As time passed, the pavilion continued to be filled. At this point, it was close to being at its full capacity. But even then the fourth floor was still empty, making people wonder who the entire fourth floor was reserved for.
But these people wondering didn't have to do so for long.
At one of the entrances, a large commotion was heard causing everyone's attention to be drawn there. Soon everyone saw what had caused it, numerous disciples in crimson red robes could be seen entering the pavilion.
The snow on their clothes was rising into the air in the form of vapor.
At the front of this group was a handsome young man that was no more than eighteen or nineteen. He held his hands behind his back as he casually swept his gaze across the now-silent pavilion.
Something about this young man's aura and his gaze made everyone feel intimidated.
The way he walked into this pavilion filled with numerous top Chosens and dismissively glanced at everyone was unnerving. It was as if he was looking at a bunch of random people on the round side.
But he wasn't, he was looking at young men and women that were among the best in this generation from the Maple and Star Bound Continent. Their parents and relatives were leaders of very influential powers.
They themselves were influential figures.
But this young man took them as nothing more than random people. No, on a further glance, not even that. It was more like he was looking at a common rock on the ground or some dirt that inconveniently landed on his shoe while he walked through a dusty area.
These outstanding young men and women in the pavilion sensed this, and they instantly didn't like this young man.
After entering, this group all rose into the air and headed for the fourth floor.
"So the fourth floor was reserved for them? What a bunch of pretentious bastards, maybe I should go out there and lop that guy's head."
Mu Fan was heard saying not so softly. The group of crimson-robed youths heard him in this silent pavilion and quickly their glares were on the group.
Lihua for the first time didn't reprimand Mu Fan. In fact, she and the other returned those stares.
They had already decided who their enemies were, there was no point in pretending to be friendly with them. If they were going to go against everyone here to get back their Faction Leader, then they were going to go all in.
Among these disciples who were obviously from the Fire Bound Continent, the only one who hadn't so much as glanced in Mu Fan's direction was the young man in the lead.
However, he suddenly paused in mid-air before turning around to address everyone. His voice was calm and monotone.
"Anyone thinking of obtaining the Soul Nourishing pill then I suggest you give up. It already belongs to my Fire Empire, we are planning to research its concoction method and replicate it. Perhaps your powers will get to purchase a few. If you still dare bid for the pill after hearing this, take this as my warning."
Upon finishing his sentence, a murderous aura along with a dreaded heat wafted from this young man.
Everyone was shocked at this young man's actions. Sure anyone could say what he said, everyone here felt the same way, but to show such a murderous intent, is he planning to kill everyone here if they bid for the pill?
Most weren't thinking to do that as that would complicate things, after all, everyone here had a powerful background that would wage a war if one of them died. Especially those on the third floor. A power with a Soul Transformation Realm existence that had a vendetta was a terrifying thing to see.
So it was safe to say this young man's words had effectively pissed everyone off even more.
This time Lihua had to step in and stop Mu Fan from flying out.
The young man, however, still held the same indifferent expression he came here with as he turned around. But a voice suddenly quipped from another entrance.
"Gu Jin, aren't you being too arrogant to say that to everyone here? After all, everyone here is precisely after the Soul Nourishing pill. And to say it belongs to you're Fire Empire when you haven't even bid for it yet, are you planning to rob it from the Mercenary Association? I wouldn't take you for a thief."
As those words floated into the pavilion what accompany it was a blizzard-like frigidness.
Several young men and women in blue robes could be seen entering. In the lead was a girl that was wearing a blue veil. Her demeanor and the contorts outlined by her outfit would make one come to the conclusion she was world-class in looks and figure.
Weirdly enough, she was perhaps the only person in this pavilion that wasn't wearing some form of cloak or puffy clothes to hide from the frigid Yin Energy, she was embracing it.
The young man called Gu Jin had his face changed from indifference to slight anger when he saw this girl.
"Mai Rong, a scheming wretch like you is accusing me of being a thief? How ridiculous."
The girl name Mai Rong slowly floated to the other side of the fourth floor while saying.
"Gu Jin, if I'm wrong and you aren't planning to rob the Mercenary Association after saying what you did then I'll renounce my qualifications of being a disciple of the Empress. Everyone knows how vile you can be."
Gu Jin hearing this had his expression turn ugly, and he remembered why he didn't like interacting with this woman.
The way she talked was filled with lies. Who would believe she would renounce her position as a disciple of the Empress? But she said it with such confidence it would make people believe Gu Jin really was the type of person to steal the pill.
"Gu Jin, I hope now that I called you out you'll allow everyone here to fairly bid on this pill. We are at an auction after all everyone has a chance to obtain it, though what happens outside the auction is a different matter."
Gu Jin scowled at Mai Rong but he said nothing and simply went to his seat.
"Everyone please don't mind him, my Water Empire will ensure this pill goes to the person who fairly wins it in the upcoming bid."
A smile could be heard in Mai Rong's voice as she spoke. But despite her words, no one here had a favorable opinion of her.
"That girl, she's absolutely terrifying."
Mu Fan was heard saying as he glanced at Mai Rong making her way to the seat.
"She tried to try to reinforce the hatred everyone felt for that Gu Jin by calling him a thief, while simultaneously trying to turn the Mercenary Association against him and get everyone here on her side. None of that is out of the ordinary but it's how she went about it with such casualness, you'd think her lies were truths."
Lu Shin was the one to say that.
Jun in response shook his head and said solemnly.
"She might be more scheming than that. Her lies were convincing because she wasn't lying. She was actually telling the truth when she said she would renounce her discipleship. I'm not sure how important it is to be the disciple of that Empress, but for her to say such a thing and mean it when she didn't have to shows she wouldn't hesitate, despite it being a small opportunity, to do and say extreme things to make sure her enemies never get an advantage."
Lu Shin and everyone else hearing this had to reevaluate their opinion of Mai Rong. Everyone in this pavilion must have sensed it but Mai Rong was no different than Gu Jin. It's just that Gu Jin announced his arrogance and indifference to everyone, and Mai Rong instead hide hers and tried to use them.
"Seems like these two are like what I've heard from the rumors."
Lihua hearing this perked up and immediately asked.
"Could you tell us what the situation is like over on the Fire Bound and Water Bound Continent?"
Dai Hee and everyone else turned to Lu Shin wanted to hear what he had to say.