Chapter 62: The World is Stirred to Action

Chapter 62: Chapter 62: The World is Stirred to Action

Nanling Mountain, Celestial Derivation Sect.

In the Sect’s Council Hall, Sect Leader Shui Zebo had urgently summoned all the Elders, with the exception of Luo Zefeng, who had gone to the Lingyun Sect to escort the bride.

"Great Elder, please inform the other Elders of the situation. Let’s all discuss how to respond," Shui Zebo said.

Great Elder Li Zeyu nodded, stood up, and swept his gaze across the room. "I’m sure everyone has heard the rumors," he began. "An auction house called Mr. Hong’s has appeared in the Eastern Domain. Over half a month ago, they announced they would be opening a branch in Nanling County City on the eighth day of the twelfth month. They’ll also be holding an auction on opening day. The main point of concern is the items they’re auctioning—every single one is a priceless treasure for a Cultivation Sect like ours."

The crowd began to murmur amongst themselves.

Some wondered about the date, the eighth of the twelfth month. ’Is this auction house deliberately targeting the Celestial Derivation Sect?’

Others discussed whether the Celestial Derivation Sect should send someone to attend the auction.

Li Zeyu tapped lightly on the table before him, and the hall fell silent.

He continued, "The moment we heard this news, the Sect Leader had me investigate. Over the past half-month, I have uncovered some things, but they have only left the Sect Leader and me more perplexed."

"Great Elder, what did you find out?" someone asked.

"This Mr. Hong’s Auction House is extremely mysterious. Their first branch, opened in Lu Yang City, drove all other local auction houses out of business within just a few months. Not only are they immensely wealthy, but every auction they hold—once every ten days—features one to three show-stopping final items. In particular, at an auction half a month ago, they brought out three Top Class Masterwork weapons at once. I also heard that when a Cultivator from a Minor Sect caused trouble, a Nascent Soul Realm Martial Artist appeared on behalf of the auction house and killed several people on the spot. Rumor has it that this Nascent Soul Realm Martial Artist’s Sword Technique and Body Technique are both top-tier."

Hearing this, everyone fell silent.

Fifth Elder Xing Zelin suddenly looked up. "Great Elder, could this Mr. Hong’s Auction House be an enterprise of the Red Blood Mansion?"

Li Zeyu shook his head. "The Sect Leader and I had the same thought, but after careful consideration, it seems unlikely. The Red Blood Mansion’s growth over the past two hundred years has been staggering, it’s true. However, whether it’s them or any of our own Sects, if we possessed so many priceless treasures, we would surely use them to enhance our own strength. Why would we auction them off?"

"Regardless, for Mr. Hong’s to open a branch in Nanling County on such a date, and to present so many valuable treasures, we of the Celestial Derivation Sect must be on our guard. There’s also the matter of the auction itself—should the Celestial Derivation Sect send someone to attend or not?"

After a brief discussion, the group unanimously decided they had to send someone.

After all, with so many treasures on offer, if other Sects obtained even one or two while the Celestial Derivation Sect got none, they would inevitably be surpassed, and their standing would surely decline.

As for taking precautions, that was a given.

They deliberated for half the day. No matter what, the wedding had to proceed as scheduled. After all, the invitations had been sent out half a year ago.

They settled on a defense strategy, who to send to the auction, and how many silver banknotes they should carry.

In addition, they reached another conclusion: Sect Leader Shui Zebo and Great Elder Li Zeyu would make a trip to Nanling County City to meet the Shopkeeper of Mr. Hong’s Auction House and try to sound them out.

From that day forward, the Celestial Derivation Sect appeared relaxed on the outside but was tense within, already seeing enemies in every shadow.

This was an outcome that Ji Bufan and Liu Yicai had likely never anticipated.

「Meanwhile, at the Red Blood Mansion Headquarters on the Three Mountains Archipelago in Celestial Wave Lake.」

Ever since he was killed by Fan Chu over two months ago, then returned and resurrected by a mysterious figure, Yan Ji’s innate talent seemed to have improved significantly.

