Chapter 133: Ancient Spirit

"Gu Ling..."

Gazing at the incredibly alluring woman in black before him, Zhou Yuan's eyes flickered slightly, but his expression remained calm. He simply nodded and said, "Oh."

Gu Ling was slightly taken aback by Zhou Yuan's indifferent attitude. Immediately, a hint of anger flashed deep within her beautiful eyes.

Behind Gu Ling, however, the group of men accompanying her were extremely displeased with Zhou Yuan's demeanor. They angrily demanded, "You arrogant brat! You killed Gu Ling's brother, and you're not even going to apologize?!"

These men appeared quite refined and carried an air of nobility. Powerful Genesis Qi fluctuations surged around them, indicating they were clearly prodigies from various factions.

Gu Ling, displaying a sorrowful expression, softly said, "Everyone, there's no need to be angry. It seems our friend Zhou Yuan might have some misunderstanding with our Gu family, which led to this outcome. Gu Ling's death was, in a way, his own doing."

Despite her words, her demeanor only intensified the hostility in the others' gazes towards Zhou Yuan.

Zhou Yuan observed coolly. This woman, Gu Ling, clearly possessed sophisticated methods, easily winning over everyone and making these prodigies from various sides fawn over her like stars orbiting the moon.

At that moment, Xiao Tianxuan, who was twirling a golden orb in his hand, looked at Zhou Yuan and said gently, "Friend, the grievances between you and the Gu family are not truly important. However, since you have already killed Gu Ling, these animosities should end here."

Zhou Yuan raised an eyebrow upon hearing this but remained silent, knowing that Xiao Tianxuan was likely not finished speaking.

Just as he expected, Xiao Tianxuan paused before continuing, "However, you stole the Gu family's supreme treasure, and that should be returned to Gu Ling."

Xiao Tianxuan stared at Zhou Yuan and smiled faintly, "Gu Ling told me that if you return the Gu family's supreme treasure, she will let go of this grievance. If you respect me, I can mediate and help you resolve your animosity, turning enemies into friends."

Zhou Yuan couldn't help but laugh. As expected, these people were after the "Sacred Soul Crystal." However, he had already refined the item, using it to temper his spirit day and night. Asking him to hand it over again was simply a fool's errand.

"Is this why you intentionally drove up the price?" Zhou Yuan chuckled.

Xiao Tianxuan paused, then calmly stated, "If you're concerned about those Genesis Crystals, I can return them all to you."

A hint of disdain played on his lips. He clearly thought Zhou Yuan was still bothered by the million or so Genesis Crystals, silently concluding that he was indeed just a minor prince from a remote dynasty.

"No need. Perhaps there will be other opportunities in the future," Zhou Yuan said, shaking his head with a calm tone.

Xiao Tianxuan might have thought his actions at the auction were merely a small lesson for Zhou Yuan, but anything done inevitably comes with a price.

It wouldn't be easy to simply back out.

He gazed at Xiao Tianxuan and Gu Ling before him, slowly stating, "I won't bother detailing the despicable things the Gu family has done. However, they schemed against us, and if we hadn't possessed some means, our fate would have been dire."

"Therefore, regarding this grievance, your influence is likely not significant enough to simply resolve it with a word."

"As for the Gu family's supreme treasure, forget about getting it back." Xiao Tianxuan wanted to reclaim something they had nearly risked their lives for with a single sentence; he clearly thought too highly of himself.

Xiao Tianxuan and Gu Ling's expressions finally changed.

Xiao Tianxuan's face darkened as he said, "So, you're not going to give me this respect?"

"Heh, is your 'face' really that important?" Lu Luo finally sneered.

Although they were currently in Sacred Remains City and Xiao Tianxuan was its Young City Lord, matters concerning the younger generation had to be resolved by themselves. Thus, Xiao Tianxuan couldn't mobilize Sacred Remains City's forces against them.

Otherwise, they weren't without backing either. If everyone brought their full forces to bear, it would descend into chaos, and no one would benefit.

Without the power of Sacred Remains City, Lu Luo naturally had no fear of Xiao Tianxuan.

