Chapter 132: Controlling the Auction House
A streak of light rose from the City Lord's Manor. In just a few moments, Yuan Yi intercepted Yao Yan and Cai Lin mid-air as they headed toward the manor.
After giving them a quick glance, Yuan Yi's brows furrowed slightly, then quickly relaxed. He wore a warm, welcoming smile and clasped his hands politely. "I am Yuan Yi, Gate Master of the Eight Gates. Upon learning of your esteemed visit, I came personally to greet you. May I ask where the two of you come from?"
Yao Yan didn't answer his question. Instead, he glanced around and said calmly, "No need for probing talk. This isn't the place for conversation."
"You're absolutely right. Please, follow me."
Yuan Yi nodded and smiled before leading them toward the City Lord's Manor. As the gate master, he wasn't bound by the city's no-fly rule. That regulation was mainly meant to determine whether newcomers were friend or foe.
The trio quickly returned to the manor.
With tea and refreshments served by maids, Yuan Yi's smile became even more enthusiastic. He personally poured tea for the two guests. After all, this was his territory. Unless the other party had a Dou Zong powerhouse with them, keeping them here wouldn't be difficult—so he wasn't afraid of any tricks.
Feeling secure, he became more active. His gaze studied the two carefully, eventually focusing on Yao Yan. It was clear who held the dominant position between them.
His eyes flickered, and he cautiously asked, "My disciple mentioned that you claimed to be a seventh-tier alchemist?"
Fwoosh~
Yao Yan didn't waste words. He slowly raised his hand, and with a flick of Dou Qi, a golden-tinged Green Lotus Core Flame surged from his palm. A terrifying wave of heat filled the room, raising the temperature rapidly. The fire's aura was savage and violent, unlike anything ordinary flames could produce.
"Heavenly flame?!"
As expected of a veteran, Yuan Yi instantly recognized it. As a black list top ten and current master of the Eight Gates, he had met Han Feng—the Black-Corner Region's rising star—and had seen the heavenly flame in his possession. Ever since Han Feng acquired the Ocean Heart Flame, he had flaunted it often. It had become his signature.
Because of that, Yuan Yi had learned to identify such flames. Their aura alone was unrivaled—utterly distinct.
Among all flames, heavenly flames were like emperors, radiating unmatched suppression.
"Nineteenth on the heavenly flame ranking—Green Lotus Core Flame~"
Yao Yan explained quietly, then looked at Yuan Yi and added, "While a heavenly flame doesn't prove I'm a seventh-tier alchemist, most people who refine one are alchemists. Other cultivators wouldn't be interested in taking such risks, nor would they attempt to refine one into their body."
Outside of legacy inheritance, wild heavenly flames held little appeal to non-alchemists. At most, they'd trade them to alchemists rather than undergo the extreme danger of refining them.
The risk far outweighed the reward.
Alchemists needed heavenly flames for pill refinement, hence their obsession. For non-alchemists, aside from combat, there was little benefit. Why risk death when the same flame could be traded for a high-grade Earth-tier Dou Technique?
Yuan Yi watched as Yao Yan slowly withdrew the flame and its oppressive aura. The skillful control left no room for doubt. "I believe you. An alchemist wouldn't lie about their tier—and even if they did, it's not something you can fake. Since you've revealed your identity, you must be here for business. May I ask how I should address you?"
"You may call me Mister Yao."
Yao Yan's eyes glinted as he spoke softly.
"Mister Yao?"
Yuan Yi murmured, then smiled. "What kind of assistance might you need, Mister Yao?"
His tone remained respectful. In front of a probable seventh-tier alchemist, courtesy was the minimum requirement.
"I'm looking for a missing map fragment. If you can find it, I'll give you a Breaking Sect Pill."
Yao Yan named his price. In the Black-Corner Region, there was no such thing as negotiating down. Compared to the value of the final Purifying Lotus Demon Flame map fragment, a Breaking Sect Pill was nothing. As for whether this would stir trouble, he didn't care. He already had three fragments. If he could force the last one into the open, he'd secure it. The only problem was that it hadn't appeared yet.
Breaking Sect Pill?!
Yuan Yi froze and abruptly stood up, eyes blazing. His father had been stuck at nine-star Dou Huang until his death, never stepping beyond. The pill was every Dou Huang's obsession. If word of this got out, the entire region's Dou Huang experts would go mad.
He now fully believed Yao Yan's alchemist tier. Not even Han Feng could successfully refine a Breaking Sect Pill. Though technically a sixth-tier pill, its effectiveness surpassed many seventh-tier pills and was incredibly hard to make. Han Feng had failed multiple times, disappointing those who came seeking it.
That alone had caused quite a stir among the Dou Huang community.
"This is an image stone of the map fragment. If you can find it, the Breaking Sect Pill is yours."
Yao Yan withdrew the flame and took out a memory stone, tossing it to Yuan Yi. He also placed a bottle containing the pill on the table, completely unfazed—as if daring him to try and take it.
At that moment, Cai Lin released her full nine-star Dou Huang aura. The oppressive pressure fell squarely on Yuan Yi.
Sensing the terrifying danger, Yuan Yi finally looked at Cai Lin. His focus had been entirely on Yao Yan before, and he hadn't realized she was also a peak Dou Huang. The murderous aura she exuded made it clear—she had taken many lives.
Yao Yan raised a hand, signaling Cai Lin to withdraw her aura, then smiled. "I've heard about how things work in the Black-Corner Region. But I'm someone who values rules. So, Gate Master Yuan—are you willing to take this deal?"
