A blind man cultivates immortality and witnesses the great secret of the holy maiden in her bridal c

"The first item up for auction is three pieces of Crimson Sun Stone from the Ma family's collection, starting at fifty spirit stones!" The auctioneer's voice rang out, and a chorus of bids immediately erupted from the audience.

"Sixty spirit stones!"

"Eighty spirit stones!"

"One hundred spirit stones!"

Ultimately, the three Crimson Sun Stones were sold for 150 spirit stones. The next few items also fetched prices far exceeding expectations, especially the book "The Mysterious Steps of Wind and Cloud," which sparked fierce bidding and was eventually won by a rogue cultivator for a high price of 300 spirit stones.

The auction lasted a full day, with a total transaction amount of nine hundred spirit stones.

"The results are good," Chen Yang said. "At this rate, the Ma family will probably be furious."

"Young Master is wise," Meng Shuang said with a smile. "Moreover, I have already followed your instructions and reported the grand occasion of the auction through the channels of Tianxing Academy. Ma Xinran must already know about it. It is said that she has been the subject of much discussion among her fellow disciples at the academy because of this incident, with many saying that she ignored the misfortune that befell her family and damaged the reputation of Tianxing Academy."

"Very good." A cold glint flashed in Chen Yang's eyes. "This is the effect I wanted. Didn't Ma Xinran want to cultivate peacefully at Tianxing Academy? I'll make her restless and forced to return to Qingzhou City."

Meng Shuang nodded: "Don't worry, young master, I've made all the arrangements. However, it seems the Ma family has made some new moves."

"Oh? What action?" Chen Yang asked.

"Ma Tinghai used the connections the Ma family had built up over the years to ask Xiao Daoyun to come to our auction house and inquire about the identity of the mastermind behind it all," Meng Shuang said. "Xiao Daoyun has a very high reputation in Qingzhou City, and it is said that he once received favors from the Ma family's ancestors, so he probably won't refuse this time."

"Xiao Daoyun?" A hint of seriousness flashed in Chen Yang's eyes.

Chen Yang had seen Xiao Daoyun make a move at the City Lord's Mansion last time. This guy was definitely at the Golden Core Realm, and his strength was not low.

Throughout the entire Qingzhou City, Chen Yang only had eyes for this one person.

His Dragon-Capturing Palm technique can easily kill a Qi Refining Realm cultivator from dozens of meters away.

Thinking of the power of that palm strike, Chen Yang realized that he was not yet a match for him.

However, Chen Yang was not particularly afraid.

After all, his defenses are now at maximum, so even if he encounters Xiao Daoyun, he has the ability to escape.

As long as Xiao Daoyun doesn't find out his background, he won't implicate the Liu family.

It doesn't really matter then.

"It seems we can't avoid this hurdle," Chen Yang pondered. "Xiao Daoyun is powerful, and a direct confrontation is definitely not an option. However, since he's willing to come, it means he's somewhat wary and doesn't dare to act rashly. Now that we have the identity of Tianbao Pavilion, I believe he won't dare to go too far. Arrange for him to meet with me."

A day later, Xiao Daoyun arrived at Qingfeng Auction House as promised.

He wore a wide black robe, his face was cold and stern, his eyes were sharp as an eagle, and he exuded a faint pressure that made the cultivators in the auction house involuntarily hold their breath.

Chen Yang, with a face mask wrapped around his face and wearing a cloak, personally came forward to greet him with a faint smile: "Senior Xiao, it is an honor to have you here. I apologize for not welcoming you sooner."

Xiao Daoyun sized up Chen Yang, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. He hadn't expected the mastermind behind Qingfeng Auction House to be so young, and although his aura seemed to be only at the fourth level of the Blood Exchange Realm, he gave off an unfathomable feeling.

"No need for formalities," Xiao Daoyun said calmly. "I've come today on behalf of the Ma family to ask Manager Chen where these items in your auction house come from, and why there are so many from the Ma family's collection?"

Chen Yang sneered inwardly, but remained outwardly calm. He led Xiao Daoyun to the auction house's VIP room and personally poured him a cup of tea: "Senior Xiao, to be honest, these items were entrusted to us for auction by a mysterious guest. Our auction house has a rule: we don't ask where they come from or where they're going. As long as the items are genuine and the price is reasonable, we will accept the entrustment."

"Rules?" Xiao Daoyun frowned, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes. "Manager Chen, the Ma family is an old and established family in Qingzhou City. Now that they have suffered such a misfortune, it's rather inhumane of you to auction off their belongings."

"Senior Xiao, you are mistaken," Chen Yang said with a smile. "Business is business, and personal relationships are personal relationships. Our auction house is open for business, naturally to make money. Besides, since these items have entered the market, it means their original owners have lost control of them, so why should we dwell on their origins?"

Just then, the spiritual energy in Chen Yang's eyes suddenly flickered slightly.

Although he no longer has eyes, Chen Yang's spiritual vision is even more able to detect changes in aura.

In particular, after Chen Yang cultivated the Demon Refining and Soul Forging Technique to a perfect and ultimate level.

Furthermore, one can detect a different kind of aura.

Chen Yang clearly sensed a faint, chilling aura emanating from beneath Xiao Daoyun's wide sleeves. This aura was somewhat similar to the demonic aura he had encountered in Black Wind Mountain; though extremely subtle, it did not escape his perception.

"The aura of a demon?" Chen Yang was startled and instantly understood the reason for Xiao Daoyun's powerful cultivation.

He must have cultivated forbidden techniques related to demons to possess the strength of the Golden Body Realm, yet he remains low-key in his actions.

He wore a large robe to conceal the demonic aura emanating from him.

With this in mind, Chen Yang had an idea. He calmly picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and said casually, "Speaking of which, Qingzhou City has been quite unsettled lately. I heard that some cultivators have been secretly practicing forbidden techniques and have become tainted by demonic energy. They've already been listed as a key target by the Tianbao Pavilion. The Tianbao Pavilion's demon-suppressing talismans are incredibly powerful; as soon as they detect even a trace of demonic energy, they can immediately lock onto the target, and then they'll be directly suppressed."

When Xiao Daoyun heard the words "demonic aura" and "demon-suppressing talisman," his expression changed slightly, and his heart skipped a beat. He had kept his cultivation of demonic arts a closely guarded secret and had never told anyone. Why would this young shopkeeper suddenly bring it up?

Has he already sensed something?

Or does Tianbao Pavilion know something?

A sense of fear rose in Xiao Daoyun's heart. He knew the power of the Tianbao Pavilion well. If the Tianbao Pavilion found out that he was practicing demonic arts, he would not only lose his footing in Qingzhou City, but he might not even be able to save his life. And Chen Yang in front of him, at such a young age, already possessed such strength, and had the support of the Tianbao Pavilion behind him.

We can't afford to offend them!

This guy's a damn old man from Beijing!

Seeing Xiao Daoyun's ever-changing expression, Chen Yang breathed a sigh of relief and continued, "Senior Xiao, you may not know this, but although our Tianbao Pavilion is just an auction house, we are concerned about the safety of the nation in the Great Ming Kingdom. It is our duty to investigate those who cultivate forbidden techniques and are tainted by demonic auras. After all, such people are of no benefit to anyone if they remain in the Great Ming Kingdom."