Chapter 1 – Reunion
A path lined with crimson maples stretched ahead, with pale blue clouds drifting overhead and a waterfall cascading thousands of feet alongside it—an elegant harmony of motion and stillness.Hidden deep within the mountains, Maple Bridge Academy, the oldest exorcist school in history, quietly stood.
It was early morning, inside the tenth-year student affairs office.
Director Qin stared at the student standing in front of him, his expression growing darker by the second.The boy—who had already been "thrown into detention" three times—was bowing his head, pretending to be remorseful, but his eyes were clearly unfocused, likely daydreaming again.
"Stand up straight! Look at me!"Director Qin slammed the desk."Snuck out of school in the middle of the night, broke through the boundary, ignored curfew, and spent the whole night gaming at a freaking internet café! When the patrol team told me someone cracked the barrier to sneak off campus, I didn't even believe it at first! So stealthy—should I congratulate you on your 'progress' or what?!"
"I was trying to figure out what kind of weirdo exorcist would go to an internet café to play games. Then I heard your name and it all made sense—Xu Yinian! Since you enrolled, we've got thirty-five school rules—how many haven't you broken yet?!"
"Ten," the boy replied firmly.
"Bullshit!" Director Qin roared.
"You actually remember the number?" Xu Yinian raised an eyebrow. "Fine—nine. Can't go lower than that."
"Four! Only four you haven't broken! You clearly don't give a damn about the messes you make!"Director Qin took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down."Go get your graduation exam assignment. Now! And pack up. Your whole team is ready—except you, the most unreliable one of the bunch!"
Exorcist trainees entered the academy at age eleven and studied for ten years. At twenty-one, they would take a final exam to determine if they were ready to become full-fledged exorcists.
Upon hearing the key phrase, Xu Yinian finally focused."Graduation exam? Already?"
"It wasn't supposed to be this soon," Director Qin admitted. "But there's been unrest in a few regions. The Bureau couldn't keep up, so they passed some minor demon cases to the academy. Perfect timing for your graduation test."
"Your group's task isn't difficult—just help maintain order at a demon realm auction. Your team leader is Chen Ran. He'll make sure things go smoothly."
At the mention of that unlucky name, Xu Yinian raised a brow."Chen Ran? Let's just hope he doesn't slow me down."
"You think he's the one slowing you down?" Director Qin looked like he'd heard the joke of the year."Chen Ran gets top marks in every evaluation. And you—?"
"Only because I went easy on him," Xu Yinian said, dead serious.
"..."
"If it were only a practical exam without theory, Chen Ran wouldn't stand a chance—I'd absolutely destroy him."
"Xu! Yi! Nian!"Director Qin's blood pressure spiked at the boy's outrageous claims. He slammed the desk again."You've got some nerve! Since Maple Bridge Academy was founded, you're the only student to ever score single digits in a theory exam! And yet, somehow you always ace the practicals. What the hell is wrong with you? Are you just hopelessly unbalanced or plain stupid?!"
"..." Xu Yinian fell silent.
After a moment, he bit his lip and mumbled, "I just don't feel like studying."
He didn't dare admit the truth out loud—but every time he looked at a theory paper, his head would spin.Things he could do with ease in real life turned incomprehensible once written down on paper.
Not wanting to embarrass himself in front of his teacher, he kept that to himself.But Director Qin could read his tone and grew even more furious:"Theory is the foundation! Without a solid foundation, your practical skills are useless! Your attitude toward learning needs a serious adjustment!"
Xu Yinian was scolded until his ears were ringing.When he finally left the office, Director Qin was still fuming.Beside him, a female teacher took a slow sip of warm water and offered a soft reminder:
"Director, don't work yourself up. Some students… no matter how hard you try, it's just no use. You care so much, but he clearly doesn't take a word of it seriously."
She glanced meaningfully toward the boy's retreating back.
"Some people are just born that way—unteachable."
Director Qin turned to look at her, voice sharp:"If a student can't be taught, maybe the teacher should reflect on their own methods."
"..."The female teacher gripped her mug tightly, choosing to say nothing more.
Xu Yinian walked down the corridor.
He looked a little tired, eyelids slightly drooping.Gold, red, and silver paintings of ancient yokai covered the corridor walls—but as he strolled by at a relaxed pace, his face outshone them all.Sharp, striking features—his black-and-white eyes and brows held an unruly charm that was almost demonic.
Unsurprisingly, students all along the corridor turned to stare.
"Xu Yinian skipped class again?"
"Legend. I passed the office this morning—heard Director Qin yelling like a typhoon at him."
"Seriously, how many times has this happened? Isn't he worried he won't graduate?"
"Why would he be? With his status, what's he got to fear? If any other student had his fate chart, they'd probably be... well…"
Everyone in the exorcist world knew of the Four Great Clans.Xu Yinian was the sole heir of the Xu family, and he'd been infamous since the age of ten.
It was tradition for fortune-tellers to read a young exorcist's destiny once they turned ten.When it was Xu Yinian's turn, the fortune-teller turned pale with fright the moment they saw his chart: a violent, blood-soaked fate, filled with slaughter and misfortune—an ominous destiny of death and destruction.
His fate shook the entire exorcist world.The Xu family tried everything imaginable to change it, but it remained as immovable as a mountain—radiating dread to all who came near.
Xu Yinian was long used to the way people stared at him like some untamable predator.Unbothered, he strolled into the classroom.
The first class of the morning hadn't started yet, but many students were already seated, reciting from their textbooks.
Xu Yinian walked to his seat and yawned lazily—he'd pulled an all-nighter gaming.
The classroom, in an instant, went silent—like someone had hit the pause button.The sound of recitation stopped all at once.
Some students hadn't noticed the silence and were still murmuring to themselves.Xu Yinian's deskmate leaned over and whispered, thinking he was being subtle,"Stop mumbling, dude—the boss is trying to nap."
"Shit!"The guy shut up immediately, pale with fear."Didn't mean to disturb! So sorry!"
"..." Xu Yinian didn't even lift his head."Go on. It's hypnotic."
As soon as he said that—
The classroom echoed with sudden, enthusiastic recitations.Even students who hadn't planned on studying pulled out their books, chanting as if their lives depended on it.When the homeroom teacher walked in, she was nearly moved to tears.
"Class, I see your hard work. I truly believe every one of you will pass the graduation assessment with flying colors!"
With such a "positive and diligent" atmosphere, Xu Yinian couldn't fall asleep even if he wanted to.He pulled out his phone and logged into the United Community App.
Not all demons were enemies of the exorcists.In general, demons who didn't cause trouble or harm humans were welcomed—even revered—by exorcists.To promote peace and understanding between the two races, the Exorcist Bureau had created the United Community: a cross-species forum for communication.
Unfortunately, most demons rarely started public threads.They'd only reply if something piqued their interest—and their replies were... unique.
[Question: If I drink demon blood, can I become one?]Demon reply: [Sounds like your brain's already malfunctioning. Go see a doctor.]
