Chapter 264 - 111: Emperor’s Qi, a Morsel Snatched Away

’If this Tao Source shatters, the Emperor’s Qi inside will dissipate. Capturing and sealing it immediately won’t be enough...’

’I’ll have to find another way.’

Jiang Lan wasn’t too surprised by this.

He had no intention of recklessly destroying the structure of the Exotic Stone and the Tao Source. Otherwise, given Shang Mingyu’s intelligence, insight, and her Supreme Treasure of Grand Aspiration, she would easily spot the flaw and deduce his scheme.

The next moment, a hazy blood-red light materialized above Jiang Lan’s head. A silent, placid Blood River flowed forth, seemingly cutting through the Void.

With a stir of his Heart Thought, the Exotic Stone was instantly swept up by the Blood River and quickly submerged.

Wisps of crimson light continuously seeped into the stone.

Meanwhile, a wisp of Blood Evil Qi was slowly condensing in his hand.

To make this wisp of Blood Evil Qi more convincing, Jiang Lan purged the scent of blood from it.

He then activated the Four Spirits Ancient Celestial Skill, condensing four Four Saints Illusions to circle the wisp of Blood Evil Qi. This lent its aura a solemn, majestic quality, tinged with a sacred, ancient power.

At first glance, the Blood Evil Qi appeared pure and magnificent. The Four Saints Illusions—Cyan Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise—circled it protectively, resembling an ancient Celestial Emperor surveying the mortal world—noble and awe-inspiring.

’This way, if I didn’t know any better, I’d probably be fooled at first glance myself.’

’Once I’ve extracted the wisp of Emperor’s Qi, it won’t be hard to pass this off as the genuine article, especially with the faint residual aura left inside.’

Jiang Lan nodded in satisfaction.

After completing his preparations, all that remained was to use the Blood Immortal Sect’s "Change the World" technique to steal the wisp of Emperor’s Qi from the Tao Source and replace it.

About fifteen minutes later, the Exotic Stone reappeared on the Jade Platform before him. It was still shrouded in a radiant mist and suffused with a gentle luminescence, its treasure light shimmering faintly. It looked sacred and extraordinary.

Jiang Lan sealed the wisp of Emperor’s Qi—as rich and potent as a blazing sun—in a special container, then ordered Jiang Xun to come in and take the Exotic Stone away.

Jiang Xun had been wondering how he was going to explain the matter of the Exotic Stone once the auction began, never imagining that Jiang Lan would lose interest after studying it for only a short while.

He tactfully refrained from asking any questions and sent men to carry the stone away.

Although the Exotic Stone wasn’t large, it was incredibly heavy; an ordinary cultivator might not even be able to lift it.

’That Shang Mingyu is incredibly wealthy. Affording this Exotic Stone at the auction will be no problem for her.’

’In the original plot, although several Immortal Sects competed with her for it, they were all ultimately defeated by her overwhelming wealth. They just couldn’t outbid her...’

Jiang Lan originally had no interest in participating in this auction.

Whatever he wanted, he only had to say the word; after all, the Business Alliance was founded with the backing of the Prime Minister’s Mansion.

Yet, he decided to stay.

When the Exotic Stone was up for auction, he could drive up the price at the opportune moment and make Shang Mingyu bleed a little.

After all, she was dead set on getting it.

’Although it’s just a trivial matter, with Shang Mingyu’s proud and aloof personality, it’ll at least take her down a peg. I might even be able to fleece a good deal of her fortune in the process.’

The auction wouldn’t start for a while, so Jiang Lan decided to take the opportunity to go and intercept a trusted subordinate he had already reserved.

Coincidentally, this person was among the cargo delivered along with the Exotic Stone.

"Follow me to the Death Arena."

As he stepped out of the private room, Jiang Lan thought for a moment before ordering the several beautiful serving girls waiting at the door to follow.

...

Meanwhile, in a private room near the front of the auction’s first floor.

A group of disciples from the Yijian Sect were chatting, their faces filled with happiness, excitement, and anticipation.

"Senior Brothers, Senior Sisters, please excuse me for a moment..."

Just then, "Zhang Yuan," who was sitting on a Jade Bench sipping tea, seemed to have suddenly thought of something. He put down his teacup and started to get up to head outside.

"Junior Brother Zhang Yuan, where are you going?"

Seeing this, the pretty female disciple, Liu Xue, hurriedly called out to him.

Ye Ming smiled and gave a cupped-fist salute. "Senior Sister Liu Xue, I suddenly grew curious about the Death Arena on the other side. I thought I’d go take a look."

"The auction is about to start. Are you that curious, Junior Brother Zhang Yuan?"

"What’s there to see at the Death Arena? It only exists to satisfy the morbid tastes of the Imperial Capital’s elite. It’s full of blood and slaughter. They don’t treat the lives of those death row inmates and slaves as if they matter at all."

Hearing this, a female disciple from Yijian Palace looked on with disdain and disgust.

Ye Ming rubbed his nose, offering no further explanation.

Liu Xue, however, stood charmingly beside him and smiled. "We have some time to kill. I’ll go with you, Junior Brother Zhang Yuan."

The auction didn’t just feature items; it also sold slaves, death-row prisoners, and the like.

But unlike the items, these slaves and prisoners were located at the Death Arena on the other side.

Only the winner of each match, or rather, the person who survived, was qualified to be auctioned off.

All the Yijian Palace disciples could see Liu Xue’s fondness for "Zhang Yuan," and they broke into knowing smiles at her words.

Ye Ming didn’t turn her down, and left the private room with Liu Xue, heading toward another area of the auction.

His expression was calm and composed, but he was conversing with Old Ghost in his mind.

’Old Ghost, why did you tell me to come over here?’

’Naturally, a good thing is waiting for you. You can go pick up a bargain while no one else has noticed...’ Old Ghost’s voice was still as hoarse and deep as ever.