On the auction stage, a middle-aged man in a brocade robe boomed, a smile on his face, “The guest in VIP Room 5 bid 3.5 billion Upper Spiritual Stones. Is there anyone willing to bid a higher price?”
Silence filled the auction room. The middle-aged man repeated himself thrice but received no response. It was then that the auction hammer finally fell.
“Congratulations to the guest in Room 5! This Supreme Stove is now yours!”
The auctioneer announced loudly as his gaze swept the venue, “Today’s auction is over. All guests who have won Stoves, please come with me to collect them after paying with Spiritual Stones!”
As the middle-aged man in brocade robe finished speaking, several martial artists began to leave.
However, Su Mo remained, his gaze fixated on Hong Qingxuan who was being led away. He resigned himself to this situation.
Su Mo turned to look in the direction of the upper VIP rooms, and soon saw the people in Room 5 coming out.
There was a young man in a black tight suit. He looked to be in his early twenties.
The man was tall and thin, with a cold and pale face, and looked like he had been indulging in drinking and sexual activities.
As if he felt Su Mo looking in his direction, Leng Fan glanced at Su Mo and sneered.
“Master Cui, let’s go!” Su Mo turned away and said to Master Cui.
He then got up and headed off.
Master Cui immediately followed him.
“Master Cui, what cultivation is Leng Fan?” asked Su Mo, when they were outside the auction room. He could not identify Leng Fan’s specific cultivation because his cultivation was much lower than Leng Fan’s.
“Leng Fan is a Lv 3 Martial King Realm martial artist.” Master Cui replied.
Master Cui did not think anything of it and he continued, “Master Su, it’s late. We should go back!”
The auction had begun in the evening, so it was very late at night then.
Whoosh!
However, Su Mo did not answer him and suddenly rose up into the dark sky.
“Uh…!” Master Cui was in a daze but the next moment, he broke out of it with a jolt and raced to fly up into the sky to chase after Su Mo.
He did not dare to let Su Mo leave alone. After all, Su Mo still owed him 1.5 billion Upper Spiritual Stones.
Moreover, Deputy Hall Chief Hu had given orders to keep an eye on Su Mo’s movements. If Su Mo wanted to leave the Heaven-sea City, Deputy Hall Chief Hu was to be informed immediately.
Swoosh!
As he flew upward for about 3,000 meters, Master Cui was relieved to see Su Mo floating in the sky.
“Master Su, what are you doing?” Master Cui asked, puzzled for he had no idea why Su Mo had flown into the sky.
Su Mo glanced at Master Cui and said stoically, “Master Cui, can you do me a favor?”
“What is it?” Master Cui asked doubtfully.
“Help me rob Leng Fan of his two Supreme Stoves.” Su Mo said solemnly.
To get Hong Qingxuan meant Su Mo needed to defeat Leng Fan, but Su Mo did not have much confidence.
As a martial artist of Lv 3 Martial King Realm and a Supreme Talent on the List of 10,000 Talents, Leng Fan had to be extremely powerful.
After assessing his strength, Su Mo found that he must use the Three Secret Techniques and at least extract 80% of his essence, qi, and spirit if he wanted to win.
In this way, there was a faint possibility of defeating Leng Fan, but it was merely a possibility because Su Mo did not know Leng Fan’s specific strength.
Moreover, the gap between every two levels of the Martial King Realm was rather big.
However, the loss of 80 % of his energy would cause great damage to his body. He would not recover until more than half a year later.
Since that was the case, there was no hope for him to catch up to Shangguan Hao within eight months!
Nevertheless, Hong Qingxuan had to be saved, so Su Mo hoped Master Cui could help him out.
If Master Cui, at Lv 8 Martial King Realm, could lend him a hand, defeating Leng Fan would be a piece of cake.
“What?” Master Cui was shocked and looked at Su Mo, saying, “Master Su, are you crazy? Leng Fan is the genius of the Netherworld Devil Sect. Robbing Leng Fan will offend the Netherworld Devil Sect!”
Master Cui was dumbfounded. He did not expect Su Mo to be so crazy. He had become so reckless, all because he wanted to get a Stove.
The Sky-sea Pavilion was a powerful Chamber of Commerce but its forces were unsystematic, so it could not compete with the Netherworld Devil Sect at all.
“Are you scared?” asked Su Mo indifferently.
Master Cui shook his head, saying, “No, I’m not. I’m saying this robbery will the get Sky-sea Pavilion in trouble. It’s not wise!”
“What if you can benefit greatly from it?” asked Su Mo flatly.
“Benefit greatly?” Master Cui looked at Su Mo with slightly narrowed eyes.
Su Mo laighed bitterly. It seemed that his partner would not help him without benefits.
With a flip of his hand, Su Mo took out a blank jade slip and stuck it to his forehead.
Master Cui was secretly excited when he saw this. Was Su Mo going to give him benefits again?
“What will he give me this time?”
“Could it be some kind of weapon formulas and refining methods, like the staff from last time?”
Under Master Cui’s excited gaze, Su Mo soon finished the copy and handed the Jade slip over to him.
As he quickly took over the jade slip and examined it, Master Cui gasped in shock.
On the jade slip was experience on how to become a Royal craftsman from a King craftsman. That was much more precious than anything he had received previously.
Master Cui trembled with excitement. Although there was not much experience on this jade slip, he knew that he would soon become a Royal craftsman as long as he could fully understand it.
“Is… is this real?” Master Cui stuttered excitedly. He looked at Su Mo in disbelief. This was all too good to be true!
“Of course, it’s real!” Su Mo nodded and said, “If you can help me get that Supreme Stove, I still have more precious knowledge of craftsmanship for you.”
Master Cui took a deep breath as his eyes flashed with bright light. He immediately patted his chest and said firmly, “You can count on me. How do you want me to kill Leng Fan?”
Su Mo sighed inwardly. His partner’s attitude changed so quickly. He had previously said the Netherworld Devil Sect could not be offended but now, he would stop at nothing because of the great benefits that he would receive!
It is no wonder that men died for money and birds died for food!
The knowledge of craftsmanship that Su Mo had given him was something more precious than money to Master Cui!
“Whatever you do! Do not hurt the woman! ” Su Mo said.
“Haha! Understood!” Master Cui laughed, but he secretly lamented Su Mo’s worry about the Stove at this time. He was already kind and gentlemanly enough!
Later, after Su Mo and Master Cui stopped talking, they floated side by side in the sky, quietly waiting for Leng Fan.