[Ugh (vomit)(vomit) Just got harassed by a dog demon on my way home from work. Can these freaks just drop dead???]Demon reply: [The hell? You sure it was one of us? Be specific. If we've really got scum like that in our clan, I'll take him out tonight.]
…
Outside of the public zone, the Demon and Exorcist Sections both required identity verification.To sneak into the demon section, Xu Yinian had paid a hefty price for an account from a cat demon.
He quickly spotted a pinned, red-hot thread on the demon homepage:
[Anyone heard? Yu Huai is showing up at the Qi Hai Auction!]
[No way! Is he finally making a public appearance?!][Ahhhh does anyone have an invite? Sell it to me, price is no issue!!][Calm down, girl! Think of the rumors! Let me be the one to risk my life.][Does anyone have an invite? I don't know who Yu Huai is or care about this "Demon Realm's #1 Face" — I just wanna see what the fuss is about.][Y'all act like you've never seen a hot guy before.][We haven't. At least not one that's drop-dead gorgeous and made it out of the Bone Burial Grounds alive.]
Xu Yinian's fingers froze.
He looked down at the mission slip in his hand.Written clearly across the top: Graduation Task Location — Qi Hai City, Demon Realm Auction.
He stared at it, frozen.
[You think Yu Huai shows up at random backwater auctions? If he really shows, I'll chop my own head off and let you guys use it as a soccer ball.][Well, I wanna play. Don't let me down, Yu Huai.][Only trolls would claim he's coming. Everyone knows he never attends these events. Last time anyone saw him was when he walked out of the Burial Grounds covered in blood.]
Xu Yinian scrolled to the end.Speculation everywhere, but no one had a definitive answer.
He wasn't sure if he felt relieved or disappointed.He closed the page.
The Qi Hai Auction had a long history.In ancient times, items auctioned ranged from human body parts to cursed relics.But in recent years, as demon-human relations improved, the auctions had grown tamer—and more legitimate. Rare treasures replaced the gory curiosities of the past.
Qi Hai City lived up to its name—a coastal financial hub surrounded by crescent-shaped islands.On one such private island, a grand villa sat by the beach like a Roman palace. Its massive white dome gleamed under the sun, and etched-glass windows reflected the sea breeze.Even from afar, the faint scent of laurel leaves drifted from its luxurious halls.
This year's auction security was jointly overseen by the Phantom Demon Clan and Qi Hai's Exorcist Bureau.Students assigned to graduation exams were stationed to assist.Xu Yinian and Chen Ran, thanks to their "presentable appearances," were placed at the main entrance as greeters.
Though both were heirs to the Four Great Clans and the same age, their personalities couldn't be more different. They hadn't spoken a word all morning.
The event was massive—attended by powerful demons and wealthy human elites alike.
A dark-purple supercar pulled up, engine roaring.Out stepped a red-haired young man and his influencer girlfriend.
Red-Hair pulled off his sunglasses, looking around with satisfaction."Check this out. Way better than a yacht party or mountain race. My bros don't even know this place exists—it's not even on the damn map. If I didn't have connections, I wouldn't even get on the island."
"Totally," the influencer simpered, fluffing her hair. "Thanks for bringing me."
"I'm telling you—everyone around here looks human, but who knows what the hell they actually are."
"Woah~ That's wild," she gasped. "Can I livestream this?"
Red-Hair frowned."No cameras. If something goes wrong, even I can't cover for you."
His gaze wandered—then landed on Xu Yinian.
"What are you? Let me guess—fox demon?"
Chen Ran, already annoyed by this guy's voice, smirked when he started picking on Xu Yinian.Clearly calling him a seductive little fox was meant to be an insult.
Xu Yinian didn't respond.
Red-Hair stepped forward, annoyed."Hey! I'm talking to you—can't you hear?"
Xu Yinian barely lifted his eyelids."Nope."
"...?"
Before it got worse, Chen Ran politely stepped between them and gestured toward the doors."Please proceed."
Red-Hair knew better than to cause a scene.With a glare at Xu Yinian, he sulked into the venue.
Unlike him, Xu Yinian could easily distinguish who in the crowd were demons.That elegant woman in the gown? A top actress in the human world—definitely a demon.The average-looking man behind her? Likely the head of a financial empire.And that one? A general. That one? A billionaire tycoon…
But something was off.
One by one, as the demons passed him, many paused—some even turned back for a second look.Smirks tugged at their lips—half amused, half mocking.
"That him? The one on the left?""Xu family's kid…""He's still got the balls to show up here? Does he know who's coming today?"
Because of the earlier help, Xu Yinian had started seeing Chen Ran in a slightly better light.He muttered, "Is being a doorman really that funny?"
Chen Ran replied calmly, "No one's laughing at me."
"They're laughing at you."
Xu Yinian was baffled.What the hell is so funny about me?
Before he could make sense of it, another luxury car pulled up.
A tall man stepped out, dressed in a sharp suit.The sun illuminated his features—handsome, arrogant, unforgettable.
He was younger than most demons here.Yet every single one of them turned to stare.
"Holy shit..." Chen Ran inhaled sharply.
Xu Yinian froze, his breath caught in his throat.
In disbelief, he stared at that familiar figure—memories and forum posts flashing through his mind.
[Now that I think about it, the Xu kid might actually be attending the auction. If he and Yu Huai cross paths… fireworks, baby.][Can we not mention that loser? Instant bad vibes.][I swear, every time someone brings up Yu Huai, the Xu kid's name shows up within ten minutes.][Is anyone still shipping them?! Xu Yinian literally dumped him when things went south. No loyalty, no backbone.][To be fair, no one expected Yu Huai to survive the Burial Grounds. There was no precedent.][Bet Xu Yinian didn't sleep a wink the night Yu Huai came back.][He deserved everything. Brought it on himself.]
Yu Huai stepped out of the car, and a stunning woman wrapped her arm around his.
She had platinum-blonde curls and porcelain skin—striking on her own, but even more so beside him.
Xu Yinian unconsciously pressed his lips together.
"Hey!"Chen Ran hadn't planned to get involved, but seeing Xu Yinian openly staring, he lowered his voice."Hide your face! Now!"
Startled, Xu Yinian obeyed instinctively—then regretted it a second later.
Don't be ridiculous.
Those idiots on United Community acted like Yu Huai hated him to the bone.Even he'd fallen for it.
From the moment Yu Huai stepped out of the car until now—not a single glance in his direction.
It had been five years.Yu Huai had long since become someone powerful and untouchable.He'd surely forgotten him by now.
Xu Yinian closed his eyes.
Isn't this what you wanted?For him not to care?
A middle-aged man approached Yu Huai first."Mr. Yu, it's an honor to meet you."
A woman followed, cautiously curious."You don't usually attend auctions, do you? What made you come today?"
Yu Huai rarely showed his face in public.Most of what people knew about him came from rumors—half legend, half nightmare.
Even demons drawn to power were wary of him.
He smiled, eyes scanning the venue—lingering briefly on the two exorcists by the door.On Xu Yinian, who was desperately trying to be invisible.
