On this continent, besides the usual five senses of sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch, people often possess a sixth sense that transcends the physical — Intuition.
This is a sensation even ordinary people and cultivators alike find hard to explain.
It’s not a tangible sense, nor is it a power acquired only through perception techniques; it is a “special ability” that anyone might possess.
As for Yun Mu, his talent in intuition was exceptionally high.
He gently pulled the girl behind him, no longer restraining his own perception aura, but instead openly radiating it, extending his “vision” to cover a range nearly twenty meters in all directions.
The cultivation from the past few days had already greatly increased his perception range.
All around: the crowd flowed like a tide, retreating from the area, everyone deliberately avoiding any contact or eye contact—except for one spot.
He raised his head and “looked” toward the highest pavilion of the nearby ornate building, “fixing his gaze” on that menacing, watchful aura.
His expression grew serious; this was a presence he had never sensed before.
The other party seemed to notice Yun Mu’s vigilance.
The corners of his mouth lifted slightly, and paying no heed to the bustling crowds below the pavilion, he spoke out loudly:
“You two young friends: judging by your attire, you must be here for our Gu Kingdom Academy Auction House, but you don’t seem to be observing the rules, do you?”
His powerful voice echoed like a mighty bell, instantly drawing the attention of everyone present.
Upon seeing this, the smile on his face widened.
He raised his hand and pointed directly at Yun Mu and Tu Shan Huaizhi:
“Don’t you know? Using perception abilities at the auction house is strictly forbidden!”
With that single statement, all eyes turned to the young man and woman who had been submerged among the crowd.
The scene immediately became lively.
“Perception probing? What does that mean? How could anyone not know that the use of such secret arts is forbidden at the Gu Kingdom Academy Auction House?”
“That can’t be right. If someone used perception probing, we should’ve felt it too, right? But I didn’t notice anything just now…”
“Tsk, maybe it’s just that we’re not strong enough? But the one speaking is an Inner Sect Disciple of Gu Kingdom Academy—he wouldn’t lie, would he?”
“Well, that’s true, but who knows? Let’s wait and see how it plays out.”
***
Opinions varied, and everyone watched the unfolding drama.
The Inner Sect Disciple seemed to be enjoying the spectacle, waiting a bit before clapping his hands to halt the discussion:
“This is an auction venue, keep quiet.”
Once the crowd had settled, he stepped forward, leaped down from the high platform before all eyes, and revealed his true appearance.
Honestly, his attire was indeed splendid, with luxurious robes that accentuated his bearing, and his skin was quite fair.
Unfortunately, his features were sharp and shifty, and his smile carried a strange malice.
If one had to describe it, “a beast in scholar’s clothes” would be most fitting.
“You two young friends, I am Xiao Shengchu, Inner Sect Disciple of Gu Kingdom Academy, and one of those responsible for patrolling the auction venue.”
He cupped his hands toward Yun Mu and Tu Shan Huaizhi, then straightened up, still smiling.
“Since you have violated the rules of our Wanbao Pavilion, according to regulations, I, Xiao, will now carry out a summary arrest. Men, seize them—”
No sooner had his voice fallen than several disciples from Hundred Demon Academy dressed similarly, though in different colors, immediately appeared behind him.
Without a word, two held ropes and two drew swords as they moved forward to arrest Yun Mu and Tu Shan Huaizhi.
“Stop! Everything must be reasonable and justified. If you act so arbitrarily, don’t blame me for being rude.”
Seeing them about to rush forward, Tu Shan Huaizhi could bear it no longer.
She took a step ahead, shielding Yun Mu behind her.
In her hand was a Foxfire Sword, three feet long and powder-white throughout.
Under the sunlight, it shone with a faint, ghostly glow, and on closer inspection, one could see the blade was engraved with patterns reminiscent of foxfire.
At the sight of this sword, the approaching Outer Sect Disciples stopped at once.
It was a sword they had never seen before, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t sense the nobility of its owner.
