In the huge square outside the auction house in Shuyang City, heads stood tall. In mid-air, two figures stood majestically. The two who were fighting fiercely just a moment ago were now frozen in place by the sound of an old voice.
"How could it be him...?"
Fan Jian murmured softly, his breath trembling, his eyes flickering. He then glanced at Zhao Jin in the void opposite him. The latter's fierce expression had vanished, replaced by a submissive one, his eyes filled with astonishment. Compared to before, he was completely different now.
Exhaling with a trembling breath, Fan Jian's gaze slowly swept across the messy ground below, then glanced at the tense atmosphere in the square. With a turn of his gaze, he bowed respectfully towards the stone tower without hesitation, and then withdrew the astonishing aura he had released.
His gaze shifted downwards, Fan Jian quickly locked onto Ouyang Miao, who was standing with Xiao Yan below. He nodded slightly, raised his eyes to reveal a row of gleaming white teeth to Zhao Jin, gave a cold smile, and then moved his body, flashing to the ground.
Feeling the oppressive aura emanating from above dissipate, Fan Jian finally exhaled deeply, steadied himself, and walked towards Xiao Yan and Ouyang Miao. Zhao Jin, however, gritted his teeth somewhat unwillingly, quickly glancing at the massive stone tower with a sense of dread. As he plummeted, his chilling gaze swept over Xiao Yan and Ouyang Miao, then he frowned, took a deep breath, and fixed his eyes on Xiao Yan below. At one moment, he let out a strange, mocking laugh and murmured:
"Now, let's see how you stay in the Xiao Clan."
"Junior Xiao Yan thanks Senior for your help!"
Seeing Fan Jian stride forward with great gait, Xiao Yan dared not delay and quickly bowed and clasped his hands in greeting.
"Hehe, it's alright. Knowing Zhao Jin's character, I've wanted to meet him for a long time. Today is just an opportunity. If it weren't for that person stopping me, I would have skinned him alive."
Seeing this, Fan Jian waved his hand lightly, his gaze involuntarily turning to the towering black tower behind Xiao Yan, a hint of apprehension flashing in his eyes.
Seeing this, Xiao Yan couldn't help but frown. Who exactly was inside that stone tower that could make a Yuan Zun expert show such an expression?
"Hehe, Mr. Xiao Yan has only recently returned to the clan, so he is probably not yet familiar with many of the clan elders. The owner of that voice earlier was the Second Elder of the clan."
Seemingly sensing Xiao Yan's doubts, An Nan quickly stepped forward with a light laugh. As he finished speaking, he also clasped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Ouyang Miao and Fan Jian. Although Xiao Yan could remain calm in the face of them, he dared not be careless in the slightest. Not to mention anything else, Ouyang Miao's status as a prince was not something he could easily control.
"Second Elder?"
Upon hearing An Nan's words, Xiao Yan's brows twitched, and his gaze instantly turned to the enormous stone tower behind him. He never expected that such a figure would be hidden within this strange stone tower—the Second Elder of the Xiao Clan. Such a status and position within the clan was second only to the First Elder and the Clan Chief. Even the latter would treat him with some courtesy. It was truly a strange occurrence that such a person would appear outside the clan.
"Hehe, it's said that the Second Elder has a somewhat eccentric temperament and doesn't like staying in the clan. In order to cultivate, he has lived in this stone tower for many years and hasn't shown his face for who knows how many years. I didn't expect him to speak up today."
Looking curiously at the massive black stone tower, An Nan slowly spoke. Upon hearing this, the latter's expression faltered slightly, staring blankly at Annan, speechless. This was, after all, the second elder of the clan, a man of such status and position. His location had been so easily revealed; wasn't he afraid of being assassinated by hostile forces?
"Hehe, kid, don't worry. It's no secret that the Second Elder of the Xiao Clan is cultivating here. Throughout the Central Region, quite a few people know about it. In terms of strength, there are countless people who want to kill him. However, compared to him, the name Xiao Yitian is even more terrifying."
Seeing Xiao Yan's expression, Fan Jian chuckled and looked up at the stone tower that resembled a small mountain, a strange light flashing in his eyes.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan was slightly startled. Although the former's words were simple and easy to say, he understood that every word spoken by someone with the cultivation level of the Fan Jian was not unfounded. Just imagine how powerful this Second Elder of the Xiao Clan must be to be able to intimidate so many heroes with just his name!
" Xiao Yitian, is this the Second Elder's name? Truly, he exudes boundless grandeur."
"More than just heroic, as far as I know, since the Second Elder established his reputation, he has participated in countless battles, large and small, and has almost never been defeated in his life, except for one time..."
Mentioning Xiao Yitian, even with An Nan's current cultivation level, a look of awe couldn't help but appear on his face. Even Fan Jian beside him took a deep breath and nodded heavily. But at the end of the conversation, the two fell silent one after another, paused for a moment, and then their gazes involuntarily fell on Ouyang Miao.
Upon seeing this, Xiao Yan was first taken aback, then his eyes flashed as if he had made a connection to something, and then he looked deeply at the huge black stone tower that stood quietly, and let out a soft sigh.
"Hehe, if we keep chatting like this, the auction might have to end."
Just as Xiao Yan was lost in thought, Ouyang Miao suddenly broke the strange atmosphere between the people present. Everyone immediately came back to their senses and noticed that Zhao Jin and his group had already disappeared, presumably having entered the auction house.
Looking at the still long queue in front of him, Xiao Yan frowned slightly. Seeing this, An Nan immediately stepped forward and chuckled:
"Hehe, everyone, don't be in a hurry, please follow me."
Compared to the others, An Nan was naturally very familiar with this place, and with him in front, the group was spared a lot of trouble.
Following An Nan, the group bypassed many people and headed towards a certain location in the auction house.
"Mr. Xiao Yan is visiting Shuyang City for the first time and is not yet familiar with its rules. I won't say much else, but just this: as long as you are a member of the Xiao Clan, you will receive as many conveniences as possible here if you present your identity jade token."
As the view ahead gradually cleared, and a stone gate stood at the foot of the high wall, a place no one could pass through, Xiao Yan was surprised when An Nan's voice came into his ears.
Upon hearing this, the latter immediately recalled the jade pendant that Xiao Ling'er had held the day before, and instantly understood. He hadn't expected that such a small jade pendant would have such an effect, but unfortunately, he didn't have one.