Home and Longing

The Miteer Auction House stood on the busiest commercial street in the Imperial Capital, its frontage alone occupying half the street.

Now, a huge crowd had gathered outside the main building's entrance. Dozens of sharp-eyed guards stood silently atop the steps before the gates. Simply standing there, they kept anyone from daring to take even half a step forward.

"Good heavens, more than thirty guards at the entrance, and every one of them is a Dou Shi or above!" Xiao Yan emerged from the packed crowd and could not help sighing at the imposing guards.

It was not as if he had never been here before, but such a display was indeed rare.

After all, a Dou Shi-level cultivator would basically be the leader of an organization in some remote little town.

For example, Mu She, the leader of the Green Wolf Mercenary Group whom Xiao Yan had encountered in Qingshan Town, was a Two-star Dou Shi. Yet every guard present was stronger than Mu She!

Xiao Yan took a deep breath, stepped forward, and slowly ascended the stairs leading to the entrance.

The instant his left foot landed on the first step, over thirty piercing gazes locked onto him. At the same time, he became the focus of the crowd behind him.

"Who's that guy? Judging by his clothes, he doesn't look like anyone important. This Auction isn't somewhere any stray cat or dog can enter."

"Idiot! You don't even recognize him? That's Yan Xiao, who just won the Alchemist Competition and refined a Fifth-grade Pill!"

"What?!" A stir swept through the crowd. Everyone cast respectful gazes toward the somewhat slender young man's back.

"Please present your invitation, thank you." A guard who appeared to be the squad captain slowly approached. After examining Xiao Yan, he spoke with a measure of respect.

Xiao Yan nodded, took out the purple card from his Storage Ring, and handed it to the guard.

The guard accepted it, and his stern expression immediately changed. He hurriedly returned the card to Xiao Yan, his tone becoming even more respectful. "So it is Lord Yan Xiao. My apologies for the discourtesy!"

Xiao Yan shook his head. He was very unaccustomed to such formalities and asked directly, "Where is this Auction being held?"

"Oh, on the Third Layer of the main building. That is the largest auction hall at the auction house headquarters. Your seat is in VIP Room Number Three. A dedicated maid will lead you there when the time comes." The guard nodded respectfully.

Xiao Yan clasped his fists in thanks, then slowly entered through the magnificent open doors, which stood ten meters tall.

"Why are you here?" Xiao Yan looked at Liuli, who was sitting in a broad, soft leather VIP chair specially imported by the Mite'er Family from the Northwest Region's central area, eating exquisite pastries laid out on the table. He asked in confusion.

A maid had led him to VIP Room Number Three, and the moment he opened the door, he saw the Pink-haired Girl.

"Sit down first. I need to tell you something later." Liuli did not answer directly. Instead, she naturally beckoned him over, signaling for him to sit beside her.

Xiao Yan sighed softly and said nothing. He closed the door behind him, walked straight to one end of the VIP chair, and sat down.

"What is it? Just say it," Xiao Yan said.

Liuli's hand, which was reaching for a pastry, paused. Then she put down the small white cake. Slowly turning her head, her lavender eyes stared fixedly at him. Her expression was somewhat serious, yet also seemed conflicted and hesitant.

"This isn't like you, acting all awkward," Xiao Yan said. Seeing her expression, he felt his heart tighten slightly.

"Xiao Yan, how long has it been since you contacted your family?" Liuli stared at him for a long while before finally speaking slowly.

"Hm?" Xiao Yan was baffled. How had she managed to bring up something so unrelated to the current mood?

"Ahem. My two brothers and I separated less than a month ago. As for my father, I suppose it has been almost two years since I last saw him." Xiao Yan thought carefully before answering.

As he spoke, he unexpectedly began to miss that small city which had given him warmth and pride, but also disappointment and regret. He missed even more the man who was usually rather stern, yet had always strived to be a good father.

After the Three Year Agreement, I'll go back and see him.

Xiao Yan made the promise in his heart.

"Mm." Liuli nodded, then fell silent.

"What's wrong?" Xiao Yan asked, puzzled by her appearance.

