23: Chapter 23: The Balance of Power at the Auction

The Qingyun Sect Auction Hall.

Luo Yunkai’s subsequent bid, breaking the previous silence, easily secured the Minor Mystic Realm Token from the Qingyun Sect.

Many people frowned slightly.

Because of Luo Yunkai's action, their plan to rob him had to be postponed; they would, at least, have to wait until Luo Yunkai emerged from the Qingyun Sect Minor Mystic Realm.

This wasn't even the worst part.

It was even more likely that the Qingyun Sect would simply consume the person entirely, leaving no scraps for anyone else.

Just as the atmosphere in the auction hall became strange, a maid rushed toward Wan'er, who was standing by the auction stage.

Wan'er's delicate eyebrows furrowed; the maid was being a bit thoughtless about the situation.

"It’s bad, Sister Wan'er, room 133 is empty."

"Whoa!"

The windows on the sixth, seventh, and eighth floors opened almost simultaneously, and several gazes filled with palpable pressure were cast upon the maid.

Wan'er’s expression shifted slightly. Under this oppressive aura, her graceful body trembled lightly, large beads of sweat dotted her forehead, and her face flushed.

She let out a wry smile, straightened her body with gritted teeth, her beautiful legs beneath the thin gauze trembling slightly, making it impossible for onlookers to notice anything amiss.

"Esteemed Immortal Friends, the previous auction is void. The Minor Mystic Realm Token will be re-auctioned."

"What?"

Now, those below the sixth floor also realized what had happened.

A Cultivator from the first floor rushed out of his room and forcibly opened room 133, his face changing drastically upon seeing the empty room.

"How could this be? Where did the people go?"

Elder He’s expression was unusually grim. He looked toward the room where Bai Ji was on the eighth floor, demanding an explanation.

Bai Shao, who wasn't very bright, saw Elder He demanding accountability and stepped forward unhappily, "Why are you looking at us? They must have escaped through a secret passage in the room themselves."

Bai Ji’s expression remained unchanged, but a trace of coldness flashed in his eyes; he looked at Bai Shao as if he were an idiot.

Many Cultivators in rooms on the sixth and seventh floors quietly closed their windows.

"A secret passage? Heh, your Qingyun Sect auction house has a secret passage? Who knows if they left on their own or if your Qingyun Sect took them away through that passage?" Yin Qiu sneered repeatedly.

However, upon closer inspection, it was clear her eyes were filled with the look of someone enjoying a good show.

Bai Shao was enraged. His large, fleshy palm slammed onto the window ledge, "If they didn't leave on their own, how could there not be the slightest sound!"

Many Cultivators who had initially worried that the Qingyun Sect had made a move were now relieved.

Elder He nodded, "Young Friend Bai’s words have some truth to them. Then, where does this secret passage lead?"

Bai Shao became cleverer at this point and avoided discussing it.

Yin Qiu sneered, "Bai, if you're unwilling to speak, then no one pursues them! I’d like to see who can pass the news out!"

"Also, everyone open your windows. You are not allowed to leave through secret passages. Those unwilling to open them, this Young Lady doesn't mind taking action personally!"

Behind her, an old man stepped out, subtly releasing an aura of pressure; he was at the Late Foundation Establishment Stage.

Instantly, the windows below the sixth floor all opened. They dared not provoke the Young Sect Master of the Changhong Sect to act personally.

Elder He’s expression turned very cold, "Whatever Young Sect Master Yin intends, that is also my intention."

The pressure of a Half-step Golden Core enveloped the entire venue.

At this, the few rooms on the sixth and seventh floors that had just closed their windows reopened, clearly showing their compliance.

On the eighth floor, those present were either Golden Core experts or people with status and background in the Qingyun Sect, so they remained relatively composed.

However, the only Golden Core Cultivator participating in this auction opened his window first.

Following that, the pressure of a Golden Core True Lord firmly locked onto everyone’s room.

If a Golden Core True Lord didn't care, with the isolation Formation in place, certain movements within the room indeed couldn't be detected.

But if they became serious, a mere first or second-level isolation Formation couldn't possibly block the Divine Sense probing of a Golden Core True Lord.

Coincidentally, this Golden Core Loose Cultivator expert swept his Divine Sense and immediately discovered someone on the eighth floor who had already opened a secret passage and was preparing to leave.

