Young Master, It's Time to Get Up

"Young Master, it's time to get up."

Early the next morning, Xiao Yi Xian entered the room carrying a basin of warm water. Her delicate little face looked toward Lin Ran, who was leaning against the bed, as she called softly.

Lin Ran slowly opened his eyes. A deep weariness flashed through his gaze, but he still rose and allowed Xiao Yi Xian's fair, soft little hands to dress him.

Ordinary Dou Zong experts had no need for sleep like this, but Lin Ran was different.

His body's blood and vital energy had been depleted far too severely.

Although the strength of his physique was no weaker than that of an ordinary Dou Zong, because of his depleted blood and vital energy, aside from needing to periodically reconcile the yin and yang within his Pure Yang Dou Qi to keep them balanced, Lin Ran's mental state was also more prone to fatigue and required more rest.

"Young Master, Xiao Yi Xian really shouldn't have disturbed your rest, but today is Black Rock City's once-a-month grand auction. Representatives from all the major merchant guilds will basically be bringing out their finest treasures today."

Xiao Yi Xian gently helped Lin Ran put on his clothes, then moved behind him and let him lean against her lower abdomen. With her slender, fair hands, she softly massaged his temples.

"I heard that high-level Magic Cores might appear at this auction, so I came to wake you..."

"Mhm."

Lin Ran enjoyed Xiao Yi Xian's massage and responded through his nose. Since he was completely leaning into her embrace, he could clearly smell the unique, elegant fragrance on her body, as well as feel its softness.

Morning was when a man's yang energy was at its strongest, and Lin Ran possessed the Pure Yang Physique. Although the yin and yang forces within him were still balanced because of Yun Yun, Xiao Yi Xian behind him was filled with an indescribable temptation.

Lin Ran closed his eyes, and before he realized it, his hand had fallen upon Xiao Yi Xian's graceful, delicate body.

As his palm landed, Xiao Yi Xian's body trembled, yet she did not evade him. She continued massaging Lin Ran's temples, allowing his large hand to roam freely over her body.

About half an hour later, Lin Ran finally took a deep breath of her faint fragrance, stopped moving his hand, and opened his eyes.

Xiao Yi Xian, who had been easing his fatigue, was already flushed crimson. Even her ears and neck were covered in a rosy blush.

Lin Ran pinched Xiao Yi Xian's burning cheeks and chuckled. "Going to Qingshan Town was truly the best decision of my life."

At those words, sweetness welled up in Xiao Yi Xian's heart. After spending the past few days together, she and Lin Ran had become increasingly familiar with one another. Their intimacy had long surpassed that of a maid and her master!

"If Young Master needs it, Xiao Yi Xian... Xiao Yi Xian... Xiao Yi Xian can do it too!"

Xiao Yi Xian tightly gripped the cuffs of her sleeves with both hands as she stammered.

On the Dou Qi Continent, servants belonged to their masters completely, body and soul. Even if Lin Ran took her directly, it would be entirely proper and lawful.

What was more, after these past few days together, Xiao Yi Xian had long lost any ability to resist Lin Ran. After all, who could refuse that ray of dawn that tore through the night during the darkest period of their life?

Besides, Lin Ran was not merely a ray of dawn to Xiao Yi Xian. He was like the blazing sun in the sky, illuminating everything in her world.

"So eager to offer yourself to your Young Master?"

Lin Ran rubbed Xiao Yi Xian's head and laughed softly. "Next time. Just don't back out when the time comes."

A trace of disappointment flashed through Xiao Yi Xian's eyes at Lin Ran's words. She replied quietly, "Xiao Yi Xian would never back out!"

"Ha ha ha, good, good. But today, let's first see just what this auction is like."

Laughing, Lin Ran stepped toward the door. The quick-witted Xiao Yi Xian was one step ahead, pushing open the door before turning back to give Lin Ran a charming smile. Only then did she follow behind him.

Lin Ran's residence was not far from Black Rock City's auction house. After only a few steps, the two arrived outside the auction.

The auction house in Black Rock City was rather magnificent. Perhaps in keeping with the city's name, the entire Black Rock Auction House had been built from massive gray-black boulders, identical in material to the city walls they had seen earlier.

Perhaps because today was a special auction day, there were many people entering and leaving the Black Rock Auction House. Lin Ran and Xiao Yi Xian moved through the crowded stream of people like fish.

Lin Ran calmly weaved through the crowd, a thin layer of Dou Qi covering his body. Anyone who bumped into him was bounced away by that Dou Qi, while for those who deliberately approached, it became as fierce as needlepoints.

Whenever a hand reached out from the crowd toward the Storage Ring on his finger and touched that Dou Qi, it felt as though it had been pierced by needles, causing a bone-deep pain!

Of course, compared to Lin Ran, Xiao Yi Xian was even less merciful. Anyone who dared harbor improper thoughts toward the girl had already found their limbs cold, their Dou Qi stagnant, and their lips turning purple.

Without paying much attention to these flies, Lin Ran calmly led Xiao Yi Xian through the crowded entrance and walked inside under the watchful gaze of the guards standing on either side of the doorway, their eyes as sharp and vicious as hawks.

Upon entering the auction house, soft beams of light poured down. The noisy sounds from outside seemed to have been shut out at that moment. Though separated by only a few meters, it was like two entirely different worlds.

Xiao Yi Xian curiously poked her head around to look at everything. Her mouth hung slightly open as she stared in astonishment at the incomparably luxurious hall before her.

The hall was spacious. Aside from the guests constantly entering, there were also many expressionless, fully armed guards stationed there.

Other than those, the most noticeable thing was the enormous screen hanging in the center of the hall. Countless auction items scrolled across it. Lin Ran gave it only a cursory glance and found them all to be ordinary goods.

Naturally. Even if this place truly had something Lin Ran needed, it would certainly be held back as a finale item to preserve its mystery. Why would it be displayed so openly?

"So luxurious..."

There were no auction houses in Qingshan Town, much less buildings this extravagant. Xiao Yi Xian looked like a country bumpkin entering a grand manor, but Lin Ran's expression did not change in the slightest.

It was hardly surprising. Though this Black Rock Auction House appeared luxurious, it did not actually possess many good items. It likely could not even compare to the Mittel Auction House in the Imperial Capital, much less the auction houses in the Central Continent.

How could the difference between a firefly and a bright moon possibly move Lin Ran?

Lin Ran swept his gaze across the hall before finally stopping at the doorway of a Treasure Appraisal Room.

Without hesitation, Lin Ran stepped forward. The moment he entered the Treasure Appraisal Room, a scantily dressed maid approached him. Her sweet, coquettish voice carried a seductive charm. "Sir, are you here to have a treasure appraised, or to have an item evaluated for auction?"

"Auct—"

"We're here for the auction too! We're here to auction something too!"

Before Lin Ran could finish speaking, a petite figure hurried to his side, holding up a sandalwood box as she spoke in a sweet voice.

"Lin Fei, you cut in line!"

A faintly cold voice sounded from behind Lin Ran. The next moment, a tall woman in a tight silver dress appeared beside him.