Returning to the Imperial Capital, Dou Emperor's Pressure!

Canaan Academy's back mountain:

Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame, transformed into a sacred bird, coiled around her fingertip.

Xiao Xun'er caressed the recording stone:

The image froze on the moment Yan City was engulfed in crimson flames.

The green-robed man had already shattered space and departed, replaced by a dark shadow beneath the stage.

Ling Ying, kneeling on the jade steps, broke into a sweat on his forehead:

"Three months, from Dou Qi to Dou King."

"Elder Ling."

Xun'er suddenly let out a soft laugh, faint golden ripples stirring in her pupils:

"Tell me, with talent like Brother Xiao Yan's, where would he rank in the Ancient Realm?"

Ling Ying's Adam's apple bobbed:

"By the clan's records, even those young masters with direct bloodlines..."

"Couldn't even touch a fraction of Young Master Xiao Yan's talent."

"Moreover, Young Master Xiao Yan has no Dou Di Bloodline to support him."

"Relying solely on himself to reach this level—his future achievements are simply unimaginable."

Shock, laced with complexity, colored his voice.

Ling Ying was still reeling even now:

He'd once advised the young miss against it, back when Young Master Xiao Yan's strength had regressed.

Saying it wasn't worth it for a young master from such an ordinary small clan.

But before long, Xiao Yan had shot straight from Dou Qi to Dou King.

Give him another half year, and he'd probably be able to beat Ling Ying to a pulp!

How could that not be a match?

It was a perfect match!

His young miss and Young Master Xiao Yan were a match made in heaven!

A sharp glint flashed in Ling Ying's eyes as he spoke softly:

"Young miss, with talent as heaven-defying as Young Master Xiao Yan's..."

"If we could recruit him into the Ancient Clan, surely..."

"Shut up!"

Before he could finish, the golden flames surged violently.

The hem of Ling Ying's robe turned to ash in an instant, and Xiao Xun'er's icy voice pierced his ears:

"Brother Xiao Yan said he scorns joining any force."

"Don't bring this up again!"

Ling Ying hurriedly acknowledged, lowering his head.

Xiao Xun'er clenched her small hands, longing pooling in her eyes as she gazed at the rising sun in the sky:

"Brother Xiao Yan, the next time we meet..."

"When will that be?"

Her soft murmur drifted far away, carried by the wind through the clouds, settling somewhere unknown.

Imperial Capital, Miter Auction House:

A gentle breeze brushed past the entrance.

Xiao Yan, Hai Bodong, and Xiao Yi Xian halted there:

"Elder Hai, are you sure I can take whatever medicinal ingredients I want from this Miter Auction House?"

Hai Bodong let out a light chuckle:

"Take whatever you need, just help yourself!"

Xiao Yan gave a thumbs-up:

"Elder Hai, generous."

Hearing Xiao Yan's praise, Hai Bodong couldn't help the smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

The three of them stepped toward the entrance, but as they drew near—

The two guards at the door stepped forward, glancing at the disheveled Hai Bodong.

He wore an old, worn-out robe.

"Halt, this is the Imperial Capital Miter Auction House!"

"Without an invitation, no riffraff are allowed inside!"

The reprimand had barely left his mouth when Hai Bodong's face darkened.

Beside him, Xiao Yan shot him a look that was half-smile, half-mockery.

It made Hai Bodong's face burn with embarrassment:

I just finished putting on airs, and you make me stand here?

"In recent years, this auction house has grown more and more unruly!"

"Hah, old man, who do you think you are?"

"A place like this isn't for someone of your standing to..."

Before the guard could finish his taunt, he lost the right to speak again.

"Boom! Boom!"

Chilling air suddenly spread, and the guards at the door instantly turned into two ice sculptures.

Then, they exploded with a sharp crack!

Hai Bodong stepped on the scattered ice shards as he walked into the auction house.

Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian followed closely behind.

Inside the hall, the crystal chandelier suddenly became coated in frost.

Ya Fei, her red dress trailing on the floor, hurried out to greet them:

"This esteemed sir, please wait..."

Her figure had just stepped out when she froze at the threshold.

