Chapter 209: Chapter 193: First Kill One to Test the Waters
Grand Elder of the Hu Family, Hu Chaohong?
Chen Che’s gaze swept over.
They approached with overwhelming aggression, their momentum like that of a ravenous tiger. Behind him stood four other Major Cultivators, each with a potent aura, a formidable posture, and an imposing presence. Their arrival was like a shark bursting into a fishpond.
Startled, many of the Major Cultivators scattered.
"Valley Master Chen, we’ll talk later when you’re free!"
Lu Qinglian whispered this before quickly heading for the entrance tunnel. As she passed him, she added a reminder, "They’re not here on friendly terms; it looks like they’re deliberately trying to cause trouble. Endure it if you must. Don’t let a small matter lead to a big loss."
She wasn’t the only one.
The Major Cultivators who had been about to greet him noticed the strange atmosphere. Some quickly entered the auction hall, while others frowned and retreated behind the crowd.
"Hu Chaohong, what are you doing here?"
Hearing the commotion, Meng Changyuan, who was riding his large snake, came forward and shouted.
"You’re asking me?"
Hu Chaohong stood with his hands clasped behind his back. He shot a sidelong glance at Chen Che and said stiffly, "I am, of course, here to buy a Foundation Establishment Pill. Valley Master Chen, you’ve opened your doors to guests from all corners of the world. You’re not going to turn a guest away, are you?"
"If you don’t welcome me, I’ll turn around and leave right now."
"Should we make them leave?"
Rong Zhongxuan had also rushed over.
The man’s words were laced with barbs, clearly looking for a fight.
Chen Che wasn’t surprised. The Hu Family had been quiet for several months, and he had been on his guard the whole time. He was personally overseeing the auction precisely to prevent anyone from causing a disturbance.
"No need!"
Noting their confused expressions, Chen Che met the man’s gaze and said, "Let’s keep them right under our noses. I want to see exactly what they’re planning!"
"Please!"
Chen Che stepped aside to clear the way.
"Hmph!"
Hu Chaohong snorted, and with his hands behind his back, he strode directly into the auction hall.
The four Foundation Establishment Cultivators behind him followed him in.
The seating in the auction hall was also particular.
Those with high status could directly enter one of the thirty-six private boxes. Not only did the boxes offer an excellent view, but they were also equipped with an Array to block Divine Sense, signifying the occupants’ prestige. Ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivators were seated in the front rows, which offered prime viewing spots.
Qi Refining Cultivators, of course, sat wherever they pleased—in the middle, near the back, or by themselves.
However, after entering the auction hall, Hu Chaohong deliberately plunged right into the thick of the crowd. Instantly, the surrounding cultivators were horrified and scrambled to their feet to get away. A young Loose Cultivator who had just stood up to leave was forcefully shoved back into his seat.
"Sit down!"
"Senior?"
"Afraid I’m going to eat you?"
"I wouldn’t dare!"
"Good..."
Hu Chaohong grinned and sat down nonchalantly.
The other four Foundation Establishment Cultivators sat down around the two of them, like stars arrayed around the moon.
The young Loose Cultivator was shaking like a leaf. He was only at the Qi Refining Eighth Layer. Although he’d engaged in the business of a Tribulation Cultivator a few times, how could he dare to face five Foundation Establishment Cultivators? Moreover, the five of them didn’t restrain their auras in the slightest, displaying their power to the fullest in a clear show of force.
Feeling as if he were in a tiger’s den, the young cultivator could only cast a pleading gaze at Ding Fei, who had hurried over.
"Senior, please, take a seat in a private box..."
"I’m not going."
Seeing that Ding Fei was about to speak again, Hu Chaohong’s lips curled into a sneer. "What? Is the Jinyun Valley auction hall planning on bullying its customers just because it’s a big name? Are you so domineering that you even presume to tell me where I can sit? Do you think I’m an easy target?"
"Little friend, wouldn’t you agree?"
As he spoke, he patted the young Loose Cultivator on the shoulder.
"Yes, yes, yes, what Senior says is right."
Though he wanted nothing more than to gut the man, the young Loose Cultivator could only force himself to agree.
Seeing this, Hu Chaohong shot a provocative look at Ding Fei.
That was too heavy an accusation for Ding Fei to accept, so he could only turn and walk away. Hu Chaohong sneered in contempt, then beckoned to a serving girl carrying a fruit platter. She approached, trembling, and respectfully offered the platter to him.
"You, eat!" freewёbnoνel.com
He grabbed a piece of fruit, took a casual bite, and was just about to find an excuse to start cursing when he suddenly found his mouth watering. He stuffed the half-eaten fruit into the young Loose Cultivator’s mouth and turned to his fellow Major Cultivators.
"Tier One Middle Grade Spirit Fruits. Jinyun Valley is surprisingly generous, offering these for free. No wonder they’ve risen so quickly!"
"Indeed. Our auctions are too shabby. When we get back, our auction house will learn from them."
Hu Chaohong lounged back in his chair, eating fruit with one hand and gesturing at the surrounding decor with the other as he commented casually, "This place may not be as luxurious as the auction house in Primordial City, but it has its own unique style. Take note of all this. When we get back, our auction house will learn a thing or two." ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
"Grand Elder, the Second Elder is in charge of the auction house now, we..." one of the Major Cultivators reminded him in a low voice.
Before he could finish, Hu Chaohong’s expression turned cold, and he violently hurled the Spirit Fruit in his hand forward.
"Who dares—"
The Foundation Establishment Cultivator who was hit was about to fly into a rage, but when he saw Hu Chaohong’s cold stare, he swallowed his anger and dejectedly moved to another seat.
’I can’t afford to offend him!’
’I can’t provoke him!’
In an instant, the once-bustling auction hall fell into an uneasy commotion due to the arrival of the five members of the Hu Family.
"Hu Chaohong is an erratic and volatile man, completely unpredictable. He’s dead set on causing trouble."
Lowering the curtain of the box, Meng Changyuan looked at Chen Che, who sat there like an immovable force, and turned to advise him:
"Nephew, when it’s time to endure, you must endure."
"If you lose your temper, you’ll give them the excuse they need to cause a real scene."
"Second Uncle, can’t you handle him?"
Meng Qingxuan poured a pot of tea for Chen Che. She glanced at the commotion in the hall below and couldn’t help but ask.
Meng Changyuan shook his head.
’Handle him?’
’How could I possibly handle him!’
’The Hu Family is behind him, and they’re a notch stronger than our Meng Family. If Meng Changtu were here, he might be able to keep him in line, but I don’t have that kind of ability.’