The black market boss took a seat opposite Song Wanníng, her expression filled with just the right amount of grievance, like a woman who had been wronged in love.
Song Wanníng ignored her entirely. She placed the storage ring on the table without a word.
"A storage ring?" The boss furrowed her brows, eyes flickering with curiosity.
Many people came here to sell things, but few ever tried to sell an entire ring.
Most ordinary cultivators used storage pouches. These varied in size and capacity, but were relatively easy to acquire. Storage rings and bracelets, on the other hand, were far rarer.
Anyone who used a storage ring was not someone to take lightly.
No wonder she brought it to the black market.
"The ring's owner has a notable background, doesn't she?" The boss narrowed her eyes, a sharp glint flashing in their depths. She was already calculating how to lower the price.
There might be more than a few treasures inside.
"She's decent. Just a Foundation Establishment cultivator. But not an ordinary one. A Heaven's Chosen, born under incredible fortune."
Song Wanníng picked up the ring and toyed with it idly.
"I trust you understand what I'm getting at."
Heaven's Chosen. That sort of person was never short on valuable items.
"Heh. Whether someone's a Heaven's Chosen or not… that's not something you can prove with just a few words." The boss was clearly interested, but kept her expression controlled. The two of them went back and forth, testing each other, before finally agreeing on a price.
Song Wanníng made some concessions, but also laid down a condition of her own.
"I'm not short on spirit stones, but I don't want her to get off easy. If you agree to help, I'll give you another twenty percent off."
She didn't mind the extra discount. If it meant Ye Chuxue would suffer a loss, all the better.
"Oh? A deal like this? You're generous, Zhēnjūn."
The black market boss leaned forward, eyes lighting up.
Song Wanníng leaned in and whispered a few words in her ear. The two exchanged a glance, then smiled at the same time.
"Leave it to me. Next time you have something good, don't forget to come back."
The boss couldn't resist brushing her hand against Song Wanníng's again, even throwing in a playful wink.
"Tch."
Song Wanníng pushed her away with a cold smile. As soon as she had the spirit stones in hand, she turned and left without another word, heading straight for Shénxíng Tiānxià Auction House.
"Boss, should I send someone to look into her identity?" a clerk asked quietly after she was gone.
She didn't seem like someone ordinary.
"No need," the boss replied with a chill in her tone. "You couldn't afford to provoke her. Don't bring me trouble." She lowered her eyes and looked down at the talisman in her hand.
The woman had gone so far as to prepare something like this just for a little mischief.
Still, she didn't mind playing along. If there was one thing she excelled at, it was causing trouble.
＊
Outside Shénxíng Tiānxià Auction House, a crowd had already gathered. Cultivators stretched their necks, trying to see what was going on inside.
"What's with all the people? Why so crowded?"
"You haven't heard? Word is the auction house was hiding a demonic cultivator. Someone got ambushed, their pill was stolen, and they nearly lost their life."
"What? They dared hide a demonic cultivator? Are they out of their minds?"
"That's right. We and the demonic path are mortal enemies. What are they playing at?"
More and more voices joined the chorus of outrage. The moment rumors of a demonic cultivator surfaced, public sentiment turned against the auction house.
In the cultivation world, demonic cultivators were ruthless and cruel, the kind of people everyone wanted dead.
Inside the building, the Sect Master of Wentian Sect had led a group to surround the auction house staff, all of them brimming with pressure and authority, demanding the accused be handed over immediately.
The shopkeeper stood at the center with a few clerks, completely baffled.
"Sect Master Qi, our auction house may not be as grand as Wentian Sect, but we would never shelter a demonic cultivator. Your sect has no proof. This accusation is unjust."
Despite the oppressive spiritual pressure, he looked the Sect Master in the eye without flinching.
"You clearly sheltered a demonic cultivator, leaked my information, and that's how he tracked me down. He stole my ring, my pills!"
Ye Chuxue clutched her chest, eyes blazing with fury.
"And now you act like nothing happened? This is outrageous! Sect Master, they're just making excuses! I'm not speaking without proof. The proof is the host of the auction. Everyone saw him that day. Don't think you can lie your way out of this!"
If you have nothing to hide, then hand him over. If he isn't a demonic cultivator, we'll know immediately!" No matter how well they concealed their aura, demonic cultivators always revealed themselves when using demonic energy.
That was why the demonic factions had kept their heads down for so many years, taking abuse without fighting back.
That had given Ye Chuxue a chance to help them in her past life.
"Exactly. Hand him over. Why else would you be hiding him?"
An Ze jumped in, pointing at the shopkeeper and shouting accusations.
The shopkeeper glanced at him, utterly unimpressed.
This was their former apprentice?
Had their master been blind?
Good thing she'd kicked them out. Just looking at him gave the shopkeeper a headache.
"Sect Master, this is not about us being overbearing. Normally, a disciple suffering a loss would be a minor issue. But discovering a demonic cultivator is no small matter."
The Sect Master kept his smile polite, but there was a clear threat beneath it.
"We trust your auction house did not intentionally harbor such a person. You were likely deceived. But if you can hand over the demonic cultivator now, this can still be resolved. If not, and you can't prove your innocence, then every major sect will come knocking. Good luck running your business after that. Wouldn't you agree?"
His words made the shopkeeper's expression darken.
"So they were resorting to threats now?"
He was about to reply when the front door creaked open.
In walked Song Wanníng, who had paused outside to watch the commotion.
She moved with elegance and ease, her presence naturally parting the crowd as she passed. No one dared block her path.
The moment she stepped inside, the expressions of those present shifted. Several people frowned, visibly displeased at her arrival.
Only Bai Yang's face lit up.
"Junior Sister Song? What are you doing here?" The Sect Master's tone soured at once. He was clearly annoyed. Nothing good ever happened when Song Wanníng showed up.
"The auction house is owned by the Song family," Song Wanníng said coolly. "I heard it was being falsely accused of harboring a demonic cultivator. This is a serious matter. Of course I had to come see for myself."
Her words revealed the truth behind Shénxíng Tiānxià Auction House's background, leaving everyone stunned.
The auction house belonged to the Song family?