A heroine among women?
Such phrasing was quite unusual, carrying a distinct flavor.
Tantai Xiu was somewhat taken aback.
He couldn’t help but turn around to study Jian Chou: the female cultivator before him appeared composed and tranquil, still giving the same approachable impression as before. If anything, her sincere admiration and praise made her even more dazzling.
However…
Admiration and praise?
Shen Yao was no simple woman, not to mention she had just revealed her methods and fangs. He acknowledged that with his current cultivation and status, even he couldn’t maintain inner calm.
So how could she evaluate Shen Yao with such composure?
For the first time, Tantai Xiu began seriously contemplating the identity and temperament of this female cultivator whose name he still didn’t know. For a moment, he experienced an indescribable strange sensation.
Unfathomable, incomprehensible.
She appeared perfectly ordinary, yet from head to toe exuded an extreme sense of mystery.
For a time, he found it difficult to look away, his expression carrying traces of bewildered inquiry.
Jian Chou turned back and saw this expression, immediately guessing that her attitude had indeed been too calm. But it was too late to disguise it now, and besides…
What was there to disguise?
She pursed her lips slightly: “Doesn’t Young Master Tantai think so?”
“Not necessarily.”
Tantai Xiu finally came to his senses. Seeing her so natural without a trace of guilt made him even more curious and confused. His intuition was already telling him this female cultivator was far from simple.
“Someone with Shen Yao’s formidable cultivation and methods indeed deserves such praise. Unfortunately, no one knows her true origins—quite mysterious indeed.”
Jian Chou had heard about this as well.
The southeastern wilderness was inherently a place where demons danced wildly.
Those who followed evil demonic paths each had their own origins and stories, harboring many unknown pasts. But someone like Shen Yao, who became famous at Tongguan Station without revealing any background, was unprecedented.
She seemed to have sprung from a crack in stone.
Mysterious, powerful, and possessing seasoned methods.
Jian Chou actually had a vague premonition—the Nineteen Provinces were vast yet also small. She and this “Grand Marshal of Tongguan Station, Shen Yao” would meet someday.
Friend or foe?
Everything remained unclear.
For now…
Her eyelids lowered, concealing the brilliance spilling from her eyes, as she said: “There are no impermeable walls in the world. We’ll know eventually. Compared to Shen Yao, I’m more curious about several others…”
“Several others?” Tantai Xiu didn’t understand.
Jian Chou pointed to the spread-out “Zhilin Sou Daily News” on the table, covered with dense names both obvious and hidden: “I wonder if Young Master Tantai noticed that during the competition for those thirty-plus treasures, regardless of the final outcome, most people had made bids and spoken. Only five chambers were exceptions—”
“Hmm?”
Tantai Xiu became interested, his heart stirring slightly as he realized what Jian Chou wanted to say. He walked over and stood beside the table, looking down at the opened folder.
“I hadn’t noticed this before—five chambers?”
“Yes, five. Besides Young Master Tantai’s own chamber, there are three others. Two chambers on the top floor, one chamber on the floor below us.”
Jian Chou nodded and pushed the folder toward him.
“If I remember correctly, Young Master Tantai said the Silver Tower sent out invitations, and the names of those who came are lit up. Young Master Tantai should recognize quite a few people, right?”
Hiss!
He couldn’t help but gasp!
After hearing Jian Chou’s words, Tantai Xiu looked at her with new respect: such meticulous and thorough thinking…
“You want me to identify who’s in these chambers that haven’t made bids?”
“Young Master Tantai is perceptive—exactly so.” Jian Chou flattered him. “Though most people came for Zuoliu, those uninterested in everything beforehand must be determined to have Zuoliu. These people are all your opponents, aren’t they?”
Actually, they were her opponents.
However, there was no need to say this, since Tantai Xiu wanted to oppose that Puppet Sect young master Shen Wenxing and also showed some interest in Zuoliu.
What she said wasn’t entirely wrong.
Now the competition for the thirty-plus treasures had ended.
