The mere mention of the treasure’s name sent the high-ranking members of various factions leaping to their feet.
Hundreds of pairs of eyes locked onto the stage, gleaming with the avarice of starving wolves.
As Elder Liu slowly opened the five-colored treasure chest, $2 verdant immortal herb came into view—its five nearly translucent leaves and intricate jade-like veins seized the crowd’s attention, eliciting gasps of awe.
"Five Leaves United! It’s truly the legendary Fifth-Grade Soul-Calming Herb!"
"Holy shit!"
"To think the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion would unveil such a treasure today—this old man is truly witnessing a miracle!"
"Even I’ve never laid eyes on such a priceless artifact before!"
"Obtaining this would surpass millennia of spiritual enlightenment!"
"No wonder the three great Heavenly Sects are here in person—this explains everything!"
As heated discussions erupted, the crowd surged forward.Among them, of course, were those with ill intentions.
Yet as the excited masses pressed closer, the sight of the numerous Heaven-tier guards at the stage’s edge and the unshakable Elder Liu atop it dampened their fervor, forcing them to halt in wary hesitation.
Even so, the atmosphere in the venue had reached its peak!
Up in the private balcony seats, $2everal figures finally rose from their chairs. Even through the gauzy curtains, the feverish glint in the eyes of these titans betrayed their barely restrained excitement.
In the Yellow-tier private booth, $2 bearded man clenched his fists, his gaze fixed on the herb below.
"The Fifth-Grade Soul-Calming Herb!
How could the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion be mad enough to auction such a treasure?!"
Behind him, an elder whispered urgently via sound transmission,
"Sect Master! Given our Blazing Sun Heavenly Sect’s financial strength, securing this treasure will be nearly impossible. Even if we ally with the Quicksand Society, we may not outbid Lu Renkuang!"
"If he obtains it, his strength will soar, and the Mad Blade Heavenly Sect may dominate the island. When that happens, our two sects will struggle to survive!"
"Why not take a gamble and seize it by force?!"
Hearing his subordinate’s bold suggestion, Luo Pengfei, the Blazing Sun Heavenly Sect’s leader, narrowed his eyes. After a moment’s deliberation, he hurriedly took out a jade slip to send a covert message.
A few tense seconds later, he received a helpless reply:
"Do not act recklessly. If the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion and Lu Renkuang retaliate together, our two sects will be annihilated!"
Luo Pengfei gritted his teeth in frustration.
His gaze lingered on Elder Liu and the treasure for a few more seconds before he finally slumped back into his seat, his face twisted with bitter resignation.
Next door, in the Mysterious-tier booth, the white-haired sect master of another faction looked ashen-faced.
While the hall below buzzed with excitement, the upper level was eerily silent—a stark contrast, like ice and fire.
Yet in the Earth-tier booth, a soft chuckle broke the stillness.
Lu Renkuang stood with his hands behind his back, his sharp eyes fixed on the treasure below, exuding unwavering confidence.
A elder behind him bowed with a smile.
"Sect Master’s foresight is impeccable. As expected, those two hesitated, and no one below dares to covet this treasure. The Fifth-Grade Soul-Calming Herb will surely be yours!"
Lu Renkuang stroked his beard with pride.
"Hmph.
"Those two have been renowned on this island for years—they’re no fools. The Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion wouldn’t dare display such treasures today without absolute confidence. Do they not understand this?"
"Anyone who dares to covet this treasure will face the wrath of both me and the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion. Attempting a robbery today is suicide—do you think there are idiots like that on this island?"
Everything was going exactly as planned.
Lu Renkuang’s lips curled into a smug smile, his eyes gleaming with triumph.
As he waited calmly, $2lder Liu Yuantai on stage bowed once more, his composed demeanor silencing the crowd. The final auction procedures were about to begin, stirring hushed excitement.
"It’s starting!"
"I wonder which Heavenly Sect leader will claim this treasure?!"
"Isn’t it obvious? It’ll be the Mad Blade Heavenly Sect’s Sect Master!"
"Since Island Master Sa isn’t here, the outcome is already decided."
"True. This treasure already has an owner. Just witnessing it is a once-in-a-lifetime privilege!"
Most of the distinguished guests were no ordinary figures—they had long since discerned the situation.
Faced with such a peerless treasure, even if they harbored secret desires, they dared not act. Provoking the displeasure of a heavyweight would spell disaster!
Nearly everyone had already accepted the inevitable, watching with bated breath.
On stage, $2iu Yuantai felt a wave of relief. The auction, though tense, seemed on the verge of concluding smoothly.
He took a deep breath and spoke solemnly.
