In the shadows of an alley that anyone entering the black market auction house had to pass through, three figures had long been lying in wait.
Tang San gripped the Godly Zhuge Crossbow tightly, his eyes as cold as a venomous snake's, and instructed in a low voice, "Mubai, Fatty, when he comes out, I'll use crossbow bolts to cut off his escape routes first. You two immediately unleash your strongest Soul Skills to finish him off. Remember, leave no survivors."
"Understood." Dai Mubai licked his lips, his eyes brimming with bloodthirsty delight.
"He's here."
Tang San's heart tightened. At the far end of the alley, three figures-one tall and two short-were slowly approaching over the bluestone paving slabs.
Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun tensed every muscle, about to channel their Soul Power and launch a sudden attack, but Tang San abruptly reached out and pressed down hard on their shoulders.
"Wait. Don't attack yet." Tang San lowered his voice, a sinister, calculating gleam flickering in his eyes.
"What's wrong, Brother San? He's practically right in front of us." Ma Hongjun was sweating with impatience.
Tang San stared coldly at Xiong Shaoqing's back and explained quietly, "He's only just entering, so his guard is at its highest, and he doesn't have any treasures worth coveting on him. If we attack now, he'll have no reservations and will fight us to the bitter end."
A cruel sneer curled Tang San's lips. "A place like the black market never lacks desperate outlaws. Wait until the auction ends and he gets that priceless Netherworld Dark Fragrance Bamboo."
"He'll most likely feel a moment of satisfaction and let his guard down after obtaining the treasure. Besides, a rare treasure like that will undoubtedly draw the covetous eyes of other experts in the black market."
"When someone can't resist trying to seize it, the place will erupt into chaos. We'll stay hidden and wait until he's tied up fighting someone else, unable to split his attention, before delivering a fatal strike with the Godly Zhuge Crossbow."
"That's the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind it. That gives us the highest chance of success."
After hearing his analysis, Dai Mubai's and Ma Hongjun's eyes lit up, and they nodded repeatedly.
"Brilliant. Your brain really does work best, San." Dai Mubai slipped back into the darkness. "Then let him live another hour. We'll wait right here to collect his corpse."
Meanwhile, Xiong Shaoqing had lifted the heavy black curtain and entered the underground black market's central auction hall with Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing.
Unlike the cold gloom outside, the auction hall was brightly lit, yet suffused with the decadent air of extravagant indulgence.
The surrounding stands were packed with masked Soul Masters and black market merchants, their eyes greedy.
The oppressive surroundings and dangerous, scrutinizing gazes made both Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing unconsciously draw closer to Xiong Shaoqing.
"Big Brother, the people here are looking at us so fiercely..." Xiao Wu instinctively caught his left sleeve, pressing nearly half her body against his arm.
Although Zhu Zhuqing said nothing, her cool, pretty face was taut. She silently extended her fair hand and caught his right sleeve, wisps of her cool, delicate fragrance drifting into his nose.
Xiong Shaoqing stood straight as a pine, his face frosty, his deep black eyes sweeping indifferently over the ill-intentioned gazes around them.
A formidable pressure belonging to the Archaic Heaven-Shaking Bear faintly radiated from him, immediately forcing the surrounding petty villains to avert their eyes.
Chapter 78: Trouble at the Auction
He tilted his head slightly, his voice low and reassuring. "Stay close. Don't wander off."
On the surface, he was as steady as Mount Tai and arrogantly unassailable, but inside, Xiong Shaoqing's lecherous soul was almost exploding on the spot.
Holy shit, a soft, sweet Soft Bone Rabbit on my left and an aloof little kitty on my right. This real sensation of having a girl in each arm is going to be the death of me.
Hold steady. Don't smile. Absolutely no creepy pervert face.
I'm an ice-cold big shot who's seen through worldly attachments now. Even if I'm ecstatic inside, I have to look calm and unruffled.
A black market attendant led the three to a private seating area near the front.
The auction soon began.
Treasures tainted with bloodshed or of unknown provenance were brought onto the stage one after another, sparking waves of frenzied bidding.
Xiong Shaoqing leaned against his chair, eyes half closed, utterly uninterested in them.
Not until midway through the auction did the auctioneer uncover a brocade box draped in red cloth.
"Everyone, our next lot is called the Illusory Moon Soft Bone Flower. This flower grows only in places of extreme yin bathed in abundant moonlight. Not only can it greatly enhance the resilience of soft-bone and Charm-type Martial Souls, but it can also cleanse the sinews and marrow. The starting bid is five thousand Gold Soul Coins."
At the flower's name, Xiao Wu's rabbit ears shot upright, her large eyes full of longing. But after looking at Xiong Shaoqing beside her, she obediently lowered her head again.