"Presumptuous! A mere prince from a small dynasty dares to act so arrogantly in a place like this?"

The prodigies behind Gu Ling all scoffed. Knowing Lu Luo's background and strength, they dared not target him, so all their hostility turned towards Zhou Yuan instead.

"Hmph, a mere Qi Nourishing stage cultivator dares to be so arrogant? Aren't you afraid of being slaughtered once you enter the Sacred Remains area?" sneered a blue-robed man standing closest to Gu Ling.

This man, Lan Ting, was also a prodigy from a prominent family on the Boundless Continent. Among this group, his strength was likely second only to Xiao Tianxuan and Gu Ling.

Zhou Yuan also smiled as he looked at these prodigies from various factions, though his smile was laced with chilling coldness.

"Who gets slaughtered will only be known once we enter the Sacred Remains area."

Everyone glared angrily at him.

Gu Ling's pretty face also looked somewhat displeased, but she quickly composed herself and sighed softly, "It seems my Gu family has indeed greatly offended you, otherwise you wouldn't disregard the Young City Lord's influence either."

Zhou Yuan swept a cold glance over her. This woman's tactics were truly impressive. Her seemingly simple words continually incited the prodigies around her, deepening their hostility towards him.

"You, woman, are quite affected." However, at this moment, a voice sounded beside Zhou Yuan. Everyone looked over and saw Yaoyao, dressed in white.

She was now dressed in men's clothing, yet her face remained unparalleled in its beauty. While Xiao Tianxuan and the others were considered handsome, they instantly paled in comparison to Yaoyao.

When Gu Ling saw Yaoyao, her beautiful eyes lit up slightly. Such a stunningly handsome man was truly rare.

However, her expression soon stiffened due to Yaoyao's words.

Yaoyao lightly tapped her folding fan. It was unclear how, but her voice had become neutral as she calmly stated, "Yes, we did take the Gu family's supreme treasure. If you want it back, there's no need to play games here, using all your tricks to incite these idiots. The Sacred Remains area is about to open. Once inside, you can use whatever means you have. If you can snatch the item back, that will be your capability."

"Of course, everything comes with a price. If you can't reclaim it, then whatever the outcome, you'll have no one to blame but yourself." By the end, a hint of coldness had entered Yaoyao's voice, causing an involuntary shiver to run down one's spine.

She stared at Gu Ling and said, "So, if you want to play, we'll play along."

The atmosphere around them suddenly grew quiet. Everyone was stunned by Yaoyao's words. She had made it very clear: forget about getting the item back. If they wanted to reclaim it, they should use all their might, but they would be responsible for the consequences.

Gu Ling's pretty face alternated between pale and flushed. Relying on her beauty, she had seen countless men fall for her over the years. She never imagined that today she would be so unceremoniously rebuked by a man even more handsome than herself, which made her feel both embarrassed and vexed.

Xiao Tianxuan's expression was also grim. He hadn't expected this exceptionally handsome man to be even more direct and disrespectful than Zhou Yuan when speaking.

Idiots? He actually called them, prodigies from various factions, idiots?

Anger surged within him, but surprisingly, Xiao Tianxuan remained silent. He knew that this man, who appeared to have no Genesis Qi but was excessively beautiful, had achieved the Reality stage in soul cultivation—a genuine strength comparable to the Genesis Beginning stage.

The other prodigies were also furious but likewise said nothing. However, their gazes towards Zhou Yuan became even more hostile. Clearly, they had directly transferred their anger onto him.

After all, a soft persimmon is easier to squeeze.

Zhou Yuan rubbed his nose, silently giving Yaoyao a thumbs-up. Her words were truly domineering. Weren't these guys, being manipulated by a woman, simply fools?

"Hehe, what a domineering young master..."

As everyone fell silent, a soft, charming chuckle suddenly rang out.

Everyone looked up and saw a girl in a black dress leaning against a wall not far away. Her enchanting eyes, so captivating they seemed to drip with allure, were now fixed on Yaoyao with intense interest.