"I heard the items this year are interesting," Yu Huai said casually."Thought I'd come take a look."
Then, with a faint, deliberate smile:
"Got lucky—found something I want."
Chapter 2 – Water on Fire
Xu Yinian stood rooted in place, unmoving.
It wasn't until after Yu Huai brushed past him and disappeared from sight that Xu realized his hand was clenched into a tight fist—so tight that red impressions were etched into his palm.
Yu Huai passed by with all the nonchalance of a stranger on the street. His companion, however, didn't bother hiding her curiosity—she turned back to look at Xu at least twice.
After a long moment, Xu exhaled.
He fought to clear his racing thoughts. Just then, the female exorcist tasked with coordination appeared in front of him, walking briskly.
"Xu Yinian?" The exorcist recognized him as the rumored heir of the Xu family and stared nonstop. "Please go to VIP Room A1 on the second floor. A guest inside specifically wants to meet you."
His heart skipped a beat. "Who would want to see me?"
Anyone inside a second-floor VIP box must be important—or powerful. Not someone he knew had come to the auction.
The exorcist lowered her voice: "You might have guessed—his status in the demon realm is not ordinary. We can't refuse. If anything happens, just call. There are patrols in the corridors. Besides, it's daytime—even he can't do anything out of line."
Xu hesitated, then nodded.
"Wait," Chen Ran—who had been silent—suddenly spoke up. "Even if he yells for help, would your patrols really barge in?"
The female exorcist awkwardly chuckled.
Chen Ran continued: "Don't go. Just tell him you can't find Xu Yinian. If anything happens, ask Yu Huai to contact him privately."
She looked conflicted.
"Nah," Xu stepped forward. "I'll go."
Chen smirked: "Never met someone eager to get themselves killed."
Xu casually replied: "Just showing you the world."
Chen's goodwill turned bitter: "Ungrateful—fine, go die, then."
Xu ignored the taunts and followed the exorcist into the auction hall, her high heels clicking with urgency.
In the center, crimson velvet curtains draped over an elevated stage, flanked by tall, white marble columns. The audience sat packed around. Two male attendants wheeled forward a Ukiyo‑e print, while the silky-voiced hostess introduced:
"Next lot: Sparrow Under the Lamp. The painting depicts a demonic sparrow concealed in the rafters during childbirth in an ancient noblewoman's home, eager to snatch the newborn…"
Xu paid no attention to the priceless artwork. Though seeming composed, inside he was dizzy with confusion.
Why had Yu Huai summoned him?
In front of so many people, Yu had shown no extra gesture. Was he now planning some private reckoning?
Yet even amid all chaos, Yu's decorum remained intact—he still gave Xu some face. That thought stung with bittersweet irony and a flicker of forbidden hope in Xu's chest.
A confrontation it would be… at worst, let Yu have it out with him—maybe let him punch him for closure.
He thought that… and yet, when the exorcist left him outside the suite, Xu lingered there in hesitation for a long time.
He inhaled deeply and knocked.
"Please come in," came a soft female voice—not Yu's.
He pushed open the door.
Surprising him, Yu's companion stood politely inside—she didn't sit across from Yu, but stood respectfully.
"Hello, Young Master Xu." Nan Zhi greeted him with a smile.
The room smelled faintly of burning sandalwood from flameless diffusers. Larger than Xu had anticipated, it featured a long table with ceramic tea set and two cushioned armchairs—one free, inviting.
Nan Zhi left after him, shutting the door behind. Only Xu and Yu remained.
The second-floor boxes all had curtains, blocking views from outside. Yu sat by the window unapologetically staring forward, never glancing back. Xu's gaze drifted unconsciously to his profile.
Demon-kind often had multicolored eyes and hair—but Yu had deep black hair, and eyes of dark violet—no human iris ever looked like that.
That haunting gem-like color framed his sharp features—no wonder people joked he was the Demon World's #1 Face.
Compared to five years ago, he seemed taller. His aura had changed. Back then just out of Maple Bridge Academy, he still carried some student awkwardness. Now even at rest, he exuded an undeniable presence.
Xu watched in silence, waiting.
After a long pause, Yu still didn't speak—almost as if he'd forgotten anyone else was in the room. Growing uncomfortable, Xu forced himself to ask, "Why did you call me here?"
Yu finally turned.
Bright lights caught his eerie violet eyes. Xu inhaled sharply—at that moment, he heard the hostess's voice from downstairs:
"…This item originates from Cangzhou. People say, 'South of Cangzhou, fire births on water.' There's a type of demon there skilled in arson. When they die, their flesh burns away, leaving only bones. Their bones become ideal fuel—burning even on water, never extinguishing." The screen displayed the auction lot. "This is one rib bone of Water-on-Fire, sealed in a water-filled glass sphere for twenty years, and yet still burning."
Xu's expression blanked.
"South of Cangzhou, fire lives on water." The hostess quoted the proverb, her explanation clear and vivid—so vivid it hooked even the casual listener.
Xu listened, eyes glued to the screen—until a voice whispered at his ear: "Like it?"
He jerked his head around.
Yu had quietly moved from behind and sat next to him, lower bench just behind Xu's seat.
Xu's heart skipped: "Aren't you supposed to be on assignment?"
"Finished early—thought I'd come sit in class with you." Yu asked again, softer: "Like Water-on-Fire?"
Xu nodded.
Yu looked amused. He ran a hand through Xu's hair: "I'll buy you one later."
But that promise would never come true.
Not long after: Yu's mother was murdered, his clan destroyed. He slaughtered rampantly, was hunted by the Bureau, and fled into the forbidden Bone Burial Grounds. Demon-human relations hit rock-bottom.
As demons had speculated, when things fell apart—he ignored their engagement and vanished just when Xu needed him most. No matter what, he deserved Xu's resentment.
Xu listened as bids rose. He couldn't say whether he felt relief or dread.
He choked down emotion, voice hoarse: "So… did you call me here for something or not?"
"Today I'm repaying my debt." Yu's tone was calm—almost cold. He pressed the bid bell on the table.
Xu felt a jab in his chest.
The hostess paused, then announced: "Room A1—three million!"
Water‑on‑Fire had been selling for a few hundred thousand at best. The bid doubled that, causing murmurs from the crowd.
Xu whispered: "That price's too high. Even the best-quality Water‑on‑Fire would only cost around a million."
Though Yu remained aloof, Xu still swallowed, ready for verbal blows.
Yu curled a bitter smile and retorted: "Did I ask you to pay? Mind your own damned business."
Xu froze—something was off.
Their eyes locked. Yu raised his brow disdainfully. Xu felt a sinking dread. Yu's gaze lowered to his legs.
"You came into the box and didn't forget standing guard—you really like being a bodyguard, don't you?"
…
Xu swallowed hard, recalling that earlier he'd thought Yu had kept some decorum…
No. He'd been deluding himself.
People said Yu had changed—but Xu hadn't expected this cold cruelty.
Thinking of everything Yu had suffered, Xu stayed silent and sat down.
Just then, a gavel sounded from the main hall.
Moments later came a knock on the door.
