After the path was cut off

Chapter 24 Separation of Seats

The hour of Chen (7-9 AM) is approaching.

The bidding for the Yunmeng Spiritual Land was held at the Wenxuan Terrace, located on the west side of Shuwu Peak.

This place was originally just where the General Affairs Hall would verify merits and record names and discuss spiritual matters on a daily basis, but today it has been completely cleared out. The four stone steps expand outwards, forming a semi-circle, with a jade screen hanging at the top and a long table arranged at the bottom. In the center of the platform, a whole piece of bluish-white spirit stone is laid out, as smooth as a mirror, with flowing runes on it and a restrained luster.

Several layers of restrictions have been set up around the Xuantai.

Soundproof, concealment, counterfeit detection, suppression... layer upon layer, pressing down the entire high platform into extreme silence.

Just before the exact hour of Chen (7-9 AM), the people from the General Affairs Department arrived first.

One after another, figures emerged from behind the high platform, dressed in blue and white robes with dangling patterns on the cuffs, their expressions more solemn than usual. The deacons on both sides took their places, with the positions for verification, calling out names, striking the hammer, recording, and patrolling all lined up neatly, their movements so synchronized as if they had rehearsed many times.

At the forefront of the crowd, Shen Bai walked slowly, his expression calm, showing little sign of anything amiss.

Following closely behind was the Lord of the Law Enforcement Hall.

The moment this person appeared, the atmosphere on the Wenxuan Platform seemed to grow even colder.

The masters of both halls arrived together.

Many people in the audience felt a chill run down their spines.

After Shen Bai took his seat at the main table, the Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall stood to the side and behind him, his hands tucked into his sleeves, his gaze indifferent, like a silent, cold stone.

A few more breaths passed.

At the end of the jade steps on the east side, two figures suddenly walked slowly towards them.

The leader wore a moon-white robe with gold trim, his black hair cascading down to his waist, and his eyes and brows were as cold as a snowy night that had not yet ended.

Siam.

Fu Yun followed behind her, dressed in simple white robes, with a respectful expression.

When Siam entered, she didn't look at anyone or stop. She simply walked up the high platform and sat down in the first row of seats reserved for the true disciples. As soon as the hem of her robe fell, it was as if even the wind around her became lighter.

A moment later, footsteps could be heard again from the stone steps on the west side.

This time, many people instinctively held their breath.

Li Wangxiang has arrived.

The person who walked back from the dead in Beichen.

That true disciple who should have died long ago, yet he brazenly appeared in the sect, stirring up a storm throughout the sect.

An Ting followed behind him, her expression inevitably tense. She had lived in the mountains for many years and rarely had she seen such a grand scene.

Li Wangxiang seemed oblivious to everything. Before taking his seat, he glanced at Shen Bai in the center of the platform, then lightly swept his gaze over Siam not far away, before finally sitting down.

At this point, both of their true disciples were present.

The atmosphere on the platform finally reached its lowest point.

At this moment, the officiant who called the names stepped forward, unfolded the jade book, and loudly proclaimed:

"The bidding for the Yunmeng spiritual land shall be conducted in accordance with the sect's old rules."

"Firstly, all bidders must be registered and their qualifications verified before entering the bidding area. Those who are not registered are not allowed to raise their paddles or make bids."

"Secondly, within a single bidding period, each person may only bid for one sacred site. If multiple people bid for a site together, their names must be recorded before the bidding begins, and after the hammer falls, they may not be changed or added to."

"Thirdly, during the bidding period, bidders shall not leave their seats without permission, communicate privately, or switch seats to bid on their behalf midway."

Fourthly, once the hammer falls and the price is set, the sacred land belongs to the Lord. Once the price has been set, it cannot be changed or reversed.

"Anyone who violates this rule will be expelled from the room, given a demerit, and those with serious offenses will be handed over to the Hall of Law Enforcement."

The sound of chanting echoed slowly across the platform, and the surroundings grew increasingly quiet.

Behind each leader of a peak were several disciples who had been pre-registered. Nominally, they were co-purchasers, but in reality, they also served as proxies, representatives, and placers.

After the rules were recited, a moment later, Gu Chenglan cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Shen Bai and spoke with a half-smile:

"Lord Shen."

"Didn't the General Affairs Department leave a letter the other day saying that the bidding would be conducted in designated areas?"

He glanced around the seats on the stage, his tone gentle, but his questions were extremely direct.

"So, it seems we'll stick to one seat until the very end?"

The moment the question was uttered, the surroundings became even quieter.

Many people's hearts skipped a beat.

Yes.

The previous night, the General Affairs Hall posted a notice stating that the draw would be reshuffled and the contested lots would be divided into three sections. However, although there are many seats on the stage now, it is clearly still one large venue, with no indication of opening up the three sections simultaneously.

Shen Bai sat behind the desk, his expression unchanged.

He simply raised his hand, his voice flat, yet it was perfectly clear amidst the complete silence.

"It's unnecessary."