Cultivators who obtained their desired items were mostly beaming with joy, and some acquaintances began visiting each other to offer congratulations. The atmosphere in the venue remained heated due to the earlier confrontation between Grand Marshal Shen Yao of Tongguan Station and Puppet Sect Young Master Shen Wenxing, still uncooled…
Only a very few chambers remained as quiet as if empty.
In such a lively Silver Tower, they didn’t seem particularly conspicuous, yet in a certain sense, they were quite striking.
Tantai Xiu recalled the situation and carefully examined the roster Jian Chou had pushed over: “I do recognize quite a few people. The identities of those who bid earlier are roughly known. Besides myself, if there are three others…”
At this point, his eyes suddenly focused sharply, brilliance flashing!
Jian Chou’s eyebrow immediately jumped: Results?
Indeed there were.
Tantai Xiu pointed: “Look here, these three.”
“Qingming Mountain Manor, Scholar Guzhi; Xiaoyao Valley, Mou Yuanchen; and also…”
Jian Chou looked over and read the names aloud, but when reaching the last one, she couldn’t help but feel shocked.
“Jiexing Mountain Manor, Xue Wujiu?!”
Wasn’t this the “Purple-Robed Sword Marquis” who had taken the blame for her outside the night sailing ship just days ago?
If she remembered correctly…
“This person seems to be…”
“Exactly!”
Tantai Xiu had also forgotten to check this roster earlier. Now that he saw it, he joined Jian Chou in feeling shocked. At this moment, his face already bore a strange smile.
“The Silver Tower invited the Sword Emperor, but the Sword Emperor didn’t come. However, the Purple-Robed Sword Marquis, who’s on good terms with the Sword Emperor, came and has remained silent…”
Did he come on his own initiative, or does he represent Qu Zhengfeng?
And what does he want to accomplish by coming?
In that instant, Jian Chou found it difficult to capture her current emotions—
She still didn’t know why Qu Zhengfeng had betrayed Yashan, wasn’t certain if he still harbored any old affection for Yashan, and had no idea why this Purple-Robed Sword Marquis Xue Wujiu had come or what impact he might have on her goal today.
Jian Chou couldn’t figure it out.
With the time for the Silver Tower’s grand finale auction drawing closer, she didn’t have much time to contemplate slowly.
She simply stopped thinking and asked directly: “Xue Wujiu has an external reputation and sensitive identity. But what about the other two?”
The other two?
Tantai Xiu’s gaze moved to these two names, a faint coldness appearing at his lips: “These two are even more suspicious.”
“Suspicious?” Jian Chou’s heart jumped in surprise. “What’s wrong with them?”
“Miss doesn’t know—Scholar Guzhi of Qingming Mountain Manor, though he has Nascent Soul cultivation, has made no progress for years and is approaching his lifespan’s end. He’s desperately in closed-door cultivation, hoping to break through before his time runs out. Why would such a life-cherishing person waste time at the Silver Tower for a Zuoliu who’s useless to him?”
As Tantai Xiu spoke, he shook his head and tapped the words “Mou Yuanchen” with his finger.
“As for this one, he spends most of the year away from Xiaoyao Valley—a wanderer who travels everywhere. There aren’t many rumors about him in the Star Sea. Logically, he doesn’t seem like someone who would care about the Silver Tower’s invitation.”
How unexpected. This was quite surprising.
Jian Chou pondered briefly and murmured: “It seems those who shouldn’t have come did come, and those who wouldn’t come also came…”
“Yes, but…”
He wouldn’t think things would be so simple. Though he didn’t know how Zhilin Sou compiled this roster, one could guess it was largely related to the special nature of the invitations. This left too much room for manipulation.
“Who knows whether those who came are people or ghosts?”
People or ghosts?
These incomplete words probably concealed deeper meaning.
Jian Chou instinctively frowned, contemplating briefly before preparing to ask for details.
But unexpectedly, the timing was perfect—the bronze bell sound that had rung throughout the Silver Tower rang out again!