In just two short months, his Cultivation had advanced more than it had in the previous three years. He had leaped from Tier Two of the Golden Core Realm to Tier Six in that time. Such a speed of improvement was unbelievable, even to Yan Qi.

’Can dying once really lead to an epiphany?’

Furthermore, after coming back to life, besides his inability to go without women, Yan Ji’s personality had changed so much he was like a different person.

He had become far more low-key and reserved.

Yan Qi was gratified by this. If his son could continue on this path, his future achievements might surpass all the prodigies of the Six Sects and Eight Gates of the Eastern Domain.

’I finally have a worthy successor,’ he thought.

At this moment, Yan Qi sat alone in his study, a brush in hand, doodling incomprehensible things on the paper before him.

In truth, he too was thinking about Mr. Hong’s Auction House.

An event of this magnitude had alerted every Cultivation Sect in the Eastern Domain; it was impossible for the Red Blood Mansion to be unaware.

Especially in recent months, using the murder of his only son as a pretext, he had dispatched thousands of disciples across the Eastern Domain to "search" for the killer.

In reality, under the cover of this activity, the Red Blood Mansion had also achieved considerable growth.

In the name of recruiting disciples, they had seized as many as seven large apothecaries, each with assets in the hundreds of millions. The amount of Spirit Medicine they could offer as tribute each year was substantial.

They had also acquired many metal and Jade Mines through extortion and plunder.

It could be said that the resources now held by the Red Blood Mansion already surpassed those of any single one of the Six Sects and Eight Gates.

Moreover, they had taken the opportunity to recruit many disciples with excellent talent.

Unseen by the public, aside from its historical foundation, the Red Blood Mansion’s actual power had already surpassed that of any other Sect in the Eastern Domain.

Therefore, the Red Blood Mansion would certainly attend the auction at Mr. Hong’s Auction House in Nanling County on the eighth of the twelfth month. To bolster the Red Blood Mansion’s foundation, they had to obtain at least half of those items.

If not for the exceedingly mysterious backer behind this auction house, Yan Qi would have even considered taking it over entirely.

At the same time, the Red Blood Mansion also had to "deliver a grand gift" to the Celestial Derivation Sect’s wedding banquet.

The purpose of the alliance between the Celestial Derivation Sect and the Lingyun Sect was common knowledge.

How could Yan Qi, the Sect Leader of the Red Blood Mansion, not be aware of it?

If the Celestial Derivation Sect and the Lingyun Sect were allowed to form their alliance so smoothly, where would the Red Blood Mansion’s pride be?

He was even thinking that while the alliance and the auction held the attention of most of the Eastern Domain, perhaps the Red Blood Mansion should also make a move.

’A surprise attack on the Lingyun Sect, for example?’

’And Zi Wu Gate and the Mixed Element Sect certainly didn’t show me any respect two months ago!’

"Sect Leader, the Second Elder requests an audience."

Just as Yan Qi was contemplating the Red Blood Mansion’s next move, a Sect disciple came to report.

"Let him in!" Yan Qi called out.

A short while later, the Second Elder pushed the door open and entered, announcing immediately, "Sect Leader, the item you instructed me to prepare is ready."

"Oh? Is that so? On the eighth of the twelfth month, you will personally deliver it to the Celestial Derivation Sect," Yan Qi said with a cold smile.

Hearing this, the Second Elder was somewhat taken aback. "Sect Leader, if this is delivered to the Celestial Derivation Sect, our feud with the Lingyun Sect will truly be irreconcilable."

"What does the Lingyun Sect even matter? I just want to see how far the Celestial Derivation Sect is willing to go in their alliance."

"Very well, I know what to do."

"Summon all the Elders and Stewards on the island. The eighth of the twelfth month is an auspicious day. We should discuss how to deliver a grand gift to all the Cultivation Sects of the Eastern Domain."

A sinister, cruel smile spread across Yan Qi’s face.