CHAPTER 549: CHAPTER 547 NEWS ABOUT XIA YUNXIN_1

Unlike others, this black-robed old man did not reveal his identity, and he probably was not from any powerful forces. That likely led to him being coveted by others. If Ling Chen did not have the Cyan Robe Association behind him and he bid for the God Perching Grass, he undoubtedly would have aroused the covetousness of these people as well.

However, no matter how others coveted, nobody dared to make a move in Blackwater City. If they wanted to make a move, they probably had to wait until their target was out of the city.

With the Qinghuang Blood successfully auctioned as the last item, the large-scale auction hosted by the Black Market finally came to an end.

With the conclusion of the auction, Ling Chen obtained the items he had successfully bid on. The main ones were the Blood Source Crystal and God Perching Grass; the rest were just minor items.

"I never expected Brother Dustless to be so wealthy. I truly misjudged you."

Lin Ya looked towards Ling Chen in surprise. Unexpectedly, Liu Feiyue hadn’t made any significant moves today; instead, it was Ling Chen, her junior, who was able to produce a treasure like the Devil Emperor’s Map, which was quite astonishing.

"Being wealthy is probably a thing of the past. After today’s events, I’m afraid the days ahead will be difficult," Ling Chen said with a faint smile.

"Young Mistress Lin Ya, the auction is over. I, Yin Zongli, invite you to have a cup of tea with me, and I hope you will honor me with your presence."

Suddenly, Yin Zongli approached, looking at Lin Ya with a smile.

This guy, Ling Chen sneered inwardly. It seems Yin Zongli knows that after the scene he caused just now, he’s likely offended Liu Feiyue. Pursuing her is probably hopeless now, so he immediately switched his attention to Lin Ya. This fellow is truly a bit of a clown.

"Miss Lin Ya, we will take our leave first."

After receiving their items, Ling Chen and Liu Feiyue didn’t plan to stay any longer, mainly because they didn’t want to see Yin Zongli anymore.

"Alright, please take care, you two."

Lin Ya was quite disgusted with Yin Zongli. However, since she represented the Black Market, she naturally couldn’t disrespect Yin Zongli without reason, especially since the Yin Family stood behind him.

However, just as they were leaving, they encountered several figures in black robes. The woman leading them was graceful and strikingly beautiful. It was the leader of the Saint Witch Religion, Lian Ji.

"Hm? This young fellow has been found by the people of the Saint Witch Religion?" Yin Zongli noticed this and couldn’t help but feel a little schadenfreude. It seems this kid has offended quite a few people. This Lian Ji is probably looking for trouble with Ling Chen.

"Young Brother Dustless, is it? May we... have a talk?" Lian Ji looked at Ling Chen meaningfully, then motioned for the people behind her to clear a path.

"Sure."

A slight smile touched Ling Chen’s lips, and he followed them out of the auction hall.

「In a courtyard in the west of the city.」

"Your subordinate, Lian Ji, pays her respects to the Saint Child."

When only Ling Chen and Liu Feiyue remained in the courtyard, Lian Ji suddenly knelt before Ling Chen, performing a grand salute.

"Elder Lian Ji, there’s no need for such formalities. Please rise," Ling Chen quickly helped her up.

When she was bidding for the Sword Spirit Grass earlier, she had already revealed her identity through a note passed to him. Therefore, Ling Chen hadn’t bid on the Sword Spirit Grass, allowing Lian Ji to win it instead.

"You’ve known each other for a while?" Liu Feiyue asked, surprised at the scene before her.

"Never met," Ling Chen replied, his answer astonishing Liu Feiyue even more. "But I do know her. We only just met."

"What are you talking about?" Liu Feiyue was utterly confused.

"Miss Liu, although I have never met the Saint Child before, I expected this meeting," Lian Ji said calmly.

"Expected?" Ling Chen was quite surprised. Could it be that she anticipated my appearance at this auction?

"Yes." Lian Ji nodded. "You were rescued by the Master of the Cyan Robe Association and had been missing ever since. During that time, you must have been recuperating on Green Cloud Mountain. Green Cloud Mountain isn’t far from the Black Sand Land, only about three hundred miles away. News of the Blackwater City auction is known throughout the land. Being so close to Blackwater City, it was impossible for you not to come."

"Even so, you couldn’t be certain it was me. What if it were other disciples from the Cyan Robe Association?" Ling Chen shook his head with a smile.

"No." A smile appeared on Lian Ji’s charming face. "Because someone told me that if you appeared in Blackwater City, you would definitely not use your real name but would use the name ’Dustless.’ So I knew, with a high degree of certainty, that it had to be you. I couldn’t have been mistaken."

"That person must be Xia Yunxin, I presume." Ling Chen gave a bitter smile. Probably only she could scheme with such precision. To think she had figured out all my activities during this period; it was truly impressive.

"Yes." Lian Ji nodded. "Only Yun Xin can calculate to such a degree. In this regard, she has truly grasped the essence of the Saintess."

"By the way, this is the Sword Spirit Grass that the Saint Child requires."

With that, Lian Ji suddenly took out a Brocade Box and passed it to Ling Chen.

"Elder Lian Ji, isn’t this something you need?" Ling Chen was slightly startled and did not reach out to take it.

"What would I need this for?" Lian Ji pursed her red lips and smiled faintly. "I merely wished to bid for it as a welcoming gift for the Saint Child."

"This..." Ling Chen hesitated a little, but he was not one for false modesty. In the end, he nodded and accepted the Sword Spirit Grass.

"Thank you for your trouble."

Not standing on ceremony, Ling Chen put away the Sword Spirit Grass, a touch of gratitude appearing in his eyes.

"Saint Child, there’s no need for such politeness. Given my relationship with the Saintess, you don’t need to be so distant," Lian Ji said, waving her fair hand. "Besides, this is a small matter. I previously thought you might not have sufficient funds to bid for the God Perching Grass and was planning to help you secure it. I didn’t expect you to sell the Devil Emperor’s Map; that caught me by surprise."

"That item is of no great use to me, whereas the God Perching Grass is something I urgently need. There’s no need to trouble Elder Lian Ji with every little thing."

Ling Chen appeared indifferent on the surface, but inwardly, he was filled with regret. If only she had acted sooner! Had he known there was a benefactor as wealthy as an entire nation backing him, he wouldn’t have had to resort to selling practically everything to scrape together those sixteen million taels.

"By the way, now that my mother has left, have there been any significant changes within the Saint Witch Religion?" After calming his emotions, Ling Chen asked about serious matters, his expression turning grave.

"The situation isn’t too dire." Lian Ji’s pretty face tensed slightly. She then sat down beside him, gently swirling the teacup in her hand. "When Yun Xin returned to the Saint Witch Religion," she began, "she announced the Saintess’s disappearance. She then led the entire Saintess Hall to submit to Sikong Yi and also took over the position of Saintess."

"What?" Hearing this news, Ling Chen was astonished. Xia Yunxin’s actions were truly unexpected.