Ya Fei

Inside the appraisal room, Ning Chen stood with his hands behind his back, examining some of the weapons and art pieces hanging on the walls with great interest, not waiting for long.

About the time it takes to burn an incense stick later, a light and rhythmic sound of footsteps approached from afar, accompanied by a faint, alluring fragrance that quietly permeated the room.

"Keeping Mr. Ning waiting for so long is truly a sin on my part."

A soft, honeyed female voice rang out, sounding as if it had hooks that could easily tug at a man's heartstrings.

Hearing this, Ning Chen raised an eyebrow and slowly turned around.

At the doorway, an enchanting woman dressed in a vibrant red tight-fitting brocade robe stood leaning against the frame, watching him with a smile.

The woman's figure was full and exquisite, like a ripe peach, exuding a subtle charm.

Three thousand strands of dark hair were tied loosely with a gorgeous purple ribbon, cascading down to her slender, willow-like waist.

Her pair of watery, almond-shaped eyes seemed to always carry three parts of a smile and seven parts of seduction, her gaze shifting with a natural, bewitching allure.

The corners of her rosy lips curled into a captivating arc; such a smile, combined with her innate, sultry demeanor, caused the gazes of some men in the auction house with weaker willpower to turn scorching hot in an instant.

So this is Ya Fei... truly a temptress... Ning Chen's heart stirred, but his expression remained unchanged.

"I had long heard that an extraordinary person had arrived in Wutan City. Seeing you today, Mr. Ning, your bearing is indeed exceptional and truly impressive."

Ya Fei took light, swaying steps toward Ning Chen, her beautiful eyes lingering on his handsome face as she smiled radiantly.

Ning Chen met her bewitching gaze—one that could drive countless men to madness—with a calm expression, a faint, ambiguous smile playing on his lips.

"Miss Ya Fei's reputation is like thunder to the ears. Seeing you today, you are even more stunning than the rumors suggest."

His eyes are very clear, devoid of the greed and heat I usually see from men when they look at me... Ya Fei felt a slight sense of surprise.

"You flatter me, sir." Ya Fei covered her lips and chuckled, her movements elegant and full of charm. "Master Gu Ni has already informed me of your requirements. Bartering is, of course, no problem. My Mittel Auction House has branches throughout the Jia Ma Empire and even in neighboring empires; we possess no shortage of rare treasures, cultivation techniques, and Dou Skills."

"I just don't know... what specific type of items you require? So that I may have someone retrieve them from our inventory or immediately arrange for them to be transported from elsewhere."

As she spoke, she leaned forward slightly, revealing a patch of snow-white skin, and a fragrant breeze wafted toward him.

Ning Chen seemed not to notice the charm she was unintentionally radiating. He tapped his fingers lightly on the table and said indifferently, "Cultivation techniques and Dou Skills, preferably fire-attribute, at least Xuan-tier. Heavenly spiritual items, such as high-level Monster Cores, rare metals, or... certain special intelligence, are all acceptable."

"As for the value, let this Three-Pattern Green Spirit Pill and five premium Qi Recovery Pills serve as the standard."

He paused, looked at Ya Fei, and added with a hint of playfulness, "I believe that with the capabilities of the Mittel Auction House, you should not disappoint me. After all, this is only the beginning."

A flash of brilliance crossed Ya Fei's beautiful eyes; she caught the subtext in Ning Chen's words.

As long as this cooperation is pleasant, there will be more possibilities for transactions in the future!

A Tier 5 medicinal pill is just the beginning, so what follows...

The smile on her face became even more sincere and moving as she nodded slightly.

"Rest assured, sir. I, Ya Fei, guarantee with the reputation of the Mittel Auction House that I will find the most suitable treasures for you. During this time, you shall be the most honored guest of the Mittel Auction House."

"This is the Black Gold Card of the auction house. With this card, you will enjoy the highest discount on all purchases at the Mittel Auction House and have priority purchasing rights for all items."

She offered a black card with a special texture and dark gold edges with both hands, her posture extremely humble.

Ning Chen took the card casually, tucked it away without even looking at it, and nodded.

"In that case, I will have to trouble Miss Ya Fei. Once there is news, you may send someone to the Xiao Clan to notify me."

Having said that, he spoke no more, gave a slight nod to Ya Fei, and turned to walk out of the appraisal room, his back appearing free and easy.

Ya Fei stood in place, watching Ning Chen's back disappear at the doorway. The sultry smile on her face gradually faded, replaced by a look of gravity and deep thought.

"To casually produce a Tier 5 pill, and to be so calm in the face of my... he is clear-headed and full of confidence..."

She whispered to herself, her red lips pursed. "The Xiao Clan... they really have good luck. However, since I, the Mittel Auction House, have also encountered this opportunity..."

