The Cackling Taoist

After the auction concluded, the streets of Tianqian City were filled with a subtle tension.

The cultivators who had obtained treasures were each calculating how to leave this prosperous yet perilous city safely. Within Tianqian City's borders, the Jubaoge Auction House, with its formidable strength and backing, could guarantee everyone's safety. However, the moment one stepped beyond the city walls, everything changed.

The Tianxuan Continent was a place where the strong preyed on the weak. Outside the city, the vast wilderness was like lawless territory, with factions, rogue cultivators, and bandits lurking in the shadows, eyeing those who carried valuable treasures. Even the Qingyun Sect, with its deep-rooted influence in the region, dared not let its guard down in such a treacherous situation.

At this moment, several elders, accompanied by Zi Ning'er, summoned their flying artifacts with grave expressions and swiftly headed toward the sect. Though they knew the journey back was short, they remained highly vigilant.

"Let’s go. Once we deliver the essence blood to the sect, other elders will come to assist us!"

Meanwhile, the other cultivators also sprang into action. Most chose to leave Tianqian City quickly while the crowd was still thick—after all, escaping now was relatively easier. Any delay would give schemers time to set up ambushes, making a clean getaway nearly impossible.

Others, more cautious, decided to lay low within the city and wait for the situation to calm before making their move.

High above the city, Zhou Feng, the chief disciple of the Luoshen Palace, and his junior sister Ying Xiaoxiao sat side by side on their flying artifact. The auction had just ended, and Ying Xiaoxiao gazed at the precious dragon claws stored in her spatial pouch, her eyes sparkling with delight. Yet, she deliberately feigned concern and asked,

"Senior Brother Zhou Feng, such expensive dragon claws… didn’t they cost you a fortune?"

Zhou Feng waved his hand dismissively, wearing an indifferent expression. "A trivial matter. Mere coins mean nothing if it makes you happy."

Ying Xiaoxiao immediately cooed, "You’re so kind, Senior Brother! I’ll train hard and repay you properly in the future."

A flicker of anticipation flashed in Zhou Feng’s eyes as he tested the waters. "Heh, good… Speaking of which, Junior Sister, didn’t you mention the matter of becoming cultivation partners? Should we discuss it soon?"

Ying Xiaoxiao pouted playfully. "Senior Brother, I’m still young!"

"You’re 320 years old. Mortals marry and have children by 20," Zhou Feng teased.

Ying Xiaoxiao pretended to be offended. "Are you calling me old?"

"No, no, no! In my eyes, you’ll always be a little girl." The two laughed lightheartedly.

Suddenly, a shadowy figure appeared without warning on their flying artifact, sitting silently across from them.

The moment they saw the intruder, Zhou Feng and Ying Xiaoxiao tensed, the atmosphere turning heavy.

Zhou Feng’s gaze sharpened as he barked, "Who are you? How did you get here?!"

His heart pounded—he hadn’t sensed the slightest trace of the other’s presence!

The shadow let out a bone-chilling chuckle. "Hehehe… Hand over your treasures, and I might spare your lives."

Ying Xiaoxiao’s face darkened with disdain. "Senior Brother, just some blind fool trying to rob us."

Enraged, Zhou Feng sneered, "I am Zhou Feng, chief disciple of the Luoshen Palace! Do you dare provoke us?"

In his view, the Luoshen Palace’s prestige as one of the Ten Great Sects should have been enough to intimidate anyone.

Yet the shadow only scoffed. "Luoshen Palace? Hehehe… Never heard of it."

Those words ignited Zhou Feng’s fury. With a roar, he summoned his artifact, unleashing the full might of his Golden Core cultivation. "Insult my sect, and you die! Nine Thunder Divine Flames!"

A sea of raging flames, infused with immense spiritual power, surged toward the shadow like a ferocious beast.

To their shock, the shadow didn’t evade. It stood motionless as the flames engulfed it—only for the fire to be instantly devoured by the inky mist shrouding its body, vanishing without a trace.

Ying Xiaoxiao immediately joined the fight, activating her Azure Dragon Sacred Body. Emerald scales shimmered across her skin as she shouted,

"Azure Dragon Thunder—Strike!"

A devastating bolt of azure lightning split the sky, crashing down upon the shadow—yet the result was the same. The lightning was effortlessly swallowed by the dark mist.

Zhou Feng and Ying Xiaoxiao exchanged horrified glances, their hearts filled with dread.

Their full-strength attacks had done nothing. This meant the shadow’s power far surpassed theirs—likely by several major realms!

Cold sweat dripped down Zhou Feng’s back. Knowing resistance was futile, he quickly clasped his fists in deference. "Esteemed Senior, this junior acted rashly. Since we bear no grudge, why not tell us what you want?"

The shadow chuckled eerily before pointing at Ying Xiaoxiao.

"Her…"

Zhou Feng barely hesitated, gritting his teeth as he answered immediately, "Fine, I’ll entrust my junior sister to you."

Ying Xiaoxiao’s eyes widened in disbelief. "S-Senior brother?!"

The shadowy figure seemed exasperated, cutting in, "It’s the Dragon Claw on her—lend it to me."

Zhou Feng had jumped to answer before he could finish speaking, while Ying Xiaoxiao, doubting her own ears, tentatively asked, "Senior only wants the Dragon Claw? Not... anything else?"

As she spoke, she glanced down at her own figure.

"Enough nonsense. Hand it over," the shadow snapped impatiently. Ying Xiaoxiao hastily retrieved the Dragon Claw and tossed it to him.

The shadow was none other than Ye Chuan. With a casual wave, the Dragon Claw vanished into his storage space. Sensing the power contained within it, he nodded in satisfaction—this would allow him to break through to the Golden Core realm.

"Alright, carry on. Hehehe... Remember my name—the Qingyun Sect’s Laughing Daoist, Ye Chuan." With a light tap of his toes, he vanished without a trace, leaving Zhou Feng and Ying Xiaoxiao standing frozen in place.

"The Qingyun Sect?!"

"This..."

Zhou Feng let out a long breath of relief, muttering gratefully, "I thought at the very least my storage pouch would be gone."

However, before he could fully relax, he felt a chilling gaze from beside him.

Ying Xiaoxiao’s eyes gleamed with a dangerous light as she smirked. "Senior brother, so you were just planning to hand me over earlier, huh?"

Zhou Feng panicked, stammering, "N-No, junior sister! It was just a temporary tactic! I was going to strike when he let his guard down!"

Ying Xiaoxiao scoffed. "Oh, I believe you."

Seeing her reaction, Zhou Feng scrambled to make amends. "Really! H-How about this, junior sister—I’ll get you a Dragon Heart?"

Instantly, Ying Xiaoxiao’s expression brightened as she giggled sweetly. "Senior brother, you’re the best~ When will you give it to me?"