Mittel · Ya Fei

In the end, no fight broke out, because this was, after all, the Xiao Family Market. Just as Xiao Han and Jia Lie Ao's group were on the verge of conflict, a squad of Xiao Family Market guards rushed over and subdued Jia Lie Ao and his men.

"Apologies, Young Master Xiao Han, Miss Qinglin, for startling you." The thirty-year-old leading man gave a slight bow to Xiao Han. "I never expected Jia Lie Ao to dare cause trouble on Xiao family turf. I'll have them arrested immediately!"

"You should know what to do when someone from the Jia Lie family stirs up trouble on our Xiao family's ground." Xiao Han cast a faint glance at Jia Lie Ao, who was now trussed up like a bundle.

"Naturally."

With practiced ease, the man ordered his subordinates to take Jia Lie Ao and his guards into custody. He appeared to be the captain of this guard squad.

"Not bad work. What's your name?"

Holding Qinglin's hand, Xiao Han looked at the man with interest and asked.

"Reporting to Young Master Xiao Han, my name is Pain. Lately, I've often heard of your genius reputation, young master." The man grinned.

"Wait—what did you say your name was?"

As if hearing a familiar name, Xiao Han paused and blurted out, "Pain? Do you know Shinra Tensei?"

"Uh, Young Master Xiao Han, what's that?"

Pain was quite puzzled by Xiao Han's reaction.

"Ahem, nothing. Just a Dou Technique."

Xiao Han cleared his throat and turned away. "It's getting late. Just handle Jia Lie Ao the way you usually deal with troublemakers. I won't interfere further."

"Yes, Young Master Xiao Han. Miss Qinglin, take care."

Watching Xiao Han and Qinglin's retreating figures, Pain scratched his head, a face full of black question marks. "Shinra Tensei? What kind of Dou Technique is that? Why would Young Master Xiao Han suddenly ask me such a strange question?"

On the other side, Xiao Han hurried away with Qinglin, feeling speechless inside. He'd just remembered who this man named Pain was—the same guy who helped Xiao Yan out when he was surrounded by Jia Lie Ao at the market at the beginning of Battle Through the Heavens.

He had to admit, Potato had a twisted sense of humor, giving a random passerby the name of the Six Paths of Pain.

Beside him, Qinglin looked worried, glancing back from time to time as if afraid someone might chase them.

Seeing Qinglin's anxious expression, Xiao Han stopped and pulled her into his arms. The sudden move made the little loli gasp, her delicate face flushing bright red as steam seemed to rise from her head.

"Y-Young Master... we're still on the street... don't... it's too embarrassing..."

"Qinglin, don't take that fool Jia Lie Ao's words to heart. In my eyes, you can't be measured by money. I, Xiao Han, am not so low as to gamble with the woman I love as a stake! From now on, treat his words like a fart—ignore them."

Leaning close to Qinglin's ear, Xiao Han spoke softly.

"W-Woman I love..."

Boom!

At Xiao Han's words, Qinglin's mind went blank. She only remembered those five words. Her whole heart felt sweeter than honey, and her head spun dizzily as she let Xiao Han lead her along.

It wasn't until they stood before the Mittel Auction House that Qinglin snapped back to reality. She swallowed nervously and tugged at Xiao Han's sleeve. "Young Master Xiao Han, things at the Mittel Auction House are really expensive. We probably can't afford anything."

"Don't worry. I've made a bit of money over the past few years, and I also have a gold card from the Mittel Auction House. I should be able to get what I want."

Calculating the earnings from his shops and the family's business dividends over the years, Xiao Han gave Qinglin a reassuring look and stepped into the Mittel Auction House.

Since Xiao Han frequently came to the Mittel Auction House to buy and sell goods, the attendants here were fairly familiar with him.

Sure enough, the moment he entered, a young man in his early twenties jogged over and led Xiao Han and Qinglin to a VIP Room.

"Oh my, Xiao Han, little brother, what brings you to see your big sister today?" Just as Qinglin was curiously looking around, a seductive female voice came from another door in the room.

Qinglin followed the sound and saw a beautiful woman in a red gauze dress with a stunning figure walking gracefully toward them.