“Dong—”
Each bell toll represented the next treasure about to take the Gean Platform.
But this time seemed different.
The moment the bell rang, the previously bustling Silver Tower was swept by what seemed like a great wind, becoming eerily quiet.
In broad daylight, there was a strange, cold atmosphere.
The crystal palace-like Silver Tower surrounded the old, gray-black Gean Platform like a circle of magnificent fortifications, while everyone at the windows turned their gazes toward the platform.
On the broad elevated platform, the previously delicate beauties had quietly withdrawn. In their place stood two rows of black-robed cultivators wearing cloaks, their large hoods raised to hide their faces in shadow.
Serious and cold.
In such bright daylight, this appearance and attire made everyone feel somewhat sinister.
Jian Chou above saw this and her pupils contracted sharply.
Having explored the night sailing ship, she recognized them: the cultivators now appearing on the Gean Platform were exactly those from the dungeon that night!
From clothing to aura, everything matched!
Zhendao Ren, who had earlier left to handle some matter, walked up again, still wearing a smile that seemed much more enthusiastic.
But anyone could see his entire face was tense—he wasn’t as relaxed as he appeared.
After all, everything before could be considered appetizers; this final act was the main course. Nervousness was inevitable.
“Sorry to keep everyone waiting again.”
Zhendao Ren once more stood at the very center of the Gean Platform, cupping his hands toward all directions.
“The thirty-plus treasures have each found suitable homes. However, I also know that everyone here today came for this final item—the grand finale auction!”
Silence all around.
Tantai Xiu had turned to face the platform, while Jian Chou, standing beside the table, quietly gripped its edge with her fingers, watching the speaking Zhendao Ren.
“The Silver Tower has always had its rules for grand finale auctions, which I’m sure you’ve all heard about.”
“The auction item, appraised by our establishment, must possess extremely high value in some aspect, so there’s a reserve price. Each grand finale auction establishes unique rules.”
“This auction’s reserve price: one hundred thousand!”
One hundred thousand.
Even though everyone had actually seen the number marked in the auction catalog, hearing it personally still couldn’t suppress that sense of shock and speechlessness.
Just this reserve price had already barred countless ordinary cultivators from entry.
In the venue, still no one responded.
Zhendao Ren surveyed all directions, feeling enormous pressure at this moment: he knew those present were all important figures, and they were all watching him alone.
However, what needed to be said still had to be said.
“Additionally, our establishment has completed formulating the unique rules for this auction.”
“This auction primarily employs a challenge system. The Silver Tower serves as the defending side, dispatching three cultivators from the night sailing ship. The highest bidder may send up to three cultivators to challenge—complete victory wins the auction item.”
“If the challenge fails, the second-highest bidder gets the challenge opportunity. If they also fail, this grand finale auction is cancelled.”
Zhendao Ren spoke in a normal tone, as if merely announcing standard rules.
But when these words came out, especially “challenge system,” the entire Silver Tower immediately erupted in exclamations.
“What?”
“No way, has the Silver Tower gone mad? Such rules exist?”
“You only get a chance to challenge…”
“This difficulty is far too high—clearly not something we can participate in.”
“Exactly…”
The previously quiet Silver Tower instantly became noisy again. Many cultivators, unlike Jian Chou who had spent heavily for information at the Five Elements Bagua Tower, were completely surprised by these rules and couldn’t understand them.
This included Tantai Xiu.
Hearing one hundred thousand, he showed no reaction.
No problem—I’m wealthy.
But…
Challenge battles?
They had to send three cultivators to defeat those dispatched by the night sailing ship?!
What kind of joke was this?
Was this an auction or a fight?
If they had mentioned such rules earlier, when he first arrived at the Silver Tower and met Jian Chou outside, he wouldn’t have sent his group of fairy and demon sisters away!
For spirit stones, I have plenty.
For people?
Damn, where am I supposed to find them now?!
Tantai Xiu was dumbfounded, standing at the window. Thinking of his plan to oppose Shen Wenxing, he nearly became ill with anger, his face immediately dark as water.