"Greetings, the Water‑on‑Fire you just purchased has been delivered as requested." A male attendant entered with a dark sandalwood box, bowing.
Yu nodded toward the side: "Place it there."
The attendant departed swiftly. Xu declined nervously: "I don't want it."
Yu watched Xu's refusal and sneered: "What, you don't want what I gave?"
"That's not what I meant…" Xu stammered. "It's just—such a gift might not be appropriate."
"You'll figure it out once you return what you owe."
It had come at last.
Xu's heart sank: There's no such thing as free Water‑on‑Fire. After all that circling… Yu was finally settling with him.
Three million—and Yu wanted to buy his life? Not impossible.
"Fine." Xu steeled himself. "Do what you want."
"'Do what I want'?" Yu echoed with uncanny calm.
"I won't fight back." Xu revealed his sincerity. "Nor argue."
Yu paused, then smiled faintly: "Who told you—"
Before he could finish, another knock came. Chen Ran's cautious voice: "Hello, is Xu Yinian inside? Sorry to disturb you—we've had an issue downstairs. We need him to come down and help."
Xu shifted his gaze to Yu. Yu's thin smile had vanished, replaced by cold detachment: "Forget it for today. You may go."
Just like that? Xu hesitated. Chen outside still tested the door, but Yu turned away—no more interest.
A death sentence suddenly turned into a reprieve. Xu got up, conflicted.
"Take your things," Yu's voice came from behind.
Xu froze, then silently took the illuminated Water‑on‑Fire.
"Remember your promise."
"Don't worry." Xu didn't look back. "I won't deny it."
The door slid open from inside. Chen visibly startled—Xu was intact. But Chen recovered fast, putting on full performance: "There's trouble downstairs. Not enough people. You need to help."
Truthfully, Chen had hesitated about calling him up. Despite disliking Xu's rogue style, he didn't want Xu to die upstairs—and he was team leader during this mission.
He couldn't lose face.
Xu didn't sense his hidden concern. He frowned: "Why call me? Can't you handle it?"
Chen nearly spat: "Idiot."
Turning to leave, he suddenly felt a stare on him.
Yu was watching him.
Chen had seen many demons—even killed some mid-task—but none had suffocated him like Yu did. More terrifying still: he felt killing intent radiating from Yu.
Chen's spine turned cold.
Xu, unaware, crouched quickly, placed the Water‑on‑Fire by the door, then grabbed Chen's wrist and dragged him downstairs.
Chen felt the freeze of Yu's gaze intensify. Impulsively, he glanced back—only to find terror shooting through him.
Yu, shadowed at half-face, watched Xu and Chen intently—as if anchoring them, refusing to let them go.
Chapter 3: Underground Auction
Even after they reached the ground floor, Chen Ran still looked dazed. Xu Yinian waved his hand in front of his face. "Hey, did you go dumb?"
"..."
Chen Ran slowly turned to look at him, muttering after a moment, "You were up there for half an hour and came back in one piece. Still lively, too."
Just laying eyes on Yu Huai had felt like a trip through hell. Xu wasn't sure if Chen was praising or mocking him. He was about to ask for clarification when Chen cut in with a sigh: "I didn't come upstairs just to pull you out. It wasn't convenient to say earlier."
Xu froze. "What do you mean? No one caused trouble?"
Chen gave him a long look, finally understanding why Xu Yinian's theory scores always ranked dead last.
He lowered his voice: "Two of our demon slayers have gone missing. Shortly after you went upstairs, we couldn't reach them—phones dead, communication talismans unresponsive."
As the team leader, Chen was meticulous—he had drawn communication talismans for everyone as backup.
Xu's expression darkened. "Did you contact the local Bureau?"
"I did. Their response was... strange," Chen hesitated. "They brushed it off, said they'd send someone to investigate and told me to focus on my duties and wait for news."
Compared to the local Bureau's meticulous guidance earlier, their indifference now was glaring.
"Maybe they know something. Or maybe—losing one or two slayers is just acceptable risk to them."
"Damn. Qihai Bureau really thinks they're hot stuff," Xu clicked his tongue. "Should we contact the Academy?"
The Academy allowed students to request emergency aid during field assessments, but doing so meant automatic failure.
"While you were gone, I asked the others. They all voted to contact the Academy. This situation's way too abnormal."
"Fine by me. We can always retake the test."
"Also, Jiang Qiu Yue said she overheard two demons talking near the west gate."
"Those two." The girl pointed at two nearby demons. One had a cigarette dangling from his lips; both were hunched over their phones. Judging by their uniforms, they were janitors.
"I heard them say, 'Daytime auctions are so dull. It's the night ones that really bring the excitement.'"
Small and tense, Jiang Qiu Yue looked like she might bolt if the demons turned around.
"The demon realm auction only has a daytime session." Chen narrowed his eyes. "So what happens after dark?"
"Don't ask me." Xu replied flatly.
"Captain," Jiang's voice trembled. "What do we do? Su Tang and the others—no idea when they disappeared. The Academy's far, and the Bureau won't help. What if our teachers arrive too late—"
"Don't panic yet," Chen tried to soothe her.
Xu turned: "I have an idea. Want to try it?"
The three-eyed demon flicked his cigarette to the ground. Bored out of his mind, all three of his eyes were half-lidded.
"How much longer?"
"Over two hours," the green-skinned demon grumbled without looking up. His mossy skin looked like it grew under damp roots. He cursed at his phone, rage mounting. "Damn it! Just place the tower! Why's the archer hitting people? Are you hand-disabled or brain-dead?"
"Keep your voice down!" the three-eyed demon snapped. "If the patrol catches you gaming on the job, you're screwed."
"Yeah, yeah. My bad. Just pissed off—"
The cigarette hit the floor.
The demons froze.
A searing-hot hand pressed against their backs, fingers burning like blades.
"Don't speak. Don't turn around. Say one more word and you'll be ash."
Another voice ordered, "Back up slowly. Toward the storage room. One behind the other."
They exchanged glances. The three-eyed one nodded first.
Inside the storage room, Jiang Qiu Yue handed over ropes and tape. She'd been nervous about Xu's plan to interrogate the demons, but seeing everyone return safely gave her courage.
"Captain, there's a ton of stuff here—screwdrivers, pliers, tweezers… Want a chainsaw?"
The three-eyed demon's tone turned nasty as he recognized them. "What the hell are you doing?! Are you crazy? You guys ignoring the Peaceful Coexistence Treaty?!"
Green-skin joined in, yelling, "What slayer unit are you from? This is insane! We didn't do anything! Gimme your badge number—I'm filing a complaint!"
Xu tried asking questions but quickly lost patience. He slammed a fruit knife into a crate, blade sinking deep. "Guess we're doing this the hard way."
"Wait!" Chen pulled him back. "Calm down—we're here to interrogate, not maim."
He turned to the demons with a smile. "Relax. Just answer a few questions. Don't make this harder."
The three-eyed demon sneered, eyeing Xu. The boy was pale, sharp-featured, too pretty to be threatening. He scoffed, "What trouble? He's just a pretty face. Want me to teach you how to throw a punch, little brother?"
