Tan Yun'ao, enraged and humiliated, unleashed a terrifying pressure that permeated the entire auction hall.
Some cultivators of low strength trembled in fear, collapsing to the ground on the spot.
Those close to Ji Mo hastily retreated, putting as much distance as possible between themselves and him, lest they be implicated.
Everyone could see that Tan Yun'ao's killing intent was sky-high, and the young man who had courted death would surely perish.
This reckless youth, lacking foresight and the ability to read the situation, had offended someone he shouldn't have, destined to be short-lived.
Ji Mo calmly faced Tan Yun'ao, unfazed as he felt no pressure from him.
"Hiss… hiss…"
The Baobao Snake flicked its scarlet tongue, its small eyes like rubies, waiting to see Ji Mo teach this scoundrel a lesson.
"If you have a personal grievance, settle it outside. Fighting is not permitted within the Dragon Tiger Auction House."
The auctioneer, sensing the situation turning sour, intervened to stop them.
"Do you know who I am?"
Tan Yun'ao grew even more furious, surprised that even a mere auctioneer dared to disregard him.
Did they not fear him flattening this small auction house on the spot?
The auctioneer calmly replied, "The Dragon Tiger Mountain's establishment does not tolerate outsiders running amok."
Dragon Tiger Mountain?!
Everyone was astonished, never expecting that the backing of the Dragon Tiger Auction House was none other than Dragon Tiger Mountain.
Dragon Tiger Mountain was a top-tier force in the Northern Region, its overall strength not inferior to Floating Cloud Mountain, perhaps even slightly superior.
Thus, they had ample confidence and were not afraid of Tan Yun'ao, the Holy Son.
Tan Yun'ao, his anger having nowhere to vent, was speechless with rage and could only sheepishly retract his aura.
While he could cause trouble elsewhere, he dared not act rashly here, a classic case of bullying the weak and fearing the strong.
Ji Mo seized this opportunity to turn and leave the auction house, unwilling to entangle himself with such brainless individuals, fearing it would lower his status.
"I am no longer auctioning the Qinglai Qin; I will take it with me."
Tan Yun'ao, his pride wounded and unable to bear staying any longer, also decided to leave.
The auctioneer said nothing and immediately ordered the Qinglai Qin to be retrieved and returned to him.
Tan Yun'ao secured the Qinglai Qin and left with a flick of his sleeve.
Zeng Qiyan wanted to follow, but Tan Yun'ao sent him away.
This was because Tan Yun'ao had something to do: murder!
Ji Mo had offended him, and he wouldn't be allowed to live.
Since he couldn't act within the Dragon Tiger Auction House, he would do so within the city, vowing to tear Ji Mo to shreds today.
…
The Tang Family.
Tang Xueyi, looking haggard, was pleading with the Tang family patriarch, Tang Qian. "Uncle, I truly need that Five Treasures Great Returning Pill. Please, give it to me."
In addition to being the chief disciple of the Lingxu Sword Sect, Tang Xueyi also held another identity as a member of the Tang family.
However, she was merely a collateral descendant, and thus her status was not significant.
Her return to the Tang family to seek the medicine this time was to treat Yue'er.
Yue'er had been injured by Tan Yun'ao some days prior. It was initially thought to be a superficial wound that would heal with rest.
But no one expected Tan Yun'ao to be so malicious, using the Nether-Piercing Palm.
The Nether-Piercing Palm was extremely sinister, capable of corroding and destroying a person's internal organs.
Initially, there were no visible signs of injury, but after some time, the internal organs would fail, and even if one's life was saved, they would be crippled.
Tan Yun'ao likely sensed that Yue'er possessed the "Sword Heart and Qin Soul," a peerless prodigy. If allowed to grow, she might become a significant threat in the future.
Therefore, with the intention of nipping the problem in the bud, he had secretly dealt a fatal blow.
After all, having stolen her Qinglai Qin, enmity had already been forged, so he decided to go all the way and extinguish this talent in its cradle.
