CHAPTER 299: CHAPTER 299: I’M JOKING WITH YOU, DO YOU BELIEVE IT?

Thinking of this, his gaze became even more fervent. For someone like Xia Weizhang and Gu Zhi, such blockheads, after taking the elixir refined by Xia Mian, their physical abilities have actually strengthened enough to resist his poison!

So, if I can capture Xia Mian, won’t I have a constant supply of rare elixirs?

Zhou Yun’s eyes gleamed, looking at Xia Mian as if seeing a piece of shining gold!

This look from Zhou Yun made Lu Zechuan quite displeased, with a slight movement of his slender hand, all living plants within the courtyard instantly became agitated.

Under Lu Zechuan’s control, the guards at the auction venue who were approaching were firmly wrapped up!

Seeing his men already at a disadvantage, Zhou Yun was not anxious; instead, his eyes emitted an increasingly fervent light, muttering quietly.

Suddenly, the black box on the ground that was overlooked opened, and thick black smoke billowed out continuously!

Wherever the black smoke reached, vegetation withered instantaneously!

Xie Chengming watched this scene in astonishment, retreating repeatedly.

"Miss, be careful!" Xie Chengming’s eyes were full of trepidation.

This black smoke exuded a strange aura everywhere, and he had worked with Zhou Yun for so long, yet he never knew Zhou Yun was from the Alien Species!

Not to mention being unaware of Zhou Yun’s grasp of such uncanny paths!

Xia Mian squinted her eyes gently; no wonder this Zhou Yun was so fearless and confident; turns out he had a trump card!

The black smoke gradually approached Xia Mian and the others, and where it invaded, it was instantly scorched earth.

Lu Zechuan’s expression immediately became grave, and he instinctively shielded Xia Mian behind him.

Xia Mian’s gaze also became more solemn.

"Mr. Zhou indeed has a good technique." Xia Mian whispered, her finger suddenly moved.

The Cat Claw Jade, which she had been carrying, flew out of her hand, seemingly gaining life, and began to greedily absorb the black mist on the ground.

Originally crystal clear, the Cat Claw Jade turned completely black after absorbing the black mist.

However, soon, the black color gradually faded, and the Cat Claw Jade became crystal clear again.

Lu Zechuan squinted his eyes lightly; this Cat Claw Jade was something Xia Mian had previously obtained from Gu Xiang. Initially, they thought it was the key to open the Mystical World, but now it seemed it was not just a key to the Mystical World.

This Cat Claw Jade had absorbed Vengeful Spirit Qi before, and had also absorbed Dead Spirit Qi; it seems that as long as it’s something negative, it can be purified...

The black smoke was completely absorbed by the Cat Claw Jade, and Zhou Yun’s face instantly turned ashen.

The black box was his last card; if even this black box couldn’t help him capture Xia Mian, it basically meant the game was over.

Taking advantage of the Cat Claw Jade still absorbing the surrounding black smoke, Zhou Yun instinctively retreated two steps, turning to escape!

However, before he could take a step, his ankle was entangled by a vine!

The next moment, he was pulled by the vine right in front of Xia Mian and the others.

Vines coiled around him like snakes, encircling him over and over, and within moments, he was wrapped up like a dumpling, unable to move.

Zhou Yun’s face turned deathly pale, he struggled vigorously, trying to break free from the vine’s grip, but unfortunately, it was all in vain.

Xia Mian glanced down at him, waving her hand lightly, the Cat Claw Jade that absorbed all black smoke flew back into her hand.

Xia Mian played with the Cat Claw Jade, her eyes filled with amusement. "Mr. Zhou, where do you think you’re going?"

Xia Mian’s voice was light and soft, but in Zhou Yun’s ears, it sounded like a death sentence.

"Miss, I... I was only joking with you!" Zhou Yun cried bitterly, wrapped tightly like a giant green worm by the vines.

Xia Mian sneered coldly, "Joking?"

As soon as Xia Mian finished speaking, the green vine suddenly pierced his thigh, blood spurted out instantly, causing Zhou Yun to break out in a cold sweat from the pain.

Lu Zechuan’s voice floated into his ear, steady and unhurried, "I am just joking with you too, Mr. Zhou wouldn’t mind, right?"

Zhou Yun trembled in pain, his teeth chattering, for the first time seriously examining this man who always followed Xia Mian yet had a low sense of presence.

With one glance, Zhou Yun realized just how wrong he had been!

The man in front of him, with deep eyebrows and eyes, exuded an aura of nobility and coldness, naturally carrying the air of a superior; how could he ever think such a person had a low sense of presence!

Xie Chengming’s expression was somewhat complex; he always knew Xia Mian and the others were not simple.

But now that Zhou Yun had personally fought against them, he clearly knew how truly extraordinary Xia Mian and the others were!

"Mr. Zhou, mistakes must be punished." Xia Mian smiled slightly, her expression icily cold, devoid of any emotion.

Zhou Yun regretted to the point of his intestines turning green; he should have planned more meticulously before making a move against Xia Mian!

Missing today’s chance means he probably won’t have another opportunity to defeat Xia Mian in the future!

This thought had barely surfaced when a puff of black smoke suddenly burst out from above his head.

"Trying to escape?" Xia Mian raised her eyebrows, without a second thought, she swung a Spiritual Light Whip towards the black smoke!

The black smoke shivered under the whip’s strike, letting out a shriek.

The next moment, the black smoke retreated back into Zhou Yun’s body, and Zhou Yun was already in pain, his face ashen, drenched in cold sweat, his body curled up like a shrimp.

"Miss..." Xie Chengming hesitated, opening his mouth slightly.

Xia Mian turned to look at him, "Looking to plead for him?"

Xie Chengming pursed his lips, swallowing the words back that he was about to say.

Pleading?

Zhou Yun planned to imprison Xia Mian, wanting her to be unpaid labor for the auction house! If the Divine Master found out, the auction house being razed to the ground would be considered lenient!

If he pleaded in this situation, Xia Mian would definitely mark him as an enemy...

Xie Chengming lowered his head, prudently saying, "Miss, Zhou Yun has shown you disrespect; whatever punishment he deserves, I shall not speak another word!"

Zhou Yun’s eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at Xie Chengming, "Ah Ming, you!?"

"Brother Yun, I tried to advise you when it was appropriate; you ignored my advice, determined to proceed, and offended Miss; you should have foreseen what you’d face." Xie Chengming’s expression was eerily calm.

Zhou Yun, now pale, laughed, "Well! Good for you! Xie Chengming, and to think I once risked my life to save you!"

Xie Chengming lowered his gaze, his tone even, "Brother Yun, I have been at the auction house for so many years, diligent and devoted, risking my life for you several times; your lifesaving grace, I have long repaid completely."

Zhou Yun’s lips moved slightly, finally no longer speaking.

Xia Mian looked at Xie Chengming with satisfaction, "Mr. Ming is truly perceptive."

With those words, Xia Mian glanced at Zhou Yun again, "Originally, we could have achieved a win-win scenario."