Chapter 77: Imperial Capital
Jia Ma Holy City.
Bustling streets, endless streams of carriages and people.
As Yao Yan and Caidie stepped into the city, they immediately realized its immense grandeur. Compared to smaller cities like Wu Tan City, the imperial capital of the Jia Ma Empire was undoubtedly many times larger. Countless powerful auras filled the area, and within just a short time, he sensed several Dou Ling-level presences.
In the Jia Ma Empire, a Dou Ling was by no means weak. Just looking at Wu Tan City proved that—if they wished, a Dou Ling could easily seize control of a city and rule it as king.
"Young Master, the imperial capital of the Jia Ma Empire is really big!"
Caidie still wore her bamboo hat, though it didn't obstruct her vision. Gazing at the colossal city before her, she couldn't help but sigh with heartfelt amazement. Compared to the imperial capital, the Snake-People's royal palace was far too small and nowhere near as grand.
Yao Yan wasn't particularly interested in the architecture. He retrieved a bottle of herbal essence from his storage ring and handed it to Ling'er. Then, turning to Caidie, he said, "We'll head to the Miteer Family first to find Hai Bodong."
"Miteer Family?"
Caidie blinked in surprise and asked curiously, "Is Hai Bodong also part of the Miteer Family?"
"Yeah, he's the Great Elder of the Miteer Family. When we parted, I made an agreement with him that once I was done with my affairs, I'd come to the capital to meet him."
Yao Yan explained, then walked to the side to ask a passerby about the location of the capital's largest auction house. The Miteer Family had been in business for generations, and their auction houses were spread throughout the Jia Ma Empire. It was only natural for one to exist in the imperial capital, so it wasn't hard to find out. Before long, he had the answer he needed.
The two of them strolled leisurely toward the city's largest auction house.
Soon, a massive building came into view, its distinctive emblem clearly marking its connection to the Miteer Family.
Yao Yan looked at the colossal structure, swallowing streams of people like a bottomless pit, then turned to Caidie and smiled. "Let's head inside. Come to think of it, you've never attended an auction before, have you? This'll be a good chance to experience one."
Truth be told, he was curious about the auction himself. As for the matter with the Xiao Clan… broad daylight wasn't the right time to act like a thief.
"Mhm!"
Caidie nodded eagerly, filled with curiosity.
Before long, the two followed the crowd into the auction house. Before them opened up a vast crystal hall, and several strong auras immediately turned to observe them—clearly the guards. Beyond them, attendants were helping guests, asking whether they were there to auction or buy items. Depending on the person's strength and the value of the item, they would be directed to different areas.
The entire auction house resembled a gigantic stadium, divided into several sections. At the very front was evidently a shopping plaza, where various rare items were displayed in cases, waiting for buyers to choose from.
At that moment, a rather attractive young woman approached, wearing a professional smile as she softly asked, "Are you here to shop or to auction something?"
"To auction a fifth-grade pill. Bring your person in charge."
Yao Yan replied calmly.
As soon as the words left his mouth, many nearby turned to look, curious. Once they noticed Yao Yan's young age, they assumed he must've gotten lucky and stumbled upon some sort of treasure. To possess a high-grade pill like that at his age—it had to be a fortuitous encounter. Any pill listed as fifth-grade possessed incredible effects, far beyond what ordinary low-tier pills could offer.
A single fifth-grade pill could easily persuade a Dou Huang to lend their strength—its value was self-evident!
The woman was momentarily stunned, but then her smile brightened as she said enthusiastically, "This way, please."
"Lucky kid!"
"A fifth-grade pill, huh? I wouldn't even dare to dream of that. I wonder what type it is—if it can boost cultivation, he's struck gold."
"Even if it can't, the value won't be low!"
…
Amid whispers and speculation, Yao Yan and Caidie vanished from sight, and the stir quickly subsided. While fifth-grade pills were rare, they weren't enough to cause an uproar. Occasionally, the Jia Ma Empire would see some lucky person stumble upon ruins left by ancient cultivators—high-grade pills weren't unheard of in those.
The Miteer Family's most legendary auction was of a seventh-grade pill that could extend one's lifespan. That auction had caused a frenzy throughout the entire Jia Ma Empire.
Under the guidance of the maid, the two were soon led to a private room on the top floor.
"Please wait here."
The woman bowed respectfully and left.
Caidie didn't care much for the decor of the room. Her soft gaze fixed on Yao Yan as she asked, "Young Master, what exactly did you come to the capital for?"
"Remember that incomplete map I asked you to retrieve? I actually have another piece of it. But for now, those are the only two parts I know the whereabouts of. I'm hoping to ask Hai Bodong for help. If he can find more, even better."
Yao Yan gave a half-true explanation.
"Do you know what treasure the map leads to?"
Caidie's eyes sparkled—clearly interested in treasure hunting.
Yao Yan casually spoke a kind lie to appease her, "I have a guess. Do you remember the lotus symbol on the map? It might be connected to the Green Lotus Core Flame."
He knew Caidie had studied the map. The silly girl was extremely curious and observant—there's no way she would've missed the lotus imprint. So, rather than telling her about the Nihility Devouring Flame, it was better to tell her about the Green Lotus Core Flame. That was something a Dou Huang could handle, and even if she accidentally let it slip in the future, it wouldn't be a problem.
Caidie gasped as if recalling something, exclaiming, "The Green Lotus Core Flame is a heavenly flame?!"
"Yes, it ranks nineteenth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking."
Yao Yan nodded. In fact, he planned to use the same excuse on Hun Xu Zi in the future. A pill master knowing the location of a heavenly flame and searching for it in the area was perfectly reasonable. Then, after obtaining it, using the resonance between heavenly flames to find Yao Lao's Bone-Chilling Flame would also make sense…
Caidie knew the basics. As a member of Queen Medusa's lineage, one method of evolving to a higher tier involved burning the old body with a heavenly flame and being reborn from death!
"No wonder Young Master is so serious about it…"
She understood what heavenly flames meant to an alchemist—it was a matter of utmost importance.
At that moment, the tightly closed door was knocked upon. A moment later, two middle-aged men entered. The leader was at the six-star Dou Ling level. He glanced at Yao Yan and Caidie's attire and instantly realized they were concealing their true identities. With that, he made some assumptions and smiled, "Did you two happen upon some ancient ruins? If you trust the Miteer Family, we can fully handle the auction for you. In the Jia Ma Empire, I can assure you you'll get the best price!"
"I'm here to see the Ice Emperor Hai Bodong. We're his friends."
Yao Yan waited for him to finish before calmly stating his purpose, taking out the token Hai Bodong had given him.
The moment the man saw the token, his demeanor changed completely, becoming extremely respectful. In a deep voice, he said, "Please, come with me!"
(END CHAPTER)
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