"Swish, swish..."
The sound of footsteps grew incessant, the tension thickening in the air!
Yi Feng had yet to reach the stage, yet the terrifying pressure around him intensified!
Guests of all kinds stepped aside, and even the guards at the stage tensed up. Despite being Heaven-rank cultivators, they dared not act recklessly—they felt utterly insignificant!
In just a few steps.
The entire venue fell into dead silence, the oppressive aura freezing over a hundred guests in place!
Witnessing this scene.
From the Earth-class private booth above, the confident Lu Renkuang narrowed his eyes, a flicker of battle intent surfacing in his gaze.
"This man can intimidate the entire crowd—he must have some skill. It seems he came prepared. Interesting."
In the other booths, two sect masters also peered down in shock.A faint glimmer of hope arose in their eyes, praying this young man could disrupt Lu Renkuang’s ambitions of seizing the treasure. If chaos erupted, they could seize the opportunity to act—nothing would be better!
As Yi Feng continued forward.
All eyes in the venue, each harboring their own schemes, covertly turned toward the stage.
Under the scrutiny of the crowd, Liu Yuantai’s eyes narrowed.
Today’s grand event was of utmost importance—not the slightest mishap could be tolerated. Yet, this mysterious figure had appeared, suppressing the entire assembly with his presence. His cultivation seemed formidable, and his origins were highly suspicious.
To avoid trouble, he had to act swiftly!
Just as he prepared to give the order to strike.
He suddenly noticed—the approaching man was smiling!
That faint smile flashed by in an instant, but it didn’t escape Liu Yuantai’s sharp eyes.
He saw it clearly, and it unsettled him.
That natural, expectant grin was no bluff. In such a situation, only absolute confidence could allow someone to remain so composed!
This man seemed utterly assured, disregarding everyone present!
Could his cultivation truly be so overwhelming?
Enough to scorn over a dozen Heaven-rank guards?!
As doubt arose, Liu Yuantai instinctively lowered his gaze—only to realize the guards before the stage had stiffened, as if already defeated before the fight!
This…
A chill ran down Liu Yuantai’s spine.
He had witnessed many grand scenes and wouldn’t show weakness easily, but even he felt the mounting pressure from this subtle anomaly.
These guards were all Heaven-rank first-tier cultivators.
A dozen such experts might not be considered formidable in the Inner Islands, but in Sunlight Island, they were more than enough to suppress most situations. Yet this man had cowed them all—his strength far exceeded expectations.
He truly had some background.
However, no matter who he was or how strong, he could not be allowed to ruin the Young Lady’s plans!
The pressure in his heart rising, Liu Yuantai secretly released his divine sense to probe.
But it was like throwing mud into the sea—he sensed nothing!
This man’s cultivation was on par with his own!
Liu Yuantai’s shock deepened!
As Yi Feng took step after step, a grave battle intent finally surfaced in Liu Yuantai’s eyes.
It seemed he would have to act personally.
With a single step forward, the entire venue focused on him.
Ordinary guests and the three great sects in the upper booths alike widened their eyes, even releasing their divine senses, ready to watch the spectacle unfold!
A great battle seemed imminent!
Yi Feng, too, was delighted, his eyes turning fierce as he strode forward boldly!
Yet.
The moment Liu Yuantai took that step, he froze in place!
His heart quaked, his pupils trembling!
Coldness—
An overwhelming, bone-chilling dread washed over him!
That icy sensation, like the instinct of impending death, dredged up memories of a past horror, paralyzing Liu Yuantai where he stood.
Such terrifying pressure—he had only felt something remotely similar years ago, in the headquarters of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion, when he encountered a certain esteemed figure. But even that paled in comparison to today.
This man’s strength was beyond his ability to oppose!
No wonder!
No wonder the entire venue had been too afraid to act—this man was a monster!
Now that he had felt the horrifying aura up close, Liu Yuantai’s heart pounded wildly. He dared not move another inch, silently gripping the jade slip hidden in his sleeve!
His forward momentum came to an abrupt halt!
The sudden pause stunned the entire crowd.
Hundreds of guests below widened their eyes in disbelief!
In the three private booths above.
The sect masters frowned, their expressions shifting rapidly as they stood frozen behind the carved railings, staring in shock!
They had heard rumors of Liu Yuantai.
A scion of an appraisal family, his cultivation was extraordinary—reportedly at Heaven-rank third-tier, comparable to a sect master. If not for his temperament, he would never have come to Sunlight Island!
This elder was the Myriad Treasures Pavilion’s trump card in Sunlight Island!
Yet even he had been intimidated into stillness?!
Just how strong was that man?!
Seeing even Liu Yuantai subdued, Lu Renkuang’s heart also filled with unease. A foreboding sense of disaster crept in as he stealthily released his divine sense to probe.
But he, too, sensed nothing!
Instantly.
The sect master’s brows knitted tightly, panic rising in his chest!
In the opposite booth.
The other two sect masters also probed with their divine senses. After a moment of shock, delight flickered in their eyes!
Everyone had been suppressed!
No one had expected this unremarkable stranger to possess such overwhelming power. The auction, once a foregone conclusion, now seemed poised for upheaval!
With even the three great sect masters shaken, the guests below were petrified, standing frozen in reverence, their bodies trembling with fear!
The entire venue fell so silent that even a needle’s drop could be heard!
……
Third floor of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion.
In an elegant tea room, a graceful woman in a flowing dress poured tea, her jade-like fingers flawless, as if part of a painting.
She gently slid the cup forward, her voice soft as pearls falling onto jade.
"Elder Chen, please enjoy the tea."
The white-browed elder across from her smiled and nodded.
"Many thanks, Young Lady."
Merely inhaling the aroma, the elder’s face relaxed in contentment, and he praised again.
"Millennium tea crystals are exceedingly rare. For Lady Lu to share such a treasure with this old man speaks volumes of your generosity. Truly befitting a direct descendant of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion. Your future is boundless."
Lu Xinlan inclined her head modestly, responding with grace.
"You flatter me, Elder Chen."
"If I can complete my trial and return to headquarters, I will surely repay your kindness. This auction is of great importance—to ensure its success, I must rely on Elder Chen’s presence, despite the thousands of miles you traveled."
The white-browed elder stroked his beard, chuckling.
"You honor me too much, Young Lady."
"With Brother Liu overseeing the event, this old man may not even need to act. Once you return to headquarters, I shall shamelessly claim this favor."
As the two conversed pleasantly, the auction below suddenly fell into eerie silence.
The unnatural stillness made them pause, their expressions turning puzzled.
Then—
Crack!
A small jade slip on the tea table shattered to pieces!
Lu Xinlan’s beautiful eyes widened in alarm, her face darkening.
"It’s Elder Liu’s distress signal! Something has gone wrong at the auction—perhaps interference from outside forces!"
Chen Jiudao set down his cup calmly, clasping his hands with a smile.
"Do not fret, Young Lady."
"It seems someone insists on making this old man intervene. Very well. Once I return, I shall enjoy this tea with a clear conscience!"
His tone was unreadable, yet brimming with domineering confidence.
Lu Xinlan nodded, her composure restored.
She rose immediately and stepped out, the two descending the stairs.
Before they even reached the second floor—before they could see the venue—an arrogant voice thundered through the air!
"Well? Cat got your tongue?"
"What kind of pathetic Treasure Pavilion is this? Letting others trample all over you—how can you stand for this?!"
Such audacious words!
Utterly shameless!
Lu Xinlan and Chen Jiudao exchanged glances, their eyes blazing with fury in an instant!