Ya Fei

In the appraisal room, Ning Chen stood with his hands behind his back, taking an interested look at the weapons and works of art hanging on the walls. He didn't have to wait long.

After about the time it took an incense stick to burn, the faint, rhythmic sound of footsteps drew nearer. Along with it came a trace of alluring fragrance that quietly filled the room.

"Sorry to have kept you waiting, Mr. Ning. It was very inconsiderate of me."

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

Ning Chen raised an eyebrow at the sound and slowly turned around.

At the doorway stood a bewitching woman in a vivid red, form-fitting brocade gown. Leaning against the door, she gazed at him with a smile.

Her figure was full and shapely, like a ripe peach, exuding a faint, seductive charm.

Her long, dark hair was casually tied with a lavish purple ribbon, falling to the slender waist that seemed small enough to encircle with one hand.

Her narrow, limpid eyes seemed to hold three parts laughter and seven parts soul-stealing allure. Every glance she cast was naturally captivating.

The corners of her rosy lips curled into a charming smile. Combined with her effortless, beguiling allure, it made some of the less composed men in the auction house turn feverishly eager-eyed in an instant.

So this was Ya Fei... She really was a little vixen... Ning Chen's thoughts stirred, but his expression remained unchanged.

"I've long heard that an extraordinary figure had come to Wutan City. Now that I've finally met you, Mr. Ning, I can see that your bearing is truly impressive."

Ya Fei moved gracefully toward Ning Chen, her every step full of elegance. Her beautiful eyes lingered on his exceptionally handsome face as she smiled sweetly.

Ning Chen calmly met Ya Fei's bewitching gaze, a gaze capable of driving countless men wild. The corner of his mouth lifted in a half-smile.

"Miss Ya Fei is the one whose name is renowned far and wide. Now that I've met you, I find you even more dazzling than the rumors claimed."

His gaze was clear, without the greed and heat of ordinary men when they looked at me... Ya Fei felt a flicker of surprise.

"You flatter me." Ya Fei covered her lips with a laugh, her gesture elegant and utterly alluring.

"Master Gu Ni has already told me what you're looking for. There's naturally no problem with bartering. The Mittel Auction House has branches throughout the Jia Ma Empire, and even in neighboring empires. We have quite a collection of rare treasures, cultivation methods, and combat skills."

"I wonder... what specific kinds of items are you looking for? I can have someone retrieve them from our stock or arrange to have them brought in from elsewhere."

As she spoke, she leaned forward slightly, revealing a glimpse of snowy skin. Her fragrance wafted toward him.

Ning Chen acted as though he hadn't noticed her unconscious attempt to charm him. He lightly tapped the tabletop with a finger and said calmly,

"Cultivation methods and combat skills, preferably fire-attributed and at least at the Xuan level. Natural treasures, such as high-grade Magic Cores or rare metals, or... certain kinds of special intelligence would also do."

"As for the value, use this Three-Pattern Green Spirit Pill and five top-grade Qi Recovery Pills as the benchmark."

He paused and looked at Ya Fei, his tone carrying a hint of amusement.

"I trust the Mittel Auction House has the means to find something that won't disappoint me. After all, this is only the beginning."

A glint flashed in Ya Fei's beautiful eyes. She understood the implication behind Ning Chen's words.

If this partnership went well, there would be plenty more opportunities for trade!

A Fifth-grade Pill was only the beginning. What might come afterward...

Her smile grew all the more sincere and captivating, and she nodded slightly.

"Rest assured, Mr. Ning. I give you my word on the reputation of the Mittel Auction House: we'll find the most suitable treasures for you. In the meantime, you'll be our most honored guest."

"This is the auction house's Black Gold Card. With it, you'll receive our highest discount on all purchases at the Mittel Auction House, and priority when buying items."

She presented him with both hands a black card of unusual material, its edges inlaid with dark gold. Her manner was exceedingly deferential.

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

"In that case, I'll leave it to you, Miss Ya Fei. If you find anything, you can send someone to notify me at the Xiao Clan."

With that, he said no more. He gave Ya Fei a slight nod and turned toward the appraisal room's exit, his retreating figure relaxed and composed.

Ya Fei remained where she was, watching Ning Chen disappear through the doorway. Her alluring smile gradually faded, replaced by a thoughtful, serious expression.

"He casually brings out a Fifth-grade Pill, yet remains so calm in front of me... He knows exactly what he wants and is utterly confident..."

She murmured to herself, her red lips pursed. "The Xiao Clan really is lucky. But since the Mittel Auction House has come across this opportunity too..."

A determined glint flashed in her beautiful eyes. She turned and gave instructions to the appraiser who had appeared outside the door at some point.

