The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 301: I Do Not Want to Be Reasonable!

I Do Not Want to Be Reasonable! . . .

Cha Eun Xiao found herself in a rather precarious situation. The mention of Master Bai had thrown her off balance, and she feared that uttering even a single impulsive word might lead to dire consequences. She contemplated her predicament, recognizing that her current state had stripped her of all dignity. Desperation gnawed at her, leading her to consider the unthinkable – should she kneel before Master Bai?

Wan-Er, observing Cha Eun Xiao's plight, was eventually swayed by her resolve. She marveled at Cha Eun Xiao's determination to bid a staggering five billion. Wan-Er, however, confessed her own financial limitations, acknowledging that even if she possessed such wealth, she wouldn't lavish it on a single Bone Ablutionary Dan bead. Rationality prevailed, considering the auction's competitive nature. With a heavy heart, she declared her withdrawal from the bidding, conceding victory to Cha Eun Xiao.

The atmosphere in the room shifted dramatically with Wan-Er's pronouncement. A collective gasp rippled through the onlookers. Cha Eun Xiao's actions had left them in awe, but they couldn't help but feel that Wan-Er had taken her provocations too far.

"Unbelievable!" they thought, as they watched a man from the Sunlight Sect struggle to contain his anguish. He coughed up blood, his breathing labored, pushed to the brink by the exorbitant bid and Wan-Er's mockery.

Although people were appalled by Wan-Er's ruthless tactics, a strange sense of satisfaction pervaded the crowd. For years, the Sunlight Sect had held unrivaled power, leaving other sects and clans too intimidated to challenge them openly. Now, witnessing the Sunlight Sect being publicly humiliated and forced into submission was a rare delight.

This public humiliation was what many had secretly yearned for – a chink in the Sunlight Sect's armor, an opportunity to see them brought to their knees.

However, the Mu Clan members couldn't help but experience mixed emotions. They vividly remembered a similar incident in the same salesroom, where one of their own had used the Sunlight Sect's tactics to snatch a supreme dan bead. This had drawn the wrath of the Xiu of the Heavens, resulting in a brutal retaliation that claimed over a hundred lives.

Now, in the same auction hall and under parallel circumstances, the Sunlight Sect was provoking the House of the Chaotic Storm. This time, it was Wan of the Clouds who bore the brunt of their aggression.

The insult this time around cut even deeper into the hearts of those present. It was a peculiar twist of fate – the same location, the same scene, and the same narrative unfolding once again. The members of the Mu Clan couldn't help but shiver at the eerie coincidence. Doubts crept into their minds: Could Ling-Bao Hall have ties to the House of the Chaotic Storm, or was it perhaps an extension of the House itself? The repeated confrontations seemed far too orchestrated to be mere chance.

Within this assembly of well-informed individuals, the unspoken question hung heavy: Was Ling-Bao Hall merely an arm of the House of the Chaotic Storm, an enrichment department serving its interests?

Anxiety and trepidation gripped the room as they pondered this possibility. The audacious approach of Lady Wan-Er had raised concerns. The old man from the Sunlight Sect, his mouth stained with blood, spoke in a pitiable tone. "The Sunlight Sect has never provoked the House of the Chaotic Storm," he lamented, his words carrying an air of melancholy that permeated the entire space.

The enigmatic actions of the House of the Chaotic Storm left everyone perplexed. They strained to catch every word that would escape its members' lips – would they admit to their involvement or vehemently deny it? If they chose denial, what could possibly explain the unfolding events?

A chilling hush descended on the room, an unsettling silence that clung to the air.

Then, from the confines of the Sky No. 1 Room, a calm voice resonated. It bore the quality of indifference. "A Bone Ablutionary Dan bead worth five billion? I've never laid eyes on such a thing. Wan-Er, why don't you bring that dan bead to me? Let it enlighten your master."

It was the voice of a young man.

At that very moment, a palpable tension swept through the hearts of all those present. Their collective anticipation rendered them oblivious to their own breaths.

"Master? Wan-Er?" they thought, their hearts racing with recognition. "There can be only one person audacious enough to address her in such a manner... Could it be..."

Without delay, Wan of the Clouds responded in a tone laden with respect, "Certainly! Your servant will retrieve it immediately."

Their hearts raced once more. "Your servant?" They questioned silently, the pieces falling into place. "Could it be... is the person speaking none other than him?"

In that charged atmosphere, everyone had unraveled the mystery, yet none dared to utter the name aloud.

Cha Eun Xiao couldn't help but notice the stark transformation in Wan of the Clouds. Initially, she had expected her to exude a soft and gentle demeanor, but the reality was entirely different. Wan of the Clouds had adopted an unyielding and resolute posture. The reason was evident – the presence of that man had wrought this change.

Indeed, it was true!

With that man in their midst, not even the most venerable senior cultivators or sect leaders could retain their authority. Before him, their words held little weight, for his utterances constituted the law. No one dared to defy him, and his every word commanded unwavering obedience.

Respect for him far exceeded any reverence shown to the old man from the Sunlight Sect, who now found himself the object of pitying glances from the gathered onlookers. Silence enveloped the room of the Sunlight Sect, the air heavy with anticipation.

Wan of the Clouds broke the stillness with an imperious shout, "Are you all deaf? My master wishes to inspect that Bone Ablutionary Dan bead worth five billion taels! Must I remind you to hurry, or do you hold my master in contempt?"

The crowd stood in stunned silence, their realization dawning almost simultaneously, leaving them on the brink of exasperation.

"The House of the Chaotic Storm," they thought, "is anything but reasonable. They coerced others into inflating the price, forcing this man to bid relentlessly, without any room for a reasonable bid. The price had skyrocketed from 300 million to a staggering 5 billion. They had essentially compelled him into this purchase, depleting his wealth ruthlessly."

However, the House of the Chaotic Storm didn't stop there. After their adversary had acquired the item at such an exorbitant price, they had the audacity to summon him to present it to them. A demand that came at the cost of five billion taels!

It was clear that they intended to make the Sunlight Sect squander their wealth recklessly. The old man didn't even have a chance to grasp the dan bead. The situation had transcended insult; it had evolved into a financial obliteration.

Yet, even if they openly declared their intent to financially ruin the Sunlight Sect, what recourse did the Sunlight Sect have? Who in their right mind would dare to defy the words of Master Bai? To challenge him was akin to courting certain death.