Big Brother came today to buy Netherworld Dark Fragrance Bamboo for Sister Zhu Zhuqing. The bidding later will definitely be ferocious. I can't distract him and make him spend more just because of a moment of greed.
Yet how could her little gesture of restraint escape Xiong Shaoqing's eyes?
"Five thousand five hundred Gold Soul Coins."
"Six thousand." Several Soul Masters in the stands began tentatively raising the bid.
Just as someone called out "Six thousand five hundred," a cool, unquestionable voice abruptly rang through the noisy auction hall.
"Seven thousand."
Xiong Shaoqing leaned back in his chair without even lifting his eyelids, casually tossing out the number.
At the same time, he lightly tapped a knuckle against the table. The icy baleful presence of a level thirty-nine Archaic Heaven-Shaking Bear spread outward, almost tangible.
The entire hall fell silent for a moment.
Everyone turned. Seeing the black-clad young man's cold, ruthless, keep-your-distance demeanor, several people who had intended to raise their bids swallowed their words.
Although the flower was rare, its uses were ultimately niche. Fighting a ruthless-looking character who was clearly trouble over a supplementary treasure was truly unwise.
"Seven thousand Gold Soul Coins. Sold!"
With the auctioneer's hammer settling the matter, a black market attendant soon approached their seats respectfully with the brocade box on a tray and bowed. "Sir, here is your purchase. Under our black market's rules, payment of seven thousand Gold Soul Coins must be settled in person."
Without lifting his eyelids, Xiong Shaoqing casually pulled a black-and-gold card from his clothes and tossed it onto the tray.
The attendant efficiently deducted the full amount and returned the card with both hands. Only then was the brocade box containing the Illusory Moon Soft Bone Flower officially placed on the table.
After the attendant withdrew, Xiong Shaoqing pushed the box in front of Xiao Wu without even looking at it, his voice cold and hard. "Take it and chew on it as a snack. Your bones are too brittle. Don't let someone snap them easily in a real fight and drag me down for nothing."
Holding the brocade box for which seven thousand Gold Soul Coins had just been deducted before her eyes, Xiao Wu's eyes instantly reddened.
Big Brother sounded so disdainful and harsh, yet he didn't even frown when paying out that fortune.
He clearly saw that I couldn't bear to give it up and bought it especially to protect me.
Meanwhile, Xiong Shaoqing was frantically working an abacus in his mind.
Phew... seven thousand Gold Soul Coins. Good thing I intimidated those bastards with my presence just now. If they'd kept raising the bid, my budget for buying little kitty's bamboo would've gotten tight.
Looking at this Soft Bone Rabbit's reddened eyes, so full of admiration, playing the penny-pinching domineering tycoon was fucking worth it. Being a master of balancing the scales isn't easy. I have to keep the water level in both bowls.
The auction continued, the atmosphere growing ever more heated, until the final, crowning moment arrived.
"Everyone, tonight's final treasure: Netherworld Dark Fragrance Bamboo."
When the pitch-black bamboo, giving off a cool, subtle fragrance, was brought onto the stage, Zhu Zhuqing's breathing instantly quickened.
The spiritual bamboo's pull on her surpassed even instinct.
"The starting bid is twenty thousand Gold Soul Coins."
"Twenty-five thousand."
"Thirty-five thousand." A bloody storm of bidding immediately swept through the hall.
This natural treasure, capable of bringing a qualitative transformation to agility-attack Martial Souls, made countless shadow-type Soul Masters' eyes burn with desire.
The price soared all the way to sixty thousand Gold Soul Coins.
Then a Soul Master in the front row, shrouded entirely in black robes and radiating a sinister chill, spoke ominously:
"Sixty-five thousand Gold Soul Coins. I am an elder of the Poison Shadow Sect, and I will have this Dark Fragrance Bamboo. Anyone who dares bid again makes an enemy of my Poison Shadow Sect. Once you leave this black market, you'd best watch the head on your shoulders."
His words, accompanied by a venomous pressure at the Soul Ancestor level, immediately silenced the hall.
Several people who had wanted to continue bidding changed expression. Gritting their teeth, they could only sit back down resentfully.
That was how the black market worked. Often, the contest involved not only money, but also the backing and fists behind it.
Just as the Poison Shadow Sect elder was feeling smug, thinking the hammer was about to fall-
"Seventy thousand."
Xiong Shaoqing, silent until now, slowly opened his eyes. An arrogant, domineering gleam flashed through his deep black gaze as he coldly uttered the number.
Hearing his voice, the Poison Shadow Sect elder flew into a rage and whipped his head around, his murky eyes fixed on Xiong Shaoqing, murderous intent laid bare. "You insolent brat! You're courting death!"
Along with his furious shout, the Soul Ancestor's pressure surged out again, bearing straight down on Xiong Shaoqing like a venomous snake flicking its tongue.