"Use our most secure channel to report Mr. Ning's requirements and the details of that Three-Pattern Green Spirit Pill to headquarters at once! Also, check all our stocks and intelligence networks. Do whatever it takes to meet Mr. Ning's demands!"

"Yes, Miss Ya Fei!"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. No wonder that brat Xiao Yan eventually became a Dou Di and never forgot Miss Ya Fei. Seeing her in person, she really is a peerless beauty with a naturally seductive charm..."

After leaving the Mittel Auction House, Ning Chen recalled what had just happened and couldn't help praising her under his breath.

Ya Fei's beauty and allure were unquestionably irresistible to men. It would be a lie to say Ning Chen had been completely unmoved.

But as the saying went, what you couldn't have would always haunt you.

Besides, now that he had a cheat at his disposal, power was within easy reach, and his life wasn't in danger.

If he still couldn't take his eyes off a beautiful woman and lost himself at the sight of one, acting like some lovesick fool who'd never seen the world, then all Ning Chen could say was that he'd really lived a wasted life.

Admiring beauty was one thing; he still had to keep his wits about him.

When Ning Chen returned to the Xiao Clan's main hall, he had barely stepped inside when he saw Xiao Zhan and the other three Xiao Clan elders sitting with long faces, silent as though someone owed them money.

"Mr. Ning, you're back." When Xiao Zhan and the three elders saw him enter, they quickly hid their worries and rose to greet him.

"Mm." Ning Chen nodded, his gaze moving across their faces. Feigning curiosity, he asked,

"From the looks on your faces, have you run into some trouble? Have the Jia Lie and Aoba families started acting up again?"

"Uh... well..."

The three elders looked embarrassed and uncomfortable. They avoided his gaze and stammered, seeming unsure how to bring it up.

Seeing this, Xiao Zhan sighed inwardly and forced a stiff smile as he explained,

"Mr. Ning, you've misunderstood. It has nothing to do with those two families. It's... the Misty Cloud Sect just sent someone with a letter."

He paused. "The letter said that tomorrow, the Misty Cloud Sect's young sect master, Nalan Yanran, would personally come to... pay us a visit."

"Oh? Nalan Yanran?" Ning Chen raised an eyebrow. He understood the situation, but kept his expression impassive.

Xiao Zhan's face twitched slightly. Gritting his teeth, he continued,

"Mr. Ning may not know this, but Nalan Yanran comes from the Nalan Family, one of the empire's three great clans. Her grandfather, Nalan Jie, was an old friend of my father's. She... she was betrothed to my son, Xiao Yan, when they were children."

He nearly had to grit his teeth to force out the word "betrothed." His face burned with embarrassment, while the three elders lowered their heads in shame.

The young sect master of the Misty Cloud Sect was coming in person, and had sent such a formal invitation in advance. How could old hands like them fail to guess what she intended?

She had clearly come with ill intent!

Nalan Yanran was coming tomorrow? Ning Chen was instantly delighted.

Well, well. Was the "root of all evil that led to Hun Tiandi's downfall" finally about to appear?

A certain "famous person" had once said: if you came to the Dou Qi Continent and never got to hear someone say, "Don't bully the poor young man," then you might as well never have come!

How could he miss the chance to witness the iconic scene in person?

"I see..."

Ning Chen suppressed the smile that was threatening to spread across his face and quickly put on a look of sudden realization.

"The Misty Cloud Sect's young sect master, the Nalan Family's young lady, personally coming all the way to visit the fiancé of a minor clan in Wutan City?"

He deliberately drew out the words "fiancé," his gaze passing over Xiao Zhan and the three elders' increasingly sour expressions. He gave a soft laugh.

"Heh. I doubt the purpose of this visit is quite so simple, is it? Clan Head Xiao, it looks like your household has a 'tough battle' ahead tomorrow."

Xiao Zhan's expression grew even more bitter. He opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say.

The three elders exchanged glances, their faces heavy with gloom.

If this really was a broken engagement, the Xiao Clan would lose all face!

But faced with a colossus like the Misty Cloud Sect, they could barely even bring themselves to think of resisting.

Ning Chen took in their reactions and smiled inwardly. He decided not to provoke them further and merely said, unhurriedly,

"Since you'll have a guest tomorrow, and an honored one at that, the Xiao Clan should make proper preparations. As for the rest... meet the enemy as they come, and use earth to block the water."

With that, Ning Chen didn't linger in the main hall. He turned and strolled toward the rear courtyard.

Whether breaking off the engagement was truly a bad thing for Xiao Yan was one matter. Personally, Ning Chen very much wanted to witness the iconic "Don't bully the poor young man" scene with his own eyes.

Let Little Yanzi suffer a little longer. I came here to watch the show.