Jian Chou beside him was somewhat surprised.
Tantai Xiu’s reaction suggested he was completely unaware of these rules. Had he not inquired at the Five Elements Bagua Tower beforehand?
“Young Master Tantai didn’t know about these rules?”
Tantai Xiu’s expression remained ugly: “I thought I understood the Silver Tower deeply. Though auction rules change each time, they generally don’t deviate from those few patterns. I never expected they’d establish such rules today!”
He truly didn’t know!
Jian Chou was momentarily surprised, but upon reflection, it seemed reasonable. Almost simultaneously, another thought that had long circulated in her mind suddenly surfaced.
Tantai Xiu hadn’t learned the Silver Tower’s rules in advance, which meant his preparations weren’t as thorough as he’d planned.
Money—she believed Tantai Xiu had plenty;
But in another aspect, he was probably “stretched thin.”
But wasn’t this a heaven-sent opportunity?
What did Jian Chou lack?
Money!
What did Tantai Xiu lack?
People!
And their goal was the same—Zuoliu. If…
In that instant, Jian Chou’s originally calm heart stirred with waves, growing increasingly heated. However, examining Tantai Xiu’s currently frozen expression, she ultimately forced herself to suppress this impulsive proposal.
No, she couldn’t suggest it yet.
She only knew her own strength and capabilities, but Tantai Xiu’s background remained unclear, not to mention the three Nascent Soul old monsters the night sailing ship would dispatch.
If she didn’t even understand the opponents’ strength and hastily revealed her purpose, who knew what might go wrong?
Wait.
She had to wait longer.
Jian Chou silently admonished herself, restraining the slight cracks in her expression from seeing this opportunity, and said calmly: “The Silver Tower’s final challenge rules are indeed strange. There might be further changes. Young Master Tantai needn’t be anxious—let’s observe first.”
This sentence was calm and gentle, seemingly carrying a calming power.
Hearing this, Tantai Xiu pondered the word “strange” and looked at her deeply, only able to helplessly shake his head and smile: “Money makes the devil grind the millstone—I do have some solutions. But you’re right; let’s observe first.”
Having said this, he spoke no more.
The commotion in the venue caused by the newly announced bizarre rules hadn’t completely subsided.
Zhendao Ren seemed to empathize with everyone’s feelings. After making his announcement, he stood quietly aside without speaking.
Only when the surrounding voices quieted did he solemnly speak again. His first sentence successfully silenced all the surrounding noise.
“This auction item is not an object, but a person—surname Zuo, given name Liu!”
“This person comes from Zuo Sanqian and became famous in a single battle at the Zuo Sanqian minor assembly.”
“Sixty years ago, our Star Sea received heaven’s fortune when the Karma Fire Red Lotus descended, attracting heroes to compete. Who could have imagined this person would seize the opportunity! With the Karma Fire Red Lotus’s power, he broke through to Nascent Soul in one leap. Our Silver Tower lost several cultivators before capturing him.”
“Now, after examination by our establishment’s cultivators, most of the red lotus power in his body remains unrefined and available for use.”
“Wow!”
At these words, the surroundings immediately stirred again.
This meant Zuoliu had only refined a small portion of the Karma Fire Red Lotus’s power and directly advanced a major cultivation level! What realm could the remaining majority elevate him to?
Many who understood the implications gasped, their hearts growing fervent.
Zhendao Ren was naturally satisfied with everyone’s reaction.
However, he clearly knew Zuoliu’s value extended far beyond this. The remaining aspects couldn’t be spoken aloud—only understood, not expressed.
Those who knew naturally understood; those who didn’t weren’t the Silver Tower’s target anyway.
Therefore, Zhendao Ren didn’t elaborate, directly saying: “I’m sure everyone has long awaited this final grand finale auction ‘item.’ I won’t waste words or create suspense. Now, let the three defending cultivators from the night sailing ship bring out Zuoliu for everyone to see!”
Countless people’s spirits immediately lifted.
