Chapter 707 701: The Auction Begins

Shen Haoran followed Luo Yu toward the VIP boxes. Along the way, everyone who saw him couldn't help but shrink back, clamping their legs together tightly. They were terrified Shen Haoran would suddenly land a kick on them. Recalling the tragic state of Scorpion Yan's groin, a cold chill ran down everyone's spines.

"Am I really that scary?" Shen Haoran was speechless at everyone's reaction. He turned to ask Long Aotian and Ji Lingxuan beside him.

Hearing this, they both nodded emphatically, then gave Shen Haoran a thumbs-up. This made Shen Haoran's face darken, and he couldn't help but facepalm with a wry smile.

"Honestly, I was actually being merciful!" Shen Haoran cried foul. 'Scorpion Yan was the one who asked me to hit him. I was just granting his wish, so how did I end up getting the blame for this?'

Hearing Shen Haoran's protest, the people around him rolled their eyes. 'You destroyed the guy's family jewels and you call that merciful? Look at Scorpion Yan's condition—he probably won't be able to walk or talk for half a year, let alone laugh. It's a tragic sight! But then again, compared to others who've angered Shen Haoran, his fate is actually pretty good. At least he's still alive. In that sense, Shen Haoran really was merciful!'

The little incident with Scorpion Yan soon passed. The weak are always easily forgotten. Before long, the crowd began to discuss the upcoming auction, their eyes glowing with fervent light. It seemed they had high hopes for this event.

Shen Haoran and his companions sat in the VIP area. The location was excellent; through the large floor-to-ceiling windows, they could see the auction stage and all the seats directly below. There were ten such VIP boxes in total.

"Who's in those other boxes?" Shen Haoran asked, looking at the other nine boxes with some curiosity. Anyone able to sit on this level must hold a high status in the City of Sin. The VIP boxes were special, however; you could see out, but no one could see in.

"They are all influential figures in the City of Sin. Some are Artifact Refiners, some are Alchemists, and others are merchants," Luo Yu explained to Shen Haoran. "However, there are only two you need to watch out for. One is Gan Ning, the City of Sin's Seventh Grade Alchemist. I heard he's attending this auction specifically for that Tier Eight Spirit Beast's Spirit Pill. The other is a lone wolf, Su Chi. He has a strange personality, but he's extremely strong, probably no weaker than me. He's a cultivation maniac and is extremely interested in things left over from Ancient Times. I suspect he's here for whatever is in that final ancient painting."

Hearing this, Shen Haoran frowned slightly and nodded. 'Luo Yu really lives up to his reputation as the second-in-command of the City of Sin. His intelligence is both fast and accurate.' After hearing Luo Yu's descriptions of the two men, Shen Haoran felt a bit of pressure. However, he had no intention of giving up. He was determined to get both of those items. If he couldn't win them at the auction, he would have to resort to violence!

"Welcome to the Hell Auction House! This auction is being held by the strongest expert in the City of Sin, the King of the Ten Thousand Snakes Cave, to celebrate his grand wedding. Many of the lots tonight are also provided by the Ten Thousand Snakes Cave. The rare treasures are countless, and there are even items left over from Ancient Times. So, everyone is in for a treat!" As Shen Haoran was lost in thought, an old man in a black robe walked onto the stage and announced in a clear voice.

The moment the old man's voice fell, the entire hall erupted into fervent cheers. Everyone stared at the auction stage with impatience, eagerly awaiting the start of the auction.

"Alright, without further ado, let the auction begin! Please welcome our auctioneer, who is also the future wife of the King of the Ten Thousand Snakes Cave, Miss Xue Ling!" Seeing the anticipation in everyone's eyes, the old man wasted no more time and directly announced the start of the auction. However, when the crowd heard that the auctioneer was the King's future wife, the entire auction house broke out in an uproar.

"My god, the auctioneer is the King of the Ten Thousand Snakes Cave's future wife? That's some explosive news!"

"What kind of woman could make even the King fall at her feet?"

"Is the King showing off his love for her? This is just unfair!" The crowd murmured, one after another, filling the hall with whispers.

But a moment later, the crowd's chatter came to an abrupt halt. At some point, a woman had appeared on the auction stage—a woman of such arrogant beauty that she instantly captured everyone's attention.

The woman wore a bright red, off-the-shoulder long dress. The fabric was as red as a blooming rose, and even from a distance, the crowd could almost smell a floral fragrance. The hem of the skirt was adorned with diamonds, sparkling like countless beautiful morning dewdrops.

Her every frown and smile was like that of a fairy from a painting, leaving the crowd staring blankly, drooling, with hearts in their eyes. Beautiful. She was simply too beautiful. The crowd couldn't think of any words to describe the woman before them. She was like a soul-snatching enchantress; a single glance or smile was enough to turn their worlds upside down. No wonder even the King of the Ten Thousand Snakes Cave had fallen for her. 'If I met a woman like that,' they thought, 'even if she asked me to die for her, I'd probably do it willingly.'

"As expected of the woman chosen by the King of the Ten Thousand Snakes Cave. She's simply divine!"

"After seeing her, I finally know what true beauty is. Compared to her, my wives are hideous!"

"If I could be this woman's husband, I'd be willing to be reborn as a pig in my next life!"

Below the auction stage, the crowd stared at Xue Ling in her red dress, their faces flushed and their eyes filled with burning desire. For these men, a beautiful woman was a fatal temptation.

In contrast to the crowd's awe, Shen Haoran's expression, from within the VIP box, turned extremely grim. The entire box was enveloped in a thick, murderous aura. Feeling the change in Shen Haoran's presence, Ji Lingxuan, who knew him best, understood. Shen Haoran was angry. Truly angry.