Sacred Sun Technique

This news quickly reached the ears of the patriarchs of every major and minor family in the city. The Jialie Family and Aoba Family, the other two of Wutan City's three great families alongside the Xiao Family, were especially concerned.

Xiao Zhan and the Xiao Family's peerless genius, Xiao Yan, had disappeared together for more than a day. Why had the two gone out of the city with people in tow, and why had they returned so quickly? They were all deeply curious.

However, another piece of news spread through the city, quickly leaving them with no mind to ponder the matter further.

In three days, the Mittel Auction House would auction off an Advanced Profound Rank cultivation technique.

The Jialie Family, whose highest-ranking cultivation technique was only Basic Profound Rank, was beside itself with excitement upon receiving the news. They had hoped to obtain a high-grade cultivation technique for many years.

Next was the Aoba Family. Xiao Yan, the Xiao Family's genius young master who had become a Dou Zhe at the age of ten, had placed enormous pressure on them.

The appearance of this Advanced Profound Rank cultivation technique might be their opportunity to continue standing against the Xiao Family on equal footing—or even surpass them and crush the Jialie Family.

There were many geniuses in the Jia Ma Empire. Though they had never heard of anyone who could compare to Xiao Yan, there were also countless geniuses who had yet to mature before dying young. Xiao Yan might well become one of those fallen geniuses.

Could it be a fire-element cultivation technique? Xiao Zhan was puzzled, yet deeply expectant. It had to be an Advanced Profound Rank fire-element cultivation technique!

Meanwhile, Xiao Yan, the very person responsible for bringing the cultivation technique to Wutan City, was lying in bed, sleeping soundly. After rushing about for two nights and a day, he was truly exhausted.

After Xiao Yan woke up and learned of the news, he was quite startled. An Advanced Profound Rank cultivation technique! That was truly beyond his expectations.

In truth, the Mittel Family headquarters had its own considerations in deciding to send an Advanced Profound Rank cultivation technique. Responding to the request of someone capable of producing two Spirit-Gathering Herbs was merely one factor.

Ya Fei had only recently arrived in Wutan City and needed something weighty to build her reputation. That was another consideration.

Furthermore, the Mittel Family's upper ranks hoped to use this auction to demonstrate their strength to the Xiao Family, making it easier to establish a deep relationship with the genius Xiao Yan afterward.

They knew that Xiao Yan had a marriage engagement with the Nalan Family, one of the empire's three great families. However, Miss Nalan Yanran was dissatisfied with it, and breaking off the engagement was only a matter of time.

For now, it was inconvenient for the Mittel Family to openly poach him, but there was nothing stopping Xiao Yan from joining them of his own accord.

Back then, the Misty Cloud Sect had discovered Gu He, winner of the Alchemist Tournament. With the sect's immense wealth, they had raised his rank by two grades, turning him into the Pill King whom everyone now revered.

If the Mittel Family cultivated Xiao Yan now, he might not be unable to become a powerhouse renowned throughout an entire region.

Three days later, Xiao Yan hoarsely declined to attend the auction with Xiao Zhan.

Hearing that something was wrong with Xiao Yan's voice, Xiao Zhan assumed that the trip to retrieve the treasure had caused him to catch a cold and told him to rest properly.

Having already obtained inside information, Xiao Zhan knew that the auction item was an Advanced Profound Rank fire-element cultivation technique. Unable to wait any longer, he went by himself.

During this time, father and son had already discussed how to use the wealth from the cave. Besides buying the cultivation technique, they also needed to purchase Storage Rings, a medicinal cauldron, medicinal formulas, and the corresponding herbs so that Xiao Yan could practice Alchemy Art. Xiao Yan reminded him of this once more.

After Xiao Zhan acknowledged him and left, Xiao Yan put on his disguise, found another secluded inn, and changed before heading to the Mittel Auction House.

