The old man led Hong Ling and Jiang Donghua through the corridor of the auction house, his eyes flickering along the way, as if he was testing their origins.
"I wonder what force these two distinguished guests come from? If they are the sect of the Northwestern Continent, we Heavenly Snake Mansion can also do our part as landlords."
The old man asked with a smile, his tone was respectful but implicitly testing.
Hong Ling raised the corners of his lips slightly and said calmly.
"Rogue Cultivator, nothing more."
Jiang Donghua also smiled slightly and echoed.
"I was just passing by Black Corner Region and heard about Heavenly Snake Auction's reputation, so I came here to take a look."
Seeing that they were unwilling to reveal anything, the old man had doubts in his heart, but he couldn't ask further questions, so he could only laugh.
"I see, you two are really young and promising."
Soon, they came to the door of a private room with the word "C" engraved on it.
"You two, this is the VIP room arranged for you."
The old man opened the door and made a gesture of invitation.
Hong Ling stepped into the room and glanced around. Although the room was not luxurious, it was still elegant. There was spiritual fruit scented tea on the table, which was obviously prepared for distinguished guests.
However, her perception was keen to capture that there were at least three Dou Wang-level pressure in the surrounding aura, faintly covering this area.
"Oh, C-grade room?"
Hong Ling sneered.
"It seems that you Heavenly Snake Mansion don't value Fourth-grade Alchemist very much either."
The old man's expression froze and he quickly explained.
"Your distinguished guest has misunderstood. House A and B-grade room are reserved for Dou Zong strong men and alchemists of level five or above. C-grade room is already a very high treatment."
Hong Ling didn't comment, just said calmly.
"Okay, we're not here to enjoy it anyway."
The old man breathed a sigh of relief and smiled apologetically.
"If you two are in need, you can just instruct your servants at any time. I'll take my leave first."
After saying that, he hurriedly left.
After the old man left, Jiang Donghua closed the door and whispered.
"Senior sister, this auction house is indeed a hidden dragon and a crouching tiger. There are several Dou Wang auras just around here."
Hong Ling walked to the window, opened a corner of the curtain, glanced at the booth in the center of the auction house, and sneered.
"Heavenly Snake Mansion is good at doing business, attracting powerful people from all walks of life, and then observing them secretly to see who is worth winning over and who should be guarded against."
Jiang Donghua nodded.
"Then let's go next."
Hong Ling looked away, and the corners of his lips raised a dangerous arc.
"Now that we're here, I naturally want to see what good things there are in this auction. However, the old guy just now and that Enchantress seem to be very interested in us."
She paused, a hint of coldness flashed in her eyes.
Jiang Donghua frowned.
"What do you mean, senior sister?"
Hong Ling chuckled lightly.
"People from Black Corner Region will not easily let go of any valuable target. Especially a Fourth-grade Alchemist."
Jiang Donghua felt a chill in his heart and whispered.
"Then we have to be careful."
Hong Ling didn't care, lazily leaned back on the chair and tapped the table with his fingertips.
"What are you afraid of? If they dare to reach out, I will chop them."
Jiang Donghua looked around, and although this C-grade room was not as luxurious as those top powers, it was already extremely comfortable compared to the Jia Nan Academy Outer Court's simple dormitory.
"Senior sister, this place is much better than the academy."
He couldn't help but sigh.
Hong Ling glanced at him and sneered.
"What? Jia Nan Academy's Outer Court doesn't even have a decent place to live?"
Jiang Donghua smiled helplessly.
"Outer Court has limited resources. It would be nice to have a stable place to practice. How dare you expect such treatment."
Hong Ling snorted lightly and said nothing more. He just flicked his fingertips and a ray of lightning wandered around the room, as if he was exploring something.
Suddenly, her eyes stopped on a wall in the corner of the room, and she raised her eyebrows slightly.
"Interesting."
Jiang Donghua looked along her line of sight and saw that the wall looked ordinary, but if you looked carefully, you could detect a faint energy fluctuation.
"Secret room?"
he said in surprise.
Hong Ling stepped forward and placed his palms against the wall. With a flash of lightning, the wall rippled like water waves, revealing a secret door.
"It seems that this Heavenly Snake Auction House is quite good at taking care of the needs of our distinguished guests."
She raised the corners of her lips slightly and stepped in.
The secret room is not big, but has complete facilities. There is a small Spirit Gathering Array in the center, surrounded by several spiritual herbs that are used to meditate and concentrate. There is even a good-quality Alchemy Cauldron in the corner.
"This place is suitable for retreat or alchemy."
Jiang Donghua's eyes flashed with satisfaction.
Hong Ling glanced at it and said calmly.
"It seems that Heavenly Snake Mansion really values the alchemist, even preparing the secret room so carefully."
Jiang Donghua nodded.
"After all, Black Corner Region is as powerful as the clouds. Being able to win over an alchemist is a sure-profit deal for any force."
Hong Ling sneered.
"It's a pity that they made the wrong calculation."
