Qingfeng Tower was located right beside the auction hall.
After the auction ended, nearly all the cultivators within the manor made their way, one after another, toward Qingfeng Tower. It was obvious that they had all participated in the bidding and successfully purchased items.
Several female cultivators stood inside the main hall, inviting the cultivators to take their seats one by one before explaining the rules.
Each person held a randomly assigned number. When a number was called, that individual would ascend to the top floor, pay the spirit stones, collect the purchased goods, and then directly escape through the air.
Throughout the entire process, no outsider would know what you had bought.
"5."
Chen Sanshi looked at the wooden token in his hand. The number was not far back in the sequence, so there was no need to be anxious.
The transactions proceeded swiftly. In merely the time it took to drink 2 cups of tea, his number was called.
"Senior Number 5, please ascend the tower to complete your transaction."
Chen Sanshi led Dongfang Jingxing upstairs, one before the other. The confidentiality measures were primarily for the cultivators themselves; if they trusted each other, they could naturally bring companions along.
The two female cultivators guiding them stopped and gently pushed open the door.
Inside the private room, Young City Lord Jiang Li sat upright in a deer-antler chair. At his side stood Changsun Miao in purple robes, and behind them was a row of guards from the City Lord's Manor.
Noticing that the two entering faces were unfamiliar, Jiang Li discreetly transmitted his voice, "Zhang Hu, this man is not from Northern Yang Dao?"
"That's correct."
The cultivator surnamed Zhang explained.
This auction had also drawn a few rogue cultivators from outside Northern Yang Dao—around 5 or 6 in total.
"Young City Lord, rest assured. This person not only purchased a large quantity of demonic artifacts but also bought many cultivation furnaces. In terms of total transaction amount, he ranked among the highest in the entire auction."
Jiang Li did not dwell on it. Rising with a smile, he greeted them, "Fellow Daoist Lin Fan, this is our first meeting. A pleasure, a pleasure."
"Young City Lord, you are too courteous."
Chen Sanshi went straight to the point. "May I inspect the items I previously won?"
"Of course, of course."
Jiang Li smiled amiably and took several storage bags from his sleeve, retrieving the purchased goods according to their assigned numbers.
There were both demonic and orthodox items, arranged in midair in great quantity. Together, they were worth a considerable sum—a truly substantial transaction.
He spoke in a friendly tone, "Fellow Daoist Lin Fan, you may rest assured. Although this auction was organized on short notice, my Jiang family is, after all, the ruler of Ronghua City. As the lord of a city, we conduct our affairs with credibility.
"I have heard that Fellow Daoist is a rogue cultivator from Canghai Dao. Would you be interested in staying in Ronghua City as a guest elder? At the very least, cultivation furnaces would certainly not be lacking for you. With your aptitude, given time, you will surely become a great cultivator of the late stage of Foundation Establishment."
In Northern Yang Dao, a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator was already a regional overlord.
Chen Sanshi ignored the latter half of the statement and merely glanced over the goods. "I am grateful for Young City Lord Jiang's favor. However, I am merely passing through to visit a junior. After this, I will be traveling elsewhere and cannot remain long."
"Very well."
Jiang Li showed a trace of disappointment and waved his folding fan, returning all the items to the storage bags. "The total cost of the goods you won comes to 82,320 lower-grade spirit stones. I will charge you a flat 80,000—consider it the price of making a friend."
"80,000 is no small sum."
Chen Sanshi was short on funds; he had only a few hundred spirit stones on hand.
He did not stand on ceremony. Sitting directly in the seat of honor, he observed the tea with his divine sense to confirm it was harmless before instructing Xiao Zhuzi to pour him a cup.
Jiang Li, Changsun Miao, and the guards in the room were somewhat puzzled by his behavior.
"80,000 spirit stones is indeed an expensive figure."
Such a large amount of spirit stones was typically something only those backed by powerful forces, or seasoned bandit cultivators with years of accumulated wealth, could produce.
It was precisely for this reason that Jiang Li had attempted to win him over. He sat down across from him. "However, these items would not be sold at such prices elsewhere.
"And allow me to remind you—the rule of the auction is that once the hammer falls, the deal is final. Even if Fellow Daoist changes his mind, you cannot go back on your word. Otherwise, you would be breaking the rules."
Chen Sanshi set down his teacup. "How about we make a different deal?"
"Oh?"
Jiang Li spread open his folding fan and smiled. "Let us hear it."
"Very well."
Chen Sanshi looked up at the beams overhead and began listing them one by one as though counting treasured possessions. "The Jiang family's Young City Lord auctions demonic artifacts and pills, spreads demonic techniques, sells boys and girls as cultivation furnaces for cultivators, and is suspected of colluding with the demonic sect. Any one of these offenses alone would be intolerable to the world, would it not?"
The moment these words fell, the entire room plunged into dead silence.
The private room, already quiet to begin with, became so silent that even breathing seemed to vanish.
The faces of those from Ronghua City changed drastically.
