Ya Fei's Shock

Swallowing them whole was impossible; taking two-thirds would be enough.

As for the rest, it could be left for the other families to divide up.

If you ate the meat yourself, you had to let others have a sip of the soup as well. Otherwise, it would create unnecessary trouble.

Upon receiving the order, the steward hurried off to arrange the takeover of the two families' businesses.

After finishing his cultivation, Xiao Peng washed up, ate breakfast, and headed to the auction house.

He needed Ya Fei to help him dispose of the things he did not need and exchange them for resources he did need.

At present, Ya Fei was the only one in Wu Tan City with such extensive connections.

When Xiao Peng arrived at the auction house hall, Ya Fei had just seen off a wealthy merchant.

She wore a moon-white qipao today, its curves outlining her exquisite figure. When she saw Xiao Peng enter, her peach-blossom eyes, always carrying a hint of allure, instantly brightened.

Ya Fei smiled as she said, "What a rare guest. What brings little brother Xiao to my humble place today?"

Xiao Peng smiled faintly and cupped his hands. "Sister Ya Fei's auction house is a prized place in Wu Tan City. Naturally, I have business to bring you."

Ya Fei's gaze shifted as she gestured for him to follow her into the inner hall. "Oh? Little brother Xiao's business surely isn't an ordinary deal."

Her fingertips brushed past her temple, revealing a stretch of fair calf through the slit in her qipao. Every step carried boundless charm, yet Xiao Peng was not distracted in the slightest.

At that moment, all Xiao Peng could think about were resources for Body Tempering.

The inner hall was filled with the curling fragrance of tea. Ya Fei personally poured Xiao Peng a cup. "Tell me, what good things have you brought this time?"

After taking a sip of tea, Xiao Peng said, "There are quite a lot of things. Sister Ya Fei, I think you should call some people over to take inventory."

Ya Fei raised a brow, a trace of surprise flashing through her eyes before she smiled and clapped her hands. "It seems little brother Xiao has brought a major deal this time."

She called over a manager and instructed him, "Go get the warehouse inventory ledgers, then bring two quick-handed attendants to inventory the goods with Young Master Xiao."

The manager acknowledged the order and left. Ya Fei held her teacup and looked at Xiao Peng with great interest. "I'd like to see what sort of treasure warrants such a grand effort."

Xiao Peng did not waste time. He directly took out the two Storage Rings containing the Jia Lie Family's and Ao Ba Family's resources and placed them on the table. "Sister Ya Fei, take a look at what's inside."

The moment Ya Fei's Spiritual Sense entered the Storage Rings beneath her fingertips, the hand holding her teacup paused slightly. Then her peach-blossom eyes widened abruptly, an incredulous gleam flashing within them.

She slowly set down her teacup, her jade-like fingers gently stroking the surface of the Storage Rings as though she wished to see through those tiny rings and behold the wealth within—wealth enough to shake all of Wu Tan City.

"This..." Ya Fei's voice trembled almost imperceptibly.

Ya Fei looked up at Xiao Peng, her tone filled with shock. "The Jia Lie Family's Crimson Crystal Ore, the Ao Ba Family's Black Iron reserves, and these dozens of Dou Techniques... Little brother Xiao, did you empty out the foundations of both families?"

Wherever she looked, high-quality ores alone were piled into small mountains, along with vast quantities of Gold Coins, all kinds of Magic Cores, and numerous Dou Techniques.

"So the disturbance at Jia Lie Manor and Oba Manor last night was your doing." Ya Fei's tone carried amazement, but even more understanding. "Little brother Xiao, you are quite capable. You quietly wiped out the nests of both families."

She guessed that the two families had most likely sent people to kill Xiao Peng, only for them to run into Xiao Peng's master, who dealt with them.

Then Xiao Peng's master had gone to avenge him, killing all the higher-ups of the two families.

