Jia Xingtian's Gesture of Goodwill!

Two days later.

The Mittal Auction House was packed to capacity, with every major force in the Jia Ma Empire having sent representatives.

Representatives from the Misty Cloud Sect, the Nalan Clan, the Alchemist Guild, and the major families of the Imperial Capital had all arrived.

A woman in a red cheongsam stepped onto the auction platform. Her peach blossom eyes swept over the crowd below, and a seductive smile rested on her face.

"Everyone, welcome to the Mittal Auction House. Today is a special auction, and only one item will be sold."

The hall fell silent, and everyone's eyes fixed on the auction platform.

"A Peak Sixth-Rank pill—the Dou Huang Pill."

The auctioneer's voice echoed through the hall.

"I'm sure you have all heard of this pill's effects. Any Dou Zhe, regardless of rank, can gain the strength of a Dou Emperor for a short time after taking it. The effect lasts for one hour."

The crowd immediately stirred. Countless pairs of eyes stared eagerly at the jade vial in the auctioneer's hand.

A single pill could turn a Dou Zhe into a Dou Emperor. Even if it only lasted an hour, everyone understood what that meant to a faction.

The auctioneer looked around.

"The starting bid is five million Gold Coins."

"Six million."

Yun Yun, seated in the front row, raised her hand and calmly named the price.

She wore a moon-white gown, her beauty breathtaking and her temperament cold.

Nalan Yanran, seated beside her, stared at the jade vial on the auction platform, her eyes full of anticipation.

This Dou Huang Pill was being bought by her teacher for her.

She was only a Five-Star Dou Zhe now.

After taking this pill, she would possess the strength of a Dou Emperor for one hour. Nalan Yanran clenched her fists.

"Six and a half million."

A voice came from the other side.

Yun Yun turned to glance at the person before withdrawing her gaze.

"Seven million."

"Seven and a half million."

"Eight million."

Yun Yun's voice remained calm throughout.

When the people around saw her bid, none of them dared raise the price further. The Cloud Mist Sect Master had personally made a move—who would dare compete with her?

The atmosphere in the hall became somewhat delicate. Several people who had originally planned to bid lowered their number plates when they saw Yun Yun sitting there.

It was not worth offending the Misty Cloud Sect.

The auctioneer looked around.

"Eight million, going once. Eight million, going twice."

"Ten million."

A voice came from the entrance of the hall, and everyone turned to look in that direction.

Jia Xingtian entered, followed by two guards. He wore luxurious brocade robes and carried himself with steady composure.

The old ancestor of the Jia Ma Empire's Imperial Family, a Dou Emperor powerhouse.

Jia Xingtian's gaze swept across the hall before finally settling on Yun Yun.

"Sect Master Yun, this pill is something this old man needs as well."

Yun Yun looked at him, a trace of coldness flashing through her eyes.

Jia Xingtian walked to the front row and took a seat.

Yun Yun drew a deep breath.

"Eleven million."

"Twelve million." Jia Xingtian's expression did not change.

"Thirteen million."

"Fourteen million."

Their bids rang out alternately through the hall. The representatives of the surrounding factions looked at one another, but no one dared interrupt.

The Cloud Mist Sect Master and the Imperial Family's old ancestor, two Dou Emperor powerhouses, were competing for it. Who would dare get involved?

Yun Yun's expression darkened slightly.

"Jia Xingtian, must you compete with me?"

"Sect Master Yun, the Imperial Family is determined to obtain this pill. My apologies."

Yun Yun gritted her teeth, her fingers lightly tapping against the armrest as she calculated rapidly.

She had enough Gold Coins to keep bidding, but it was not worth falling out with the Imperial Family over this pill.

Yun Yun lowered her hand.

"Forget it."

Her voice was soft, yet everyone around her heard it.

Jia Xingtian cupped his hands.

"Thank you for yielding, Sect Master Yun."

Yun Yun said nothing. She stood and left the hall with Nalan Yanran.

Jia Xingtian withdrew his gaze and looked toward the auction platform.

The auctioneer looked around.

"Fourteen million, going once. Fourteen million, going twice. Fourteen million, going three times. Sold."

The small hammer in her hand fell.

"Congratulations to Lord Jia Xingtian for purchasing the Peak Sixth-Rank pill, the Dou Huang Pill."

The Imperial Palace.

Yao Ye and Yao Yue sat in the grand hall. Yao Ye wore fitted clothes that made her look valiant and heroic, while the younger Yao Yue had lively eyes brimming with spirit.

"Sis, I heard Grandpa went to the auction house?" Yao Yue asked.

"Yes, to buy a pill called the Dou Huang Pill." Yao Ye nodded.

"The Dou Huang Pill? What rank is it?"

"Peak Sixth-Rank. It can allow any Dou Zhe, regardless of rank, to possess the strength of a Dou Emperor for one hour."

Yao Yue's eyes widened.

"It's that powerful? Who refined that pill?"

Yao Ye looked at her.

"Xiao Xuan."

Yao Yue froze for a moment.

