Chapter 705 699: Idiotic Child

Shen Haoran and his companions arrived at Wanshe Mountain. Under the guidance of a black-robed Martial Artist, they climbed up the mountain along a winding path. The sides of the path were teeming with venomous snakes of every color, coiled on the rocks, trees, and plants. The sheer number of them made Ji Lingxuan's and Lady Ya's skin crawl. Fortunately, the snakes could only flick their tongues at the group from the sidelines, as if they didn't dare set foot on the path itself.

Soon, the group reached the summit of Wanshe Mountain, led by their black-robed guide. There, a great hall constructed from mounds of skulls appeared before them.

"This is the venue for the auction. This way, please!" The guide made a welcoming gesture, then immediately headed back down the mountain. There were other distinguished guests who needed him to lead the way.

Staring at the ghastly white hall, constructed from piles of beast and human bones, everyone couldn't help but gasp. 'How many lives did it take to build this? The people of the Ten Thousand Snakes Cave truly are cold-blooded!'

Luo Yu led the group into the great hall. As they entered, they were met with a clamor of voices. Many Martial Artists had already gathered inside. A few were prominent figures from the City of Sin, but the majority were Elders from Sect Clans from beyond the city's walls. The auction held by the Ten Thousand Snakes Cave had been enticing enough to draw them all in.

When the Martial Artists from the City of Sin saw Luo Yu enter, they all came forward to greet him. After all, Luo Yu was the manager of the Underground Boxing Market. Aside from the King of the Ten Thousand Snakes Cave, he was considered the second most powerful person in the City of Sin, so these Martial Artists had to show him respect. However, the Martial Artists from outside the city merely shot Luo Yu an indifferent glance before ignoring him. In their eyes, both Luo Yu and the City of Sin itself were nothing more than a third-rate backwater. If it weren't for this auction, they would never have set foot in this place.

"Manager Luo, we've been eagerly awaiting your arrival! Come, come, please take your seat. We have the VIP section all ready for you!" As soon as Luo Yu appeared, the director of the Hell Auction House rushed out to greet him. This was the second most powerful man in the City of Sin, a major VIP for them. Although the Hell Auction House was technically under the Ten Thousand Snakes Cave, it only handled business matters and didn't get involved in power struggles. In fact, the auction house had once been allied with the Underground Boxing Market before being forcibly suppressed by the King's martial might. If the Underground Boxing Market hadn't had some deep-seated foundations of its own, it would have likely ended up just like the Hell Auction House—subsumed by the Ten Thousand Snakes Cave.

Seeing Luo Yu being escorted away by the staff of the Hell Auction House, the Elders from the outer Sect Clans grew displeased. They had been left standing here for ages without so much as a greeting, yet the manager of a mere Underground Boxing Market was personally escorted to the VIP section by the director. 'This is blatant disrespect!'

"Stop! Can't you see we were here first?" a young man demanded, stepping forward to block Luo Yu's party. "Why does the manager of some paltry Underground Boxing Market get to go to the VIP section while we're left out here in the cold? What kind of auction house are you running? Is this how you treat your guests?"

"And who are you?" the auction house director asked, his brow furrowing in displeasure at the young man blocking their way.

"Listen up. I am Scorpion Yan, Young Clan Leader of the Dragon Scorpion Race. My main family branch is the Central City Green Dragon Clan, and I am the blood nephew of the current Clan Leader of the Cyan Dragon Race! My status is far greater than that of some petty manager of the Underground Boxing Market, don't you think? Shouldn't you be preparing a VIP box for us as well?" the young man declared haughtily. The Martial Artists behind him all lifted their chins, as if basking in some supreme glory.

"Ah, so it's the Young Clan Leader of the Dragon Scorpion Race! No wonder you looked so familiar. What an honor, what an honor!"

"A true hero emerging from the younger generation! To be entrusted by your clan with such an important task at your age... truly admirable, admirable!"

Hearing Scorpion Yan's introduction, the surrounding Martial Artists from outside the City of Sin all gazed at him with fawning expressions. Scorpion Yan lapped up their praise, clearly enjoying the attention.

Shen Haoran, however, watched the preening Scorpion Yan with a hint of confusion. He then glanced at Long Aotian beside him, who was supposed to be the Young Clan Leader of the Central City Green Dragon Clan. But the latter was also staring at Scorpion Yan with a completely baffled expression, as if he didn't know the man at all.

If Long Aotian didn't recognize him, the director of the Hell Auction House certainly didn't. He shot Scorpion Yan a dismissive look and said coldly, "My apologies. The VIP boxes at the Hell Auction House are reserved exclusively for Martial Artists from within the City of Sin. As for outsiders... you can see yourselves to a spot."

The Martial Artists of the City of Sin held no love for the outside Sect Powers. If not for being hunted down by those very powers, a place like the City of Sin would never have come to exist. Consequently, the city's inhabitants deeply resented the so-called "righteous" Sect Clans. 'For this Scorpion Yan to try and use his family name to intimidate the Hell Auction House, he's really barking up the wrong tree!'

The director of the Hell Auction House shoved Scorpion Yan aside and continued leading Luo Yu's group toward the VIP section. The people following Luo Yu all shot Scorpion Yan pitying glances. 'This guy is so naive. Does he really think this is the outside world? Everyone here has lived their life on a knife's edge. Forget the Young Clan Leader of the Dragon Scorpion Race; even if the actual Clan Leader of the Cyan Dragon Race showed up, no one would give him face. Not unless he was a true powerhouse!'

Scorpion Yan's face darkened as he registered the mockery in their eyes. He was the dignified Young Clan Leader of the Dragon Scorpion Race! Wherever he went in the southern territories of the Demon Race, he was treated like a Prince. But now, he was being ignored by a group of what he considered to be low-life brutes. Resentment instantly welled up in his heart.

"Stop! A mere auction house and a piddling Underground Boxing Market dare to treat me this way? Believe it or not, I'll have this place torn down and get my uncle to wipe your entire City of Sin off the map!" Scorpion Yan snarled, a vicious glint in his eyes.

At Scorpion Yan's words, the expressions of every Martial Artist from the City of Sin darkened. They turned in unison, fixing him with deathly stares. An icy killing intent instantly seemed to freeze the air. The anger on Scorpion Yan's face was replaced by terror. Everyone standing here was a prominent figure in the City of Sin, each one having clawed their way out of mountains of blades and seas of fire. The baleful aura radiating from them was far more than a pampered young master like Scorpion Yan could withstand. In an instant, cold sweat soaked through his robes.

"Sigh... so young and reckless," Shen Haoran muttered, shaking his head at the trembling Scorpion Yan. 'It's a miracle he's managed to stay alive this long with a brain like that.'

"Hey, kid! What are you smirking at? You dare to laugh at me? Second Uncle, rip his arms off for me!" Scorpion Yan yelled, pointing a finger at Shen Haoran the moment he saw the smile on his lips. 'I might not be able to beat these brutes from the City of Sin,' he thought, 'but there's no way I can't handle a pretty boy like him!' To Scorpion Yan, Shen Haoran looked like a complete pushover, an easy target ripe for the picking.