Sheng Shihan’s hand, hidden within her sleeve, clenched tightly. Her eyes gleamed with a cold, dark green light as she stared fixedly at the white dove dozing on Feng Qingran’s shoulder.
How could Zhuoyan acknowledge a waste like her as its master?
Feng Qingran wasn’t strong. If the manager could kill her, it would surely severely injure Zhuoyan too. Then, it could strike and capture Zhuoyan…
Meanwhile, Feng Qingran watched the sword blades coming for her, her fingers itching for a fight. Unfortunately, she didn’t seem to have a sword to counter these attackers.
The Thousand-Found Needles given by her Fourth Senior Brother were too powerful and unsuitable for use here.
With a graceful sweep of her hand, Feng Qingran flipped through the air, agile as a swimming dragon and elegant as a startled swan, effortlessly evading several sword strikes.
The aura around her shifted abruptly. Dressed in light cyan robes, she landed gracefully, standing proud and aloof like a celestial being from the heavens.
Seeing this, the disdain in the black-clad men’s eyes vanished, replaced by grim expressions. For a Qi Refinement cultivator to dodge their attacks so easily was a direct slap to the face of Nascent Soul cultivators.
Without further hesitation, they raised their swords and charged at Feng Qingran once more.
Feng Qingran flicked her wrist, and a dagger suddenly appeared in her hand.
Her almond-shaped eyes showed no trace of fear. Crossing realms to fight was the perfect way to stabilize her foundation.
She had reached the second level of Foundation Establishment a year ago, but Mo Jinghong had advised her to halt her advancement and consolidate her realm. He suggested waiting until after the Sect Grand Competition to go into seclusion for breakthroughs, allowing for accumulated strength to burst forth.
Now, with a group of Nascent Soul cultivators delivered to her for experience, she was naturally delighted.
Feng Qingran seemed to have forgotten that, in the eyes of others, her cultivation level was only at Qi Refinement ninth layer.
Her body moved with lightness like a swimming dragon, her momentum majestic as she calmly faced the attacks of a group of Nascent Soul cultivators.
The onlookers were astounded.
“A mere Qi Refinement ninth layer girl, resisting Nascent Soul attacks… I’ve never heard of such a thing…”
“Qi Refinement ninth layer! Wait, did we overlook something? She’s only fourteen, right? A fourteen-year-old at Qi Refinement ninth layer is an absolute genius!”
“Her background must be extraordinary. Her bearing seems even more noble than Miss Sheng’s!”
…
The manager, watching Feng Qingran weave through the group of Nascent Soul cultivators without a single injury, trembled with rage.
Outrageous! Relying on her background and magical instruments to openly provoke the auction house!
Today’s auction had many distinguished guests. If the Pavilion Master found out about this…
The manager shuddered. He needed to deal with Feng Qingran quickly. He contemplated summoning a Spirit Transformation cultivator to handle her.
Suddenly—
“Stop! Stand down!” a sharp command rang out.
The black-clad men immediately ceased their attacks and retreated swiftly.
Leaving Feng Qingran somewhat puzzled. They were fighting just fine, why call a halt?
Then, a man with a refined and scholarly appearance emerged from the crowd and approached Feng Qingran.
He bowed respectfully with clasped hands. “I am Qian Feng, Vice Pavilion Master of the Shumo Auction House. Our staff overstepped and offended you, young lady. I hope you can be magnanimous.”
“Greetings, Pavilion Master Qian. May I ask why you…?” Feng Qingran left the rest unsaid, but Qian Feng understood.
Qian Feng explained, “The Young Master sent a message saying his junior sister would be attending the auction and asked our Pavilion Master to receive you properly. We have prepared a superior private room and have been awaiting your arrival.”
Feng Qingran’s almond eyes lit up. The person Qian Feng mentioned was probably her Sixth Senior Brother.
Seeing the clarity in Feng Qingran’s eyes and no sign of anger, Qian Feng relaxed slightly.
Qian Feng turned his gaze to the pale-faced manager, a hint of killing intent in his eyes. “Apologize and beg for forgiveness from Miss Feng!”
The manager tremblingly walked up to Feng Qingran.
Thud!—
He knelt on both knees. “I beg for your mercy, young lady! I failed to recognize your esteemed status! I implore you, spare my life!”
The manager might appear influential, but his life was as cheap as weeds.
His only hope lay with Feng Qingran. If she spoke in his favor, the Vice Pavilion Master might not pursue his mistake.
But to his surprise!
Feng Qingran sidestepped, avoiding his kneeling gesture. She would not plead on his behalf.
Had it been anyone else in the earlier situation, they would have lost their life already.
Cultivators do not get chances for reincarnation. After death, their souls gradually dissipate between heaven and earth.
Of course, some powerful cultivators can possess others’ bodies, but very few succeed.
Seeing Feng Qingran’s action, Qian Feng understood her stance.
Qian Feng raised his hand. Instantly, a black-clad figure flew forward and took away the manager, whose eyes were filled with terror.
“Miss Feng, please follow me.” Qian Feng bowed respectfully and gestured for Feng Qingran to enter the auction house first.
——-
A quarter of an hour later.
Top floor of the auction house.
Qian Feng pushed open the door and entered a lavishly decorated room.
“Pavilion Master, she has been settled,” Qian Feng said with deep respect.
“What is that girl like?” Baili Yuanmo played with a box in his hand.
“Forgive me, Pavilion Master. The contact was too brief to discern anything particularly useful,” Qian Feng lowered his head, not daring to look at Baili Yuanmo.
Baili Yuanmo’s fox-like eyes glinted with interest. “She holds the top guest tokens from both the Tongwen Pavilion and the Kunxuan Pavilion. And that foolish nephew of mine gave her the token for our Shumo Auction House as well…”
Qian Feng looked up sharply, shock flashing in his eyes. A fourteen-year-old girl possessing three such tokens? How was that possible?
If the Shumo Auction House’s token was lent to her by Baili Wenliu, what about the other two pavilions?
No wonder Feng Qingran wore a Concealment Talisman to hide her cultivation level and appearance.
Baili Yuanmo’s gaze deepened. “I probed Li Niang, but she remained silent about why she gave her guest token to Feng Qingran. But I suspect it’s likely related to the Tianyuan Fruit.”
“As for the Kunxuan Pavilion… why they would be willing to pledge allegiance to a young girl is indeed worth pondering.”
Baili Yuanmo’s red lips curved slightly. Holding a top-grade guest token meant Feng Qingran possessed authority equivalent to that of a Pavilion Master.
Each pavilion had only one top-grade guest token, typically given to someone who could significantly aid the pavilion’s development.
What possible help could a Qi Refinement stage girl bring to the Tongwen Pavilion?
Unless the Senior Brother behind her held vast resources.