"Very well."
After a moment, Jiang Li let out a cold laugh. "I understand now. Fellow Daoist, are you threatening me?"
"Interesting."
Changsun Miao, who had remained silent all along, stood up and sneered. "What is the point of saying such things?"
"Simple."
Chen Sanshi replied calmly, "The Jiang family has violated the statutes. The punishment is already death. However, I can give you a chance. From this day forth, reform yourselves and submit to me. Ronghua City and the Jiang family's properties must also be voluntarily surrendered.
"If you do so, those members of the Jiang family who did not participate in this matter may receive leniency."
"Statutes?"
Jiang Li studied him. His expression shifted from disdain to gravity. He subconsciously stood and stepped back. "The statutes of Heavenly Water Isle? Are you people from the upper sect?!"
"No."
Dongfang Jingxing took over, his sharp voice laced with malice. "The statutes of Great Han—the laws of the Heavenly Court!"
"Great Han?"
Jiang Li searched his memory for the term. Before he could place it, a river suddenly surged into existence in the void. Azure waters roared forward, instantly obscuring his entire field of vision.
Before he could react, he felt his head separate from his body, tumbling backward until everything sank into darkness.
With a flick of his finger, Chen Sanshi sent forth a fireball that rapidly expanded like a rolling snowball, engulfing the cultivator surnamed Zhang.
Zhang Hu hastily formed a water-attribute barrier before him. Yet the difference in realm crushed him utterly, and within the fireball it seemed as though thousands upon thousands of ferocious beasts were charging. His barrier did not last even a single instant before completely dissolving. His entire body turned directly into a heap of ashes.
Chen Sanshi reached out and swept all the storage bags from the Young City Lord into his possession—nearly encompassing everything from the entire auction.
All of it occurred within a single instant.
"Young City Lord!"
"Y-you intend to rob us openly?!"
Someone finally reacted.
"Rob? This is a confiscation!"
Dongfang Jingxing's voice rang out loudly. "You scum spread demonic arts and use the common people as cultivation furnaces and fuel. Your crimes merit death ten thousand times over—your entire clan should be exterminated!"
"Xiao Feng?!"
Changsun Miao, standing to the side, stared at the Water-Element True Force before him. He suddenly recalled his encounter years ago at Little Bamboo Peak, and his face twisted viciously.
At the same time, commotion erupted outside Qingfeng Tower.
"This is bad!"
"Demons are killing people!"
The entire Qingfeng Tower descended into chaos.
"Well done, Xiao Feng! You are even connected with the demon court of Eastern Divine Continent. I have searched for you for a long time. Who would have thought you would dare return to seek death!"
With a furious roar, Changsun Miao stomped his foot. His hands formed seals so quickly they blurred into afterimages, summoning a massive stone pillar that crashed down upon his opponent.
Thick Earth Art!
Boom—
Walls of golden-glowing earth rose before Chen Sanshi. The collapsing heavenly pillar smashed into them and shattered apart instantly. Instead, the mana contained within it was absorbed by the earthen wall, swelling into a mountain-like force that slammed back toward its caster.
Changsun Miao was shocked. Hastily stepping onto his flying sword, he retreated backward. When the mountain descended, it blasted a gaping crater into the ground. The entire pavilion trembled violently, on the verge of collapsing.
No sooner had Changsun Miao steadied himself than his opponent was already before him. The longsword infused with True Force transformed once more into a surging river. In panic, he summoned a pitch-black shield before him and continuously poured mana into it.
He was a cultivator of the middle stage of Foundation Establishment.
Chen Sanshi, on the other hand, whether in immortal cultivation or martial cultivation, possessed only combat strength comparable to the early stage of Foundation Establishment.
In a direct contest, he would not necessarily be inferior. He finally managed to stabilize himself.
With a furious shout, Changsun Miao produced a jade-green seal in his palm. With a flick of his sword finger, the beast head upon the seal spewed forth幽-green blazing flames, within which one skeleton after another and sinister spirits lunged forward with clawing fangs.
Yama Seal, Netherworld Ghost Flame!
Chen Sanshi once again unleashed Myriad Beast Fierce Flame. But not long after the two flames collided, his fire began to be devoured by the Netherworld Ghost Flame.
Thick Earth Art appeared once more. Even through the earthen wall, he could feel the searing pain brought by the Netherworld Ghost Flame. Yet the remaining flames were swiftly absorbed by Thick Earth Art, then transformed into a mountain burning with幽-green flames, smashing back toward its attacker.
Accumulation and Release!
"What?!"
Changsun Miao knew better than anyone the power of his own flames. How could he dare to withstand it head-on? He retreated in near disarray.
Having been rebounded twice in succession, he found it hard to believe. "The Mountain-Moving Sect's secret technique?!"
Dong!
