As the words fell, the man in the wide, flowing robes, who had stood by impassively, finally moved.
His hands, hidden within his sleeves, trembled slightly. It was unclear what he did inside his sleeves.
The next moment, a circle of black ripples appeared out of thin air before Li Fengcheng.
With each ripple, the air was squeezed a little more.
In moments, the black ripples had formed a black vortex in the air, like a chasm, separating Ying Chen from Li Fengcheng!
For Ying Chen to touch Li Fengcheng, he had to cross this black vortex!
*Boom!*
Ying Chen's figure collided with the black vortex.
A world-shattering roar erupted.
The snow-white aura generated by Ying Chen's movement and the black vortex created by the robed man formed a bizarre Yin-Yang Tai Chi diagram in the air.
The Tai Chi diagram spun slowly, exuding an immense and terrifying pressure.
Everyone present felt their souls frozen by the pressure of the Tai Chi diagram; their heartbeats stopped, blood congealed, and even their thoughts slowed down.
It was as if everyone's vitality was being siphoned away, bit by bit, becoming part of the Tai Chi diagram!
After a full seven or eight seconds, there was a loud bang, and the Tai Chi diagram exploded.
It reverted to the snow-white aura and the black vortex.
The two remained distinct, suspended in the air.
It looked incredibly strange, yet magnificently grand.
"Phew!"
Only then did everyone present let out a long sigh, feeling as if they had come back to life.
At the same time, they looked at each other, seeing only fear in each other's eyes.
A casual strike between Ying Chen and the robed man could produce such a terrifying and horrifying effect?
If they hadn't experienced it personally, they wouldn't have believed it!
"You are the one who advised Li Fengcheng to bid for the golden jade suit, aren't you?"
Ying Chen glanced at the robed man and asked coldly.
It was obvious that a black-hearted merchant like Li Fengcheng wouldn't be able to discern the hidden secrets within the golden jade suit.
Only someone from the Xuanmen could see it.
And this robed man was indeed from the Xuanmen!
"I take money and resolve troubles. My friend, your skills are not ordinary, and your cultivation is even harder won. There's no need to harm our harmony over this small matter."
"Why don't we cease here? I'll suggest that Master Li hand over the Liao family to you, and you then leave with the Liao family. What do you say?"
The robed man had already seen how formidable Ying Chen was, which was why he had remained an observer, unwilling to get involved in this mess.
Even though he had acted now, he still didn't want to engage in a full-blown confrontation with Ying Chen and sought reconciliation.
Upon hearing the man's words, the Liao family father and son's faces changed dramatically.
Especially Liao Yifan's father; he had gone to great lengths to set up this scheme, and just as the situation was turning around, to have it handed back to Ying Chen because of the robed man's words would mean immense loss, and certain death!
"Ten billion, I, Liao, am also willing to pay ten billion, requesting Master He to save my Liao family!"
Liao Yifan's father immediately and decisively shouted at the man.
Hearing Liao Yifan's father's words, the man's eyes narrowed slightly.
The next second, he suddenly extended two fingers: "Ten billion per person. You and your son are naturally twenty billion. Twenty billion, and I'll protect you this time."
Hearing the price the man quoted, Liao Yifan's father couldn't help but curse inwardly.
Twenty billion, only to protect them this time, meaning he wouldn't be protected after leaving here.
This was even more exorbitant than Ying Chen!
But... did Liao Yifan's father have any other choice now?
"Alright! Twenty billion it is!" Liao Yifan's father gritted his teeth and agreed.
After settling the deal, a smile appeared on the man's lips.
Thirty billion instantly in his pocket, this trip was not in vain.
Not to mention there was still one more person who hadn't made an offer.
"Master Huo, they have all made their offers. What about you? Don't worry, I will absolutely not raise the price arbitrarily. I, He Chongxu, have always been fair to all. If you agree, it will also be ten billion. I will guarantee your safety today."
The man looked at Huo Sheng and said.
Upon hearing the man's name, Huo Sheng's expression immediately changed.
If it were someone else making such a demand in this tone, he might not have turned hostile on the spot, but he would have found an opportunity to retaliate later.
However, if it were He Chongxu, Huo Sheng truly did not dare to turn hostile!
After all, He Chongxu was the number one feng shui master in Hong Kong!
Furthermore, He Chongxu's movements had always been secretive, rarely appearing in person.
Even when some wealthy individuals sought an audience, they were usually met by He Chongxu's disciples.
As for feng shui matters, He Chongxu was like the omniscient Yuan Tiangang, always accurately predicting which day a certain wealthy person would seek an audience and for what reason.
He would pre-write countermeasures and hand them to his disciples to pass on to the wealthy individuals.
Many people initially didn't believe in He Chongxu's actual existence, thinking it was a trick by his disciples.
They deliberately fabricated a non-existent master to increase hype.
In reality, the so-called feng shui solutions and countermeasures were all answers written by the disciples on the spot.
Huo Sheng also harbored such doubts.
Until this moment, Huo Sheng finally believed that He Chongxu truly existed!
And his cultivation was astonishing!
Otherwise, how could he have stopped Ying Chen with just a casual strike?
"Alright, then I'll trouble you, Master He!" Huo Sheng cupped his hands towards He Chongxu and said.
He Chongxu smiled faintly: "I take money and resolve troubles. It's just my duty. Master Huo need not be so polite."
After speaking, He Chongxu turned to look at Ying Chen.
"I apologize, my friend. Earlier, I was thinking that it's better to resolve enmity than to foster it, to turn conflict into friendship. But these people offered such a generous sum, a total of forty billion. I really couldn't resist!"
"Hmm, to describe it in your mainland internet terms – it's truly fragrant!"
"You'd find it fragrant too if you were in my shoes!"
It was surprising that this He Chongxu was also an avid internet user, understanding some of the mainland's slang.
"Therefore, my previous words are void."
"From now on, if you dare to lay a finger on these people, you will be going against my, He Chongxu's, wallet. If you go against my wallet, then you are going against me."
"If you go against me, then I will make you unable to proceed!"
As He Chongxu spoke slowly to the end, his figure suddenly surged!
The loose robes covering He Chongxu's body rose into the air, revealing a set of Xuan-robes underneath!
The entire set of Xuan-robes, at first glance, resembled a Taoist crane cloak, embroidered with white cranes stretching their necks towards the sky.
Upon closer inspection, there were some differences.
These white cranes, made of some unknown material, protruded from the entire garment.
The cuffs and collar were adorned with several genuine crane feathers, shimmering with a dark golden luminescence.
"Feathered Ascension Robe, Garment of Immortals. The garments of immortals and Taoists spoken of in Taoist poetry are these."
"My friend, you have two choices: one, treat it as a purely ornate and beautiful garment, admire it, and then leave; two, treat it as a Taoist magical artifact and thoroughly investigate its mysteries. However, this will cost you your life!"
"Tell me your choice in three breaths."
He Chongxu looked at Ying Chen and said leisurely.