With a crisp snap, a pouch containing one hundred spirit stones landed on the table at Withered Bone Peak.

The mention of the Heavenly Demon Palace caused a palpable jolt among many present; they turned in collective shock to see three long-haired women, clad in black, form-fitting gowns, standing poised in a triangular formation. The leader was tall, with a figure both graceful and pronounced. Her face was obscured by a black silk veil, hiding her features. Yet, even standing casually, with only the faintest glimmer in her dark eyes, she instantly commanded all attention, eclipsing everyone else. She possessed an air of proud solitude, unmatched and independent; even amidst the crowded thoroughfare, the profound chill emanating from her could not be concealed.

"Heavenly Demon Palace, Dongfang Fu!"

After a long silence, someone finally breathed out the name in a low whisper.

She was the acclaimed prodigy of this generation of disciples, a cultivator rarely seen in a hundred years. Since joining the Heavenly Demon Palace, no outsider had been privileged enough to see her. Still, that did not stop people from recognizing her instantly: it was Dongfang Fu of the Heavenly Demon Palace.

The Heavenly Demon Palace was the most formidable grotto-heaven under the Yin Fiend Sect, holding the undisputed top rank for hundreds of years. The immense power it had amassed was far beyond the comprehension of ordinary cultivators. For this cohort, not only had they secured Dongfang Fu, ranked first in aptitude, but also Wu Youhan, a girl ranked sixth, and Zhou Qinghong, ranked fourteenth.

Clearly, the two similarly dressed women accompanying Dongfang Fu were Wu Youhan and Zhou Qinghong. Their cultivation levels were also startling: one at the peak of the eleventh layer of the Qi Refining stage, the other at the tenth layer peak—neither was to be trifled with. It had been Wu Youhan, whose cultivation surpassed Baili Yun’s, who had spoken and flung the spirit stones.

Baili Yun and his entourage stood in silence, faces flushing deep red. They had just insulted a few rogue cultivators, and retribution had arrived swiftly—people from the Heavenly Demon Palace were stepping in for them. Yet, Baili Yun knew deeply that the Heavenly Demon Palace was not a faction he could afford to provoke. A spat with disciples from the Ten Thousand Ghost Cave might earn him support from his ancestor for establishing dominance. But the Heavenly Demon Palace... should he offend them, his ancestor might very well bind him and deliver him to the Palace to confess his transgression.

After a long moment, Baili Yun’s complexion regained some color. "Senior Sister Wu, do your words represent Senior Sister Dongfang’s intentions?"

"What? Do you mean that what I, Wu Youhan, say carries no weight?" Wu Youhan’s finely sculpted face lifted her brow. "Or do you, Baili Yun, think I, Wu Youhan, am easy to bully?"

Baili Yun felt a choking sensation in his chest; it was blatantly obvious she was the one bullying him. But he knew Withered Bone Peak could not possibly contend with the Heavenly Demon Palace, especially with Dongfang Fu present. He lacked even the will to utter a harsh word to save face, so he merely joined the rogue cultivators, blushing as he sought a table occupied by the previous generation of Withered Bone Peak disciples.

"You few, come and sit here," Wu Youhan surprisingly called out to the rogue cultivators.

The scattered cultivators exchanged glances, but dared not defy Wu Youhan. They walked over cautiously and took seats, feeling as if they were perched on pins and needles.

"Don't worry. If Withered Bone Peak dares seek revenge on you for this," Wu Youhan cast a cold glance toward the Withered Bone Peak group, "this lady will stand up for you." Even the disciples from the previous cohort of Withered Bone Peak hung their heads, faces turning ashen. The Heavenly Demon Palace was simply too powerful, so mighty that they dared not even harbor thoughts of resistance.

Hearing this, the rogue cultivators offered profuse, hurried thanks. The cultivator in his thirties, his face brimming with gratitude, bowed respectfully. "Thank you, esteemed ladies, for standing up for us. But... where will the ladies sit?"

"We will naturally find a place to sit," Wu Youhan replied. Having settled that matter, she strode forward a few steps, arriving at Lei Dong’s table. Her gaze fell upon Ding Wanyan, who was equally exceptional, regarding her with curiosity mixed with reverence. She performed a slight bow. "Wu Youhan pays her respects to Senior Sister Ding." She entirely bypassed Lei Dong and Zuo Chao.

"Junior Sister Wu is too polite," Ding Wanyan rose to return the courtesy.

