Xue Mei and Lin Fei's Visit

Lin Ran took Xiao Yi Xian around Black Rock City for a while, then had lunch before returning to their lodging to give Xiao Yi Xian some guidance in her cultivation.

Only when it was nearly time for the auction to begin did he unhurriedly leave the residence, taking Xiao Yi Xian with him toward the auction house once more.

When Lin Ran appeared at the entrance of the auction house again, the entire Black Rock Auction House was already packed with people. All sorts of clamor and shouting matches filled the air, making one's head ache.

Even with guards maintaining order, they could not contain the crowd's enthusiasm.

"Did you hear? The officials just released news that today's auction has been temporarily upgraded. A powerful figure has brought three pills to be auctioned!"

"A high-tier alchemist? Could it be Master Otto and President Frank?"

"Those two lords are involved too, but my buddy who works at the Black Rock Auction House told me that even Master Otto and President Frank can't refine the pills brought by that powerful figure!"

"What?! Even fourth-tier alchemists can't refine them? Then wouldn't that be..."

"That's right, exactly what you're thinking. Otherwise, why do you think today's auction is this popular?"

"Damn, no way. I have to go take a look!"

"You can't afford anything anyway, so why the hell are you going?"

"Fuck, quit shoving. Can't I go broaden my horizons? At least I'll have something to brag about later."

The crowd surged like a tide.

The auction house in Black Rock City operated year-round, but every month it held a premium auction, where all manner of rare treasures would be sold. Today happened to be the day of that premium auction.

Together with the addition of Lin Ran's pills, this had created the packed, wildly bustling scene at the Black Rock Auction House.

"So many people..."

Xiao Yi Xian sounded somewhat amazed, seemingly pondering how they could make their way through the crowd. But Lin Ran had already started walking toward the other side of the Black Rock Auction House.

There was another passage there. Compared to the packed main entrance, it was much quieter.

A red carpet stretched across the broad passageway. More than a dozen guards stood around it with cold expressions, all radiating an aura that warned strangers to stay away, intimidating the nearby crowd so thoroughly that no one dared squeeze over.

Lin Ran led Xiao Yi Xian to the entrance of that passage, where several figures happened to be standing outside. They neither entered nor left, as though waiting for something.

Taking a closer look, they were actually acquaintances!

They were Lin Fei and Otto, whom he had met in the Treasure Appraisal Room that morning. Besides them, there was also a middle-aged man. He had a dignified expression and a robust aura. Judging from the trace of energy occasionally leaking from his body and causing faint ripples in the air, his strength was roughly at the Dou Ling level.

As Lin Ran and Xiao Yi Xian approached, the group noticed them as well. The person in charge quickly brought two attendants forward, greeting them with an enthusiastic smile.

"My lord, you've arrived!"

Lin Ran nodded indifferently without offering much of a response.

The person in charge did not dare show even the slightest dissatisfaction at Lin Ran's attitude. Someone who could casually produce fifth-tier pills was not someone he could afford to offend—nor could all of Black Rock City!

"My lord, according to reports from my subordinates, nearly all the major families in Black Rock City have come, along with quite a few powerful experts from outside the city."

As he guided Lin Ran forward, the person in charge respectfully said, "These experts have brought many treasures with them. This auction will certainly not disappoint you, my lord!"

"Mm."

Lin Ran remained indifferent. The person in charge continued making small talk, but seeing that Lin Ran had little interest, he said no more. He led the two directly into the private passageway, and they vanished from the crowd's watchful gaze.

"What do you think, City Lord?"

Otto asked the middle-aged man beside him in a low voice, "Can you see through that young man's strength?"

"I can't. His aura is completely restrained. Either he is stronger than I am, or he possesses a treasure capable of concealing his aura." The City Lord shook his head, his expression grave. "That youth is either from the Imperial Capital or from outside the Jia Ma Empire. No matter which it is, he is not someone we can provoke."

"Pass down the order: do not make things difficult for him, and absolutely do not make an enemy of him!"

"Yes!"

"Also..."

The City Lord looked at Lin Fei beside him. "Go apologize to that youth. It would be best if you brought Xue Mei with you. Though it was only a remark that could hardly be considered offensive, we must still avoid unnecessary trouble."

"I understand, Father." Lin Fei lowered her head. Her nature was not bad; she had merely been used to acting like a spoiled young lady, which was why she had instinctively made that remark about Lin Ran in the Treasure Appraisal Room.

She had never expected Lin Ran to possess such a powerful and profound background. Thinking back on it, Lin Fei herself broke out in a cold sweat.

A remark that could hardly be considered offensive might seem insignificant, but in the Dou Qi Continent, where the strong were revered, countless people had lost their lives and seen their families ruined over a single offensive sentence.

Even if the possibility was small, they absolutely could not gamble on it.

Lin Ran and Xiao Yi Xian passed through the softly lit passageway. After roughly a few minutes, their view suddenly opened up, and an enormous, spacious auction hall appeared before them.

The auction hall was exceptionally vast and divided into two levels. The lower level held countless rows of seats, while the upper level consisted of private rooms.

"My lord, you are a distinguished Black Crystal VIP. Please follow me."

The attendant leading the way spoke respectfully and brought Lin Ran and Xiao Yi Xian to the second floor. At last, she stopped outside a private room near the auction stage, smiled faintly at Lin Ran, then bowed and withdrew.

The private room was fairly spacious and quite luxurious. More importantly, from here, one could overlook the entire auction hall, giving the impression of trampling everyone beneath one's feet.

"Young Master, it's them."

Xiao Yi Xian exclaimed in surprise. Lin Ran also noticed Lin Fei, Otto, and the others from earlier at the entrance. Xue Mei and Frank had joined them as well.

Moreover, their seats were directly across from his private room at an angle.

Lin Ran glanced at them before withdrawing his gaze. He had no interest in the people of this small place. The reason he had temporarily stopped in Black Rock City was mainly to replenish some daily necessities and, while he was at it, check on Xiao Yan's whereabouts.

Xiao Yan had not come to Black Rock City yet, and Lin Ran had already replenished what he needed.

If the upcoming auction did not have anything that satisfied him, he would set out tomorrow and head straight for the Tagor Desert.

Lin Ran closed his eyes to rest, but only a few minutes later, Xiao Yi Xian suddenly spoke.

"Young Master, Young Master, they're here. They said they want to pay you a visit."

Xiao Yi Xian paused briefly.

"The two women we met this morning."