Jia Shidao and Song Zhong had quite a bit in common. Their resource-based Sub-Halls, despite possessing abundant assets, always seed to lack that final push to beco truly dominant. No matter who held the resources, they were never content to be subordinate to others. This was true for both the Beast Hall and the Fire Cloud Hall.
To increase their Sub-Halls’ strength, they had almost simultaneously shed their bad habit of jealously hoarding their own treasures. In the past, the Beast Hall and the Fire Cloud Hall would rather let their abundant resources rot within their own walls than trade them away. Thus, while they were "wealthy," it was all for show.
But in recent years, after Jia Shidao and Song Zhong had secured their positions as Seniors, neither was content to just play second fiddle, especially not while letting Dao Guang Hall "exploit" them. As a result, both Halls began to export a great deal, even poaching a significant amount of talent from Dao Guang Hall. This period of biding their ti was clearly intended to make a na for themselves in the grand competition and prove their worth to the Ancestral Masters.
Rumor had it that adjustnts were going to be made to the Jiufen Hall. For instance, if Thunderlight Hall showed no improvent, it would simply be dismantled. And Halls like Fire Cloud Hall and Beast Hall, which possessed such vast resources yet failed to perform exceptionally, would no longer be allowed to continue on their current path.
The only one in a relatively relaxed position was the Hundred Herbs Hall. After all, its primary purpose since its inception had never been combat.
Fire Cloud Hall and Beast Hall had been forced into a corner. As Seniors, it was their duty to plan for the future.
They had made ticulous preparations for this Hall assembly, hoping the Ancestral Masters would take notice. Instead, Thunderlight Hall had stolen all the lilight and even produced so fellow nad Wang ng.
"Brother Song, what is your Fire Cloud Hall planning to exhibit? I heard that Thunderlight Hall’s ’Divine Sword’ is also going up for auction," Jia Shidao said with a grin.
This was a blatant provocation. Master Zhao had actually spent a long ti examining that shabby sword and given it remarkably high praise. How was Fire Cloud Hall, renowned for its Artifact Refining and having prepared for so long, supposed to stomach that?
But Song Zhong wasn’t so easily provoked. He gave a faint smile. "The Ancestral Master had his reasons, which we of the younger generation should naturally understand. Heh, we’ll see what price it fetches. If it’s cheap, I wouldn’t mind buying it."
Jia Shidao also chuckled. "Brother Song, you are truly magnanimous. Haha, we’ll see when the ti cos."
The two exchanged a few more pleasantries before leading the elites of their respective Sub-Halls to the front rows. No one else would dare sit there; by custom, those seats were reserved for the leaders of the various Sub-Halls.
A short while later, the mbers of the Flying Phoenix Hall arrived. The mont Yang Ying appeared, scorching gazes from all around swept over her.
This was especially true for those who had already seen Yanm Yuyue; they felt that Yang Ying was the true Fairy, an embodint of both beauty and wisdom.
Anyone of sufficient status made a point to greet Yang Ying. She didn’t push people away, but she maintained a certain distance within her gentle deanor.
Her gaze drifted to the nearby Thunderlight Hall contingent. It had to be said that, for better or for worse, Thunderlight Hall was the focus of everyone’s recent conversations.
Sensing her gaze, Wang ng turned his head, broke into a brilliant smile, and gave a nod. Yang Ying returned it with a faint smile of her own.
Yang Ying turned back and sat in her designated seat, and the disciples of the Flying Phoenix Hall around her quickly settled in as well.
"Senior, was that Wang ng actively trying to get on your good side?"
"I knew it! No one can resist our Senior’s beauty!"
"Spring is long gone, are you two still boy-crazy? Wang ng’s smile was so natural, it was obviously just politeness. Still, I refuse to believe he wasn’t the least bit interested. I’ve just never seen anyone hide it so well!"
