After Nalan Yanran and the others left, the Xiao family hall erupted into a clamor once more.
The allure of a top-grade Purple Heart Barrier Breaking Pill was simply too great. The First Elder, the Third Elder, and several other high-ranking members of the Xiao Clan all stared at Xiao Tian with burning eyes.
"Xiao Tian, how do you plan to distribute these Purple Heart Barrier Breaking Pills?" The First Elder's eyes gleamed as he fixed his gaze on the three purple pills in Xiao Tian's hand and asked eagerly.
The Third Elder also stared hungrily at the three Purple Heart Barrier Breaking Pills in Xiao Tian's hand. He swallowed, his eyes practically turning green.
Yet Xiao Tian seemed not to notice the expressions on the First Elder and Third Elder's faces. He glanced at them, then turned to Xiao Zhan, who was lost in thought nearby, and said slowly:
"Uncle, thank you for looking after me all these years. These two Purple Heart Barrier Breaking Pills are for you."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Tian took out two Purple Heart Barrier Breaking Pills and placed them before Xiao Zhan.
"You... You're giving these two Purple Heart Barrier Breaking Pills to me?" Xiao Zhan asked in disbelief when he finally came to his senses.
The value of these Purple Heart Barrier Breaking Pills was beyond measure. They were precious even in Wutan City, let alone across the entire Jia Ma Empire.
Yet Xiao Tian was willing to give up such precious elixirs and bestow them upon him.
Xiao Zhan was deeply moved!
As he accepted the two pills, Xiao Zhan trembled with excitement. It was impossible to say he wasn't interested in the Purple Heart Barrier Breaking Pills, especially since these peak fourth-grade pills could directly increase one's strength.
He was already at the peak of the Five-star Great Dou Shi level. Once he broke through to Six-star Great Dou Master, taking the two pills would propel him straight to Eight-star Great Dou Master. His standing in the Xiao Clan would rise along with his strength!
The temptation was simply too hard to resist.
Now that only one of the three Purple Heart Barrier Breaking Pills remained, the First Elder, Third Elder, and the others in the hall swallowed nervously and fixed their eyes on the last pill, wishing they could snatch it away at once.
"Heh. There's nothing for you this time!"
Xiao Tian seemed to have anticipated their reaction. A faint smile curved his lips as he spoke.
"Uh..." The crowd was left awkwardly embarrassed. They wore sheepish expressions before finally turning away in disappointment.
Only the First Elder and Third Elder were filled with regret. If they hadn't treated Xiao Tian so harshly and coldly before, perhaps they, too, would have received a Purple Heart Barrier Breaking Pill today.
"Tian'er, thank you for helping me and Yan'er save face today, after Nalan Yanran came to break off the engagement." Once everyone had left, Xiao Zhan sighed and spoke slowly.
If Xiao Tian hadn't stepped forward today, Xiao Zhan and Xiao Yan would have lost all face and become the laughingstock of the entire family!
"Uncle, is the Misty Cloud Sect really that powerful?"
Just then, as Xiao Zhan reflected to himself, Xiao Tian stood with his back to him, cutting a towering figure as he spoke calmly.
The sudden question caught Xiao Zhan off guard. Then he answered without thinking:
"The Misty Cloud Sect is known as the Jia Ma Empire's supreme power. It has deep foundations, a long history, and influence beyond measure. Before the Misty Cloud Sect, the Xiao Clan is as insignificant as an ant."
As he spoke, Xiao Zhan gave a bitter smile. If that weren't the case, why would he have swallowed his pride today?
"The Misty Cloud Sect, huh? If I get the chance, I'll personally visit them one day and see what they're made of." Hearing Xiao Zhan's explanation, Xiao Tian's lips lifted into a faint smile as he spoke.
Though he said it casually, Xiao Zhan felt a glimmer of hope. After all, his nephew Xiao Tian's rise had shown him the possibility of a brighter future for the Xiao family.
"Father, I'll go to the Misty Cloud Sect and avenge today's humiliation one day!" Xiao Yan stepped forward and declared, his expression resolute.
Xun'er also came forward. She brushed a lock of hair behind her ear, a charming smile blossoming across her beautiful face.
"Uncle Xiao, Xun'er believes that before long, the Misty Cloud Sect will regret what it did today."
Hearing them, Xiao Zhan's face finally bloomed into a beaming smile.
Not long afterward, Xiao Tian left the Xiao family hall and headed straight to the Mittel Auction House.
When he saw Ya Fei again, Xiao Tian was nearly bewitched by the alluring beauty.
"Giggle. Mr. Xiao Tian, have you missed me already, after just one day?" Seeing the young man in front of her unable to meet her gaze, Ya Fei covered her mouth and laughed coquettishly.
"Ahem, Miss Ya Fei, I came today to ask you for a favor." Xiao Tian coughed a few times and hurriedly changed the subject.
"Mr. Xiao Tian, if there's anything you need my help with, just say the word. You're an honored guest of our Mittel Auction House." Seeing how flustered he was, Ya Fei smiled behind her hand and spoke seductively.
At that, Xiao Tian immediately took out a Storage Ring. It contained the items he'd looted from the Wolf Head Mercenary Group, along with all the medicinal ingredients Gale Nu had been transporting.
Ya Fei raised an eyebrow when she saw what was inside the Storage Ring, immediately understanding the situation. She reached out with her pale, slender arm and accepted it with a charming smile. "Leave this to me."
With that, she turned and headed into the auction house.
Watching Ya Fei leave, Xiao Tian breathed a slight sigh of relief and sat in the VIP room to wait quietly.
All these items had been obtained through killing and looting. To avoid bringing unnecessary trouble to the Xiao Clan, Xiao Tian had decided to get rid of them as soon as possible.
Before long, Ya Fei returned.
She held the Storage Ring between her delicate fingers and offered it to Xiao Tian with a radiant smile.
"Mr. Xiao Tian, we've handled the goods through the channels of the Mittel Auction House. This contains the gold coins after our commission was deducted—a total of one million and eighty thousand. Please count them."
After hearing Ya Fei's explanation, Xiao Tian smiled with satisfaction, took the Storage Ring, and said, "Thank you, Miss Ya Fei. There's no need to count them."
With that, Xiao Tian turned to leave.
"Mr. Xiao Tian!" Just then, Ya Fei called to stop him. Her red lips curled into a seductive smile as she said plaintively:
"Are you really in such a hurry to leave?"
Even Xiao Tian couldn't help breathing faster at the sight of Ya Fei like this.
"Ahem, Miss Ya Fei, is there something else you need?" Xiao Tian coughed twice, then asked with feigned composure.
"I really do have something to ask of you." Ya Fei's delicate body trembled slightly as she spoke in a sweet voice. Her eyes shimmered with a bewitching allure that made Xiao Tian feel his blood surge.
"Please, go ahead, Miss Ya Fei." Xiao Tian struggled to suppress the heat surging through him and keep his composure.
"Mr. Xiao Tian, are you free to have tea with me tonight?" Ya Fei asked in a sweet voice, looking at him plaintively.
Ya Fei's invitation left Xiao Tian's mind reeling.
"Uh... Sorry, Miss Ya Fei, I have things to do tonight, so I'll have to pass." Xiao Tian rubbed his nose and shook his head. He knew that Ya Fei was a poison of passion—touch it and perish. He couldn't foolishly walk into her trap.
Seeing his attitude, Ya Fei stamped her foot in frustration. This was the first time she'd ever invited a man to have tea with her, and the rascal had flatly turned her down.
"What a bore!" Watching Xiao Tian dash away, Ya Fei pouted her cherry-red lips and grumbled angrily.
Before you continue