They had come to the Silver Tower largely for the “attraction” of Zuoliu! The Star Sea had been buzzing about this for many days, but they’d only heard Zuoliu’s name without seeing the person.
Now they could finally see him.
Cultivators with patience could barely remain seated behind their windows; those lacking patience had unhesitatingly stepped to their windows, even craning their necks to peer outside.
Still the Gean Platform, still three hand claps, still the same formation.
Only this time, the surging light became deep blood red, like a layer of blood mist shrouding the platform.
Moments later, three cold, solemn black figures appeared alongside a black iron cage.
Liang Tingyu, dressed in crisp attire, held a mandarin duck battle-axe in her right hand and a black iron chain in her left, standing expressionlessly in the center.
To her left stood a bald monk.
Powerfully built with a fierce face, he wore a thick string of prayer beads around his neck. His dark-skinned right hand gripped a bronze-wrapped iron staff as tall as his eyebrows. His expression was menacing, showing no trace of compassion as he stood there.
To her right was a gaunt young man.
His spacious black robe not only failed to hide his bony frame but emphasized a skeletal, hunched posture. His overly thin cheeks made him appear sinister, with turbid eyes lacking any brightness.
Yet strangely, his hands hanging at his sides were unusually long and slender, with well-proportioned bones and flesh—completely different from his overall impression.
When these three appeared, knowledgeable people in the venue gasped sharply.
Liang Tingyu, as the night sailing ship’s newly appointed Wine Offerer, was naturally a ruthless character. The other two were also notorious villains in the Star Sea!
The bald monk reportedly came from a Buddhist temple within the Northern Region’s Chan Sect territory. People called him “Evil Monk Shanxing”—”Evil Monk” was his title, “Shanxing” his original dharma name. The irony was unmistakable.
The skeletal young man had gained fame in the Star Sea through his dart-throwing skills. Surnamed Leng, given name Guang, he was cruel and murderous by nature.
Were these three the so-called defending cultivators?
Many who had previously harbored thoughts about Zuoliu immediately retreated upon recognizing these three.
But more people hadn’t realized this.
Or rather, at this moment their attention wasn’t on these three seemingly supporting characters, but on the cage over a person’s height behind them!
Under the sky’s light, on the Gean Platform, stood a deep black cage.
The young man imprisoned within wore dust-covered old robes, his originally handsome face now covered with considerable grime.
Faint traces of wounds and dried blood from his recent capture were still visible.
He seemed completely indifferent, leaning against one side of the cage, sitting casually with his face raised, slowly sweeping his gaze across the Silver Tower’s upper three floors.
Some windows were open, others still had bamboo curtains drawn;
Some windows had people watching him, others showed no figures, yet those appraising gazes penetrated the curtains and burned into his being.
At this moment, Zuoliu felt utterly numb.
He looked from window to window, not knowing what he hoped to see or dreaded seeing…
One window, then another.
His gaze completed circle after circle, finally returning to the starting point.
Nothing.
In that instant, some light in his eyes seemed to extinguish like dead ashes; yet simultaneously, his expression oddly showed relief.
This subtle expression was so contradictory yet so inconspicuous.
Almost no one present noticed it, and almost no one could interpret it.
But in the Lihuo Chamber, the moment Jian Chou’s eyes met his through the bamboo curtain, she felt a piercing pain surge from her entire body!
It really was him…
When she encountered the night sailing ship’s large vessel near the East Sea that day, she truly hadn’t been mistaken!
The identical cage, the identical figure.
But where had that initially spirited Zuoliu gone? How had he become this dejected, like a walking corpse…
Perhaps he was someone who joked around on the surface, but Jian Chou could never forget the sudden brilliant light in his eyes when he received the Yashan token she handed him…
Yashan disciple.
These four words slowly surfaced from Jian Chou’s heart, pricking densely.
Earlier, what had that light in his eyes been hoping for?
Earlier, what had that relief in his expression been celebrating?
Unconsciously, she had slowly walked to the window, staring fixedly at the figure in the cage below, clenching her hands in her sleeves until they hurt, unable to recover for a long time.
