Chapter 71: The Sly Zhai Xing
Zhai Xing furrowed his brows in confusion. "Debt? What debt are you talking about? Why have I never heard of this?"
Bing Shuang immediately conjured a list, detailing how the Blood Ghost had killed a dozen rank four magical beasts and destroyed hundreds of trees near the Heaven Ascending Pavilion. With interest, the debt had now reached eighty million gold coins.
Zhai Xing's mouth twitched. "That's too much! Your Heaven Ascending Pavilion is too vicious!"
"Are you questioning me?" Bing Shuang's expression turned cold. A wave of frosty Dou Qi pulsed from her, exuding an aura no weaker than that of a five-star Dou Venerate.
Seeing Bing Shuang's rising anger, Zhai Xing cursed the Blood Ghost internally. That fool always had a bad habit for showing off, and now he was dead, leaving this hefty bill behind.
Eighty million gold coins in just one year! If this continued for several years, it would drain the Hall of Souls' reserves!
Realizing the severity of the situation, Zhai Xing forced a smile and softened his tone.
"Hehe, what is your name, lady?"
"Bing Shuang. The Pavilion Master bestowed me with my title Venerable Frost."
(T/N: I changed her title from Venerable Ice and Snow to Venerable Frost because I think it suits her better.)
"Ah, Venerable Frost, I've heard of you." Zhai Xing handed the debt slip back and smiled. "I am Heavenly Venerate of the Hall of Souls. You may call me Zhai Xing. This was all a misunderstanding. I barely knew the Blood Ghost."
"Are you mocking me?"
Bing Shuang frowned, her Dou Qi forming an ice sword in her hand, ready to strike Zhai Xing at any moment.
Zhai Xing's face turned grim. To avoid paying the debt, he grabbed the nearby Protector Wu and threw him to the ground. "If you don't believe me, ask him. Was the Blood Ghost really one of us?"
Protector Wu, sensing the tense atmosphere, feared saying the wrong thing and losing his life.
"The Blood Ghost was not really with us. You can verify it if you like."
Bing Shuang's expression remained calm as she slowly lifted her ice sword, making Protector Wu tremble in fear. As a Dou Ancestor, he was no match for a Dou Venerate.
Just as Bing Shuang was about to act, she heard the Pavilion Master's voice in her mind.
"Let it go. If they refuse to acknowledge it, we can't do much."
Hearing this, Bing Shuang sheathed her weapon and stepped aside. "You'd better behave, or the Heaven Ascending Pavilion will make you pay dearly!"
As Bing Shuang disappeared in a flash, Protector Wu collapsed on the ground, exhausted. Confirming that Bing Shuang was no longer pursuing the matter, he finally breathed a sigh of relief, his robes drenched in sweat.
Zhai Xing looked disdainfully at the terrified Protector Wu, feeling embarrassed by his display of cowardice. This was supposed to be one of the Soul Hall's elite protectors, and now he was making a mockery of the Hall!
Tang Zhen, the Valley Master of Burning Flame Valley, laughed heartily. "Zhai Xing, I thought all of you from the Hall of Souls were tough. Looks like I was wrong."
"You!" Zhai Xing gritted his teeth, wanting to tear Tang Zhen apart on the spot. But the rule was clear: no fighting within fifty miles of the Heaven Ascending Pavilion, or face execution.
All he could do was swallow his resentment. Zhai Xing, known for his vengeful nature, grabbed Protector Wu's head and flung him away. "Clean yourself up before you come back!"
Tang Zhen glanced at Protector Wu but said nothing, standing quietly with his eyes closed, meditating.
To him, Zhai Xing was just a clown. If it weren't for the powerful Hall of Souls backing him, Tang Zhen wouldn't give him any respect.
Seeing the growing tension, the people from the Black-Corner Region had already distanced themselves, fearing for their own safety.
Sect Leader Fan Lao of the Blood Sect turned his head and said, "Medicine Emperor, you don't need to hide behind a tree anymore. They won't fight here."
Han Feng awkwardly emerged from behind the tree, feeling a bit humiliated. This dog had embarrassed him in front of so many people. He would never heed his request for refining pills ever again.
After about an hour, Niu Meng appeared before everyone, his voice booming, "Everyone, please follow me. Do not trample the surrounding plants. If you ignore the rules and cause damage, you will be charged one hundred gold coins per blade of grass."
This statement infuriated the crowd. One hundred gold coins per blade of grass? Were they insane? In the Magic Beast Mountain Range, weeds were abundant, and a single gold coin could buy a cartload of them, let alone one hundred gold coins.
Feeling the temperature of the valley, Tang Zhen, the Valley Master of Burning Flame Valley, couldn't help but in awe, "I never thought the eastern Magic Beast Mountain Range would have such a place. It's quite surprising."
The Dou Qi here was as abundant as in the Central Plains. The closer one got to the center, the stronger the energy, creating a powerful urge to achieve sudden enlightenment.
Niu Meng stood outside the Heaven Ascending Pavilion, with Amethyst Winged Lion King and a few other magical beasts watching the humans vigilantly. If they noticed anyone ignoring the rules, they were ready to kill them on the spot.
"Teacher, there are Dou Venerate experts here this time. The upcoming auction will be even more intense."
From a distance, a young man in a black robe watched the experts intently. With the help of the Deep Sea Blue Heart, Yao Chen's soul had mostly recovered. If Xiao Yan advanced to Dou Spirit, he could at least withstand Yao Chen's peak Dou Ancestor power.
This traitorous disciple! Yao Chen's eyes were fixed on Han Feng, his gaze filled with hatred and resentment.
Yuan Yi, the leader of the Eight Gates, turned to Xiao Yan's direction and asked Han Feng beside him, "Medicine Emperor, since we arrived, that guy has been watching you. Do you know him?"
Upon hearing this, Han Feng turned to look at Xiao Yan. He felt a familiar aura but couldn't recall where he had seen him before.
"Just a clown, nothing to worry about."
Han Feng dismissed Xiao Yan, considering him just a small Dou Fighter, not worth his concern.
After waiting a bit longer, the doors of the Heaven Ascending Pavilion finally opened.
Linglong gestured with one hand, "The auction is about to begin. Please come in."
Those carrying more gold coins naturally proceeded to the third floor, while the middle-tier guests settled on the second floor. The others didn't mind and just found a seat wherever they could.
Han Feng glanced at those seated on the first floor with scorn, finding them as insignificant as insects.
Ya Fei walked to the center of the crystal stage and bowed deeply to everyone. "I'm delighted to welcome you all to the Heaven Ascending Pavilion."
"Some of you may not know me, so allow me to introduce myself. I am Ya Fei from the Mittel family, and I will be your auctioneer for today. All the items up for auction will be presented by me personally."
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