As they stepped out of the Cloud-Hidden Pavilion, the dazzling sunlight immediately shone down, washing away the gloom and displeasure on the three faces. The noise of the street resumed, which gradually calmed Xiao Yan's mind. Compared to seeing the two people, he preferred the bustling outside world.
"Shall we head back home?"
Bai Hua's gaze shifted slightly around as she spoke softly.
With the Sumeru Grass in hand, their purpose for this trip was considered achieved, so there was no need for them to linger any longer. Furthermore, regarding Zhao Mingjie's furious words earlier, while not exactly fearful, Bai Hua was somewhat worried. After all, as they knew, Zhao Mingjie had a father at the Yuan Zun level behind him, and if they encountered him, things might not end easily.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan pondered for a moment, having also considered the matter. He then glanced at Lian'er, who was curiously looking around, paused briefly, and then smiled with relief:
"Alright, since we're here, we should take our time to explore. Now that we have the Sumeru Grass, there's no need to be in such a rush. Let's spend some time playing with this girl today. Besides, the auction house is worth checking out; we might even get some unexpected treasures."
"That Zhao Clan..."
"When soldiers come, we'll meet them with generals; when water comes, we'll dam it with earth. Don't forget, whether it's the Zhao Clan or this Shuyang City, they're all under the rule of the Xiao Clan."
Understanding Bai Hua's worries, Xiao Yan turned to him and smiled reassuringly, his expression gradually relaxing. His gaze fell on Lian'er beside him, and looking at her still somewhat childish face, a look of doting affection appeared on his face. Xiao Yan gently ruffled Lian'er's delicate head, letting her pout and grumble in frustration. Then, he slightly raised his chin towards the towering black stone tower ahead of the street and said calmly:
Let's go.
After saying that, he led the way, with Lian'er following closely behind. Bai Hua turned to look at the Cloud-Hidden Pavilion behind him, frowned slightly, and then followed.
Without any constraints, the two of them let the little girl run freely for the rest of the journey, dashing around like a frolicking ponies. The smile on her pretty face was captivating, and looking at the little girl's lively and joyful appearance, Xiao Yan felt a strange sense of envy.
Although they could clearly see the shape of the huge black tower from afar, the three of them were still quite a distance away from where they were. Although the three of them were not in a hurry, Xiao Yan seemed to have underestimated Lian'er's temperament.
Once a woman's true nature is unleashed, the shops along the street seem to become two rows of highly sought-after commodities in her eyes. Under Lian'er's rampage, she has almost completely raided every shop along the street, looting them all. Even with Xiao Yan's wealth, he couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache. Looking at the shop owner's smiling face as he handed over the Storage Ring, and at the Spirit Stone he had been frantically spending, Xiao Yan's expression became somewhat dazed. Bai Hua, on the other hand, couldn't help but watch him with a smile, her eyes full of mockery.
"Well..."
With a wry smile and a sigh, Xiao Yan couldn't help but look at Bai Hua for help. Only then did Bai Hua smile knowingly, grab Lian'er who was about to rush out the door, and obediently pull her behind him. Xiao Yan then dared not delay any longer and hurried towards the auction house in the city center.
If he continues to let this girl continue like this, he's afraid he'll have to empty his pockets here.
After traveling non-stop, a short while later, an auction house surrounding the huge black tower appeared before the three of them.
The enormous auction hall was circular, surrounding the stone pillar in the center. The towering, dark walls stood imposingly, like an impregnable fortress, giving people an inexplicable sense of oppression. Outside the auction hall, a large number of people were gathered, queuing up and waiting to enter.
Looks like we'll have to wait a while.
Looking at the somewhat crowded flow of people in front of him, Xiao Yan couldn't help but click his tongue and frown slightly. Judging from the current queue outside the auction house, it would probably take at least another hour or two for them to get in.
Bai Hua remained indifferent to this, calmly observing the bustling scene before him, while holding onto Lian'er, who kept looking around and seemed intent on leaving, and waited quietly.
"This is... Mr. Xiao Yan?"
However, just as Xiao Yan frowned, a slightly suspicious voice suddenly came from the crowd on one side. Immediately, the three of them looked in the direction of the voice, and a group of people led by a middle-aged man also turned to them.
With a quick glance, Xiao Yan's gaze immediately locked onto a middle-aged man among the group. Upon seeing the latter, Xiao Yan only needed to think for a moment before recognizing him as none other than An Nan, the head of the An Clan family who had once blocked him in Tianyang City.
"So it's Patriarch An Clan. It's been several days. How have you been?"
Coming to his senses, Xiao Yan immediately bowed politely to An Nan.
He didn't particularly like this person, but he wasn't completely indifferent to him either. Besides, An Nan had been courteous first, so he should reciprocate with courtesy.
"Hehe, Mr. Xiao Yan, you're too kind. A month ago, An Nan was blind and failed to recognize your identity. It was only recently, when news about you began to circulate within the clan, that I learned that you are also a member of the Xiao Clan."
An Nan dared not be negligent in the face of Xiao Yan's attitude. As far as he knew, this seemingly ordinary young man in black robes had caused quite a stir when he first entered the Xiao Clan, and was later favored by the Xiao Clan's higher-ups. Now that he could appear in front of him again, this was not a bad opportunity for his An Clan.
Seeing their patriarch showing such humility to a strange young man, the An Clan members behind An Nan couldn't help but cast surprised glances at Xiao Yan, who was dressed in black robes. They were filled with doubt, wondering who this young man was that even An Nan could be so respectful to him.
" An Nan, you're speaking too soon. Before everything settles down, he can't truly be considered a member of the Xiao Clan; at most, he's just a member of a different clan with the same surname."
Just as Xiao Yan and An Nan were chatting and laughing, a disdainful sneer suddenly rang out from the crowd on one side.
As the voices rang out, the surrounding crowd quickly parted to make way. Then, Xiao Yan saw Xiao Tian and the other man he had just defeated not long ago. But unlike before, there was now a middle-aged man in a light yellow robe standing in front of them. The laughter from earlier had come from him.
With a narrowed gaze, Xiao Yan watched the middle-aged man approach. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. With his current Spiritual Strength, he couldn't see through the middle-aged man's strength. In that case, there was probably no need to doubt the man's identity.
This middle-aged man must be Zhao Jin, the head of the Zhao Clan in Liyang City!