Three Great Families Gather

"Condense!"

Lu Heng shouted softly, forming a strange hand seal with both hands.

The Wood-element energy in the surrounding air surged wildly toward him, condensing into a palm-sized azure seal in his hand.

The seal's surface was covered in clear patterns, faintly resembling the grain of trees.

He suddenly slammed his palm onto the testing stone in the courtyard.

With a sharp crack, Lu Heng withdrew his hand.

A palm print over an inch deep had appeared on the hard granite testing stone.

The stone around the palm print gradually cracked apart like a spiderweb.

Not only that, a withered yellow color spread across the stone, making it seem as though it had been weathered away.

"Interesting."

Lu Heng looked at the shattered testing stone, a sharp gleam flashing through his eyes.

This Azure Wood Seal not only dealt physical damage, but also carried the power of Wither and Flourish.

If it struck a person, it could probably instantly drain the life force from that patch of flesh.

That was the domineering nature of the combat techniques paired with the Five Spirits Chaos Art.

In the blink of an eye, the three-day deadline had arrived.

That day, the weather in Wutan City was exceptionally clear.

Before the doors of the Miteer Auction House had even opened, a crowd had already gathered outside.

Mercenaries, merchants, and idle onlookers from all walks of life packed the street outside the auction house until it was completely blocked.

Everyone had heard the news.

Today's auction was supposed to feature a major move by the Mite'er Family.

"Move aside! Make way!"

Several guards in matching uniforms rudely shoved through the crowd, forcibly clearing a path.

Immediately afterward, a group of lavishly dressed people approached.

The middle-aged man at the front was slightly plump and wore a brocade robe trimmed with gold thread. A habitual fake smile hung on his face. He was Jia Lie Bi, the patriarch of the Jia Lie Family.

Beside him walked Ao Ba Pa, patriarch of the Aoba Clan. He was lean, his eyes constantly darting around, giving off an air of shrewdness.

"Patriarch Jia Lie, I heard the Miteer Auction House announced that some extraordinary item would be the finale of this auction."

Ao Ba Pa lowered his voice, his tone carrying a hint of probing.

"Your information network is extensive. Do you know what it is?"

Jia Lie Bi snorted and idly rolled two jade walnuts in his hand.

"They're just being mysterious. What kind of treasure could possibly turn up in this tiny corner of Wutan City? At most, it'll be some weapons and armor shipped in from elsewhere."

Though he said that, a trace of wariness still flashed through his eyes.

Just then, the crowd on the other side began to stir as well.

"The Xiao Family is here!"

"Look! That child beside Xiao Zhan must be that genius, Xiao Yan, right?"

The crowd automatically parted. Xiao Zhan strode forward in a brocade robe, his face unable to hide his smug delight.

At his side was a boy of about nine.

Though the boy still had a childlike air about him, his brows carried confidence and pride far beyond his age.

He was Xiao Yan, Wutan City's most renowned young genius.

Half a step behind Xiao Yan was a little girl.

She was only around eight years old, dressed in a pale blue-green gown. Her features were as exquisite as if carved from jade, yet her temperament was as cool and serene as a lotus.

She walked quietly, as though the surrounding clamor had nothing to do with her. Only when her gaze occasionally swept over the crowd did a faint, imperceptible indifference appear in her eyes.

Xiao Xun'er.

The three groups ran into one another right outside the auction house doors.

The air seemed to freeze for a moment.

"Well, if it isn't Patriarch Xiao?" Jia Lie Bi clasped his hands with a smile that did not reach his eyes.

"What's this? You brought your family's great genius out today too? Aren't you afraid that all these people might frighten the child?"

Xiao Zhan laughed heartily, his voice booming.

"Patriarch Jia Lie, you jest. Yan'er just made a breakthrough in his cultivation, so I brought him out to broaden his horizons. But Patriarch Jia Lie, I heard business at your market stalls has been rather sluggish lately. Did you bring enough money today?"

The moment those words came out, Jia Lie Bi's face darkened several shades.

"Hmph. That is none of Patriarch Xiao's concern."

Jia Lie Bi flicked his sleeve and coldly glanced at Xiao Yan beside him.

At this point, Xiao Yan was nothing more than a nine-year-old brat.

Although he had the soul of a transmigrator, his smooth progress over the past few years and the flattery of those around him had indeed made him somewhat full of himself.

Meeting Jia Lie Bi's gaze, he did not avoid it. Instead, he slightly raised his chin and revealed a faintly provocative smile.

"Patriarch Jia Lie, please go inside. Standing here and blocking the way isn't very appropriate."

Xiao Yan said crisply.

"What a sharp-tongued brat."

Jia Lie Bi muttered darkly, then led his people into the auction house first.

Watching Jia Lie Bi leave after being put in his place, Xiao Zhan was in high spirits. He heavily patted Xiao Yan on the shoulder.

"Good son, you've got guts! Come on, let's go in too."

The group headed inside.

Xiao Yan slowed his pace and fell slightly behind. Turning to the girl in blue beside him, his tone became especially gentle.

"Xun Er, there are a lot of people in the auction house. Stay close to me and don't get separated."

Xiao Xun'er raised her head. A trace of helplessness flashed through her calm, ancient-well-like eyes, but she obediently nodded.

"Got it, Brother Xiao Yan."

In truth, she knew perfectly well that anyone in Wutan City capable of hurting her probably had not even been born yet.

The group entered a private VIP room on the second floor.

From there, they could look down on the vast auction hall, which was arranged in a circular layout. The central stage was covered in red cloth, while bright lights illuminated the surroundings.

Xiao Yan sat in a cushioned chair, his gaze sweeping across the hall.

As a transmigrator, he was full of curiosity about this world.

Though he had been a cultivation genius these past few years, deep down he still possessed the soul of an adult. He did not feel intimidated by such an occasion. Instead, he regarded it with a sense of superiority.

"Father, I heard the chief auctioneer of the Miteer Auction House is an unrivaled beauty?" Xiao Yan asked casually, grabbing a handful of melon seeds.

Xiao Zhan's old face reddened, and he gave a dry cough. "Ahem, Yan'er, don't talk nonsense."

"Miss Ya Fei may... ahem, indeed be beautiful, but she is from the Mite'er Family and has formidable methods. She is no mere ornament."

"Oh?"

Xiao Yan raised his brows, intrigued.

Interesting.

Just as he was thinking that, the lights throughout the auction hall suddenly dimmed.

Only several spotlights remained, shining down on the central stage.

The previously noisy crowd fell silent at once, and everyone held their breath.

The crisp sound of high heels striking the floor rang out.

Click, click, click.

The sound had an intoxicating rhythm, each step seeming to land directly on everyone's heartbeat.

Then, a graceful red figure slowly emerged from backstage.

It was an extremely flamboyant shade of red.

The red, form-fitting brocade robe outlined the woman's figure in perfect detail. Her waist was slender enough to fit in one hand, while the rest of her curves were magnificent.

The slit in her skirt rose high, and with every step, her long, fair legs could be glimpsed beneath it.

A signature seductive smile rested on her face. Her peach blossom eyes shone with charm, and a single glance from her was enough to steal a person's soul.

"Th-That is Ya Fei?"