Chapter Sixty-Eight: Blood Devouring Force

"Our Zhao family bids thirty-five thousand spirit stones..."

"Hahaha... Our Zhao family is also here for this Blood-Devouring Technique. Elder Changsun, I hope you won't take offense," the middle-aged man in the southeastern private room on the third floor spoke up.

The Grand Elder of the Changsun family narrowed his eyes slightly and replied in a steady tone, "No matter. In an auction, the highest bidder wins."

He then raised his bid again. "Forty thousand spirit stones."

An audible stir swept through the hall at the clash between these two titans, and the crowd felt their blood surge with excitement.

To witness such an event was sure to become a story worth retelling outside.

"Forty-two thousand..."

"Forty-five thousand..."

Clearly, even for these two families, the price above forty thousand spirit stones was already a heavy burden. The bidding crept upward slowly.

"Elder Changsun, this is our Zhao family's final offer. If you can still bid higher, we will not pursue it further," the middle-aged man with prayer beads in the Zhao family room announced, his voice echoing throughout the hall.

After a brief silence, the Grand Elder of the Changsun family replied, "Brother Zhao, please make your offer."

"Sixty thousand spirit stones."

Many in the audience gasped. Most would never see so many spirit stones in their lifetimes.

A hush fell over the Changsun family’s private room.

After a while, a voice drifted out, "Brother Zhao, you truly have deep pockets. This Blood-Devouring Technique is yours."

"My thanks for your generosity, Elder Changsun."

Thus, the auction drew to a close with the sale of the high-grade Xuan-level technique, Blood-Devouring Technique.

When the formation dissipated, everyone returned to their previous surroundings. Many left, still savoring the excitement. Some bidders, after obtaining their prizes, carefully disguised themselves before leaving the Taibai Pavilion, vanishing in a few leaps into the streets.

Yet, sharp eyes had long been watching the movements within the building, and shadows swiftly pursued those leaving. It was clear what would follow: scenes of murder and robbery.

------

These matters were, of course, unknown to Lin Cheng and his companions.

At that moment, they sat sipping fragrant tea with gentle smiles, quietly awaiting the items they had won.

Before long, a knock sounded at the door.

Zhang Xu entered, beaming, and behind him was the auctioneer, Zhiqing.

Zhang Xu laughed. "Congratulations, Brother Lin, on acquiring the Breaking Spirit Pills as you wished..."

"Thank you for your kindness, Brother Zhang," Lin Cheng replied politely.

"Are you the young swordsman who received guidance from the Grandmaster?" Zhiqing looked at Lin Cheng, her gaze scrutinizing him.

"Yes, that's me," Lin Cheng answered.

"Who is your master?" she asked.

"My esteemed teacher is Master Cang Feng," he replied.

Zhiqing mouthed the name, her brows knit thoughtfully. It was clear she was unfamiliar with it.

"Master Cang Feng of the Qingyang Sect..." Lin Cheng added, wondering how she could not know the second greatest expert of the Qingyang Sect. Could it be that his master was simply too low-key?

"May I see the technique you are cultivating?" Zhiqing requested.

Lin Cheng hesitated. She quickly added, "Do not worry, sir. I only wish to observe. I have no intention of prying into your cultivation method."

Naturally, Lin Cheng would not reveal that he practiced the Five Elements Sword Art; besides, even if he told her, it was all in his mind—how could she see it?

After a moment’s thought, he handed her the introductory manual, "Listening to the Wind While Wiping the Sword," given to him by his master when he first started.

Zhiqing examined it at once. When she saw it was only a basic Yellow-grade technique, she was momentarily stunned. Then she looked up, fixing Lin Cheng with a piercing gaze.

Are you trying to fool me with this?

Do I look that easy to deceive?

Her expressionless stare made Lin Cheng awkwardly rub his nose, swallowing nervously. This girl is not easily tricked!

Zhiqing withdrew her gaze, casually returned the manual, tossed him a storage pouch, and left.