The woman twisted her waist, her snow-white skin was looming under the gauze, her eyes were as charming as silk, her red lips were slightly hooked, and with a bit of pride and resentment, she walked through several corridors and arrived in front of a courtyard that seemed low-key but was full of luxury.
Outside the courtyard, there are towering ancient trees, rockery and flowing water. It looks elegant, but there is a faint and cold atmosphere.
In the darkness, there was at least a Dou Wang level of pressure quietly locking on her. As long as she made the slightest move, she would be torn apart in an instant.
The woman didn't care at all, instead she gave a sweet smile, her voice was sweet and charming.
"Master, the slave family is back~"
Inside the house, the charming sounds of men and women teasing each other suddenly fell silent.
Then, a lazy and somewhat evil male voice sounded.
"Come in."
The woman pushed the door open and walked in. Zhu Huo was swaying inside the house, reflecting a luxurious scene.
A young man was half-leaning on a soft couch, his clothes were half-undressed, exposing his strong chest. He was holding a disheveled maid in his arms, and was feeding grapes to his mouth with a coquettish smile.
Seeing the woman come in, the man raised his eyebrows and smiled, with a trace of amusement flashing in his eyes.
"Why? Are you back so soon? When did three Fourth-grade Alchemist become so easy to find?"
The woman bit her lip, a trace of jealousy flashed in her eyes, but she quickly replaced it with a flattering smile.
"Master, the slave family has brought back some interesting news~"
The man waved his hand lazily, and the maid in his arms stepped aside knowingly, sat upright, and glanced at the woman with a bit of scrutiny.
"Oh? Tell me."
The woman twisted her waist and stepped forward, leaned over and whispered a few words in his ear, exhaling like blue, with a hint of teasing.
After the man heard this, a glimmer of light flashed in his eyes, and an evil smile curled up at the corner of his lips.
"Fourth-grade Alchemist? Still a young boy? Interesting."
He reached out and pinched the woman's chin, his tone a bit dangerous.
"Are you sure you read that correctly?"
The woman squeaked.
"Young Master~ Although my cultivation level is not high, I still have good eyesight. The Pill Pattern and fragrance of the elixir are definitely above the fourth grade!"
The man let go of her and laughed.
"Okay! Very good! If I can win this kid over, my father will definitely look at me differently!"
He stood up and put on a robe, his eyes flashing with greed and calculation.
"Go, send someone to keep an eye on them, remember, don't alert others."
The woman responded with a sweet smile, and just as she was about to retreat, the man suddenly grabbed her waist and said with an evil smile.
"Why are you so anxious? Since I have brought good news, I will naturally 'reward' you!"
The woman pretended to be shy, but a hint of successful smile flashed in her eyes.
"Master~ you are so bad~"
After a period of ups and downs, Bai Xiaofeng leaned lazily on the soft couch, wearing a black robe with silver piping thrown around casually. The skirt was wide open, revealing a well-defined chest.
He was about twenty-six or seventeen years old, with a handsome face that was a bit evil. His long and narrow phoenix eyes were slightly upward, and a small black mole at the end of his eye added a bit of a romantic charm.
At this moment, he was holding an enchanting woman in half-dress on each side of his arms, and his fingertips were casually twirling the hair of one of them.
"Master~ You are really partial, you only care about talking to sister Hong Yu~"
The woman in green on the left nuzzled into his arms coquettishly.
Bai Xiaofeng chuckled and pinched her chin.
"What? Are you jealous?"
His right hand hugged the woman in red on the right closer and blew a breath into her ear.
"Do you really mean what you said about Fourth-grade Alchemist?"
The woman in red was so aroused that she felt weak all over, but she still managed to reply.
"It's absolutely true, that elixir is Pill Pattern, ah!"
Before he finished speaking, Bai Xiaofeng's sudden increase in force made him scream in surprise.
"Interesting."
A glimmer of light flashed in Bai Xiaofeng's eyes, and he suddenly pushed the two women away. He stood up and straightened his robe. His figure was slender, and a Blood-colored Jade Pendant on his waist swayed slightly with the movement, glowing with a strange light under the candlelight.
"Master?"
The two women looked at him puzzled.
Bai Xiaofeng threw a brocade bag casually.
"A reward for you."
When he turned around, the frivolous expression on his face had completely subsided, replaced by a sinister smile.
"Come here, go find out the details of those two people. Remember not to scare the master."
He stroked the jade pendant around his waist.
There were a few sounds of clothes fluttering in the darkness, and in the blink of an eye it was silent again.
Bai Xiaofeng stood in front of the window, tapping his knuckles lightly.
"Fourth-grade Alchemist."
He murmured in a low voice, greed and calculation flashing in his eyes.
With his status, although he can be regarded as a figure in Black Corner Region, he is not the core successor of the Heavenly Snake Mansion after all.
His father has many descendants, and he is just one of them. If he wants to truly establish a foothold in the family, or even go further, he must have enough leverage.
And one Fourth-grade Alchemist is the best bargaining chip!
"It's a pity that Fifth-grade Alchemist can't possibly like me."
He smiled to himself.
Fifth-grade Alchemist, that is an existence that even Dou Zong has to show courtesy to the strong ones. Even in some big forces, Fifth-grade Alchemist can already serve as the worship elder, with a transcendent status.