"Nothing. I just wanted to say that if you have the chance, go home more often. While you still have the time, while you still have the ability..." Liuli's voice grew quieter and quieter, until she finally sighed softly.

Xiao Yan considered her words, then said with sudden realization, "You can't see your family anymore?"

Liuli froze upon hearing that. Then she shot him an annoyed glare, and that faint trace of sadness vanished. Pointing at Xiao Yan, she said, "What are you talking about? My father and mother are perfectly fine! What do you mean by that?"

"Ahem, sorry. Looking at that expression you had just now, I thought..." Xiao Yan awkwardly scratched the back of his head, his face full of embarrassment.

"Impossible, absolutely impossible! Even if some strong individual capable of wiping out the Jia Ma Empire with their bare hands made a move, my Dad wouldn't care in the slightest!" Liuli declared fiercely.

"What? Your father is that strong?!" Xiao Yan was stunned, his voice filled with disbelief.

The Jia Ma Empire had an army of a million soldiers, and dozens of Dou Wang-level experts or stronger within its borders. Someone capable of destroying an empire of that scale alone would likely need to be at least a Five-star Dou Zong. Yet the young girl before him said her father would not take such a strong individual seriously at all. His strength had to be on an entirely higher level.

Could he be a Dou Venerate?

Thinking of this, Xiao Yan could not help feeling somewhat intimidated. He cautiously asked, "What is your esteemed father's cultivation level?"

"Ah? Oh... um..." Liuli snapped out of her slightly angry mood. Faced with Xiao Yan's question, she did not know how to answer for a moment.

What, should I tell him directly that my Dad is a Nine-star Dou Saint? That would scare him to death, wouldn't it?

"Uh, his strength... he has just entered the Dou Venerate realm, I suppose! He is in the Central Continent and has a little reputation." Liuli smiled stiffly a few times and told a small lie.

Xiao Yan drew in a cold breath and could not help feeling deep respect for the young girl's father. A Dou Zong expert could become the ruler of an entire empire. A Dou Venerate expert might be considered an overlord throughout the entire Northwest Region, right?

He had not expected his partner to be so formidable. No wonder the young girl, despite her age, was a level stronger than him overall. She even possessed the incredibly profound Yin Yang Twin Flames.

Seeing that Xiao Yan was still so shocked, Liuli guiltily turned her head away and silently resumed eating her pastries.

"Right, didn't you say you had something to tell me?" Xiao Yan came back to his senses and recalled what Liuli had said when he first entered.

"That was it," Liuli said softly, taking small bites of her pastry.

"You miss home, don't you? I miss mine too. Although my family gave me many bad memories, I grew up there. My roots are there. No matter how glorious my adventures outside may be, I'm still only a leaf drifting far from its tree." Xiao Yan's gaze became distant. Memories from two years ago, and even farther back into his childhood, filled his mind and gently brushed against the softness in his heart.

"Mm. That's why I told you to go home more often," Liuli said softly. Her head lowered slightly, and from Xiao Yan's angle, he could not see her expression.

"After I go to the Misty Cloud Sect and fulfill the Three Year Agreement, I'll head home and bring them good news!" Xiao Yan said confidently.

"Oh? You're that confident?" Liuli raised her head, her usual smile returning.

"Thanks to you, after absorbing the medicinal power of that Crimson Firmament Spirit Pill, I really did break through to the Da Dou Shi realm in one go. There are still more than ten days left. I just need to refine my cultivation a little during this time, then practice my Dou Skills." Xiao Yan smiled, gratitude in his voice.

"Good luck. But when the time comes, I'll definitely accompany you up the mountain!" Liuli patted his shoulder and declared with great momentum, "I'll help you stop those worthless fools who try to keep you out. You can just focus on fighting your way in!"

"You're only a Dou Ling, right? The Misty Cloud Sect has plenty of deacons and elders, all at that level," Xiao Yan asked uncertainly.

"Don't worry. Against trash at the same level, I can take them down one sword at a time. Aren't you the same?" Liuli nodded confidently.

"Haha, true."

The two exchanged smiles, and the atmosphere was quite harmonious.

As they spoke, the Auction began right on schedule!