A new day dawned, and Wu Tan City was abuzz with a hot topic.
Shocking! The Xiao Family's 'waste' was publicly rejected by his fiancée's family! The Ice Emperor, Hai Bo Dong, appeared alongside the Mitre Family's Clan Leader, Teng Shan, and also that man who caused the Oba Family to vanish overnight!
Thanks to the information leaked by some members of the Xiao Family, the people of Wu Tan City had endless gossip today.
Inside the Mitre Auction House.
The individuals being hotly discussed were completely unconcerned.
Chen Xiao summoned Ya Fei, who was useful and quite attractive, though her strength was practically zero.
"Spread the word. In half a month, our long-prepared auction will officially commence."
Ya Fei looked up and saw that Hai Bo Dong and Teng Shan on the side showed no displeasure at Chen Xiao making the decision. She immediately understood.
This esteemed guest's status in the hearts of the two highest-ranking individuals in the family was probably even higher than she had imagined!
Without hesitation, Ya Fei bowed slightly and left to carry out the order.
After Ya Fei left, Hai Bo Dong withdrew his gaze and casually remarked, "Chen Xiao, I remember you'll be coming of age in a few months, won't you?"
Cultivators' physical development, and even their minds, generally mature faster than ordinary people.
Therefore, on the Dou Qi Continent, sixteen years old is considered the age of maturity, and families with some status and position will hold a Coming-of-Age Ceremony for it.
Chen Xiao glanced at Hai Bo Dong, not understanding his meaning.
This True Monarch didn't seem like the type to be bored enough to help him organize a Coming-of-Age Ceremony.
"About half a year left."
"That is indeed soon. After coming of age, there will gradually be more things to consider. Strength needs to be improved, bloodlines need to be continued, and there's even inheritance. Just thinking about it gives me a headache."
Looking at the sighing Hai Bo Dong, Chen Xiao roughly understood.
This old fellow was probably trying to find a different way to make his relationship with the Mitre Family closer.
For example, having a child or something.
"Why bother with these things? I quite like something Zi Yan said before: worry about tomorrow's problems tomorrow. Today's sun can only be enjoyed today. Just take one step and look three steps ahead. Thinking too far ahead is unnecessary."
Zi Yan, who was fiddling with a medicine bottle, looked over in confusion.
Did I say something like that?
Moreover, what Chen Xiao said is completely different from what she understands.
Hai Bo Dong laughed heartily, having heard Chen Xiao's polite refusal. He immediately abandoned the idea.
"That's true. Let's not talk about that. You've brought out so many things this time, making Wu Tan City so lively. You're not really just dealing with spoils of war, are you? We're practically family now. If you need anything, just say the word."
Chen Xiao's heart stirred. "There are indeed some other purposes. If Elder Hai is interested, perhaps you could act as a shill for me at the auction in half a month."
Although the Xiao Family was now several times stronger, in reality, it was still just so-so.
As for the other families, their purchasing power would only be lower.
Under these conditions, after being squeezed by other auction items, they probably wouldn't bid on that incomplete map. It would become very easy for Xiao Yan and his master to acquire the incomplete map.
Although Chen Xiao's incomplete map was a bait and a promotional price, he couldn't let Xiao Yan and his master get it too easily.
More or less, he still had to squeeze some things out of them.
"Me, acting as a shill? That's quite an interesting matter. Although shills aren't uncommon in auction houses, with my status, if others found out... No, no, that's too embarrassing. I'll find someone else for you. In a few days, the person bringing the medicinal ingredients for Zi Yan will definitely arrive. They'll be at least Dou Ling strength, which should be enough for you."
Hai Bo Dong waved his hands repeatedly, unable to bring himself to do it.
However, he was indeed very sharp, guessing from Chen Xiao's few words.
This shill couldn't be of too low a caliber.
"Alright, that would be more realistic."
Chen Xiao nodded slightly. Although Hai Bo Dong concealed his aura and disguised his appearance, very few people would be able to recognize him, but Yao Chen would definitely be able to sense him.
Thinking about it carefully, he really wasn't very suitable.
...
Xiao Family.
Looking at the large pile of auction catalog booklets personally delivered by Ya Fei, the faces of the three Elders were full of smiles.
Look, this is the prestige of being the largest family in Wu Tan City!
They had all heard Ya Fei say just now that even the Gale Family and the Mitre Auction House had only sent someone casually to notify them.
"All the auction items for this auction are in the catalog. The time is set for half a month from now. Clan Leader Xiao Zhan and the Elders can take a look first to see if there's anything you fancy. Ya Fei has other important matters, so I will take my leave now."
After seeing Ya Fei off, Xiao Zhan and the three Elders each picked up a catalog to look at.
Soon, heavy breathing sounds came out of their noses and mouths in unison.
"The Profound Middle-Rank Cultivation Method must not fall into the hands of the Gale Family. Our Xiao Family now holds the absolute initiative. We only need to slowly devour them to annex them. This cultivation method might become the Gale Family's hope for a comeback. The difference between having one more and one less is too great!"
