Chapter 991: The Auction
Zhang Ruochen’s gaze fixed on Ouyang Huan, and he smiled, saying, “The rules of your Moon-Worshipping Cult are quite peculiar indeed.”
In truth, Ouyang Huan also felt that this rule was far too unconventional and should not exist. His gaze shifted toward the lakeside, landing on the palace-robed woman, a flicker of doubt flashing in his eyes.
In the end, Ouyang Huan did not oppose her decision. He chuckled, “If Brother Gu does not accept the rules of the Pearl Radiance Pavilion, he is free to give up the Stone Beauty.”
“I’ve already spent a billion spirit crystals; why would I care about such a trivial rule? After tonight, the Stone Beauty will be my woman.”
As Zhang Ruochen spoke, he carefully observed every expression on Ouyang Huan’s face, gleaning some additional insights.
“Even Ouyang Huan is unwilling to offend the palace-robed woman. This woman’s status within the cult must be astonishing.”
Zhang Ruochen’s heart tightened, and he made sure not to reveal any flaws.
Then, he stepped into the pavilion and glanced at the Stone Beauty.
Her eyes were still utterly vacant, like a cold, jade-carved statue, as if everything happening around her had nothing to do with her.
“Come with me. I will take you out of here.”
Zhang Ruochen whispered softly in her ear, then helped her up, wrapping one arm around her slender waist as he left the pavilion. He glanced at Ouyang Huan and Kong Hongbi, smiling, “Gentlemen, I’ll see you at the auction.”
With that, Zhang Ruochen, holding the Stone Beauty, strode toward the auction hall with a carefree air.
“Amitabha.”
The Grand Minister of Works and the Second Minister of Works withdrew their Buddhist energy, glared at Kong Hongbi, clasped their hands together, and, like two vajra arhats, immediately followed Zhang Ruochen.
Then, Murong Yue led the six half-saints of the Murong family away as well. From start to finish, she did not spare a single glance at Bu Qianfan, maintaining a cold demeanor.
Saint Yanxu and Saint Guigu were furious, feeling that Gu Linfeng was far too arrogant.
If not for their fear of the formidable combat power of the Grand Minister of Works and the Second Minister of Works, they would have charged forward long ago to teach Gu Linfeng a harsh lesson.
“Young Hall Master, I feel utterly stifled tonight. When has our Bright Hall ever endured such humiliation?” Saint Yanxu said.
With a thunderous crash, Saint Yanxu stomped his foot, cracking the dry lakeside into a dense web of fissures.
Saint Guigu said, “Gu Linfeng is a madman. For the sake of a woman, he’s willing to fight the Young Hall Master to the death. There’s no point in stooping to his level—just treat it like being bitten by a mad dog.”
“Exactly. Why bother with a mad dog? Let’s head to the auction hall. Tonight, no matter what, we must win that item. With it as a birthday gift, the Hall Master will surely be delighted.”
Kong Hongbi led Saint Guigu and Saint Yanxu toward the auction hall.
The earlier battle had been spectacular, drawing the attention of countless cultivators. Even after Zhang Ruochen and Kong Hongbi had left, the onlookers were still buzzing with shock, discussing the event endlessly.
Ouyang Huan approached the palace-robed woman, showing her great respect. He bowed and said, “Deputy Palace Master, what was the deeper meaning behind the rule you added just now?”
The palace-robed woman wore a thin veil, exuding an air of mystery. Her figure was incredibly graceful, flawless in every way. Every movement she made carried an extraordinary bearing, like a divine consort or a demoness.
Her voice was exceptionally melodious. “I merely wanted to test Gu Linfeng. His behavior tonight is quite peculiar. Perhaps we can uncover something interesting from him.”
Ouyang Huan’s expression turned thoughtful. “Does the Deputy Palace Master believe that Gu Linfeng’s purchase of the Stone Beauty has another purpose?”
In truth, there was another half of the question he did not voice.
He was very curious whether the Stone Beauty had another identity.
The palace-robed woman clearly did not wish to explain further. “If the Stone Beauty remains a virgin by tomorrow morning, then both of them must die. I’ll leave this matter to you and Feiyu. The Pavilion Master of the Pearl Radiance Pavilion and Elder Qi will assist you.”
