Auction Hall

At that moment, the middle-aged man picked up a bottle of Foundation-Building Spiritual Liquid from the table and handed it to Master Gu Ni. After taking the jade bottle, Gu Ni removed the stopper and sniffed the medicinal scent within. His aged eyes narrowed slightly as he gently tilted the bottle, letting a tiny drop of green liquid slowly roll out. He used Dou Qi to suspend it above his hand, then inserted a silver needle between his fingers into the green liquid. A faint ripple of Dou Qi flickered along the needle as he gently stirred it...

As the needle moved, Gu Ni's expression gradually shifted from calm to grave. He poured the green liquid back into the bottle and said to the middle-aged man, "This Spiritual Liquid has reached the superior level of Second-Grade Pills. The effects this lord described earlier are correct."

Hearing this, the middle-aged man breathed a sigh of relief and eagerly asked Xiao Yao, "My lord, do you intend to auction these ten bottles of Spiritual Liquid?"

Xiao Yao said, "These will not be put up for auction. I also have two bottles of pills called Fighter Pills, which can help a Dou Zhe break through one star perfectly, as well as three bottles of Qi Gathering Pills. These can immediately restore half of one's Dou Qi when it has been completely exhausted. All of these pills have reached the Third Grade."

As soon as he finished speaking, five more jade bottles appeared on the table. Compared to the previous ones, the jade bottles containing these pills were of finer quality, better highlighting their value.

Gu Ni hurriedly inspected the jade bottles. Once he confirmed that they indeed contained pills, he became even more convinced that the black-robed man's alchemy was extraordinary. He respectfully said, "My lord, I will promote these five bottles of pills over the next few days in order to fetch a higher price at auction. As for the Foundation-Building Spiritual Liquid, do you wish to sell it directly to the auction house?"

A sheet of paper appeared in Xiao Yao's hand as he said in a low voice, "The medicinal ingredients I need are listed here. I will take however many you have. Use these Second-Grade Pills to exchange for the ingredients I require."

After taking the sheet and looking it over, Gu Ni saw that it listed four fifty-year-old Inkleaf Lotuses, two ripe Snake Saliva Fruits, one Spirit-Gathering Grass around twenty years old, one water-element second-level Magic Core, one Third-Grade Flame Grass, and other medicinal ingredients.

After reading it, Gu Ni said in surprise, "These are quite valuable. At most, the auction house can gather twenty sets of ingredients."

"If the money is not enough, I will make up the difference in a few days. I need a great deal of the Third-Grade Flame Grass listed in the prescription, so help me gather as much as possible. Money is not a problem." After speaking, Xiao Yao handed over another ten bottles of Foundation-Building Spiritual Liquid.

Gu Ni said with a smile, "My lord, leave it to us. We will definitely gather them for you. The auction will be held in three days, and you may come take a look then." The middle-aged man smiled as he handed over a jet-black token.

"Mm." Xiao Yao casually accepted the token, then walked straight out of the room under the watchful gazes of the two men.

After Xiao Yao left, the middle-aged man quietly asked Master Gu Ni, "Master Gu Ni, is that black-robed man really an alchemist?"

Gu Ni nodded and replied, "Mm. That sharp, powerful Soul Force of his is even stronger than mine. His alchemy level has reached at least the Third or Fourth Grade. Remember, we absolutely cannot offend him. Do everything we can to befriend him and make him look favorably upon our auction house."

The middle-aged man quickly replied, "Hehe, I understand. I know what to do."

Xiao Yao left the auction hall, passed through the crowd, and arrived at a secluded, quiet corner. Few people came here, making it exactly the place he needed.

Xiao Yao vigilantly swept his gaze around and carefully used his Soul Force to sense everything nearby.

He found no unusual auras around him, only the faint fragrance of flowers carried by the breeze and the soft murmur of distant voices.

After confirming that no one was following him, Xiao Yao immediately removed his black cloak and took off the Disguise Mask he had been wearing, revealing his true face. He had deliberately worn it to the auction house to conceal his identity.

Beneath the cloak, his clothes were simple yet elegant, displaying his refined taste.

After returning, Xiao Yao saw Xun Er sitting on a stone chair beside the large tree in his family's courtyard. Her head rested against her arm, her eyes tightly closed as though she were having a sweet dream.

Xun Er's breathing was steady and deep, her expression peaceful and serene, as though she were far removed from the troubles of the mortal world.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps between the leaves and fell upon her, draping her in a golden halo that made her seem as pure and flawless as a fairy.

Xiao Yao quietly walked to Xun Er's side, afraid that even his footsteps might disturb her dream.

Just then, Xun Er opened her eyes like a little kitten waking from sleep. In a soft, sweet voice, she said, "Xun Er has been waiting here for a while, Brother Xiao Yao. Where did you go?"

"Xun Er, didn't you just go back? Why did you come over again?"

"Brother Xiao Yao, don't change the subject. Be honest. You... you didn't go do something bad, did you? Are you afraid Xun Er will find out?"

Upon hearing that, Xiao Yao hurriedly explained, "I went to the auction hall to sell the pills I refined and exchange them for some materials I need. You have to keep it a secret, little girl!"

Xun Er revealed a sweet smile and gently replied, "Hehe, all right. Then I believe Brother Xiao Yao."

Three days passed, and a grand auction was about to begin.

That day, Xun Er came over, took Brother Xiao Yao's hand, and said, "Uncle Xiao asked me to ask whether you want to see a grand occasion. It seems there is an auction being held, and they say many valuable things will appear this time. It has attracted quite a few people. Even the patriarchs of the three great families are attending personally."

Xiao Yao looked at Xun Er as she raised her brows at him, poked his chin with a finger, and gazed at him with a mischievous expression.

Xiao Yao patted Xun Er's head and teased, "Then I'll have to trouble this cute young lady to take me there and let me witness this grand occasion."

"Sure. This young lady will personally drag you there." Xun Er replied as she pulled Brother Xiao Yao toward the auction hall.

Not long afterward, they arrived at the venue. At a glance, a bustling scene unfolded before them. The auction house was packed with people, and waves of clamor rose and fell, the noise from all around flooding over them.

Led by Xun Er, they weaved through the crowd to the front rows, where they saw Xiao Zhan, several elders, and some young disciples seated nearby.

Xun Er then pulled Xiao Yao over and sat down directly in an empty seat.

After a while, a beautiful woman wearing a red gown stepped onto the stage and said softly, "Hello, everyone. My name is Wan'er, and I will be hosting today's auction."

During this time, at the central auction platform, an ordinary and unremarkable item was steadily driven to a higher price by the bidders present under the woman's crisp, enchanting voice.

Xiao Yao looked at the woman beneath the stage lights and could tell that she was truly skilled at stirring up the atmosphere of an auction. Every smile and frown of hers could send the prices below soaring wildly.

When Xiao Yao saw what was currently being auctioned, he immediately lost interest and withdrew his gaze.

After Xun Er noticed that Xiao Yao had been staring at the woman onstage ever since sitting down, she frowned and lightly smacked him with her slender hand. With an unreadable smile on her face, she asked, "Brother Xiao Yao, what are you looking at? Is it pretty?"

Xiao Yao turned his head, his face full of embarrassment. "Nothing. I was only looking at the auction item onstage. Besides, how could she possibly be prettier than Xun Er?"

After hearing Xiao Yao's words, Xun Er lifted her proud chin, turned away from him, and no longer looked at him, though a faint smile hung on her lips.

Xiao Yao looked at Xun Er's profile and rubbed his nose. This girl is getting more and more mischievous. But this is the most adorable way for Xun Er to be at her age.