Heaven Dou City, as the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire, is the most prosperous city in the empire. Its wide streets are bustling with traffic, lined with shops, and filled with shouts and laughter. Tonight, the Heaven Dou Auction House is even more lively.
"I heard the Heaven Dou Auction House has a lot of good stuff tonight. Let's go see if there's anything suitable as a gift," Lin Yan said to Ye Lingling with a smile. "And then, while you're at it, go visit your uncle and aunt."
Ye Lingling gave a soft "Mmm".
Three months ago, Lin Yan said that he would wait until the auction started, buy some suitable items at the auction, and then visit her home.
Lin Yan went to the auction to choose a suitable gift for their first visit.
The Heaven Dou Auction House is located in the most prosperous area of the west of the city. The building is magnificent and resplendent, and the guards standing at the entrance are not weak, which shows the extraordinary nature of this place.
As the two approached the entrance to the auction hall, a composed middle-aged man dressed in court attire quickly approached, bowed slightly to Lin Yan, and respectfully asked, "Are you Young Master Lin Yan?"
Lin Yan paused, somewhat surprised. "I am... and who are you?"
"I am the steward of His Highness the Crown Prince's residence." The middle-aged man smiled kindly. "His Highness the Crown Prince happened to be in the VIP room of the auction house. He spotted you from afar and specially ordered me to come and invite you for a chat."
Upon hearing this, Lin Yan understood.
He turned to Ye Lingling and said softly, " Lingling, feel free to look around the auction hall for a moment. I'll be right back."
Ye Lingling nodded, not asking any further questions, but simply whispered, "Be careful."
Following the steward through a heavily guarded passage, they arrived at an extremely luxurious and spacious VIP room. Crown Prince Xue Qinghe was sitting on the main sofa with a gentle smile on his face. When he saw Lin Yan enter, he stood up to greet him, adopting a very humble posture.
"Young friend Lin Yan, we meet again." Xue Qinghe's voice was as gentle and refined as ever.
"Greetings, Your Highness." Lin Yan.
"No need for formalities, please have a seat." Xue Qinghe warmly invited Lin Yan to sit down and personally poured him a cup of fragrant tea. "I heard that Brother Lin Yan has recently officially taken over as captain of the Imperial Fighting Team. Congratulations! I knew that with your abilities, you were destined for greatness."
"Your Highness flatters me; it was merely a stroke of luck," Lin Yan said humbly, expressing his gratitude once more. "I must also thank Lin Yan Highness for your initial recommendation, which enabled me to enter the Heaven Dou Royal Academy."
Xue Qinghe waved his hand and smiled, "It was nothing. To have such a talented person as young friend Lin Yan is a blessing for the Heaven Dou Royal Academy and also for the Empire."
He changed the subject, his tone becoming more sincere, "Young friend Lin Yan, with your talent and potential, your future is undoubtedly bright. If you are willing, I can recommend you to my father so you can gain experience in the core departments of the empire. You will certainly not be shortchanged in terms of resources and status."
Faced with the olive branch extended by the Crown Prince, Lin Yan remained clear-headed. He knew that Xue Qinghe ( Qian Renxue ) had grand ambitions, and that there must be a deeper purpose behind this recruitment.
He maintained a respectful yet distant attitude, politely declining, " Lin Yan deeply grateful for Your Highness's kindness. However, I currently only wish to focus on cultivation and leading the Imperial Fighting Team to achieve good results in the Soul Master Tournament. I have no other plans for the time being, and I hope Your Highness will understand."
A fleeting hint of disappointment flashed in Xue Qinghe's eyes, but his smile remained unchanged. He sighed, "Everyone has their own ambitions. Since Brother Lin Yan has made up his mind, I cannot force him. However, surely Brother Lin Yan will not refuse my friendship? If you need anything in the future, please feel free to come to the East Palace to find me."
"It is an honor for Lin Yan to be friends with Your Highness."
