505: Chapter 505 Before the meeting

Seven days later, at the East Sea Chamber of Commerce, in the auction hall.

The hall was laid out in a fan shape, possessing a magnificent Aura.

Thousands of night-luminescent pearls were embedded in the dome, their spiritual light swirling like an inverted galaxy, illuminating the entire space as if it were broad daylight.

The ground floor was for loose seating, where hundreds of Cultivators took their assigned seats. Most were of the Golden Core or Nascent Soul stages, with the occasional Soul Transformation Cultivator hidden among them.

The second floor held the Silver Frost VIP boxes, the third floor featured arc-arranged Mysterious Gold boxes, and the fourth floor was for the Purple Extreme and Earth-grade boxes.

The top floor contained seven Myriad Phenomenon VIP rooms, labeled Heaven-grade One through Seven. These were reserved by the East Sea Chamber of Commerce for their most distinguished guests, offering a sweeping view overlooking the entire hall.

The hall was bustling with noise.

Discussions hummed among the loose seating on the ground floor; some Cultivators guessed at the day's finale item, others exchanged information on recent spiritual material market trends, and occasionally, whispers regarding disputes between Sects could be heard.

Suddenly, the din in the hall quieted down a fraction.

At the entrance, a crimson figure strode in.

The man was burly, like a moving small mountain, his crimson robes adorned with fire patterns snapping with every step. His Face was rugged, and his brows carried the authority typical of those in high positions.

Behind him followed several Elders and Disciples, all with cultivation levels at or above the Soul Transformation stage.

"It's Sect Master Tu Wanxiong of Fire Turtle Mountain!" someone in the loose seating whispered. "He actually came in person?"

Tu Wanxiong's gaze was like lightning, his expression arrogant.

Close behind him followed a tall youth who bore a slight resemblance to Tu Wanxiong, though he was younger, his brows carrying the sharp spirit of a newborn calf. He wore the same crimson robe and scanned his surroundings with an arrogant expression.

Tu Wanxiong's gaze landed on the Earth-grade One box on the fourth floor.

The discussions in the loose seating resumed.

"With the Sect Master of Fire Turtle Mountain personally attending, could it be that he is also interested in that kan cauldron?"

"Interested or not, he wouldn't dare. I heard the Golden Crow Holy Son is coming too; this kan cauldron is bound to be the Golden Crow Holy Son's."

Before the words faded, another figure walked in from the entrance.

That person was slender with a sharp Face, wearing a bright red brocade robe embroidered with flame patterns, a shade brighter than Tu Wanxiong's robes.

Several Elders followed behind, all dressed in the same colored brocade robes, creating quite a spectacle.

The crowd whispered again:

"Sect Master Zhu Chixiao of Chiling Pavilion!"

Behind Zhu Chixiao followed a youth in a fire-red brocade robe with a handsome, refined Face, though his eyes were circled with faint dark rings and slightly puffy, his expression carrying a weary listlessness from overindulgence in wine and women.

The youth scanned the hall listlessly, as if nothing could pique his interest.

The Cultivators in the loose seating exchanged knowing glances.

Fire Turtle Mountain and Chiling Pavilion had always been at odds. With both Sect Masters attending today, each bringing their juniors, this auction was bound to be lively.

Sure enough, upon seeing Tu Wanxiong, Zhu Chixiao strode forward:

"Sect Master Tu, you move fast. What, do you want Earth-grade One? But Earth-grade One isn't necessarily for whoever arrives first, is it?"

Tu Wanxiong turned around, a fake smile pulling at his rugged Face:

"Fire Turtle Mountain has the strongest strength among the four major Sects; occupying the most prominent position is only natural."

Zhu Chixiao sneered: "Strongest strength? You have the nerve to say that. My Sect's strength is no weaker than yours."

The two stood in the corridor, faint fluctuations of spiritual power rippling around them. Other Cultivators on both sides quickly retreated, fearing they might be caught in the crossfire.