"Heh!"

The Loose Cultivator expert attacked without warning. Sword light shot out like a torch, instantly piercing the window. His Flying Sword hovered in front of the secret passage, emitting a dangerous aura.

No one expected a Golden Core True Lord to act so brazenly right inside the Qingyun Sect auction house.

Bai Ji’s eyes darkened slightly, but he still had to step forward to clean up the mess; otherwise, the Qingyun Sect’s reputation would be utterly ruined!

"The swordsmanship of Wonderful Sword True Lord is truly marvelous. It is my great fortune to witness it."

A blue figure appeared before the window.

This person had a piece of cyan jade ornament on her forehead. Her black hair, like a waterfall, was tied up with only a single blue ribbon. She wore a flowing and agile blue bandeau top and skirt, and two ribbons snaked down from her slightly rising chest, dancing in the wind.

Looking at this figure, everyone forgot the oppressive feeling brought by the sword light.

A flash of amazement crossed Bai Ji’s eyes, not to mention the lecherous Bai Shao, whose mouth was nearly watering.

"Secret passage exit," Wonderful Sword True Lord spoke, her voice cool, carrying the pressure of someone superior.

Bai Ji cupped his hands, "The secret passage exit will naturally be shared with all esteemed guests present."

Saying this, he raised his hand and drew a map in the air.

Spiritual light danced at his fingertips. After a few breaths, the map became vivid and lifelike.

Bai Ji lightly pushed his hand, and the holographic map constructed by spiritual power moved toward the center, floating above the auction stage so that everyone could see it clearly.

"The exit is here. As for whether those few people will leave through the secret passage exit, I do not know."

Wonderful Sword True Lord memorized the map with a single glance, then leaped from the window, landing gracefully in room 133.

Bai Ji’s gaze shifted slightly, and he exchanged a look with Elder He and Yin Qiu.

The highest cultivation level present belonged to Wonderful Sword True Lord, but the highest status belonged to the three of them.

Elder He was determined to obtain the Xi Soil, so without much thought, he cooperated, "Wonderful Sword True Lord, please wait."

Wonderful Sword True Lord indeed stopped, but her cool eyes looked toward Elder He with a hint of displeasure.

Being called a Half-step Golden Core was flattering; in truth, he was still in the Foundation Establishment Stage, and facing the pressure of a true Golden Core expert was not easy.

Yet, Elder He still spoke, "Wonderful Sword True Lord, what does it matter if those few people escape for a few more days? With our speed, we can catch up in a moment. Why not wait until the auction is over?"

Wonderful Sword True Lord frowned slightly, "If you want the Xi Soil, I will give it to you."

She didn't actually care about the Xi Soil either; giving Elder He a favor wasn't out of the question.

Elder He’s smile remained unchanged, "I dare not trouble Wonderful Sword True Lord."

"You!" Wonderful Sword True Lord’s voice grew colder, "Are you implying you can stop me?"

Elder He felt as if his life was hanging by a thread.

He stopped speaking and looked toward Bai Ji.

As for Yin Qiu, he held out no hope.

The fact that she hadn't spoken earlier indicated that Yin Qiu didn't want to get involved.

Bai Ji had a severe headache.

He really wanted to give Wonderful Sword True Lord a favor.

However, the people in room 133 were all people his second brother had thoroughly offended. If he didn't personally eliminate them, he wouldn't feel at ease!

"Wonderful Sword True Lord may not care about the Minor Mystic Realm Token right now, but who knows if she won't care about it in the future? Leaving now..."

He left the sentence unfinished.

Wonderful Sword True Lord fell silent.

Her clear eyes looked toward room 133, and she suddenly laughed, "Very clever."

The sound was a murmur between her teeth, inaudible to anyone else.

Then, she flew away, returning to her room on the eighth floor in the blink of an eye.

"Slap!"

The window closed ruthlessly, but the pressure belonging to the Golden Core True Lord remained suspended above their heads, asserting her presence.

Yin Qiu also seemed to understand something, a slight smile playing on her lips, "Interesting, truly interesting. I hope you can survive this calamity!"

Quite a few people had reacted, but so what?

Even knowing they were being manipulated, they could only act according to the scheme.

However, the killing intent in their hearts grew even stronger.