169: Xu family descendants, auction begins!

At this moment, Lin Tianci's Face was extremely unsightly.

Not only had he lost Face at the Drunken Immortal Tower, but he had also been intimidated by that old man who had appeared out of nowhere. For someone who usually walked with his head held high in Zhenyuan City, this was a sheer humiliation.

"Damn it! Where did that old geezer run off to?!"

Lin Tianci slammed his folding fan hard against the carriage rail, his eyes filled with tyranny. "Don't let This Young Master catch him, or I'll skin him alive and turn him into a lantern!"

The lackeys beside him were as quiet as cicadas in winter, none of them daring to provoke him at such a time.

The beast carriage whistled past, just happening to pass by a dark alleyway filled with clutter.

The girl who had been curled up there seemed startled by the sudden commotion and instinctively shrank back. This movement caused her to bump into a broken clay pot nearby.

"Clang!"

The crisp sound of shattering wasn't particularly loud on the noisy street, but to the currently extremely irritable Lin Tianci, it was like adding fuel to the fire.

He whipped his head around, his sinister gaze instantly locking onto the filthy figure at the mouth of the alley.

In that instant, it was as if he had found an outlet for his rage.

"Where did this stinking beggar come from, daring to be an eyesore to This Young Master?"

Lin Tianci pointed at the girl and barked, "How unlucky! Men, drag this filthy thing out, break her legs, and throw her out of the city!"

This senseless act of violence sounded as casual from his mouth as swatting a fly.

"Yes!"

Two Guards, who had been eager to please their young master, immediately jumped off the beast carriage with cruel smiles.

They both possessed a cultivation of the Late Nascent Soul Stage. Dealing with a Mortal girl who had no Qi fluctuations was easier than crushing an ant.

Seeing this, the vigilance in the girl's eyes instantly turned into terror.

She wanted to flee, but chronic malnutrition and her injuries made it impossible for her to even move her legs.

She could only tightly hug the object in her arms and lean against the wall.

Like a small beast driven into a corner, she trembled in despair.

Seeing this, the surrounding passersby showed looks of pity, but seeing it was the Lin Family carriage, they could only lower their heads and pretend not to see, hurrying away.

The two Guards strode into the alley. One of them reached out with a hand as large as a cattail leaf fan, grabbing directly for the girl's straw-like hair.

"Hehe, little beggar, in your next life, keep your eyes open and don't offend someone you can't afford to!"

Just as the large hand was about to descend.

Chen Xu, standing in the shadows not far away, had originally intended to be a bystander and see what the girl was hiding in her arms.

But this Lin Family young master's way of doing things was simply too overbearing—so overbearing that it made his hands itch to intervene.

"I originally only wanted the money and didn't want to cause trouble."

Chen Xu sighed softly, pulling his fingers back into his sleeve and lightly snapping his index finger and thumb together. "But since you've chosen the narrow path, don't blame me for not giving you Face."

At the very moment the guard's fingers were about to touch the girl's hair.

Chen Xu's snapped fingers...

...flicked lightly toward the backside of the Fire Cloud Beast pulling the carriage.

*Chiss!*

A streak of Qi energy pierced into the rump of the leading Fire Cloud Beast.

"Roar—!!!"

A shrill beastly roar exploded across the street.

The Fire Cloud Beast, which had been relatively docile, instantly went mad.

Its originally brownish-yellow pupils instantly became bloodshot and crimson, and its four hooves suddenly exerted force.

It actually snapped its reins!

Boom!

The massive force caused the entire beast carriage to flip violently to one side.

Lin Tianci, who was sitting in the carriage ready to enjoy the "abuse" show, had never expected such a turn of events.

He didn't even have time to activate his protective spiritual shield.

He was flung out directly!

"Ah!!!"

Lin Tianci traced a parabola in the air and then, with a "splat," landed Face-first into a stinky tofu stall by the roadside.

The scalding oil pot was overturned, and black soup splashed all over him.

"Young Master!"

"Quick, protect the Young Master!"