Xu cracked his knuckles.
Chen snapped, "You idiots have no idea. He's the heir of the Xu clan. He could kill you both without needing approval."
The two demons paled. "You're... Xu... Yu Huai's—"
Hearing the name made even green-skin flinch.
Xu denied instinctively: "Huh? I'm not—"
Chen pinched him hard to stay quiet.
He'd heard rumors of Yu Huai's terrifying reputation. Now that the demons were spooked, Chen ran with it: "Since you know his connection to Yu Huai, I suggest you cooperate."
Xu opened his mouth, saw the trembling pair, and swallowed his protest. His ears flushed red.
"Bullshit! Yu Huai dumped him ages ago!"
Green-skin nodded frantically.
Chen went in for the kill: "You saw that 'Water-on-Fire' bone sell for millions today? That wasn't some clueless buyer. Yu Huai bid that to cheer him up."
Jiang Qiu Yue gasped, blushing. "Oh! So that's what it was! He's so devoted..."
Xu groaned: "Stop making things up! That's not what—"
Chen stomped on his foot.
Xu hissed, barely keeping it together.
"Sure, they broke up," Chen said with a knowing smile. "But Yu Huai still cares."
As auction staff, the demons had witnessed the whole thing. All three of the demon's eyes now showed shock, fear, and reluctant resignation.
Chen added, "You don't have to believe us. But just know—this guy's temper is terrible."
Xu took the cue and yanked out the knife. "Not talking? Fine. Die with the secret."
"WAIT!" Green-skin caved first. "I'll talk, okay? But damn—can't you just ask straight? What the hell do you even wanna know?!"
The hallway was dark and damp, reeking of mold. Hard to imagine such a space existed beneath a palace-like villa.
Xu's hands were chained behind his back. Green-skin held the chain, leading him forward. Behind them, Chen walked under three-eyed demon's watch.
Light glowed at the end of the passage. Auction hall noise grew louder.
Xu warned, "No funny moves. I can kill you anytime."
Electric light sparked on his fingertips. Green-skin flinched, hands numb. "I wouldn't dare. I swear."
According to the demons, beneath the opulent building lay the true demon-world celebration held once a decade. The daytime auction was a sham, a performance to deceive the Bureau. Demons played nice, trading bizarre relics for palatable goods—until nightfall, when the real event began.
Realizing their missing teammates were in danger, Xu and Chen decided to infiltrate.
This underground auction was hosted by the Illusion Demon clan. Invitations were required. Green-skin and three-eye, being staff, could sneak them through the supply route. Since staff underwent strict ID checks, Jiang Qiu Yue stayed behind to await the Academy. Xu and Chen disguised themselves as captured merchandise.
Down here, ordinary talismans failed. Xu and Chen had to bind themselves with a Heart-Linking Spell—usually reserved for lovers—which allowed them to share thoughts.
The moment the spell activated, both heard each other gag.
They emerged into a grotesque scene.
Unlike the square upper hall, this arena was round—like a Roman coliseum. Xu couldn't count how many demons were present. He might've seen wanted criminals. Hundreds watched the stage, buzzing with excitement.
"Five million!"
"Five and a half!"
"Trying to buy sixty years of life with that? Prices are slipping."
"Blame the Bureau's crackdowns. What was the record sale ten years ago?"
Despite complaints, the price soared. One bidder snarled, "You kids want immortality now? Let us old folks have a shot—seven million!"
Onstage stood children.
Girls wore dresses, boys wore suits—dressed like display dolls.
[They're auctioning lifespan,] Xu thought, horrified.
[This is forbidden,] Chen echoed in his mind. [Using kids—this is a capital crime.]
Life couldn't be conjured—it had to be traded.
The final bid came. A cloaked, hunched demon took the stage.
Chen murmured, [A Lifeswapper.]
Xu stared. [Weren't they all imprisoned?! What's wrong with the organizers?!]
"C-13 bidder, please come up for the lifespan transfer."
The buyer, an aging demoness, ascended with pride. The Lifeswapper told her to choose a child.
She picked a boy. The Lifeswapper grabbed both their hands.
The boy grew rapidly; the demoness regained youth.
The woman beamed, admiring her youthful skin. The boy—now a young man—screamed, trapped in adult pain and tight clothes.
The crowd cheered.
"Another! Let's see a girl next!"
Even if such children returned to society, they'd never adapt.
"Stop watching," green-skin hissed. "You'll blow your cover."
Xu forced composure. Green-skin barked for show: "Move! You dragging your feet?!"
As they neared the inspection room, the staff demon whistled. "Got new stock?"
Green-skin yanked Xu's chin. "Look—premium quality."
The demon scanned Xu from head to toe with disgusting glee.
He smirked. "Now that's a pretty one. Send him to the second floor. The VIPs will love him."
Chapter 4 – Fight
Xu Yinian's eyes were covered with a blindfold as he was shoved up the stairs to the second floor. Meanwhile, Chen Ran was taken backstage by the three-eyed demon. On the other end of their psychic link, Chen Ran's voice came through with a laugh:"Even the demons say it. That spoiled brat mistook you for a fox this morning—maybe not without reason.""That's because they're blind. Can't even recognize their own father." Xu Yinian ground his teeth in silence.
Being treated as a VIP in a place like this could only mean one thing—these people weren't ordinary. Sensing the gravity of the situation, Chen Ran dropped the teasing."If anything seems off, contact me immediately. Stay alive first.""I know. You be careful too." For once, Xu Yinian didn't bicker with him.
With the blindfold completely cutting off his sight, Xu Yinian could only sense he was taken to the end of a curved hallway. A click—A door opened, and the demon escorting him pushed him into the room, strapping him tightly to a stone pillar in the center.
The blindfold was ripped off, and the blinding light forced Xu Yinian to shut his eyes briefly. When he opened them, several surveillance cameras were pointed directly at him, their red blinking lenses like venomous snakes flicking out icy tongues, spying on a bound prey.
Behind the cameras, countless greedy eyes watched the youth's striking face.This second-floor blind auction was exclusive to VIP box members, running simultaneously with the main auction below. Each box was private, and bids were limited to one anonymous offer—winner takes all. The distinguished guests mentally tagged the boy with a price, one more jaw-dropping than the next.
—
The small room had no windows. The stifling atmosphere began to wear on Xu Yinian's nerves. He dared not make any rash moves under all the surveillance, so, bored out of his mind, he started bugging Chen Ran.
[How's it going?][I'm backstage. There are over a dozen golden cages here, each locking up a different kind of demon. Wind Fiends, Earth Eaters, Sky Spears... All high-tier species.]
Before auction regulations were enforced in the demon realm, captured demons were frequently sold as goods—bone, blood, flesh, even for live experiments. Seeing demons being auctioned here wasn't shocking in the least.
Hearing species he'd only read about in textbooks, Xu Yinian was stunned:[They dare capture those? If this place gets raided, the organizers are going away for life.]
