His fingers unconsciously stroked his goatee as the harshness in his eyes surged like a tide once more. Yet at the thought of that inexplicable palpitation in his heart, he forcibly suppressed it. His knuckles had turned white from the force of his grip.
Seeing the Great Elder's expression shift, the disciples behind him also revealed angry looks. Their hands tightened around their poisoned spikes, but no one dared step forward first—the black mark on that disciple's wrist was still bleeding, and the sizzling sound of the corroded stone slabs seemed to linger in their ears. No one wanted to become the second unlucky victim.
The Great Elder drew a deep breath, striving to keep his tone respectful, though he could not hide a trace of stiffness. "Miss, always leave some room for others... Our Poison Sect holds some influence throughout the Chu Yun Empire. Moreover, this Poison Market lies under the Poison Sect's jurisdiction. If you refuse to show us any respect, word getting out may not be good for you either."
He deliberately emphasized the words "holds some influence throughout the Chu Yun Empire," trying to intimidate her with the sect's power.
Yet the woman seemed not to hear his threat. Her hood swayed slightly, as though she were observing the crowd gathering around them. Then she lifted her foot and headed straight toward the deepest part of the Poison Market—where the Chu Yun Empire's grandest auction house stood. The items auctioned or stored within were beyond the reach of ordinary people, who were not even qualified to approach it.
"Stop her!" Seeing that the woman had no regard for the Poison Sect whatsoever, the Great Elder finally could not hold himself back and barked a low command.
This time, he no longer placed his hopes on the