"My Senior Sister Dongfang has long admired Senior Sister Ding and wishes to share a table with you. May we...?" After all, the Yin Fiend Sect operated on the principle that the strong held precedence; everything was determined by the height of one's cultivation. Had Ding Wanyan not been so outstanding, her cultivation almost matching Dongfang Fu’s, Wu Youhan likely would not have been so polite.

"You are most welcome. Junior Brother Lei, Junior Brother Zuo, please fetch a few more stools," Ding Wanyan instructed softly. Usually, she would send a maid for such tasks, but toward a presence as powerful as the Heavenly Demon Palace, a greater show of respect was warranted. Though Ding Wanyan possessed a gentle temperament, she was quite astute in worldly affairs.

Zuo Chao was always obedient, and Lei Dong felt it was fitting to support his Senior Sister in this moment. He immediately acknowledged the request and stood up to fetch stools.

"Wait a moment." Wu Youhan glanced lightly at the two juniors, her voice cool and measured. "My Senior Sister Dongfang is unaccustomed to sharing a table with men. Please, both of you, go sit with those disciples from the previous generation of the Ten Thousand Ghost Cave." Though the word 'please' was used, there was not a hint of politeness in her tone or expression.

Zuo Chao murmured an acknowledgement and walked away without protest. Lei Dong’s smile froze, and his expression instantly turned icy. He made no move to fetch stools, instead sinking back into his seat, crossing his legs, and leisurely sipping his tea, acting as if Wu Youhan did not exist, not even sparing her a glance. Zuo Chao, seeing this, scratched his head, looking somewhat lost.

"Junior Brother Zuo, sit down as well," Ding Wanyan’s pleasant demeanor shifted to one of coolness. She then turned to Wu Youhan. "Your Palace possesses refined elegance. Our humble little grotto of the Ten Thousand Ghost Cave cannot aspire to such company. Junior Sister Wu, perhaps you should seek tables with your fellow disciples from the Palace."

Zuo Chao nodded obediently and sat back down.

However, Wu Youhan’s fair face flushed crimson, and she angrily prepared to retort when a chilling voice, as if rising from the Nine Nethers, sounded from behind her. "Senior Sister Ding, little Wu does not understand decorum; please forgive her. Little Wu, Qinghong, go fetch a few stools, bring a pot of tea, and offer an apology to Senior Sister Ding."

"Yes, Senior Sister." Although Wu Youhan and Zhou Qinghong were reluctant, they dared not disobey Dongfang Fu's command.

After bringing the stools, Wu Youhan offered tea and apologized to Ding Wanyan, and the three finally sat down together. This time, Ding Wanyan did not refuse them, understanding that the Heavenly Demon Palace was not easily provoked. Dongfang Fu’s politeness was already a sign of considerable deference.

Elder Gu, during this period, had nearly dozed off. Despite his cultivation at the sixth layer of the Foundation Establishment stage, he dared not be careless around these famous rising stars, especially the two dubbed the Yin Fiend Twins—Dongfang Fu and Ding Wanyan. Having cultivated for only a decade, they were already at the peak of the twelfth layer of the Qi Refining stage, a hair's breadth from stepping into the Foundation Establishment realm. Such potential was enough to make Elder Gu feel ashamed.

"Ahem. Since everyone has arrived," Elder Gu announced with solemnity, "close the gates. The auction begins." He continued in an orderly manner, "First up for auction is a treasure: a High-Grade Magical Artifact Battle Boots, crafted from the material of..." As he described it methodically, many grew excited, as the very first item was a high-grade piece. The starting bid was eight hundred spirit stones, with increments no less than fifty spirit stones."

"Eight hundred."

"One thousand two."

"One thousand three..."

Ultimately, the fine pair of boots was claimed for one thousand five hundred stones by a direct disciple of the Extreme Yin Cave from this cohort.

The auction proceeded rapidly thereafter. There were Mid-Grade Spirit Ghosts, powerful talismans, and even ten portions of Yin Fiend Thunder. It was a truly miscellaneous assortment. There were items that piqued Lei Dong’s interest, but alas, his purse was too light. All his remaining wealth had been converted into food for his ghost soldiers and his own medicinal pills.

"High-Grade Flying Magical Artifact, the Yin Haze Sword. Maximum speed is one thousand five hundred li per hour. Starting bid three thousand seven hundred spirit stones, increments no less than one hundred."

Among High-Grade Magical Artifacts, flying artifacts were the most valuable. And high-grade flying artifacts were exceedingly rare. Few disciples participating in this grand competition possessed one. Consequently, the appearance of this item energized most attendees. However, the starting price immediately extinguished the ambitions of many.