Mite'er Auction House

"Dead scholar," Qing Xue snapped irritably. "Can't you say something people can understand?"

Jiang Cheng smiled but remained silent.

Time dragged on as the two stared into each other's eyes, while the light and shadow in their gazes continued to clash.

After an unknown amount of time, the Heavenly Snake Manor Dou Venerate was drenched in sweat. She waved her hand and said, "Fine, fine. I can't beat you."

"Ten years may pass like a day, while a single day may feel like a year. If you truly wish to improve, miss, you need to cultivate your heart rather than blindly seek quick results. Otherwise, your foundation will become unstable."

Jiang Cheng could also see that her Dou Qi was somewhat unsteady. She had risen by one star in three years, but she had forcibly raised her strength, which was why she felt such profound helplessness.

"Tsk~"

Qing Xue curled her lips. "Aren't you going to invite me to stay with you for a couple of days? Is this how Mister Confucian Sage treats his guests?"

Jiang Cheng rubbed his nose. "Of course you can. Just don't get any improper ideas. Qing Lin is mine."

"Fine, fine, she's all yours, all right?"

Qing Xue replied irritably. This guy was still the same as before. With a casual wave of her jade hand, she tore through space and vanished, unwilling to listen to another word Jiang Cheng had to say.

Jiang Cheng shook his head helplessly. That girl always loved keeping people at arm's length.

However, he had other matters to attend to, so he would not return to Peach Forest Mountain for the time being. Presumably, Qing Xue would not openly turn hostile and take Qing Lin away.

"Hey, go back first. I have something to deal with. I'll be back tonight."

Jia Ma Empire, Mite'er Auction House.

As one of the Ten Great Experts of Jia Ma Empire, the Ice Emperor Hai Bodong had already been waiting for quite some time.

The Mite'er Auction House was the largest auction house in the Jia Ma Empire, with treasures appearing one after another. Jiang Cheng had come this time to see whether there were any herbs suitable for refining pills.

"Brother Jiang Cheng, you've finally arrived."

Hai Bodong walked forward and cupped his hands in greeting.

Behind Hai Bodong stood a middle-aged man dressed in lavish robes. The man possessed an extraordinary demeanor and kept his eyes closed throughout, making it impossible to see them.

This man was the Patriarch of the Mite'er Family, Teng Shan!

A Seven Star Dou King, he was also one of the Ten Great Experts of Jia Ma Empire.

Mittel Teng Shan stepped forward and respectfully bowed. "This junior is Teng Shan, Patriarch of the Mite'er Family. Greetings, Mister Confucian Sage."

"You know me?" Jiang Cheng turned to look at Teng Shan and asked curiously.

"Hehe, who in the Jia Ma Empire has not heard of the Academy Confucian Sage? Dou Wangs like us would never have had the chance to speak with you in this lifetime, but with Elder Hai here, this junior is overwhelmed with excitement."

Throughout the Jia Ma Empire, anyone who could speak with Mister Confucian Sage was at least a Dou Emperor. Now that he had heard Jiang Cheng respond, Teng Shan was so moved that he nearly cried.

Jiang Cheng smiled. "Patriarch Teng Shan, there is no need to be so formal. Just call me Mister from now on. I do not put on such airs."

"Thank you, Senior."

Teng Shan nodded repeatedly, displaying his respect for Mister Jiang Cheng.

"Please, come in."

Teng Shan hurriedly made a Gesture of Invitation, inviting them inside to talk. There were too many people outside, and it was naturally not suitable to discuss important matters there.

The Mite'er Auction House headquarters was incomparably luxurious. As one of the Jia Ma Empire's three great families, the Mite'er Family had a long history and deep foundations. Though they had never produced a Dou Emperor, they offered the empire vast amounts of gold every year.

Thus, they received the empire's protection.

Now that Elder Hai had returned, Teng Shan naturally had far more confidence. After all, Elder Hai was a genuine Dou Emperor.

As they approached, more than a dozen Dou Master-level guards stood along both sides of the street. They protected the area while observing every guest who entered, ensuring that only those qualified could enter the Mite'er Auction House.

At the Mite'er Family headquarters' Auction House, cultivation methods were generally divided into four strictly defined ranks: Heaven, Earth, Black, and Yellow. Heaven rank was the highest. The items auctioned there would absolutely draw experts and factions from more than half the Jia Ma Empire in droves.

However, distinguished guests entering the Auction House had to present invitation cards. Upon seeing the Patriarch, the guards immediately stepped aside and opened a path.

They respectfully knelt on one knee. "Greetings, Patriarch!"

Mittel Teng Shan nodded, but he did not go in first. Instead, he turned around and respectfully said, "Elder Hai, Mister Confucian Sage, please."

The servant kneeling on the ground shrank his pupils, unable to believe what he was seeing. What sort of people were these two, for the Patriarch to treat them with such courtesy?

Under Teng Shan's guidance, the two arrived at a quiet place. This was where the Mite'er Family handled its affairs, and only the most important guests or family members could come here.

No one else was qualified.

Upon entering the room, Mittel Teng Shan personally brushed the dust from the cushion on the main seat and respectfully said, "Mister, please."

"Thank you for your trouble, Patriarch Teng Shan."

Jiang Cheng took a seat, lifted the freshly brewed teacup, and took a light sip. "Since that is the case, I shall get straight to the point. I wish to find some herbs here, preferably ones with remarkable effects in tempering one's bones."

Teng Shan nodded. The Mite'er Auction House had plenty of such things. No matter how much Jiang Cheng wanted, he had it here.

However, Jiang Cheng's next words left Mittel Teng Shan somewhat embarrassed.

"What I need are high-grade herbs, not ordinary goods. The lowest rank must be tier three."

Teng Shan scratched his head and looked toward Hai Bodong in the distance. Although they had such items, they had already been slated for that night's auction, and the news had been announced. Taking them out now would likely cause dissatisfaction among others.

Hai Bodong said, "Jiang Cheng, there is an auction tonight. You may find what you need there."

"But if you are in a hurry, Teng Shan can take them out. Given his position, replacing a medicinal material would not be difficult, though it would leave some people dissatisfied."

Jiang Cheng set down his teacup. "No matter. Since the auction is tonight, I may as well take a look."

Having been in this world for so long, he had never attended an auction. This was a good chance to experience one.

"But Elder Hai, could you give me some money? I've never carried money on me all these years..."

Jiang Cheng rubbed his nose awkwardly.

Though Jiang Cheng was a Dou Saint, ever since he began traveling the world, he had distributed nearly all the money on him to the poor.

Jiang Cheng also had principles when helping the poor. He did not save gamblers, those with wolfish ambitions, corrupt lawbreakers, or beasts in human form. He only saved those who truly needed help.

Over the years, Jiang Cheng had become someone people throughout the Dou Qi Continent looked up to. The Confucian Sage's name had spread across the land, and he had become the most handsome scholar in the hearts of the people.