With that, the palace-robed woman departed first, leaving behind only a graceful, shadowy figure that gradually faded into the night.
Before entering the auction hall, Zhang Ruochen found a relatively secluded spot. He retrieved Xiao Hei from the Cosmic Divine Wood Map and gave him a task.
“A trivial matter.”
Xiao Hei chuckled.
Then, his body shrank to the size of an ant, burrowing into the ground.
Only Murong Yue noticed this. Once they reached the VIP seats in the auction hall, she could no longer contain her curiosity and asked, “Your Highness, what did you send Xiao Hei to do?”
“You’ll understand when the time is right,” Zhang Ruochen said calmly.
The Stone Beauty exuded a faint, delicate fragrance. She sat in Zhang Ruochen’s arms, resting her pure, ethereal face lightly on his shoulder, her jet-black hair cascading down.
Even through his clothes, Zhang Ruochen could feel the gentle warmth radiating from her soft body.
He considered handing her over to Murong Yue, but fearing it might arouse suspicion, he decided to let her lean on his shoulder for now.
Naturally, Zhang Ruochen felt a wave of emotion. Who would have thought that the delicate woman in his arms was the renowned Flying Feather Sword Saint?
Of course, life was unpredictable. If Zhang Ruochen had not coincidentally appeared at the Pearl Radiance Pavilion, she would likely now be lying in Kong Hongbi’s arms. And Kong Hongbi might not have treated her with gentlemanly conduct—who knew how degrading the scene might have been?
When Kong Hongbi entered the auction hall and saw the Stone Beauty nestled in Zhang Ruochen’s arms, he was consumed with jealousy. With a cold snort, he took a seat opposite Zhang Ruochen.
It wasn’t just Kong Hongbi—every cultivator in the auction hall was envious and jealous of Zhang Ruochen.
Here he was, already accompanied by the proud daughter of the Black Market First Class Hall, and yet he had fought the Young Hall Master of the Bright Hall to snatch the Stone Beauty.
It was predictable that after tonight, the Blood God Sect’s Divine Son would be renowned across the Central Domain’s nine provinces for his romantic and lustful reputation.
Before long, the auction hall was filled with cultivators from all over.
The guests who could enter the Pearl Radiance Pavilion’s auction hall were no ordinary people. Each was a regional overlord, either a sect leader or an elder of a saintly clan.
Clearly, the Moon-Worshipping Cult placed great importance on tonight’s auction, as they had even invited Qi Feiyu to personally host it.
The moment she appeared, the entire auction hall erupted in excitement.
On occasion, the Moon-Worshipping Cult’s large auction halls would indeed invite a saintly maiden, or even a saint, to personally host the event, thereby elevating the auction’s prestige.
Of course, such occasions were rare. To encounter one was already quite fortunate.
Qi Feiyu’s temperament was very reserved. She spoke only a few opening remarks before declaring the auction officially underway.
“The first item tonight is called Suspended Jade, a type of saintly jade. Wearing it not only calms the mind and steadies the spirit but also continuously draws the spiritual energy of heaven and earth from a hundred miles around to its bearer, forming a mobile cultivation paradise.”
“Starting bid: ten million spirit crystals.”
“Each bid must increase by no less than one hundred thousand spirit crystals.”
……
……
The first few treasures auctioned off were truly priceless, hard to find in the outside world, each worth about one sacred stone. The final bids did not exceed two sacred stones.
Zhang Ruochen did not make a move, waiting patiently.
It wasn’t until the sixth item that Zhang Ruochen began to show some interest.
It was three ninth-grade pills, the Withered Wood Pill, reputed to bring the dead back to life.
As long as a cultivator still had a breath left, taking a Withered Wood Pill would quickly heal their injuries.
One Withered Wood Pill was equivalent to one extra life.
Back then, Shengshu Cainü had given Zhang Ruochen a Withered Wood Pill, which had indeed saved his life once.
Thus, Zhang Ruochen fully understood the value of the Withered Wood Pill and decided to bid on all three pills. (To be continued.)