Chapter 45

Before the shadow could finish speaking, Gu Liuyun sensed a powerful sinister aura emanating from him.

“Trying to cause trouble?” Gu Liuyun sneered coldly, grabbing the shadow’s wrist. A surge of his spiritual power exploded forth, sending the shadow staggering back several steps.

The shadow groaned softly.

The auction hall erupted into a commotion, all eyes fixed on Gu Liuyun and the shadow.

Ye Manman and Chen Jiaojiao anxiously watched Gu Liuyun, sensing the dangerous atmosphere thickening around them.

“Gu Young Master, what do you mean by this?” a lavishly dressed man stood up, his tone hostile.

This man was one of those malicious bidders, caught off guard by Gu Liuyun’s sudden move.

“What do I mean? Don’t you have any conscience?” Gu Liuyun’s icy gaze swept across the crowd. “Malicious bidding, disrupting the market order—you really think I, Gu Liuyun, am someone to be trifled with?”

“Gu Young Master, you can eat whatever you want, but you can’t speak recklessly!” another man stood up, his tone firm. “We were just bidding normally. Where’s this malicious bidding nonsense coming from?”

Gu Liuyun sneered, “Normal bidding? You drove a common raw stone to an astronomical price, and you call that normal? Don’t try to fool me.”

“Gu Young Master, are you questioning our discernment?” The first man’s tone grew more hostile, his eyes filled with obvious enmity.

Gu Liuyun was tired of talking nonsense. He released a powerful spiritual pressure, enveloping the entire auction hall.

“If you won’t admit it, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

Feeling the oppressive aura from Gu Liuyun, the malicious bidders’ faces changed dramatically.

They hadn’t expected Gu Liuyun to be so domineering, showing them no mercy.

“Run!” one shouted, turning to flee.

The others quickly followed suit, scattering in all directions.

“Trying to run? Not so easy!” Gu Liuyun snorted coldly, his figure flashing as he gave chase.

Everyone around was stunned by the sudden scene, anxiously watching Gu Liuyun pursue the fleeing bidders. The air was thick with tension.

The fleeing man ran to the seaside, cornered with no escape, and leapt straight into the sea. Without hesitation—

Gu Liuyun dove after him, plunging headfirst into the raging waves.

Only a few swirling whirlpools remained on the surface, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

On the shore, the crowd exchanged amazed glances. This Young Master Gu was truly ruthless!

Jumping into the sea to catch someone—this move was simply extraordinary.

Underwater, Gu Liuyun activated a celestial technique. A faint golden light enveloped him, parting the seawater like Moses parting the Red Sea, creating a clear path.

His divine sense spread out swiftly, locking onto the fleeing man.

Terrified, the man struggled desperately in the water, but it was like sinking into quicksand—he couldn’t move.

Gu Liuyun grabbed him by the collar, lifting him like a chick, and soared back to shore.

With a heavy thud, the man was slammed onto the ground, lying there like a dead dog, trembling.

The onlookers erupted into applause, cheers of admiration filling the air.

“Gu Young Master is mighty!” “Gu Young Master is domineering!” “Gu Young Master is awesome!” Praise flooded in like a tidal wave.

The auction organizers hurried forward to thank Gu Liuyun, promptly announcing that the raw stone Gu Liuyun had targeted would be gifted to him.

Gu Liuyun took the stone, feeling its cool surface and sensing a powerful energy fluctuation within.

A faint confident smile appeared on his lips.

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Gu Liuyun lightly sliced the stone. It cracked open, revealing a fragment radiating seven-colored light.

This was the elusive seven-colored stone fragment he had been desperately seeking!

Gasps of astonishment rose from the crowd, their gazes filled with admiration for Gu Liuyun.

Ye Manman and Chen Jiaojiao, seeing Gu Liuyun safe and now holding the seven-colored fragment, were full of relief and affection.

They rushed forward, throwing themselves into Gu Liuyun’s arms, holding him tightly, afraid he would disappear again.

“Liuyun, I’m so glad you’re alright!” Ye Manman’s voice trembled with emotion.

Chen Jiaojiao looked at Gu Liuyun with awe, her eyes sparkling like stars. “Liuyun, you’re incredible!”

The onlookers cast envious glances, the air tinged with an intimate atmosphere.

Gu Liuyun gently stroked the hair of the two beauties in his arms, feeling their tenderness and care, a warm current flowing through his heart.

Suddenly, the seven-colored fragment in his hand trembled slightly, sending a strange sensation into his mind...

He abruptly raised his head, eyes fixed on the distant sea. “Wait, it seems like...”

The fragment’s light flared brilliantly, resonating with another fragment he had obtained earlier, humming as if communicating.

A flood of information surged into Gu Liuyun’s mind—there was more than one fragment!

“Wait, it seems... there’s more!” Gu Liuyun murmured, his gaze sharp as a blade, locked on the distant sea.

He sensed a faint connection, coming from the depths of the ocean, from...

An aura rapidly fleeing.

“There’s someone else from the same place as me! Looks like I’m not the only one chasing these fragments!” Gu Liuyun’s lips curled into a playful smile. This truly was “after searching high and low with no luck, it comes effortlessly!”

The second fragment not only strengthened the sensation but brought more information: the seven-colored stone had shattered into nine pieces!

Nine fragments scattered across this world, awaiting his collection.

This discovery invigorated Gu Liuyun’s spirit but also made him realize the challenges ahead would be even fiercer.

“Nine fragments... once I gather them all, I’ll fully restore my strength and return to the peak!” Gu Liuyun clenched his fist, determination blazing in his eyes.

This “treasure hunt” had only just begun!

He didn’t immediately pursue the man fleeing with the fragment but chose to stay on the island, making full use of the time to enhance his cultivation.

After all, in this world of survival of the fittest, strength was king!

“Liuyun, why don’t you chase after him right now? What if he gets away?” Ye Manman asked, puzzled.

“Manman, don’t worry. I have my plan,” Gu Liuyun smiled faintly, gently rubbing Ye Manman’s hair. “The priority is to increase my strength. Only by becoming stronger can I better face the challenges ahead.”

Chen Jiaojiao nodded repeatedly beside them in agreement. “Exactly, Sister Manman, Brother Liuyun definitely has his reasons! We just need to trust him!”

The people around were curious about Gu Liuyun’s decision, speculating how far his cultivation would rise.

For a time, the island was filled with an atmosphere of anticipation, as if something momentous was about to happen.

Several days later, Gu Liuyun finished his cultivation and prepared to leave the island.

However, on the return journey, a sudden storm struck.

The fierce wind howled, towering waves crashed, and the boat rocked violently as if ready to capsize at any moment.

“What’s going on? This storm came out of nowhere!” Ye Manman cried, clutching Gu Liuyun’s arm tightly.

“Someone is causing trouble behind the scenes!” Gu Liuyun’s expression darkened. He had sensed a chilling aura—it was from Ye Qingqing!

That woman still hadn’t given up!

A gigantic wave crashed down, tilting the boat violently. Gu Liuyun lost his footing and was thrown into the sea...

“Liuyun!” Ye Manman and Chen Jiaojiao’s heart-wrenching cries were swallowed by the roaring waves as Gu Liuyun’s figure vanished into the vast ocean...

“Heh, Gu Liuyun, let’s see how you’ll fight me now!” On a distant yacht, Ye Qingqing watched the scene with a cold, sinister smile curling at the corner of her lips...