Sensing Ya Fei's distraught, Li Xiao sent a voice transmission to comfort her while stressing the point that Heaven Ascending Pavilion had their own rule to uphold. Anyone who violated that rule would be punished accordingly.
Those who disrupt bidding prices were the most detestable. Killing them served as a warning to others, ensuring that there wouldn't be any more reckless bidders and relieving others from worrying about overly inflated prices.
Ya Fei nodded slightly and turned back to the audience, "Apologies, everyone, there was a minor incident just now. I hope you all understand."
"Now, let's continue the auction. The bid of seventy million from earlier has been annulled, so we will start again from the previous highest bid of sixty-four million."
Sensing the opportunity, Yun Yun immediately shouted, "Sixty-five million gold coins."
This time, no one continued to bid, choosing to prepare for the final auction item instead.
"Sixty-five million gold coins, once!"
"Sixty-five million gold coins, twice!"
"Anyone willing to go higher?" Ya Fei smiled gently, "How about seventy million?"
She looked around the private rooms, ready to drop the hammer if there were no more bids.
"Then, sixty-five million gold coins, three times, sold!"
"Let's congratulate the expert in Room No. 3 for successfully bidding sixty-five million gold coins for the Sky Demon Puppet!"
Yun Yun breathed a sigh of relief, slumping into her chair as sweat trickled down her exquisite face.
Elder Yun Leng and the others were ecstatic, practically dancing with joy. If not for the crowd, they might have stripped off their clothes and danced out of sheer happiness.
With the addition of a Dou Ancestor, Misty Cloud Sect would surely have a firm footing when stepping up into the Central Plains!
"There will be a short break after this. The final item will be auctioned in half an hour. Thank you for your patience."
Ya Fei's seductive figure turned as she left the crystal platform, leaving the attendees to their own devices.
Back in the fourth-floor room.
Niu Meng stood at the doorway, blocking Ya Fei's path. He had already cleaned up the remaining blood in the hall. The Pavilion Master was discussing important matters with Linglong and others, and no one was allowed to enter. He had to guard the area.
Queen Medusa leaned against the wall, arms crossed. Since transforming into her human form, her cultivation speed had greatly increased, and training within Heaven Ascending Pavilion had been doubly effective. In just half a year, she had broken through to the six-star Dou Ancestor stage, something that she couldn't even imagine in the past.
"When will Pavilion Master Li Xiao come out? I have matters to discuss with him," Queen Medusa demanded.
"The Pavilion Master has ordered that no one is to step foot into the room. Ya Fei, Cai Lin, you will have to wait."
Niu Meng glanced at the room behind him and whispered, "You two should wait here. The Pavilion Master hates being interrupted at crucial moments."
Hearing this, the two women exchanged glances, not catching the hidden meaning in Niu Meng's words. They assumed Pavilion Master Li Xiao was busy with other matters.
Ya Fei sighed, "What is the Pavilion Master doing in there? Is he discussing the next auction items?"
Niu Meng coughed lightly, avoiding further explanation.
Time flew by, and half an hour passed quickly.
On the fourth floor, Li Xiao was lying down, enjoying massages and a cleansing from his followers, a relaxed expression on his face.
When they finished, he slowly stood up, taking the usual menacing mask from his robe. He placed the mask on his face, concealing his aura and preventing any probing, even from a Dou God.
Upon hearing movement, Niu Meng opened the door and let the two women in. As soon as they entered, a peculiar smell hit them—a scent both familiar and unfamiliar, difficult to pinpoint.
Ya Fei sniffed, "Pavilion Master, there's a strange smell in the room. Do you smell it?"
Li Xiao adjusted his mask and coughed lightly, "I don't think so. Lian Xue..."
Lian Xue understood immediately, waving her hand to disperse the scent and let in fresh air.
Queen Medusa said, "Pavilion Master Li Xiao, I've advanced to the Dou Ancestor stage. It's time for me to return to the Snake-People Tribe."
"Don't worry. I promised to help the Snake-People Tribe relocate to the Magic Beast Mountain Range within three years," Li Xiao reassured her. He knew Queen Medusa was in a hurry, but the relocation couldn't happen until the tribe's new settlement was complete.
Queen Medusa frowned slightly, "Very well. I will wait until the settlement is ready before leading my people there."
"Cai Lin, remember, everything you have now is thanks to the Pavilion Master. Without him, you'd still be stuck in the depths of the Tagore Desert." Bing Shuang said coldly, "The same goes for the Snake-People Tribe. Without Heaven Ascending Pavilion, there would be no future for your people."
"The Pavilion Master has given you a new home and helped you break through to Dou Ancestor. You should be grateful."
Cai Lin's expression softened. Bing Shuang's words were indeed true; without Heaven Ascending Pavilion, her breakthrough would have been nearly impossible.
She nodded and humbled herself, bowing to Li Xiao, "Thank you, Pavilion Master."
Li Xiao replied softly, "Relax, I've already told you, you're part of Heaven Ascending Pavilion now. I'll personally ensure the Snake-People Tribe's safety."
"Thank you," Cai Lin's lips curled into a beautiful smile as she expressed her gratitude.
Li Xiao said, straightening his clothes. "Alright, it's time for the auction to resume,"
Ya Fei then asked, "Pavilion Master, shouldn't I handle the next auction?"
"The final item is a Heavenly Flame. Your strength is too weak to withstand its aura. I'll handle this personally."
With that, Li Xiao vanished from sight.
The lights in the first-floor hall suddenly dimmed. Amid the puzzled gazes of the crowd, a beam of white light illuminated the crystal platform, revealing Li Xiao with his red mask.
"It's Pavilion Master Li! He's personally conducting the auction!"
"Last time, when the fragment map of the Purifying Lotus Demonic Flame was auctioned, he didn't show up. However, this time, he's here again in person. The final item must be incredibly valuable!"
"How exciting!"
The crowd buzzed with anticipation.