Lin Cheng shrugged helplessly.

"Don’t take it to heart, Brother Lin. This envoy simply has an odd temperament," Zhang Xu offered.

Lin Cheng shook his head, unbothered.

"By the way, is she the envoy you mentioned?" he asked.

"Not exactly," Zhang Xu replied. "Originally, someone from Taibai Pavilion in Tianshui City was to come, but due to unforeseen changes, this lady was suddenly sent in their place."

After a pause, Zhang Xu added, "The Grandmaster seems to know her quite well, so her background must be extraordinary."

Lin Cheng sobered. He was well aware of the Grandmaster’s prowess—calling his methods miraculous was no exaggeration.

It seemed he ought to explain himself to the woman; he had indeed tried to fob her off just now.

He opened the storage pouch she’d given him and took out two items. One was the spirit beast pouch he’d longed for; the other was a jade bottle containing three Breaking Spirit Pills.

Lin Cheng took out one pill and approached An'an and Yingying, handing each of them one of the remaining pills.

"Brother Lin, this..." Yingying hesitated.

"Brother Lin Cheng, you should keep them. What if one isn’t enough when you try to break through?" An'an urged.

Lin Cheng patted their heads affectionately. "Even without pills, your Brother Lin can break through."

Then he grinned, "But it never hurts to be prepared, right?"

"So you two must work hard on your cultivation."

Hearing these words, everyone understood: Lin Cheng was about to leave.

An'an’s eyes reddened instantly, and she threw her arms around him. "An'an doesn’t want Brother Lin Cheng to go..."

Yingying looked at him, wanting to speak but holding back. Of course Lin Cheng saw the longing in her heart, and he pulled her into his embrace as well.

Yingying made a show of resisting, but then, blushing, buried her face in his chest.

Seeing this, Old Master An and the others quickly averted their eyes, their expressions complicated.

Ah, young people these days...

Still, in the world of cultivation, it was perfectly normal for a strong cultivator to have several immortal companions. Since both girls were devoted to Lin Cheng, they would not interfere.

In truth, these elders felt a secret delight; Lin Cheng was powerful and mysterious, and he had the Qingyang Sect behind him.

------

After comforting the girls, Lin Cheng turned away, his face flushed with embarrassment.

"Well... I’ve stayed in Dragon City for some time. I plan to set out on a new journey in a few days..."

"Thank you all for your care during this time. I will never forget it," he said, glancing at the spirit beast pouch in his hand. "And as for Old Master An’s generous gift, I’ll accept it without pretense..."

"Little friend Lin, there’s no need to stand on ceremony. As long as the An family stands, you’ll always have a place with us," Old Master An said solemnly.

"That’s right, Brother Lin. From now on, think of Qiuming City as your home too," Qiu Nan chimed in.

An Zhan stepped forward and clapped him on the shoulder. "A dragon must soar in the vast sky. No matter how far you fly in the future..."

"Remember, there are people here who care about you..."

Lin Cheng nodded heavily.

"Haha! Brother Lin hasn’t left yet, has he? Aren’t you all getting a bit too sentimental?" Zhang Xu interjected with a laugh, breaking the heavy atmosphere.

Everyone came to their senses, shaking their heads with wry smiles.

With Zhang Xu, the shopkeeper, seeing them off, they left together.

In a corner of the corridor, a young man watched them depart, then quickly turned and rushed to a private room on the third floor.

"Young clan leader, the An family has left..." he reported. This was Changsun Wucai.

Changsun Qingliu, upon hearing this, looked to the elder beside him. "Grand Elder, what do you think?"

The old man addressed as Grand Elder opened his eyes. "With our strength, dealing with them would be simple, but..."

"The Qiu family’s disappearance has been a wake-up call. I fear Dragon City is not as simple as it appears..."

"Do you mean we should not move against the An family?" Changsun Qingliu asked.

The elder nodded. After a moment’s thought, he added, "Keep an eye on the Zhao family."

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