Abducting the Rain Clan's Gifted Daughter

"Miss, do we have that many Essence Jades?"

A Man was rather frightened. She tugged at her mistress's sleeve and asked in a hushed voice.

"It's fine. We won't be paying." Shi Zhao smiled, reached out to gently pinch her pert little nose, then raised the bid again.

By the final round of bidding, even the auction house staff were trembling with alarm. This small amount of Sea Spirit Liquid had been driven up to nearly the price of divine liquid.

"Honored guest, will you be paying in Essence Jades or exchanging other items?" The auction house staff looked deeply troubled.

Shi Zhao shook her head, yet her smile was radiant.

She casually tossed them a token and said, "Go to the Imperial Palace and ask someone for the money."

The staff member shuddered at her words and nearly dropped the token.

They had seen plenty of royalty, who were regular customers at the auction house, but this was their first time seeing one clash with the Rain Clan like this.

"May we ask who you are?" they could not help asking.

"There are some things you're better off not knowing." A Man stepped forward to speak for her mistress, putting on a mysterious air that was quite intimidating.

Shi Zhao collected her purchases, turned, and left.

If nothing unexpected happened, something unexpected was about to happen-

"Please wait a moment." Sure enough, the Rain Clan's people were waiting at the entrance. An old man expressed his wish to buy or trade for the Sea Spirit Liquid, his eyes fixed firmly on them.

"My young mistress also has great use for this item. Please leave." Third Grandfather joined the performance with considerable relish, looking every inch the loyal old servant.

Beside him, Yu Feng, one of the Rain Clan's Twin Talents, snorted. "Our Rain Clan had already reserved this item. You dared break the rules and snatch it away. Have you the courage to give us your names?"

"What reserved item? We bought it fair and square at auction. I'd like to ask who's breaking the rules by blocking the entrance and refusing to let people leave!" A Man's little mouth rattled on without pause, and the auction house staff were the first to feel a chill down their backs.

She continued, "Besides, you think you're worthy of knowing my mistress's name? A toad dreaming of eating swan meat! My mistress could subdue you with one hand!"

Humiliated and enraged, Yu Feng raised his hand, condensed a water arrow, and shot it at the little maid.

At the sight, A Man's eyes lit up. She swung her dainty little fist and met it head-on. Not only did she smash the water arrow, she suddenly toppled to the ground and began groaning in pain.

Yu Feng's expression changed. He had only meant to frighten her, and had even aimed the water arrow wide. After all, they were in the Imperial Capital, right outside someone else's auction house; he could not actually attack her. He had never expected her to stage an injury on purpose.

"You..."

"You dared hurt my maid! I see you've already found your road to death!"

Shi Zhao struggled to keep her expression under control as she raised her hand and sent Yu Feng flying with a slap. Several teeth flew from his mouth, one side of his face rapidly swelled, and he actually passed out.

The so-called Twin Talents were only in the Cave Heaven Realm at this point.

"Big sister, that was rather heavy-handed. And why have you altered your appearance, hiding yourself like this? Could your identity be something that cannot bear the light?" The Rain Clan girl Yu Zimo had been watching Shi Zhao intently.

Her purple robes fluttered gracefully in the wind. Her skin was crystalline, her lashes long, and her eyes lively and profound. She was very beautiful, with a rare spiritual grace.

Continuing the fight was now impossible. The auction house staff had already sealed off the surrounding area; they would not let anyone fight and kill at their entrance, ruining their reputation and breaking their rules.

The next instant, Yu Zimo suddenly staggered backward. A crack appeared between her brows, leaking a thread of blood. As she stared at Shi Zhao, her lovely face filled with shock and bewilderment.

Clearly, she had suffered an unimaginable backlash. Her whole body swayed, and she collapsed.

But she did not fall to the ground. An arm caught her and gathered her into an embrace.

"What a face to stir anyone's pity." Shi Zhao studied her carefully, while her other hand met an old Rain Clan man's palm and forced him back.

"The Spirit Transformation Realm?!" Blood seeped from the corner of the old man's mouth as he cried out in shock.

