Chapter 400 - 351: Auction’s End, Sudden Chaos (2)

If he were to accidentally offend any one of them, his good days would likely be over!

"Two thousand nine hundred Yuan Crystals!"

"Three thousand Yuan Crystals!"

"..."

The bidding at the auction continued, as did the clash of Martial Arts Wills among the Grandmasters. Chen Ping’an listened to their exchange. The others were fine, but when he heard Gu Qingchan refer to herself as "this humble one," he almost lost his composure and couldn’t resist a cynical remark.

’This humble one?! Just how old is she, still calling herself that?’

If he remembered correctly, according to the records in the State Grandmaster Biography, this Ice Soul Divine Needle, Gu Qingchan, was already at the ripe old age of one hundred and twelve!

Hmm!

Wait!

Compared to a Grandmaster’s three-hundred-year lifespan, one hundred and twelve years old really didn’t seem that old. Among Grandmasters, she could even be considered to be in her prime!

’Referring to herself as "this humble one" doesn’t seem like a big deal after all!’

Especially for someone like Gu Qingchan, who was still in her prime among Grandmasters. Her Cultivation was even touching upon the Mid-stage Jade Balance Realm, and it wasn’t impossible that she could advance further in the future and truly set foot into that Realm.

Even among Grandmasters, there were naturally different ranks.

If Gu Qingchan could break into the Mid-Jade Balance Stage, immerse herself for a period of time, cultivate a few respectable Divine Skills, and supplement them with corresponding Secret Techniques and a Divine Weapon, it wouldn’t be impossible for her to achieve supreme renown!

A Grandmaster of this caliber far surpassed ordinary Grandmasters!

It was worth mentioning that a Grandmaster like the Celestial Net Sect’s Seven Extremes Elder had also reached this level in his prime!

However, in recent years, with his lifespan nearing its end, the Seven Extremes Elder had been conserving his strength and had not taken action for many years. His fame was no longer what it once was!

’For all these years, no one knows what stage the Seven Extremes Elder has truly reached. Has his Cultivation fallen into decline? Is he barely maintaining a stalemate? Or... has he taken another step forward?’

’So this is a Grandmaster’s Martial Arts Will? It’s formless and intangible, yet it’s filled with a tremendous sense of pressure! Even an Absolute Master at the Profound Light High Realm couldn’t be completely immune to this level of pressure. In a fight, they’d be completely restricted! In that state, forget about exceeding your normal limits—it would be a monumental struggle just to fight as you normally would.’

Chen Ping’an sensed the marvelous, crisscrossing force field in the space, marveling at it inwardly. He naturally wouldn’t let such an opportunity to experience a Grandmaster’s methods pass him by.

Many people at the auction felt that their trip had not been in vain, being able to personally experience the might of a Grandmaster.

As the Grandmasters bid, the price of the Ruyi Linglong Ring continued to climb. The closer it got to the end, the more the pace of bidding from the various parties slowed.

Clearly, even with the wealth of a Grandmaster, continuing to bid would require some sacrifices. Some might even need to sell off some of the resources they had on them.

"Three thousand six hundred Yuan Crystals!" As an ethereal and pleasant voice rang out across the auction hall, the bidding for the Divine Weapon Ruyi Linglong Ring finally came to a close.

After Li Dongshan confirmed three times, no one else chose to continue bidding. In the end, the Divine Weapon, the Ruyi Linglong Ring, was bought by the Gu Family’s Grandmaster, Gu Qingchan, for the high price of three thousand six hundred Yuan Crystals.

With the final auction item settled, Li Dongshan’s loud announcement brought the Beicang Auction to an official close.

The auction was over, and the hall’s lockdown and temporary security measures were lifted. The attendees got up and prepared to leave in an orderly fashion.

Inside the private box, Chen Ping’an stood up, preparing to leave. The auction was packed with people, and he wouldn’t attract any attention by leaving with the crowd.

’Now that this is over, I should head back to Five Peaks Mountain City! There’s still a lot to deal with!’

BOOM!

Just as Chen Ping’an was about to leave his box, a loud explosion suddenly rang out from outside.

’What’s going on!?’

Chen Ping’an’s heart skipped a beat!

’That sound was loud, not like a normal fight!’

On the central circular stage, Li Dongshan’s expression was grave as he looked towards the source of the sound outside the auction hall. High above, the Vajra Demon-subduing Chain, Xue Kunsheng, stood with a furrowed brow, his gaze sweeping over the entire venue.

BOOM!

Another massive explosion, even louder than the first!

"What was that sound!?"

"What’s happening?"

"I don’t know! It sounded like it came from outside!"

"What’s going on out there?"

The sudden noise sent the auction hall into an uproar.

From outside the hall, a great clamor could be faintly heard, and it was growing louder and more intense.

"Look over there! There’s a fire!"