Her impressive curves and exquisite beauty—even Qinglin, who was quite confident in herself, felt inferior before those long, straight legs and the two big melons on the woman's chest.

But Qinglin was only twelve now; she still had plenty of room to grow.

Xiao Han merely glanced at the woman, then picked up his teacup and took a light sip.

"I was wondering why little brother Xiao Han hasn't come to see me lately—turns out he's found a new flame and forgotten the old one~ Won't you introduce her to your big sister?" The woman in red walked over, sat lightly across from Xiao Han, and poured herself some tea.

"Sister Ya Fei, you're joking. This is my personal maid, Qinglin. I brought her out today to broaden her horizons." Xiao Han set down his teacup with a smile, then introduced her to Qinglin. "Qinglin, this is Sister Ya Fei, the renowned young miss of the Mite'er Family, the wealthiest family in the Jia Ma Empire."

"Hello, Sister Ya Fei."

Qinglin stood and gave a slight bow. Ya Fei smiled, then flicked her finger, and a bracelet made of low-grade magic crystals appeared in her hand. "So you're little sister Qinglin. I've heard your name before. Seeing you today, you're truly an undeniable little beauty."

Taking Qinglin's right hand, Ya Fei slipped the bracelet onto her wrist. "This is a gift from your big sister for our first meeting."

"Ah?! A gift and all..."

The bracelet looked exquisite and was probably quite valuable. Qinglin had never received such an expensive present and hesitated to accept it.

She glanced at Xiao Han, who remained calm and gave her a reassuring look. "Since it's Sister Ya Fei's gesture, take it. This little thing is nothing to a rich woman like her."

"Oh my, little brother Xiao Han sure doesn't stand on ceremony."

Ya Fei teased elegantly.

Xiao Han's expression stayed neutral. He didn't respond, instead lightly tapping the table. "So, Sister Ya Fei, the items I asked someone to notify you to procure for me yesterday—are they all gathered?"

"Hehe, naturally."

Ya Fei waved her hand, and two items appeared on the table.

One was an Intermediate Storage Ring inlaid with a Sapphire, and the other was a Crimson Three-foot Longsword.

Ding!

Xiao Han picked up the longsword and flicked it lightly, producing a crisp sound. He then infused his Fire Attribute Dou Qi into it; the vigorous energy circulated smoothly through the sword body without any obstruction.

Embedded in the handguard of the sword hilt was a Third Rank Fire Attribute Magic Core, which continuously supplied power to the blade.

Xiao Han swung the entirely crimson longsword, a look of satisfaction spreading across his face.

"A fine sword!"

"Xiao Han, Younger Brother, yesterday you asked me to keep an eye out for a suitable fire-attribute long blade or longsword. As luck would have it, this sword arrived. If I hadn't snatched it up for you, with your current assets, you wouldn't have been able to secure such a fine weapon," Ya Fei said, seeing Xiao Han's expression. She smiled slightly and handed him the scabbard.

"Thank you, Sister Ya Fei. As per the usual arrangement, deduct the cost of the ring and the sword from my account," Xiao Han replied softly in thanks, then sheathed the sword, concealing its edge.

The scabbard was thoughtfully fitted with two iron rings, making it more convenient for Xiao Han to carry it on his back or hang it at his waist.

"Xiao Han, Younger Brother, are you planning to go out for training?" Ya Fei asked curiously.

"That is indeed my intention," Xiao Han replied, unsurprised that Ya Fei had guessed his plan. After all, preparing these two items—the ring for packing luggage on the road and the longsword as a weapon—made his purpose self-evident.

Xiao Han refined the ring on his finger and probed it with his Soul Power. Good heavens, it was at least a thousand cubic meters inside; the money had not been wasted.

He removed the Low-grade Storage Ring from his ring finger, transferred its contents to the new ring, erased his personal imprint, and tossed the old ring to Qinglin to play with.

Having taken care of what he needed, Xiao Han nodded his farewell and left the Mittel Auction House with Qinglin. Next, he took her around the Xiao Family Market, buying a large assortment of supplies needed for camping during outdoor training.

All kinds of tools and seasonings were available. He also purchased some Qi Replenishing and Blood Clotting pills related to cultivation, preparing thoroughly for his first training expedition.