Chapter 78 What is she up to?
Shen Zhaozhao: "Based on my mere nodding acquaintance with Pei Lang during the Newcomer Competition, why would he use the Chixiao Sect's real spirit stone resources to help an outsider like me compete? Just to annoy the Tianyan Sect?"
Don't be naive.
"The larger the sect, the more intricate the complexities and factions there are. Countless eyes are fixed on the top few positions, just waiting for the person in power to make a mistake so they can seize the opportunity to pull them down and take their place."
"If Elder Fenyan really agrees to my request out of respect for Pei Lang, then another elder or disciple might soon exaggerate the matter and report it to their sect leader, saying that Elder Fenyan is colluding with outsiders and betraying his own sect."
"You've been in the Heavenly Evolution Sect for so long, and you still can't understand this simple principle?"
Yan Qiubai was a little bewildered by Shen Zhaozhao's barrage of lectures. He opened his mouth, wanting to retort, but found his mind blank.
What is this person mumbling about?
He doesn't seem to feel anything at all?
In the Tianyan Sect, no matter how much trouble he caused or how big a mess he made, there would always be someone standing firmly behind him.
...Qingxuan.
His senior brother would always be the first to appear, cleaning up his mess and taking care of all the trivial matters that he was too lazy to deal with or found troublesome.
Moreover, his senior brother always seemed to have a gentle and peaceful smile on his face, calm and composed, as if he could hold up the sky with one hand even if it collapsed.
Over time, he actually ignored, or perhaps even forgot, how to write the word "concern".
However, before Yan Qiubai could calm down the inexplicable anxiety in his heart, a clear and melodious sound of a jade chime suddenly rang out from the circular jade palace outside, instantly drowning out all the noise.
The pre-auction has begun.
On the enormous auction stage in the center of the Yuntai Jade Palace, where spiritual light flowed, a middle-aged auctioneer dressed in the robes of the Yuntai Alliance and with a warm smile stood in place.
"Fellow Daoists, your presence here from afar is an honor to the Yuntai Alliance. As is customary, let's have a warm-up auction. Everyone, please do your part to contribute to the great cause of vanquishing the demons."
As soon as the words were spoken, the process began.
The top sects of Lingzhou took the lead in displaying their treasures, which was both a demonstration of their strength and a subtle competition.
Medicine King Valley sent someone to present a thousand-year-old purple-veined ginseng sealed in a cold jade box. The ginseng's whiskers were lively, and the fragrance of the medicine could be faintly smelled even through the box, eliciting a chorus of low praise.
Next up was the Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain, which offered a dark blue-green beast egg covered with mysterious patterns. It was said to be a remnant of some ancient beast, and its aura was deep and powerful, causing many beast-taming cultivators to light up their eyes.
When it was the turn of the Cloud Mist Sword Sect, the style of the scene changed drastically.
A sword cultivator with a stern face and a back as straight as a sword walked forward expressionlessly and slammed a dusty, inconspicuous cloth bag onto the auction stage.
The auctioneer's professional smile froze for a moment as he carefully untied the cloth bag.
Inside, there lay an iron sword whose scabbard was so worn that the base color was exposed, and the blade even showed traces of rust.
Beside the sword lay a crumpled piece of paper, on which were written in extremely unrestrained and flamboyant handwriting: "Cut iron like mud."
Auctioneer: "..."
The cultivators below the stage: "..."
An eerie silence fell over the entire Jade Palace.
Countless gazes swept back and forth between the broken iron sword that could "cut iron like mud" and the note, and the corners of their mouths began to twitch uncontrollably.
I want to laugh.
But look at that sword cultivator from the Cloud Mist Sword Sect who presented his treasure, and the group of fellow disciples behind him who were also carrying broken swords, their eyes as cold as ice...
Forget it, it's common knowledge that sword cultivators are poor, but they are also really good at fighting!
It's not worth getting targeted by a bunch of desperate sword cultivators for such a little fun!
All the restless chirping of crickets was swallowed back, leaving only an awkward but polite silence and the auctioneer's forced calm voice: "Uh... Yunmiao Sword Sect presents an ancient iron sword, starting price... ten high-grade spirit stones."
Upon seeing this, Elder Fenyan of the Crimson Cloud Sect sneered and waved his hand dismissively.
Immediately, a disciple stepped forward and presented a coral tree that was entirely crimson and shimmering with iridescent light. As soon as the coral tree appeared, the surrounding temperature seemed to rise a few degrees, and wisps of red spiritual mist swirled around it.
"Red Cloud Sect, a thousand-year-old earth fire purple jade coral, starting bid, five hundred high-grade spirit stones."
A gasp of amazement erupted from the audience.
Elder Qingxuan didn't even lift his eyelids, only giving a faint nod.
Although Gu Xuanchen's face was still somewhat pale, he forced himself to maintain the demeanor of a chief disciple and personally stepped forward to open a palm-sized jade box carved entirely from ten-thousand-year-old warm jade.
In an instant, a soft and pure golden light poured out, and a lotus with nine crystal-clear golden leaves lay quietly in the jade box. A rich vitality and spiritual energy permeated the air, even subtly overpowering the scorching aura of the purple jade coral.
"Tianyan Sect, one Nine-Leaf Golden Lotus, starting bid: eight hundred high-grade spirit stones."
The uproar from the audience grew even louder, mixed with gasps of surprise.
As expected of the Tianyan Sect, which possesses the Xuanqiong Crystal Vein, this move completely overshadows the Chixiao Sect!
Elder Fenyan's expression was rather unpleasant, and he let out a heavy snort.
Just when everyone thought that Tianyan Sect would once again easily take the lead in this year's pre-auction bidding, with the rest merely playing supporting roles—
A young member of the Yuntai Alliance carefully walked onto the auction stage, carrying a square package wrapped tightly in ordinary gray cloth.
The auctioneer was clearly taken aback for a moment, glancing down at the catalog in his hand before speaking in a slightly strange tone, "Fellow Daoists, the next item is somewhat... special."
"This item was provided by Fellow Daoist Shen Zhaozhao, who participated in this Yuntai Immortal Market."
“Fellow Daoist Shen specifically instructed,” the auctioneer’s expression became somewhat subtle, as if he was carefully choosing his words, “that this item… is too shocking and unconventional, and to avoid causing unnecessary commotion, it is inconvenient to display its true appearance in public.”
"Only the destined person who ultimately wins the bid for this item will be able to see its... unparalleled true appearance after the transaction is completed. At that time, whether or not to bring it out for everyone to appreciate is entirely up to their personal preference."
"???"
The entire Yuntai Jade Palace instantly erupted in discussion.
"What the heck? Shocking? Unparalleled true appearance?"
"Shen Zhaozhao? That name sounds familiar... Ah! Isn't she the one from the newcomer competition... the one who fell out with the Tianyan Sect?"
"Yes, yes, yes! It's her! What's she up to?"
Outside the Tianyan Sect's private room, when Yun Wan'er heard the name "Chen Zhaozhao," her usually gentle and serene face instantly contorted in a grotesque expression.
It's that persistent ghost, Shen Zhaozhao, again!
In the rookie competition, he embarrassed himself in public and resorted to underhanded tactics to prevent him from advancing to the finals, which gave that old bastard Fen Yan the opportunity to point his finger at him and curse him in public!
This debt hasn't been settled yet, and she actually dares to pull this kind of pretentious trick during the pre-auction?!
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