Xia Wanjin's Investment: This Youth Is Unfathomable!

The atmosphere in the second-floor private room suddenly froze.

Xuan Su's cry of alarm was like a stone cast into a calm lake, instantly stirring towering waves in Xia Wanjin's heart.

He abruptly turned around, strode to the window, and looked in the direction Xuan Su was pointing.

His gaze passed through the surging crowd below and, almost instantly, locked onto the figure walking unhurriedly toward the reception desk.

Blue robe, black hair, and a back as upright as a pine.

The calmness and composure that seemed to emanate from his bones stood in stark contrast to the surrounding martial artists. He could not have been more conspicuous.

"It really is him..."

Xia Wanjin's pupils contracted slightly as his hands unconsciously gripped the window frame.

"Ice Old Ghost was reduced to nothing but bones, and even the Profound Ice Sect collapsed and scattered because of it. Yet this youth, whom Ice Old Ghost had regarded as prey he had to kill, is not only completely unharmed but even dares to swagger back into the Myriad Gold Merchant Association..."

"Facts speak louder than words."

Xia Wanjin took a deep breath. The shock in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by the decisiveness and shrewdness of a merchant.

Whether this youth had killed Ice Old Ghost through his backing or his own strength, being able to accomplish such a feat proved that he was no ordinary man!

If he did not befriend such a promising prospect before he truly soared, then when would he?

"Let's go!"

Without the slightest hesitation, Xia Wanjin turned and headed straight for the private room's door, his voice carrying unquestionable resolve.

"Xuan Su, come downstairs with me. A person like this is worth personally making acquaintance with!"

The first-floor lobby of the auction house.

Liu Yuan stood before the counter and casually paid the entrance fee for the auction.

"Certainly, Young Master. Here is your number plate. Please keep it safe."

The maid accepted the Yang Yuan Stones, and the smile on her face instantly bloomed like spring flowers as she respectfully handed over an exquisite jade number plate.

Liu Yuan nodded slightly, accepted the number plate, and turned to head deeper into the auction house.

However.

Just as he turned around, two figures happened to pass through the crowd and block his path.

The previously noisy crowd around them fell into an eerie silence the instant they saw the two.

The guards and maids who had been acting so arrogantly immediately bent at the waist in unison and saluted respectfully.

"Greetings, President! Greetings, Supervisor Xuan Su!"

The arrivals were none other than Xia Wanjin and Xuan Su.

Xia Wanjin waved a hand to indicate that everyone could dispense with formalities. Then, his wise and scrutinizing gaze immediately fell upon Liu Yuan.

Their eyes met.

Liu Yuan remained calm. He showed neither timidity nor fawning because of the other's status, merely raising an eyebrow slightly as though waiting for what he had to say.

That poised and unyielding bearing made the approval in Xia Wanjin's eyes deepen further.

"Hehe, little brother, forgive my abrupt interruption."

With a warm smile, Xia Wanjin took the initiative to cup his hands in greeting. His tone was as gentle as that of a friendly uncle next door.

"I am Xia Wanjin, the President of the Myriad Gold Merchant Association. This lady beside me is Xuan Su, also a supervisor of our association."

"From upstairs just now, I felt that little brother possessed an extraordinary bearing and was no ordinary person. I wished to make your acquaintance, so I came down rather abruptly. I hope little brother will not take offense."

One did not slap a smiling face.

Liu Yuan naturally understood that principle. Besides, befriending Xia Wanjin had no downside. One more friend was always better than one more enemy.

Thus, he returned the salute with a slight cupping of his hands, a perfectly measured smile appearing on his face.

"So it is President Xia and Supervisor Xuan Su. I have long heard of your great names. I am Liu Yuan."

"Liu Yuan..."

Xia Wanjin quietly rolled the name around in his mouth, seemingly searching his memory for any great family surnamed Liu in Flame City. Naturally, he found nothing.

Without revealing anything, he probed, "Little Brother Liu Yuan possesses such bearing at such a young age. That is truly rare. Judging by your accent, little brother does not seem to be a native of Flame City?"

Liu Yuan's heart stirred. He naturally understood that this old fox was trying to sound him out.

His eyes flickered slightly as he said casually, "President Xia has keen eyes. I am indeed not from Flame City. I traveled here from Great Sun Prefecture."

Great Sun Prefecture!

Upon hearing those words, Xia Wanjin and Xuan Su's pupils contracted almost simultaneously.

Great Sun Prefecture was the central major prefecture of this region. Whether in prosperity or number of experts, it was far beyond a remote little city like Flame City!

So that was why!

Xia Wanjin instantly came to a realization.

No wonder Liu Yuan possessed such strength despite his young age. No wonder he had escaped unscathed from Ice Old Ghost's pursuit!

