Outside the Miteer Auction House, Xiao Yan followed the crowd into the resplendent crystal hall. The soft, shimmering lights reflected off the marble floor, dazzling his eyes.
He couldn't help but sigh. "As expected of the largest auction house in the Jia Ma Empire—this whole building looks like it was built out of gold coins."
Just as he spoke, his body tensed. In that instant, he clearly sensed more than twenty sharp gazes sweep across him.
Lifting his eyes, he saw a group of heavily armed guards standing in formation at one corner of the hall. Each bore the Miteer family crest on their armor, faces expressionless and vigilant. That area was clearly reserved for high-ranking personnel. Judging by the guards' posture, someone of great importance was about to appear.
Moments later, crisp footsteps echoed across the marble floor. The crowd that had been quietly browsing treasures began to stir.
Curious, Xiao Yan shifted slightly, peering through the gaps between people. Through the crowd, he caught a glimpse of vivid red silk and the faint outline of a familiar, beautiful face. His breath caught. She's here?
A woman in a red gown stepped gracefully into the hall, her delicate smile calm and confident. Wherever she walked, greetings poured in from every direction. She responded to each with perfect poise—warm enough to leave an impression, distant enough to discourage further approach.
Flanked by her guards, she continued toward the main entrance, her eyes sweeping casually over the hall. But the moment her gaze landed near the doorway, her steps halted abruptly.
There, a black-clothed young man stood quietly with a massive black ruler strapped to his back. Recognition flashed across her beautiful eyes, followed by a gentle, charming smile.
"Xiao Yan, my little brother—after all these years, I almost didn't recognize you!"
"Sister Ya Fei is as enchanting as ever," Xiao Yan teased lightly, breathing in her faint, intoxicating fragrance. "Though, since you left Wutan City, I wonder how many hearts have been broken."
Ya Fei's lips curved slightly. "There's no time for teasing. I have business to attend to. Come with me—this isn't a place for conversation."
A guard immediately stepped forward. "Elder, the Grand Elder—"
Before he could finish, Ya Fei's expression turned cold, her sharp glare freezing him mid-sentence. The man swallowed hard and stepped back in silence.
"I'll handle the Grand Elder," she said coolly, then turned back to Xiao Yan. Her tone softened, her smile blooming again. "Come with me."
She led him toward the staircase. Xiao Yan's gaze lingered briefly on her alluring figure before following with a faint smile, ignoring the piercing gazes from the crowd.
Though the second floor was normally restricted to Miteer family members, with Ya Fei's escort, Xiao Yan entered smoothly. She guided him into a quiet room at the far end.
After motioning for him to sit, Ya Fei smiled. "The family is hosting a banquet tonight to entertain an honored guest. I was ordered by the Grand Elder to accompany them. If I skip it because of you, I'll probably be scolded to death later."
Her playful tone was accompanied by a pitiful expression that could melt stone.
Xiao Yan frowned slightly, feeling a strange discomfort in his chest. "Who could be so important that even Sister Ya Fei must attend personally?"
Hearing this, Ya Fei's lips curled into a teasing grin. "Xiao Yan, are you jealous? You have just as much potential as he does—perhaps even more—but right now you're still a little too young to rescue me from the tiger's den. His name is Liu Xi."
Ya Fei was a woman of ambition and pragmatism—bold, intelligent, and never blind to profit. She had personally requested to attend the banquet in hopes of establishing ties with Liu Xi.
But Xiao Yan's sudden appearance changed her calculations. Compared to the renowned Dou Huang and 6th Tier Alchemist Liu Xi, Xiao Yan's talent might not yet shine as brightly, but he was still young—full of potential, and far easier to win over.
Xiao Yan's body stiffened, eyes flashing with surprise. Of course he knew that name—Liu Xi, the powerful Dou Wang who possessed a Heavenly Flame and was a famed 6th Tier Alchemist of the Jia Ma Empire.
With Yao Lao's guidance, Xiao Yan was confident he would one day surpass him—but for now, he was still far behind.
Yao Lao's calm, aged voice sounded in his mind. "Xiao Yan, this is an opportunity. Meet this Liu Xi. I'll see if we can draw him in through high-level alchemy. If that succeeds, your trip to Yunlan Sect will be smooth. But remember—the Heavenly Flame must not be lost. Test the waters first."
Xiao Yan took a deep breath, his confidence returning. Turning to Ya Fei, he said evenly, "Sister Ya Fei, there's no need to worry. My teacher and I are also interested in meeting this 6th Tier Alchemist. Would it be convenient for you to take me along?"
Ya Fei blinked, momentarily stunned. She knew Xiao Yan had a mysterious teacher, likely not weaker than a high-tier alchemist, but she hadn't expected such a direct request. Her delicate brows furrowed as she hesitated.
Seeing her uncertainty, Xiao Yan continued calmly, "I heard that your family's Grand Elder, Hai Bodong, was severely injured in the past and that his strength declined because of it. I happen to have a pill recipe that can help him recover. If I offer it as a token of goodwill, it shouldn't put you in a difficult position."
This instantly caught her attention. Hai Bodong's condition was no secret, and the Miteer Family had long sought ways to restore his power.
Ya Fei's eyes widened. She abruptly stood, her ample chest rising and falling with excitement. "Truly? You have such a pill recipe?"
Her excitement was genuine—and in that moment, her view of Xiao Yan softened. Her voice turned honeyed. "Xiao Yan, you really do think of your sister, don't you? How touching."
Watching her excited expression, Xiao Yan's throat went dry, his heart thumping twice as hard. He laughed awkwardly. "Then I'll trouble Sister Ya Fei to make the introduction."
"Of course," she said with a playful wink. "But Xiao Yan, don't lie to me. If you upset the Grand Elder, your poor sister might be doomed."
Ya Fei liked him, yes—but she wasn't naïve. She had survived in a world of power and politics by being clever, cautious, and brave.
——
Meanwhile, in another corner of the Sacred City, Liu Xi had already received the Miteer Family's invitation and was making his way toward their estate.
As one of the Jia Ma Empire's most prominent noble houses, the Miteer Family's manor occupied a vast area in the southwestern quarter of the Sacred City—and it was within that grand estate that tonight's banquet would be held.
(End of Chapter)
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