Mittel Auction House, conference room.
"How much longer does the Xiao Clan intend to keep this up?"
"If this goes on, our auction house might as well close its doors!"
An old man slammed his hand on the table, his voice brimming with anger.
The old man had a ruddy complexion. Though his blue robes looked ordinary, a faint sheen flowed across them. Clearly, they had been imbued with some form of magic crystal protection. His unremarkable, aged face bore an unmistakable air of pride, something every alchemist possessed.
This old man was Master Gu Ni, the Mittel Auction House's master appraiser and the only Second-Rank Alchemist in all of Wutan City.
Unlike his usual composed self, Master Gu Ni looked furious.
The slaughter unleashed by the Xiao Clan had swept through all of Wutan City.
During this time, hardly anyone had visited the Mittel Auction House.
Because of this, even the auction the Mittel Auction House had already prepared had been put on hold.
With Xiao Clan Disciples killing people in the city every day, everyone in Wutan City was on edge. Who still had the inclination to browse the auction house?
"They should be nearly done by now. Surely the Xiao Clan doesn't intend to offend our Mittel Auction House as well..."
Ya Fei slowly leaned her graceful figure back against her chair, her delicate brows slightly furrowed. The Xiao Clan's affairs had given her endless headaches over the past few days.
"Let them try!"
At her words, indignation spread across Master Gu Ni's aged face.
"A mere Xiao Clan might lord it over this tiny Wutan City, but across the entire empire, what do they amount to?"
A trace of disdain appeared on Master Gu Ni's face. "Even if Xiao Zhan grew a few more guts, he still wouldn't dare lay a hand on our Mittel Auction House!"
"Every force in Wutan City, large and small, has now been subdued by the Xiao Clan, yet they haven't disturbed so much as a hair of our Mittel Auction House. That already tells us where Xiao Zhan stands."
At his words, a hint of amusement flashed through her alluring eyes.
Ya Fei clearly agreed with Master Gu Ni's assessment.
The Xiao Clan had been slaughtering people throughout Wutan City during this time.
Those who submit shall prosper; those who resist shall perish!
Ya Fei had heard the slogan the Xiao Clan proclaimed, but she paid it little mind.
Xiao Zhan certainly had considerable ambition, and his methods were exceptionally ruthless.
Ultimately, however, his strength was too meager.
The Xiao Clan was insignificant. Even if Xiao Zhan was a man of some ability, he could only remain confined to this tiny Wutan City and would never amount to anything greater.
"Still, now that all of Wutan City belongs to the Xiao Clan, our Mittel Auction House may struggle to maintain a foothold here."
Thinking of the city's current situation, a trace of worry appeared on Ya Fei's face.
In the past, competition among the three major clans had allowed the Mittel Auction House to reap considerable profits.
Now, the Xiao Clan could cover the sky with one hand, which was extremely unfavorable for the Mittel Auction House's future development.
If the Xiao Clan suppressed them behind the scenes, the Mittel Auction House might not be able to survive in Wutan City at all.
At this thought, Ya Fei felt unwilling to accept it.
Born with little talent for cultivation, she was destined never to become a powerful cultivator, leaving her in an extremely awkward position within her family.
Yet, to Ya Fei's helpless frustration, heaven had bestowed upon her a peerlessly beautiful face.
She understood that without formidable strength, her beauty would only bring disaster upon her.
She would either become a powerful man's plaything, living a life worse than death.
Or she would become a tool for a marriage alliance, wed to someone she did not love.
Ya Fei wanted neither of those outcomes.
Thus, she could only strive to improve her standing within the family.
Only once she had enough say within her family would she have the right to choose her own future.
She had endured countless hardships just to gain authority over the Mittel Auction House in Wutan City.
Ya Fei believed that as long as she gradually built up the Mittel Auction House,
And earned merit through contributions to the family, she would gain a voice within it in the future.
After several years of management, Ya Fei had gradually established herself in Wutan City, making the Mittel Auction House renowned throughout the city.
Ya Fei believed that if she could take just one more step forward, she would catch the attention of the family's upper ranks, receive an important position, and become one of them, finally taking her destiny into her own hands.
But the Xiao Clan's sudden eruption and forceful rise had undoubtedly shattered years of her hard work.
From now on, the Mittel Auction House would have to watch the Xiao Clan's expression before acting in Wutan City.
Even if the Xiao Clan refrained from attacking the Mittel Auction House out of regard for the Mittel Family, covert suppression would still leave the auction house unable to maintain its foothold in Wutan City.
At her words, Master Gu Ni fell silent as well. Although he was confident that the Xiao Clan would not dare openly attack the Mittel Auction House, there was nothing he could do if they suppressed it behind the scenes.
The Mittel Family was powerful, but this was Wutan City. Heaven was high and the emperor far away; even the Mittel Family could hardly extend its reach here.
As long as the Xiao Clan did not go too far, the Mittel Family headquarters would not send anyone to help them.
"It seems we'll have to find an opportunity to have a proper talk with Xiao Zhan."
Ya Fei tapped her slender fingers against the tabletop, a thoughtful expression on her lovely face.
Given the Xiao Clan's current standing in Wutan City, the Mittel Auction House could not possibly oppose them.
If they wanted both sides to benefit, their only option was to approach the Xiao Clan and seek cooperation.
However, given the Xiao Clan's present position, the Mittel Auction House was undoubtedly at a disadvantage. If they took the initiative to seek cooperation, the Xiao Clan would certainly demand the lion's share, costing the Mittel Auction House a great deal of profit.
Ya Fei found this difficult to accept and felt deeply unwilling to yield.
Master Gu Ni understood this as well, and his expression grew somewhat awkward.
He was a distinguished Second-Rank Alchemist, an honored guest wherever he went.
In the past, Xiao Zhan had always treated him with the utmost respect. Now he was expected to swallow his pride and approach Xiao Zhan to seek cooperation.
It truly made him lose face.
"Master Gu Ni, we're merchants. Some things shouldn't be taken too seriously."
Seeing Master Gu Ni's expression, Ya Fei knew exactly what he was thinking. A faint smile appeared on her lovely face.
"The Xiao Clan has offended the Misty Cloud Sect. Whether they can survive this calamity remains uncertain. Perhaps before long, Wutan City will belong to our Mittel Auction House."
A shrewd glint crossed Ya Fei's face, her expression confident.
At her words, Master Gu Ni's eyes lit up, and he instantly felt much better.
"Miss, Master Gu Ni, Xiao Zhan, the head of the Xiao Clan, has arrived. He says he would like to see you."
Just then, a steward from the Mittel Auction House entered the conference room and addressed Ya Fei and Master Gu Ni.
At his words, both Ya Fei's and Master Gu Ni's expressions changed.
"Shouldn't Xiao Zhan be busy putting the Xiao Clan's affairs in order right now? How does he still have time to visit our Mittel Auction House..."
Ya Fei's delicate brows furrowed slightly. After pondering for a moment, she addressed the steward.
"Please take the Xiao Clan Chief to the VIP room for tea first. I'll be there shortly."
The steward nodded, then left the conference room at once.
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