Swallowing nervously, they glanced around at the onlooking crowd, then exchanged looks with one another, before turning their gaze to Xiao Shengchu.
“Uh… Senior Brother, it seems the young lady has a point. Isn’t it improper for us to seize them so rashly?”
Clearly, these Outer Sect Disciples still possessed some reason.
To arrest people so recklessly in public without evidence would harm the Academy’s reputation—but that hardly mattered to them; Gu Kingdom Academy would be fine with or without them.
It wouldn’t lose students just because of their actions.
But if, by obeying this Senior Brother’s so-called orders, they unwittingly provoked a great family, the consequences for their own clans would be dire.
These days, many failed at cultivation, but those who ruined their families in the process were rare indeed.
However, Xiao Shengchu hadn’t even noticed the sword in Tu Shan Huaizhi’s hand.
He still held his head high, aloof and overbearing.
He glared at the juniors, raising his voice:
“Rash arrest? Since I ordered you to seize them, of course I have evidence! Why so much chatter? Take them both down!”
Still, no one moved.
In fact, they even stepped back.
They were only here to earn points to exchange for pills or techniques within the Academy, but at this point, it was clear which mattered more: points or their families.
“Damn it, a bunch of useless fools. I told you to arrest them, why are you dawdling? Must I do everything myself?”
Seeing his juniors completely disregard his orders, Xiao Shengchu’s arrogance flared.
He strode forward, cursing them, a look of “those who follow me prosper, those who oppose me perish” on his face, the cultured demeanor gone.
But before he could take two steps, the air suddenly trembled.
The once-mighty Inner Sect Disciple collapsed onto his back in an instant, with two bamboo sticks piercing through his palms and nailing him to the ground.
Everyone was startled; almost no one saw what had happened.
“I say—if you want to arrest someone, shouldn’t you show some evidence? This so-called perception, how come nobody else sensed it?”
Just as everyone was panicking, a lazy voice rang out abruptly from the crowd.
Yun Mu and Tu Shan Huaizhi both froze at the familiar voice.
Before they could turn around, a tall, thin figure wearing a battered bamboo hat appeared.
“Uncle Hu, why are you here?”
the girl blurted out almost unconsciously.
Damn, how did this girl recognize me?
Though she hadn’t shouted loudly, the call made Hu Delu tremble all over.
He hadn’t expected that, even with his aura concealed, Tu Shan Huaizhi would recognize him at a glance.
This girl—don’t let me down at a crucial moment!
I don’t want my identity revealed before all these people.
Thinking thus, he chose to ignore the “uncle” and strode toward Xiao Shengchu as if he didn’t recognize anyone.
“Hu… um…”
“Shh, don’t make a fuss.”
Seeing the girl about to chase after, Yun Mu covered her mouth with his left hand and whispered, “Senior Hu hasn’t revealed his true aura. He must not want his identity exposed. We should remain calm.”
With his right hand, he gently took her sword, moving it between them.
“There, be good, put your sword away.”
“Okay… I’ll listen to you, brother…”
As if on cue, the moment the girl put away her sword, Hu Delu straightened up, quickly walked to Xiao Shengchu, and squatted down.
He grabbed Xiao Shengchu’s face, his voice cold:
“I’ve given you plenty of time to answer. Why aren’t you talking? Tell me, where’s your evidence?”
“I, I…”
His eyes darted about, his body shaking.
“What do you mean, ‘I’? Judging by your guilty look, let me guess… You saw these two, with their weak auras and unfamiliar faces, and thought they were nobodies, so you planned to throw your weight around, using your Gu Kingdom Academy patrol status to arrest them on false charges, all so you could rob them of their treasures, right?”
“I… I wasn’t, I just wanted to follow procedure…”
Xiao Shengchu stammered, his voice growing smaller and smaller, all bravado vanishing.
This was not just because of Hu Delu’s intimidating questioning; more so, it was because his inner calculations had been laid bare.
He hadn’t actually detected any perception ability; he didn’t have the power to.
