Three Bans for Immortals Entering the Tower!
Upon hearing this prohibition, Tao Mian slowly put down the pastry he had just bitten into. Although he was somewhat prepared, after all, this was the territory of demons and monsters, and immortals were always ostracized.
But he hadn't expected the Thousand Lantern Tower to so explicitly include it in their bans, and the consequences of being discovered were severe!
He cast a heavy gaze towards Xue Han.
"Immortals are forbidden from entering the tower, violators will be cut into a thousand pieces. Shopkeeper Xue, you must know this?"
Xue Han gave a dry cough.
"Fortune comes with risk. Otherwise, why do you think I forced you to burn incense for three days?"
Tao Mian wanted to say more, but at that moment, two consecutive drumbeats from the round platform drew his attention away again.
Originally, there was only the high platform for the singing official, but at some point, two skeletons had been lowered!
These skeletons were hung by long ropes around their necks, and whatever preservation method was used, one could still see the pained expression of the immortal who had violated the ban before death.
And his body was riddled with countless cuts.
Being cut into a thousand pieces was only physical, but sealing the soul meant that the immortal's consciousness would be trapped in the most difficult moment before death, never to be reincarnated.
The tragic state of the violators was blatantly displayed in front of all the guests.
Tao Mian fell silent, and then he noticed the corpse beside him. It looked just as miserable as the immortal.
"Is this another immortal?"
He asked in confusion.
Xue Han's answer was unexpected.
"No, this is the accomplice who helped the immortal enter the tower."
"……"
Initially, Xue Han was a bit flustered by Tao Mian's questioning, but after seeing the two corpses, some strange thought seemed to awaken in him, and he clicked his tongue twice.
"If you don't look closely, it's fine, but the more you look, the more it seems like you and I are hanging up there. Truly tragic."
"A pervert is indeed a pervert. You can still say that with admiration, impressive."
"Don't worry, it's not that easy to get caught. If I dared to bring you here, I can naturally send you back safely."
Tao Mian said you can't do anything else, but you're good at jinxing us.
Seeing that Tao Mian still had the leisure to banter, Xue Han figured he was accepting it quickly, though the sudden appearance of the corpses was indeed quite shocking.
The opening with three bans jolted the spirits of the guests, and only then did the real show begin.
The first item sung by the official was the Cold Jade Bone.
"One lantern, a hundred gold—more lanterns win—"
The singing official dragged out the tune, meticulously displaying the translucent and exquisite "jade" in the brocade box.
It looked like jade, but was called "bone."
Tao Mian asked what Cold Jade Bone was.
Xue Han paused his tea-drinking, glancing at him.
"The shinbone of an immortal."
"……"
No need to ask further.
The subsequent auction items grew even stranger: an immortal's pinky, an immortal's left ear, three pieces of an immortal's heart.
Tao Mian could hardly bear it.
"What's the point of auctioning these things? To keep them at home as offerings?"
Xue Han's gaze showed a hint of pity.
"Usually, they're used for dietary supplements."
"……"
"It's a tradition at the Thousand Lantern Tower; usually, each floor sells a category of items. The Henggong Fish fat we seek is a medicine, so naturally, this floor sells more medicines. Among them... the bones, blood, tendons, and flesh of you immortals are considered high-grade."
Only then did Tao Mian understand his predicament.
He wasn't just entering the tower; he was practically on the chopping block.
"Bear with it, our item is coming up soon."
Xue Han tried to soothe the immortal's emotions, not wanting to delay the main event.
Tao Mian pretended not to hear the singing official's tune, burying his head in pastries.
Until the person beside him tapped the table with their fingers.
"It's here."
The brocade box in the singing official's hand hadn't changed, but the treasure inside had been replaced with a piece of oily fish fat.
"Henggong Fish fat—gentlemen, take a look—two hundred gold per lantern—more lanterns win—"