A look of determination flashed in her beautiful eyes. She turned and instructed the appraiser who had been waiting outside the door, "Immediately report Mr. Ning's requirements and the situation regarding that Three-Pattern Green Spirit Pill to headquarters via the highest-level encrypted channel! At the same time, search all our inventories and intelligence networks; spare no cost to satisfy Mr. Ning's requirements!"

"Yes, Miss Ya Fei!"

"Tsk tsk tsk, no wonder that brat Xiao Yan became a Dou Di and still couldn't forget Miss Ya Fei. Seeing her today, she is truly a peerless beauty, a natural temptress..."

After walking out of the Mittel Auction House, Ning Chen recalled the scene just now and couldn't help but sigh in admiration.

Ya Fei's appearance and demeanor were indeed undeniably seductive to men. To say that Ning Chen felt absolutely nothing inside would be a lie.

But as the saying goes: what one cannot obtain is always the most tantalizing.

Moreover, he now had a cheat system, power was within easy reach, and he no longer had to worry about his life.

If he were still like some inexperienced, sheltered boy who couldn't move his feet or lost his soul the moment he saw a beautiful woman, acting like a lecher, then Ning Chen could only say that his life would truly be a waste.

Appreciation is one thing, but one must keep their composure.

Returning to the main hall of the Xiao Clan, the moment he stepped inside, Ning Chen saw Xiao Zhan and the other three elders of the Xiao Clan all wearing bitter expressions, sitting in silence as if someone owed them money.

"Mr. Ning, you've returned." Seeing Ning Chen enter, Xiao Zhan and the three elders quickly hid their troubled expressions and stood up to welcome him.

"Mm," Ning Chen nodded, his gaze sweeping across the four faces as he feigned confusion.

"Judging by your expressions, have you encountered some difficulty? Could it be that the Jia Lie and Aoba clans are acting up again?"

"Er... this..."

Upon hearing this, the three elders' faces immediately filled with embarrassment and awkwardness; their eyes darted away, and they stammered, seemingly finding it difficult to speak.

Seeing this, Xiao Zhan sighed inwardly, forced a somewhat stiff smile onto his face, and explained, "Mr. Ning has misunderstood; it has nothing to do with those two clans. It is... it is that the Yunlan Sect just sent someone to deliver a letter."

He paused, "The letter says that tomorrow, the young sect leader of the Yunlan Sect, Nalan Yanran, will personally come to... pay a visit."

"Oh? Nalan Yanran?" Ning Chen raised an eyebrow, already understanding the situation, yet remaining calm on the surface.

Xiao Zhan's face twitched slightly as he braced himself to continue, "Mr. Ning may not know, but this Nalan Yanran comes from the Nalan Clan, one of the three great families of the empire. Her grandfather, Nalan Jie, was an old friend of my father, and she... she has been betrothed to my son Yan'er since childhood."

He practically gritted his teeth as he uttered the word "betrothal," his face burning with shame, while the three elders lowered their heads in humiliation.

With the young sect leader of the Yunlan Sect coming in person and sending such a formal notice in advance, how could these old veterans not guess her intentions?

This was clearly a hostile visit!

Nalan Yanran is coming tomorrow? Ning Chen felt a sudden spark of amusement.

Good heavens, is the "source of evil that caused the fall of Hun Tiandi" finally arriving?

A certain "famous person" once said: If you come to the Dou Qi Continent and don't get to hear the words "do not bully the young because they are poor" in person, then you've come in vain!

How could he miss this chance to see the live version?

"So that's how it is..."

Ning Chen suppressed the corners of his mouth, which were threatening to curl upward, and quickly replaced his expression with one of sudden realization.

"The young sect leader of the Yunlan Sect, the eldest daughter of the Nalan Clan, personally visiting a small family in Wutan City to see her... fiancé?"

He deliberately slowed his tone on the word "fiancé," swept his gaze over the increasingly unsightly expressions of Xiao Zhan and the three elders, and chuckled softly.

"Heh, the purpose of this visit is likely... not so simple, is it? Patriarch Xiao, it seems your residence has a 'tough battle' to fight tomorrow."

Hearing this, Xiao Zhan's expression turned even more bitter; he opened his mouth but didn't know how to respond.

The three elders also looked at each other, their faces filled with gloom.

If this really is a request to break off the engagement, the Xiao Clan will lose all face!

Yet, facing a behemoth like the Yunlan Sect, they couldn't even muster the thought of resistance.

Ning Chen took in their reactions, laughing inwardly, but decided not to provoke them further, saying nonchalantly, "Since a guest is arriving tomorrow, and a distinguished one at that, the Xiao Clan should prepare well. As for the rest... when soldiers come, block them with generals; when water comes, cover it with earth."

Having said that, Ning Chen did not linger in the main hall, turning and walking leisurely toward the backyard.

Regardless of whether this engagement annulment was a bad thing for Xiao Yan, from his own perspective, he really wanted to witness this iconic scene of "do not bully the young because they are poor" with his own eyes.

Let little Yan'er suffer a bit more, so I can watch the show.