Chapter Seventy-Four: Sorry, I Forgot to Bring Money

"This is the final item of tonight's auction—a resplendent creature from the Eastern Endless Forest of the Land Forsaken by the Gods: an elf!"

A being bound entirely in black divine chains was pushed onto the stage. Only a white gauze veil concealed certain secret places. Her skin was snowy white, her chest full, her figure elegant and curvaceous. Her eyes were green, her ears delicately pointed, and her gaze held timidity and terror, invoking an involuntary sense of pity in those who beheld her.

At the sight of this creature, Zhou Tian felt a strange sense of familiarity. Why did this being seem so well-known to him?

All eyes turned to Zhou Tian, who lived up to their expectations and shouted with great vigor, "One thousand Divine Crystals!"

Another sky-high price.

With the final item sold, the black-robed figure on the stage announced, "Tonight's auction is now concluded!"

He could not wait to lead his attendants down from the platform, all the items Zhou Tian had "purchased" following behind him, including the elf.

"My friend, that will be a total of 2,100 Divine Crystals. Would you care to settle your account?"

Unlike previous occasions, the other black-robed figures did not slip away through hidden passageways but remained where they stood, watching intently. It seemed they sensed there might be some entertainment tonight.

"Very well," Zhou Tian replied, reaching toward the front of his trousers, fumbling about.

The black-robed man froze. Where could he possibly be keeping his money? But it seemed he had brought it with him, so that was all that mattered.

After a moment of searching, Zhou Tian withdrew his hand—empty.

A sense of foreboding struck the black-robed man, and sure enough, Zhou Tian spoke up, "Sorry, I forgot to bring my money. Could you let me pay on credit?"

The atmosphere grew unbearably awkward, teetering on the edge of chaos. The black-robed man's expression was hidden, but the arm protruding from his robe trembled uncontrollably.

"My friend, that is not a funny joke," he said, voice icy, struggling to suppress his fury.

"I really did forget! Who's joking with you? Is it so hard to trust a person?" Zhou Tian retorted, disgruntled. "Where has all the trust between people gone?"

Before their eyes, the black-robed man's whole body began to tremble. His exposed arm flushed crimson, swelling into a beastly claw. The five fingers became thick and gnarled, the nails pitch black, sprouting dark fur. An evil aura flowed over it, blood-red light flickering beneath the surface.

Bang!

With a speed impossible to evade, the beast claw struck Zhou Tian's chest.

A sickening squelch sounded faintly in Zhou Tian's ears—perhaps that was the sound of his heart bursting. That, at least, was his last thought.

As with the black-robed man from the night before, this one had not expected Zhou Tian to be dispatched so easily. He flexed his beast claw. Had he grown stronger again?

Then he witnessed something bizarre: Zhou Tian's "corpse," lying on the ground, abruptly vanished. Everyone was left dumbfounded. What had just happened?

The black-robed man stood dazed for a moment, then turned and said, "Forgive the disturbance, everyone. Perhaps we should restart the auction for this item?"

"No, no thank you."

"I just remembered I left the godly hearth burning at home—must be off!"

The other black-robed figures all made their excuses. The night's events had grown far too strange for comfort. Perhaps some great master from the Heavenly Barrier had set their sights on this place. Whether it would remain safe to return here in the future was now in doubt.

...

Outside the building, Zhou Tian's figure appeared. He picked himself up off the ground, rubbing his chest and muttering, "No, this won't do. I must find a skill that can lessen pain. This hurts far too much."

The black-robed man had been much too close for comfort. To avoid further trouble, Zhou Tian hadn't bothered with pleasantries after reviving—he left immediately. If that fellow struck him again, he would have to wait until his resurrection count reset before he could return, by which time the opportunity would have passed, and explaining the situation to the people from Tianqin would be impossible.

"Sigh... Lady Elf, I truly am sorry. There's nothing I can do to help you," Zhou Tian thought, recalling the pitiable elven maiden. Regrettably, there was nothing he could do for her now.

He could send someone tomorrow to raze the place and rescue her, but that would mean offending both the official and the underworld sides of the Heavenly Barrier. He did not believe for a moment that the local garrison leaders of the Eight Great Factions were ignorant of the city's dark underbelly. Judging by the soldiers’ practiced movements, this was far from the first time they’d collected protection money.

Clearing out evil protected by the system was the hardest task of all, for it made enemies on both sides. Though his own status was high and his life not in danger, he knew the matter would come to nothing—at best, he'd be reprimanded, the event quietly buried, and perhaps even left with a reputation as a fool. It was a troublesome business indeed.

And all for an elf, not even of his own kind? Even if he managed to save her, in her eyes he would be no different from the others.

Doing good without expectation of reward? Zhou Tian was not possessed of such lofty sentiments. He could only sigh inwardly at the pity of it all, wondering which beast would next defile the elven maiden.

He had spent much time searching for a residence that day, and by the time he returned to his manor, dawn was already breaking. He felt as if he had just lain down, still muddled with sleep, when he was roused again—the people from the Grand Luo Academy had arrived.

In the main hall of the manor, Zhou Xunchuan and the others were seated in order, with Zhou Yan and Zhou Ying occupying the seats of honor.

"Did they really have to come so early? I'm dying of exhaustion..."

Zhou Tian yawned, rubbing the sleep from his eyes and flicking the resulting speck onto the person next to him, Zhou Zui, causing the others to edge a little further away.

A flash of cyan light, and the speck of sleep vanished. Zhou Zui said in disgust, "What on earth did you do last night to look so haggard?"

"Last night..." Zhou Tian pondered, then replied, "Last night, my heart was smashed to pieces. I still haven't recovered."

Good grief... Zhou Zui covered his forehead and sighed. Clearly, Zhou Tian's mind was addled from exhaustion.

Before long, a group of five entered through the hall doors. At their head was a young man clad in a robe of jade kirin brocade, his hair bound with a golden crown, his eyes a striking violet, exuding an oppressive presence like a divine mountain bearing down.

Behind him followed four other youths, each bearing an extraordinary air, their steps steady, their demeanor noble.

"Jun Feng, it has been a long time," Zhou Yan greeted, rising to his feet. His eyes shone like the moon, as if a great dragon soared forth, shattering the oppressive mountain and dissolving its weight into nothingness.

"Prince Yan, I did not expect you to lead the delegation in person," Jun Feng replied coolly, taking his seat with his entourage. Though he addressed him as Prince Yan, there was not a trace of respect in his manner.

"Which of you is the Heir of King Qin?" After sitting, Jun Feng spoke calmly, his violet eyes deep as the sea, sweeping over Zhou Tian and his companions.

"Hey, hey, Zhou Tian, they're calling for you..." Zhou Zui nudged the drowsy Zhou Tian beside him.

"Who’s looking for me?" Zhou Tian snapped awake, catching sight of Jun Feng staring at him. Why did all these people look like edgy teens with colored contacts? He rubbed his eyes and said, "Forgive me, I slept poorly last night. May I ask what business you have with me?"

Jun Feng narrowed his eyes, violet light swirling within, feeling himself slighted.