Chapter 51: Storms and Shifts in the Auction House

The night sky was as dark as ink, with only a few sparse stars twinkling above.

Deep within a dilapidated industrial zone, an abandoned warehouse stood in quiet solitude. Beneath its unremarkable exterior lay a secret passage leading directly to the underground black market.

Led by Wu Xia, Chu Feng and his companions cautiously approached the warehouse.

The surrounding area was littered with discarded machine parts and rusted iron barrels, while the air was thick with the scent of oxidation and mildew.

A few dim, flickering bulbs cast a sickly glow, making the gloomy surroundings appear even more eerie and ominous.

At the entrance of the warehouse, several burly men dressed in black leather stood motionless like statues. Their gazes were sharp, and they gripped cold, gleaming blades, blocking the doorway completely.

The murderous aura emanating from them was almost palpable, chilling to the bone.

Pan Yue instinctively tightened her grip on the short blade at her waist, acutely aware that these guards were by no means ordinary fighters.

"Quite heavily guarded, aren't they?" Sun Yue murmured in his customary cunning tone, his nimble eyes darting around constantly in search of a vulnerability.

Liu Yong stood quietly to the side, observing the structural layout of the warehouse. The hands that had once operated delicate precision machinery were now clenched tightly into fists.

Chen Qiang crossed his arms, standing tall and straight. Like an unyielding fortress, he stood guard over his teammates behind him.

Chu Feng's brow was tightly furrowed as his gaze swept over every minute detail.

The token of the Black Three Gang...

They had had no prior contact with this faction whatsoever. How could they possibly obtain a pass to enter the auction house without blowing their cover?

His mind was a tangled mess of conflicting thoughts.

He was unwilling to let go of this hard-won opportunity, yet he hesitated to take reckless risks.

Should they force their way in?

The risks were simply too high.

Should they try to sneak past?

Those guards certainly did not look easy to deal with.

He quickly calculated his options within his mind, weighing every possibility with the precision of a fine instrument.

"Perhaps... we could try..." Chu Feng spoke slowly, a hint of hesitation in his voice.

He looked toward the warehouse entrance, a flash of resolute determination crossing his eyes as if he had finally made up his mind.

Taking a deep breath, Chu Feng stepped forward slowly. Faint, dark energies rippled across the shadow curse markings on his body.

He reached toward his waist, where a familiar, cold sensation awaited him.

He unclasped an item that had proven its worth in many past battles, gripping it tightly in his palm.

"We..."

What Chu Feng pulled from his waist was not a weapon, but an ancient, rustic copper coin.

He had found it in an antique shop corrupted by evil spirits; it was inscribed with bizarre runes and radiated a faint wave of energy.

He tossed the coin into the air. It spun and twirled, producing a crisp, ringing sound that instantly captured the guards' attention.

"What on earth is that?" one of the guards grunted gruffly, monstrous, twisted curse markings coiling like venomous snakes across his thick arms.

Seizing the fleeting moment of distraction, Sun Yue darted out like a ghost.

Light on his feet and exceptionally agile, he wove through the guards like a civet cat.

Dodging their lines of sight with ease, he approached the warehouse door in complete silence.

He pulled a thin wire from his tunic and skillfully manipulated the lock.

With a soft click, the door sprang open.

Sun Yue shot a glance at Chu Feng and the others, signaling for them to follow.

Catching the cue instantly, Chu Feng and his team filed in closely right behind him.

The guards remained captivated by the spinning copper coin, completely oblivious to their infiltration.

Once inside, Chu Feng and his companions discovered a vast, hidden interior.

A descending passage leading underground stretched out before them.

Faint, yellowish lights were embedded in the walls on either side, casting long, wavering shadows across the corridor.

The air carried a damp, decaying stench that churned the stomach.

"It seems this is the entrance to the black market auction house," Chu Feng said in a deep voice, his eyes burning with unwavering resolve.

Pan Yue tightly grasped Chu Feng's hand; her palms were slightly slick with sweat. Looking up at him, she whispered,

"Be careful, Chu Feng."

Chu Feng nodded, offering her a reassuring look.

Taking a deep breath, he took the lead and stepped into the passage, his figure quickly swallowed by the darkness.

Pan Yue stayed close behind him, her eyes locked anxiously on his back, terrified that he might suddenly vanish.

Deep within the corridor, the faint murmur of a crowd and muffled music hinted at the shifting tides of fate awaiting them ahead.

Pan Yue's heart pounded uncontrollably, filling her with a strange mix of tension and excitement.

"Chu Feng..." she whispered softly, her voice remarkably clear in the dim corridor.

At the end of the passage, the space suddenly opened up.

A massive underground hall materialized before their eyes, where dazzling lights wove together into a kaleidoscope of hypnotic colors.

The air was heavy with thick perfume and alcohol, a stark contrast to the moldy dampness of the tunnel.

Deafening music washed over them like a tidal wave, battering everyone's eardrums.

This was, unmistakably, a colossal underground auction house.

Pan Yue squeezed Chu Feng's hand even tighter, her palms now growing slightly moist.

She looked at him with an expression brimming with adoration and affection—feelings as intensely bright as a flame blooming in the dead of night.

Sensing her emotions, Chu Feng turned his hand to interlock his fingers tightly with hers. A wave of warm, empowering strength surged into his chest, instantly banishing his prior tension and unease.

A subtle warmth blossomed quietly between them, creating a private haven of tranquility amidst the roaring clamor of the auction house.

As the group cautiously blended into the crowd, they realized just how mixed the company here truly was.

There were wealthy merchants draped in luxury, vicious mercenaries bearing scars, and curse-users radiating bizarre, unsettling auras.

The air hummed with raw desire, acting like a giant vortex that threatened to devour everyone's rationality.