While listening, Chen Ran subtly observed his surroundings. One of the three-eyed demons whispered, "Bro, backstage items all go in cages. You pick one, I'll put you in with it.""Where's the key?""The guard has it. You're strong—get him close and knock him out, you're free."
Not far away, two massive guards stood watch. One carried a giant axe, the other had a scar running across his entire face.
Chen Ran said nothing but took note. His eyes scanned the glowing runes etched on the cages. Inside, the demons noticed his gaze.
"What're you lookin' at? I'll twist your head off!""Another sucker? Got caught by a three-eye freak? What a loser."
Ignoring them, Chen Ran continued studying the runes. He glanced back at the three-eyed demon now chatting with the guards. Scarface grinned, "You got a real prize there—a demon hunter? Perfect for the blood sacrifice."
As they neared a giant golden birdcage, the three-eyed demon stopped. Among the rectangular cages, this one stood out—weathered from age, streaks of rust at the top. Inside were not demons, but humans.
Chen Ran scanned the faces. No sign of the two missing teammates, but—There. A woman with a pale face, trembling at the sight of the guards. He recognized her.
The red-haired trust-fund brat's social media girlfriend.So they'd grabbed people from the daytime auction too.
Scarface opened the birdcage. The humans backed away instinctively. Chen Ran stood still.The three-eyed demon urged, "Come on, bro, get in."
Chen Ran turned around. The demon sensed something off and gave him a hard shove.
In the next instant, flames erupted—The three-eyed demon turned to ash before he could even scream.
Chen Ran snapped off his handcuffs and sneered, "Did you think I wouldn't see the suppression runes on this cage?"
Golden inscriptions shimmered on the bars. Anyone inside—demon or hunter—would be powerless.
The two guards lunged toward him.The demons in other cages banged excitedly against the bars.
"Hey! Demon hunter! Kick their asses!"
—
Back in his room, Xu Yinian's heart raced hearing the chaos through the psychic link. Trying not to be a distraction, he forced himself to stay calm.
Suddenly, the door opened. Two burly demons stepped inside.
One, a bull-headed brute, grinned darkly. "Congratulations. You fetched a sky-high price."
They blindfolded him again, unshackled him from the pillar, then cuffed his hands and feet and dragged him away.
The metal clanged against the floor. Outside, they stopped at a private box and shoved him in. The door shut with a heavy thud.
The room smelled of delicate incense—pure floral notes mixed with earthy woods, like flowers blooming in an ancient grove.
A low, amused voice spoke:"Not bad. The organizers outdid themselves this time."
Xu Yinian held still, listening. Only one person inside. The man chuckled, "What? Not coming over?"
Fine, Xu Yinian thought.Just wait till I walk over and beat your damn head in.
He stepped forward slowly, eyes still covered. Judging by the breath, the man came closer and gently removed the blindfold with a soft touch, as if handling a lover.
Xu Yinian blinked—Forest-green eyes met his. The demon smiled.
Noting the sharp canine teeth, Xu Yinian confirmed—wolf demon.
"Such a pretty face," the wolf murmured. "Pity you're mute." He reached to lift Xu Yinian's chin.
Electricity flickered from Xu's fingers.He dodged, voice icy cold: "Touch me and die."
The wolf froze, stunned. He stared, eyes narrowing—"Wait... you're Xu Yinian?"
Before Xu could ask, the wolf's smile widened. "If I deliver you to Yu Huai, how do you think he'll thank me?"
Xu Yinian's expression went blank for a second.Sparks crackled between his fingertips.
The wolf didn't notice—he was still rambling."With him, who knows what he'd do to you... such a face—"
Lightning exploded.
Xu Yinian moved like a ghost. The handcuff chain wrapped around the wolf's neck and tightened. Blue-violet sparks surged down the metal into the demon's body.
Xu twisted his wrists.CRACK.The wolf dropped to his knees, choking violently.
The handcuffs shattered. Xu Yinian shook off the pieces and kicked away the ankle restraints.
As the wolf tried to recover, hands up in surrender, he rasped:"W-wait! I give up!"
"I am talking," Xu said coldly, kicking him again.
The wolf flinched and muttered, "Yu Huai doesn't deserve you anyway—"
Another arc of electricity struck.
"You think you can say his name?" Xu snapped.
The wolf convulsed, dazed and confused.Wait... wasn't I insulting Yu Huai? Why am I getting zapped again?What is wrong with this guy?!
Chapter 5 – The Auction
Xu Yinian locked the private suite from the inside. He rummaged through the cupboards and yanked a robe's belt from the wall closet, then tied the wolf demon up tightly. A finger crackled with electricity pressed against the wolf demon's temple. "If you so much as shout, I'll punch a hole through your skull."
The wolf demon had tasted that electric shock before—half his body was still numb. Only his facial muscles could still twitch. He bared his teeth but dared not raise his voice. "What the hell do you want?... Tch! Do you even know where you are?"
Xu Yinian ignored him. Instead, he sent a thought through the heart-linked spell to Chen Ran:[Chen Ran? Done yet?]
When there was no answer for a while, Xu Yinian started wondering if Chen Ran had been knocked out. Then the reply finally came through:[All set. How are you?][I've got the idiot in the VIP room restrained. Might be useful as a hostage.]Chen Ran grunted approvingly, just as the caged demons watched him retrieve a set of keys from the bodies of two dead guards and began freeing the humans from their cages. The demons started getting restless."Exorcist! Can you let us out too?"
Chen Ran turned his head. As soon as they met his gaze, the demons shouted over one another:"I swear I'm a law-abiding citizen! I've never broken a single clause of the Coexistence Pact! I've got nothing to do with those bastards running this place!""They nabbed me off the street, I'm a hundred percent a victim!""Let me out, Exorcist! We demons know how to return a favor. I'll repay you, I swear!"
[These demons want me to free them,] Chen Ran told Xu Yinian. [Looks like they were caught up in this mess. The organizers have locked them all in cages that suppress their powers.][That's rough,] Xu Yinian replied after a moment's thought. [If someone locked me in a cage, I'd tear their ancestors' graves apart.]
Chen Ran had a sudden idea:[What if we let them out and have them help us take down the organizers?]Xu Yinian brightened.[That could work! Try negotiating with them.]
—
Meanwhile.
On the first floor of the auction hall, the host smiled with satisfaction as the final auction item was brought onto the stage. Unlike anything that had come before, this item was sure to drive the crowd into a frenzy.
The host raised his voice. "As tradition dictates, every Netherworld Auction provides a catalog of items to all guests. However, the final item is always kept off the list. I'm sure you've all been eagerly waiting for this moment. I guarantee—even the most seasoned guests here tonight won't find a single flaw in what we're about to reveal."
A spotlight poured down from above the stage. The screen lit up with the image of the finale item: a slender young man stepping forward with a calm smile. If not for the birdcage fused to his skull, nearly engulfing half his face, he would have appeared remarkably handsome.
"This year's final item is a Cage Demon. For those unfamiliar with the term, he's more commonly known by another name—"
"—The Wishmaker."
