Inside a VIP room at the Mittel Auction.
Ya Fei and Gu Yue received Xiao Tian.
"Sir, these are the proceeds from the successful auction of the Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid, after deducting national taxes and our auction house's five-percent commission: fifty-five thousand gold coins."
Xiao Tian did not take out his gold card. Instead, he produced a bottle of Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid.
Ya Fei's and Gu Yue's hearts skipped a beat.
"Sir, would you like to auction more?"
"That's right. I happen to be short on money." Xiao Tian smiled. "Did anyone buy that staff at the auction just now, the one that couldn't conduct Dou Qi?"
Gu Yue and Ya Fei were surprised.
"Sir, no one did. Are you interested?"
"How much is it? Deduct the gold coins before transferring the rest to me. I'd also like to buy a Storage Ring."
"Then let's make it eight thousand gold coins. A Storage Ring costs ten thousand." Gu Yue was happy to sell off that piece of scrap and earn a commission along the way.
"Sure."
Afterward, a guard brought over the scrap staff.
After putting the Adamantine Staff into his Storage Ring, Xiao Tian left the auction house in high spirits.
On the way, Yao Lao said, "Boy, I've noticed that the cultivation method you practice is utter trash. How about switching to another? I have one that won't require you to sacrifice any of your cultivation."
"Huh?" Xiao Tian asked inwardly, Yao Lao, what grade is it? Heaven Tier High Grade?
"Hmph! You little brat certainly have a big appetite. This cultivation method of mine is called the Flame Mantra. I obtained it from an ancient place. Though it's only Yellow Tier Low Grade, it has an extraordinary trait! Even Heaven Tier High Grade cultivation methods can't compare!"
Xiao Tian was inwardly delighted and could not help asking, Then what is that trait?
"Heh! Unlimited upgrades! In theory, by devouring Beast Flame-or, preferably, Heavenly Flames-the Flame Mantra can advance without limit. I don't know where its ceiling lies! At the very least, the pinnacle of this continent can't contain it!"
Yao Lao's tone was utterly domineering and certain.
Possessing the ability to never die, Xiao Tian had been waiting for the Flame Mantra!
"I see! Then, Yao Lao, I trust you! When do we start?"
"Tonight. Go buy some spiritual ingredients while you're at it. Tonight, I'll also teach you to refine Qi Gathering Powder and Rejuvenation Powder, so your Xiao Clan's medicinal market can soar to glory!"
"Good grief! Yao Lao, you've got me all fired up!"
And so, before the thirty-seven thousand gold coins he had just received could even warm his hands, they slipped into other people's pockets!
With practiced agility, Xiao Tian slipped over the wall into the Xiao Clan grounds and returned to his room. He checked all around, making sure that girl Xun'er was not hiding inside, before taking out the Adamantine Staff.
"Boy, you seem to care quite a bit about this piece of scrap."
"Yao Lao, let me tell you, when I saw this thing, my soul shuddered a little. It seemed to resonate with it somehow, as though it were calling out to me."
Inwardly surprised, Yao Lao emerged from the Soul Ring in his soul form and smiled. "Some weapons forged from meteoric iron from beyond the heavens possess spiritual awareness, giving them the ability to choose their masters. It seems you may have stumbled upon something good. I may have misjudged it."
Holding the rust-covered Adamantine Staff, Xiao Tian examined it from the left and right but could make nothing of it. Left with no other option, he chose to try claiming ownership with a drop of blood!
However, claiming ownership with blood failed.
"Ahahaha! Little brat, it seems that although it intends to acknowledge you as its master, you aren't qualified yet."
Xiao Tian was instantly furious.
Just then, the system's voice rang out, mechanical and cold.
"Analyzing the Adamantine Staff!"
"The Adamantine Staff is damaged! It has been sealed!"
"Please state the ownership password! Otherwise, further permissions cannot be obtained!"
"Huh?" Xiao Tian was dumbfounded. Was the Adamantine Staff that intelligent? But the password-how the hell would he know it!