Shock

"Looks like we're at a stalemate today."

At the same time, Old Daoist Qiu strode through the air from the Gathering Immortals Tower.

Wherever he passed, merchants lowered their heads, and the boisterous scene immediately quieted down.

An Elder of the Secret Treasure Realm, regardless of his strength or influence, was not someone these ordinary Black Market merchants could afford to offend.

Facing Pei Haibing, people still dared to shout, but in front of Old Daoist Qiu, there wasn't even anyone speaking loudly.

"Hmph, Old Daoist Qiu, then how about we compare the number of Strange Ghosts our disciples have hunted? That would better reflect our disciples' skill."

Yi Jinggong strode down like a dragon, his eyes fierce upon seeing the outcome.

He and Old Daoist Qiu had been at odds for a long time. Old Daoist Qiu had always been harsh on his disciples, so Yi Jinggong wanted to suppress him in this area. This was an opportunity he had finally managed to find.

In terms of disciple numbers and quality, Yi Jinggong believed he far surpassed Old Daoist Qiu and couldn't possibly lose.

Old Daoist Qiu turned around, his narrow vertical pupils narrowing slightly, his gaze like a venomous snake, cold and slippery, making one's skin crawl.

Before he could speak, a commotion suddenly erupted from the crowd again.

Faintly, merchants could be heard shouting things like 'Strange Ghost corpses' and 'three heads' and 'hurry and grab them'.

The merchants who had been gathered around the Gathering Immortals Tower turned their heads and saw a simple flatbed cart being pushed, with three Strange Ghost corpses neatly arranged on it.

Seeing this, the merchants erupted and rushed forward, each scrambling to secure a favorable position for bidding.

"Which inner disciples are these, coming at this exact moment?"

Pei Haibing, feeling overshadowed, grumbled with displeasure.

Beside him, Yu Wenxian also cast a curious glance. However, unlike Pei Haibing's cursory look, she observed more carefully and quickly noticed something was amiss.

"Wait, something's not right. Aren't those disciples from our faction?"

Yu Wenxian spoke with surprise and uncertainty, recognizing Su Jie, Gu Weinan, and Chen Yun from her own lineage.

"What are you talking about? How could it be? It's..."

Pei Haibing almost burst out laughing. What outer disciples could hunt three Strange Ghosts?

But as he turned his head to look closely, the three disciples around the flatbed cart were wearing outer disciple uniforms, and he had a vague impression of them, seeming to be from his own faction.

Old Daoist Qiu also heard the commotion and looked intently, a mocking curve forming on his lips. He said sinisterly to Yi Jinggong, "Elder Yi, our competition isn't over yet."

Yi Jinggong's face darkened slightly, and he said hoarsely, "Old Daoist Qiu, are you playing dirty tricks? Interfering even in the competition between disciples? Have you no decency?"

"Ridiculous. Why would I, Old Daoist Qiu, need to cheat to beat you? Wenxian, go call them over and put Elder Yi's mind at ease."

Old Daoist Qiu snorted coldly. Although he didn't know where these outer disciples, Su Jie and the others, got the three Strange Ghosts, it didn't matter. As long as he could get one over on Yi Jinggong.

"Yes."

Yu Wenxian took the order and quickly walked towards the flatbed cart.

"Everyone, don't rush. All our Strange Ghosts are for sale. Highest bidder wins."

Su Jie stood on the flatbed cart, stepping on the head of a Strange Ghost, looking excitedly at the attracted merchants.

The more people there were, the fiercer the bidding, and the more he could earn!

"Fifteen hundred Blood Marrow Crystals. How about selling these three Strange Ghost corpses to me?"

A merchant squeezed to the front, but as soon as he spoke, Wu Bin interrupted him with clear displeasure.

"Get lost. You think we don't know the price? Go home and ask your mother for money if you don't have any. Don't embarrass yourself here."

As Wu Bin spoke, he raised his foot to kick.

As a steward of the Command Hall, he was not an outer disciple. Ordinary merchants would greet him with a smile and try to please him.

"Young master, our Zhang family's merchant guild offers eighteen hundred Blood Marrow Crystals."

"Biyue Mansion offers fifteen hundred Blood Marrow Crystals, plus a low-grade magic tool and two high-grade low-tier talismans."

"Youdan Valley offers a bottle of Refining Pills, plus five hundred Blood Marrow Crystals."