Even Gu Chenglan paused slightly upon hearing those four words.

There was a moment of deathly silence in the audience.

No one asked any further questions.

No one really dared to ask further questions.

Shen Bai, however, did not intend to say more. He simply raised his hand to signal, and the announcer immediately stepped forward, unfurled the scroll, and loudly proclaimed:

"Yunmeng Great Marsh, First Ring, No. 1 Spiritual Land of Class B - Jing Shui Bay".

"Bottom price: 700 Immortal Skills."

As his fame spread, many people in the audience felt a sudden jolt in their hearts.

The first piece is the spiritual land of the first ring.

Moreover, it's one of the most talked-about properties recently.

Everyone knows this place wasn't prepared for Xiaofengtou.

As a result, countless eyes subconsciously turned to the seats where the first and seventh peaks were located.

Take a breath.

Two breaths.

Three breaths.

The three characters "Quiet Water Bay" hung in the air, as if they had fallen into a bottomless abyss, without stirring up even a ripple.

No one offered a price.

Even the deacon in charge of taking notes paused for a moment while holding the pen.

In the ensuing silence, Gu Chenglan chuckled softly.

He turned his head to look at Gu Xiangyang, his tone almost polite.

"Junior Brother Gu."

"The moisture in Still Water Bay is too heavy, which is not in line with the tradition of my First Peak."

"How about Junior Brother Gu goes first with this piece?"

Gu Xiangyang seemed completely unsurprised, merely offering a slight bow.

"You're too kind, Senior Brother Gu."

"In that case, it would be impolite of me to refuse."

After saying this, he did not personally respond to the price, but merely turned his head slightly.

A disciple from the Seventh Peak, whose name had already been recorded, immediately stood up and said in a deep voice:

"The seventh peak, with a total of three entries, should be Jing Shui Wan at the reserve price."

The announcer paused slightly, then picked up his pen and began to announce:

"Still Water Bay—"

"The seventh peak has recorded three individuals and seven hundred immortal skills. Is there anyone else willing to bid higher?"

The deacon announced again, "This is a top-grade spiritual land, with a stable spiritual atmosphere and fertile spiritual fields. Don't miss this opportunity!"

Still no one answered.

The deacon, who had presided over several auctions for the sacred land, was sweating profusely, having talked himself hoarse about the advantages of Stillwater Bay, but no one raised the price.

Gu Chenglan watched this scene with a smile, completely unsurprised.

Gu Xiangyang closed his eyes, his face serene.

Finally, the steward, his mouth dry and speechless, could only desperately cast a pleading glance at Shen Bai, the head of the General Affairs Hall.

He dared not put down the hammer after a top-quality spiritual land had been sold at a low price!

Shen Bai remained expressionless, revealing neither his joy nor anger: "Don't break the rules."

This response from the deacon extinguished his will to pick up his hammer.

"Quiet Water Bay, Seventh Peak, recorded three people, seven hundred immortal skills."

The hammer fell.

The sound, which should have been crisp and clear, sounded strangely empty to the ear.

This is hardly a bidding process.

Next, the deacon announced the names and then unfolded the scroll.

"The first ring, the No. 1 sacred land of Class A - fertile land."

"Bottom price: 800 Immortal Skills."

The audience seemed to hold their breath.

Fertile fields.

Yunmeng Great Marsh is one of the most anticipated top-quality spiritual lands this time.

This is also the place where everyone agrees that the First Peak and the Seventh Peak are about to have a real showdown.

This time, however, Gu Xiangyang raised his hand first and looked at Gu Chenglan with a smile:

"Senior Brother Gu."

"In this area, I, Gu, will not compete with the First Peak."

Gu Chenglan smiled too.

"Thank you for your concession."

After saying this, he did not personally announce the number, but simply tapped it lightly on the table.

A disciple from the First Peak who had already been registered immediately stood up and calmly spoke:

"The first peak, with three people recorded, should be fertile land according to the reserve price."

The deacon swallowed hard and spoke in a hoarse voice, "Woye, eight hundred immortal skills, anyone willing to bid higher?"

The deacon called out again, "Woye, 800 Immortal Skills, anyone willing to bid higher?"

He called out twice more in this dull manner, but still no one responded.

The hammer fell again.

This isn't a bidding process; it's clearly just going through the motions.

Then another piece, and then another.

You give way in one place, I'll take in another.

I'll take a step back, and you'll take a step forward.

Between the two peaks, the words were polite and the manners impeccable, without uttering a single harsh word. Yet, it was precisely because of this that the scene seemed all the more eerie.

It doesn't seem like they're fighting over sacred land.

Instead, under the watchful eyes of everyone, he meticulously separated the items on the table, one by one.

The entire room fell silent.

No one made a fuss, and no one dared to make a fuss.

All the prominent figures on the field—Shen Bai, Siam, Li Wangxiang, and the Lord of the Law Enforcement Hall—closed their eyes, as if they were dozing.

The most boring auction for sacred land in history is about to be born.