The two Guards who were about to strike were instantly dumbfounded. No longer caring about the beggar girl, they rushed toward Lin Tianci, wailing as if their own parents had died.

The entire street was instantly thrown into chaos.

The maddened Fire Cloud Beast continued its rampage, passersby screamed and fled, stalls were knocked over, and dust rose everywhere.

And at the moment this chaos reached its Peak.

Chen Xu's figure vanished from where he stood!

The girl only felt a blur before her eyes, and a strong hand swept around her waist.

Following that, the world spun, and the clamor in her ears seemed to be instantly pulled away.

By the time she regained her senses, the alley mouth was already empty.

Only the pile of trampled trash remained.

Proving that someone had once been there.

Meanwhile, in the stinky tofu stall, Lin Tianci, covered in black soup from head to toe, crawled out in a wretched state.

His originally handsome Face was now red and swollen, with several pieces of charred tofu hanging off it, making him look utterly ridiculous.

"Who?! Who ambushed This Young Master?!"

He roared hysterically, his eyes bloodshot as he scanned the surroundings, but where was there even a single person?

...In an inconspicuous inn on the west side of the city.

Chen Xu casually laid down a Restriction to block Divine Sense detection!

The girl was still in shock, her body trembling uncontrollably. She instinctively wanted to scream, but found her throat blocked as if she couldn't make a sound.

She stared at the old man in front of her, wearing a tattered Daoist robe and looking somewhat sinister, as well as the mangy dog crouching at the door, watching her with a covetous gaze.

Fear instantly surged in her heart!

Out of the wolf's den and into the tiger's mouth.

Although this old man had saved her, there was no kindness in his eyes.

Instead, they held a chilling indifference and scrutiny.

"Take this Medicinal Pill."

Chen Xu ignored the girl's fear and casually tossed a small green jade bottle, which landed right in her lap. "I didn't save you to listen to you scream, let alone out of the kindness of my heart."

Having said that, he walked over to the table and sat down, pouring himself a cup of cold tea, his tone as flat as if he were discussing the weather: "I'm only interested in that thing in your arms. Take it out."

Hearing this, the girl's body suddenly stiffened.

Her eyes, which had been unfocused due to fear, instantly refocused and became incredibly wary.

Her small, dirt-covered hands tightly covered her chest. That was her only secret and her last hope for survival.

"Don't look at me like that."

Chen Xu took a sip of tea and set the cup down, his fingers lightly tapping the table. "If I wanted to steal it, you'd already be dead in that alley."

"Do you think that with your Foundation Establishment body, you can stop me?"

These words were cruel, but they were the truth.

The girl bit her bloodless lip, hesitated for a moment, and finally, with trembling hands, opened the jade bottle.

A refreshing medicinal fragrance wafted out; just one sniff...

...and she felt the pain in her body lessen significantly.

She poured out a Medicinal Pill and swallowed it, feeling a warm current dissolve within her.

A moment later, she took a deep breath and slowly pulled a palm-sized, broken Jade Pendant from her inner pocket.

The Jade Pendant was dark green all over, its surface covered in cracks from age. It looked like a funerary object dug up from an Ancient Tomb, with no spiritual energy fluctuations.

If someone who didn't know better saw it, they probably wouldn't even give it a second glance.

But the moment the Jade Pendant appeared, Xiao Hei at the door immediately sat up straight, his tail wagging like a drumstick. If Chen Xu hadn't glared at him, he probably would have pounced.

"Here... for you."

The girl's voice was hoarse as she placed the Jade Pendant on the table, then quickly pulled her hand back as if afraid of being burned.

Chen Xu reached out and picked up the Jade Pendant.

It felt cold and rough to the touch.

But the moment his fingertips touched the core of the Jade Pendant, his massive Void Refining Stage Divine Sense keenly captured a very faint spatial fluctuation.

"There's definitely something to this."

Chen Xu's heart stirred. No longer hiding it, the majestic spiritual energy in his body turned into a thin thread.

He carefully injected it into the Jade Pendant.

*Hum!*

The originally dull and broken Jade Pendant suddenly began to vibrate gently.

