The Auction Begins

Xiao Jin returned home and began planning out the next two months. The Coming of Age Ceremony was just two months away. Given his current strength, he was not worried about it. What he wanted now was a secret technique that could conceal his strength.

Next, he would continue working with the Mite'er Auction House to refine ungraded medicinal liquids and powders, while raising his strength. Jia Lie'ao had brought people to block him today. Though Xiao Jin was unafraid, once he made a move, he would inevitably be unable to conceal his strength. That would surely shock the entire Jia Ma Empire.

A sixteen-year-old Nine-Star Dou Practitioner had never appeared in the Jia Ma Empire. If anyone investigated him, the fact that he had broken through from the seventh stage of Dou Qi to a Dou Zhe in only a few days would likely be impossible to hide. Some old monsters would have to emerge from seclusion then. Xiao Jin would not meet a good end—either he would be taken in as a disciple, or dissected for research.

"Linglong, is there any way to hide my strength?" Xiao Jin set his sights on the system.

"Ding. The system recommends two options for the host. First, purchase a secret technique to conceal your strength from the System Mall. The secret technique costs Breakthrough Points. Unless someone is three major realms above the host, they will be unable to see the host's cultivation.

Second, activate the system's Concealment Function. It costs 100 Breakthrough Points per day. Likewise, unless someone is three major realms above the host, they will be unable to see the host's cultivation."

"You had a function like this, and you didn't tell me earlier?" Xiao Jin said unhappily.

"The host did not ask," the system replied coolly.

"You..." Xiao Jin was too angry to speak.

"Linglong, activate the Concealment Function for me," Xiao Jin said through gritted teeth.

"Ding. Concealment Function activated." An imperceptible mist suddenly rose around Xiao Jin, concealing his cultivation.

Xiao Jin was relieved. He could still accept spending 100 Breakthrough Points a day. Two months from now, once he received the gold coins from the auction of the Qi Gathering Pill and Qi Condensing Pill, together with the considerable income from the large quantities of ungraded medicinal liquids he refined every day, he had no idea how far he could advance.

There would probably no longer be anyone in all of Wutan City who could rival him. By then, he would need to leave Wutan City and see the world outside. There would be no need to deliberately hide his strength anymore.

Thus, Xiao Jin spent every day rushing back and forth between the Xiao Family and the Mite'er Auction House. Xiao Ying had also been swamped these past few days. The family had entrusted him with the Coming of Age Ceremony two months later and asked him to preside over it.

Xiao Ying had been busy sending invitations to the managers of the family businesses and the heads of Wutan City's major clans, as well as arranging the venue. He had no time at all to ask what Xiao Jin had been doing these past few days.

That day, Ya Fei came to find Xiao Jin.

"Little Brother Xiao Jin, the preparations for the auction are complete. Your Qi Gathering Powder and Qi Condensing Pill are both included. We also received an interesting treasure. Take a look." With that, Ya Fei handed Xiao Jin a Pill Bottle.

When Xiao Jin opened the Pill Bottle, a faint medicinal fragrance drifted into his nose. "It's actually a second-grade medicinal pill—the Foundation Building Spirit Liquid," Xiao Jin said calmly. Of course, he knew about Foundation Building Spirit Liquid. The alchemy inheritance provided by the system also contained its formula. This was most likely something Xiao Huohuo had concocted to make money.

"Oh? Little Brother Xiao Jin knows this pill as well? An old gentleman brought it to the auction house for auction today. Uncle Gu Ni said he is at least a Second-grade Alchemist. What do you think, Little Brother Xiao Jin?" Ya Fei asked curiously.

"No matter what you are thinking, Sister, it would be best not to provoke that old gentleman. His strength is likely beyond your imagination." Xiao Jin's face was utterly serious.

"You brat, you're younger than me, yet you're lecturing your sister now?" Ya Fei scolded with a smile.

"I'm just afraid you'll suffer a loss, Sister." Xiao Jin scratched his head.

"You brat, I'm not the kind of person who gets greedy at the sight of wealth. I'm simply curious which expert of the empire that old gentleman is," Ya Fei said solemnly.

"An old gentleman? I hope you won't be too surprised once you learn his identity," Xiao Jin said calmly.

"You know who he is?" Xiao Jin's words aroused Ya Fei's curiosity again, and she asked eagerly.

"In a couple of days, you may find out, Sister." Xiao Jin did not answer Ya Fei's question and spoke as he walked away.

"In any case, Sister Ya Fei, just try to befriend him. He may be an opportunity for your Mite'er Auction House. I still need to cultivate, so I won't disturb you any longer." With that, he walked toward the door.

"Don't forget tomorrow's auction!" Ya Fei called out loudly.

"Got it." Xiao Jin waved without turning back and left the auction house.

"Could what that boy said be true?" Ya Fei was very curious. Still, befriending a mysterious alchemist is something our Mite'er Auction House ought to do.

The next day, the auction venue was extraordinarily lively. People from Wutan City's major clans arrived one after another. Xiao Jin and Xiao Huohuo also came early, found seats, and sat down. Looking at Xiao Huohuo seated below him, Xiao Jin could not help but find it amusing.

Xiao Huohuo was dressed in an oversized black robe that covered him from head to toe, as though he feared being recognized.

As the auctioneer that day, Ya Fei appeared in magnificent attire, drawing waves of cheers from the bidders below. With the sound of the auction hammer striking the table, the auction officially began. Treasures were brought onto the stage one after another for bidding, and the atmosphere gradually grew heated.

Xiao Jin was drowsy. He had no interest in any of these items. He had come today to see the auction results for the Qi Gathering Powder and Qi Condensing Pill.

Finally, it was time for the Foundation Building Spirit Liquid. When Gu Ni brought out the Pill Bottle for display, the audience immediately began discussing it among themselves.

"Foundation Building Spirit Liquid is only useful for those below the Dou Zhe realm. Soaking one's entire body in it while cultivating can accelerate the cultivation speed of Dou Qi. If you want your descendants to break through to the Dou Zhe realm sooner and become young geniuses, then don't miss this opportunity."

Ya Fei introduced it with a smile, her attention fixed on the stage. She was becoming increasingly curious about that mysterious old gentleman. Just then, Gu Ni began explaining the effects of the Foundation Building Spirit Liquid, prompting everyone to bid one after another.

Xiao Jin sat there with the corners of his lips slightly raised. He knew the show was about to begin.

Ya Fei smiled and said from the stage, "The starting price for the Foundation Building Spirit Liquid is 8,000 gold coins. Everyone, begin bidding."