Just as they were observing their surroundings, several burly men with fierce expressions blocked their path.

One of them, bearing a hideous scar across his face, squinted sideways and sized Chu Feng and his group up with malicious intent.

"Newcomers?" the scarred man sneered, his tone dripping with provocation. "Don't you know the rules around here? The weak have no right to stand in this place."

"We're just here to watch the show," Sun Yue stepped forward immediately, plastering a bright smile on his face as his cunning eyes rolled, attempting to talk his way out of trouble.

The scarred man was clearly not so easily fooled.

He grabbed Sun Yue by the collar, lifting him effortlessly off the ground as if he were a mere chick.

"Watch the show? To me, it looks like you're here looking for a fight!" The scarred man's gaze grew even more ferocious. He clenched his fist, his knuckles popping with a sound reminiscent of a beast grinding its teeth.

At that moment, Chen Qiang stepped forward. His towering frame blocked the others like a mountain. Crossing his arms, his gaze as sharp as a falcon's, he simply stood there, radiating an overwhelming deterrent presence.

"I apologize on his behalf," Chen Qiang said in a low, resonant voice. His aura instantly overshadowed the scarred man, causing everyone nearby to feel a momentary tightness in their chests.

The scarred man froze for a second, clearly not expecting such a formidable and unyielding character among this group.

Narrowing his eyes, he scrutinized Chen Qiang before finally dropping Sun Yue back to the ground.

"You lot got lucky this time!" the scarred man huffed coldly, turning to leave with his subordinates.

He shot one last venomous glare at Chen Qiang over his shoulder.

Seeing this exchange, the surrounding onlookers began to whisper among themselves, secretly marveling at Chen Qiang's hidden strength.

"So strong..." Pan Yue murmured, watching Chen Qiang's retreating back. She felt as though he were an invincible deity of war, granting an inexplicable sense of security.

Chu Feng, however, scanned every corner of the auction house with a deep, contemplative gaze. A faint sense of unease rose in his heart, telling him that unknown dangers lurked beneath the surface.

Right then, a brilliant beam of light struck the center of the auction stage, illuminating the entire hall as bright as day.

A man dressed in an extravagant formal suit walked up onto the stage, picked up the microphone with casual elegance, and flashed a practiced professional smile.

"Distinguished guests, welcome to the black market auction house. Tonight, we have a very special lot that I am certain will exceed everyone's expectations..."

He paused, sweeping his gaze across the audience with a hypnotic tone, "And now, presenting our very first lot..."

The man on stage slowly pulled back the red velvet cloth covering the display stand, revealing an item that radiated a dazzling brilliance, instantly capturing every eye in the room.

"What... what is that?" Pan Yue gasped, covering her mouth in astonishment.

Chu Feng's pupils constricted sharply. He stared fixedly at the item on the display stand as a tumultuous wave of thoughts crashed through his mind, a realization dawning upon him...

The spotlight on the auction stage focused entirely on the radiant object. Its crystalline form was etched with profound, flowing runes, exuding an aura of boundless mystery and power.

The auctioneer's calm, magnetic voice echoed through the hall: "This is an exceptionally rare 'Curse-Mark Key'. It assists intermediate curse-users in breaking through their bottlenecks and advancing to high-tier mastery. The starting bid is one million black market coins!"

Pan Yue covered her mouth in shock, her eyes sparkling with disbelief.

Chu Feng's gaze was as sharp as a hawk's as he rapidly scanned the crowd, searching for potential competitors.

He knew this was the long-awaited opportunity they had trained for; they could not afford to let it slip away.

"One million five hundred thousand!" A man draped in a long black robe suddenly called out from the shadows of the VIP section, his voice deep and commanding, echoing through the hall like a thunderclap.

Chu Feng smiled faintly, feeling confident.

Raising his paddle high, he announced in a clear voice, "Two million!"

The hall instantly fell silent, every eye shifting toward Chu Feng.

The black-robed man frowned slightly, a flash of coldness crossing his eyes.

He clearly had not expected anyone to dare contest him.

"Three million!" The black-robed man raised his bid without hesitation, refusing to back down.

Chu Feng's resolve only deepened. He turned to look at his teammates beside him.

Pan Yue's eyes were filled with trust and encouragement, Sun Yue nodded excitedly, and Liu Yong and Chen Qiang offered their silent, steadfast support.

Taking a deep breath, Chu Feng declared firmly, "Four million!"

The atmosphere in the hall instantly froze. The black-robed man stared intently at Chu Feng with blazing eyes, but ultimately settled back into his seat, choosing to concede defeat.

The auctioneer swiftly brought down his gavel: "Sold! Four million black market coins, going once, going twice, thrice—sold!"

With Chu Feng securing the Curse-Mark Key, the team erupted in cheers, a profound sense of triumph filling every member's heart.

Pan Yue squeezed Chu Feng's hand tightly, pride shining in her eyes.

Sun Yue jumped up in excitement, shouting, "Brilliant job, Captain!"

Liu Yong and Chen Qiang wore satisfied smiles, while Wu Xia looked at Chu Feng with glowing approval, murmuring, "Just like Chu Feng—so poised and magnanimous, truly deserving of our respect."

However, just as they prepared to depart with the precious Curse-Mark Key, a squad of mysterious figures in black tactical suits materialized from the shadows, surrounding them in a tight circle.

Their movements were swift and decisive like a well-trained special forces unit, and the weapons in their hands gleamed with a merciless chill.

The leader of the black-clad group stepped forward slowly. His voice was deep and icy, carrying the chill of an abyss: "Chu Feng, hand over the Curse-Mark Key. Otherwise, you will all face unimaginable consequences."

Chu Feng's voice remained steady and powerful, as unshakeable as solid stone: "You'd better think twice, because we have no intention of backing down."