Money Moves Hearts

Seeing the Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Rubber being auctioned off, Ye Tian stopped wasting time, rose, and left.

After he departed, several shifty-looking fellows exchanged glances and followed him directly.

Although Ye Tian had not outbid the big shots in the private boxes, the amount of wealth he possessed had tempted quite a few people.

Furthermore, since Ye Tian had not yet spent that money, didn't that just mean he was a walking, fat sheep?

The few fellows trailing Ye Tian were accustomed to quick ways of making money; since the heavens had sent them a fat sheep, how could they possibly let the opportunity slip by?

The Tiandou Auction House staff picked up the Whale Rubber and respectfully knocked on the door of one of the two private boxes on the third floor.

Upon receiving permission, the staff member carefully pushed the door open and presented the auction item with both hands.

"Bishop Salas, this is the Whale Rubber you requested."

Salas lifted his eyelids to glance at the foul-smelling Whale Rubber and nodded with a hint of satisfaction.

"Leave it there; the money will be delivered to you today."

The staff member acknowledged the order and quickly exited the private box.

Salas put the Whale Rubber away, showing no further interest in the auction items below.

He had deigned to come here this time solely for this piece of Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Rubber. Years ago, he had inadvertently heard news that the Pope in Martial Soul Hall had been collecting Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Rubber.

Although he did not know why the Pope was interested in such things, as a subordinate, he naturally had to search for it diligently.

Salas also knew that eight years ago, the bishop in Suotuo City had been lucky enough to obtain a piece of Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Rubber; less than a year after offering it up, that old brat, who was a cycle younger than him, had been promoted to the Holy City.

When they met again last year, that old brat's cultivation had already caught up to Salas'.

He would bring this item along when he went to the Holy City to report his work at the end of the year; he, Salas, was also actively seeking advancement.

Not long after Ye Tian left the auction house, he sensed someone skulking behind him.

He deliberately took a detour through the city, but those few people still followed him at a distance, neither too close nor too far. With a moment's thought, Ye Tian guessed the reason.

He had flaunted his wealth at the Tiandou Auction House, and these people likely regarded him as a fat sheep.

Ye Tian quickly made a decision: if they dared to come and rob him, they had better be prepared to leave their lives behind!

He checked his direction and headed quickly toward the city gate.

"That guy discovered us and is now heading toward the city gate. Should we pursue or...?"

"Of course we pursue! Thirty thousand Gold Soul Coins—even if we split it among ourselves, it's enough for us to live in luxury for a year or two!"

"Exactly!"

The five exchanged glances, the same greed flashing in their eyes.

Since Ye Tian hadn't gone to a private box, he was just an ordinary soul master like them; with five of them against one, the odds were heavily in their favor.

As for the promised equal split of the loot, that would depend on whether the others survived.

If he could keep the thirty thousand Gold Soul Coins all to himself, why share with the others?

The five reached a simple agreement and quickly followed Ye Tian's retreating figure. After chasing him out of the city, they saw Ye Tian leave the main road for the forest, and the five could no longer sit still.

Summoning their martial souls, the two fastest activated their soul rings, gave chase, and blocked Ye Tian's path.

"Kid, obediently hand over all your wealth, and we might just spare your life."

Ye Tian glanced behind him; three level-48 Soul Ancestors were subtly sealing off his escape route.

"Just the five of you?"

"Kid, do you think you're a Soul Emperor?"

"Attack together, kill this guy first!"

Ye Tian's arrogant attitude infuriated these five desperadoes. With a shout, they activated their soul rings, and an overwhelming barrage of attacks sealed off every inch of ground where Ye Tian stood.

The Overlord Spear appeared in Ye Tian's hand. As the long spear thrust and swept, executing what looked like ordinary, basic spear techniques, the desperadoes' attacks could not break through Ye Tian's spear momentum, nor could they even force him to take a single step.

"What's wrong? You were shouting so loudly just a moment ago—out of strength already?"

Ye Tian's mocking voice rang out, causing a flush of red to stain the faces of the five desperadoes.

"What are you being so arrogant for!"

"Die!"

Driven to rage by shame, the group simultaneously lit up their fourth soul rings, their skills destroying the forest for a hundred meters around.

Ye Tian felt the pressure and swung the Overlord Spear even more fiercely.

Thousands of spear shadows bombarded the group, colliding with their skills. Seeing the thousands of spear shadows constantly being extinguished, the desperadoes' eyes flashed with triumph.

No matter how strong you are, you can only meet your end here under our combined assault!

"All together now, finish off this brat!"

"Take this!"

The violent energy instantly extinguished the remaining spear shadows, swallowing Ye Tian's position in a flash.

When the dust settled, the five desperadoes looked over simultaneously, each harboring a bit of wariness toward the others.

The fat sheep was dead; what followed would be a battle between the hunters themselves.

In the next second, however, a look of disbelief surfaced in their eyes.

The crater in the center was completely empty.

Where had the fat sheep gone?

The group exchanged glances and decided to move closer to investigate. One man craned his neck forward, searching the perimeter of the pit with care.

Suddenly, a long spear thrust upward from the ground, instantly piercing through his throat.

Ye Tian leaped out from the earth, the first and second soul rings behind him empowering the Overlord Spear as he immediately launched an assault on the strongest among them.

The might of the long spear grew increasingly formidable; within three or five moves, Ye Tian had skewered the man beneath his blade.

In an instant, only three of the five remained, and the strongest of them had been slaughtered.

Seeing the extent of Ye Tian's strength, the three outlaws abandoned all thoughts of resistance and turned to flee.

Ye Tian stood his ground with his spear, his gaze locked onto a treetop to his left, his eyes filled with a hint of gravity.

"The one hiding in the tree, you've watched the show for long enough—why not come out and watch it in the open?"

A soft chuckle rang out from the canopy, and a middle-aged man dressed in white with a long sword strapped to his back descended not far from Ye Tian.

"My friend, I am Chen Xin. I found your spear techniques quite impressive and felt a sudden itch to spar with you. Would that be acceptable?"

Chen Xin wore a sincere expression, maintaining a safe distance as he spoke to demonstrate his lack of hostility.

"Ye Tian."

Ye Tian stated his name, carefully sizing up the middle-aged man before him.

Chen Xin, the future Title Douluo who would protect the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, was also a well-known sword fanatic. Ye Tian had not expected to run into this man just by attending an auction.

However, being able to befriend Chen Xin would count as a valuable connection in the future.

A spar was not out of the question.

"Senior Chen Xin, a spar is acceptable."

Seeing the joy in Chen Xin's eyes, Ye Tian became even more certain, though his tone suddenly shifted, "I wonder, does the spar you propose involve only technique, or will soul power be included?"

"Technique only, of course. I have lived many years longer than young friend Ye; it would be taking too much advantage to use soul power."

"Senior, shall we head somewhere a bit quieter?"

"No problem."