A gray-haired old man stood in the hall with his hands behind his back, a faint ice dragon pattern flickering on his brow!

"Tell that old waste Mittel Tengshan to roll out here!"

Hai Bodong flicked his finger, sending a guard who tried to block him flying.

His pressure made the crystal chandelier clang and ring.

Ya Fei's heart tightened, and she knew trouble was coming.

But as she stepped forward, before she could calm the old man's temper, Another furious shout rang out from a side corridor!

Elder Leo charged out, his beard and hair bristling:

"Where did this old..."

Ice-blue Dou Qi formed into a dragon claw, gripping his throat!

It pinned him to the gilded pillar!

He appeared and was instantly taken out!

Fear flickered in Elder Leo's eyes as he looked up at Hai Bodong:

"A-a Dou Huang expert!?"

The aura of a Seven-star Dou Huang crashed down like an avalanche!

"Sssss!"

The entire auction house was instantly frozen:

"Decades gone, and the dogs of the Mite'er Family dare to bark at their master?"

"Crack!"

The top floor ceiling blasted open.

Mittel Tengshan hovered in midair with his Fighting Wings.

His pupils were filled with shock, and the old man's beard trembled as he stared at that back:

"E-Elder Hai?"

The phantom of the ice dragon that had once stormed the Misty Cloud Sect slowly overlapped with the figure before him.

Mittel Tengshan retracted his Fighting Wings, landed on the ground, and bowed respectfully to Hai Bodong.

His voice brimmed with excitement and fervor:

"Elder Hai, welcome back to the Imperial Capital!"

"With you here, the Mite'er Family will surely rise to its peak again!"

Hai Bodong let out a scornful laugh:

"Didn't expect you old bastard to still be alive."

Mittel Tengshan didn't mind the mockery in Hai Bodong's tone at all.

He quickly bent down to lead the way:

"Elder Hai, it's not convenient to talk here. Let's go to the top floor."

Upstairs, Xiao Yan let Xiao Yi Xian pick out some jewelry she liked.

Meanwhile, he, Hai Bodong, and Mittel Tengshan went to the VIP room on the top floor.

Mittel Tengshan was so excited he poured out his heart to Hai Bodong for a good while.

Only then did he turn his gaze to Xiao Yan:

"Young friend, could you be a new disciple he's taken on?"

Tengshan turned to the Black-robed Youth, but suddenly heard Hai Bodong snort beside him:

"Disciple? You're giving me too much credit."

"I'm not worthy to be his teacher."

The moment Hai Bodong said this, Mittel Tengshan's heart jolted.

Xiao Yan chuckled lightly and removed his mask.

Revealing beneath it a face so young it was almost boyish.

The aura of a Four-star Dou King, mixed with Spiritual Realm Soul Power, swept through the entire room.

The surging pressure even made Mittel Tengshan feel a lethal threat!

And he himself was a Dou King!

"This junior, Yan Xiao, a Rank 5 Alchemist."

Those light words struck like thunder, and Tengshan's old face flushed red.

He hurriedly bowed in excitement:

"Master Xiao, I overlooked your presence just now."

"What a grave sin!"

As he spoke, he suddenly tore off his elder badge and offered it with both hands:

"If Master Xiao doesn't mind, the Mite'er Family's Chief Supporter—"

Hai Bodong kicked Mittel Tengshan away, badge and all:

"Cut that out!"

"A tiny place like yours can't hold a true dragon!"

"Just go and pull out the herb catalog from the warehouse."

In the quiet room, Xiao Yan took a light sip of tea.

He set the cup down, his gaze thoughtful.

The Miter Auction House had plenty of herbs.

But none were substitutes for the main ingredients of the Soul Merging Spirit Pill.

Putting down the catalog, Xiao Yan stood up, and Hai Bodong followed closely.

Mittel Tengshan quickly spoke up:

"Master Xiao, since you're new to the Imperial Capital, you might not be familiar with it."

"If there's anything, I can handle it for you."

Xiao Yan waved a hand, his tone casual:

"Nothing much. Just going to get a Sixth-grade Alchemist Certificate."

"What?!"