Chapter 265 - 111: Emperor’s Qi, The Prize Was Snatched Away

"Good news? A bargain waiting for me? Are you sure you’re not mistaken? That’s the direction of the gladiator arena." Ye Ming was skeptical.

"How could my senses be wrong? I detected the aura of the Ghost Race among that last batch of death-row inmates."

"I’m not sure if anyone else can sense it, though. I just took a risk and focused my senses again. I’m sure I’m not mistaken..." Old Ghost said.

"The Ghost Race? Weren’t they supposed to be extinct? How could one have appeared again?" Ye Ming was stunned.

The Ghost Race was said to not be indigenous to the continent of the Nine Provinces, but to have come from the Outer Realm.

The race was extremely rare and had great difficulty reproducing. This was apparently because the natural environment was not suitable for their survival. Their numbers dwindled until they completely vanished, becoming extinct several thousand years ago.

The race was known as the Ghost Race because they possessed the Void Talent, which allowed them to easily conceal themselves within the Void and travel through it as they pleased.

If they sensed danger, they could instantly flee a thousand miles, making them nearly impossible to catch. Even a cultivator at the Sixth Realm couldn’t traverse the Void.

This race was once known as the Assassin Race, and those of the Ghost Race’s Imperial Family bloodline were born to be Assassin Emperors.

Old Ghost added, also puzzled, "I once drifted through the Ghost Race’s ancestral lands for a time, so I’m absolutely certain of their aura. There’s no way I could be mistaken."

"Logically speaking, the race should indeed be extinct, but it’s not impossible for a few bloodlines to have survived."

"Don’t worry. The Ghost Race is extremely rare, and there are hardly any records of them. Even if a genuine member of the Ghost Race appeared before the public today, almost no one would be able to recognize them..."

"Just go and grab this steal. No one should compete with you for it. When the time comes, no matter how many Spirit Stones it costs, you have to win the auction. If trained properly, a member of the Ghost Race makes the ultimate assassin. They could do a great many things for you."

At this, he couldn’t help but sigh with emotion. ’This Ye Ming fellow’s luck is just too good.’

’He just came to this auction to check out the scene and stumbles upon a prize this huge.’

’Of course, without my guidance, Ye Ming probably wouldn’t have known about it. Hard to say which of us is the lucky one.’

Hearing this, Ye Ming couldn’t hide the excitement and joy in his eyes.

’My current identity makes it inconvenient to do certain things. Having a subordinate from the Ghost Race would make everything much easier.’

’The heavens are truly on my side.’

Liu Xue, walking beside him, had no idea why Ye Ming had suddenly grown so excited.

’In her eyes, this Junior Brother "Zhang Yuan" might be a bit wooden at times, but he was diligent and steadfast, with a hidden depth. If they spent more time together, perhaps they could support one another in the Sect and become cultivation partners.’

Ye Ming could vaguely guess what Liu Xue was thinking, but he paid it no mind.

’His heart had room only for Ling Zhuyun; he couldn’t entertain thoughts of any other woman right now.’

’Besides, Liu Xue was too ordinary. She was destined to be of no real help to him. Here in Yijian Palace, her only use was as a cover to prevent others from growing suspicious of his identity.’

The gladiator arena also occupied a vast area. It was located inside the Pagoda, not far from the auction hall.

It resembled a Celestial Pride Battlefield from an ancient era, forged from great quantities of specially made Profound Iron and stone. In the center was a wide combat platform, shrouded in a thin mist that reeked of blood.

It was surrounded by pillars etched with dragon patterns. Each one was carved with intricate markings that emanated the potent aura of an Array.

Splatters of blood and fragments of stark white bone were visible on their surfaces.

The surrounding high platforms were already packed with people, mostly young faces; older and middle-aged cultivators were scarce. The air was buzzing with conversation, creating a boisterous atmosphere.

When Ye Ming arrived, he had no idea where the member of the Ghost Race Old Ghost had mentioned was.

He scanned the area and saw a brutal fight already underway in the arena.

Blood flew as two figures collided. The sounds of fists meeting flesh were accompanied by a series of bone-crunching cracks that were gruesome to hear.

Bursts of blood and brilliant light erupted, spraying into the air like a bloody rain, causing the spectators’ own blood to boil with excitement.

To one side of the arena, a man in charge was analyzing the state of the battle, introducing the two combatants with the flair of a commentator.

In front of him, others were settling bets. Each duel brought the Business Alliance not only hefty admission fees and auction proceeds, but also a massive income from wagers.

’Old Ghost, who exactly is the member of the Ghost Race you were talking about?’

Ye Ming and Liu Xue found a spot to sit on one of the high platforms.

He stared at the gladiator arena, his mind occupied with his conversation with Old Ghost as he tried to find out where the member of the Ghost Race was.

’Isn’t it that dark, skinny figure in the arena?’ Old Ghost replied with a faint laugh.

Puzzled, Ye Ming’s gaze swept across the arena, locking onto a dark, skinny, and extremely short figure who was being sent flying again and again.

The sound of bone shattering just now had come from his right arm.

The arm now hung limp and useless at his side.

Faced with his opponent’s fierce onslaught, he could only try to dodge. But it seemed his injuries were too severe, with too many broken bones.

He was kicked again and again, sent flying like a broken sack. He slammed into one of the pillars before sliding down to the ground in a heap. His blood quickly stained the pillar red.