Gao Dandan said, summarizing the situation. They had co today paying special attention to Wang ng. The girls were different from the elites of the other Halls; Wang ng’s sudden rise to prominence had little direct impact on the Flying Phoenix Hall, which only made them more curious about him.
Yang Ying offered no comnt, remaining as calm as ever. But only she knew that her heart had actually sped up because of his smile.
’It was clearly just a polite smile. Why did I even react?’
’This is unbelievable. Could I... be interested in him?’
’That’s impossible. I know perfectly well that Wang ng isn’t my type at all. To put it bluntly, he’s far from it. My ideal man is soone like Li Tianyi, or maybe even Ning Zhiquan. But definitely not anyone like Wang ng.’
Gradually, the mbers of Lingyin Hall and Immortal Origin Hall also arrived. The final group to make their entrance was Dao Guang Hall, but this ti, Ning Zhiquan was accompanying a distinguished guest—Yanm Yuyue.
"Junior Sister Yanm, please."
"Brother Ning, please."
The two remained very courteous as they walked to the front together. The two people accompanying Yanm Yuyue, however, were quite haughty. They had been observing things carefully over the past few days and concluded that only Dao Guang Hall was up to snuff. The other Halls were simply too lacking. Then again, that was to be expected; the Holy Hall had always relied on quantity over quality.
The mont Yanm Yuyue appeared, that complicated feeling resurfaced in Wang ng. This ti, however, he didn’t lose his composure as he had before; he was far more in control. ’No matter what, half of this body was inherited from my past life. Since there’s a debt, it must be repaid.’
Yanm Yuyue felt Wang ng’s gaze on her, but by the ti she looked over, he had already turned his head away.
"Hmph, she’s nothing special, Tian’Er. She can’t hold a candle to you!" Liuu i said, fiercely defending her junior sister.
’That Yanm Yuyue is just a Demoness. She isn’t worth a single strand of Ma Tian’Er’s hair.’
Liuu i hadn’t bothered to lower her voice, clearly intending for Wang ng to hear. Wang ng didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He knew it was just Liuu i’s protective nature, but so things simply couldn’t be forced.
Ma Tian’Er tugged at Liuu i’s sleeve, and Zhang Xiaojiang did the sa. Although he didn’t know the full story, Zhang Xiaojiang understood his brother better than anyone. Liuu i shot them both a harsh glare. She really couldn’t understand it. ’What kind of charm does this Wang ng guy have, making Ma Tian’Er so foolishly devoted and getting my own man to praise him so much?’
Liuu i had once asked a foolish question: if she and Wang ng were in danger at the sa ti, who would Zhang Xiaopang save? That damn fatty had actually hesitated and, in the end, never gave her an answer.
Furious as she was, Liuu i also understood the bond of brotherhood between the two n. It’s just that even the most generous girl can be petty. She gave Master Zhang the cold shoulder for a few days, but she couldn’t hold out against his thick-skinned persistence and sweet talk, and he eventually coaxed her back into a good mood.
Hu Jing was also secretly sizing up Yanm Yuyue. ’I’ve always been curious about the type of woman Wang ng would fall for, and it turns out to be Yanm Yuyue. Honestly, aside from her status as the Evil Lord’s top disciple, I can’t see anything special about her. But I know Wang ng isn’t the type to care about status.’
Wang ng took in everyone’s expressions, but there was no way he could explain any of it. ’What’s happening to ... it might not be the last of its kind, but it’s definitely unprecedented.’
Nearly everyone had arrived. The one presiding over the Holy Hall Pavilion’s auction was an Elder from the Main Hall.
His na was Li Changfu, and he had always managed the Holy Hall Pavilion. His Life Mark was at the fortieth layer, but his actual combat strength was only average. In terms of administration, however, he was quite skilled.
Li Changfu didn’t put on any airs in front of the disciples. He was well aware of his own position. After all, several of the young people below were destined to beco important figures in the Holy Hall.
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