Ya Fei

As Xiao Chen pondered, the chatter of several Xiao Clan disciples at the next table drifted into his ears.

"Did you see that? Miss Xun'er is sitting alone again. She looks like a fairy, but what a shame her personality is so cold. She ignores everyone."

"I heard the clan chief adopted her years ago. No one knows where she came from. Maybe she's the daughter of some ruined household."

"What good is a pretty face? In our Xiao Clan, without cultivation, she's nothing more than a vase."

Others did not know Xun'er's true depth and merely saw her as an adopted daughter with no one to rely on.

But Xiao Chen was different. He knew better than anyone else.

The Gu Clan behind this girl could make not only a tiny Jia Ma Empire tremble, but even the turbulent Central Plains bow in fear!

"A bunch of frogs at the bottom of a well... and they dare judge a phoenix in the sky."

He set down his wine cup, rose to his feet, picked up another cup, and walked toward Xun'er in the corner.

"Miss Xun'er, why are you sitting here alone?"

Hearing him, Xun'er looked up, her clear gaze settling on Xiao Chen.

She smiled faintly, her voice crisp and pleasant. "Elder Xiao Chen, Xun'er prefers peace and quiet. I'm not used to such lively occasions."

"What a coincidence. This old man also prefers peace and quiet."

Xiao Chen smiled and sat across from her, his tone gentle.

"When I caught sight of Miss Xun'er from afar just now, I could tell that your bearing was extraordinary. I have spent many years in the clan, yet I never knew when the Xiao Clan gained such a gifted young lady."

"You flatter me, Elder."

Xun'er pursed her lips, the smile in her eyes faint and distant.

"Xun'er is merely the Xiao Clan's adopted daughter. I do not deserve such praise from you."

"An adopted daughter?"

Xiao Chen smiled and shook his head.

"When this old man judges people, I look at their bearing, never their background."

"At your age, Miss Xun'er, you already possess such calm and reserved poise. Your future achievements will surely be immeasurable."

A trace of surprise flashed through Xun'er's clear eyes.

She had hidden within the Xiao Clan since childhood and had seen countless flatterers and ingratiating people, yet this was the first time someone had spoken to her so frankly, in the tone of an elder guiding a junior.

She studied the gray-robed elder before her and suddenly felt that this usually unremarkable collateral elder of the Xiao Clan was perhaps not as simple as he appeared.

"You praise me too highly, Elder."

Xun'er gently shook her head, but she did not reject Xiao Chen's attempt at friendliness.

"May I ask why Elder has sought Xun'er out so late at night? Do you have some instruction for me?"

"Nothing at all. I merely saw Miss Xun'er sitting here alone and came to keep you company for a while."

Xiao Chen smiled and waved his hand, then continued, "Though Miss Xun'er resides in a corner of the Xiao Clan, you are certainly no creature meant for a small pond. When the day comes for you to soar, Wutan City will not be able to keep you. If you have need of anything then, this old bag of bones would be willing to offer what little help he can."

Xun'er was slightly taken aback, then broke into a radiant smile. "Then Xun'er will thank Elder in advance."

Xiao Chen and Xun'er spoke quite pleasantly together.

Though most of their conversation was meaningless small talk, Xiao Chen's bearing made Xun'er somewhat curious about this Xiao Clan elder.

As she was leaving, Xun'er suddenly asked softly, "Elder, why do you regard Xun'er so differently?"

Xiao Chen paused and smiled. "Because... you're Little Yan's girl."

Those words stirred Xun'er's heart.

After bidding Xiao Xun'er farewell, Xiao Chen did not rest.

Without stopping, he hurried toward the other side of Wutan City.

Mittel Auction House.

As an auction house under the Mite'er Family, one of the Jia Ma Empire's foremost merchant associations, this sprawling building had always been the liveliest place in Wutan City.

The monthly Treasure Appraisal Convention drew countless martial artists and merchants alike.

Today was the day of the convention.