He was a genius from Great Sun Prefecture!

For all he knew, he might be a core descendant of some great family who had come out to gain experience, or even the direct disciple of some Super Sect!

At that moment, Liu Yuan's importance in Xia Wanjin's eyes rose several levels at once!

If he had merely wanted to befriend a promising prospect before, then now he absolutely had to curry favor with a powerful outsider!

"So you are an outstanding talent from Great Sun Prefecture. My apologies for my lack of respect!"

The smile on Xia Wanjin's face became even more sincere, even carrying a trace of subtle flattery.

After pondering briefly, he seemed to make some major decision. With a flip of his hand, a token forged entirely from purple gold, engraved with the emblem of the Myriad Gold Merchant Association, appeared in his palm.

"Little Brother Liu Yuan, although we have only just met, I feel as though we are old friends at first sight."

"This is the Purple Gold Guest Token of our Myriad Gold Merchant Association. There are very few of them, and only friends whom I, Xia Wanjin, truly acknowledge are qualified to possess one."

Ignoring the shocked gazes around him, he presented the token to Liu Yuan with both hands.

"Anyone holding this token may enjoy a twenty percent discount on all future purchases at the Myriad Gold Merchant Association. Furthermore, if little brother encounters any trouble in Flame City in the future, you may come directly to me. So long as it is within my power, I, Xia, will never refuse!"

An uproar broke out!

The martial artists around them, who had been secretly listening with pricked ears, erupted in commotion. Their eyes reddened one after another, and their envious, jealous gazes nearly drowned Liu Yuan.

The Purple Gold Guest Token of the Myriad Gold Merchant Association!

It was a symbol of status!

The discount was one thing, but more importantly, there was that promise: "If you encounter trouble, come directly to me!"

That was no small promise!

Xia Wanjin was willing to pay such a price just to win over this youth?!

Liu Yuan looked at the token before him, which emitted a faint purple glow, and a trace of surprise flashed through his eyes.

Xia Wanjin truly had nerve.

Still, there was no reason to refuse benefits delivered right to his door.

"Since President Xia is so generous, then I shall gladly accept."

Liu Yuan did not stand on ceremony. Smiling, he accepted the token and tucked it into his robes.

"However, the auction is about to begin. This junior should first go take a look at the auction. When there is time, I will speak with the President again."

"Haha, little brother is too polite. Please!"

Xia Wanjin laughed heartily and stepped aside, making a gesture of invitation.

"Please."

Liu Yuan nodded slightly. Without lingering further, he turned and walked through the auction house entrance with calm, unhurried steps.

Only after Liu Yuan's back completely disappeared around the corner.

Xuan Su, who had maintained her elegant smile all along, finally let out a long breath and looked at Xia Wanjin beside her in disbelief.

"President... wasn't this investment of yours a little too large?"

"The Purple Gold Guest Token has been given to fewer than three people in all of Flame City, including the one at the City Lord's Mansion. Yet you gave one to a youth you have known for less than a quarter of an hour?"

Xia Wanjin withdrew his gaze. The smile on his face gradually faded, replaced by an unprecedented solemnity and depth.

"Su Su, do you think I am gambling?"

He turned to look at Xuan Su, his voice low.

"No. I am investing."

"And it is an investment that is guaranteed to pay off."

Xuan Su was slightly stunned. "Why?"

Xia Wanjin took a deep breath and slowly spoke several words.

"Just now... I secretly used Origin Power to probe him."

"And the result?" Xuan Su hurriedly asked.

"The result..."

Xia Wanjin gave a bitter smile, and a deep wariness flashed through his eyes.

"Unfathomable!"

"The moment my Origin Power approached him, it was like a clay ox entering the sea. It vanished without a trace in an instant. I could not probe his depth at all!"

"There is only one possibility for someone to conceal themselves from my probing to that extent."

Xia Wanjin paused, then spoke each word distinctly.

"His strength is at least at Origin Core Realm Great Perfection!"

"What?!"

Xuan Su's delicate body gave a sudden tremor as she cried out in alarm.

"Origin Core Realm Great Perfection?! H-How is that possible?!"

"How old does he even look? How could he possess such terrifying cultivation?!"

One had to know that even Stone City Lord, the strongest expert in Flame City, was only at Form Creation Realm Minor Accomplishment!

An Origin Core Realm Great Perfection expert under twenty...

That was simply a monster!

"That is why I said he is a peerless genius from Great Sun Prefecture."

Xia Wanjin stared with blazing eyes in the direction Liu Yuan had disappeared.

"A person like him is destined to soar through the nine heavens like a true dragon. The shallow waters of Flame City cannot contain him at all."

"Being able to forge a good relationship with him using a single guest token... this deal is simply too worthwhile!"