"And this Soul Scattering Sand, it can threaten a Da Dou Shi. We must acquire it and not give the Gale Family any hope! We can also add another trump card!"
"..."
The three Grand Elders spoke one after another, growing more and more excited the more they looked, constantly suggesting items that should be prioritized.
Xiao Zhan just did a rough estimate and felt a headache coming on. To secure all the desired auction items, the Xiao Family would likely have to spend a fortune.
If that were the case, his desire to bid on something for Xiao Yan would likely face even stronger opposition.
Glancing at a pill and its description on the list, Xiao Zhan frowned.
Meridian Cleansing Pill: A second-grade pill with the effect of cleansing meridians. It can work wonders for those with blocked meridians!
Although this pill wasn't a perfect match for Xiao Yan's condition, the current Xiao Zhan was somewhat desperate.
As long as there was hope, he wanted to try.
"You all look first. Distribute these catalogs as well, let the younger generation broaden their horizons. There are so many, there's enough for everyone."
Leaving that remark, Xiao Zhan picked up a few catalogs and headed to the backyard.
At this moment, Xiao Yan was cultivating with his eyes closed.
Ever since Yao Chen appeared last night, he had completely understood the culprit behind his strength regressing instead of progressing over the past three years. Heaven knew how angry he was at the time.
Fortunately, after some coaxing and assurances from Yao Chen, Xiao Yan gradually calmed down. Finally, under Yao Chen's enticement, he even took him as a master.
It was simply because the title "Alchemist" held too much weight.
Xiao Yan also felt that since the deed was done, he might as well go along with Yao Chen's intentions for now and get more benefits first.
As for deeper feelings, there were none.
At least, that was how it was now. The resentment in Xiao Yan's heart hadn't completely dissipated yet.
Sitting cross-legged on the bed, feeling the Dou Qi entering his body no longer disappearing without reason, Xiao Yan was completely immersed.
This feeling was truly long lost!
Knock knock~
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
Xiao Yan jumped off the bed, went over and opened the door, and saw Xiao Zhan standing outside with a few auction catalogs.
"Father, why are you here so early?"
"Ya Fei just sent over the auction catalogs. I saw a pill on it that might be useful to you, so I specifically came to tell you this good news. Perhaps after some time, you'll be able to recover. It will take a while for the auction catalogs to be distributed, so I brought one for you to look at first."
Hearing this, Xiao Yan's nose felt a little sore.
In recent years, Xiao Zhan and his two older brothers had sacrificed too much for his sake, and they also had to constantly look after his emotions.
Comfort and encouragement had never stopped.
"Thank you, Father. I have a feeling that this time, I will definitely be able to recover!"
Taking a deep breath, Xiao Yan didn't immediately tell Xiao Zhan that he could cultivate normally again. He planned to give Xiao Zhan a surprise, striving to reach the fourth stage of Dou Zhi Li before the auction began, and then inform him all at once.
"Yes, I think so too. You rest first. The auction will start in half a month. You can go and take a look then, broaden your horizons, and also relax."
Patting Xiao Yan's shoulder, Xiao Zhan left the catalogs and departed first.
Xiao Yan stood at the doorway, scratching his head.
Only half a month left...
Can he really recover to the fourth stage of Dou Zhi Li?
Sensing Xiao Yan's lack of confidence, Yao Chen, hidden in the storage ring, knew.
It was time to show off!
He had to make Xiao Yan truly convinced and genuinely regard him as a teacher.
And today was the first step.
"It might be impossible for others to recover to the fourth stage of Dou Zhi Li in half a month, but for an Alchemist, anything is possible!"
"Mm, you continue."
Xiao Yan responded perfunctorily to the suddenly appearing Yao Chen, his gaze fixed on the auction catalog in his hand. He deliberately put on this act to provoke Yao Chen. Without seeing tangible benefits, he was still half-skeptical of Yao Chen's self-praise from last night.
How could Yao Chen not see through his little scheme? However, he didn't mind. This time, he had planned to show off his skills anyway.
"Hehe, I have a Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid that can greatly accelerate cultivation during the Dou Zhi Li stage. You've already condensed a Dou Qi Cyclone before, and now you're just going through it again. With the help of the Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid, your cultivation speed will only be faster."
Xiao Yan was delighted inwardly, but his expression remained calm, still pretending to look at the catalog in his hand.
Yao Chen chuckled lightly and snatched the catalog away.
"Stop pretending, kid. Today, I'll let you witness the methods of an Alchemist. Go prepare three complete Purple Leaf Orchid Grasses, the older the better. Also, two Bone Cleansing Flowers, the age of these doesn't matter. Oh, right, and a first-grade wood-attribute Magic Core..."
As he was speaking, Yao Chen suddenly paused, his eyes fixed intently on the catalog in his hand.
Xiao Yan was carefully memorizing it. Seeing him suddenly stop, he couldn't help but look up.
"What else?"
"Don't bother me, I'm thinking!"
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