In her heart, a bone-chilling killing intent suddenly surged.
Jian Chou couldn’t suppress it.
But in contrast, the atmosphere in the venue was opposite.
After the initial moment of stillness, it instantly broke through to a peak—Zuoliu’s cultivation was currently sealed, so everyone present could clearly examine his current cultivation level and the mass of unrefined Karma Fire Red Lotus power in his brow chakra!
Sixty years of closed-door cultivation, Golden Core transforming to Nascent Soul!
This was only a small portion of the Karma Fire Red Lotus power—this Zuoliu had incredible luck!
Countless people were both envious and jealous, generating endless greed, their gazes toward Zuoliu becoming filled with hostility and malice.
Diagonally across from the Lihuo Chamber, Puppet Sect Young Master Shen Wenxing’s heart blazed instantly.
Because of his half-mask, outsiders couldn’t see his exact expression, but his suddenly bright eyes revealed his determined ambition completely!
Zhendao Ren surveyed the scene below, seeing Shen Wenxing’s gaze, and understood.
The current atmosphere needed no effort to stir up, so he directly stepped forward and announced the auction’s start: “By the rules, reserve price one hundred thousand spirit stones, each bid increase no less than ten thousand! Now, fellow daoists interested in this auction item may begin bidding!”
At this moment, Jian Chou’s heart leaped to her throat, her breathing tightening!
She didn’t doubt that successive bidding calls would ring out in the next moment—such scenes had been witnessed far too often.
But a bizarre situation occurred.
After Zhendao Ren spoke, not a single person bid!
Everyone was sizing each other up, hesitating, speculating.
One hundred thousand was no small sum.
The earlier “Nine Revolutions Heavenly Demon Heart Method” incomplete scroll had only reached “sixty thousand.” Now, though Zuoliu with his red lotus power was indeed coveted, actually making a bid required courage.
Not to mention considering those three defenders.
Even if you could afford the price, you had to weigh whether you could handle those three.
The entire Silver Tower fell into near-absolute silence in that instant, as if the whole world had stopped.
This scene was truly unexpected.
But soon, laughter filled with excitement and elation broke the deadlock: “How strange, truly strange—no one’s bidding! It seems this Zuoliu is destined for me, Shen!”
Shen Wenxing!
Still him!
Everyone knew he had bid in the earlier “Nine Revolutions Heavenly Demon Heart Method” competition, showing extreme wealth. Now, daring to speak thus, he definitely had sufficient financial backing.
Shen Wenxing’s next words confirmed everyone’s speculation.
“I won’t waste words—my Puppet Sect bids two hundred thousand spirit stones!”
“I’m sure everyone can guess that I came to the Silver Tower today for nothing else but this Zuoliu with the Karma Fire Red Lotus.”
“The Puppet Sect has some reputation among the three demonic paths—I hope fellow friends will give some face.”
“Two hundred thousand isn’t my Puppet Sect’s limit. Whoever wants to compete, I, Shen Wenxing, will accompany you to the end!”
Such arrogance!
Such forceful attitude!
But this bid truly made hearts race and nearly stopped breathing!
Though Shen Wenxing’s attitude was extremely arrogant and even irritating, at this moment, not a single person stood up to speak!
Even Tantai Xiu standing beside Jian Chou remained silent.
He merely clenched his fists, his expression uncertain, lips tightly pressed as if considering something.
This development greatly exceeded Zhendao Ren’s expectations. After waiting without anyone matching the bid, he became somewhat embarrassed.
“Ahem, Young Master Shen bids two hundred thousand spirit stones! Fellow daoists, anyone else bidding?”
“…”
Still complete silence. Even Shen Yao, who had earlier competed with Shen Wenxing for the “Nine Revolutions Heavenly Demon Heart Method,” showed no intention of bidding.
Shen Wenxing immediately burst into laughter.
He hadn’t wasted his earlier abandonment of the “Nine Revolutions Heavenly Demon Heart Method.” It seemed that bitch Shen Yao was sensible enough not to compete with him for Zuoliu.