"Xiao Xuan? That Xiao Xuan from the Xiao Clan in Wutan City?"

"Yes, him."

Yao Yue's eyes filled with curiosity.

"Sis, I want to go take a look."

Yao Ye looked at her.

"To the auction house?"

"Yes." Yao Yue nodded vigorously.

Yao Ye fell silent for a moment. She also wanted to meet this Xiao Xuan. A fifteen- or sixteen-year-old Seventh-Rank Alchemist and Eight-Star Dou Huang—she had never seen anyone like him.

"Alright." Yao Ye stood up. "Let's go."

The two left the hall and headed toward the Mittal Auction House.

The Mittal Auction House.

In the VIP room, Xiao Xuan sat in a chair with a cup of tea in hand. Xiao Xun'er sat beside him, her gaze sweeping across the room.

The sounds of the auction outside drifted in faintly.

Before long, there was a knock on the door. Teng Shan pushed it open and entered, his face piled with smiles.

"Young Master Xiao, the pill has been sold. Fourteen million Gold Coins."

Xiao Xuan nodded.

Teng Shan handed over a Storage Ring. Xiao Xuan accepted it and checked the Gold Coins inside. Fourteen million were neatly stacked within.

He put the Storage Ring away.

Just as Teng Shan was about to speak, another knock came from outside.

Teng Shan turned his head.

"Come in."

The door opened, and Yao Ye and Yao Yue walked in.

Yao Ye's gaze landed on Xiao Xuan, surprise flashing through her eyes. So this was Xiao Xuan?

A fifteen- or sixteen-year-old boy sat in a chair with a cup of tea in hand, his face completely expressionless.

Yao Yue stood behind Yao Ye, her large eyes sizing Xiao Xuan up and down.

When Teng Shan saw the two of them, he hurriedly cupped his hands.

"Princess Yao Ye, Princess Yao Yue."

Yao Ye nodded and walked up to Xiao Xuan.

"Young Master Xiao, I am Yao Ye."

Xiao Xuan glanced at her.

"Mm."

Yao Ye paused. She had not expected Xiao Xuan's reaction to be so indifferent.

She was the eldest princess of the Jia Ma Empire and was respected wherever she went, yet Xiao Xuan looked at her as though she were an ordinary person.

Seeing her sister being snubbed, Yao Yue pursed her lips slightly.

"Hey, my sister is talking to you."

Xiao Xuan glanced at her, withdrew his gaze, and continued drinking tea.

Yao Yue's expression turned somewhat ugly.

"What kind of attitude is that? My sister is the eldest princess, yet this is how you treat her?"

Yao Ye reached out and stopped her.

"Yao Yue."

Yao Yue bit her lip and fell silent.

Yao Ye turned to Xiao Xuan.

"Young Master Xiao, we came this time merely to pay you a visit. There is no other intention."

Xiao Xuan set down his teacup.

"Are you finished?"

Yao Ye froze.

Yao Yue's expression grew even uglier, and she opened her mouth as if to say something.

Yao Ye held her back.

"We're finished. Then we will not disturb you any further, Young Master Xiao."

Yao Ye pulled Yao Yue around and left the VIP room.

As Yao Yue stepped out, she turned back to glance at Xiao Xuan, her lips pouting high.

Yao Ye led her down the corridor, and Yao Yue could not help speaking up.

"Sis, what kind of attitude was that? You talked to him for so long, and he only answered with one word. Then he even asked whether you were finished. He really doesn't respect you at all."

Yao Ye looked at her.

"Why should he respect me?"

Yao Yue froze.

"He is a Seventh-Rank Alchemist and an Eight-Star Dou Huang. Even Grandpa has to treat someone like him politely. What does a princess like me amount to in his eyes?"

Yao Yue was left speechless.

Yao Ye withdrew her gaze and continued forward. Yao Yue followed behind her, still pouting.

Although what her sister said made sense, she still felt that Xiao Xuan was far too arrogant.

Not long after the auction ended, the VIP room door was pushed open again.

Jia Xingtian entered, followed by two guards. When Teng Shan saw him, he hurriedly cupped his hands.

Jia Xingtian nodded, his gaze falling on Xiao Xuan.

"This must be Young Master Xiao?"

Xiao Xuan looked at him without speaking.

Jia Xingtian walked over to him.

"This old man is Jia Xingtian."

Xiao Xuan nodded.

Jia Xingtian took out a scroll from his Storage Ring and handed it over.

"Young Master Xiao, this is a small token of goodwill from this old man: a High-Tier Profound Grade Dou Technique, the Wind Thunder Palm."

Xiao Xuan accepted the scroll and opened it for a glance. It was indeed the High-Tier Profound Grade Dou Technique, Wind Thunder Palm.

He nodded and stored the scroll in his Storage Ring.

After Jia Xingtian left, Xiao Xuan sat in his chair as the system's voice rang out in his mind.

[Mission issued: Help the bound target, Xiao Xun'er, increase her strength.]

[After completing the mission, the host may receive one random feedback reward.]