Xiao Chen changed into a low-key brocade robe, blended into the bustling crowd, and slowly entered the auction house's main hall.

He had come for two reasons: first, to understand the state of Wutan City's trade routes; second, to meet someone.

"Elder Xiao, this way, please."

A servant of the Mittel Auction House respectfully led him to a seat near the front.

After taking his seat, Xiao Chen's gaze discreetly swept over the magnificent platform at the center of the hall.

Very soon, a fiery red figure gracefully stepped onto the stage.

She was a woman in a red brocade robe, around twenty years old, with skin as white as snow and eyes that overflowed with charm.

Her figure was voluptuous, and every gesture carried a natural seductiveness. The moment she opened her mouth, her crisp, pleasant voice rang throughout the hall—

"Honored guests, welcome to the Mittel Auction House. Ya Fei will be hosting today's Treasure Appraisal Convention, and I hope everyone will show their support."

As soon as she finished speaking, cheers rose and fell throughout the hall.

Countless men had their eyes fixed firmly upon the red-dressed figure on the stage, and some could not help swallowing.

"Miss Ya Fei!"

"With Miss Ya Fei here, this trip to the auction house has been worth it!"

Xiao Chen's gaze also fell upon the red-clad figure.

"This woman is fucking gorgeous!"

Although Xiao Chen already had a preliminary understanding of Ya Fei's figure, truly crossing into the world of Battle Through the Heavens—

and seeing the living Ya Fei standing before him made her exquisite body seem all the more enticing!

To keep himself under control, Xiao Chen could only lift his teacup and take a quiet sip.

The Treasure Appraisal Convention proceeded as scheduled.

On the stage, rare medicinal ingredients, pills, and cultivation techniques were presented and auctioned off one after another, creating a lively yet tense atmosphere.

Xiao Chen remained expressionless throughout, only making his move when a second-grade Healing Pill was brought onto the stage.

"Two thousand gold coins."

Xiao Chen slowly raised his bidding plaque. His voice was not loud, but it carried clearly through the entire hall.

On the stage, Ya Fei's gaze instantly settled on Xiao Chen, and a trace of curiosity flashed through her eyes.

She recognized this collateral elder of the Xiao Clan.

After all, the exploits of the Xiao Clan's newly promoted elder with real authority had already spread throughout Wutan City.

She simply had not expected that this elder would also attend the Treasure Appraisal Convention she was hosting.

"Elder Xiao Chen has a good eye. This is one of today's rare high-quality Healing Pills."

Ya Fei's eyes shimmered as she smiled. "Are there any other honored guests who wish to bid?"

"Two thousand five!"

"Three thousand!"

In the end, Xiao Chen bought the second-grade Healing Pill for three thousand gold coins.

"That Elder Xiao sure spends big!"

"Three thousand gold coins for a Healing Pill? Has he gone mad?"

"I heard he has been making quite a name for himself in the Xiao Clan recently. Could he really have some extraordinary background?"

Whispers rose and fell around him as countless gazes landed on the gray-robed elder.

Xiao Chen simply set down his bidding plaque, his expression unchanged.

On the stage, Ya Fei's gaze toward Xiao Chen gained a few more layers of meaning.

Spending three thousand gold coins on a Healing Pill made him seem like a fool with too much money, but if this man truly had another purpose, then this transaction was certainly not as simple as it appeared.

After the event ended, Xiao Chen did not leave in a hurry. Instead, he deliberately lingered in the auction house corridor for a while.

Sure enough, just as he expected, a fiery red figure gracefully approached.

"Please wait, Elder Xiao Chen."

Ya Fei walked up to Xiao Chen with a smile, her autumn-water eyes examining him from head to toe.

"I did not expect to see Elder Xiao at today's Treasure Appraisal Convention. What, is Elder also interested in the pill market?"

"You jest, Miss Ya Fei."

Xiao Chen smiled faintly and cupped his hands.

"This old man is not particularly interested in the pill market. Rather... I am quite interested in Miss Ya Fei herself."