Chen Sanshi stepped forward. In his hand, the Xuanyuan Sword flowed like a long river grasped in his palm. The Seven Orifices and even his four limbs surged with the rushing Heavenly River, as though he were sailing downstream toward his target. Behind him, streak after streak of azure sword qi burst forth from the water. Their numbers were like locusts blotting out the sky. The razor-sharp sword qi directly overturned the beams of the pavilion, crashing down overwhelmingly toward the purple-robed Daoist.
Changsun Miao once again raised his shield.
Yet as the sky-filling sword qi swept in, they suddenly merged into one, transforming into a gigantic sword more than 1 zhang tall and as wide as an embrace, descending from the heavens.
Boom—
Sword qi swirled, killing intent surging like a tidal wave.
With a single strike, the shield suspended before Changsun Miao could no longer withstand the force. It slammed heavily back against him. He fell forward to his knees and crashed onto the ground, shattering tables, chairs, and teacups into pieces.
"The Heavenly Sword Sect's Myriad Swords Return to One?! Who exactly are you?!"
Before his doubt could even be voiced, towering waves had already reached him. A flash of cold light thrust out from within. With no further obstruction, it pierced straight through his heart. The blade twisted. In an instant, his heart turned into pulp, and the rest of his internal organs were shredded under the ravaging True Force.
Changsun Miao could only rely on instinct, clutching the sword embedded in his chest with both hands. When his final breath was exhausted, he lowered his head unwillingly and died.
Though Chen Sanshi was inferior to his opponent in both immortal cultivation and martial cultivation individually, when the two were combined and flexibly applied, dealing with a middle-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator posed no difficulty.
"Th-this—"
On the other side, Dongfang Jingxing, his expression dark and sinister, merely waved his hand. Several early-stage Qi Refining cultivators were instantly torn into pieces. A closer look revealed that around his pale, slender fingers were strands of colorless Heavenly Silkworm threads.
With the successive deaths of Young City Lord Jiang Li and Changsun Miao, and half the pavilion collapsing in the spell battle, Luoxia Manor had long fallen into complete chaos.
Most of the cultivators had no idea what was happening and had no desire to involve themselves in the fighting. They had only come to auction items. Immediately, they fled in all directions.
At the same time, news spread through various voice-transmission methods. Not far away, Ronghua City dispatched large numbers of cultivators at once. The Demon-Suppressing Guards patrolling various areas also converged rapidly.
"This place is not suitable to stay long. Rescue whoever can be saved, then leave at once."
Chen Sanshi took Changsun Miao's storage bag and rose into the air on his flying sword.
Dongfang Jingxing followed closely behind.
Shangguan Siheng and the others had prepared a flying vessel in advance. After loading the boys, girls, and women with spiritual roots, they swiftly departed from Luoxia Manor as well.
"Branch Master, this is bad!"
Duan Silu, who had been scouting outside, arrived through the air and reported, "Recently, all factions have strengthened patrols throughout Northern Yang Dao. Large numbers of personnel are scattered nearby. Upon receiving the voice transmissions, they are rushing here immediately. We will soon be overtaken."
Sure enough.
After 100 breaths, cultivators appeared in the skies ahead, behind, left, and right. They were densely packed—so numerous that their numbers were impossible to distinguish at a glance.
"Do not panic!"
Shangguan Siheng reassured them. "Proceed according to Fellow Daoist Xiao's original plan!"
The group formed into a neat formation and broke through toward the grand canyon dozens of miles ahead.
Ronghua City.
City Lord Jiang Shang, the Eighth Prince of Great Song Zhao Xun, and several demonic cultivators were gathered together, laughter ringing throughout the hall as they conversed.
Suddenly, a trusted subordinate burst into the chamber.
"City Lord, Eighth Prince, something terrible has happened—something terrible!"
Interrupted, Jiang Shang's expression darkened with displeasure. "Speak."
"The Young City Lord—he's dead!"
The cultivator stammered from agitation. "Today at Luoxia Manor, a group suddenly appeared, claiming to be from that mortal dynasty of Eastern Divine Continent. They seized all the auction goods and, after killing the Young City Lord and Senior Changsun, departed brazenly!"
The news struck like thunder.
"What did you say?!"
Jiang Shang's eyes turned blood-red in an instant. With a flash, he appeared before the man and seized his collar tightly. "What were you all doing?!"
"There were also people from the Zhuxian Sect there. Their strikes were swift and fierce, and there were even late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators among them. We truly were no match, City Lord!"
The cultivator nearly broke into tears.
"Had I known, I would have waited until the auction fully concluded before leaving. This is my fault."
Qiu Yan let out a long sigh. "That mortal dynasty had remained silent for over a decade. Who would have thought that when it reappeared, it would directly strike Heavenly Water Isle? Truly arrogant.
"A mortal court?"
Eighth Prince Zhao Xun let out a cold laugh. "What audacity! The Shengyun Sect has recently been searching for them. I did not expect them to deliver themselves to our door.
"Men! Transmit orders to all Demon-Suppressing Guards within a 200-mile radius of Luoxia Manor. Mobilize immediately. They must all be detained!"