A group of merchants surrounded Su Jie, uttering numbers that made Su Jie's heart pound.

Beside him, Gu Weinan's face was also flushed with excitement. Although he would only receive a small portion of the profits, it was still an extremely considerable fortune for an outer disciple.

However, Chen Yun remained cold, the shadow of losing her brother and husband not yet dissipated.

"Young Master Su, Young Master Su, it's me! Our Taixu Pavilion is willing to purchase all three Strange Ghosts. The price is negotiable."

Just then, Su Jie heard a somewhat familiar voice.

Looking down, he saw that Cai Chun'e, the steward of Taixu Pavilion, that charming young woman, had appeared at some point and was calling out to Su Jie breathlessly.

As she spoke, Cai Chun'e unconsciously puffed out her full, round chest, her top buttons almost bursting. Her phoenix eyes were incredibly alluring, exuding a captivating charm.

Seeing this, many of the surrounding merchants cursed inwardly. Using a honey trap, how unsportsmanlike.

"Sister Cai, why are you here too?"

Su Jie's eyes flickered, and he nodded with a smile, not agreeing to her offer.

Although the woman before him was like a ripe peach, looking like she wanted to be bitten.

However, faced with sufficient value, Su Jie wouldn't betray his own interests for a bit of feminine charm.

"It's just that Young Master Su hasn't come to find me since he got back, so I had to come myself."

Cai Chun'e gave Su Jie a charming sidelong glance before saying, "Three Strange Ghost corpses. Please consider Taixu Pavilion seriously, Young Master Su. Our offer definitely won't be lower than anyone else's."

Cai Chun'e's voice held a hint of humility as she spoke.

In fact, when Cai Chun'e first saw Su Jie, she could hardly believe her eyes.

For a mere outer disciple to hunt three Strange Ghosts was as laughable as a sow climbing a tree.

Yet, it had actually happened, shocking her for the entire year.

"We can discuss this later."

Su Jie shook his head, noticing a beautiful young woman in a light veil approaching. It was Yu Wenxian, an inner disciple and Su Jie's senior sister.

"Heh heh, Junior Brother Su, it really is you! I knew I wouldn't mistake you."

Yu Wenxian chuckled before she even spoke. Perhaps due to her formidable reputation, the merchants immediately made space around her as she approached.

"Senior Sister Yu, what brings you here?"

Su Jie became wary, wondering if she was after his windfall.

"Master is also up ahead. He wants you to go over."

Yu Wenxian playfully poked the Strange Ghost corpses on the flatbed cart with her slender finger, saying with a smile, "Junior Brother Su is probably going to become famous in front of Master this time. Hurry up and come."

With that, she gracefully led the way.

As Su Jie was still pondering Yu Wenxian's intentions, Wu Bin, who was standing nearby, saw the dangerous woman leave and immediately asked in a low voice:

"Are you Old Daoist Qiu's disciple?"

He hadn't really looked closely at Su Jie's information before, or he wouldn't have asked.

"Yes, what about it?"

"Don't you know? Old Daoist Qiu and Elder Yi Jinggong's conflict has intensified again. They've made a private wager, competing to see whose disciple can hunt more Strange Ghosts. They've each put up considerable rewards to motivate their disciples. It's been the talk of Ghost Ridge Palace recently. They're probably calling you over for this."

Wu Bin, as expected of a steward in the Command Hall, was well-informed and knew all about the elders' gossip.

"Ah, no wonder our Master was willing to go to such lengths and offer the White Bone Heavenly Sha Sword as a reward."

Gu Weinan suddenly understood, recalling some past events.

"Didn't Master set a deadline of one week? We've already passed that time. Are the rewards still valid?"

Su Jie licked his lips. He hadn't even considered this matter before. Firstly, the time had already exceeded the agreed-upon week. Secondly, the White Bone Heavenly Sha Sword clearly looked like it was prepared for Pei Haibing, who cultivated the Bone Transformation Dao Method. As outer disciples, they seemed to have no chance.

"That's because Elder Yi had a slight accident during alchemy, which delayed things a bit."

Wu Bin explained the reason. Su Jie's heart couldn't help but heat up. He might actually have a chance to get his hands on that White Bone Heavenly Sha Sword. Opportunities never came easily; the righteous path must be fought for, and the Devilish Dao even more so.