The authoritative, aged voice echoed throughout the Xiao Clan, causing everyone in the clan to change their expressions at that moment.
In the sky, Xiao Yuheng was also startled by this sudden turn of events. He quickly regained his composure, scanned the horizon, and, finding no one there, respectfully bowed and spoke in an exceptionally humble tone:
"Clan Chief Xiao Yuheng obeys!"
"Even the patriarch has been alarmed!"
As Xiao Yuheng displayed this posture, the others beside him naturally dared not slack off. As they bowed, low exclamations of surprise came from their mouths.
At this moment, Xiao Dingtian's heart trembled violently, his Elder Zhang turned deathly pale in an instant, and his body convulsed and swayed as if he had aged a hundred years in the blink of an eye. The other two beside him, Xiao Jinghong and Xiao Qian, also looked extremely pale at this moment. The ancestor had personally given the order, so it was a done deal. They should understand that from now on, the lineage of Xiao Dingtian and his two companions would no longer have any power.
Lava Fort.
Since the auction was still more than ten days away, Xiao Yan and his companion settled down in the city at a leisurely pace. While resting, they also heard some more news about the auction from various sources. However, most of it was consistent with what Wan Xing had said. In fact, many people were behaving and acting exactly like Wan Xing when they were telling their stories. It seemed that many people in the city had learned their information from him.
Having cut off all communication, Xiao Yan simply stopped searching. Since it was useless, he might as well spend his time cultivating. In the days leading up to the auction, he refined and absorbed all the remaining Xiao Yan Scarlet Pearl. However, whether it was because he had just broken through or because he had absorbed too much lava power, the results of absorbing the Scarlet Pearl in his current state were not very satisfactory.
As dawn broke, a dark red glow spread across the city, making it appear as if it were dusk.
The streets were teeming with people, including many forces from the Central Region, as well as some reclusive sects that usually kept a low profile but had deep foundations, and of course, some powerful elders.
The fact that an auction could bring out these normally unknown powerhouses speaks volumes about its success, or rather, it proves the value of the Fire Banyan Ruins map.
Lava Fort is divided into three areas. Its sect forces are mainly located in the rear city, while the front half of the city is divided into left and right cities. The Lava Fort auction is being held in the right city, which had already been occupied by various forces half a month ago. Therefore, when Xiao Yan and his companion arrived, they could only see a dense river of people on the streets.
A cacophony of noise rose into the sky, eventually transforming into a terrifying wave of sound that swept across the land. Xiao Yan and his companion darted onto a building and looked up. At the far end of their line of sight, a massive auction house lay prostrate on the ground like a colossal beast.
Just as the two were about to fly forward, a shadow flew overhead. Looking up, they saw a group of people dressed in fine clothes, who appeared to be a team from some force in the Central Region.
"That's... Ouyang Miao? Even the Ouyang Clan has been attracted here?"
Upon seeing the leader of the group, Xiao Yan was momentarily surprised. Qin Yan beside him also raised an eyebrow, seemingly astonished that Xiao Yan had any connection with the Ouyang Clan of the Central Region. After a slight hesitation, he asked:
"Since we know each other, why don't we go over and say hello?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan hesitated for a moment, then shook his head.
"No need. Since he brought a team here, he must have a mission. It wouldn't be appropriate to go over and say hello at this time."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Yan's gaze suddenly shifted from Ouyang Miao and his group. In his line of sight, a young man dressed in white flew down from the void to the side and stood not far from Ouyang Miao and his group. Staring at the suddenly appearing young man in white, the expression in Xiao Yan's eyes gradually turned cold.
" Bai Zijing, you really came too!"
The person blocking Ouyang Miao and the others' way was none other than Bai Zijing of the Bai Clan, with whom Xiao Yan had fought a dangerous battle in the Fire Banyan Forest.
"So, it seems that two of the three major families of the Central Region have already attended this auction. What about the Xiao Clan?"
Withdrawing his gaze, Xiao Yan couldn't help but ponder to himself. If the map at this auction could entice these two families to make a move, then the Xiao Clan shouldn't have remained silent. However, what Xiao Yan hadn't expected was that the Xiao Clan had indeed planned to send someone, with Xiao Shaojun and Xiao Siyu accompanying them. But after the former handed the Fire Banyan Token to Xiao Yan, they decided to abandon the plan. In truth, Xiao Yan's arrival here now could be considered as going on behalf of the Xiao Clan.
Having met the members of the two major families, Xiao Yan and Qin Yan no longer lingered. They mingled among the many powerful figures in the sky and rushed into the entrance of the auction house in front of the street. After several twists and turns along the central passage, they paid a large sum of Spirit Stone and finally entered the grandstand of the venue.
Upon entering the venue, Xiao Yan surveyed his surroundings. In the darker corners around the stands, he could sense many powerful auras. In addition, guards dressed in Lava Fort uniforms were stationed around the auction stage below, their sharp weapons gleaming coldly, repelling many who approached the stage.
On the stage, several elders of Lava Fort stood with their hands behind their backs. The powerful aura emanating from them made many people present feel a sense of oppression.
After a long while, as everyone entered the venue, an elderly man dressed in a purple robe appeared on the auction stage. Immediately afterwards, a clear chime echoed throughout the entire venue, quickly silencing the noisy commotion.
As the chimes faded away, the purple-robed elder in the arena gently stroked his sleeve, and an Formation Plate appeared in mid-air. Amidst a series of intricate hand seals, light flashed across its surface, spreading out in golden radiance until it covered the entire auction stage.
"Tsk tsk... To actually send a high-level array master to the stage to oversee things, Lava Fort has really gone to great lengths for this auction."
Seeing the scene unfold, Xiao Yan couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement. His gaze swept across the entire arena, then he let out a faint sneer. His eyes returned to the purple-robed elder who was pacing to the front of the stage, his gaze filled with hope. After waiting for so many days, the mysterious map that had stirred up so many forces was finally about to be unveiled.