The technique Yun Mu used was a one-of-a-kind Perception Technique, modified by Tu Shan Yunxi, usable only by someone who possessed a mix of Spirit Power, Star Power, and his own unique strength.
Perception Techniques weren’t uncommon in this world; they were generally used to sense an opponent’s strength before a fight, or to probe ahead in dangerous territory.
Moreover, if someone of a lower realm used such a technique, those of higher realm could easily detect it.
If Yun Mu’s technique had truly been discovered, with so many people present, he would have been warned immediately, rather than waiting for Xiao Shengchu to arrive.
It was just a case of a lucky guess.
“Mm… So you have no explanation? I see. I’m quite familiar with your Academy’s Dean and your rules. Let me think, how are situations like this dealt with?”
Seeing he still wouldn’t speak, Hu Delu lost patience, stroking his chin for a moment before turning his gaze to the other Outer Sect Disciples with a grin.
“I seem to recall the punishment is abolishing their cultivation and expelling them from the Academy, am I right?”
“Wait! Senior, that’s only for serious offenses. For my case, I should just be put in confinement.”
“So you admit you were in the wrong?”
“No… ah!!”
Before he could explain, Hu Delu pulled out a bamboo stick from his palm, waved it before his eyes, then stuck it back in.
“Besides, did I give you permission to speak?”
He looked to the other disciples.
“So, what do you think—is my suggested punishment correct?”
“Yes, yes, you’re absolutely right, Senior!”
None dared oppose him; all nodded and bowed in agreement.
Seeing this, the tanuki demon chuckled and looked back at Yun Mu and Tu Shan Huaizhi, calling out,
“What about you two? What do you think?”
“Such matters, as you wish…”
“Hey, wait.”
Just as the girl agreed to leave it up to him, Yun Mu interrupted.
“Senior, thank you for saving us, but abolishing his cultivation is unnecessary.”
“Unnecessary? Ha! Boy, you mean he openly threatened and slandered you, yet you still want to let him go?”
“It’s not about letting him go. One must bear responsibility for one’s actions. So, may I ask, would you be willing to exchange the treasures in your Qiankun Pouch for your cultivation?”
“Yes, of course! Senior, please have mercy! Please spare me!”
As if grasping a lifeline, Xiao Shengchu ignored his pain, grabbed his Qiankun Pouch from his belt, and offered it forward, kneeling and begging for mercy.
Seeing this, Hu Delu’s lips curled up beneath his bamboo hat, clearly satisfied.
After all, he was a man who enjoyed his freedom.
If it hadn’t been for the girl’s sword just now, he wouldn’t have bothered meddling in this mess.
Even if he hadn’t acted, someone else would have.
But in that case, Yun Mu and Tu Shan Huaizhi would have owed someone a favor before even getting started—a situation he’d rather avoid.
Now, with the attention dispersed and the matter settled, had he actually abolished a disciple’s cultivation under Gu Kingdom Academy’s nose, unnecessary trouble would surely follow.
So, he asked Yun Mu what to do, knowing Yun Mu would understand and provide the answer he wanted, giving him a way out.
As for whether Xiao Shengchu would ultimately be expelled or crippled, that wasn’t his concern.
After all, even if he didn’t do it, someone else would—just that, after this, the position would shift.
He took the Qiankun Pouch from the terrified Xiao Shengchu, shook it, attached it to his own belt, pulled out the bamboo sticks, tossed them aside, and kicked Xiao Shengchu away.
“Take him away.”
“Yes, Senior!”
The Outer Sect Disciples quickly grabbed Xiao Shengchu and fled the scene.
Hu Delu remained where he was, stretching lazily.
He glanced up at the second floor of the auction house and said lightly,
“What are you still watching for? Come down.”
As soon as he finished, the curtains at the pavilion fluttered like willow branches in the wind.
“Oh? So you discovered me, fellow cultivator?”
On the empty ground, a graceful woman veiled in thin gauze suddenly appeared.
“Wanbao Pavilion’s Lian Yi greets the three honored guests.”