The Demon-Human Race (Seek Your Support)

"Gang Leader Lu keeps it covered with a black cloth; he really knows how to whet one's appetite."

Liang Chengshi gazed at the large iron carriage pushed to the center of the banquet hall, draped in a layer of black cloth, and couldn't help but smack his lips.

Yet, as if struck by a thought, he turned to Chen Jingping and asked, "Senior Brother Chen, iron carriages capable of restraining the Demon-Human Race are not common. Could this large iron cage also be a product of your Chen family?"

"If it were indeed crafted by your family, Senior Brother Chen, you surely would have seen this Demon-Human woman beforehand."

As if he had reasoned it all out, Liang Chengshi grew increasingly excited.

Chen Jingping smiled without answering, merely saying, "The auction is about to begin. Why not let us sit back and behold the appearance of this Demon-Human woman?"

Liang Chengshi felt his interest wane, and when he looked toward Zhou Yun, he found the man showed no reaction at all, as if he didn't care in the slightest.

"What a dull martial artist..."

Liang Chengshi muttered to himself, deeming the two of them utterly boring.

"I wonder if the upcoming lots will include medicinal treasures like the White Jade Ginseng King..."

Zhou Yun pondered inwardly; if the medicinal effects were comparable to the White Jade Ginseng King, he would certainly be interested in bidding.

Even if he didn't use it immediately, it was a way to increase his own foundation. Although he had some silver on hand, he had very few items of real value to offer.

Even if he didn't need it for the time being, he could always trade it with other martial masters.

While eating earlier, quite a few senior brothers and sisters from the inner courtyard had come over to greet him, likely having learned that Zhou Yun was representing the Black Stone Martial Hall in the Three Halls Martial Tournament.

Although he was currently just a substitute, it was already enough to earn their respect.

"Everyone, welcome to the Sea Whale Gang's banquet... I won't dwell on the trivialities of the past. From now on, we shall return to take root in Black Stone County, and I hope for your continued indulgence."

Lu Tianxiong stood in the center of the hall and announced in a booming voice, "Today's banquet is, in truth, an auction organized by our Sea Whale Gang and the Black Stone Martial Hall. As for the grand finale, I believe many friends have already heard the rumors... That is correct, it is none other than a woman of the Demon-Human Race!"

Whoosh.

Lu Tianxiong pulled away the black cloth, revealing a Snake Tribe demon-human covered in bloodstains, her fair face marked by a few patches of green scales, appearing before everyone's eyes.

She bit her lower lip, seemingly defiant. The snake tail beneath her black robes had vanished, replaced by a pair of fair, pink-tinted human feet.

"It is actually the legendary Snake-Person Race! This race is the most difficult to deal with; they are said to be treacherous and cunning, not to mention highly adept at bewitching humans. I never expected the Sea Whale Gang to capture such a stunner."

Liang Chengshi was shocked, yet he chuckled, "Though the Snake-Person Race is cunning, that waist is incredibly slender and supple, and the sensation of that 'ice and fire' experience is something one can never get enough of..."

"The Snake-Person Race? So this is what a demon-human looks like..."

Zhou Yun carefully scrutinized the snake-person's appearance and posture, committing it to memory.

It was not for any other reason than to ensure that if he ever encountered such a creature in the deep mountains, he wouldn't be caught off guard by sudden shock and reveal a fatal opening.

"This is no ordinary Snake-Person. Normal demon-humans only have a human head and a beast's body, but this snake-person's tail has transformed into human legs. Unless it is one of those legendary Great Demons capable of such a feat... it must mean her bloodline is extremely precious."

Chen Jingping said calmly, appearing very knowledgeable about the subject.

"Indeed, this demon-human is completely different from the cat-people and leopard-people I have seen before; those two feet are truly human in appearance..."

At this, Liang Chengshi finally realized the implication, but he immediately fell silent.