Ya Fei's gaze toward Xiao Peng changed completely, becoming several degrees more solemn. "If all these things were sold off, they would be enough to make half the families in Wu Tan City green with envy. You brought them to me so directly—aren't you afraid I might rob you blind?"

Xiao Peng set down his teacup, its base making a soft sound as it struck the table. "If Sister Ya Fei were the sort to rob others, you wouldn't have remained established in Wu Tan City for so long."

As they spoke, the manager entered with several attendants carrying ledgers. Upon seeing the Storage Rings on the table and hearing Ya Fei's brief instructions, they immediately sucked in a cold breath.

After taking everything out of the Storage Rings, the attendants hurriedly began taking inventory.

Looking at the treasures spread across the floor, Ya Fei suddenly smiled, her peach-blossom eyes curving into crescents. "Little brother Xiao, you've given me quite a gift."

"If these things were converted into cash, they would be enough to make half the families in Wu Tan City fight until their heads bled." Ya Fei stepped forward and lightly tapped a piece of Crimson Crystal Ore with her fingertip. A faint red glow instantly appeared across the ore's surface. "Little brother Xiao, what do you need?"

Xiao Peng answered, "I need quite a few rare herbs. If there are any Heavenly Treasures, that would be even better."

The smile in Ya Fei's eyes deepened. She raised a hand to summon the manager over. "Bring out every herb in the warehouse that is over a hundred years old. Prepare them all for little brother Xiao."

She felt somewhat regretful that there were no Heavenly Treasures.

Ya Fei looked at Xiao Peng and said, "Little brother Xiao, the value of those things is too great. I'll need to procure supplies for you from other places, so it will take some time."

Xiao Peng nodded, unhurried. "No matter. Sister Ya Fei, just make the arrangements. I can wait."

He knew that such resources were rare to begin with. Having channels to obtain them was already no easy matter.

Ya Fei lightly traced a fingertip across the Crimson Crystal Ore and smiled. "Little brother Xiao, you certainly trust me. These things are worth too much; I'll have to personally oversee the inventory to avoid any mishaps."

Then she called out to the manager, "Open the innermost secure chamber. Move all the inventoried ores and Magic Cores inside and lock them up first. Sort the Dou Technique scrolls separately. I'll verify them personally later."

The manager hurriedly agreed and directed the attendants to move everything with great care.

The dull thuds of Crimson Crystal Ore colliding, the crisp clinks of rolling Gold Coins, and the rustling of unfurled scrolls blended together.

Ya Fei turned to Xiao Peng, her tone carrying a touch of seriousness. "Honestly, aren't you afraid I'll take everything and run?"

Xiao Peng raised his eyes, his gaze calm and open. "Sister Ya Fei has done business in Wu Tan City for so many years. Your reputation is worth more than these things."

Xiao Peng paused, then added, "Besides, if it truly came to a fight, Sister Ya Fei might not gain any advantage."

The words were half candor and half confidence, yet they did not anger Ya Fei.

Instead, Ya Fei laughed even more brightly. "You brat, you may be young, but you're quite meticulous. Fine, big sister believes in that confidence of yours."

She turned and took a Jade Pendant from a cabinet, handing it to Xiao Peng. "This is the auction house's token. Come collect the herbs with it in three days. I guarantee I'll gather the best for you."

The Jade Pendant felt warm and smooth to the touch, engraved with the auction house's emblem. Xiao Peng accepted it and put it away, then rose and cupped his hands. "Then thank you, Sister Ya Fei."

As he spoke, he took out a Jade Bottle and handed it to Ya Fei.

When Xiao Peng passed over the Jade Bottle, Ya Fei raised a brow and accepted it. She pulled out the stopper, and a crisp medicinal fragrance instantly spread through the room.

"This is?" Ya Fei poured out a pill and asked Xiao Peng.

Though she was well-traveled and knowledgeable, she could not recognize many of the pills Xiao Peng had brought out.