Fine silver lines lit up along the cracks, appearing like flowing starlight.

Following that, a map appeared before Chen Xu.

It was a vast and chaotic starry sky.

Countless broken asteroid belts floated in the Void Realm, and violent spatial currents were like giant beasts ready to devour anyone. Even just looking at this phantom, one could feel the danger within.

Within these chaotic lines, there was a pale gold thread, like the only path through a maze, winding through all the dangerous areas and finally pointing to a coordinate point flashing with red light.

The terrain of that coordinate point looked somewhat familiar to Chen Xu.

That was... the "Starfall Secret Realm?"

Chen Xu's eyebrows shot up, and the simple map he had seen at the Tianbao Pavilion quickly surfaced in his mind.

Although the scale and details were different, the general outline of the terrain was definitely the Starfall Secret Realm that the Lin Family heavily guarded!

But this map was a thousand times more detailed than anything on the market or even what the Lin Family possessed!

It not only mapped out the distribution of all Restrictions in the core area of the Secret Realm but also clearly marked the patterns of spatial rifts that changed over time.

More importantly, there was that pale gold route.

It didn't take the conventional entrance opened by the Lin Family but instead went through a secluded path directly to the deepest part of the Secret Realm!

If the Lin Family could only "scavenge trash" in the outer and middle layers of the Secret Realm...

...then this map was the "backdoor key" leading straight to the depths of the treasury!

"What a good item..."

The glint in Chen Xu's eyes grew brighter and brighter.

He had originally been worried about how to sneak into that heavily guarded Secret Realm, as a direct assault would likely alert the enemy!!

Unexpectedly, just as he was feeling sleepy, someone brought him a pillow.

With this thing, wouldn't the so-called "void star crystal" be within easy reach?

Chen Xu withdrew his spiritual energy, and the light and shadow dissipated.

He toyed with the Jade Pendant in his hand, looked up, and re-examined the beggar-like girl before him.

"Where did you get this?"

Chen Xu asked, his tone less indifferent and more inquisitive.

A Star Map of this level was definitely not something an ordinary Loose Cultivator or Mortal could possess.

It must have come from some powerful organization or ancient Family with deep knowledge of the Starfall Secret Realm.

The girl did not answer immediately.

She looked at the Jade Pendant in Chen Xu's hand, a hint of complex sadness and hatred showing in her eyes.

After a long time, she finally spoke in a low voice; though her voice was immature, it carried a bone-chilling coldness.

"That belongs to my Family."

"Yours?"

Chen Xu's fingers stroking the Jade Pendant paused slightly, and he looked at her with interest: "If I remember correctly, this Starfall Secret Realm is currently the private property of the Lin Family, having been under their control for hundreds of years. Are you an illegitimate daughter of the Lin Family living in exile?"

"Pah! Who would be part of that beastly Family!"

Hearing the words "Lin Family," the girl reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, her emotions instantly becoming agitated.

In her eyes, which were originally timid, a raging fire of anger now burned.

Even her dirty little Face flushed red.

"That Secret Realm originally belonged to our Xu Family! It was the Lin Family... those despicable and shameless villains. Three hundred years ago, they took advantage of our Old Ancestor's failure during closed-door cultivation to undergo tribulation, colluded with outside enemies, exterminated my entire Xu Family, and forcibly seized the Secret Realm!"

The girl's chest heaved violently, her voice turning sharp with hatred: "My name is Xu Linger, and I am the last remaining Bloodline of the Xu Family's direct line."

"This Jade Pendant... is the Star Key passed down through generations of our Xu Family. Only it can truly open the treasure vault at the core of the Secret Realm!"

Chen Xu listened quietly, his expression remaining calm and unruffled.

This kind of drama—killing for treasure and exterminating families—was all too common in the Cultivation World.

Survival of the fittest was the iron law of this world.

However, this was good news for him.

Since they were enemies, things would be much easier to handle.

"So, you're the orphan of a fallen Family."

Chen Xu nodded, his tone still flat: "The story is tragic, but I don't care about your Family feud. I only care if this thing can get me inside."

As he spoke, he shook the Jade Pendant in his hand.

