CHAPTER 14: THE UNKNOWN FIGURE

The crystal chandeliers in the halls of the auction house emitted a golden glow, creating a luxurious atmosphere full of rivalry. This magnificent building was filled with nobles, sect elders, and officials of various factions. Each had their own interests, but their goals were the same. securing the best treasures tonight.

Bai Xieye sat leisurely upstairs in the VIP room. Beside him, a woman who had now become completely enamored with him, wearing a red dress with gold accents that emphasized her beauty. Her gaze was no longer filled with caution as before; there was now respect, admiration, and a hint of ownership.

Downstairs, the auctioneer's voice echoed loudly.

A box was lifted onto the stage. When the lid was opened, a sharp energy instantly filled the room. Inside, a black-colored sword with blood-red engravings glittered under the crystal light.

"You Ming Xue Ren!" the auctioneer exclaimed. "Forged from demon dragon bone and refined in nether lava for thirty years! This sword can suck the opponent's blood to strengthen the wielder!"

Whispers filled the hall, and several people immediately bid.

"20,000 gold coins!"

"25.000!"

"35.000!"

Bai Xieye squinted. This weapon was interesting, but not enough for him. He simply observed, while several sect elders fought over its possession.

As the auction continued, several other items appeared: cultivation-enhancing pills, rune-encrusted armor, and secret technique scrolls. However, Bai Xieye's attention remained calm. He waited for a truly valuable item.

Until finally-

"And now, one of the highlights of this auction! An ancient formation that has been discovered in the ruins of an Immortal Ancestor! With this, one can accelerate energy recovery by three times!"

Instantly, Bai Xieye's eyes lit up. This was exactly what he was after.

"Starting at 50,000 gold coins!"

Several people immediately bid.

"55.000!"

"60.000!"

"75.000!"

Bai Xieye finally raised his hand.

"100.000!"

The room was instantly silent.

Everyone turned their heads towards him. Who was this young man who so confidently bid that high?

An elder from the Sky Sect sneered.

"130.000!"

Bai Xieye looked at him coldly.

"200.000!"

A commotion broke out among the guests. The bid he gave instantly jumped too high.

The elder gritted his teeth, but before he could bid again-

"I bought it for him."

That soft voice sounded from beside Bai Xieye.

The woman by his side smiled gracefully, before raising her hand casually.

"300.000!"

Bai Xieye's eyes narrowed slightly, but a faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips. The woman had completely fallen into his clutches.

The Sky Sect Elder could only remain silent. No one would dare to compete with such a large number, especially when looking at who said it.

The auctioneer smiled with satisfaction. "300.000! Sold to a VIP guest upstairs!"

The woman turned to Bai Xieye and gave a small smile. "I know you want it, so here's a little gift from me."

Bai Xieye looked at her for a moment, then smiled coldly in his heart.

After obtaining the triple recovery ancient formation, the atmosphere of the auction heated up even more. The participants began to stare at Bai Xieye and the woman beside him with more wariness-not just because of the amount of gold coins they had spent, but because of the dominance they had shown in this auction.

Bai Xieye remained unperturbed, however. His gaze returned to the stage, waiting for the next item.

The auctioneer smiled and cleared his throat. "Ladies and gentlemen, next up is a super rare item that is extremely difficult to obtain. A Nethermoon Elixir-a high-level elixir capable of unlocking the hidden potential in the body and increasing the speed of cultivation for a full seven days!"

The room was instantly in an uproar.

Nethermoon Elixir?!

It wasn't just any ordinary elixir. Even the geniuses of the great sects had to fight over the chance to obtain it!

"The bidding starts at 80,000 gold coins!"

Instantly, the voices of bidding chimed in.

"90.000!"

"110.000!"

"150.000!"

"200.000!"

Bai Xieye leaned his body calmly. This elixir would be very useful to him. He raised his hand casually. "300.000."

The room fell silent again.

But this time, someone from the other side of the room smiled coldly. A man in black armor with a golden snake emblem on his arm spoke. "350.000."

His eyes looked at Bai Xieye defiantly.

Bai Xieye stared at the man in black expressionlessly, as if not caring about the outcome of the auction. But, in his heart, he had already marked the man as a target.

"Let him enjoy the momentary victory. Everything he gets today is only destined for me."

The auctioneer tapped his gavel. "Nethermoon Elixir... Sold for 350,000 gold coins!"

The winner, the man in black, smiled with satisfaction. However, he did not realize that he had just fallen prey to Bai Xieye's trap.

As the auction continued, Bai Xieye didn't rush to bid on other items. As a true hunter, he knew when to stand still and when to move.

He stole a glance at the woman beside him, who had been staring at him with sparkling eyes. She looked a little disappointed that Bai Xieye didn't get the elixir, but also understood that Bai Xieye must have a plan.

"So... you let him win on purpose?" the woman murmured, her voice sounding soft.

Bai Xieye flashed a faint smile.

"Not all victories must be obtained within this room."

The woman was silent for a moment, before finally smiling.

A few hours later, the auction came to an end. The participants began to leave the building, including the man in black, who seemed to be proud of his results from the auction.

Bai Xieye observed him from afar. The man's steps were confident, and two black-clothed bodyguards accompanied him, carrying a chest containing the Nethermoon Elixir.

