Chapter 729: Ghost Beast Appears, Shocking Everyone

A group of people were buzzing with excitement.

The scene had completely spiraled out of control, and even backstage, Nangong Yin and Yuan Haisheng were startled by the sudden appearance of the Xue Shu Yin Zhi.

The Bai Fa Shou Mian Ren on the high platform pressed his hand down.

"Quiet!"

With a whoosh, the void fluctuations were instantly suppressed.

Now, everyone was both shocked and suspicious.

"Zhan Dao?"

Yes, this was the power of Zhan Dao!

Logically, someone at Zhan Dao level should only be a guest elder for a major force, so how could they personally show up to trade treasures?

Some people glanced toward Box 4, noticing that after the Bai Fa Shou Mian Ren emerged, the door to the box remained open.

Inside, it was completely empty.

"A lone wolf?"

The crowd was surprised and quickly pieced it together.

Clearly, a normal major force wouldn't put a perfectly intact Xue Shu Yin Zhi up for trade.

They'd be too busy hiding it themselves—why would they sell it off?

The reason this Bai Fa Shou Mian Ren was willing to bring out the Xue Shu Yin Zhi was twofold: first, he was operating alone; second, he desperately needed something.

Inside Box 1.

The usually calm and composed Cheng Ji suddenly stood up, his eyes wide with astonishment as he stared at the person on the high platform.

Chu Lisheng was utterly stunned.

"Cheng Dianzhu, as far as we know, the only one who has the Xue Shu Yin Zhi is Sheng Nu's Cen Qiaofu!"

"And at Bai Ku..."

He swallowed hard.

At Bai Ku, if Cen Qiaofu hadn't used the Xue Shu Yin Zhi, Jiang Bian Yan might not have fallen in battle.

Cheng Ji might not have risen to his position.

And Chu Lisheng himself might not have been promoted.

"The last time Xu Kong Dao descended in the Southern Domain, Cen Qiaofu must have obtained the Xue Shu Yin Zhi from it." Chu Lisheng pondered aloud, murmuring, "Could this person be..."

"It can't be him!" Cheng Ji shook his head firmly. "Cen Qiaofu isn't that foolish. He wouldn't bring the Xue Shu Yin Zhi to a mere Ling Que Jiao Yi Hui to trade."

"Then?" Chu Lisheng's gaze slipped toward the treasure on the high platform, his lips twitching as if he wanted to speak but couldn't.

"He's been inside Xu Kong Dao!" Cheng Ji's eyes flashed with fierce intensity, his words hitting Chu Lisheng like a heavy hammer.

After reaching this conclusion, the two in the box fell silent.

Xu Kong Dao... the sacred secret realm, the city in the sky!

This legendary place drifts through spatial fragments, hidden by the power of the Heavenly Dao.

Even if someone dared to force their way into the spatial fragments, they might not find it.

But that "might not" is just a possibility—it's not impossible.

Long ago, there were rare events where someone was thrown into the spatial fragments and, by sheer luck, stumbled upon the hidden Xu Kong Dao.

Then, they were absorbed by it!

In such cases, not only would the person lack a Xu Kong Ling to enter, but even if they had one, the odds of immediately colliding with Xu Kong Dao upon entering the fragments were astronomically slim.

Yet, such events had indeed occurred.

Though the probability was minuscule, it wasn't zero!

Later, Sheng Shen Dian Tang speculated that this wasn't mere coincidence—someone inside Xu Kong Dao must have chosen to accept such a fortunate individual.

However, even for those with such luck, the minimum cultivation requirement was Zhan Dao level or higher.

Now.

With Xu Kong Dao about to descend on Dong Tian Wang Cheng, and a Zhan Dao expert standing on the high platform, it made sense that if he had forcibly entered the spatial fragments, there was a slim chance he could have been accepted by Xu Kong Dao.

But...

"Is something this absurd really possible?" Cheng Ji wondered doubtfully.

The last time such an event happened was centuries ago, recorded only in ancient texts—no one had witnessed it in the real world.

But now?

The person on the high platform held the Xue Shu Yin Zhi and foolishly brought it to Sheng Shen Dian Tang's doorstep for trade...

What could this mean?

It had to be a thief offering stolen goods!

"He can't be backed by some shadowy force! He's just a fool who accidentally stumbled into Xu Kong Dao, grabbed the treasure, saw something he shouldn't have... and now he's panicking, wanting to sell it off for something else!" Cheng Ji concluded in his mind.

At the same time, Chu Lisheng arrived at a similar explanation.

For people as shrewd as them, it was easy to see through the Bai Fa Shou Mian Ren's situation.

As for whether this person was Cen Qiaofu...

