Chapter 948: Chapter 948
In the time that followed, Luo Li expressed her loyalty to the Huangshan Shi Family.
After exchanging a few words with Luo Li and her companions, Luv Shanqi dismissed them, knowing he still had many matters to report to Ding Fan.
Luo Li, noticing Luv Shanqi's intention to keep Ding Fan back, wasn't oblivious to the situation. She promptly took Xiao Wei and left ahead of Ding Fan.
"How was the journey?" Once Luo Li and the others had departed, Ding Fan turned to Luv Shanqi and asked.
"Sect Master, the journey was relatively peaceful. The Ghost Sect didn't come to harass us," Luv Shanqi replied.
Ding Fan nodded slightly.
"However, there's been something strange happening recently," Luv Shanqi added.
"Something strange?" Ding Fan looked at Luv Shanqi.
Luv Shanqi quickly elaborated. "Lately, several young female disciples have mysteriously gone missing. When they were eventually found, their flesh had all been drained. Many sects are now in a state of panic, and some female sects have even opted not to attend the Lushan Auction, opting to return home early."
Draining the flesh of female warriors?
If the intent was simple abduction, killing them would suffice—there's no need to drain their flesh.
"We've been suspecting whether this might have some connection to the Ghost Sect," Luv Shanqi said from the side.
Ding Fan shook his head slightly—it didn't seem likely.
Ding Fan had spent some time interacting with the Ghost Sect. What the Ghost Sect focused on was the soul body; soul refining cultivation was their forte.
As for draining flesh, it didn't seem to align with the methods of the Ghost Sect.
"I'll keep an eye on this matter if I get the chance. For now, focus on strengthening Spirit Sect's alliances at the auction. Many Hidden Sect forces will attend this time," Ding Fan instructed.
"Who's hosting this auction, then?" Ding Fan inquired, clearly most concerned about this detail.
Hidden Sect forces often include top-tier experts. To gather such a crowd, the hosting force must undoubtedly be formidable.
"The auction is being hosted by a powerful figure named Tian Yu."
Ding Fan had no impression of Tian Yu.
Before Ding Fan could ask further, Luv Shanqi proactively explained, "No one knows exactly how strong Tian Yu's cultivation is, but it's said Tian Yu's cultivation has reached the level where he comprehends the secrets of the Profound Level and the heavens…"
Comprehends the secrets of the Profound Level?
Ding Fan grew more intrigued about Tian Yu.
If Tian Yu was among the strongest ancient martial warriors, just how powerful could this "strongest" individual be?
Unfortunately, Luv Shanqi didn't know much else about Tian Yu, so Ding Fan didn't press further.
Next, Ding Fan asked about the feud between Huangshan and Spirit Sect.
The root of the issue was actually straightforward: disciples from Spirit Sect and Huangshan Shi Family had a dispute, but later, the Great Elder of Huangshan Shi Family intervened and injured Spirit Sect's disciples...
A squabble between juniors escalated because a senior decided to meddle—this didn't make sense at all.
Ding Fan remembered Xiao Wei's earlier comments: the Great Elder had sent Luo Li and Xiao Wei here, clearly harboring ulterior motives.
Moreover, for something as significant as the Lushan Auction, why only send Luo Li and Xiao Wei…
Ding Fan surmised that the Great Elder of Huangshan Shi Family might be setting up a trap…
Luv Shanqi went on to report the recent situation of Spirit Sect. After gaining a general understanding of Spirit Sect affairs, Ding Fan felt reassured, knowing that Luv Shanqi, Zhang Shanlian, and the others were managing things effectively.
After lingering in Spirit Sect for a while, Ding Fan left directly.
"Elder Brother Zhou, you're out." As Ding Fan stepped out, Luo Li and Xiao Wei approached. Apparently, they had been waiting for him all along.
At this moment, someone was standing alongside Luo Li and Xiao Wei.
One glance at the person, and Ding Fan instantly recognized him—it was Song Jiacheng, the man Ding Fan had nearly killed outside Lushan City.
Song Jiacheng's face looked pale, and he was coughing incessantly. Clearly, his injuries still hadn't healed.
Ding Fan frowned slightly. Previously, this Song Jiacheng had nearly deceived an Immortal Sect female disciple—an undeniably despicable individual. Google seaʀᴄh 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹•𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑒•𝙣𝙚𝙩
"Who is this?" Ding Fan asked coldly, pretending not to recognize Song Jiacheng.
The Minjiang Song Family had already allied with the Ghost Sect. For Song Jiacheng to actively seek out these siblings, his intentions were clearly sinister.
"I'm from the Minjiang Song Family. My name is Song Jiacheng…" Without needing others to introduce him, Song Jiacheng immediately took the initiative to speak.
Because Ding Fan had altered his appearance with the Facial Transformation Technique, Song Jiacheng didn't recognize him.
"If you two siblings wish to remain by my side, you'd better chase this man away," Ding Fan said directly and impolitely to Luo Li and Xiao Wei.
Since he knew who the person was, he saw no need for hesitation—chasing him off seemed the best course of action.