"Esteemed guests—"
But just as he began, $2 thunderous roar exploded through the hall!
"Hand over that treasure, or I’ll take your lives!"
Whoosh!
Liu Yuantai’s eyes snapped open, his practiced lines dying in his throat.
The hundreds of guests below froze, their smiles stiffening as if they’d seen a ghost. The murmurs that had just settled now surged anew.
"Holy shit?!"
"Who’s bold enough to rob the auction today?!"
"This guy’s choosing wealth over life!"
"What an absolute madman!"
The crowd erupted in shock, turning to look.
Those in the back swiftly cleared a path, their movements frantic—as if terrified of being mistaken for the fool who’d issued the threat.
Within moments, $2he crowd parted, revealing a lone figure in the corner.
The man stood alone, his attire plain and unremarkable. Though his features were handsome, his face was unfamiliar—clearly not a high-ranking member of any major faction.
As Yi Feng’s sudden declaration hung in the air, the crowd’s bewilderment only grew.
Damn!
There really was someone audacious enough to crash the auction today?!
Was his brain fried?!
After a few seconds of stunned scrutiny, $2ome sneered mockingly, others watched indifferently, and a few even looked on with admiration—all clearly treating this as entertainment, keeping their distance.
Up in the balconies, the three sect masters narrowed their eyes, gazing down at this foolhardy stranger. Though mildly surprised, their expressions remained aloof, as if observing an insignificant insect.
To them, such a clueless minor character was hardly worth attention—let alone capable of causing any real waves.
The auction’s interruption created an awkward pause.
Liu Yuantai’s eyes turned cold, but he didn’t underestimate the situation. He composed himself and spoke with authority.
"Sir.
"Do you truly intend to oppose the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion today? This old man advises you to reconsider. Do not let greed blind you to certain death!"
As his icy words echoed, $2he guards at the stage’s edge drew their blades in unison!
Steel glinted ominously as their Heaven-tier cultivation erupted, their oppressive aura flooding the space and forcing nearby guests to retreat further.
A ten-foot-wide path now lay empty between the stage and Yi Feng.
Even among these distinguished guests—each a figure of renown—none dared approach under such pressure. The hall fell deathly silent, all eyes fixed on Yi Feng, some already pitying his fate.
Watching the scene unfold, the Heavenly Sect leaders showed little reaction, as if this minor disruption was but a trivial hiccup.
Yet despite their indifference, $2n overwhelming tension now permeated the venue. The guests huddled at the edges, their wary gazes treating the central aisle like a path to hell.
Feeling the weight of the moment, $2i Feng maintained a stern expression—but inwardly, he was overjoyed.
Perfect, perfect…
This is exactly what I wanted!
To ensure the coming bloodshed would be as perilous as possible, he played the part of a ruthless villain, channeling the over-the-top bravado of a classic antagonist.
"Hmph!"
"It's still anyone's game who will emerge victorious—let's do this!"
With those words, the entire hall fell into stunned silence.
The old man on the stage darkened his expression, clearly incensed.
Yi Feng only grew more delighted, fully embodying the domineering aura of a troublemaking bandit as he took an aggressive step forward, his eyes blazing with ferocity. He felt his acting was flawless, as if possessed by the spirit of a legendary outlaw!
Causing a scene in front of so many people—this time, he was absolutely doomed!
As he strode forward, murmurs and pointing spread through the crowd. The tension was palpable, teetering on the brink of eruption. Blood would surely be spilled today!
Guests on either side watched with cold sneers, their expressions dripping with schadenfreude.
But as Yi Feng advanced…
A few on the outskirts suddenly shuddered, as if plunged into an icy abyss. Smiles froze on their faces, and unease flickered in their eyes.
The chilling aura intensified, spreading like frost, and more and more people stiffened where they stood.
To those on the periphery, the once-foolhardy Yi Feng now radiated an overwhelming, terrifying presence. His twisted visage exuded a killing intent so palpable it sent shivers down their spines.
Even among these hardened criminals, none had ever encountered such an oppressive aura. Their limbs turned leaden, and primal fear took root in their hearts.
It was the instinctive dread of death itself!
Many of Sunlight Island's seasoned experts had danced on the edge of mortality, yet never had they felt such an overwhelming premonition—today, it was a thousand times more suffocating.
A single glance at Yi Feng was enough.
An asphyxiating pressure bore down on their minds, leaving the guests paralyzed, not daring to utter a sound.
It was as if they stood before the descent of a demon god.
With every step he took, $2he aura of death drew nearer.
Pale faces multiplied as hundreds of guests recoiled in reverence, as though struck by an arctic gale.