Winds Gather

The Miteer Auction House was under heavy guard today.

The guards who usually stood watch only at key positions were now posted every three paces, with sentries every five. Clad in matching silver armor and gripping fine-steel spears, they had eyes sharp as hawks. The fierce Dou Qi radiating from them made anyone thinking of approaching think twice.

A long red carpet stretched out before the massive bronze gates.

Every guest allowed to step onto the carpet had to present a gilded invitation worth a fortune.

They were all either wealthy or influential.

The spacious auction hall had been completely refurbished. Dozens of enormous Moonlight Stones hung from the dome, casting a soft, brilliant glow that lit the entire hall as bright as day. Thick, dark-red carpets covered the floor, muffling most of the noise. Rows of comfortable Amethyst Wood seats curved in a fan around the enormous auction stage at the center.

By now, the hall was packed, and the crowd buzzed with noise.

Powerful auras mingled in the air, clashing and intertwining to form an invisible, oppressive web hanging over everyone's heads.

The front row was reserved for Wutan City's top local powers.

Jialie Bi sat on the far left in brocade robes, his face dark as water. Only one family retainer, whose aura was carefully concealed, sat beside him. His gaze, like a venomous snake ready to strike, remained fixed on the figure across from him on the right.

Aoba Pa.

The head of the Aoba Clan looked radiant today. He chatted amiably with Elder Gu He beside him, as though he hadn't noticed Jialie Bi's murderous glare at all. Whenever their eyes happened to meet, invisible sparks flew, making the air around them feel even more scorching.

Two groups occupied the seats in the middle.

One was the City Lord's Mansion delegation, represented by a scholarly-looking, middle-aged man with a gentle smile. He was speaking quietly with someone beside him, his impartial manner leaving no room for criticism.

That person was Master Otto, president of the Wutan City branch of the Alchemist Guild.

This fourth-tier alchemist had broken with his usual habits today. Instead of wearing his trademark alchemist's robe, he was dressed casually. Even so, the unique pressure of his soul still kept the powerful figures around him from underestimating him. Several young alchemists from the guild followed behind him, looking around curiously, their eyes full of excitement and anticipation.

But it wasn't these local powers that had truly weighed down the mood in the hall.

It was the unfamiliar faces seated in the back.

A burly man with a door-sized greatsword strapped to his back had claimed two seats for himself. He sat with his eyes closed, his exposed arms covered in hideous scars. Even in slumber, the razor-sharp aura of metal he exuded made people's skin sting.

Not far away, a figure shrouded from head to toe in a loose black robe sat silently in the shadows of a corner. No one could see his face. Only his eyes showed beneath the hood—shrewd and cold, like a hunting falcon in the dark of night.

There were also small sects from nearby cities, each in matching attire and led by a steady-looking elder. They occupied one section, conversing in low voices and watching the front-row VIP seats with caution and wariness.

Every one of these people possessed strength on par with the retainers of Wutan City's three great clans.

They were all sharks drawn here by the words "Heavenly Flames."

The entire hall was like a powder keg on the verge of exploding. The tiniest spark would set it off.

Just as the oppressive atmosphere was about to reach its peak—

Clang—

A clear bell rang throughout the hall.

Behind the auction stage, the heavy dark-red velvet curtains slowly parted.

The noisy hall fell silent in an instant.

Thousands of eyes turned as one toward a single point.

Beneath the gaze of the entire crowd, a fiery-red figure stepped out with graceful poise.

Today, Ya Fei wore a custom-made Crimson Flame Cloud Qipao. Intricate cloud patterns embroidered in gold thread adorned the dress, which clung to her breathtaking curves. She moved with dainty steps, and through the slit in her skirt, a glimpse of one long, snow-white calf appeared and disappeared, leaving the imagination to run wild.

A perfectly measured, alluring smile graced her pretty face. With a casual sweep of her bewitching, peach-blossom eyes, she seemed able to steal the soul of every man present.

The moment she appeared, her stunning charm and powerful presence instantly brought the entire hall under her control.

* * *

In a secluded VIP room on the second floor of the auction hall,

the light was dim.

Su Chen sat quietly in a soft armchair.

In front of him was a huge, specially made one-way crystal. From here, he could see everything in the hall below, while no one downstairs could make out a thing inside the room.

This was the first time he had seen so directly the roster of powerful figures in the northeastern corner of the Jia Ma Empire.

His gaze passed calmly over the distinct faces below.

He saw the venom and greed in Jialie Bi's eyes.

He saw the pride and anticipation on Aoba Pa's face.

He saw the caution and neutrality of the City Lord's Mansion representative.

He saw the fervor and longing in the eyes of the Alchemist Guild delegation.

And he saw the undisguised wariness and murderous intent in the eyes of the unfamiliar powerhouses from outside the city.

Greed, anticipation, wariness, murderous intent, fervor, calm...

Countless emotions wove together into a vivid, lifelike portrait of the powerful, reflected clearly in his dark eyes.

This was the storm he had stirred with his own hands.

These were the wolves he had drawn in after throwing out that "key."

A peculiar feeling slowly welled up in his heart.

It was not mere tension, much less fear.

It was the absolute sense of control that came from standing outside the board and watching every piece begin to move along the path he had laid out.

He slowly raised a hand. Beneath the shadow of his bamboo hat, his fingers were long and pale.

He could feel the blood in his veins beginning to quicken.

Excitement.

The excitement of a mastermind, manipulating every powerhouse in Wutan City—and, one day, the entire northeastern region of the empire—in the palm of his hand.

* * *

Downstairs, on the auction stage,

Ya Fei stepped to the front. Her red lips parted, and her clear, pleasant voice, with its hint of lazy huskiness, rang distinctly in every ear through the amplification magic stone.

"Welcome, everyone, to the Miteer Auction House."

"I am Ya Fei. On behalf of the Miteer Chamber of Commerce, I thank all the powerful figures who have traveled a great distance to honor us with your presence."

Her voice paused. Her peach-blossom eyes swept slowly across the hall, and everyone her gaze touched felt their heart skip a beat.

"I'm sure I know why you've all come, and I'm sure you know it yourselves as well."

She didn't beat around the bush, going straight to the point instead. Her crisp, direct style only made the powerful figures present like her more.

"I can assure you that the wondrous treasure capable of stirring up a storm will disappoint no one."

"Its value will surpass the imagination of everyone here."

With deft words, she once again kindled the flame of anticipation in their hearts.

"However, as is customary, before we bring out our grand finale, we have a few appetizers to serve. I hope they'll bring you all some amusement."

Ya Fei gently clapped her hands toward the wings.

"Then, I hereby announce—"

Her voice suddenly rose, brimming with passion and infectious energy.

"The Miteer Grand Auction is now..."

"Officially underway!"

Before her words had even faded, a graceful maid had already carried a silver tray covered with red cloth onto the stage.

At that moment, the atmosphere in the hall was ablaze.

Everyone knew this was only the beginning.

The real storm was yet to come.