A Mu Family Elder dressed in sea-blue brocade robes appeared in time, cupping his hands and smiling:

"Two Sect Masters, the auction is about to begin, please take your seats. Fire Turtle Mountain arrived at the Earth-grade One box first, so we will follow the rules. If Chiling Pavilion is interested, Earth-grade Two also has a broad view and is not far away."

Zhu Chixiao stared at Tu Wanxiong for a moment, finally snorted coldly, flicked his sleeves, and turned toward the Earth-grade Two box:

"Consider yourself lucky!"

Not to mention the East Sea Chamber of Commerce, the Mu Family itself was a force on the same level as her Chiling Pavilion. Since this Mu Family Elder had stepped in, she had to give him some Face.

Tu Wanxiong didn't care, striding into the number one box.

Earth-grade Two was adjacent to One; after both sides entered, the hostility permeating between them could still be faintly felt.

In the loose seating, a Cultivator lowered their voice and laughed:

"As expected, the two started arguing as soon as they were together. But that's fine, consider it a prelude to the show."

"With Fire Turtle Mountain and Chiling Pavilion together, this auction is bound to be incredibly lively today."

The Cultivators who entered subsequently were much more low-key.

Several Undergoing Tribulation or Void Tempering Loose Cultivators entered the rear boxes with their attendants, keeping a low profile. Representatives of seventh-grade Sects also arrived one after another, selecting their corresponding seats.

Another moment passed, and a cold, stern figure appeared at the entrance. The man was tall with a severe expression, wearing deep blue robes embroidered with dark wave patterns, his Aura as steady as a mountain.

He brought only two Elders and two Disciples, his steps slow and steady, his gaze fixed straight ahead, greeting no one.

"Island Master Nu Canglang of Raging Waves Island."

Someone whispered, "This is a rare guest. He never shows up at ordinary auctions, why did he come today?"

"I heard Nu Canglang's only son died at the hands of the True Demon Realm back then, and since then his personality has become increasingly cold and reclusive, disliking lively places. Him attending today means there is likely something truly worth his effort."

Nu Canglang looked straight ahead, walking directly toward the Earth-grade Three box.

The last to enter were the people from Qingmu Cliff.

There were only two of them: an old man with a simple, ancient Face, followed by a youth. They both looked hurried, their robes still dusty from travel.

"Grand Elder Mao Xiuzhu of Qingmu Cliff, and... the Saint."

Someone in the loose seating muttered, "Why did only he and his Disciple come?"

"I heard Qingmu Cliff has been having intense infighting recently; the Sect Master's faction and the Grand Elder's faction are at each other's throats, it seems they've even started fighting!"

"No wonder they look so dusty, like they just rushed back from somewhere else."

Mao Xiuzhu remained expressionless, taking Senior Brother Han Wuji into the Earth-grade Four box.

After the four major eighth-grade powers arrived, the atmosphere in the hall became even quieter.

Countless gazes drifted toward the entrance, intentionally or not, as if waiting for someone.

Finally, a flash of spiritual light appeared at the entrance.

A figure interwoven with gold and red stepped into the hall first. The person had a feminine yet exquisite Face, wore luxurious gold and red robes, and held a faint, wicked smile at the corners of his lips.

Strangely, this young man's hair was yellow.

Behind the yellow-haired man followed a handsome young man, following closely, sticking to his side like a shadow.

"The Golden Crow Holy Son, Yang Ritian!"

The discussions in the hall instantly quieted down significantly.

Behind Yang Ritian followed an old man with gray hair, a withered Face, and half-closed eyes. His Aura was as deep as the sea, and the slight pressure he emitted made the Cultivators in the nearby loose seats shrink back involuntarily.

Standing beside him was another person. That person had a slender Face, wore silver-gray robes, and had gentle features, looking like a teacher who had no desire for worldly strife.

No one in the loose seating could recognize who that person was. They only felt that anyone who could walk alongside the Golden Crow Holy Son was likely no small character.

Yang Ritian scanned the hall, his gaze resting on the fourth-floor Earth-grade boxes for a moment before moving upward.

Upon looking, his brows immediately furrowed.

The lights in the Heaven-grade One box on the fifth floor were lit!