Auction Begins

On the eve of the much-anticipated auction at the Lotus Plaza, Brightmoon City was teeming with cultivators of all affiliations.

Awaiting the opening of the Lotus Plaza's doors, the cultivators buzzed with excitement, eagerly expressing their anticipation for the auction.

However, within certain circles, the excitement for the auction was overshadowed by discussions of sensational news delivered to all major forces just an hour prior.

The scrolls, dispatched by the Baihu Clan, relayed the news of their young master— the grandson of the Patriarch, previously thought dead, who had now reunited with the Clan and was in good health.

Furthermore, it revealed that this young master of the Baihu Clan had acknowledged a peerless expert as his master and had adopted the name "Lu Feng" in deference to him.

The most sensational aspect of the news was that this young master, now known as "Lu Feng," was set to make his public debut at the upcoming auction.

Many of the cultivators privy to the behind-the-scenes matters were aware of the long-standing enmity between the Baihu Clan and the Holy Palace.

It was almost public knowledge that a Sacred Son of the Holy Palace was responsible for Lu Feng's disappearance and presumed death four years ago.

With these new revelations, cultivators were eager to witness a potential showdown between the Baihu Clan and the Holy Palace, both of whom were expected to attend the auction.

***

Just as the people were beginning to get impatient, the doors of the Lotus Plaza swung open.

A tall old man stepped out of the Lotus Plaza. With his arms clasped behind his back, he spoke in a loud voice, "The Lotus Plaza welcomes you. I'm Elder Fu and will oversee today's auction. With the level of items at stake, we will be especially strict with the rules of the auction. With that said, I welcome all those who are registered or have invites. Please step in."

As the venue started to fill, prominent groups of famed clans and sects began to descend in front of the Lotus Plaza and gradually made their way in.

Amidst the anticipatory gazes of the people looking outside, a large spirit boat landed in front of the Lotus Plaza. The spirit boat was lavishly decorated and hoisted the flag of the Holy Palace at the helm.

Exquisitely dressed young men and women stepped out of the spirit boat. These were the Sacred Sons and Daughters of the Holy Palace, the representatives of the next generation.

Each of these young men and women possessed supreme talent and heaven-defying luck, culminating in their nomination as the Sacred Children of the Holy Palace.

Accompanying these individuals, who seemed to exude pride from every pore, were their protectors.

As discussions started to bloom about the Holy Palace and its domineering display, a simple yet captivating scene drew the people's attention.

A group of men descended on their swords. The group of black-robed men was led by a young man.

This young man's attire was even more lavish than that of the Sacred Sons and Daughters of the Holy Palace. His bright blue robes, embellished with contrasting golden ornaments and jewels, almost blinded the onlookers as the morning sun reflected off them.

He exuded an imposing aura that dwarfed the members of the Holy Palace.

Some people immediately recognized the iconic blue color of the robes, while others recognized Li Wei, who walked behind the youth. This was undoubtedly the Baihu Clan and their young master.

When Lu Feng stepped into the Lotus Plaza, he acknowledged Elder Fu with a slight nod and followed the staff of the Lotus Plaza to be seated in a private room on the second floor, overlooking the stage and the general seating.

Before Lu Feng could get comfortable, wave after wave of representatives from various clans and sects approached his room wanting to wish him well.

Lu Feng, of course, took the time to meet them one by one. He was polite and courteous, yet his regal aura managed to shine through, impressing everyone who had met him.

On the other side of the second floor, directly opposite Lu Feng's room, the entourage of the Holy Palace was seated.

Seated among them was Long Tian, the third-ranked Sacred Son of the Holy Palace and the fifth prince of the Tianyun Immortal Kingdom.

With the identities of two such behemoths, Long Tian was unbridled in nature. He was also the one responsible for the plight of the Baihu Clan's young master.

Seeing the man he thought he had settled strutting around so arrogantly, being congratulated by everyone, made him irrationally angry.

Long Tian had always looked down upon everyone, and this included the Baihu Clan. He was of the mind that the Baihu Clan was nothing compared to his background.

In the Godsfall continent, not any power could call itself an Immortal Kingdom. Only with thousands of years of legacy and countless top-level combatants could a kingdom call itself an Immortal Kingdom.

Throughout the Godsfall continent, the Tianyun Immortal Kingdom was the oldest and most powerful of all. It practically stood toe-to-toe with powers like the Holy Palace, even surpassing it in certain metrics.

In his eyes, the Baihu Clan was akin to a newly born dog that got lucky and is now fancying itself to be the king of the jungle.

As he turned toward the exquisitely beautiful young woman beside him, his eyes unconsciously followed the gaze of this heavenly maiden.

This beautiful jade of a lady was the second-ranked Sacred Daughter of the Holy Palace, Wu Mei.

She was the direct disciple of the third supreme Elder, Mei Lingxi.

Wu Mei, like her master, cultivated the art of charm, seduction, and illusions. As such, her graceful visage was irresistible to any man who would catch a glimpse of her.

Long Tian was also smitten with Wu Mei. In his opinion, he was the only man fit to enjoy her heavenly beauty.

Four years ago, news of the third Supreme Elder approving the betrothal of Wu Mei to the Baihu Clan's young master spread rapidly within the Holy Palace.

The higher-ups and elders of the Holy Palace considered it a worthwhile deal since they planned to request the Baihu Clan's then newly discovered secret realm as a betrothal gift.

While there was widespread commotion among the disciples of the Holy Palace, Long Tian took matters into his own hands and with the help of his faction of the Tianyun Immortal Kingdom, set into motion the plan to end the Baihu Clan's young master.

Now, following Wu Mei's smiling countenance, he found this "Lu Feng" smiling at her in reciprocity.

Long Tian clenched his fist as the veins on his face began to bulge out of anger.

Long Tian's protector from the Holy Palace and his trusted aide from the Tianyun Immortal Kingdom gently gripped Long Tian's arm, bringing him back to his senses.

He closed his eyes as he tried to calm down and distract himself from the unsightly scene he had just witnessed.

***