Xuan Su

The news that the Lin Family had repelled the Blood-Clothed Sect quickly spread throughout Qingyang Town. Immediately, the many forces that had been gloating, watching coldly, or worrying incessantly all came to visit one after another. For a time, the Lin Family enjoyed unparalleled prestige.

But just as the entire Lin Family was overjoyed, Lin Changqiang and Lin Dong seemed indifferent to others' flattery. They quietly left Ironwood Manor and headed for Flame City.

The two set out at the hour of the Dragon, but by the time they reached Flame City, it was already afternoon. After entering the city, they casually found an inn to rest.

"Changqiang, let's go check out the Wanjin Auction House tomorrow. I happen to want to buy some spirit medicine to restore Spiritual Power for cultivation," Lin Dong said, a hint of excitement in his voice as he looked at Lin Changqiang from his bed. He had long heard of the Wanjin Auction House's reputation but had never been there.

"Mm."

Lin Changqiang nodded, also a little stirred. He had been saving up several Double Gold Coin Cards.

"Once Lin Dong buys the Three Yang Art, I'll resell it. Then I'll just keep buying and selling, buying and selling, (ω)hiahiahia." The thought of a life of wealth and luxury just around the corner sent Lin Changqiang into an unstoppable excitement.

The next morning, after washing up, the two skipped even breakfast and headed straight for the auction house.

"I thought the Trade Fair in Qingyang Town was already luxurious enough, but I didn't expect the Wanjin Auction House to be even grander."

As soon as he laid eyes on the Wanjin Auction House, Lin Dong couldn't help but let out a praise. Even Lin Changqiang silently marveled at the resplendent building. In his past life, he had come from a modest family and had rarely spent money in such places.

Outside the auction house, the crowd was bustling and lively. In Qingyang Town, such a scene only appeared during the Hunt.

Lin Dong stood outside the auction house, taking a few deep breaths to calm himself, then forcefully pushed through the crowd and walked inside. Lin Changqiang followed behind him with a sly grin.

The Wanjin Auction House had an outer and inner section. The outer area was vast, but the goods traded there often couldn't compare to those in the inner section. Of course, the prices in the inner section were far higher than the outer. Yet even in the outer area, Fourth-grade spirit medicine was not uncommon, let alone the Third-grade Spirit Medicine awarded in the Clan Competition.

After wandering through the outer area, the two found nothing that caught their interest. Without further hesitation, they headed straight for the inner section. But when they reached the door leading inside, a guard stopped them.

"To enter the inner section, you need to pay ten Yang Yuan Stones."

Looking at the outstretched hand before him, Lin Dong's face darkened. He grumpily pulled out twenty Yang Yuan Stones.

"Don't you know how to manage money? Just give him two Yang Yuan Pills."

Under the guard's gaze, as if looking at an idiot, Lin Changqiang snatched the Yang Yuan Stones from Lin Dong's hand. The latter, suddenly realizing his mistake, fished out two Yang Yuan Pills and handed them to the guard with a pleased expression...

Just as the two were about to enter the inner section, satisfied, a commotion suddenly broke out not far behind them.

Sensing the disturbance, Lin Dong turned his head curiously, while Lin Changqiang's eyes lit up.

Under their watch, the crowd parted almost instinctively, creating a path. Then, several figures slowly walked in.

Among them, the most eye-catching was a woman in a red dress. Her skin was as white as snow, her figure curvaceous, and her exquisitely sculpted face bore a dignified yet generous smile, making her appear mature, charming, and graceful without losing her poise.

At her side was a tall young woman in a green dress. She was also quite pretty, but compared to the former, she seemed more reserved and her expression colder.

However, unlike the fervent crowd around them, the two men's attention was fixed on an elderly man among the group.

"Hey, isn't that the old man who gave us the Divine Movement Chapter?"

Lin Dong blinked and instinctively averted his gaze, but he didn't notice that Lin Changqiang, far from hiding, had quietly released a thread of Spiritual Power.

"Hm? This Spiritual Power feels somewhat familiar..." Sure enough, the next moment, Master Yan raised an eyebrow slightly. With a thought, a wisp of Spiritual Power surged out, and in a single breath, it enveloped Lin Changqiang's body.

As if only then realizing it, Lin Changqiang quickly covered his entire body with Spiritual Power, cutting off Master Yan's perception.

"It's him!"

Looking at Lin Changqiang, who turned his head with a "puzzled" expression before showing a "sudden realization," Master Yan, who had been smiling, suddenly widened his eyes in shock. His uncharacteristic loss of composure startled the two women beside him.

Master Yan paid no attention to the women's reactions. Instead, he walked up to Lin Changqiang and Lin Dong with a beaming smile.

"You two young friends, do you still remember me?"

Facing the kindly old man before him, Lin Dong felt a bit awkward, silently blaming Lin Changqiang for failing to conceal their identities.

"Junior Lin Dong greets Master."

"Junior Lin Changqiang greets Senior."

The two clasped their fists in unison. Though their words differed, both were full of courtesy.

"Truly outstanding talents." Master Yan stroked his long beard with a cheerful laugh. "Would you two young friends care to have a chat with me?"

"It would be my honor; I wouldn't dare decline."

Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, the five of them entered the inner section together and arrived at a rather luxurious private room.

"Let me introduce you first. This is Xuan Su, the steward of the Wanjin Auction House, and this young lady is Zhi Lan, President Xia's daughter." Then, Master Yan turned to the two women. "And these two are young friends I met a few months ago."

The three nodded to each other. Only the girl called Zhi Lan glanced at the two men before turning her head away indifferently.

"You two young friends, I assume you've already fully mastered the Divine Movement Chapter I gave you a few months ago?"

Master Yan's eyes held a hint of amazement, but inside, a storm was raging.

"From first contacting Spiritual Power to opening the Mud Pill Palace and becoming a true Talisman Master, it took me a full several years..." As he spoke, Master Yan couldn't help but sigh. "I thought that even with your talent, it would take at least over a year to reach this step. But it seems I underestimated you."

As his words fell, even Xuan Su, who had only been mildly curious, and Zhi Lan, who had been indifferent, showed a flicker of emotion. In Flame City, Talisman Masters weren't numerous, but they weren't rare either. Yet someone who could open the Mud Pill Palace in just a few months—that was unheard of.

Lin Changqiang and Lin Dong exchanged a glance and silently nodded.

"May I ask what business the elder has with us?"

"Hehe, no rush, no rush~" With that, Master Yan turned to Xuan Su. "Xuan Su, I recall that for the Immortal Pool Competition, our Wanjin Chamber of Commerce still has two vacancies, correct?"

Sorry, everyone. I caught a cold this afternoon and had a headache, so I took a nap. When I woke up, I'd only written one chapter. The next one might not be out until after midnight.

Of course, I'll try my best to post it before twelve.