Road north of the Cloud Mist Treasure Palace.

Bai Hua was feeling very satisfied right now.

All her objectives had been completed to the fullest extent, and they even snagged a bonus, too! Though he was a bit grumpy over her actions, she was sure the armoured lord would be drawn in to her side after their discussions.

‘And if not, I’ll have him owe me a favor. Big win or small win, I still win in the end.’

The matter with Aryon aside, now the real challenge begins.

She’d be an idiot if she didn’t expect some sort of retaliation from the other groups in the coming days. Who would sleep quietly knowing that, somewhere out there, their enemy was at the cusp of gaining a great power?

Preparations had already been made for this, as per her plans. Those that struck at her Bai Clan will find out just how far behind they already are.

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Aryon looked out from the litter’s window, ignoring the chatty Bai Shun’s small-talk.

The auction had taken all afternoon, so by the time it ended it was already an hour past dusk. As darkness settled in, the city lights lit up one by one.

He recalled the Cloud Mist Treasure Palace being in the western side of the city nearest to the mountains. They were now heading north-east to the Bai Clan territory in the city.

‘The city lacks good lighting items. These torches and paper lanterns barely give off light and are a fire hazard.’

Most Tarminian cities had lamp-posts of bronze lit with everlasting fires or glowstones. When night fell, one would know where a Tarminian city was by simply following the glow of light on the horizon.

“The city should invest in better lighting.” he said. “Look, this area we’re passing now barely has any.”

The road they were in at had little to no lights. Not even the houses and stores at the sides of the street had any despite their open windows.

He saw Guardian Ji looking out the windows in suspicion. “Something’s not right.”

Before Aryon could look for himself at what was so strange, a series of thudding blows struck the roof of their litter.

‘Crossbow bolts!’

Several crossbow bolts rained down on the litter they were on. The litters seemed to be made out of some strong materials, for even the glass survived the attack and remained unpunctured. But the guards carrying it were not as sturdy. Two of the four were struck dead by the deadly hail, and the litter fell to the ground, jostling the people within.

“Stay inside!” said Guardian Ji as he left the litter. With a great jump, he leapt up to one of the roofs. After a second or two, a body fell on the road.

The dead man was hard to identify due to his dark clothes and the poor illumination, but Aryon wagered a guess that he was working for the other groups in the auction.

‘Talk about a sore loser. What a fine mess you’ve gotten yourself into, Aryon.’

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“I expected something like this, but I’m impressed that it occured so fast.’ said Bai Hua.

Aryon kept looking outside, where the Bai Clan guards were now engaging with several attackers. “Have you any idea on who it is?”

“Given that we’re in the city and the guard hasn’t been alerted? The prince and his governor lackey.”

‘So it’s a prince.’ he thought. As royalty himself, he didn’t approve of these acts.

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The Green Blade Forest Sect party didn’t return to the inn, but headed northeast.

Despite their fury and disappointment at losing the auction, the sect kept itself calm. Calm enough to keep an eye out for any opportunities at turning things around. And now, an opportunity was passing near.

Feng Yan and the rest of the auction party arrived at a house not far from the road leading to Bai Clan territory. He was surprised to find several more elders within as well as a few core disciples.

What was most surprising was the Nascent Soul master along with them.

“Master!” said Liu Wong. He ran up to the Nascent Soul master, named Wang Xuefeng, and bowed deeply. Master Xuefeng patted his disciple on the head, then spoke. “Disciples, tonight’s events will decide the fate of our Green Blade Forest Sect.”

Feng Yan and the others listened on with nervous faces. “If we allow the Bai Clan the time to train cultivators with the Divine Imperial Smithing Technique, their power will rise exponentially as they equip their forces with superior weapons. Our proud sect will be reduced to a mere lackey to the Bai Clan.”

“But the heavens are kind. Others know of this and have already struck at the Bai Clan in an attempt to take this item. We, too, will join in! We will wait for our foes to bloody each other before making our move. So ready yourselves! If we are late by even one second, the scroll will enter the Bai Clan sanctuary in the city and our chances to retrieve it then will be slim.”

Feng Yan’s hand caressed the hilt of his sword. He was proud of his sect, having lived and trained there for so much of his life. To see it so threatened and in need stirred a fierce fire in his heart.

Those who endanger the sect must pay with their lives!

“Do not fail tonight, disciples. Our Green Blade Forest Sect’s fate depends on it! For the sect!”

“ “For the sect!” “

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Guardian Ji flexed his fingers. It had been a long time since his last battle. But this tide of foes seemed neverending.

Their cultivations ranged from high Foundation Realm to high Soul Core Realm. Not a problem when compared to his Nascent Soul third-level; he could slaughter dozens of them with ease.

His problem was that he couldn’t fathom the total strength of their assailants. They may even have Nascent Soul practitioners of their own.

Sensing a lull in the battle, he returned to the Bai Clan siblings’ side with a dead body in tow. He found them near the fallen litter, surrounded by guards and accompanied by the foreigner lord.

After informing the young mistress of his worries, he showed them the body of the dead man, revealing his face.

“I know him. He’s from the Ye Clan.” said Guardian Ji.

“So the Ye Clan as well… Is Ye Shao in bed with the eighth prince? Or is he being used as fodder? Hmph. Regardless, it is unlikely that either of them have shown their full hand yet. Where are the reinforcements?”

“I do not know, young mistress.”

The Bai Clan had mobilized their forces for this very day, their purpose being to keep guard of the young mistress should they win the scroll… or steal it from the victor had they lost the bidding.

But now those forces were not here.

“Could they have been delayed?”

“Possibly.” said the young mistress. “Let’s keep moving. We’ll be safe once we reach the Iron Hall.”

“I will have to part with you then, madam.” said the foreign lord. “I have no part in this at all, and do not wish to be entangled in it.”

“I understand.” replied the young mistress. “But it is not safe to wander outside in this area. I would advise lord to accompany us; our sanctuary, Iron Hall, is a strong place that can keep us safe even from an army.”

“A tempting offer, but no thank you. And worry not; I can keep myself safe.”

The young mistress looked reluctant to let him go, but did so anyway. Lord Aryon gave a bow and walked away into the night.

When he vanished from view, Guardian Ji gave the order to keep moving.