here for." His voice sounded calm, but underneath it, a chill still lingered on his back. He wouldn't forget that gaze anytime soon.

The female robot resumed leading them down wide corridors. They passed several spiritually themed stores, each more exclusive than the last, until they finally stopped in front of a shop that appeared simple.

There were no flashy lights or ornate decorations. A wooden door lined with light metal opened automatically as they approached, revealing a warm, spacious interior. Several sturdy wooden tables stood throughout, each displaying various artifacts: rune-engraved swords, old magical brooms, glowing energy belts, softly luminous spiked chains, and bottles filled with shimmering, almost living liquid.

Shelves along the walls were filled with unique items, some of which lightly trembled, as if aware of the guests entering the room.

"Please come in, sirs. This shop holds the items you seek," the female robot said gently, then stood silently in the corner, waiting without intruding.

Not long after, a middle-aged man appeared from behind a door at the back. He was tall and well-built, with neatly combed hair. Dressed in deep purple and black, with a long cloak that gave him an air of elegance without being flashy.

His face wore a welcoming smile as he stepped forward. "Welcome, honored guests."

Lein gave a slight nod, his movement calm yet filled with certainty. Without any small talk, he went straight to the point and mentioned the two items he had been after all this time.

"I'm looking for the Four-Direction Formation and the Void Chest. Do you have them here?"

The words made the middle-aged man in front of him flinch instinctively. It lasted only a fraction of a second, but it was clear enough for Efan, who stood beside Lein. Still, the man quickly adjusted his expression, returning to a polite and professional demeanor.

"Of course, Young Master," he said with a slight bow of his head. "However, both artifacts belong to the highest tier. Only certain individuals are permitted access. You will need to prove your eligibility before you can make a purchase."

His tone was respectful, almost apologetic. There wasn't a hint of condescension—in fact, there was a hidden caution in his words, as if he were walking on a fragile tightrope that could snap at any moment.

The requirement wasn't made up. In high-tier artifact shops like this, strict procedures existed to prevent the misuse of powerful artifacts. Even so, the man couldn't help but feel anxious that his words or demeanor might offend the Young Master before him. In the world of artifact trading, wealth often translated to unquestionable power.

Lein simply looked at him for a moment, showing no excessive reaction. He wasn't bothered in the slightest by the condition, nor did he seem the least bit surprised.

"How?" he asked flatly, his gaze never leaving the man's eyes. "Show me."