Chapter 27
"Ye Chan... you've finally arrived," Xiao Ming murmured, his eyes gleaming with calculated brilliance.
Xiao Ming had reached Frostcloud City a few hours earlier on his way to the Frozen Grace Sect. Despite the Sixth Elder's initial objection to him traveling alone, Xiao Ming's unwavering determination had convinced him otherwise. Moreover, the Sixth Elder was comforted by the fact that Xiao Ming had a powerful protector guarding him in secret. However, just to be cautious, he still assigned a few Golden Guards and a deacon to accompany Xiao Ming discreetly.
Standing atop a nearby building, Xiao Ming's gaze was fixed on Ye Chan, who roamed the bustling city streets below, his demeanor brimming with confidence and anticipation.
"Looks like his protagonist aura is still quite strong," Xiao Ming mused, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Even after his setbacks in the Xiao family, his cultivation has advanced to the Void Essence Realm. Tsk, troublesome."
Though Xiao Ming wasn't overly concerned about Ye Chan's recent breakthrough, he couldn't ignore the threat posed by Ye Chan's sheer luck—a dangerous weapon in the hands of a protagonist, especially for someone in Xiao Ming's position as a villain.
"I can't let him gain the upper hand," Xiao Ming thought, a sly smile forming on his lips as an idea took root in his mind. Without hesitation, he summoned one of the Golden Guards and issued quiet instructions. The guard nodded and swiftly disappeared to execute the plan.
Meanwhile, Ye Chan continued striding through Frostcloud City, utterly oblivious to the trap being laid for him. His confident expression remained, as though the entire world belonged to him.
The heart of Frostcloud City was dominated by the towering structure of the Thousand Treasure Pavilion. The building exuded an air of grandeur and majesty, its golden accents gleaming under the sunlight. A massive plaque at the entrance bore the pavilion's name, written in bold, elegant strokes that seemed to radiate authority.
Ye Chan stopped in front of the pavilion, his gaze sweeping over its magnificent facade. His lips curled into a smirk as he walked inside, utterly unfazed by the crowded hall filled with people.
The interior was bustling with activity as cultivators and merchants lined up, waiting for their chance to participate in the grand auction. The sheer number of people created a lively yet chaotic atmosphere, but Ye Chan paid them no heed.
As he approached the VIP entrance, a beautiful receptionist stood guard, her delicate features reflecting a mixture of professionalism and warmth. However, when her eyes landed on Ye Chan, they widened slightly—not because of his looks, but because he casually pulled out a jade token inscribed with the emblem of the Thousand Treasure Pavilion.
The crowd immediately noticed.
"Wait, is that a VIP token?" one onlooker whispered in awe.
"Only prominent figures can possess those! Who is this guy?"
"Could he be some young master from a hidden family?"
Ye Chan basked in the murmurs of admiration, his smirk deepening. This was exactly the kind of attention he deserved—people looking up to him with awe and envy.
However, just as he was reveling in the moment, a loud, irritated voice shattered the atmosphere.
"Si'er, are you blind? How could you let someone like him approach the VIP passage?!"
The voice belonged to a rotund middle-aged man with a face full of fat and an air of authority. He stormed over, his expression twisted with displeasure.
The sudden interruption soured Ye Chan's mood. He turned to glare at the man, his previous arrogance replaced with irritation.
"Why are you still standing here?" the man barked. "Move aside! The VIP section isn't for nobodies like you."
Ye Chan's eyes darkened as anger flared within him. "Nobody? You dare call me that?" he snapped. "I have the Thousand Treasure Pavilion's jade token, which entitles me to VIP access. Watch your tone!"
The man, who turned out to be Shopkeeper Li, snatched the token from the receptionist's hands and examined it closely. His brows furrowed as he flipped it over.
Ye Chan's smug expression grew. "See? Even you can't deny the authenticity of my token!"
But Shopkeeper Li's next words wiped the smile off Ye Chan's face.
"This is indeed a VIP token," he said disdainfully, "but it's only valid in lower realms. Here, in the Celestial Jade Domain, one of the top ten domains, this is nothing more than a worthless trinket."
Without hesitation, Shopkeeper Li snapped the token in half and tossed the pieces aside like garbage.
The hall erupted into laughter.
"He brought a VIP token from the lower realms? Is he insane?"
"Talk about embarrassing! He probably thought it'd work here!"
"Ha! So much for being a big shot."
Ye Chan's face turned as red as a Scarlet Flame Lotus, his fists clenched tightly. This wasn't how things were supposed to go!
Shopkeeper Li sneered. "Not only is your token useless, but today, all VIP seats have been reserved. Even if you had the right token, you wouldn't be allowed to enter
Before anyone could speculate further, the air in the hall shifted. A powerful yet serene aura swept through the space, silencing the crowd.
Shopkeeper Li's demeanor changed instantly. He hurried to the entrance, his face now full of flattery. Bowing at a perfect ninety-degree angle, he greeted the newcomer.
"The little shopkeeper of the Thousand Treasure Pavilion humbly welcomes the true disciple of the Divine Jade Sect, Xiao Ming!"
A hush fell over the hall as Xiao Ming entered, his every step radiating poise and confidence. His flawless features and serene smile gave him the appearance of a banished immortal. The golden guards flanking him only added to his overwhelming presence.
"That's Xiao Ming?" someone murmured. "He really does look like the rumors say—like an immortal descended to the mortal realm!"
"No wonder the entire VIP section was reserved for him. His status is leagues above ours."
Xiao Ming's gaze swept over the hall, pausing briefly on Ye Chan, who stood rooted to the spot with a stormy expression but soon turned around.
Xiao Ming glanced around, his warm smile radiating humility. "Shopkeeper Li, there's no need to be so formal," he said gently.
Shopkeeper Li straightened, his admiration for Xiao Ming evident.
"I also heard that all VIP seats were reserved for me," Xiao Ming continued. "That's unnecessary. Please feel free to allocate them to others."
"there's no need to reserve the entire VIP section for me. Let others enjoy the auction as well."
The crowd was stunned. Xiao Ming's humility was unexpected. While most core disciples exuded an air of superiority, Xiao Ming's demeanor was approachable, leaving a deep impression on everyone.
"As Master Xiao Ming wishes," Shopkeeper Li replied, his respect for Xiao Ming soaring.
Ye Chan, meanwhile, felt like he'd been slapped in the face. His earlier confidence was now in tatters. Xiao Ming's arrival had not only stolen the spotlight but also highlighted Ye Chan's humiliation.
Xiao Ming was then escorted to the VIP area, leaving behind a hall full of awestruck spectators.
As for Ye Chan, he was unceremoniously directed to the back of the ordinary line. Watching Xiao Ming steal the spotlight once again, he clenched his fists tightly, his heart burning with resentment.
"This isn't over, Xiao Ming," Ye Chan muttered under his breath. "Just wait and see."