"What!" Li Wei's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

The True Qi cage was deployed by the Qianlong Formation, an innate-level formation of the bank. Although the primary functions of the Qianlong Formation are gathering spiritual energy and defense, trapping a first-level Qi Condensing Realm martial artist should have been effortless. How could it be broken so easily?

What he didn't know was that, let alone a cage derived from the Qianlong Formation, even the formation itself could be destroyed by Xiao Long if given enough time.

Xiao Long's expertise in formations was no less than his alchemy skills. If Li Wei had personally tried to capture him, there might have been a slight chance. But using a formation to trap him was simply showing off in front of an expert.

"Wei Lao, there's no need for you to act. I'll personally finish him!"

Xue Wuqing's cold and fierce gaze locked onto his target, murderous intent fully revealed, his aura reaching its peak.

In the next moment, Xue Wuqing's figure vanished from where he stood, like a white phantom, instantly appearing and striking a fierce palm towards Huang Mao's chest.

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"Stop!" Just then, a loud shout echoed through the hall, accompanied by a dignified and robust figure.

Boom!

Fist and palm collided, forcing Xue Wuqing back several steps. With a leap, he returned to his previous position.

At this moment, a middle-aged man in a purple and gold satin robe appeared right in front of Huang Mao, still maintaining his punching posture. It was he who had blocked Xue Wuqing's strike.

"Elder Xue, Lord Xiao is a distinguished guest of our Qianlong Bank. Please, Elder Xue, grant me this favor," the middle-aged man said calmly, retracting his fist and cupping his hands.

"Look! That's President Wan!"

"Wan Jianfeng, even he was alarmed!"

"He said Lord Xiao is a guest of the bank. Could he be referring to that masked man?"

Seeing this scene, the crowd began to speculate about the masked man's identity.

Xue Wuqing's brows furrowed. How could a mere first-level Qi Condensing Realm ant warrant Wan Jianfeng's personal protection? Was there something fishy going on?

Li Wei hurriedly rushed forward, "President, this man killed someone at the auction, violating the bank's taboo. He should be..."

"Shut up!" Wan Jianfeng glared at him, and Li Wei immediately fell silent.

Thinking about what Li Wei had done, Wan Jianfeng felt a surge of anger. How could the bank produce such a disgrace!

"President Wan, he just killed Young Master Liao Qingfeng. I believe it won't be long before the Sect Master himself comes to take his life. Are you sure you want to protect him?" Xue Wuqing said coldly.

He believed this statement would be enough to make Wan Jianfeng back down. Killing the Sect Master's son meant a fight to the death. Protecting him would mean going to war with the Fire Cloud Sect. As a branch president, Wan Jianfeng couldn't possibly be unaware of this.

In Fire Cloud City, the Fire Cloud Sect and Qianlong Bank were mutually beneficial. Wan Jianfeng had connections with many elders of the Fire Cloud Sect. A war would be detrimental to both sides, and he should understand the importance of choosing wisely.

However, to everyone's surprise, in the face of Xue Wuqing's threat, Wan Jianfeng remained unfazed and said with an unwavering tone, "Elder Xue, I am determined to protect Lord Xiao. Please grant me this favor, and there will be generous rewards afterward."

At this, the entire auction house erupted! Everyone thought the masked man was as good as dead, but the situation suddenly took a dramatic turn!

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Gu Sha's eyes flickered, seemingly deep in thought.

Xue Wuqing's face turned ashen. Could this masked man be Wan Jianfeng's illegitimate child? But even if he were a legitimate son, it wouldn't make sense to go to war with the Fire Cloud Sect for him. As a leader, Wan Jianfeng prioritized benefits above all else and couldn't be so muddle-headed!

"Fine! Very well! I hope you won't regret this!" Xue Wuqing laughed in anger, taking out a large number of jade tokens from his storage ring and crushing them all.

Wan Jianfeng's expression turned grave. It seemed they had truly torn their relationship apart. The urgent task now was to ensure Lord Xiao's safety, or everything would be over once Liao Huoyun arrived.

Only a living third-grade alchemist held value; no one would offend the Fire Cloud Sect for a dead man.

"Lord Xiao, let's go! I will escort you out of the city!" Wan Jianfeng said, cupping his hands.

Huang Mao, however, remained unmoved, shaking his head with a faint smile, "Go? Why should I leave? I want to see what Liao Huoyun is capable of!"

Wan Jianfeng's heart sank. Even if you are a third-grade alchemist, with only the strength of a first-level Qi Condensing Realm, can you really withstand an Innate Expert?

At this moment, Wan Jianfeng seemed to sense something, and his face changed drastically!

"Damn it! It's too late!"

Just then, a fierce wind rose outside, and spiritual energy swept across the land like a storm. An icy voice filled with anger descended from the sky, like a thunderclap exploding in everyone's ears.

"Who dares to kill my son!!"

Boom!

The outer wall of the auction house was instantly blasted open, and a crimson figure, like a god descending from the heavens, walked through the air. This person was burly, dressed in a crimson Fire Cloud robe, with eyes that emitted a sharp gleam like a steel blade, making anyone who looked at him shudder and dare not meet his gaze.

This was the Fire Cloud Sect Master, Liao Huoyun.

Liao Huoyun's brows were filled with grief and anger, his hands trembling uncontrollably with rage. His terrifying aura swept across the room, making it hard for everyone to breathe. Except for a few, most people were trembling all over, cold sweat pouring down, and some of the weaker ones even fainted.

This was the power of an Innate Expert. Without even making a move, he exuded such a terrifying presence. Once he acted, it would be earth-shattering.

Wan Jianfeng's face was extremely grim. He had hoped that Liao Huoyun's soul power hadn't recovered, and he could use the Qianlong Formation to hold him off. But Liao Huoyun's energy was abundant, his aura profound and unfathomable, showing no signs of soul injury, as if he had recovered overnight.

In this case, even with the help of the Qianlong Formation, he might not be able to withstand Liao Huoyun. Moreover, Liao Huoyun had an Innate Spiritual Treasure, and the combat power augmented by such a treasure was no less than two Innate Experts joining forces!

"Xue Wuqing, tell me! Who killed my son? Who was it!!" Liao Huoyun roared in fury.

Xue Wuqing's cold gaze turned to Huang Mao, with a hint of pity.

"It was you!" Liao Huoyun stared directly at Huang Mao, his violent emotions spreading within, his eyes turning blood-red.

"It was me! So what?"

To everyone's surprise, facing the wrath of an Innate Expert, Huang Mao showed no fear, mocking, "Your son insulted me and was burned to ashes by me."

"Such a worthless person, killing him is no big deal. As for you..." Huang Mao stared at him, sneering, "What are you? How dare you act presumptuously in front of me!"

With these words, everyone was left dumbfounded, as if they had seen a ghost.