However, to Bai Xieye, the man was already like a hunted beast relaxing before walking into his trap.

He waited for a moment before getting up from his seat.

"So, you're going to take it?" the woman asked in a voice full of anticipation.

Bai Xieye gave her a quick glance. "Not take. I'm just going to take back what rightfully belongs to me."

Silently, he disappeared into the shadows.

Outside the auction building, the man in black strode confidently towards his private inn. The two bodyguards at his side remained vigilant, their eyes twitching to scan the surroundings.

"I didn't expect to be able to obtain the Nethermoon Elixir without spending a single gold coin," he muttered, chuckling lightly.

The bodyguard next to him spoke up. "Sir, we should hurry back before anyone tries anything."

The man in black laughed. "Hah! In this city? Who would dare to touch me?"

"The Nethermoon Elixir is in my hands," he muttered. "Hah! That bastard doesn't dare to bid any higher!"

But suddenly-

Tuk!

A barely audible voice, then-

KRAK!

One of the man's bodyguards staggered, his head twisted 180 degrees before his body fell to the ground.

The man in black was startled. "S-Who?!"

The other bodyguard hurriedly drew his sword. His eyes moved wildly, searching for the enemy hiding in the darkness.

DUAR!

From the shadows, a palm pierced through the bodyguard's chest, ripping out his heart in one brutal motion.

Blood spurted profusely. The bodyguard didn't even have time to scream before his body collapsed with a heavy "dush!" sound.

Now only the man in black remained.

The night air was suffocating.

And then, footsteps could be heard. Slow. Creepy.

From within the darkness, Bai Xieye appeared with a cold, murderous aura.

"Looks like you're enjoying your victory quite a bit," Bai Xieye muttered softly, his calm voice even more terrifying than a battle cry.

The man in black took a step back, his heart skipping a beat.

However, that fear turned into determination.

"Hmph! You think I'm going to hand over the Nethermoon Elixir just like that?"

Suddenly a cultivation aura exploded out from his body.

Late stage Foundation Establishment!

Waves of purple qi spread out, the stones on the streets began to crack from the spiritual pressure he released.

Bai Xieye remained standing calmly. His eyes scanned the opponent keenly.

Without warning, the man in black disappeared.

Bai Xieye tilted his head. Fast.

However-

SWISH!

A black blade with a purplish luster appeared beside him, slashing towards Bai Xieye's neck!

CLANG!

Bai Xieye raised his arm, resisting the slash with his qi-reinforced glove. Sparks emanated as the metal collided with the qi reinforced by demonic energy.

The man in black smiled coldly. "Don't underestimate me, boy!"

He pushed harder, trying to suppress Bai Xieye.

However, Bai Xieye suddenly disappeared!

SWOOSH!

From behind, a black palm pierced through the night mist at a super fast speed!

The man in black twisted his body quickly, swinging his sword to slash back-

But he was too late.

BAM!

Bai Xieye's punch struck his back forcefully.

His body was flung like an arrow, crashing into the stone wall with a loud noise.

CRACK!

The wall cracked, dust flying through the air. The man in black groaned, fresh blood flowing from his lips.

However, his eyes were still full of determination.

"You think... that's enough to defeat me?"

He rose quickly, his hands moving to form a strange seal.

"Technique: Five Directions Split!"

SWOOSH!

Suddenly, his body split into five!

Shadows identical to his original body moved at high speed, surrounding Bai Xieye from all directions!

Dush! Dush! Dush!

A series of sharp attacks rained down on Bai Xieye from various angles.

Bai Xieye however remained silent. His cold eyes scanned, looking for weaknesses in the technique.

CLANG!

He parried an attack from the left.

SWOOSH!

He dodged a stab from the right.

Bai Xieye then took the Nethermoon Elixir casually, as if the item had been his from the start.

As he stood up, the woman who was watching from afar walked over.

Her eyes lit up. "I didn't expect you to be... this good."

Bai Xieye gave her a glance, then smiled coldly.

"When you want something," he said softly, "you don't need to ask for it. You just have to take it."

The woman bit her lip. Her eyes sparkled with admiration.

And in that moment.

However, the attacks came faster and faster. Three shadows simultaneously attacked from above, below, and behind!

"Interesting..." muttered Bai Xieye.

However, he didn't panic.

As the shadows attacked, Bai Xieye suddenly released an incredible spiritual pressure!

BOOM!

Waves of qi exploded from his body, shattering all illusions in an instant!

Numbness.

The man in black gasped. "What-"

But before he could react, Bai Xieye was already right in front of him!

BAM!

A hard punch slammed into his chest, shattering his qi barrier.

The man vomited blood.

But before his body fell-

CRACK!

Bai Xieye grabbed his face and slammed his head into the ground.

The ground trembled. Blood splattered.

However, Bai Xieye wasn't done yet.

He pulled the man up with one hand, then slammed him down again with more force.

CRACK!

Bones cracked. The man in black was no longer able to move.

Bai Xieye squatted beside him, looking at him with a cold gaze.

"I already let you win inside the auction."

"But you won't win here."

The man opened his mouth, wanting to say something-

However-

CRACK!

Bai Xieye pressed his neck a little harder. His pulse of life disappeared.