All three—Luo Li, Xiao Wei, and Song Jiacheng—were taken aback. They hadn't anticipated Ding Fan to immediately insist on driving Song Jiacheng away upon sight.
"Zhou Fan, what's the meaning of this? Song Jiacheng is my friend. What right do you have to make him leave?" Xiao Wei couldn't hold back and directly confronted Ding Fan.
"Friend? It seems you've misunderstood me quite a bit," Song Jiacheng retorted curtly, stepping forward as well.
"Zhou Fan, Song Jiacheng is from the Minjiang Song Family. We've interacted with them before. You don't need to overthink—they're good people," Luo Li chimed in.
Seeing the siblings so trusting of Song Jiacheng, Ding Fan turned and walked away without another word.
"Zhou Fan…" Luo Li tried to call out to Ding Fan upon seeing him leave.
But before she could finish her sentence, Ding Fan had already turned and disappeared.
"Who does he think he is? Does he really believe we'll obey just because he says something? Ridiculous!" Xiao Wei grumbled angrily from the side.
"Enough, stop saying that," Luo Li chastised Xiao Wei.
Had it not been for Ding Fan, they wouldn't have even had the chance to meet Spirit Sect's people, nor would they have gotten the sect to overlook Shi Family's injuries to Spirit Sect's disciples.
"Brother Song, let's find a place to rest," Xiao Wei said to Song Jiacheng, choosing not to pursue the matter further.
Song Jiacheng nodded.
At that moment, his gaze flickered toward the direction where Ding Fan had disappeared, a hint of malice flashing in his eyes…
The next day marked the official day of the Lushan Auction.
At the foot of Mount Lu, a large crowd had gathered. To avoid drawing attention, Ding Fan followed the flow of people toward the auction venue.
The auction venue was located in a cave halfway up Mount Lu.
Following the crowd, Ding Fan walked for over an hour before finally reaching the cave's entrance.
The entrance was sizeable—judging by its dimensions, even a tank could easily drive through.
Around the entrance, Ding Fan observed a variety of formations.
The formations were intricate, including defensive arrays, offensive arrays, and even divine sense isolation arrays.
Examining the formations, Ding Fan discerned they had been recently set up, clearly prepared specifically for the auction.
However, upon probing with his divine sense, Ding Fan couldn't help but feel astonished by the formations.
The formations were meticulously arranged—they appeared as simple defensive arrays but were intertwined with illusion arrays.
Formations within formations, endlessly interlinked…
In the Cultivation World, Ding Fan had encountered many array refining experts, but formations as exquisite as these were a first for him.
Judging by the formations here, if anyone dared to cause trouble in this place, even a Peak Profound Level expert would likely meet their demise within the formations.
Ding Fan recalled Luv Shanqi mentioning the auction's host: Tian Yu. He speculated that these formations must have been set up by Tian Yu. From the intricacies of the formations, Tian Yu was undoubtedly a formidable individual.
At the entrance stood two Earth Level martial artists.
After presenting his invitation, Ding Fan was allowed to enter the cave.
Inside the cave was a long tunnel. Luminous Pearls were embedded in the ceiling at regular intervals, rendering the pathway bright.
Walking along with the crowd, Ding Fan soon arrived at a large stone chamber.
The chamber was spacious, roughly the size of a basketball court. By this time, many people had already taken their seats inside.
After sitting down, Ding Fan extended his divine sense.
Among those attending the auction, Ding Fan identified a large number of Heavenly Level martial artists, as well as over ten Profound Level martial artists…
It should be noted that in the Secular World, spotting even a single Heavenly Level martial artist was rare, let alone Profound Level ones. Here, Heavenly Level martial artists seemed almost commonplace.
Using his divine sense, Ding Fan quickly located Luo Li and her younger brother Xiao Wei, who were accompanied by Song Jiacheng.
Ding Fan pretended not to notice them. Thankfully, there were many attendees, and they didn't spot Ding Fan either.
About an hour later, no more people entered from outside.
Suddenly, a series of rumbling noises echoed from outside.
The sound was so loud that it felt as though the earth itself might split apart.
Using his divine sense, Ding Fan quickly understood—outside, the cave entrance had been sealed shut.
"Everyone, the sound just now was the Dragon Cutting Stone sealing the entrance, so you need not panic." An elderly man with a long white beard made his way to the front.
The old man looked so aged it was hard to discern his exact years. His long white brows nearly reached his chin, giving him an appearance reminiscent of a celestial elder.
Despite his beneficent demeanor, the aura emanating from his body was incredibly strong. His voice, amplified by his Inner Strength, caused a ringing pain in everyone's ears.
The noisy chamber instantly quieted down as all eyes turned to the elderly man.
"This Lushan Auction is intended to provide a platform for all of you to communicate and exchange Magic Artifacts… However, let me emphasize one thing," the elder said.
As he spoke, his tone grew stern.
The atmosphere in the room seemed to freeze with the gravity of his words.
Scanning the crowd, the elder continued, "Anyone who attempts to openly or covertly seize items here… Well, apologies, but regardless of your identity or background, we will eliminate you without hesitation. So, during the auction, I urge everyone to act appropriately."