Chapter 696 - 377: Startling Thunder (Part 2)

Her figure then blurred and transformed into the spitting image of Si Huandou. After performing a Soul Searching Technique on him to learn his life’s habits, she patiently laid in wait.

Her every move was flawless.

...

「Half a month later.」

On the day of the Bidao Grand Auction.

Drawn by the auction’s fame, a massive number of cultivators would flock here from all over the Southern Barbarian lands every time it was held. They all shared the same goal: to bid on Pills.

The Pills produced by the Bihai Sect were extremely famous in the Southern Barbarian Immortal Cultivation World.

Not only were their effects astounding, but they could also be supplied in large quantities.

In comparison, the Pills from Central Earth—once desperately sought after and considered premium products—now seemed to pale in significance.

But beneath this scene of peace and tranquility, a heaven-shaking storm was brewing.

"Who would have thought that a mere Land Beyond Civilization could produce Pills of such quality! No wonder the Gui Miao Sect is willing to pay any price to eliminate Lü Zhong." Inside Bidao Hall, Fang Daoyun spoke with a playful expression as he toyed with a Pill in his hand.

"Why don’t we propose to the Sect that we seize this place?"

"I think it’s not just Bihai. Perhaps the Nether Abyss Continent should be targeted as well," Yan Lianxing added.

Having taken control of Bidao Market, she had learned from the submitted reports that the Bihai Region she was currently in was far more complex than it appeared.

This place was no poor backwater; it was a veritable "Giant Spirit Medicine Garden," capable of producing what could only be described as a heavenly quantity of Spirit Medicines each year.

In a few hundred years, once the Spirit Medicines in the gardens of both regions matured...

The Bihai Sect would likely be able to cultivate Nascent Soul experts in batches.

Not to mention, based on clues from the reports, Yan Lianxing had also uncovered a secret: the Bihai Sect was very likely already refining the Ten Thousand Spirits Liquid. This meant that the target of their mission, Bihai Sect’s ancestor, Star Sun True Monarch Lü Zhong, was already planning for Divinity Transformation.

It was almost unimaginable for a Sect that had risen to prominence in less than a thousand years.

To actually be plotting such a feat.

One had to understand that the Path of Divinity Transformation was fraught with peril. Every step was arduous, demanding not only talent and toil but also an immense consumption of Spirit Stones and other resources.

The more Yan Lianxing thought about it, the more alarmed she grew, and her confidence suddenly wavered.

Fang Daoyun’s expression shifted. Unable to hide his emotions, he spoke quickly, "The Southern Barbarian lands are the Gui Miao Sect’s territory. Due to a past treaty, it’s not convenient for our Celestial Origin Immortal Palace to interfere. Fortunately, Bihai and the Nether Abyss Continent are not included in the agreement."

"But this all hinges on one prerequisite: we must either capture or kill Lü Zhong!"

Otherwise, all of this was just empty talk.

Regarding Lü Zhong’s fate, the two were in complete agreement: it was destined to be a tragic one.

Even if they failed this time, Cangmingzi would personally intervene.

A Nascent Soul Great Cultivator might be powerful, but when facing a Divinity Transformation Grand Venerable, the only outcomes were death or becoming a vassal of the Celestial Origin Immortal Palace. All their painstaking efforts would have been for nothing, merely benefiting another.

There would be no exceptions!

...

While the two were talking, the auction was about to begin.

As the Master of Bidao Market, Si Huandou naturally had to make an appearance on stage. This was the opportunity Fang Daoyun and Yan Lianxing were waiting for, as it would allow them to get close to the "dragon and phoenix" twins.

The consequences of a Great Cultivator getting that close were easy to imagine.

Before long, a maidservant arrived to summon them.

The two exchanged a look, shared a faint smile, and walked out the door.

Enveloped by the sounds of solemn instrumental music, Yan Lianxing, disguised as Si Huandou, now stood on a red carpet. She watched the massive convoy of vehicles approaching from the sky-port, her expression calm as she waited quietly.

Fang Daoyun did not follow her. Instead, he concealed his aura and stood among the crowd to one side.

According to the maidservant’s report, Lü Zhong had not appeared this time.

’Excellent!’ Fang Daoyun was thrilled.

As the convoy drew closer, the targets came into view.

It was none other than Lü Tianwen and Lü Jiuge!

’Hm? No Nascent Soul cultivator is escorting them...’ Fang Daoyun briefly scanned the area, his expression turning to one of astonishment. Even Lü Zhong’s Dao Companion, Yu Feng’Er, hadn’t appeared. This completely contradicted his earlier assessment.

The only strange thing was the four guards accompanying the twins.

He sensed something abnormal about them.

They clearly had only the auras of Foundation Establishment cultivators, yet they contained a shockingly disproportionate amount of Spiritual Qi.

’Not to be ignored, but they don’t pose a threat.’

After a moment of consideration, he came to this conclusion.

A short while later, the convoy stopped in front of the auction hall.

"Elder Si, thank you for coming out to greet us. I heard an Exotic Treasure is appearing at the auction this time. Is that true?" Lü Tianwen asked as he stepped down from the Beast Vehicle. Despite trying his best to appear mature, he couldn’t help but reveal his eagerness, looking every bit the young man he was.

Lü Jiuge, beside him, was more mature, but she too was looking around distractedly, as if she had sensed something.

"Young Master Lü is well-informed. There is indeed an Exotic Treasure at the auction, but..." As Yan Lianxing spoke, she looked nonchalantly at Lü Tianwen before her. Her expression suddenly turned eerie as she released the unique aura of a Great Cultivator, reaching out to immobilize the siblings.

At the same time, Fang Daoyun also made his move.

His targets were none other than the guards accompanying the siblings.

The sudden, shocking turn of events stunned everyone present.

Some cultivators, seeing it as none of their business, retreated to avoid being caught in the crossfire. Others saw an opportunity and prepared to take a gamble. Everyone reacted differently.

Among the crowd, a beautiful woman’s face was etched with anxiety.

Su Caocao had just returned after achieving Nascent Soul Formation. She had wanted to report the good news to her master, Lü Zhong, but she never expected to encounter such a scene. Unfortunately, to avoid revealing her identity, she had been standing far back in the crowd.

At this moment, it was impossible for her to provide timely aid.