Xu Linger bit her lip and fell to her knees with a thud.

Though young, having struggled at the bottom for so long, she had long since learned to read people's expressions.

The old man before her seemed cold, but he had strength.

His stealthy methods on the street just now, along with the suffocating Aura he emitted, all indicated he was definitely a top-tier powerhouse.

Stronger than anyone she had ever seen!

"Senior!"

Xu Linger kowtowed heavily, her forehead hitting the wooden floor with a dull thud. "Since Senior has obtained this Jade Pendant, it is Senior's Opportunity. This Junior does not dare to ask for it back."

"Oh? So generous?"

Chen Xu gave a half-smile.

"But..."

Xu Linger suddenly looked up, her eyes filled with a look of madness: "This Junior has one request! As long as Senior agrees, I am willing to offer all the incantations and secret techniques to open the core treasure vault to Senior!"

"Otherwise, in Senior's hands, this Jade Pendant is at most a map; you won't be able to enter that final door!"

Chen Xu narrowed his eyes slightly.

What a clever little girl, actually keeping a card up her sleeve.

"Are you threatening me?"

Chen Xu's voice grew a few degrees colder, and the temperature in the room instantly dropped to the freezing point.

Xu Linger trembled all over, but she did not back down. Instead, she straightened her back: "This Junior wouldn't dare! This Junior just... just wants revenge!"

"I want the Lin Family dead!"

She spat out these words through gritted teeth, carrying a thick scent of blood: "As long as Senior can destroy the Lin Family and ruin their Foundation, Linger's life will belong to Senior from now on!"

"To be a slave or a servant, to work like an ox or a horse, I will have no complaints!"

"Interesting."

Chen Xu suddenly laughed, the coldness on him melting away like ice and snow.

He had originally planned to go to the Lin Family's territory for some "free shopping."

If he could conveniently cause some trouble for the Lin Family or even destroy their Foundation, he would be more than happy to do so.

After he wanted both the tai xu realm stone and the void star crystal.

Furthermore, having such a living map by his side, along with the so-called opening technique, would indeed save him a lot of trouble in breaking the Restrictions.

"I accept this deal."

Chen Xu stood up and casually tossed the Jade Pendant back to Xu Linger.

As if throwing an ordinary stone.

Xu Linger scrambled to catch the Jade Pendant, a look of disbelief on her Face: "Senior... you..."

"Keep it for now. Since we're going, I'll need a guide."

Chen Xu put his hands behind his back, walked to the window, and pushed it open.

Outside, the night was as dark as ink. The distant Lin Family estate was brightly lit, like a giant beast crouching in the darkness, exuding an air of overbearing majesty.

"Just the Lin Family."

Chen Xu's voice was indifferent yet domineering, slowly dissipating in the night wind: "Since they like to steal other people's things, this time, I'll let them taste what it's like to have everything taken away."

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

During these three days, Zhenyuan City seemed to have turned into a boiling cauldron, with all sorts of characters gathering together.

Every street and alley was buzzing with talk about the upcoming "Centennial Ceremony" and the mysterious old man who, oblivious to danger, dared to humiliate the Lin Family's young master on the street.

But despite the Lin Family's spies turning the city upside down...

...the old man with the mangy dog seemed to have vanished into air, leaving no trace behind.

Tianbao Pavilion had blocked all ordinary entrances today just for this grand event.

Before the sun had even fully set, the vast square outside Tianbao Pavilion was already crowded with people and filled with all kinds of luxurious beast carriages and strange mounts.

Soul Transformation Stage Cultivators, rarely seen on ordinary days, could be seen everywhere now. There were even many powerhouses at the Nascent Soul Stage Late Phase or even the Peak of the Soul Transformation Stage.

Chen Xu did not join the commotion at the main entrance.

In a quiet side alley, he wore a voluminous black robe with a mask covering his Face.

Beside him, Xiao Hei still looked like a half-dead mangy dog, ears drooping, occasionally letting out a yawn.

"Senior, this way please."

Qian Tong, who had been waiting there for a long time, was all smiles, bowing very low.