Today, many people hoped to buy items they desired from the Mittel Auction House, yet feared inviting trouble. All of them had disguised themselves to avoid recognition. Xiao Yan's attire concealed his build and skin, so he did not appear strange walking through the streets.

Upon entering the splendid and spacious main hall once more, Xiao Yan found that the number of people inside had increased severalfold compared to a few days ago. His gaze swept across the room and was immediately drawn to a fiery figure.

Her exquisite, curvaceous body was wrapped in a luxurious crimson dress threaded with gold silk. Beneath the hall's lights, it looked like a burning flame, perfectly complementing its mistress, whose every movement could make one's blood race.

Having only just arrived in Wutan City, Ya Fei attached great importance to her first auction. Before hosting it, she warmly received the guests who had come to participate while swiftly familiarizing herself with the notable figures of Wutan City.

After exchanging pleasantries with several people, Ya Fei, blessed with an exceptional memory, immediately recognized the black-clad figure. With a charming laugh, she stepped forward. "Sir, aside from the cultivation technique, there are many other fine items at this auction. I hope there will be something that catches your eye."

Xiao Yan, who had no intention of personally buying anything, slowly nodded and followed the maid's guidance.

Watching his retreating back, Ya Fei touched her delicate, upturned nose. There were no two century-old Spirit-Gathering Herbs this time, yet her sharp sense of smell had detected a refreshing medicinal fragrance.

Had he found some other precious medicinal herb? Ya Fei wondered.

However, today's auction had stirred the entire city, and she still had many guests to receive. She had no time to think about it further.

Xiao Yan entered today's auction hall, and the bright surroundings immediately dimmed.

The place was enormous, with enough room to hold more than a thousand people.

Xiao Yan found a secluded seat. It was easy for him to spot his father in the front row, along with the patriarchs of the other two great families.

Knowing the auction would not begin for some time, Xiao Yan closed his eyes to rest.

As time passed, more and more people arrived. The waves of noise made Xiao Yan, who had always preferred quiet, frown inwardly.

The commotion did not last long. The lights in the center of the auction hall came on, and Ya Fei stepped beneath them with laughter that made one's bones go soft.

After a brief opening introduction, Ya Fei began explaining the first auction item.

It was a long sword entirely crimson in color. Under the lights, it reflected a scorching glow, giving people the sensation of a heatwave rushing toward them. It was clearly a Magic Core weapon.

This weapon, embedded with a second-tier fire-element Magic Core, was praised by Ya Fei as though nothing in heaven or earth could compare to it. Even Xiao Yan felt the urge to play with it after listening to her.

But buying it was out of the question.

The Advanced Profound Rank battle technique he had obtained, Mad Lion Roar, was most powerful when performed with a blade. Though this longsword was excellent, it did not suit him.

Xiao Yan did not bid, but that did not mean others lacked interest. A suitable weapon was as important as a medicinal cauldron was to an alchemist.

Thus, as soon as Ya Fei finished her introduction, a string of bids rang out.

After a fierce round of bidding, it was ultimately claimed by someone for fifty thousand gold coins.

After the first item had warmed up the crowd, armor, Magic Cores, medicinal herbs, and other items appeared on the auction stage. With every smile and frown from Ya Fei, the prices of each item soared wildly.

Whenever a price was finalized, Ya Fei would offer a seductive smile, instantly reinvigorating those who had been aching over their expenses.

Item after item sold at high prices. Amid Ya Fei's soul-stirring laughter, the atmosphere remained at a fever pitch. Yet Xiao Yan had still not seen what he wanted, and he was beginning to grow drowsy.

Just as he lamented the length of the auction, it finally reached its conclusion.

"Next is the grand finale of this auction." Ya Fei waved her jade-like hand, and the light on the high platform suddenly dimmed. A silver tray slowly emerged, holding an ancient golden scroll that stood out sharply in the darkness.

Ya Fei lifted the cultivation technique scroll and said with a smile, "An Advanced Profound Rank fire-element cultivation technique: Sacred Sun Technique."