He Had to Make Them Bleed

Xiao Lei calmly watched the private room where Xiao Yan was bidding. He had held back somewhat when the Ice Spirit Flame Grass was auctioned. Now...

"I bid one fourth-grade Bone Tempering Pill!"

By this point, the auction was nearing its end, and Xiao Lei couldn't be bothered to keep putting on an act for Yao Lao.

So what if the other party knew he had deliberately arranged this auction? So what if Yao Lao guessed that he knew of his existence? So what if Yao Lao knew that Xiao Lei understood the Fragmented Map's value?

In the end, Yao Lao could only grit his teeth and swallow this loss.

Xiao Lei's bid didn't seem to faze him, but the others beside him were up in arms.

In Wutan City, who else could produce a fourth-grade pill?

Earlier, when someone had offered a high-grade Black Class Dou Technique, they could've said some wandering powerhouse had happened to attend the auction.

But pills like the Bone Tempering Pill, which could improve one's aptitude—how many people wouldn't swallow one the moment they got their hands on it?

Of course, the person who felt most like weeping but had no tears was the mercenary who had tried striking up a conversation with Xiao Lei earlier.

"Th-that... brother! No, Master! I didn't say anything to offend you just now, did I?"

The mercenary asked cautiously, afraid Xiao Lei might cut him down without a word.

But Xiao Lei had no time to go looking for trouble with him just then.

"Get lost. Don't distract me!"

"Y-yes, Master!"

The mercenary felt as if he'd been pardoned. He hurriedly fled as though his life depended on it.

In the private room, Xiao Yan had learned the Fragmented Map's true value from Yao Lao and thought he could snag a bargain. Then Xiao Lei had come out of nowhere.

"Teacher?"

Xiao Yan felt worse than if he'd swallowed a fly. He had visited Xiao Lei not long ago and even given him a fine blade, only to end up bidding against him at the auction.

The worst part was that he couldn't blame the other party. He and Yao Lao had been hiding their identities, so from their perspective, Xiao Lei had no idea who they really were.

"Keep bidding. Although it isn't right before my eyes, I can tell this thing is connected to a strange and terrifying Heavenly Flame. Compared to that flame, even Heaven Class Dou Techniques are worth less!"

A Heaven Class Dou Technique!

One of the legendary treasures of the Dou Qi Continent. Hearing about it while he was still only a five-star Dou Zhe, Xiao Yan was more than shaken.

"High-grade Black Class! I bid one scroll of a high-grade Black Class Dou Technique!"

Without the slightest hesitation, Xiao Yan raised his bidding placard with slightly trembling hands.

The crowd erupted again. No one had expected another outrageous bid like this; they were completely dumbfounded.

"I'll add two Marrow Cleansing Pills."

Xiao Lei still wasn't satisfied with the price. If he weren't short on Dou Techniques right now, he wouldn't have sold the Fragmented Map so soon.

He had spent several days specially refining pills for this auction, all to drive up the price for Yao Lao.

"The consignor prefers this gentleman's pills. If Guest Number Three can't offer any more high-grade Dou Techniques, the Fragmented Map will go to him."

Ya Fei's voice rang out with a friendly reminder. She had discussed all of this with Xiao Lei; she was simply following the plan.

"Teacher, should we ask them to verify the offer?"

"No need. Offer another high-grade Black Class Dou Technique, and see how much he wants. If he bids again, don't match him. In the end, it's only a Fragmented Map, and we don't even know if we can complete it. Revealing too much wouldn't be safe for us. My current condition isn't good..."

After speaking, Yao Lao turned his attention to Xiao Lei.

His intuition told him that Xiao Lei had to be involved in what was happening.

"Although the Xiao Clan already knows that Xiao Yan has me as his teacher, how... does he dare scheme against us like this? Why does he think I'll recognize the value of this Fragmented Map? What is he basing that on? And then there was that Ice Spirit Flame Grass..."

The more Yao Lao thought about it, the more confused he became. He couldn't find the slightest clue.

That was the advantage of having more information. Xiao Lei knew all about Yao Lao and Xiao Yan's needs and circumstances, while the two of them knew very little about him.

"Once this auction ends, we need to leave Wutan City as soon as possible! Be cautious when dealing with people from now on..."

After thinking for a long while, Yao Lao could only send Xiao Yan a message.

"Understood. After I finish taking the Jia Nan Academy entrance exam, I'll leave Wutan City and start traveling..."

Xiao Yan gave Xiao Lei, down on the auction floor, a couple of wary looks.

Yao Lao was already unfathomable in Xiao Yan's eyes, yet even he had shown such wariness toward Xiao Lei.

Casting aside his tangled thoughts, Xiao Yan bid once more.

"I bid two scrolls of high-grade Black Class Dou Techniques!"

Xiao Lei smiled with satisfaction. His effort in holding this auction had paid off.

Knowing when to stop, Xiao Lei didn't raise the bid again. Besides, he had no more pills to offer. After all, an alchemist's pills didn't appear out of thin air; they took time to refine.

The moment the auction ended, Yao Lao and Xiao Yan left as quickly as they could.

After Xiao Lei had taken them for a ride, the two of them would probably have to stay cautious for quite some time.

As for Xiao Lei, he was naturally inspecting his spoils.

"These three Dou Techniques were offered by that old gentleman. I have to say, the teacher behind that young Xiao Yan is quite capable. He actually managed to offer so many high-grade Black Class Dou Techniques at once!"

Ya Fei spoke to Xiao Lei, her probing intent plainly evident.

How could Xiao Lei not know she was curious about why he had been so certain Yao Lao would pay for those two lots?

"There are things that, at your current level, would only do you harm if you got involved. You only need to know that he's not someone to trifle with. You're a clever woman, but remember not to get clever for your own good!"

Judging by the original story, Ya Fei had handled things well, but giving her a warning could only benefit Xiao Lei.

"Hmph. I won't pry, then."

Sure enough, Ya Fei immediately became much more subdued.

Xiao Lei was satisfied. He changed the subject.

"How's the poison material I asked you to gather last time coming along?"

Xiao Yi Xian needed poison materials to cultivate, and Xiao Lei also had the Woe Poison Body, so he inevitably needed poison materials and poisonous substances as well.

"Well, I'm in charge of this auction house, but my authority is limited. And since I have no talent for cultivation, the family doesn't pay much attention to me either. I asked the family for poison materials, but there's been no word. All I received was a batch of low-grade materials..."

Xiao Lei nodded in understanding. It was all as he'd expected. Most poison materials came from the Chu Yun Empire, and only the Mittel headquarters had the means to trade for them. Ya Fei was managing nothing more than an auction house in Wutan City.

Ya Fei's influence still wasn't enough. Otherwise, he wouldn't have had to go through the trouble of using the Alchemist Guild to help Xiao Yi Xian obtain Cultivation Methods and Combat Skills.

He could only rely on himself for this. Once he grew stronger, the Mittel Family would consider his interests and help Ya Fei rise further. Then Xiao Lei could get more help from her, better nurture Xiao Yi Xian, and strengthen his own forces.

In the end, everything came full circle. Even though Xiao Lei was already a Dou Ling, he was still not strong enough...

"Don't worry. Before long, you'll have a say in things..."

Xiao Lei said no more. After being warned, Ya Fei didn't dare ask further.