“What, you’re cursing me indirectly?”
The young noble, Yan Peng, finally caught on, jumping up and shouting angrily.
“I didn’t curse you. You’re the one insulting yourself. Didn’t your mother teach you how to speak or act like a human?” Ling Xiao said, disappointed.
In the entire imperial city of the Divine Phoenix Empire, he had met few truly refined nobles. Most were like this: arrogant, conceited, and utterly vulgar.
“Hahaha, Yan Peng, you’ve been played by a lowly human! If you don’t do something, you’ll be a laughingstock,” someone in the VIP area jeered, deliberately provoking the noble.
“He wouldn’t dare! He’s got some fame now, challenging Blood Skeleton. Yan Peng’s probably scared,” another taunted.
“Scared my foot!” Yan Peng roared. “Don’t forget, not long ago, another human warrior came here acting tough and meddling. I gouged out his eyes, severed his tendons, and turned him into a living specimen. It’s still on display in the auction house!”
“Exactly! So, how about playing the human specimen game again today?” The crowd started egging him on.
Yan Peng glared at Ling Xiao coldly. “Kid, either crawl under my crotch today and roll down those stairs, or get ready to be made into a living specimen. Human bodies, male or female, are quite fascinating.”
Ling Xiao hadn’t wanted trouble.
But things had escalated to a point where sitting quietly was no longer an option. Killing someone was one thing, but this was beyond the pale.
This Yan Peng not only treated humans like mounts and livestock but had the audacity to turn them into living specimens.
And he bragged about it proudly, as if it were some grand achievement, with no hint of shame.
“To make me a specimen, you’d better see if you’ve got the guts to try!” Ling Xiao said, staring at Yan Peng. If he weren’t avoiding trouble here, he’d have already kicked this disgusting fool out.
Sitting near such a beast made him feel truly uneasy.
“What did you say?” Yan Peng’s pupils contracted, his gaze turning vicious. “You’d better know what you’re doing and who you’re facing!”
“Of course I know. Didn’t you just say? I’m talking to a scum,” Ling Xiao nodded, deadly serious.
“Hahaha, Yan Peng, see that? He’s mocking you again, over and over. You really not going to do anything?” The onlookers, loving the chaos, kept stoking the fire.
“Good! Very good! I gave you a chance, but you don’t know what’s good for you! Come, gouge out this kid’s eyes, sever his tendons, destroy his heavenly veins, and make him a living specimen for display!” Yan Peng roared, his voice brimming with fury and uncontrollable impulse.
“Yes, sir!”
At Yan Peng’s command, a figure darted out from the VIP area.
This person’s aura was dangerous, like an assassin hidden in the shadows. He’d been sitting silently until Yan Peng’s order brought him into view.
He was a man with little presence.
But also extremely dangerous.
Ling Xiao glanced at him calmly. “You’re human too. Are you really willing to be this scum’s lackey and harm your own kind?”
“I only care about money,” the man replied in an icy voice.
“You might die for that money,” Ling Xiao said.
He despised the Divine Phoenix clans that insulted and degraded humans, but he equally loathed humans who willingly served as their dogs.
“Hold on!”
Just as Ling Xiao was about to act, Elder Bai appeared.
He stopped the fight before it began, bowing respectfully to Yan Peng. “Young Master Yan Peng, this is the Divine Phoenix Auction House. Fighting isn’t appropriate. If the Emperor gets angry, even you might not bear the consequences. Please retract your order and spare me the trouble. Of course, I’ll ensure this human apologizes and leaves the VIP area, causing you no further bother.”
“Make him get lost!”
Though Yan Peng was a noble from the Great Peng Clan, they were still a step below the Ice Phoenix Clan. Starting a fight in the auction house would indeed be unwise.
Taking a deep breath, he restrained himself and waved his subordinate back.
But he shouldn’t have added, “Kid, you’re lucky today. This is the Divine Phoenix Auction House, and I’m giving the Emperor face, so I won’t touch you here. But once you leave, I’ll make you a living specimen! Otherwise, where’s my dignity?”
At those words, a flash of killing intent crossed Ling Xiao’s eyes.
No one could ignore such a threat.
Ling Xiao was no exception.
His path of martial arts had been hard-won, and he knew never to leave loose ends. Some threats had to be nipped in the bud.
Otherwise, they’d bring endless trouble.
In the Mysterious Realm, there was no right or wrong.
Nor was there reason to speak of.
So-called justice and reason were just the helpless cries of the powerless.
Everything came down to strength and influence!
“Kid, this is the Divine Phoenix Auction House. Our rule is that humans and beasts are absolutely forbidden from the VIP area. Come here, kneel, and apologize to Young Master Yan Peng. You might save your life. Otherwise, even I can’t protect you!” Elder Bai barked at Ling Xiao.
Before Yan Peng, he was subservient, like a lackey.
Before Ling Xiao, he strutted like a lord.
Besides the factor of strength, it was likely because Ling Xiao lacked “influence.” Without the powerful Holy Dynasty backing him, a human like Ling Xiao had no status.
Hearing this, Ling Xiao’s expression remained impassive.
He’d seen this kind of contempt and disdain too often and was used to it.
He knew roaring, raging, or reasoning wouldn’t solve anything. If he gave in today, it would be a lifelong stain.
“What? You really want to die?” Elder Bai glared at Ling Xiao, seemingly forgetting he was a guest of the auction house. “If you don’t do as I say, you can forget about getting a single spirit stone for your item!”
Threats!
Blatant, shameless threats!
Before, it was just doubling the commission. Now, they didn’t even want to give him a single spirit stone.
This was the ugly face of the Divine Phoenix Auction House.
Ling Xiao’s expression grew colder.
“Old man, try it! I’m sitting in this VIP area today. Let’s see who can drive me out!”
His icy voice rang out. If others wouldn’t give him face, he’d earn it with his own strength.
