Chapter 159: VIP Area
Looking at the corpses lying on the ground, Lin Feng's expression was indifferent. These people had tried to snatch the Crimson Flame Demon Lion at the wrong time. Lin Feng had already given them a chance to leave, but they dared to threaten him instead. Since that was the case, they would die.
Lin Feng didn't even need to act himself. With just a single word, many people stepped forward and instantly annihilated the group on the spot.
One hundred mid-grade origin stones was no small sum. Many people had come specifically for the Crimson Flame Demon Lion. Killing these people meant they could deduct one hundred mid-grade origin stones from the auction price after winning the lion. Naturally, they were happy to do Lin Feng a favor and eliminate these clueless fools.
"There really are many strong experts in the Imperial City," Lin Feng murmured to himself as he looked at the crowd ahead. Many of them were at the Seventh or Eighth Layer of the Spirit Martial Realm, and some were even at the Ninth Layer. They seemed unremarkable at first glance, but once they entered a killing frenzy and bared their fangs, they were cold and ruthless, slaughtering people as easily as butchering dogs.
Taking a step forward, Lin Feng led the Crimson Flame Demon Lion toward the open-air auction venue not far ahead.
Among the pavilions and jade towers, there was a wide path paved with blue stone slabs, allowing pedestrians to pass freely.
Lin Feng arrived at the steps of this blue stone path, where two beautiful women stood on either side. They were dressed seductively and alluringly, their faces glowing with a rosy flush, fresh and beautiful, giving people a very comfortable feeling.
"Does the young master need assistance?"
Seeing Lin Feng leading the Crimson Flame Demon Lion over, one of the beautiful women smiled at him and spoke in a soft, pleasant voice.
"Yes, I need to auction this Crimson Flame Demon Lion," Lin Feng replied with a smile.
The beautiful woman glanced at the Crimson Flame Demon Lion and smiled again. "Young master, please follow me."
With that, she led Lin Feng along the central path toward the front.
The people sitting in the pavilions saw someone leading a Crimson Flame Demon Lion and couldn't help but narrow their eyes, taking a deep look at Lin Feng. Was this person planning to auction the Crimson Flame Demon Lion?
Lin Feng ignored the burning gazes of the crowd and surveyed the auction venue. It was grand and elegant, without any hint of oppression, seemingly designed to ease the tension of bidding.
At the end of the blue stone path was the auction stage. Behind the stage hung two massive curtains, and beyond them lay the backstage area.
"Young master, this way, please."
Not far from the front of the stage, two more paths appeared on either side. The beautiful woman led Lin Feng down one of them, bypassing the stage and passing through several checkpoints before arriving behind the curtains.
However, behind the curtains, there was still another layer of curtains. The place Lin Feng had reached was merely where the auction staff received guests.
"Elder Rong, this young master wishes to auction a Crimson Flame Demon Lion," the beautiful woman said to an old man sitting in the backstage area. The old man had already stood up when Lin Feng entered with the lion, his gaze fixed on the beast with an amused expression.
"So this lion from the Bai family has ended up in your hands," the old man said with a smile, looking at Lin Feng with a meaningful glint in his eyes, as if he were somewhat pleased.
"The Bai family?" Lin Feng murmured.
"The prison fighting arena—that's run by the Bai family," the old man explained with a chuckle, a bit surprised that Lin Feng didn't even know that.
"The prison fighting arena is managed by the Bai family. No wonder those people called Bai Ze 'young master' that day, and many Bai family members went to Heavenly One Academy to demand an explanation. But that yellow-robed youth I beat up that day, and the noble young master among the Snow Moon Holy Academy crowd today—what are their identities? Both Bai Ze and the prison fighting arena people were very afraid of them," Lin Feng thought to himself, wondering about the connections involved. Today, that noble young master had wanted to give the Crimson Flame Demon Lion to Mu Fan, and it seemed his word was final.
"Heh, I heard that the Bai family stormed Heavenly One Academy a while back and lost many people, even Bai Ze was killed. It seems the Bai family's luck has run out. The prison fighting arena will change hands sooner or later," the old man added, his eyes flickering with a sharp glint, as if he saw an opportunity.
Lin Feng didn't know, but the old man was well aware that this city within a city had only one master, but many territories within it were divided among various families. For example, his family had obtained this auction venue, while the Bai family had the prison fighting arena. They all served the same master, but they were also competitors. The prison fighting arena was a huge prize, and his family had been trying to take it over for a long time.
"Do you have any special requirements for the auction?" the old man asked, looking at Lin Feng. "For instance, a minimum price, or if you only want to exchange for certain items."
"Origin stones will do," Lin Feng replied.
"Very well. During the auction, guests might offer other items in exchange, but we will appraise their value in origin stones on the spot. If the final deal is an item exchange, our auction venue will convert it into origin stones based on the item's value and give them to you. However, we will take one percent of the auction proceeds as a fee."
"That's acceptable. After the final auction price is determined, please deduct one hundred mid-grade origin stones from the final price. That's what I promised them," Lin Feng added.
"No problem." The old man nodded. After finalizing the details, he handed Lin Feng a golden token engraved with a number and said, "With this golden token, you can collect your origin stones after the Crimson Flame Demon Lion is auctioned."
"Alright." Lin Feng nodded, then turned to leave.
The beautiful woman followed Lin Feng and said with a smile, "Young master, there are many good items in our auction venue. You can take a break and see if there's anything else you fancy. If so, you can also participate in the bidding."
"Of course." Lin Feng smiled. He didn't need her to tell him that. If he saw something that caught his interest, he would naturally try for it.
"Young master, this way." The beautiful woman guided Lin Feng to an area near the auction stage, where there was a cluster of independent pavilions and jade towers. Many people were already seated inside.
Lin Feng noticed that among these people, many were also wearing masks, just like him. They clearly didn't want to reveal their identities either.
"Why did you bring me here?" Lin Feng asked curiously.
"Young master, this is the VIP area. Only guests who have entrusted valuable items to us for auction, as well as people of high status, are allowed to sit here. If you sit here and see something you like, you can enjoy certain discounts," the beautiful young woman explained in a sweet, patient voice, a charming smile always on her lips.
"VIP area!" Lin Feng smiled. No wonder many people here were also wearing masks. Since they had valuable items to auction, they naturally didn't want to expose their identities and invite unnecessary trouble. As for the others without masks, they all had extraordinary auras or noble bearing—people of status.
When these people saw Lin Feng enter, they glanced at him briefly before looking away.
"Young master, please sit here," the young woman said, pointing to an empty pavilion.
Lin Feng nodded slightly. The spot the young woman had chosen offered an excellent view, allowing him to clearly see every corner of the auction venue, especially the auction stage, which was fully visible.
This young woman was not only beautiful and seductive but also very attentive. Such a woman was truly considerate.
Lin Feng walked to the pavilion she indicated and sat down on a stone chair.
"Hmm?"
Just then, Lin Feng felt someone staring at him from behind. His gaze sharpened, and he slowly turned around.
Behind him, a richly dressed young man looked at him coldly and said, "Get lost. Don't you know you're blocking my view?"
Lin Feng's gaze hardened, but before he could respond, the young woman said politely, "Young master, the seats here are all free to choose. If he's blocking your view, I hope you can understand."
"Do you have the right to speak here?" The young man's gaze shifted slowly to the young woman. Seeing that she was quite beautiful and had an exceptionally hot figure, a greedy look appeared in his eyes as he scanned her body. With a lecherous smile, he said, "Just a maidservant. Come over to me, young master. Serve me well, and I'll take you home to enjoy a good life."