"Yes. Black Seal City lies at the crossroads of several regions, and the Eight Gates is an old, deeply rooted faction. We have contacts everywhere. If this map is in the Black-Corner Region, I'll find it!"
Yuan Yi replied with confidence. He had to get the Breaking Sect Pill. Only by reaching Dou Zong could he truly feel safe.
Dou Huang may seem impressive—but in the Black-Corner Region, it meant nothing. His two-star level couldn't guarantee security, especially not while leading a major faction like this.
"Then once you find it, the pill will be handed over to you."
Yao Yan nodded, and under Yuan Yi's reluctant gaze, put the pill away. He then produced two more bottles and said, "Two Royal Extreme Pills… I heard Black Seal City holds an annual auction. Would it be possible to hold an extra one?"
"If these pills are the main highlight, then yes, it's possible. But still not enough. If you include the Breaking Sect Pill…"
Yuan Yi hesitated.
"Then add one more Breaking Sect Pill. The map-related one is separate."
Yao Yan nodded, placing the previous pill bottle back on the table. His expression turned serious. "How you handle the auction is up to the Eight Gates—but there's one thing I expect: no leaks about us. Erase all traces of this meeting."
"That… can be done. A few people just need to disappear. But the auction must be delayed until the dust settles. Only then will it be absolutely safe. I hope that's acceptable."
Yuan Yi mulled it over, then agreed.
Yao Yan smiled. "No problem. We'll be in the Black-Corner Region for some years. I hope you bring me good news during that time."
"Of course!"
…
Once the conversation ended, Yao Yan and Cai Lin were assigned to a private residence. It was beautifully decorated, and even the maids were top-tier. Just like a saying Yao Yan had heard in his previous life: once your status and power are high enough, beauties are never in short supply.
Especially in a fantasy world like this—with a population and landmass several hundred times greater than his old world, the variety of beautiful women was unimaginable.
Fortunately, Yao Yan was a man of focus. He only liked the most beautiful one.
At that moment, Cai Lin was in his room. She had removed her mask, revealing her cold, seductive face. Her deep purple eyes looked at Yao Yan, curious. Her lips parted: "Another map fragment? How is this one related to the others?"
Good thing I blocked Yao Lao's senses—otherwise you'd have spilled everything.
Yao Yan thought to himself. It wasn't that he didn't trust Yao Lao, but the matter of the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame was far too sensitive. Even a whisper could spark continent-wide chaos.
He adjusted his expression and spoke like a parent reassuring a child. "It's hard to explain. I don't want to lie to you, but you're not ready to know yet. When you reach the Dou Zun level, I'll tell you everything… I only kept secrets before to protect you."
"…Alright."
Cai Lin frowned, then nodded thoughtfully. Her cold exterior was just a shell—she cared deeply about those close to her, even if she didn't know how to express it.
Yao Yan gestured to his ring and released a visibly irritated Yao Lao.
The moment he emerged, the old man began ranting. "Brat, you really don't respect your elders. First thing you do is lock me up—afraid I'll interfere with your bonding time?"
The old man clearly wasn't proper. His eyes gleamed with mischief as they roamed between the two.
Cai Lin turned away, not bothering to respond. She didn't want to reveal anything suspicious—some things were best kept private.
"Didn't say anything~"
Yao Yan smiled, not elaborating.
Yao Lao stroked his beard and studied Yao Yan. After a while, he said with a smile, "So you don't fully trust me, huh?"
"A little distance between people isn't a bad thing."
Yao Yan replied honestly and calmly.
Yao Lao didn't mind. He circled Yao Yan and asked, "What's that map fragment about? And why offer Royal Extreme Pills and Breaking Sect Pills? Those three are enough to turn the entire region upside down. Every peak Dou Huang will come running to fight for them. Things here will go crazy."
"I want to see if it lures Han Feng out. If it doesn't, I'll let Cai Lin take the opportunity to eliminate some top Dou Huang factions and replace them—prepping for the Falling Heart Flame."
Yao Yan spoke coolly. He didn't want to be the villain—someone else would take that role.
Canaan Academy had ties to the Lei Clan. Its dean was one of their elders, and the Inner Academy housed two half-step Dou Zuns. Yao Lao alone wasn't enough. He'd need local help—and what better help than local scoundrels?
These people were trash. If they died, no one would mourn them.
The Dou Qi Continent had no shortage of people. As long as top-tier Dou Saints didn't interfere, the place would remain stable.
"That's a solid plan. But be careful—Canaan Academy is special. Its students come from all over the continent. Don't harm them, or things could spiral."
Yao Lao nodded, but gave a final reminder.
"Relax, I'm not a butcher."
Yao Yan smiled, reassuring him. He wasn't stupid enough to kill innocent students and provoke a storm. Destroying Canaan Academy would likely make that old freak from the Lei Clan go berserk.
There was always an unspoken rule in the continent: strong people didn't massacre the weak. If a Dou Zun slaughtered an entire country, stronger forces would intervene—or kill them outright. It was a mutual understanding.
If anyone truly thought they could act recklessly just because they were powerful, they'd eventually face destruction.
Unless they had the power of a Dou Di…
"I believe you on that."
Yao Lao nodded, then asked, "So? When do you plan to infiltrate Canaan Academy? I've always been curious about it. Never got the chance to go back then… As for the Falling Heart Flame, we'll still need to confirm its presence."
"In a few days. Once I've settled things for Cai Lin."
Yao Yan replied softly, glancing toward her.
Cai Lin's hands, wrapped around her tail, clenched slightly. For a moment, she seemed dazed…
(END CHAPTER)
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