Yet Xiong Shaoqing did not even glance at him, merely picking up the teacup on the table.
The peak level thirty-nine Archaic Gang Qi around him instantly circulated. As immovable as a mountain, it forcibly blocked that oppressive Soul Ancestor pressure three feet away without spilling so much as half a drop of tea.
Outwardly calm and unruffled, Xiong Shaoqing was coldly calculating inside.
Poison Shadow Sect? Never even heard of it.
An elder of a sect, yet he's barely reached Soul Ancestor. That tells me this sect's foundations aren't worth mentioning.
I carefully felt him out when he released his pressure just now. His Soul Power is insubstantial. He's just an ordinary Soul Ancestor.
I might only be level thirty-nine right now, but with the Archaic Heaven-Shaking Bear's incomparably domineering physique and vital blood, beating an ordinary Soul Ancestor across ranks is nothing.
To get this Dark Fragrance Bamboo for little kitty, never mind offending some third-rate sect-even if the King of Heaven himself came, I'd snatch this bamboo all the same.
Besides, I'm only one step away from Level 40. An elder of this caliber doesn't deserve my attention.
Chapter 79: Fierce Battle in the Dark Alley
Meanwhile, seeing Xiong Shaoqing block his pressure so effortlessly, the Poison Shadow Sect elder's pupils abruptly contracted.
What formidable physique and vital blood this brat has. He hasn't even reached Soul Ancestor, yet he blocked my pressure without the slightest effort.
Could he be some peerless, extraordinarily gifted genius from a major sect, out gaining experience?
A trace of alarm and uncertainty flashed through the elder's murky eyes, but it quickly turned into an even crueler, vicious gleam.
So what if he's a genius?
A genius who hasn't matured is nothing once he dies young.
Since he dares to humiliate me and steal the treasure I've set my sights on, he'd better be prepared to lie dead in the street.
Murderous intent flashed wildly in the elder's eyes for an instant, but he quickly forced it down.
He knew the black market had its own rules. Attacking here would not only bring him trouble, but would also anger the power behind the black market.
"Brat, you've got guts. We'll see about this." The elder left those chilling words behind and withdrew his gaze like a venomous snake.
He had already decided that once this brat stepped outside the black market, that secluded dark alley would be the perfect, auspicious spot to murder him, seize his belongings, and snuff out a genius.
"Seventy thousand Gold Soul Coins. Sold!" Seeing no further bids, the auctioneer hurriedly brought down his hammer.
With the final lot settled, the entire auction also came to an end.
The black market's steward personally approached their seats carrying the specially made jade case sealing the Netherworld Dark Fragrance Bamboo, his manner exceptionally respectful. "Sir, the total is seventy thousand Gold Soul Coins. This Dark Fragrance Bamboo readily loses its spiritual Qi after leaving the soil, so please settle payment and take delivery in person."
Xiong Shaoqing handed over his black-and-gold card expressionlessly.
"Beep." Seventy thousand Gold Soul Coins were deducted, and the steward respectfully pushed the jade case before Xiong Shaoqing.
Xiong Shaoqing picked up the Dark Fragrance Bamboo with its cool, subtle fragrance and casually shoved it into Zhu Zhuqing's hands, his tone as cold and stern as ice that had not melted in ten thousand years. "We have it. This bamboo is heavy with yin Qi. Absorb it soon after we get back, before a long night brings more dreams."
Holding the treasure worth seventy thousand Gold Soul Coins in both hands, Zhu Zhuqing's fingertips trembled slightly.
"Shaoqing..." She raised her head, ripples now shimmering in her cool eyes as she stared fixedly at Xiong Shaoqing's cold, hard face.
He knew full well that the other man was a Soul Ancestor, knew full well that he had issued deadly threats, yet he had still fought for it for her without so much as a frown.
In this world driven by profit, where the weak were prey to the strong, who besides him would disregard the cost for her like this, even putting his life on the line?
Meanwhile, Xiong Shaoqing remained as steady as Mount Tai on the surface, but waves surged within him.
Phew... got it for seventy thousand.
Payment and goods settled. Spending that money really hurt.
But this investment is very profitable. Not only did I get a tender look from little kitty, but she'll most likely give something back.
After all, this little kitty has quite a background. As royalty of the Star Luo Empire, she counts as rich and powerful.
Maybe she'll pay me back, but it doesn't matter even if she doesn't.
It's only a few more matches. Money comes quickly.
Xiong Shaoqing forcibly shifted his gaze away, refusing to look at Zhu Zhuqing's overwhelmingly moved eyes.
He abruptly rose, his tall frame shielding the two girls as his deep gaze swept coldly toward the auction hall's exit like a sharp sword.
"Let's go." His voice was low, yet carried a restrained, deadly chill. "We have what we came for. I'm afraid the black market's sinister winds are about to start blowing. Both of you, stay close."
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