Serpent Ancestor

”Let’s go!”

Xu Hei left the cave dwelling, carrying his flying sword, and soared through the air towards the Sea Commerce Guild.

The trading venue for this trip was located at the center of the main island. Along the way, Xu Hei saw many cultivators, all riding their flying swords, heading towards the Sea Commerce Guild.

The mortals and low-level cultivators on Twin Islands, upon witnessing such a grand scene, quickly stepped aside.

When Xu Hei arrived, the vast venue was already packed with hundreds of people, their heads bobbing like a sea of waves. However, the venue was spacious enough to accommodate more than ten thousand people, so it didn’t feel crowded.

Only those with some standing, at least at the Foundation Establishment stage, were qualified to participate in the trading event.

”Almost all the Foundation Establishment cultivators on this island have gathered...” Xu Hei thought to himself.

Above the trading venue, there were thirty private rooms reserved for Core Formation cultivators.

Xu Hei found an empty seat below and sat down, keeping a certain distance from others.

Han Te also didn’t go to the so-called private rooms and sat near Xu Hei.Keeping a low profile was a consistent style for these two.

Hei Huang, however, wearing a straw hat, swaggered into one of the private rooms, ”inviting” the cultivators inside to leave. Inside were Zhao Xing and Li Yu.

”Who dares to barge in, courting death!”

”Oh, it’s... Brother Hei, my apologies, we’ll leave this room to you!”

The two sensibly left and found another room, with Zhao Xing limping as he walked, seemingly bitten again.

”This old dog really knows how to stir up trouble!” Xu Hei cursed inwardly.

At this moment, Xu Hei’s gaze suddenly sharpened.

He saw another person entering through the main door. This person appeared young, dressed in a white robe, with a gentle and refined demeanor. It was none other than Bai Luo, the top Chosen of the Heavenly Puppet Sect.

”Why is he here?” Xu Hei frowned deeply.

Bai Luo’s cultivation had evidently made significant progress compared to before. After entering, he didn’t attract attention by going to a private room but instead sat in the main hall.

However, his attempt at low profile was clearly inadequate, as many in the hall recognized him. Although no one said it aloud, their gazes were all focused on Bai Luo.

This made Bai Luo frown slightly.

In the battle at Wuyou City, he and Bai Qiushui ended in a draw, with his puppets defeated by physical techniques, which he considered a great humiliation, making it impossible for him to focus on cultivation. He vowed to find Bai Qiushui and settle the score.

Thus, he disregarded the sect’s objections and ventured out to sea alone to search.

However, his lack of experience showed, as he didn’t know how to conceal himself on his first long journey.

”Though I haven’t encountered any danger so far, I must remain low-key. Next time, I’ll wear a disguise mask,” Bai Luo thought to himself.

The only trouble he encountered after going to sea was a group of ignorant bandits, whom he easily defeated.

This also boosted his confidence, making him believe no one would trouble him.

Shortly after Bai Luo entered, about the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn, a masked figure in a black robe quietly entered and sat not far behind Bai Luo.

Despite the person’s concealed aura and appearance, Xu Hei still recognized him from the faint murderous aura—Lei He.

”Bringing a bodyguard on a training trip, truly worthy of a major sect,” Xu Hei mused.

However, Bai Luo was evidently unaware of this.

…………

As the important figures gradually entered, the trading event soon began.

Xu Hei also saw the legendary envoy from the Qin Kingdom, Xu Fu.

This person was rotund, with broad shoulders and a plump body, his face glowing with health, and a kind smile. The large ”Fu” character on his robe made him look like a wealthy family’s patriarch to those unaware.

But everyone knew that this person was a top expert of the Qin Kingdom, an Elemental Infant stage powerhouse, deserving of utmost respect.

”Welcome, everyone, to our Twin Islands. I will be hosting this trading event!”

In the center of the circular venue appeared a middle-aged woman with phoenix eyes, willow-leaf eyebrows, and a touch of crimson on her forehead—a charming and graceful beauty.

One of the two island masters of Twin Islands, Jiang Ying.

This immediately caused a stir in the venue, but considering today’s unprecedented gathering, with over twenty Core Formation cultivators and even an Elemental Infant cultivator present, it was only natural to alarm the island master.

”Let’s keep it short; we’ll start with the first round, the auction.”

After some pleasantries, Jiang Ying waved her hand, and a crack opened in the ground, from which a giant conch emerged.

”A specialty of the Dolphin Clan from the East Sea, Fishman Drunk. One drop can intoxicate a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and one cup can intoxicate a Core Formation cultivator.”

As Jiang Ying spoke, a wisp of wine aroma wafted from the conch.

In an instant, many in the venue had flushed faces, feeling slightly tipsy, which greatly shocked them.

Jiang Ying raised her hand, and the wine aroma vanished.

”What a terrifying strength of the wine!”

”This wine is truly remarkable, whether for personal consumption or as a gift, it’s excellent!”

The eyes of the crowd flickered, their hearts filled with excitement.

But clearly, this was a lot that only Core Formation cultivators were eligible to bid on.

”According to the seller’s requirements, he only accepts top-grade spirit stones, starting at ten top-grade spirit stones,” Jiang Ying announced.

As soon as she finished speaking, someone shouted, ”I’ll bid twenty!”

”Thirty!”

”Fifty!”

In a matter of moments, the price reached fifty top-grade spirit stones.

Xu Hei exhaled and reclined in his chair.

This conch of Fishman Drunk was his auction item, placed first to set the mood.

Although he didn’t drink, he gladly accepted the wine gifted by the Dolphin Clan to sell.

Of course, he kept a gourd for himself as a backup.

”Sixty!”

”Sixty-five!”

”I’ll bid eighty!”

When the price reached eighty, the room fell silent for a moment, clearly hesitating.

This price already satisfied Xu Hei, as he had spent only a hundred to activate the Dragon Shatter Roar.

”I’ll bid one hundred top-grade spirit stones!”

Suddenly, as a voice rang out, everyone turned to look.

The bidder was Bai Luo.

”Him?”

Xu Hei’s eyes widened. What’s this kid buying Fishman Drunk for?

Bai Luo’s bid was too high, leaving no competition, making him the center of attention.

”Alright, congratulations to this fellow Daoist for winning the Fishman Drunk.”

Jiang Ying waved her hand, and the conch flew to Bai Luo, who stored it away, while Bai Luo promptly handed over a hundred top-grade spirit stones with his storage bag.

Auction items were bought and received on the spot, and one could leave at any time after the transaction.

Bai Luo sniffed the Fishman Drunk and carefully stored it away.

”Before I came of age, Uncle Lei He protected me for over ten years, working hard. I heard he likes to drink, so this Fishman Drunk will be a gift for him,” Bai Luo thought to himself.

Behind Bai Luo, not far away, the black-clad figure sighed deeply.

If not for his mission, he would have bid just now, but Bai Luo bought it, leaving him with a wry smile.

He had no hobbies, living a solitary life, with only drinking as a pleasure besides fighting. Bai Luo’s purpose for buying the wine was obvious.

The auction continued.

The subsequent lots were mostly around the second tier, contested by Foundation Establishment cultivators, with few above the third tier.

Apart from buying a compass to identify directions, Xu Hei didn’t make any more bids.