The Martial Emperor with Dragon Blood Chapter 1323 - 1324: Xiong Family’s Scheme

"This flute melody, it's not merely attacking my soul, but also has the power to alter one's will. Had I not awakened in the nick of time, I would have fallen victim to this indolent fellow's ambush."

Ye Mo's form moved, releasing an ethereal radiance that subdued all. The flute's insidious sound was directly repelled by Ye Mo. His path is cultivation, and no one shall sway his resolve.

For an ordinary individual, they might have been completely ensnared by this point.

Just as Ye Mo's consciousness snapped back, the lazy man himself retreated several paces, a look of utter disbelief on his face. "Your cultivation is formidable. Those lacking in soul cultivation and spiritual fortitude stand no chance against my technique."

"Hmph!"

Ye Mo let out a cold snort. "I presume your intention wasn't purely benevolent? If I had failed, would I have become your complete thrall?"

"You... how could you possibly know that?"

The lazy man was once more taken aback. Indeed, his flute's mystic sound possessed the ability to turn an opponent into his personal slave.

"A paltry trick, really."

Ye Mo stated frigidly, "Considering you were engaged by Miss Zhu Jiu, I shall not press the matter further. Any among you who harbor dissent, understand this: I am the captain of this escort. During the auction event, you will all adhere to my commands. Disobedience will be met with the right to execute on the spot."

Silence befell the assembled group. This lazy man, known widely across the Great Wilderness as the 'Devilish Music Scholar,' had notoriously toyed with countless Divine Venerate level experts. If even he couldn't contend with Ye Mo, their acceptance was inevitable.

"In that case, everyone remain vigilant. The organizers of this auction hold it in high regard; no disruptions are permissible," Ye Mo declared with a booming voice.

With Ye Mo's official appointment as the escort team's captain, discussions commenced in secrecy within the Xiong Family's quarters.

"How progresses the plan?"

Xiong Zhan inquired of the subordinate standing behind him in the secluded chamber, his hands clasped behind his back.

Xiong Qing, Xiong Zhan's sole heir, stood nearby. Despite his lack of exceptional talent, Xiong Qing was a son who demanded dedication in his upbringing.

"Family Head, all is proceeding smoothly. Among the ten rogue cultivators engaged by the Zhu Family, the most potent is not the Devilish Music Scholar, but the 'Ghost Eye Mad Blade.' A considerable sum has already been allocated to bribe him. We simply need to rendezvous with him outside the auction grounds. He will initiate the theft of the auction's centerpiece, and we shall split the spoils fifty-fifty."

The subordinate reported.

"Hehe, excellently done!"

Xiong Zhan chuckled heartily. "The organizers would never conceive that vigilance against internal betrayal is ultimately futile. Even I lack the confidence to confront that Ghost Eye Mad Blade directly. Once he infiltrates the auction, his success in pilfering the item is virtually assured. Naturally, no one will suspect our collusion with him. With such a significant incident erupting at the auction, let's observe how the Zhu Family accounts for this to the organizers, hahaha."

Xiong Zhan erupted in laughter.

"Family Head, what exactly is the main draw of this auction? And who are the organizers? Why are you all treating it with such grave importance?"

The subordinate asked, seeking clarification.

"I have my suspicions regarding the organizers; it is likely the Wraith Clan, given the whispers of advanced soul techniques being featured. In all my years navigating the Great Wilderness, I've never encountered anyone wielding such profound soul arts. Perhaps this gathering will see the appearance of experts from the Dead Soul Royal Family. Even with Ye Mo's myriad abilities, the auction is destined for chaos, and the Zhu Family will be unable to evade their doom. He will meet a most unfortunate end."

Xiong Zhan stated coldly.

"Father, we shall utterly annihilate the Zhu Family then, especially Zhu Jiu. I will personally subject her to torture and humiliation, ensuring she comprehends the severe repercussions of crossing the Xiong Family,"

Xiong Qing declared venomously.