The hall erupted.
Like oil meeting water, the room exploded into noise. Even the demons in the VIP suites, who had remained aloof all night, couldn't resist pulling open their curtains to get a better look at the young man.
"All it takes is a sufficient offering of human lives—ritual sacrifices—and the Wishmaker will grant you one wish. Any wish! Centuries of life, the most beautiful woman, unrivaled power—he can even strike down your enemy halfway across the world in an instant!"
"To show our sincerity, the organizers have prepared fifty living humans for the sacrifice. Among them are thirteen exorcists—far more potent than average humans when used in ritual offerings. This is unprecedented in the history of our auctions!"
"He is the last Wishmaker in existence! As many of you may know, each wish exhausts his power, requiring years of rest before another can be granted. If you miss this chance, no one knows when—or if—he'll ever accept another wish."
The host raised an arm, and the spotlights converged on the Wishmaker. "Now, the bidding for tonight's final item begins at—"
BOOM!
A scarlet curtain suddenly dropped, obscuring the entire display. Confused murmurs filled the room.
"What's going on?""What kind of trick is this?""Is this part of the show or what?"
"Apologies!" A staff member rushed toward the stage. "The curtain's malfunctioned. We'll have it lifted right away!"
He fumbled with the controls, but for some reason, the curtain rose agonizingly slow. The murmurs grew louder. Anxious, he glanced toward the stage.
Something was wrong.
His movements froze. A look of disbelief crossed his face.
At this height, the host's and Wishmaker's feet should already be visible beneath the curtain. But the stage was empty.
In a far corner of the auction hall, a puppet woman stood calmly from her seat and headed toward the exit.
Once outside, her leisurely demeanor vanished. She broke into a dead sprint, almost flying across the ground. Yet a figure leapt down from above and blocked her path before she could escape.
Here he comes.
The puppet woman's pupils shrank with hatred and fear.
"I thought I'd wiped out your entire kind," said the newcomer. "Didn't expect one to slip through."
She skidded to a stop, glaring at the man with icy venom. They had both slipped out during the curtain mishap. She was panting hard from the run—he, on the other hand, was perfectly calm. Under the moonlight, he looked young and handsome. But to the puppet woman, he was the very image of a demon from hell.
Yuhuai looked impassively at her. "Where's the Wishmaker?"
"Dead," she spat. "But don't worry. You'll be joining him soon!"
At her words, countless puppets sprang out from the darkness. The road, rooftops, and tree branches were all swarming with them.
With a single command, over a thousand puppets surged toward Yuhuai.
The puppet woman spat blood but grinned wider.
To control so many puppets, she had connected them to her own heart. A normal puppetmaster couldn't command more than a handful without collapse. She'd traded years of her lifespan to launch this attack. If she could just overwhelm Yuhuai for a second—just a second—she could kill him.
Her full attention locked onto the onrushing puppet tide—then, suddenly, a sharp pain lanced through her neck.
A puppet string, she didn't know when, had coiled around her throat. With a tug, she collapsed to her knees, completely paralyzed. Her mind went blank, only to slowly realize—she was being reverse-controlled.
As she knelt, the heart-linked puppet string tugged along with her. The thousand puppets immediately froze mid-charge and dropped to their knees around Yuhuai. The sight was absurd beyond belief.
"If you won't talk standing up," Yuhuai said flatly, "then kneel."
He twitched the string in his hand, dragging the puppet woman to his feet.
She stared at the thread in disbelief. "How… how is this possible?!"
He wasn't just controlling her—he was controlling hundreds of puppets. That kind of manipulation would cost her heart's blood, but Yuhuai did it with a flick of his fingers. Realizing the sheer difference in power, her voice began to tremble.
On Yuhuai's shoulder sat a small spirit—white, round, chubby fingers manipulating strings. It looked like a miniature puppetmaster.
The puppet woman's eyes turned blood-red. "You people are monsters! This unnatural power—you were never meant to exist!"
In the language of the ghost clan, the "ghost" doesn't mean specter—it means "to banish."
Any human or demon killed by a ghost could have their spirit bound and used. Ghosts could summon these spirits and wield their powers. Which meant—the more beings they killed, the more powerful and versatile they became.
This was why both worlds feared Yuhuai. The Graveyard was home to all manner of forgotten and unrecorded demon species. Who knew how many he had slain—and how many skills he'd taken for himself?
Yuhuai asked again: "Where is the Wishmaker?"
"You really think I'd help you?!" the puppet woman snarled. "You wiped out my whole race! Do you even remember their faces?"
"Or did you forget them, the same way you walked out of that graveyard without a scratch?"
"You took the Wishmaker for this reason?" Yuhuai's voice turned glacial.
He tugged the string.
The puppet woman slammed her forehead to the ground. Then again. And again.
Controlled for the first time in her life, she couldn't stop. Blood ran down her face as she glared up, voice trembling. "…Just kill me already!"
"Not many know I'm looking for the Wishmaker. If you were bold enough to use him to lure me out, then death won't come easy." Yuhuai stared down at her. "Who sent you?"
Realization struck her face, but she gritted her teeth in silence.
Clink.
A boning knife dropped in front of her.
Before she could wonder what he meant to do, Yuhuai said calmly, "When you've carved the flesh from your bones, you'll be ready to talk."
Terror gripped her.
Her hand reached for the knife.
She couldn't stop it.
No matter how she fought, the string controlled her. The blade sliced through her arm—skin and meat falling in bloody pieces.
The pain was unbearable. Finally, she broke.
"…I'll talk, I'll talk! Please stop! I never saw my employer! He used a message array! It was about three months ago—right after you wiped out my clan. He reached out to me, said you were back for revenge. Even if I'd survived that day, he said you'd find me eventually! He promised to hide me if I stole the Wishmaker. I controlled the host and told him to take the Wishmaker to—"
Her voice cut off.
Blood burst from her mouth.
Then her eyes, ears, and nose began to bleed—a dark, toxic purple.
The puppet woman collapsed, frozen in fear.
She hadn't even known the poison was in her body.
Yuhuai immediately summoned an ice spirit to freeze her blood—but it was too late.
She died within half a minute.
Realizing she'd been poisoned before the mission even began, Yuhuai recalled the spirit and turned back toward the auction hall.
—
[We've got a deal,] Chen Ran told Xu Yinian. [These demons have a long list of grievances. All we have to do is let them out, and they're eager to fight back.]
[Did you find Su Tang and Gu Xiaodong in the back rooms?]
[No sign of them. You?]
[I… Wait!] Xu Yinian lunged toward the window.
The auction hall was bathed in light. Two servants led someone out from the shadows, chains clinking.
Xu Yinian's eyes widened.[I see Su Tang!]
With the Wishmaker gone, the organizers had scrambled to calm the guests. They decided to add a surprise auction item. The new host took the stage, announcing in a bright voice:
"Over the years, our Netherworld Auction has brought forth countless treasures. But tonight, we offer a first—a rare, living exorcist!"
The crowd buzzed.
Yuhuai had made it to the second floor and turned his head toward the stage.