"No, it’s not a fire. It looks like something just spontaneously combusted!"

"It’s not just one place, it’s happening in several spots!"

"Quick! Let’s go see!"

"..."

The first people to step outside the auction hall immediately saw what was happening. In several locations within Beicang Town, flames shot into the sky amidst plumes of thick smoke. It wasn’t a normal fire, but instantaneous combustion. The explosions accompanying the loud bangs caused the fires to swell to an immense size in an instant.

"Something’s happening outside! Let’s go!"

"What is it?"

"..."

The entire crowd instantly became rowdy. Amidst the clamor, several cries of alarm suddenly rang out.

"AH!"

"NO!"

SPLURT!

Blood spattered across the hall as someone began fighting right there in the venue.

"Murder! Run!"

"Don’t, don’t kill me!"

"You’re courting death!"

"AHH!"

"..."

The crowd descended into chaos. Some fled, some were crushed, and some fought back. Screams and the sounds of battle filled the air.

In an instant, swords and sabers flashed, and powerful gusts of wind erupted!

Xue Kunsheng stood high above, his gaze like lightning. He instantly locked onto a scoundrel who was trying to create chaos and start a fight. He leaped down from his high perch, his figure a blur.

POW!

He struck down with a palm. The scoundrel, whose Cultivation was only at the Inner Qi Realm, was killed in a single blow, exploding into a mist of blood.

"The Vajra Demon-subduing Chain is here! Who dares cause trouble!"

True Qi billowed from Xue Kunsheng’s body as his voice, like thunder, instantly boomed throughout the entire auction hall.

However, the chaos in the crowd continued. Fighting was breaking out everywhere, and for a moment it was impossible to tell who the attackers were and who were the ones fighting back.

The crowd surged madly toward the exit. The elites of the Garrison Commandant’s Office, both inside and outside the hall, began to move.

"The Garrison Commandant’s Office is here! Scoundrels, surrender at once!"

"We are here! Do not be afraid!"

"..."

These words had little effect. The fighting within the crowd continued unabated. It wasn’t that people didn’t want to stop, but the situation was so chaotic that no one dared to be the first to let their guard down.

"Arrest everyone who’s fighting!" Xue Kunsheng ordered decisively.

"Sir!" the numerous elites of the Garrison Commandant’s Office responded in unison, their reply carrying an indescribable sense of authority.

WENG~

A Profound Light flashed between Xue Kunsheng’s brows. As his True Qi surged, the Gold and Silver Dual Chains shot out from his sleeves. As the True Qi coalesced, the faint sound of clashing metal could be heard from the chains.

CHK!

Wrapped in True Qi, the silver chain shot out in a straight line, directly piercing a nearby attacker. The silver chain subdued demons and annihilated enemies; it was not something a mere Inner Qi Realm cultivator could even hope to touch. A single move was enough to take a life.

"The Extreme Evil Dao!"

Xue Kunsheng had a sharp eye. In just a few breaths, he had identified the origins of the techniques used by several of the attackers around him. The Extreme Evil Dao, as an Evil Force, had no shortage of evil techniques to rapidly create Martial Arts Masters. Although these masters could only live for a few years, their combat prowess was not to be underestimated. It was a method perfectly suited for training Death Warriors!

With a flick of the silver chain, he killed another enemy!

"And the Rising Dragon Dao!"

Besides the Extreme Evil Dao, there were also scoundrels from the Rising Dragon Dao on the scene! They were also key instigators in creating this chaos!

’To disrupt the stability of the Trade Route, these Evil Forces have truly gone to great lengths! Planting so many hidden agents... I can’t imagine how much effort they must have put into this beforehand.’

’All their overt activities before this were just a feint to distract from these covert operations!’

’They planted numerous agents, waited for the gap right after the auction ended, and launched a sudden attack, trying to catch us completely off guard!’

’They really played their hand well!’

’But, what a pity...’

As the one presiding over Beicang Town, he would naturally not be unprepared for a major event like the Beicang Auction. They had already made corresponding contingency plans.

"Since you’ve come, none of you will be leaving!"

Xue Kunsheng’s gaze was icy. The Gold and Silver Dual Chains moved in unison, weaving through the crowd. Although the situation was utterly chaotic, as long as they followed the plan, they could quickly bring it under control.

However, Xue Kunsheng’s confidence did not last long. In just a short while, several more loud explosions were heard from outside the hall. Clearly, more locations had erupted in flames.

"Sir, this is bad! Spontaneous combustions have occurred in several places within the town, including Qingyou Garden, Cangxuan Pavilion, and Five Blessings Tower! Casualties are unknown. There are scoundrels appearing in the surrounding areas, causing widespread destruction and creating immense chaos."

Amidst the chaos, Liu Gongxi, having received the latest news, ran over to report, his face grim.