The next morning, Wu Tan woke under clear skies. Light slipped through the cracks of Wu Chen's run-down house. He rose from meditation, qi humming steadily inside him.
Stage 3 Dou Zhi Qi.
For the world, it was nothing, but for him, it changed everything. His body felt light, his grip steady, his sight sharper than ever. He clenched his fist, and a ripple of energy flickered over his knuckles.
"System," he said.
[Current Greed Points: 0.0][Authority of Greed: Partially manifested. New function unlocked: higher conversion rate when handling valuable objects.]
Wu Chen's eyes drifted to the small pile of gold taels he had earned—one hundred, shiny and heavy in his hand. For the first time in months, he felt strong and alert.
He ran a finger over the coins. Food, a decent place to live… he could finally breathe. But what next?
An idea sparked: the auction. Wu Tan City's auctions were famous for rare treasures, magical herbs, and weapons. If he played it right, he could buy valuable items cheaply and convert them into Greed Points.
"And maybe… build some connections," he muttered.
He grinned. The plan was simple: use money to gain access, turn items into points, and slowly build influence. Every coin spent could multiply his power if handled wisely.
Wu Chen stepped into the crowded market. Merchants shouted, cultivators brushed past, and faint traces of qi drifted in the air. His dark blue robes swayed as he walked, silver trim catching the light without drawing too much attention.
Ahead, the Auction House stood tall. Its wide stone arches and polished jade pillars reflected wealth. Even the public Huang-class auctions were impressive. Wu Chen tightened his grip on his pouch of gold taels. That would be enough to get inside.
A burly guard blocked his way. "State your business," he said, hand on his sword.
"I'm here for the Huang-class auction. Wu Chen, independent trader," he replied calmly.
The guard glanced at his robes and pouch. "Entry's ten taels. Pay up."
Wu Chen smirked. The real fee was only two. He handed over the coins, brushing the guard's wrist. The man flinched. "Uh… fine."
Inside, the hall was loud and colorful. Merchants in flashy silks, minor cultivators in patched robes, and a few clan representatives filled the benches. The smell of incense mixed with excitement. Onstage, a young attendant arranged a chipped jade pendant, dried herbs, and a rusted dagger. Ordinary to most, but potential goldmines to Wu Chen.
He slipped into a seat near the back. A group of Jia Lie Clan members whispered at the front. Nearby, a hooded figure—probably Xiao Yan—watched the stage. Wu Chen stayed focused.
He scanned the room. His robes were neat, his hair tidy, his posture confident. To anyone glancing, he seemed like someone who belonged here.
The atmosphere shifted as anticipation rippled through the crowd. Heads turned toward the stage.
Ya Fei, chief auctioneer of the Miteer Auction House, stepped into view. Her presence was like a spark. Crimson silk clung to her curves, her red hair catching the light, her movements graceful. Almond-shaped eyes scanned the crowd, sharp yet inviting. Every step radiated confidence, making the room feel smaller.
Whispers rose among the youth. "Look at her… Goddess Ya Fei," one muttered. "Forget it, you'd need a mountain of gold for her to glance at you."
Another voice cut in. "I heard half the Jia Lie Clan is after her. Bet she'd laugh at Xiao Yan's three-year promise."
Wu Chen kept his expression neutral. Ya Fei wasn't just beautiful—she was cunning. She could charm a pauper into spending his last coin or coax a clan elder into bidding beyond reason. Her mind was a sharper weapon than any Dou Qi.
Onstage, she raised a delicate hand. "Welcome, honored guests, to today's Huang-class auction. The Miteer Auction House has prepared treasures to spark your interest." Her lips curled in a teasing smile, and the crowd leaned in closer.
Wu Chen felt the faint pulse of the Authority of Greed stir in his chest, responding to the wants rippling through the room.
His eyes followed Ya Fei as she moved across the stage. The pulse in his chest quickened; the panel shimmered faintly.
[Desired Person Marking: Activation Possible]
[Detect high-value target: Ya Fei. Marking her as a Desired Person allows extraction of maximal Greed Points from interactions, influence, or mutual desire.]
Wu Chen raised an eyebrow. "Maximal… how much are we talking?"
[System Response: Estimated Greed Point Potential: ≥3,000]
[Alignment through relationship, influence, or mutual desire yields exponential points.]
Wu Chen thought for a moment. "So… if I could make her mine, even just a little… I could gain more than I have in months."
He shrugged slightly. "She's not easy, but giving it a try should be worth it."
He leaned back, calm and focused. The auction continued, but his mind stayed on a simple plan: observe, find an opening, and see if he could turn Ya Fei into an advantage.