If Cen Qiaofu were that stupid, he wouldn't have caused so many losses to the Bai Yi under his command at Bai Ku!

"Cheng Dianzhu?" Chu Lisheng turned back, seeking instructions.

Cheng Ji instinctively raised his hand as if to signal a kill, but he stopped suddenly, a smile spreading across his face.

"Hold back for now."

"Now I just want to see what exactly this person saw, what he's trying to trade for..."

"And which forces, aware of the sacred secret realm, will dare to make a move?"

Chu Lisheng felt a chill run through his heart.

He realized this trip had been worthwhile.

Sheng Shen Dian Tang's vast net had already been cast, and over time, a few had surfaced, but tonight was revealing even more.

Not only had the Xu Kong Ling emerged!

The Xue Shu Yin Zhi from Xu Kong Dao had also appeared!

"Casting a net across the heavens to catch fish in a barrel—truly worthy of you, Cheng Dianzhu..." Chu Lisheng thought, his heart growing even colder as he watched Cheng Ji return to his composed state.

Beside the high platform.

Some people were eager to approach and examine the Xue Shu Yin Zhi up close.

But they were firmly refused by the Bai Fa Shou Mian Ren.

"The Xue Shu Yin Zhi isn't something you little ones can handle—even those at Zhan Dao might struggle with its power."

"You can observe with your eyes, but I advise against using your spiritual sense."

No sooner had the Bai Fa Shou Mian Ren spoken than a low beast-like roar echoed from the crowd—someone couldn't suppress the violent energy surging within them.

It was a Wang Zuo.

Clearly, he had tried to probe with his spiritual sense and suffered a backlash.

The Bai Fa Shou Mian Ren sighed, closed the jade box, and with a wave of his hand, used Zhan Dao power to dispel the negative effects.

Now, no one could stay calm.

Just a probe with spiritual sense, and even a Wang Zuo could barely withstand it?

"I can bring out the Xue Shu Yin Zhi, so you can be assured of its integrity," he said.

Without saying more, the Bai Fa Shou Mian Ren changed the subject: "Now, set aside your doubts and listen to my conditions."

The crowd was itching with curiosity but had no choice but to suppress their agitation and listen attentively.

"The Xue Shu Yin Zhi—I don't want too many Ling Jing, but the base price is fifty billion, with no upper limit. And once the trade ends, the Ling Jing must be transferred to my account immediately."

Everyone nodded repeatedly.

Fifty billion? For the Xue Shu Yin Zhi, that was nothing.

Even if the base was a hundred billion, people here would still scramble for it, throwing money without hesitation.

"Second!"

Seeing the high enthusiasm, the Bai Fa Shou Mian Ren shook his head slightly and sighed: "Don't get too excited just yet—there's an additional condition. The trader must provide me with detailed information on 'Gui Shou' and 'Gui Shou Ji Ti'!"

In an instant, the entire hall fell silent, as if a mute button had been pressed.

His words hung in the air, followed by a gust of wind.

Everyone in the elegant seats was dumbfounded.

Some even leaned forward, their wooden chairs creaking loudly in the sudden quiet.

"Gui Shou?"

Whether in the elegant seats or the private boxes, everyone's hearts were shaken.

Almost simultaneously, they turned to look at Box 1.

Under Sheng Shen Dian Tang's surveillance, someone dared to discuss Gui Shou openly at the event?

"This is a hot potato!"

Even if Box 1 remained unmoved, some realized something was off.

The Bai Fa Shou Mian Ren's Xue Shu Yin Zhi was tempting, but linking it to "Gui Shou" changed everything.

Forces that knew the inside story of Gui Shou abandoned the idea almost instantly.

"Are you kidding?"

"Missing out on the Xue Shu Yin Zhi is just losing an ancient treasure."

"But getting involved with Gui Shou could mean the destruction of your sect or clan!"

"And what mindset does this old man have, daring to discuss Gui Shou like this..."

In that moment, some even suspected if the Bai Fa Shou Mian Ren was a Gui Shou Ji Ti.

Otherwise, how could he be so bold?

Yet, the Bai Fa Shou Mian Ren seemed to have anticipated this reaction. He sighed again.

"Everyone!"

He gently pressed his hands in the void, signaling for attention, then continued:

"In other places, I wouldn't dare speak of this, but this is the Ling Que Jiao Yi Hui of Ye Mao. All attendees are from top forces."

"In such a setting, I have no other request—I'll just be straightforward."

He looked directly at Box 1 and said solemnly:

"I know Sheng Shen Dian Tang is here, so I'm bold enough to ask for clarification and answers."

"Besides, bringing the Xue Shu Yin Zhi here proves my good intentions."

