Chapter Seventeen: Yearning for Death

“Who would know?”

It was still him, the young man from Room 305.

From that room came a mocking voice: “Just you? Do you know who I am? Do you know what stands behind me? Are you trying to threaten me?”

Jie Peiling shivered as he looked at the unfamiliar Xu Yuanming before him. This was different from the neighborly older brother he had known before; it seemed this familiar face had changed. Yet, the features still told him that this was indeed Xu Yuanming.

Xu Yuanming exhaled softly, glanced casually, and said plainly, “I am indeed threatening you.”

After he spoke, the entire auction hall fell into an uncanny silence. No one understood what he intended or why he acted so. It was like the apothecary owner, who was simply frustrated that an insignificant girl refused to cooperate.

No one understood.

From that room came a scornful laugh: “Oh, I’m so scared! Why don’t you say you’re a disciple of the Ying Tian Taoist Temple? Why not mention you’re an official practitioner of the Great Jin’s genealogical office?”

Xu Yuanming narrowed his eyes slightly and replied, “So what if I am? What if I’m not? Do you dare claim otherwise?”

“That’s not it,” the voice sneered, “but you’re not even worthy to deal with the auction’s director, yet you dare act arrogantly in front of me. Not just you, even those behind you wouldn’t be so rude.”

Xu Yuanming responded indifferently, “Oh.”

The director felt a headache coming on; he had never imagined anyone would be so bold.

The man sneered again: “Twenty spirit stones. This potion is mine. No matter what, we must get this medicine. As for the mortals in the city... well, maybe they just had bad luck. Next life, they should be more careful and not pick such places to die.”

His words were cold and indifferent, treating the mortals’ lives as insignificant—as if they didn’t deserve to be hurt, to die... or even to live!

Suddenly, Xu Yuanming spoke again: “I’ve heard something. I wonder if you all have as well.”

The director said, “Speak freely.”

“A young master from the Kuozhen Sect was caught in a brothel outside. Heh heh... what do you think of that?”

“Bastard! You little brat, do you want to die?!”

Suddenly, powerful spiritual energy erupted from the room, filled with murderous intent, all directed at Jie Peiling and Xu Yuanming’s location.

“Beg for death, or die.”

It had no effect. Xu Yuanming continued speaking casually; the overwhelming aura didn’t even damage the room.

At that moment, a handsome youth named Bai Ci appeared, holding a fan. He looked toward the room and smiled, “May the strongest prevail. Whoever has the most resources wins. What happens afterward is none of our concern.”

No sooner had he spoken than a talisman shot out from Room 305, radiating immense spiritual power, ready to awaken and obliterate everything.

“A Spring Rain Killing Talisman. This potion is mine.”

The room fell silent. Such a talisman was a tremendous treasure, far beyond the value of the medicine. Everyone thought this young master was truly bold. But who was he? No one in Yuanzhou City had ever heard of his family.

The Kuozhen Sect’s members were shocked. They never expected their opponent to reveal such a powerful artifact. They exchanged helpless glances, unsure how to respond.

Behind them stood a sullen young man: Chu Feizhi, heir to the Chu family. The notorious playboy recently said to have troubled the apothecary’s girl was his younger brother, also a young master of the Kuozhen Sect.

Beside Chu Feizhi stood a middle-aged man who, seeing the heir’s dismissive gesture, knew the next steps.

No one expected the situation to change so drastically.

The rest of the auction proceeded quietly. Neither the Kuozhen Sect nor the Chu family obtained a single item.

Everything they desired was bought by the people from Room 305.

Soon, the auction ended.

Lin Yuanming said, “I’m going out to fetch the items just auctioned. Stay here and don’t open the door for anyone, no matter who it is.”

Jie Peiling nodded. The moment Lin Yuanming left, Bai Ci suddenly appeared inside the room. He sat in a chair, propping his face with his right hand, smiling.

“Daoist friend, you sure have a generous hand! Such lavish spending. No wonder you’re a companion of Brother Lü.”

Jie Peiling shuddered at the voice, realizing he hadn’t noticed how Bai Ci had entered.

He spoke coldly, “What do you want? Brother Lü will be back soon.”

Bai Ci waved his hand and sighed, “I envy you. Someone as cold as Brother Lü actually travels with companions. I’m really curious. After all, the first time we met, he tried to kill me with a sword!”

Jie Peiling recalled Xu Yuanming’s warning to be cautious of this man. As he spoke, he began to retreat.

“What do you want from me?”

Bai Ci straightened up, a little helpless: “Nothing much, just want to make friends. Look, I won’t even show my face to the Kuozhen Sect’s top-tier room people. Why would I come to you? It must be because you have something special. Another friend is another safeguard. You never know when you might need one.”

The more Jie Peiling listened, the more he sensed this man was trouble, here for ulterior motives.

Seeing his expression, Bai Ci reluctantly said, “Alright, I’ll be honest. Actually, I’m a young master from a big family.”

Jie Peiling said, “You mentioned that.”

“Don’t interrupt me,” Bai Ci shot him a glance and continued, “You probably don’t know, but when Brother Lü and I parted ways the first time—remember, I said he drew his sword then? That really scared me. To make up for it, he gave me a spirit stone. Since I come from a noble family, I know a few tricks. I used the stone to consult a renowned Taoist temple nearby. Guess what?”

Bai Ci saw Jie Peiling’s expression remain cold and blink. Delivering a speech alone was boring without an audience. Not even a single reaction—what kind of performance was that?

“Come on, at least react a little. Never mind... I don’t want you to show any unnecessary expression anyway. The divination didn’t say much, just that I should stay here a while longer. And you know what? It was right. I searched around for a while with no luck. Just when I was about to give up, I saw you all here. From the first glance, I knew—you’re exactly who the divination told me to wait for!”

Jie Peiling clapped his hands and said, “You should tell him yourself.”