280: striking

Not long after, a flurry of footsteps approached.

Hua Hanxiang looked up and saw Widow Ya walking toward them.

She wore a black dress with dark gold scorpion patterns embroidered on the hem and a black cloak draped over her shoulders. Her collarbone was elegantly exposed by the neckline, and though she wore no makeup, her beauty was still mesmerizing.

The hem of her skirt swayed gently with her steps, revealing a section of fair, smooth ankle that was quite eye-catching.

Upon seeing Situ Jun and Hua Hanxiang, her pace faltered for a moment before she walked straight over. She sat in the empty seat beside Hua Hanxiang, carrying a faint, cold fragrance that was completely at odds with the surrounding atmosphere.

"Sister Ya."

Hua Hanxiang greeted her with a smile, her voice soft.

Widow Ya nodded slightly in response.

Her gaze swept quickly across the venue, finally landing on the Withered Bone Ascetic. A flash of coldness, like a poisoned icicle, instantly flickered in her eyes.

The Withered Bone Ascetic also saw her. His already sinister gaze darkened further, and the cold sneer on his lips vanished, replaced by a look of ruthlessness—clearly, there was a deep-seated grievance between the two, likely stemming from a previous conflict.

Right then, a clear, resonant voice suddenly spread through the entire venue via an amplification formation. It instantly drowned out the market's noise, making it audible even to the Cultivators outside the valley.

"Fellow Daoists, please be quiet!"

The speaker was a Cultivator dressed in green robes, standing at the edge of the high platform, holding a bronze trumpet-shaped Magical Artifact.

He cleared his throat and continued.

"Elder Mo of our Qingyun Chamber of Commerce has word: The Nether Crow Cave Mansion is about to open. Opportunities depend on one's own ability; who succeeds depends on fate. However, waiting is tedious, so our chamber is specially using this precious location to hold a small exchange meeting, which can also be called an auction!"

"The items in this auction are all treasures collected by our chamber over the years, as well as Magic Treasures and Cultivation Technique manuals consigned by Fellow Daoists. They will be presented one by one shortly. The highest bidder wins, with fair prices for all!"

"The auction will officially begin in half an hour. We invite all Fellow Daoists to grace us with your presence!"

As the words fell, a even greater clamor erupted throughout the venue.

The Cultivators in the market were even more thrilled upon hearing the news, their eyes gleaming with excitement and greed.

The Qingyun Chamber of Commerce's reputation was well-known in the cultivation world. The items they brought out were never ordinary. Even if one couldn't afford them, being able to see ancient Magic Treasures and High Grade Cultivation Techniques with one's own eyes was a rare Opportunity.

Discussions exploded both inside and outside the venue.

"A Qingyun Chamber of Commerce auction! The grand finale of the one they held in the Royal Capital last time was a High Grade Treasure Artifact, which was eventually auctioned off to a mysterious Cultivator for three thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones!"

"I wonder what good things they have this time? With so many Cultivators here, someone might have consigned something to the Qingyun Chamber of Commerce!"

"I don't have the money to buy anything, I'm just here for the spectacle. If I can see an ancient Cultivation Technique, it won't have been a wasted trip!"

As the Cultivators discussed animatedly, the Loose Cultivators at the stalls quickly packed up their belongings and ran toward the auction site with their bundles, fearing they would lose a spot if they were late.

"Quick, pack up! Don't miss the auction!"

"I'm not selling that Blazing Flame Stone for now. Maybe I'll see better Materials at the auction!"

In an instant, the once crowded market was mostly empty. Everyone flocked to the valley, finding spots with clear views, even the open space around the high platform was packed.

During the half-hour wait, the trading and discussions nearby did not subside but instead became even more lively.

Cultivators gathered in small groups, exchanging recent news. Some also took the Opportunity to hawk their goods in the crowd, hoping to make a profit before the auction began.

"Have you heard? Yesterday, someone found a broken Magic Treasure in the Black Marsh to the west. From the style, it dates back to the time of Daoist Ming Ya!"

A thin Cultivator leaned in toward his companion and lowered his voice, mysteriously gesturing with three fingers.

"Although it has lost most of its spirituality and even the artifact spirit is gone, the runes on it are extremely ancient—it's clearly from the ancient era! That fellow turned around and sold it to the Ten Thousand Gu Sect, earning a full three hundred Mid-Grade Spirit Stones!"

Another short, stout Cultivator curled his lip.

"That's nothing. The night before last, Widow Ya of the Poison Scorpion Cult and the Gongsun Family fought in the eastern forest. I heard a Golden Core Cultivator died, and even the Young Master of the Gongsun Family had his leg broken. He's still bedridden!"

"Oh? Is that so?" the thin old man asked in confusion.

The surrounding Cultivators immediately crowded around, their eyes full of curiosity.

"Why did they fight?"

"Why else? Fighting over treasures, of course!"

The stout Cultivator paused and continued in a low voice.

"Rumor has it that the Young Master of the Gongsun Family didn't know Widow Ya's identity. Seeing how beautiful she was, he was overcome by lust... But then again, what do you think the Qingyun Chamber of Commerce will bring out this time? I saw a manual for the 'Heavenly Lightning Art' at their last auction; that was a High Grade Cultivation Technique!"

"Who knows? Anyway, we're just here for the show. Those good things are meant for the major Sects and city-lord level figures."

The thin Cultivator sighed, his tone tinged with helplessness.

Just then, a nearby Cultivator suddenly pointed toward the high platform and exclaimed.

"Eh? Look over there! Isn't that City Lord Situ of North Border City? He actually came too!"

The stout Cultivator followed his gaze and gasped upon seeing Situ Jun.

"Hiss... it really is him! I heard he was managing East Lin City recently, but East Lin City was surrounded by refugees and was almost out of food. He actually has the leisure to come here for an auction?"

"What do you know? City Lord Situ is a Late Golden Core Stage Cultivator! Those trivial matters in East Lin City don't need him to handle them personally."

Someone countered, their tone filled with a bit of awe.

A Cultivator in brocade robes nearby fixed his gaze on Widow Ya, his eyes filled with infatuation.

"That beautiful woman next to him is Widow Ya, right? She's truly stunning, practically oozing charm, but her temper is too fierce and she's not to be trifled with... It seems the struggle for the Nether Crow Cave Mansion is getting more and more exciting!"

"And who is that woman in the moon-white cloak next to him? I can't see her face, but looking at her figure, she must be a beauty too!"

Although these whispers weren't loud, they all reached Situ Jun's ears clearly.

The hand holding his teacup didn't pause for a second; he just calmly gazed at the high platform ahead, as if he hadn't heard a thing.

Hua Hanxiang, however, was somewhat nervous. Her grip on Situ Jun's arm tightened, her fingertips turning slightly white.

She could feel that with Situ Jun's arrival, many gazes were focused on them from the shadows—many of which were scrutinizing, wary, or even malicious, making her feel quite uneasy.

Situ Jun sensed her nervousness. He set down his teacup, gently patted the back of her hand, and looked at her with a gentle gaze, giving her a reassuring look.

Looking into his eyes, the unease in Hua Hanxiang's heart gradually dissipated. She nodded slightly, a faint smile appearing at the corners of her mouth.