"More than that, I hope to hand this potentially disastrous treasure to a righteous organization through a proper trade, one I deem capable of handling it."

He paused, seeing no response from Box 1, and his voice carried a hint of disappointment:

"Indeed, the matter of Gui Shou involves too much—many don't even dare mention it openly."

"But I believe that something never officially forbidden, just tacitly avoided, is fine to simply understand."

"Of course, like most forces here, I already know the basic intelligence on 'Gui Shou'."

"So..."

He pointed to the jade box on the high platform: "This treasure starts at fifty billion, but the trader must provide me with Gui Shou information that I find truly valuable!"

The hall was deathly silent.

No one dared to speak up.

Even backstage, Nangong Yin was baffled.

"Where did this guy come from? Didn't you check people at the entrance? How did you let someone like this in?" His voice was urgent.

Yuan Haisheng was also stunned, hesitating: "On the surface, he only said the trade item was a forbidden technique..."

"Dammit!" Nangong Yin nearly swore, but realized such things might be hard to detect, so he had to let it go.

"It should be fine..."

Yuan Haisheng thought it through and felt more at ease. "If Sheng Shen Dian Tang weren't here, they might investigate this. But since they're in Box 1 watching, as long as the trade process is normal, exchanging Xue Shu Yin Zhi for Gui Shou information is no big issue."

"It's just bartering, after all. Even if something happens later, it won't involve Ye Mao."

Nangong Yin frowned.

That might be true, but he felt this person's appearance was too sudden.

It was almost like they were here to stir up trouble...

Yet, the item they brought was so legitimate, real, and enticing!

"Xue Shu Yin Zhi..." Nangong Yin pondered deeply.

"No problem!"

Yuan Haisheng glanced at the spirit array image of Box 1, seeing the two inside calmly seated again, and let out a long breath. "If they don't stop it, the trade continues. If they do, it ends. That's it."

After some thought, Nangong Yin nodded slightly.

"Agreed."

"But afterward, keep a close eye on this person and check if he's a Gui Shou Ji Ti!"

At the scene.

Everyone was waiting.

Box 1 stayed silent, and Ye Mao did too.

In that moment, some realized the proceedings were being treated as a normal trade.

As long as you could provide the information the Bai Fa Shou Mian Ren wanted, any force could bid!

But the cost of bidding...

Someone sucked in a sharp breath.

The impulsive only saw the immediate gains.

The more cunning ones restrained their people, warning them not to touch the item on the high platform.

The Bai Fa Shou Mian Ren was waiting too.

He was waiting for someone to intervene, but just as he expected...

Some things, when laid out in the open, were hard to disrupt.

Under the beast mask, the white-haired elder's lips curved slightly as he slowly struck the hammer.

"Then... let the trade begin!"

Thud—

The once-silent hall echoed with the hammer's strike, sharper than ever before.

Everyone felt their hearts skip a beat, then start pounding faster...

Some wanted to bid but lacked the courage.

They coveted it desperately yet hesitated.

Now that the trade had started, no one dared to be the first to speak up.

"Will it go unsold?" The Bai Fa Shou Mian Ren smiled, unconcerned.

He raised the hammer again.

"First call—no bids."

The hammer fell again.

Someone's lips parted, nearly blurting out a bid in impulse.

Just then, Box 1 stirred.

"Fift—"

But before they could finish, a resolute voice from Box 209 cut in.

"Fifty billion!"

The entire hall erupted in uproar!

Everyone turned to look.

"Again, Tian Shang Di Yi Lou?"

"Insane! The world's gone mad! This is basically handing the treasure to Sheng Shen Dian Tang, and they're still jumping in?"

"Damn, I'm truly impressed now..."

Even in Box 1, Cheng Ji was stunned.

The old man on the high platform had made his intentions so clear—he was essentially trying to trade the Xue Shu Yin Zhi for Gui Shou information from Sheng Shen Dian Tang.

If it was just about understanding...

The Xue Shu Yin Zhi was worth it!

But how did Tian Shang Di Yi Lou have the guts to butt in?

Inside Box 209.

Xu Xiao Shou gazed calmly at the jade box on the high platform.

This time, he didn't let his junior sister speak; he bid himself.

Causing trouble, causing trouble...

After all, he hadn't actively stirred things up at the Ling Que Jiao Yi Hui yet!

Sheng Shen Dian Tang?

What was there to fear?

He was just making a normal bid.

The local forces in Wang Cheng were afraid of Sheng Shen Dian Tang following up after the bid.

But Xu Xiao Shou? He wasn't scared of that.

If he were, he wouldn't have come to Dong Tian Wang Cheng in the first place!