"Never before have we auctioned off an exorcist! Carefully selected for skill, age, and beauty, this item has slain several demons and completed over a hundred missions! More importantly, she possesses a rare healing ability—capable of healing others and regenerating herself. As long as she's alive, she's your walking blood pack. Use her however you like…"
The girl onstage was slender and beautiful, her long hair covering her fragile back.
A girl.
Yuhuai lost interest and turned away.
From nearby, Nan Zhi whispered, "After you left, we checked the other exits. No sign of the Wishmaker. The organizers are acting normal too."
"These bastards…" Yuhuai's grip tightened on the railing. With a sharp creak, he snapped the iron bar clean in two. A dangerous light flickered in his eyes. "Clean work, huh?"
Bidding began.
The girl onstage turned pale, eyes filled with fear. The demons stared at her greedily. The more frightened she looked, the more excited they became. The offers came thick and fast, like they couldn't wait to tear her apart.
"Oh, and one more thing—Xu Yinian might be somewhere underground."
Yuhuai turned his head, silently urging her to go on.
"He and that little schoolmate of his are holding two auction demons hostage somewhere," Nan Zhi said with a small amused smile. "They're probably up to no good as we speak."
After a pause, Yuhuai chuckled quietly. "He sure knows how to stir things up."
—
Xu Yinian was listening to the host's introduction, his fingers pressed hard against the glass.[Chen Ran, hurry! They're auctioning off Su Tang!]
Chen Ran swore aloud, but quickly regained his composure.[Keep an eye on things. I'm bringing the backstage demons over now.]
Before Xu Yinian could reply, the bound wolf demon suddenly spoke up. "You know that girl on stage? If you want to save her, I'd move fast."
Xu Yinian turned his head. The wolf demon grinned maliciously. "If they stick to routine, she's about to be… inspected."
He didn't even have time to ask what that meant when the host's voice rang out through the hall. Well-dressed guests shouted over each other, driving the bidding higher and higher.
"She's just a good-looking human girl," one demon scoffed. "Not worth that kind of money!"
"Did you not hear? She has healing abilities! As long as you don't kill her, you can drink her blood and eat her flesh for a lifetime!"
"What a waste, going full savage on something that pretty. There's plenty of other ways to enjoy her."
"—Five million five hundred thousand!" the host announced excitedly. "Going once, going twice… Six million! Bid from guest in Section D!"
On stage, the girl's nerves had reached a breaking point. As the bids soared higher, she bit her lip hard and finally couldn't stop the tears from falling.
Seeing her cry, the host slowly turned toward her and chuckled. "Seems our auction item's having a bit of a moment. Not the worst face, but sobbing on stage isn't exactly proper presentation."
"Yeah, make her smile!"
"What's with that funeral face? Kinda kills the mood!"
"Come now," the host coaxed, "our guests want to see you happy."
Su Tang's face was bloodless. She kept shaking her head and backing away. Two attendants standing beside her stepped forward. The moment they grabbed her wrists, she let out a sharp scream—
Her fear only made the crowd more excited. From the mass of demons, a shrill voice called out,"Let's see if she's even functional! Show us her powers!"
A chorus of agreement followed:"Inspect her!""Yeah, how do we know she's worth the money?""Bring a knife! Make a few cuts first!"
The loud clamor in the auction hall masked the faint sounds at the exits—four guards silently crumpled to the ground. Chen Ran and over a dozen demons he'd freed stood at one entrance. At the others, more escaped demons waited tensely for his signal.
"Bastards…" Chen Ran muttered, eyes red with anger at the shouts inside.
"Hey, you done staring?" one of the demons nudged him. "When are we going in?"
"Hold on." Chen Ran looked up toward the second-floor suite.[Xu Yinian?]
Onstage, one of the attendants grabbed Su Tang's chin and slashed her cheek with a knife. Blood gushed from the wound, but it quickly healed over.
Xu Yinian, panicking, turned to the wolf demon. "Buy her for me."
The wolf demon gave him a startled look. "Do you know how expensive you are? I don't have the money to buy a second one."
Xu Yinian looked just as baffled. "Why are you even here if you're broke???"
As the attendant raised the knife again, the wolf demon shrugged with perverse delight. "What's the point of arguing with me now? If you don't act soon, they'll be cutting a lot more than her cheek."
Just as Xu Yinian was about to respond to Chen Ran, he suddenly fixed a piercing gaze on the wolf demon. The wolf demon squirmed, clearly unsettled. "What… what are you staring at me for? I'm just telling it like it is."
Xu Yinian tilted his head slightly—and smiled for the first time since entering the suite.
"You might not have cash, but if you're sitting here, your status can't be that low… can it?"
The wolf demon's eyelid twitched. A bad feeling crept over him. "Wait… what are you planning?"
Xu Yinian grabbed a fruit knife from the table and, with one hand, hoisted the hog-tied wolf demon into the air. The demon went pale. "No—wait—you're not seriously—"
Xu Yinian hurled him at the one-way mirror with a loud thud and called to Chen Ran in his mind:[Now.]
Electricity danced along the blade of the fruit knife. The tip just skimmed past the wolf demon's temple before plunging into the glass. Spiderweb cracks shot outward instantly. With a deafening shatter, the electrified glass exploded—countless shards raining like a storm into the crowd below!
At the same moment, Chen Ran's flames erupted in midair. Freed demons saw the signal and charged through the doors, storming into the auction hall like wild horses. The patrol squads didn't even have time to react before they were overwhelmed.
"Hey! You with the knife up there!"
A voice drew all eyes upward.
Xu Yinian stood balanced on the suite's ledge, holding the wolf demon up by the scruff with one hand. The crackling blade was pressed against the terrified demon's face.
"Take a good look! This guy's one of your VIPs. You touch her again, and I'll carve double into him."
The hall fell silent—then erupted.
The host and attendants onstage went pale with fear. The bloodied dagger clattered to the floor. Except for those tangled in fights, the remaining guards quickly sealed the exits.
In the middle of the chaos, a guest stood up, pointed at Xu Yinian, and screamed like a madman, "I want that one! I'll bid six million—no, seven million! Catch him for me!"
Even surrounded by murderous tension, Xu Yinian's presence was impossible to ignore. Compared to the delicate, fragile Su Tang, his beauty was almost aggressive—like spring peach blossoms in full bloom, radiant and impossible to look away from.
His eyes narrowed as he glared murderously at the bidder.
The guest shrieked and clapped like a maniac. "Seven and a half million! Get him!"
It was like a wildfire of madness had caught hold of the room—bids came from every direction.
"Eight million! I want him alive! Don't mess up his face!"
"Nine million! Break his arms and legs, I don't care—just don't let him escape!"
"Ten million! Forget the loser he's holding!"
Even though Xu Yinian had mentally prepared for chaos, he hadn't expected the crowd to turn on him.
Seeing the shock on his face, the wolf demon, even with a blade at his throat, chuckled darkly. "Didn't I tell you? To most demons here, you're a hell of a lot more attractive than that girl on stage."