Even though Chen Xu had changed his attire and wore a mask, the Aura of the Purple Gold Tianbao Token and that highly recognizable dog allowed him to recognize this wealthy patron at a glance.

Qian Tong led Chen Xu through a private passage filled with Restrictions, bypassing the noise of the main hall.

They arrived at the top floor of Tianbao Pavilion.

There were only ten private boxes here, suspended beneath the dome of the auction hall, overlooking the crowd below.

Each box was isolated by one-way transparent walls, allowing a clear view of every corner below while perfectly blocking any prying eyes from the outside.

"Box Number One. Our Pavilion Master specifically ordered this to be reserved for you."

Qian Tong pushed open the heavy wooden door carved with dragon and phoenix patterns and said respectfully, "For all matters regarding today's auction, you only need to press the Formation patterns on the table, and a maid will be at your service."

Chen Xu nodded slightly, casually tossed a Mid-Grade Spirit Stone to Qian Tong as a tip, and stepped inside.

The space inside the box was huge, the floor covered with soft animal-skin carpets, and the air filled with a faint scent of ambergris.

Chen Xu sat down on the soft couch in the center, looking through the massive wall in front of him.

The circular auction hall below was fully visible.

By now, the ordinary seats below were already packed, with the clamor rising and falling like waves. In the VIP seats on the upper level, people were also taking their seats one after another.

"That's the head of the Sun Family from Liuyun! I heard he broke through to the Nascent Soul Stage Late Phase a few days ago!"

"Look, that's Zhou Yan of the Zhou Family. She's truly stunningly beautiful!"

Exclamations broke out from the crowd below from time to time.

Just then... the originally noisy venue suddenly fell silent for a moment.

A menacing group of people emerged from the VIP passage on the other side.

The leader was wearing a dark red python robe, with a majestic Face and slightly graying temples. He walked with a powerful stride, and his entire body emitted a suffocating and terrifying pressure.

Great Perfection of the Soul Transformation Stage!

He was the local tyrant of Zhenyuan City.

The current head of the Lin Family, Lin Overlord.

Behind him followed several Elders with equally powerful Auras, as well as Lin Tianci, whose Face was still swollen and wrapped in bandages, looking resentful.

Lin Overlord's Face was extremely gloomy.

Over the past few days, the Lin Family had completely lost Face. His son had been toyed with on the street, which was a slap in the Face to the Lin Family. How could he swallow this insult?

His sharp gaze swept across the entire venue, as if trying to find that damn old man in the crowd.

Every Cultivator his gaze swept over bowed their head in fear, not daring to meet his eyes.

"Hmph."

Lin Overlord snorted coldly and led his group straight into Box Number Two, opposite Chen Xu.

As soon as he sat down, Lin Overlord slammed the table heavily.

The tea sets in the box rattled from the impact.

"Have you still not found any trace of that person?"

Lin Overlord's voice was bone-chillingly cold.

"Replying to the Family Head, that person's methods are extremely sophisticated. We have searched all the inns and gathering places for Loose Cultivators in the city, but found nothing."

An Elder replied tremblingly, "However... with so many powerhouses gathered at today's auction, if he is in the city, he will surely be drawn here."

"Keep a close eye on everything."

Killing intent flashed in Lin Overlord's eyes: "No matter the channel, if anyone dares to compete with our Lin Family for items or spends suspiciously lavishly, investigate them to the end!"

Inside Box Number One.

Chen Xu held a cup of spiritual tea, listening with interest to the shouting next door, a playful smile on his lips.

"Family Head Lin has quite a temper."

He muttered to himself.

Xiao Hei lay by the couch. Hearing this, he lifted an eyelid to glance at the opposite side, then snorted disdainfully and went back to resting his eyes.

Just then, the door of the "Heaven" Box in the very center, which was usually tightly closed, suddenly lit up with the light of a Formation.

A mysterious person enveloped in black mist appeared silently on the box's terrace. Just standing there caused the surrounding space to distort slightly.

"Someone from the City Lord's Mansion!"

Someone exclaimed in a low voice.