The auction

"I see. But you needn't worry, Young Master Shen. Fighting is strictly forbidden in Chang'an City. Even if they recognize you, they can't do anything to you," Ma Xiuxiu said with a slight nod.

"True, but I'd rather avoid trouble where I can." Shen Luo smiled.

Xie Yuxin had also recognized the young man surnamed Wu, but with a black veil covering her face, she was not worried about being recognized.

Led by two Xuanyuan Pavilion stewards, Qinghua Immortal Aunt and her two companions arrived at a square rosewood table beside Moon-Sleeping Lay Buddhist and Golden Kui General.

"Fellow Daoist Qinghua, I heard you went into seclusion half a year ago. I thought you would miss this auction, but here you are." Moon-Sleeping Lay Buddhist snapped his folding fan shut and tapped it lightly against his palm, smiling.

"It was merely an ordinary retreat. An auction at Xuanyuan Pavilion is a rare opportunity. How could I stay away? But weren't you in closed-door seclusion at your residence, General Golden Kui, determined to break through at all costs? How did you find the time to come here?" Qinghua Immortal Aunt asked expressionlessly as she sat down.

"Heh, breaking through to the Great Vehicle Stage takes more than relentless cultivation. I came out for a change of pace. Who knows? I might find an opportunity elsewhere," Golden Kui General said with a chuckle.

Qinghua Immortal Aunt said nothing more. She simply closed her eyes and rested.

A little while later, nearly all the seats were filled. At some point, a burly old man had appeared on the raised platform at the front of the hall.

"Friends old and new, welcome to Xuanyuan Pavilion." The old man smiled and cupped his hands toward the crowd. Both his hands were crimson, seemingly the result