Chapter 15: Miss Yuan
Warm sunlight streamed through the window cracks, scattering into tiny specks that decorated the tidy room.
Inside, Xiao Yuan sat cross-legged in a wooden basin, hands interlocked in a strange seal before him. His eyes were closed, and his breathing was steady and powerful.
The basin was filled with multicolored medicinal liquid, and as Xiao Yuan breathed rhythmically, the medicinal essence seeped in through his skin, bit by bit.
As the medicinal power entered his body, a jade-like radiance gradually appeared over his skin.
At the same time, the Dou Qi within him was steadily increasing with each breath.
This five-colored solution had been created by finely grinding five different elemental herbs into powder and mixing them together.
Although Xiao Yuan wasn't an alchemist, he knew that even without refining, turning the herbs into fine powder and dissolving them could still yield decent results.
These herbs had been collected for him earlier by Ya Fei.
Thanks to his Five Yuan Qi Chambers, Xiao Yuan needed five times more energy than a typical person to advance, but he could also absorb five different elemental energies, which made his cultivation progress faster overall.
As time passed, the vibrant colors of the liquid began to fade. The sunlight outside dimmed gradually, and the heat in the air subsided.
—One month later—
With the full support of the Miteer Auction House's publicity, a highly anticipated auction finally commenced.
Despite his busy training schedule, Xiao Yuan made time to attend the event, cloaked in a black robe, and arrived at the Miteer Auction House.
Inside, the auction hall was roaring with noise. Countless heated gazes were fixed on the elegant figure in a red dress standing at the center stage—Ya Fei.
She certainly knew how to command attention.
Seeing the confident and composed Ya Fei on stage, speaking fluently and gracefully, a smile crept onto Xiao Yuan's face beneath the cloak.
Hmm?
Suddenly, Xiao Yuan noticed another cloaked figure below, and not far from him, a man leaning from a shadowy corner whispering advice like a lunatic.
How abstract.
But with the "male mentor" label, Xiao Yuan was nearly certain that the cloaked man down there was Xiao Yan.
Here for the Foundation Elixir, probably. But for Xiao Yuan, that thing wasn't of much use. Who knew if its properties might conflict with the five types of medicine he regularly used? Best not to risk it.
"Hehe, ladies and gentlemen, we've just received a new item up for auction, and I believe you'll find it quite interesting."
After selling off the last item, Ya Fei smiled sweetly and signaled. A servant brought forward a jade tray bearing a white jade bottle.
"This is a tier-2 pill."
Holding the bottle carefully, Ya Fei's sultry voice momentarily quieted the crowd. But shortly after, the hall burst into noise again. On the Dou Qi Continent, the most sought-after items were undoubtedly alchemist-refined pills.
"This is called the Foundation Elixir."
No surprise—it must've been a gift from Dad.
"Hehe, next we have the final highlight of today's auction!"
Putting the bottle away, Ya Fei dimmed the lights with a wave, then gracefully bent down and retrieved a silver plate from the stage. Atop it rested a simple-looking green scroll.
The scroll glowed faintly with green light, made even more mysterious by the silver tray beneath it.
"High Xuan-Tier Cultivation Method: Whirling Wind Technique!"
At those words, the entire hall went silent.
Compared to the earlier Foundation Elixir, a high-tier Dou Qi technique caused an even bigger stir.
But this wasn't shown for the crowd's benefit. The Jia Lie family was dead set on acquiring it.
Of Wu Tan City's three great clans, both the Xiao and Oba families owned Mid Xuan-tier techniques. Only the Jia Lie clan had nothing better than a Low Xuan-tier method. They were sure to bid at all costs.
"430,000!"
The moment Oba Pa shouted the price, Xiao Yuan knew it was his cue to stir the pot.
"450,000!"
Before Jia Lie Bi could even feel pleased, Xiao Zhan's calm voice followed, making Jia Lie Bi's face darken.
With Oba Pa's gloating stare boring into him, Jia Lie Bi gritted his teeth: "460,000!"
"500,000!"
Xiao Yuan cleared his throat, adjusted his voice to sound more feminine, and shouted. As soon as the words echoed through the hall, all eyes turned toward him.
The three clan leaders were stunned. In Wu Tan City, there was a force this wealthy?
And it sounded like… a woman?
"Young lady, do you really have 500,000? You're not just making random bids, are you?"
Jia Lie Bi's face turned grim as he asked coldly, hearing Xiao Yuan's icy voice.
"You're not qualified to question me."
Xiao Yuan replied coolly, barely holding back a smirk.
What better way to hide one's identity than using a female alias?
"You—!"
Jia Lie Bi was furious. A powerful aura surged from him, pressing toward Xiao Yuan.
"This is the Miteer Auction House. Are you trying to break their rules?"
Xiao Yuan's voice rang out again, cold as before.
"Miss Ya Fei, I demand that her assets be verified!"
Jia Lie Bi took a deep breath, trying to suppress his fury, and turned toward Ya Fei.
Ya Fei seemed briefly surprised, but then her eyes glimmered knowingly. She smiled and looked toward Xiao Yuan's direction.
"Miss Yuan is a valued guest of the Miteer Family. She certainly has the funds. If Mr. Jia Lie has no further bids, the Whirling Wind Technique will go to her."
Ya Fei's obviously partial stance made Jia Lie Bi's anger deflate, though his face was still stiff with frustration. "Miss Yuan"? This person hadn't appeared in Wu Tan City before. She must be just passing through. What rotten luck.
"550,000!"
Jia Lie Bi gritted his teeth and called again.
"600,000!"
Xiao Yuan's calm voice rang out once more—but this time, he felt a bit nervous.
Now he really was bidding blindly.
Oh well, it was fine. The one on stage was "his" person anyway.
"610,000!"
Jia Lie Bi's face turned pale. Even Xiao Zhan and Oba Pa were sneering now, their eyes clearly saying:
What an idiot.
610,000—nearly thirty years of profits for one of the major families. The Jia Lie clan was in deep trouble this time.
"Hmph!"
Xiao Yuan let out a discontented snort and turned to leave the hall.
"Miss Ya Fei, shall we conclude the auction?"
Jia Lie Bi, looking as if he'd just buried his parents, turned to Ya Fei.
Ya Fei smiled calmly, her lowered eyes glinting with amusement and mockery. Then, under Jia Lie Bi's anxious gaze, her delicate hand struck the gavel.
"The Whirling Wind Technique—successfully purchased by Clan Leader Jia Lie Bi!"
(END CHAPTER)
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