Chapter Twelve: Turmoil at the Auction House

As his words fell, he likewise raised his palm, enveloped in a fierce gust of wind, and suddenly struck out!

“You insolent brat, watch me smash you to pieces with a single punch!”

A cruel smile twisted Yuluo’s face; he was determined to personally execute this insolent fool who dared to defy him and the dignity of the auction house!

The clash of fist against palm sent two powerful gusts tearing apart instantly.

Yuluo’s expression abruptly changed in shock.

He sensed an overwhelmingly domineering force surging through his arm, crashing over him like a tidal wave.

Crack!

In mere moments, the sound of bones snapping echoed from his arm as his body was blasted aside like a shattered blood bag, flying far away.

“Ah!!!”

A piercing scream shattered the silence, causing the entire place to fall still.

Countless eyes converged on Huo Qing, their gazes shaken.

This guy had knocked a nascent Spirit Realm opponent clean off with a single punch?

Those who had initially come to watch for amusement now swallowed their disdain, their appraisal of Huo Qing tinged with newfound caution.

“Tell me, do I now have the qualification to enter this auction house?”

Huo Qing’s face was cold and indifferent as he looked down from above at the heavily injured Yuluo on the ground.

“Heh heh, young friend, your strength is indeed formidable, certainly enough to qualify. Earlier, Yuluo offended you—allow me to apologize on his behalf,”

said an elderly man in gray robes who stepped forward, bowing respectfully toward Huo Qing.

His expression was kind as he smiled warmly.

“Is that… Meng Yuanping, the auction house master?”

A murmur of recognition swept around, clearly the attendees were familiar with this illustrious elder.

Huo Qing glanced at him calmly, nodding slightly, but said nothing.

He sensed today’s events were not so simple; though unable to uncover any clues for now, he would let it pass.

“Heh heh, young friend, please come in first. I will arrange a VIP room for you, as a small token of apology.”

Meng Yuanping lowered his posture considerably.

Upon hearing this, Huo Qing exchanged a glance with Ye Hongling and then stepped inside.

They walked down a long corridor, eventually stopping before the door of a lavishly appointed room.

“Heh heh, both of you, the auction is about to begin. Please take your seats,”

Meng Yuanping said with a smile as he gestured toward the room.

…

The auction soon commenced.

The atmosphere erupted instantly; many people craned their necks, eyes burning with intensity as they stared at the stage.

Huo Qing straightened in his seat, a trace of tension stirring within him.

If he failed to acquire anything related to the Demonic Suppression Pill at this auction, the demonic energy within him would surge uncontrollably once more. Unless he broke through to the Spirit Realm, resistance would be nearly impossible.

“Three days left…”

Huo Qing clenched his fist. At that moment, a clear, melodious voice sounded nearby.

“Look quickly, the first auction item.”

He furrowed his brow and looked over to see Meng Yuanping approaching with a smile. Behind him, two beautiful maidens carried a tray holding a grotesque bone.

The surface of the bone was smeared with fresh blood, filling the air with a pungent stench.

“Heh heh, everyone, this is the first item of our Black Magic Auction—a skull from a third-grade Iron Rhinoceros Beast. It greatly benefits practitioners who cultivate bovine spirit techniques.”

“Starting bid: three thousand spirit crystals!”

As the words fell, the hall erupted with bidding calls; ultimately, the skull was sold to an elderly man in black robes for six thousand spirit crystals.

Huo Qing watched listlessly as item after item was presented. Time passed quickly.

“Heh heh, next we have something I’m sure will pique interest—a fire-element avian spirit beast’s essence blood, classified as a fourth-grade item, comparable to a practitioner at the Fusion One Realm. Its value needs no further explanation,”

Meng Yuanping said with a beaming smile, pulling back a curtain to reveal three jade bottles.

From within the bottles radiated intense heat; the scalding liquid seemed to emit a clear birdcall.

“Starting bid: eight thousand spirit crystals!”

Huo Qing raised an eyebrow at the fire-element essence blood. Was this not similar to the sword technique Ye Hongling had just displayed?

He glanced back to find Ye Hongling’s eyes burning with intensity, her gaze fixed firmly on the fiery bottles.

“Eight thousand five hundred!”

“Nine thousand!”

Bids quickly followed.

Within mere moments, the price for the fire-element spirit beast’s essence blood soared to thirteen thousand spirit crystals.

“Thirteen thousand, once!”

“Thirteen thousand, twice!”

At this moment, Ye Hongling took a deep breath, then stood and declared in a deep voice:

“Fifteen thousand spirit crystals!”

No one outbid her.

Just as Ye Hongling’s face brightened, confident in her unbeatable bid, a light laugh rang out unexpectedly:

“Eighteen thousand spirit crystals.”

The calm voice immediately quieted the room.

Only those of high status—prominent families or sects—could afford such sums.

Everyone turned to see a man in luxurious purple robes reclining in his chair. His complexion was pale, his features strikingly handsome and ethereal. At this moment, he tapped a finger lightly on his seat.

A faint smile gleamed in his eyes as he looked distantly toward Ye Hongling.

Ye Hongling’s gaze locked onto the man, her entire body suddenly trembling violently. As their eyes met, a fierce murderous intent surged forth instantly.

The crowd stared at the strange standoff in confusion.

Ye Hongling’s eyes reddened; she clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging deep into her palms.

Crimson blood trickled out.

Suddenly, a palm rested on her shoulder. She slowly raised her head to find Huo Qing staring at her.

“Don’t worry. Anyone who dares harm you will have to get past me first.”

Huo Qing smiled faintly.

Quick-witted as he was, he immediately sensed the deep grudge between Ye Hongling and that man.

Standing, he calmly declared:

“Twenty thousand spirit crystals.”

A roar of astonishment swept through the hall. Everyone looked at Huo Qing incredulously—this plain-looking guy could afford twenty thousand spirit crystals?

“Huo Qing, forget it. You only have fifteen thousand spirit crystals and want to buy that Demonic Suppression Pill,”

Ye Hongling said in surprise, tugging on his arm.

But Huo Qing shook his head.

“Separate matters. I suspect this man deliberately targeted us earlier, and now he’s maliciously obstructing your bid. I have to give him a taste of his own medicine.”

Since Ye Hongling was not in good condition, he didn’t ask directly about her relationship with the man or the nature of their feud.

He only knew that Ye Hongling had helped him. Anyone who opposed her would have to answer to him, Huo Qing.

Even if he couldn’t win, he would at least make that man miserable.

Upon hearing Huo Qing’s bid, the man narrowed his eyes slightly and murmured:

“Twenty-five thousand.”

“Twenty-eight thousand.”

“Thirty-two thousand.”

“Thirty-five thousand.”

His expression visibly darkened; the price was becoming absurd.

“Forty thousand!”

Finally, the man stood, eyes coldly fixed on Huo Qing.

Huo Qing smiled faintly and replied nonchalantly:

“Forty thousand? I can’t even come up with thirty thousand. If you want it, it’s yours.”