Although he Bai Xiaofeng has some means, it is absolutely impossible to win over a being of that level unless the other party's brain is broken.
But Fourth-grade Alchemist is different.
Although Fourth-grade Alchemist is also noble, after all, it is still within the range that can be won over.
Especially some Rogue Cultivator alchemists with no background, as long as they give enough benefits, they may not be unable to use them for their own use.
"I just don't know if there is any power behind this guy?"
Bai Xiaofeng narrowed his eyes, gently touched Blood-colored Jade Pendant on his waist with his fingertips, thinking in his mind.
If the other party is a disciple of a big force, then his rash attack may cause unnecessary trouble, but if it is Rogue Cultivator, then there is room for maneuver.
"Hong Yu."
He suddenly spoke.
"Master~"
Hong Yu responded charmingly and walked out of the shadows, with her clothes half-covered and her charming eyes like silk.
"Go and explore the details of those two people, especially the alchemist."
Bai Xiaofeng said lightly.
"Remember, don't alarm them."
Hong Yu covered his lips and smiled softly.
"Don't worry, young master, the Nu family is the best at making people speak without them realizing it~"
Bai Xiaofeng nodded with satisfaction and then added.
"In addition, prepare a generous gift, just say that I, Bai Xiaofeng, admire the master's alchemy skills and would like to ask him to show his respect."
Hong Yu's eyes flashed with surprise.
"Master, are you trying to win over him directly?"
Bai Xiaofeng sneered.
"Be polite first, then fight. If he knows the sign, everyone will naturally be happy. If he doesn't know the sign..."
With a slight stroke of his fingertips, a cold light appeared on Blood-colored Jade Pendant.
"Then we can only find another way to 'ask' him for help."
Hong Yu felt a shiver in his heart, knowing that the young master was serious, so he did not dare to say any more, and respectfully stepped back to arrange for manpower.
Bai Xiaofeng stood alone in front of the window, his eyes deep.
"Fourth-grade Alchemist is more precious than a Dou Wang!"
Although Black Corner Region and Dou Wang expert are considered powerful, they are only thug-level existences after all.
But one Fourth-grade Alchemist can refine high-level elixirs that Dou Wang and Dou Emperor are all flocking to. Its value far exceeds that of the combat experts of the same level!
"I hope you won't disappoint me."
He whispered to himself, with a dangerous arc at the corner of his mouth.
As soon as Hong Ling sat down on the chair, Jiang Donghua couldn't help but say.
"Senior sister, I have carefully inspected this room. There is indeed nothing hidden. Could it be that we are too cautious?"
Before he finished speaking, Hong Ling rolled his eyes, raised his hand and flicked him in the head.
"You know nothing! In Black Corner Region, only the cautious can live longer, do you understand?"
Jiang Donghua covered his forehead and smiled.
"Senior sister taught you a lesson!"
At this moment, there was a soft knock on the door.
"Tuk-tuk-tuk--"
Hong Ling raised his eyebrows and snorted coldly.
"Hey, someone came to the door so soon?"
She stood up, put her hands on her hips, strode over, and opened the door.
Standing outside the door was the enchanting woman whom I had seen in the treasure appraisal room before.
She was still wearing the gauze red dress, with her snow-white skin looming, a sweet smile on her face, her charming eyes staring straight at Hong Ling, and her red lips lightly parted.
"Two distinguished guests, excuse me~"
Hong Ling looked her up and down, twitched the corners of her mouth, and spoke in a bad tone.
"What? Heavenly Snake Mansion's way of hospitality is to send people everywhere to knock on doors?"
The woman's smile froze, but soon returned to normal, and she said softly.
"This sister is really rude when she says something~ Hong Yu, on the order of my young master, came here to give you two some delicious fruits as a token of appreciation~"
As she spoke, she gestured sideways, and two maids behind her immediately came forward with exquisite trays, on which were placed several plates of Spiritual Qi rich spiritual fruits and a pot of fragrant Spirit Tea.
Hong Ling glanced at it and sneered.
"Hey, your young master is quite good at finding things, isn't he? Why, he didn't test enough in the treasure appraisal room just now, and now he's changed his tricks again?"
Hong Yu covered his lips and smiled softly.
"Sister, I misunderstood. My young master just admires the style of the two of you, especially this young master."
Her eyes moved, and her eyes fell on Jiang Donghua, her voice was soft.
"I heard that the young master is an alchemist. My young master respects Alchemy Master the most, so I specially prepared some small gifts. Please accept them~"
Jiang Donghua felt uncomfortable looking at her and subconsciously hid behind Hong Ling.
Hong Ling saw this and sneered directly.
"Okay, stop ogling here, put your things down, and you can go away."
Hong Yu's smile did not change and she bowed slightly.
"Sister, you are so cheerful~ I won't bother you. If you two need anything, just ask me~"
After saying that, she twisted her waist and turned around to leave. Before leaving, she did not forget to give Jiang Donghua a wink, causing Hong Ling to slam the door with a bang.