"It's probably tied to my physique," Xiao Tian explained. "After breaking through to Dou Zhe, I started developing traces of Wood and Fire attributes. So, I secluded myself to experiment, and ended up becoming an alchemist."
"So, Brother Xiao Tian, are you a Tier 1 Alchemist now?" Xiao Xun Er asked, her eyes curious.
Xiao Tian only smiled, sidestepping the question. "Looks like you've been training hard these past three months, Xun Er. You've already broken through to Dou Zhe."
"I've been cultivating nonstop," Xiao Xun Er said with a playful grin. "I wanted to surprise you when you came out of seclusion. So, are you surprised?"
"Very surprised," Xiao Tian said, ruffling her hair. "As expected of the genius girl, everyone in the clan admires. Though with your talent, it'd be stranger if you hadn't reached Dou Zhe in three months."
Xiao Xun Er's eyes curved into crescents at his praise. Seeing her so delighted, Xiao Tian thought of the auction tomorrow, where a cultivation technique would be up for grabs—and how his father had recently outmaneuvered the Jia Lie Clan. "There's a big auction at the Miteer Auction House tomorrow," he said. "Let's go check it out, then have some fun afterward."
"Sounds great! I'll come find you tomorrow, Brother Xiao Tian."
Xiao Tian shared a meal with Xiao Xun Er and strolled around the Xiao Clan before they parted ways.
Back in his room, Xiao Tian sat on a chair and retrieved the Dou Huang Summoning Card from his system inventory. The golden card bore the faint outline of a figure shrouded in mist. "System, activate the summoning card."
[Ding! Activation successful. Summoned: Nine-Star Gold-Attributed Dou Huang, Jin Mo]
A swirling black vortex materialized before Xiao Tian. From it stepped an elderly man with golden hair and a youthful face, clad in a pale golden robe. The old man approached and knelt on one knee. "This subordinate, Jin Mo, greets the Master!"
"Rise," Xiao Tian said. "From now on, call me Young Master, not Master. I'll call you Elder Mo."
"Yes, Young Master," Jin Mo replied, standing respectfully.
"Elder Mo, go to the Jia Lie Clan and eliminate an alchemist named Liu Xi. He has a fake-death pill, so reduce him to ashes to ensure no loose ends." Xiao Tian gave a brief description of Liu Xi's appearance.
"As you command!" Jin Mo vanished in a flash.
Xiao Tian watched him go, then settled onto his bed to meditate and cultivate.
About the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, Elder Mo's voice echoed in his ear. "Young Master, the task is complete. The target has been erased from this world. However, on my return, an Eight-Star Dou Huang detected my Dou Qi. How should I handle this Dou Huang?"
Xiao Tian considered it. An Eight-Star Dou Huang? That's likely Ling Ying, Xun Er's bodyguard from the Gu Clan. "Leave him be," he said. "He's not an enemy. When you're not on a task, stay hidden and protect my father."
"As you wish, Young Master." Elder Mo departed to guard Xiao Zhan.
Unbeknownst to Xiao Tian, at that same moment, Ling Ying was reporting to Xiao Xun Er. "Miss, a Dou Huang entered Young Master Xiao Tian's room. My perception tells me this Dou Huang is incredibly strong—stronger than me. He sensed me as well, but he showed no hostility."
Xiao Xun Er walked to her window, gazing toward Xiao Tian's courtyard. "I don't care who he is, Master Ling. Find out his identity. I won't allow anyone with ill intentions to threaten Brother Xiao Tian."
"Yes, Miss." Ling Ying's figure faded into the shadows.
Alone, Xiao Xun Er stared out the window, murmuring, "I hope you mean no harm to Brother Xiao Tian. If you do, no matter where you hide, I'll hunt you down and destroy you."
The next morning, Xiao Tian met Xiao Xun Er, and they headed to the Miteer Auction House together. On the way, they ran into Xiao Zhan, who was also attending the auction, so they joined him.
Stepping into the auction house, Xiao Tian noted the sizable crowd. This was an unprecedented event, featuring three Tier 2 pills and an Xuan Class High-Level cultivation technique, drawing clan leaders and wealthy merchants from across Wu Tan City.
Following Xiao Zhan, they navigated to seats near the auction stage. The patriarchs of the other two major clans—Ao Ba and Jia Lie—were already seated. Xiao Tian and Xiao Xun Er took spots slightly behind Xiao Zhan, chatting quietly while overhearing the crowd's excited discussions about the auction items.
A captivating voice suddenly cut through the chatter. "Ladies and gentlemen, please settle down. I am Ya Fei, the chief auctioneer of this house. The auction is about to begin. I hope you all find treasures to your liking." Under countless gazes, Ya Fei glided onto the stage in a red cheongsam-like dress that accentuated her alluring figure. Her skin seemed even more radiant than the day before. She must've bought the Beauty-Preserving Pill for herself, Xiao Tian thought. Her entrance ignited the crowd's fervor.
"Is she pretty?" Xiao Xun Er asked, pinching Xiao Tian's waist, her lips pursed in a pout.
Xiao Tian turned and gently patted her head. "No matter how pretty she is, she can't compare to my dear Xun Er. In my heart, you're the most beautiful."
"Y-You—stop it! I forgive you," Xiao Xun Er stammered, her face flushing as she interrupted his increasingly bold words.
"Alright, alright," Xiao Tian chuckled. "I'm just wondering how much my pills will fetch—and how many people will fight over that Xuan Class High-Level technique."
"So those Tier 2 pills are yours, Brother Xiao Tian?" Xiao Xun Er's eyes widened. "You're already a Tier 2 Alchemist? Your talent is even more terrifying than I imagined."
"My alchemy talent's just average," Xiao Tian said with mock humility.
Xiao Xun Er caught the smug curl of his lips and rolled her eyes, refusing to indulge him further. If I keep this up, he'll float away with pride.
Their whispered conversation ended, and Xiao Tian scanned the room, noting the three patriarchs in the front row, each radiating determination.
As he surveyed the hall, the stage lights converged, illuminating Ya Fei. "Ladies and gentlemen, the auction officially begins. Please welcome our first item…"
One by one, items were presented and sold, but the three patriarchs remained silent, as did Xiao Tian and Xiao Xun Er, uninterested in the opening offerings.
Ya Fei's voice rang out again. "And now, the moment you've all been waiting for—our premier items. Please, prepare yourselves."