111: Chapter 111 Auction, the night wind blowing, who dares to utter a sound?

The City of Chaos had never been as "quiet" as it was today.

Ever since that hemp-clothed youth named "Night Wind," wielding a rusted sword, bathed the South City branch of the Black Water Gang in blood in a manner that could be called unreasonable,

the fearsome name "Sword Ghost" swept through the entire city overnight like a category twelve super hurricane.

Everyone knew that the sky over South City had changed.

A fierce dragon crossing the river—one who was decisive in killing, viewed human life as grass, and yet possessed absurdly powerful strength—had arrived.

Inside the main headquarters of the Black Water Gang, in the discussion hall, the atmosphere was so oppressive it felt as if water could be wrung from it.

The gang leader, "Black Heart" Wu Guang—a fat man who looked like a Maitreya Buddha but had eyes as sinister as a venomous snake—listened to his subordinate's report with a face turned ashen.

He was a powerhouse at the first level of the Gathered Crown Realm, a big shot whose every step made the ground tremble in this City of Chaos.

"You're saying that Captain Wang Wu and dozens of his brothers were completely wiped out in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn?" Wu Guang's voice was cold and devoid of emotion.

"Ye... yes, Gang Leader."

The lackey who came to report was scared out of his wits, kneeling on the ground and trembling. "Ac... according to the bystanders at the scene, that swordsman named 'Night Wind' only used a rust-covered iron sword from beginning to end..."

"Useless trash!"

Wu Guang slammed the table, and the table, made of thousand-year-old ironwood, instantly turned into powder.

"Investigate! Investigate him for me! I don't care what his background is; anyone who dares to run wild on my Black Water Gang's territory must die!"

...

Meanwhile, as the instigator of all this, Lin Feng had already returned to the dilapidated courtyard he rented in the slums.

He threw all the Cultivation Technique manuals he had plundered from the Black Water Gang and "Mad Dog" Li San into the System space.

[Ding! Detected thirty-seven 'nourishments' for Cultivation Techniques that can be used for Fusion and deduction. Their grades are too low; estimated to reduce the deduction cost of "Slash of Gods and Demons" by 5%.]

Lin Feng looked at the System notification and frowned slightly.

"Only a 5% reduction? It seems the effect of trash Cultivation Techniques is just too poor."

He knew very well that what he lacked most right now was not gold or Magic Treasures, but a large number of Advanced Cultivation Techniques to provide "nourishment" for his hungry [Cultivation Technique Deduction] function.

Only then could he elevate his Martial Skills and Movement Techniques to the level of Perfection matching his Realm at the fastest possible speed.

While he was lost in thought, a golden Treasure-Seeking Mouse squeezed through the crack in the door; it was none other than Huang Fugui.

It leaped nimbly onto Lin Feng's shoulder and rubbed its fuzzy little head against his cheek, seemingly claiming credit.

With a thought, Lin Feng's powerful Divine Sense spread out like a tide, covering several miles around.

Soon, various noisy sounds from the city flooded into his mind. After filtering them, he captured a useful piece of information.

"The Wanbao Pavilion in the east of the city is holding a once-in-a-decade large-scale auction in three days... The grand finale items include three fragmented Martial Soul Realm Cultivation Techniques?"

A terrifying glint instantly erupted in Lin Feng's eyes!

Martial Soul Realm Cultivation Techniques!

These were true treasures!

In the Great Xia Dynasty, Cultivation Techniques above the Gathered Crown Realm had long been monopolized by major Sects, top aristocratic families, and the imperial family; ordinary people had no chance of seeing them.

The fact that the Wanbao Pavilion could produce three at once, even if they were fragmented, was enough to demonstrate the terrifying power behind it.

"Very good, this is exactly what I need."

The corners of Lin Feng's mouth curled into a hunter-like smile.

He stood up, brushed the dust off his clothes, and whispered to Huang Fugui on his shoulder, "Let's go, I'll take you somewhere lively."

...

Three days later, Wanbao Pavilion.

As the largest den of extravagance in the City of Chaos, it was already bustling with people and heavy traffic.

Those qualified to enter this auction were all prominent figures with status in the city.

The Black Water Gang leader "Black Heart" Wu Guang, the Blood Fiend Tower's master "Ghost Shadow" Wuzong, and leaders of other factions were all present.

When Lin Feng, a "newcomer" in hemp clothing with an ordinary face, appeared at the door, he immediately drew everyone's attention.

"Look! It's that 'Sword Ghost' Night Wind!"

"Hiss... He actually came? What audacity! He just bathed the Black Water Gang's branch in blood a few days ago, and today he dares to show up here so blatantly?"

"There's going to be a good show! The Black Water Gang people are inside too; won't they start fighting on the spot?"

Amidst the gazes full of awe, curiosity, and schadenfreude, Lin Feng walked leisurely into the magnificent auction hall as if nothing was wrong.

He found an inconspicuous corner to sit in, but his Divine Sense had already spread out like an invisible tide, instantly enveloping the entire venue.

"One at the third level of the Martial Soul Realm, two at the second level, five at the first level... the rest are just small fry in the Peak Gathering and Divine Sea Realms."

Lin Feng understood clearly and had a rough assessment of everyone's strength present.

Soon, the auction officially began.

Rare treasures were presented one by one, eliciting bursts of exclamations from the crowd, and bidding voices rose and fell.

Lin Feng, however, kept his eyes closed to rest his mind, showing no interest in these items.

Until the three fragmented Martial Soul Realm Cultivation Techniques, serving as the grand finale treasures, were carefully brought up by the maids.

"Distinguished guests!"

The auctioneer shouted in a highly inflammatory tone, "Next is the highlight of this auction! Three fragmented Martial Soul Realm Cultivation Techniques passed down from ancient times! They are the saber technique 'Star Crusher,' the palm technique 'Sea-Overturning Seal,' and the Movement Technique 'Nine-Turn Wandering Dragon Steps'! For these three techniques, the starting price for each is one hundred thousand taels of gold! Each bid increment must be no less than ten thousand taels!"

Boom! As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall erupted!

"It's here! It's finally here!"

"One hundred thousand taels of gold... this price is simply terrifying!"

A glint of determined greed flashed in Black Water Gang leader Wu Guang's eyes. His main goal for coming this time was that fragmented Movement Technique!

However, just as he was about to start bidding, a flat voice rang out from the corner.

"Three hundred thousand taels."

The entire hall instantly fell into a deathly silence. Everyone's eyes focused simultaneously on the youth in hemp clothing.

"Three hundred thousand taels?!"

"Increasing it by two hundred thousand taels all at once."

"Is this how you're supposed to bid?!"

Wu Guang was so angry he trembled all over. He whipped his head around and stared fixedly at Lin Feng, his eyes filled with undisguised killing intent.

"Kid, what is the meaning of this?!"

"It doesn't mean anything."

Lin Feng spread his hands and said with an innocent look, "The highest bidder wins, don't they?"

"You!"

Just as Wu Guang was about to explode, another cold voice rang out from a VIP box on the second floor: "Four hundred thousand taels."

It was the master of the Blood Fiend Tower, "Ghost Shadow" Wuzong!

"Five hundred thousand taels."