Over the subsequent two days, Ye Mo endeavored to reach the third layer of the Genius Badge for his cultivation. It was only then he grasped the formidable difficulty of soul cultivation. Progression from the First Layer of the Soul Realm to the Second was seamless, devoid of any significant obstacles. However, advancing from the Second to the Third Layer necessitates not only an immense soul origin but also the assistance of potent elixirs to successfully achieve a breakthrough.

Advances in soul cultivation are largely reliant on alchemical pills. Without them, significant progress in the latter stages becomes exceedingly arduous, which explains the immense demand for alchemists within Wraith Land.

Furthermore, fully cognizant of Ye Mo's capabilities, Zhu Jiu understood that the auction's success hinged entirely upon him. To demonstrate her utmost sincerity, she generously loaned Ye Mo the 'Elixir Scripture Iron Scroll' in advance.

While the Elixir Scripture Iron Scroll, though invaluable and not containing all ninth-grade elixir recipes, remains an artifact of immense worth within Wraith Land.

Moreover, not everyone possesses the capability to access it. A prerequisite is that one's heart force must reach the ninth rank. Should one's aptitude in alchemy be lacking, even with the requisite heart force, delving into its contents would prove fruitless.

The higher the caliber of elixirs, the more elusive the necessary materials become, compounded by a significant failure rate. Consequently, the elixirs detailed within the Elixir Scripture Iron Scroll might not even exist in reality.

This time at the auction, in addition to ensuring order, Ye Mo harbors personal objectives for acquiring certain items.

The Heavenly Spirit Resurrection Pill—if this elixir were to be available, it would be ideal, sparing Ye Mo the arduous task of personally attempting its refinement. Otherwise, he would be compelled to undertake the process himself, requiring two vital herbs: Silver Frost Grass, known for its spirit-stabilizing properties, and Soul Spirit Grass, both indispensable components for concocting the Heavenly Spirit Resurrection Pill.

Naturally, Ye Mo is also on the hunt for a rare herb designated as Verdant Ink Grass, which serves as a key ingredient in the Ascending Soul Pill. This particular pill is paramount for breakthroughs in soul cultivation and is exceptionally scarce.

Three days elapsed with remarkable speed, and Ye Mo, along with the others, stood prepared to embark on their journey.

"Everyone, let us commence our departure,"

stated Zhu Jiu, subsequently leading Ye Mo and a contingent of twenty-one experts away from the Zhu Residence, their destination the esteemed auction house situated within the Great Wilderness.

Upon exiting the Zhu Residence, Ye Mo observed that the throng of people populating the Great Wilderness City was unlike the scene from mere days prior; the streets teemed with individuals, their auras powerfully resonant.

"Ye Mo, I shall first escort you to meet the esteemed organizers of this grand auction, the influential figures from the Wraith Clan. Following that, we shall proceed to the auction venue itself to acclimate ourselves with the surroundings,"

Having concluded his explanation, Ye Mo offered a nod, following Zhu Jiu as they journeyed westward through Great Wilderness City, towards the location of the Great Desolation Tower.

"Hold!"

Just as their group had taken merely a few steps, a voice bellowed from behind them.

Ye Mo turned, perceiving Xiong Qing leading a retinue toward them.

"Xiong Qing, is there a matter requiring our attention?"

Zhu Jiu inquired, her tone laced with coldness.

"Quite the gathering, I see."

Xiong Qing remarked, his gaze settling upon a figure within Ye Mo's group who appeared rather unremarkable. This individual was clad in worn hemp garments, his face smudged with dirt, yet his eyes held a particularly sinister glint. He was none other than the Ghost Eye Mad Blade, whose name had been previously uttered by Xiong Zhan. The mere mention of his name caused many to shudder, though Zhu Jiu did not recognize him.

"What is it you desire precisely? We are en route to the auction,"

Zhu Jiu stated icily, her brow furrowing slightly.

"Zhu Jiu, this auction is an event of immense significance, occurring perhaps once a century. Ensure that no untoward incidents transpire, lest when the moment arrives, our Xiong Family, though willing to offer assistance, finds themselves incapable, as we cannot afford to incur the displeasure of the esteemed Wraith Clan,"

Xiong Qing declared with a faint, amused chuckle.