"As you can all see, this is a Green Snake Demon-Human with an extremely pure bloodline, accidentally captured by several of our gang's disciples on the outskirts of the Black Profound Mountain Range. Her snake tail has already transformed into human legs."

Seeing the shock on everyone's faces, Lu Tianxiong continued, "If this demon-human is thoroughly tamed, it is estimated she would at least possess the strength of a peak Bright Force master. With further cultivation, breaking through to Dark Force would not be difficult, and becoming a Transformation Force grandmaster is not entirely impossible!"

Once these words were spoken, everyone present began to harbor their own intentions.

Even the female martial artists who were previously uninterested couldn't help but feel moved.

"With cultivation, she could become a Dark Force expert who never betrays..."

Zhou Yun was quite tempted, yet he had no intention of making a move for this demon-human.

First of all, taming a demon-human was a monumental challenge, let alone the path of cultivation; few people even knew how the Snake Tribe practiced their arts.

He figured that if one bought her, they could only use extreme methods to control her, keeping her as a peak Bright Force plaything or a suicide soldier.

If not tamed properly, given this snake-person's current state, there was a risk of her turning against her master.

"Is Junior Brother Zhou worried about the taming process? My family happens to know the secret of the Snake-Person Race..."

Seeing Zhou Yun's interest, Chen Jingping immediately said, "I have heard that the Snake-Person Race sheds their skin during the full moon, and after shedding, their cultivation level rises by a tier... As long as one drips a drop of their own essence blood onto them during this vulnerable period of shedding, the Snake-Person will serve their master and never harbor a second heart."

"Although the number of times they shed during a full moon depends on the purity of their bloodline, there is no need to worry about that with this Snake Tribe demon-human."

"There is such a saying?"

Zhou Yun was astonished, but it sounded plausible enough, and it even solved the problem of the snake demon's cultivation.

If what Chen Jingping said was true, buying this Snake Tribe demon-human would be a guaranteed profit, or even a high-value investment.

But if it were such a good thing, why wouldn't Lu Tianxiong keep it for himself instead of putting it up for auction?

"Perhaps some friends already know the method to tame this snake demon, but I, Lu Tianxiong, must add one more thing..."

Lu Tianxiong coughed lightly and said, "This snake demon has a fierce temperament when shedding her skin. We have already had men try to drip their essence blood during her shedding, but they were bitten and severely injured... In other words, one must make this snake demon willing during her shedding to truly claim her as a demon-slave."

"Of course, using methods like chronic poisons to threaten her is also an option..."

Hearing this, the many onlookers wore expressions that suggested they had expected as much.

If there truly were a Dark Force expert, or even a demon capable of breaking through to the Transformation Force with proper cultivation, how could the Sea Whale Gang possibly refrain from keeping it for themselves?

"Willingly shedding its skin? This clearly looks like it was captured and tortured, and judging by the expression of this Snake Demon, it is likely an adult; tricks and deception would have little effect..."

Zhou Yun shook his head, deciding not to dwell on the matter any further.

As for Liang Chengshi beside him, he wore an expression of deep regret, sighing for the first time in a long while.

"Willingness is not exactly difficult to achieve..."

Chen Jingping revealed a meaningful smile.

Zhou Yun raised an eyebrow upon hearing this; could it be that Senior Brother Chen had some other method?

Just as he was about to ask, he heard the voice of Lu Tianxiong ring out.

"Since today's final auction item has been introduced, I hereby declare the first auction of the Sea Whale Gang officially open!"

Following Lu Tianxiong's command, two stunning beauties carrying an auction item walked up, swaying their hips.

"Senior Brother Zhou, I heard that for every item auctioned off by the Sea Whale Gang, the beauties presenting the items are included as a gift..."

Liang Chengshi no longer paid attention to the Snake Tribe demon, his interest piqued by the beauties holding the auction items instead.

"Is that so..."

Zhou Yun's mind, however, was not on such things; he wanted to know how to make that Snake Tribe demon willing to submit.

If he could obtain such a helper, he would have a solid foundation for venturing into the main city.