After speaking, Ya Fei, standing on the auction stage, bent down and retrieved a jade bottle from within the stage, placing it carefully on a jade plate.
"Next up for auction is a second-grade medicinal pill: the Marrow Cleansing Pill. This pill can raise a person's aptitude to the Da Dou Shi realm. As long as resources are sufficient, one can reach a One-Star Da Dou Shi. However, there is one side effect: the person who takes it can only reach a One-Star Da Dou Shi in this lifetime and cannot break through further," Ya Fei announced clearly.
"This medicinal pill has been authenticated by Master Gu Ni of our auction house as a genuine second-grade medicinal pill, with no issues. Everyone can bid with confidence. The starting price is seven thousand gold coins."
"Eight thousand!"
"Ten thousand!"
… …
In less than ten minutes, the price of the Marrow Cleansing Pill had already soared to thirty-five thousand. The effects of the Marrow Cleansing Pill were extremely enticing, especially for those who had no hope of becoming a Da Dou Shi in their lifetime, as well as for wealthy merchants and powerful families. The highest combat power in Wutan City was only a Da Dou Shi, and most Da Dou Shi were affiliated with the three major families. Even the three major families themselves were envious of this pill. Whoever obtained it would gain an additional Da Dou Shi, tipping the balance of power in resource competition.
"Forty thousand!" Oba Pa, who had been resting with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them and bid.
"Forty-five thousand!" Jia Lie Bi quickly followed, giving Oba Pa a provocative look.
Oba Pa gave him a cold glance. "Fifty thousand!"
The two continued bidding, their faces flushed with excitement, and the price quickly approached seventy thousand. With Xiao Zhan's participation, the bidding escalated even further.
"This Marrow Cleansing Pill has been successfully acquired by Clan Leader Oba Pa for ninety thousand gold coins," Ya Fei announced, gently tapping her small hammer.
"Next up is an item just received by the auction house, also a second-grade medicinal pill: Foundation Building Spirit Liquid…"
Upon hearing the name, Xiao Zhitian subtly scanned the hall, squinted at a black-robed figure in the corner, and then shifted his gaze elsewhere.
After a round of bidding, the Foundation Building Spirit Liquid was acquired by Xiao Zhan for forty thousand gold coins.
"This is the grand finale item of this auction: a Profound High-Rank cultivation technique, the Wind Scroll Art." Ya Fei's voice rang out, cutting through the hall. Instantly, silence fell. All eyes turned to the green scroll in her hands.
The Wind Scroll Art was eventually acquired by Jia Lie Bi for five hundred and fifty thousand, following a fierce battle of bids between the three major families, a weapons magnate, and several medicine merchants.
After the auction concluded, Xiao Zhan led Xiao Zhitian to the auction house's payment hall. There, a figure in a red cheongsam emerged. The hem of the dress featured a high slit extending to her thigh, revealing glimpses of long, fair legs as she walked, stirring the hearts of onlookers.
"Presumably, this is the widely rumored young genius of the Xiao Family, Young Master Xiao Zhitian," she said gracefully.
"I'm flattered," Xiao Zhitian said with a smile and a slight nod.
"Clan Leader Xiao Zhan, this is the Foundation Building Spirit Liquid you acquired." Ya Fei handed the jade bottle toward Xiao Zhan and his companions. Xiao Zhan took it, preparing to retrieve his gold storage card for payment. Xiao Zhitian was quicker, extending his own card.
"Deduct from this," he said calmly.
Ya Fei reached for the card, but as her gaze fell upon Xiao Zhitian's hand, a familiar feeling stirred within her.
Xiao Zhitian noticed her brief pause. "Miss Ya Fei, is something wrong with me, or do you not intend to settle the bill?"
"I apologize. I must have been tired and lost focus for a moment," Ya Fei said, quickly regaining her composure. She took the card from Xiao Zhitian, settled the bill, and returned it with a smile.
"Thank you for supporting our auction house."
"Then we shall take our leave," Xiao Zhan said, leading Xiao Zhitian and the others out of the payment hall.
Ya Fei watched Xiao Zhitian's retreating figure thoughtfully, her mind quietly turning over what had just happened.
Outside, Xiao Zhitian glanced at Xiao Zhan, who was about to speak. "I know Father bought this for Xiao Yan Zi. Consider this my contribution to Xiao Yan Zi. If Father uses family funds, the three elders will inevitably use it to pressure him. As for where this money came from, Father, please don't ask."
Xiao Zhan gave Xiao Xun'er and Xiao Zhitian a meaningful glance. "I'm going back now. I won't disturb you two young people on your date. You two can stroll around as you please."
Watching Xiao Zhan leave, Xiao Zhitian turned and took Xun'er's hand. "Let's go. I'll take you for a stroll."
Xiao Zhitian and Xun'er wandered happily through the streets of Wutan City until dusk, when they reluctantly parted ways.
After seeing Xun'er return to her courtyard, Xiao Zhitian did not return to his own. Instead, he walked out of the Xiao Family gate and headed toward the auction house. Along the way, he donned the cloak and mask he had purchased earlier.
Upon arrival, a maid led him to a private room, where Ya Fei was already seated at a table.
"You're finally here," she said.
"Something came up, so I was delayed a bit," Xiao Zhitian replied with an indifferent smile.
Ya Fei chuckled softly, then handed over a green jade card. "The Youth-Preserving Pill was directly purchased by our auction house, so we won't deduct a handling fee from you. Including the Marrow Cleansing Pill fee, with the handling fee deducted, the total is 158,200 gold coins. It's all on this card."
Just as Xiao Zhitian was about to take it, a voice rang out: "Should I call you Mister, or Young Master Xiao Zhitian?"
"You truly are clever. It seems you discovered something this morning. As expected of someone who can be the chief of an auction house."
Ya Fei let out a charming laugh. "I never imagined that Young Master Xiao Zhitian is not only a genius in cultivation, but also possesses extraordinary talent in alchemy. To be a second-grade Alchemist at such a young age truly makes this humble girl envious."
"Have you ever heard the saying, 'The more you know, the faster you die'?" A flicker of coldness appeared in Xiao Zhitian's eyes.
"Then are you planning to kill me to silence me?" Ya Fei asked, her tone slightly timid. Yet, a hint of a playful smile danced in her eyes.
Xiao Zhitian stepped in front of her, placing a hand gently under her chin to lift her head, scrutinizing her carefully. "You truly are a beautiful enchantress. It's a pity… you might perish. How should I deal with you?"
Ya Fei reached out and pushed his hand away. "At such a young age, you're learning all the wrong things, only these sorts of things."
Since his identity had been exposed, Xiao Zhitian lifted the hood of his cloak and removed his mask. He stretched and then sat back, his gaze fixed on Ya Fei. Having read the original work, he naturally knew that this charming, alluring Ya Fei, whose every movement stirred men's hearts, was highly intelligent. Though her strength was limited, and one could even say she had no cultivation talent, she was shrewd, perceptive, and possessed an acute understanding of human nature.
Ya Fei watched Xiao Zhitian intently. One hand rested on the table, while the other half-clenched into a fist, propping up her chin. "Little fellow, you keep staring at older sister. Do you have some thoughts about older sister?"