Just then, there was a gentle knock on the door of the VIP room. A middle-aged man with a refined demeanor and handsome features entered, led by a servant. Behind him followed an elderly man with white hair and beard, but who was in good spirits.
Upon seeing this, Xue Qinghe immediately stood up and said with a smile, " Sect Master Ning, Senior Bone Douluo, you've arrived."
The newcomers were none other than Ning Fengzhi, the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and Bone Douluo Gu Rong.
Ning Fengzhi's gentle gaze swept across the room, landing on Lin Yan, and he smiled, "Your Highness, who is this young talent?"
Xue Qinghe introduced, " Sect Master Ning, this is Lin Yan, the new captain of the Imperial Fighting Team the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, whom I mentioned to you before." He then said to Lin Yan, "Young friend Lin Yan, this is Ning Fengzhi, Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and this is Senior Bone Douluo."
Lin Yan felt a slight chill and quickly bowed, "Junior Lin Yan greets Sect Master Ning and Senior Bone Douluo." He sensed the profoundness and pressure contained in Bone Douluo's seemingly casual glance. The majesty of Titled Douluo, even without being deliberately released, was enough to inspire awe.
A glint of light flashed in Ning Fengzhi's eyes, and he smiled, "So you are Lin Yan. Indeed, you possess extraordinary bearing; no wonder His Highness the Crown Prince speaks of you so highly."
" Sect Master Ning is too kind," Lin Yan replied neither humbly nor arrogantly.
Ning Fengzhi nodded, his appreciation for Lin Yan's composure growing even stronger. He had already heard of Lin Yan's name from his daughter Ning Rongrong and the Crown Prince, knowing that he was exceptionally talented. Today, upon meeting him and observing his words and actions, he was indeed extraordinary.
"Young friend Lin Yan, have you come to the auction house hoping to find something?" Ning Fengzhi asked gently.
"Yes, I would like to choose a gift to visit my friends and elders," Lin Yan replied truthfully.
Upon hearing this, Ning Fengzhi's smile widened, "A chance encounter is better than a planned meeting. Young friend Lin Yan is young and Fengzhi, and I greatly admire him. Since we have met here today, it must be fate. Tonight, young friend, please bid on whatever catches your eye at the auction. All expenses will be covered by my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, as a token of my appreciation."
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is incredibly wealthy, Ning Fengzhi's actions are not only generous but also a blatant attempt to curry favor and win over the sect, surpassing even the efforts of Crown Prince Xue Qinghe.
The VIP room fell silent instantly. Xue Qinghe watched with a smile, while Bone Douluo also observed Lin Yan with great interest, wanting to see how he would respond.
Lin Yan's mind raced. The olive branch from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was more significant than that from the Crown Prince, but it also implied deeper entanglements. He took a deep breath, bowed deeply to Ning Fengzhi, his attitude respectful yet firm. "Sect Master Ning's kindness is overwhelming. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is the second-best sect in the world, and I have long admired it. However, this gift is merely a token of my appreciation, and if I were to entrust it to someone else, it would lose its sincerity. Lin Yan the Sect Master's good intentions, but I truly dare not accept them."
Upon hearing this, a genuine surprise flashed in Ning Fengzhi's eyes, quickly turning into deeper appreciation. Neither arrogant nor humble, not greedy for immediate gains—this young man's character was truly rare. He laughed heartily, not pressuring him further. "Good! Calm and composed, true to your original aspirations. In that case, Fengzhi will not insist. I hope to grow closer to you in the future."
"Thank you for your understanding, Sect Master Ning."
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Lin Yan excused himself and took his leave. Xue Qinghe and Ning Fengzhi did not try to stop him.
After leaving the VIP room, Lin Yan found Ye Lingling waiting quietly in the auction hall.
" Lingling, have you been waiting long?" Lin Yan smiled and naturally took her hand. "Let's go, the auction is about to begin."