This way, wouldn’t the rest be easily obtained?
He was extremely pleased.
Though wearing a mask, the exposed half of his cold face showed increased smugness, and he arrogantly shouted: “Zhendao Ren, what are you waiting for? I’m the only bidder now—why not announce the auction result?!”
Zhendao Ren’s expression immediately soured.
Though his status was indeed inferior to Shen Wenxing’s, he was still a master artifact refiner presiding over this auction. The other’s direct address was far too arrogant!
But with the Silver Tower’s rules established, he could only force a smile.
“Remember, in this auction, the highest bidder doesn’t necessarily win the item—the second-highest bidder also has a chance. Really no other fellow daoists bidding?”
Unwilling to give up, he called out once more. The surroundings remained silent, and Zhendao Ren finally conceded.
“In that case, I announce—”
In his drawn-out voice, Tantai Xiu’s gaze flickered uncertainly, Jian Chou’s brow furrowed tightly, and Shen Yao’s lips curved in a mysterious smile…
In the Genshan Chamber, Xue Wujiu let out an indescribable sigh, looking toward the person who had remained silent.
At this moment, Shen Wenxing’s eyes had reddened, his face showing a victor’s smile…
But also at this moment, an elegant voice suddenly interrupted—
“Wait!”
Neither urgent nor slow, with a faintly soothing quality, it was clearly an abrupt interruption, extremely sudden, yet sounded completely natural!
Everyone was immediately stunned.
Zhendao Ren also looked up in surprise, following the sound: it came from a window on the second floor of the upper three levels. If he remembered correctly, this chamber should house Scholar Guzhi from Qingming Mountain Manor.
However, upon seeing the figure at the window, he couldn’t help but feel momentarily dazed.
Strange.
Had that Scholar Guzhi been so young in his memory? Or had his cultivation achieved success with youth-preserving techniques?
Indeed.
The figure at the window wasn’t some old man with one foot in the grave, but a young man in snow-white robes decorated with light ink landscape paintings, giving him unique elegance and composure, as if he had absorbed water’s spirit and mountain’s momentum.
Sword-like brows, starry eyes, outstanding bearing!
Upon seeing his features clearly, almost everyone was puzzled: Who was this person? Was there such a figure in the Star Sea?
Only Jian Chou in the Lihuo Chamber had her pupils contract sharply!
Wasn’t this the four-fingered cultivator she’d encountered during her night exploration of the sailing ship?!
This person had actually stepped forward openly?
Jian Chou felt both surprise and wariness, finding today’s developments extremely strange.
Shen Wenxing on the other side wasn’t much better. Just as the auction result was about to be announced, this person suddenly interrupted—nothing good could come of this!
His smile, along with his good mood, vanished instantly.
His tone became sinister and cold again.
“This friend, the words ‘wait’ aren’t something anyone can call out at any time.”
“Please rest assured, Young Master Shen—such simple principles need no teaching from you.”
The white-robed cultivator stood at the window, laughing heartily. Facing the high-status, violent-tempered Shen Wenxing, he showed no fear whatsoever, his words even carrying obvious indifference.
“However, Young Master thinking to end the life of a genius cultivator from my Zuo Sanqian with a mere two hundred thousand spirit stones is rather wishful thinking.”
Wishful thinking?!
If this person’s earlier words were merely “quite indifferent,” these four words were completely undisguised contempt and cold laughter!
Countless people were shocked by his words, and Shen Wenxing’s killing intent blazed!
But the white-robed cultivator remained unmoved.
His movements calm and dignified, graceful in bearing, he stepped forward and cupped his hands toward the surrounding cultivators, revealing a pure, seemingly harmless smile—
“Greetings, fellow daoists. I am Bai Yin, fifth disciple under Master Fudao Shanren. By order, I’ve come to bid one million. Friend Zuoliu is of great importance to our Yashan. I hope fellow daoists of the Star Sea and the demonic paths will give Yashan some face.”