Several Days Later, Desolate Region, Stone Country's Imperial Capital
Lin Fan strolled through the bustling streets, his eyes darting between vibrant shops. He touched this, bought that, humming a cheerful tune, his mood buoyant.
"I've wandered through countless ages alone…
A dream flickers, gone in an instant…
Who can fathom the tides of triumph and defeat?"
His song carried a carefree, liberated spirit, infectious enough to make passersby hum along, drawing countless gazes.
"Hey, why'd we have to come all the way to the Desolate Region for training? Couldn't we have gone somewhere else?" Yue Chan asked, still bewildered, unable to decipher Lin Fan's intentions.
Especially since arriving, he'd done nothing but shop and sightsee, like a child who'd never seen the world.
"Dear wife, you should savor life while you can. There won't be time for that later," Lin Fan said with a sly grin, offering no explanation as he headed toward the auction house, a hub of information.
"What do you mean, 'no time later'? What are you planning?" Yue Chan shivered, a chill creeping down her spine. Nothing good ever comes from following him.
And his audacity was shameless. They weren't even bound as Dao companions, yet he'd already taken to calling her "wife," utterly brazen.
Soon, they arrived at a grand edifice: the Bone Charm Auction House, Stone Country's most renowned auction venue, brimming with treasures and rare artifacts.
To Lin Fan and Yue Chan, hailing from a great sect, the place seemed unremarkable. They weren't here to bid but to gather intelligence and purchase a detailed map of the Great Wilderness for their upcoming trials.
"Oh, whose kids are these? So adorable…"
A girl of thirteen or fourteen stepped down from a bronze chariot, dressed in opulent robes, her demeanor refined yet lively, like a little chili pepper. Her slender waist and long legs were striking, her dark hair cascading to her waist. Her oval face glowed like snow, her starry eyes sparkling, flanked by a retinue of powerful guards.
Lin Fan glanced at her briefly, uninterested, and entered the auction house with Yue Chan.
"Hmph, so cold for such a young kid? Ignoring this princess?" the girl pouted, miffed.
Her words betrayed her status. To call herself a princess meant she was likely royalty.
Indeed, her arrival caused a stir.
"The Ninth Princess is here!"
Onlookers craned their necks. Beloved by the Human Emperor, the princess was famous in the capital for her unrestrained spirit.
Soon, more figures arrived, each of prominence in Stone Country and the Desolate Region. Among them were marquises and other veteran powerhouses, their auras formidable, some arriving together, clearly placing great importance on this auction.
Young talents, boys and girls, also streamed in, likely Stone Country's prodigies here to bid.
Lin Fan, meanwhile, secured the finest private booth, lounging with a drink, attended by two beautiful maidens.
"Are you here to play or to train? If it's the former, I'm not sticking around!" Yue Chan snapped, her fair face etched with annoyance, rolling her eyes.
"What's the rush? Jealous, dear wife?" Lin Fan teased, raising a brow. With a glance, a maiden promptly refilled his wine, and he reclined, utterly at ease.
As Lord Liu once said, I've fought so many battles—can't I enjoy myself a little?
"Stop calling me that. I'm not your wife yet," Yue Chan gritted her teeth, bristling at the term.
If she could beat him, she'd have suppressed him long ago. His relentless teasing— "wife" here, "darling" there—left her skin crawling.
At nine years old, he knew more than some adults, spouting shameless, blush-inducing nonsense. A little lecher, tainting her ears.
"Uh…"
Even the serving maidens blinked, stunned. They're engaged? Are kids these days so precocious, playing so boldly?
Suddenly, a commotion erupted in the auction hall, drawing all eyes.
"Look, it's Shi Zi Teng! The father of Martial King Manor's double-pupiled prodigy!"
"They say Shi Yi's a natural Supreme Being too…"
The crowd buzzed, watching a young man enter. Refined and otherworldly, his skin gleamed like jade, his features elegant, exuding a scholarly air.
"Double pupils and a natural Supreme Being? A dual First Generation?!" Yue Chan gasped, catching the murmurs around her.
"Saintess, Young Sir, Shi Yi is extraordinarily gifted. He's worth recruiting into our Heaven Mending Sect," an aged voice advised.
It came from their protectors—two peak Venerable Realm elders, an old man and an old woman.
"If Shi Yi rises, he'll dominate the Desolate Region, greatly benefiting our sect. We can't let other forces claim him, or else…" The old woman's voice turned icy.
Clearly, both protectors valued Shi Yi highly, optimistic about his future, their excitement palpable.
Though only seven or eight, Shi Yi had already set records in the Void God Realm's initial grounds, showing the makings of a saint.
As more details surfaced, the old woman grew restless, urging, "We must recruit him immediately—or eliminate him if we can't."
"Saintess, Young Sir, your thoughts?" she asked.
Yue Chan had ideas but held her tongue, turning to Lin Fan for his opinion.
"No need," Lin Fan said, shaking his head. "Just heavy pupils. His character's flawed, and that Supreme Bone of his? Its origins are shady."
In an era where First Generations were plentiful across the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands, only a few truly rose. It came down to the individual.
"His Supreme Bone isn't natural?" Yue Chan caught the implication.
Lin Fan nodded, explaining casually, "It came from his cousin. Someone who steals bones to graft onto themselves? If we recruit him, he might betray the sect one day. Not worth it."
"So that's it. Stealing someone's bone to implant it—that's vile," Yue Chan said, her interest vanishing.
But she was curious. How does Lin Fan know this? Isn't this his first time in the Lower Realm?
"Then he can't be spared," the old woman declared, a hint of killing intent in her voice.
Lin Fan sighed inwardly. Granny Cherish-Flowers is too bloodthirsty. She's thinking of the sect, but this could backfire.
The other protector intervened, "Cherish-Flowers, don't be rash. The saintess and young sir's safety comes first. This is Stone Country's capital—its foundations aren't simple."
"Old Yu's right," Lin Fan agreed. "Ignore Shi Yi. The wicked will meet their match. Someone will deal with him."
His focus was solely on the Supreme Hall's inheritance. Everything else was trivial.
Based on Shi Yi's age, he calculated the milk baby was around three or four. That meant the Mountain Treasure was about to emerge—the timing was perfect!
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