Yue'er had been ambushed by Tan Yun'ao, and by the time she realized something was wrong, it was too late.
The Lingxu Sword Sect was helpless. Tang Xueyi, remembering that the Tang family possessed a Five Treasures Great Returning Pill, brought Yue'er back to her home in Chizhang City, and then she went to petition Tang Qian for the medicine.
"Xueyi, do you know the value of that Five Treasures Great Returning Pill? If you needed it for yourself, your uncle would naturally offer it immediately. But to save an outsider, that simply won't do."
Upon learning of Tang Xueyi's intentions, Tang Qian politely refused.
Tang Xueyi's lineage was a collateral branch of the Tang family. Over the years, this collateral branch had developed rapidly, and among the younger generation, Tang Xueyi had surpassed the direct descendants of the Tang family.
Consequently, Tang Qian had always treated Tang Xueyi unfavorably.
In fact, even if Tang Xueyi were in mortal danger and needed the Five Treasures Great Returning Pill to extend her life, he would not have handed it over.
Tang Qian had also learned the details of the situation: the young girl named Yue'er was injured by Tan Yun'ao, and he naturally did not want to get involved.
Moreover, that Five Treasures Great Returning Pill was truly precious, and he had no intention of parting with it.
"Uncle, Yue'er is waiting for the Five Treasures Great Returning Pill to save her life. Are you truly going to stand by and watch her die? How much is that pill? I am willing to pay for it."
Tang Xueyi was in despair, never imagining that Tang Qian would be so heartless.
If she couldn't obtain the Five Treasures Great Returning Pill, Yue'er would have no choice but to await death.
"Tang Xueyi, mind your words. To speak to me like this is utter disrespect for your elders."
Tang Qian's demeanor changed instantly, and he ordered his men to escort Tang Xueyi out of the Tang family.
"Yue'er, your senior sister is useless. I couldn't get the Five Treasures Great Returning Pill and couldn't save you."
Two lines of tears streamed down Tang Xueyi's face, filled with self-reproach.
She had believed she could definitely obtain the Five Treasures Great Returning Pill to save Yue'er's life, which was why she had brought Yue'er back to Chizhang City.
But now, she had failed, and Yue'er likely wouldn't last much longer.
If Yue'er had remained at the Lingxu Sword Sect for proper recuperation, she might have held on longer. Now, her good intentions had backfired, harming Yue'er.
Tang Xueyi walked aimlessly through the streets, her vision blurred by tears, unsure how she would face Yue'er upon her return.
Just then, a gentle voice sounded.
"Miss Tang!"
Tang Xueyi heard a familiar voice, blinked her eyes, and saw the figure she had been missing. She couldn't quite believe it. "Mr. Ji?"
"Yes, why are you crying? Who bullied you? I'll go beat them up."
Ji Mo, clad in white, with a gentle smile on his face, walked slowly from the other end of the street.
He was also somewhat surprised, not expecting such a coincidence as running into Tang Xueyi.
This was also a good opportunity to inquire about Yue'er's condition and how the Qinglai Qin ended up at the auction house.
"Mr. Ji. *Sob sob*…"
Tang Xueyi, feeling immensely wronged, immediately threw herself into Ji Mo's arms, her tears falling like a broken string of pearls.
Under Ji Mo's questioning, she slowly recounted the entire ordeal.
"Scum!"
Ji Mo was furious.
He couldn't believe such a wicked person existed in this world, not only stealing Yue'er's qin but also secretly dealing a fatal blow and harming a young girl. Was this even human?
"Bastard, I'm going to kill him right now."
Ji Mo's eyes blazed with intense anger.
"You can't. His background is too powerful…"
Although Tang Xueyi knew Ji Mo was formidable, Floating Cloud Mountain was far too powerful. She feared that Ji Mo going to avenge Yue'er would only be a futile sacrifice of his own life.
"Oh, what is it? Are you going to kill me? Perfect, I also want to kill you."
A sinister voice echoed, belonging to Tan Yun'ao, who had been following them.