How old could the girl before him be? Even with her appearance concealed, he could tell she was fifteen at most. Reaching the Spirit Transformation Realm at such an age undoubtedly spoke of talent that could astonish the world.

The Rain Clan's Twin Talents paled before her. Perhaps only Shi Yi could suppress her.

"Where exactly are you from? Why must you oppose our Rain Clan?" another old Rain Clan man asked in a low voice.

He was an expert in the Inscription Realm, yet even he sensed an inexplicable trace of danger at that moment. He suspected that a powerful expert was secretly protecting her.

What he did not realize was that there was no one hiding in the shadows at all. The source of the threat stood right before him.

"You're the ones who keep opposing me." Shi Zhao gave him a sidelong look. At some point, a Black-Gold Short Knife had appeared in her hand. She laid it directly against the snowy neck of the girl in her arms, leaving a red mark.

"Hmm, she'll serve as your apology to me. If you want her back in one piece, remember to prepare a ransom." Her large eyes shifted, and she spoke with a cheerful smile.

Afraid of smashing the precious vessel while striking the rat, the Rain Clan's people held back. Even the Inscription Realm expert dared not act rashly. They could only watch helplessly as their clan's gifted daughter was forcibly abducted.

Once the auction house staff had also left and no one remained nearby, Yu Feng abruptly sprang up from the ground. His eyes brimmed with hatred as he let out a low growl:

"That damned little bitch! She dared humiliate me like this, and she even kidnapped little sister Zimo!"

The Rain Clan's people could not keep the corners of their mouths from twitching.

They exchanged glances, seriously questioning just how much substance their Twin Talents actually had.

One had used a Precious Technique only for someone else's maid to break it, then been slapped away and chosen to feign unconsciousness to escape trouble. The other had fallen into the enemy's arms almost as soon as they met.

All they could say was that, fortunately, their opponent was also a woman. Otherwise, her reputation would already have been ruined.

Even so, the pair had nearly thrown away every scrap of the Rain Clan's dignity. It was easy to imagine that once word spread, the so-called Rain Clan's Twin Talents would surely become a laughingstock!

The Tongfu Inn stood in a bustling district of the Imperial Capital. With its landscaped gardens, it could certainly be called a luxurious establishment.

Shi Zhao had chosen to stay here temporarily. Her accommodation was a secluded residence with its own entrance and courtyard, featuring a little bridge over flowing water, artificial rockeries, fountains, and an elegantly planned layout.

Naturally, the price was equally exquisite.

"Child, you're back!" A figure appeared in the courtyard, deeply excited to see the three of them. It was Fourth Grandfather, who had secretly received her message and concealed himself in the inn well in advance.

"Please wait a moment, Grandfather." Shi Zhao had not expected the old man to be waiting here so early. She had only said she would be staying at this inn and asked him to meet her in secret.

She knocked Yu Zimo unconscious, then took her short knife outside for a circuit. When she returned, neither she nor the blade carried the slightest scent of blood, only a little more killing intent.

Fourth Grandfather also took out a Talisman Bone and set up a Magic Formation to conceal them.

After several years apart, they naturally had much to discuss. Shi Zhao shared some of her experiences without revealing too much. Mostly, the two Grandfathers reminisced about the towering, turbulent years of the past.

"I heard little Yi has returned?" she asked later.

"Hmph. You certainly get along well with that little brat." Fourth Grandfather looked at her with some displeasure, then gave a long sigh. "Zi Ling and his wife were foolish. What happened back then caused you so much suffering. Both boys are your younger brothers. Where will that leave you in the future?"

He understood very well that, since Shi Hao had survived, he would inevitably settle things with Shi Yi someday. When that happened, Shi Zhao, their elder sister caught between them, would suffer the most.

"It's fine. With me around, they won't be able to start a fight." Shi Zhao slapped the table as she spoke.

"I wouldn't be so sure. What if they start fighting precisely because of you, Miss?" A Man suddenly poked her little head over and interjected.

"Uh... surely they wouldn't?" Shi Zhao suddenly had a rather ominous premonition.