Cape City — Yue Lai Inn.
Liu Xi had rented three spacious rooms, each with a large bed. At the moment, he, Xiao Yixian, and Zi Yan were all gathered in his room — studying the map spread across the table.
The Central Plains map stretched wide like a miniature world, its broad borders outlined by simple inked lines.
"Young Master," Xiao Yixian murmured, her gaze fixed on the map, a trace of uncertainty flickering in her eyes. "The Central Plains are far too vast... Where should we go next?"
Hearing her question, Liu Xi extended his finger, pointing toward a blood-red mark in the northern part of the Central Region — a finger-sized spot labeled Falling God Gorge.
"We'll head here — Falling God Gorge. It's said to be deep and unfathomable, shrouded in poison mist, where countless venomous beasts and plants thrive." He smiled faintly. "I have a feeling we'll find the 7th Rank Sky Poison Dragon Scorpion Beast there."
Looking at Liu Xi's confident expression, the doubt in Xiao Yixian's eyes faded, replaced by a gentle smile. "Alright, as long as Young Master decides, I'll believe in you."
Having someone to rely on — it felt truly comforting.
Liu Xi chuckled. "Then it's decided. We'll stay in Cape City for a few more days, wait for the auction to finish, and then set out for Falling God Gorge."
After setting the plan, Xiao Yixian and Zi Yan each returned to their own rooms. It wasn't that Liu Xi didn't want their company, but… one was still a child, and the other carried deadly poison. He could only sigh helplessly.
"Time to count how much money I've got left," Liu Xi muttered, sitting cross-legged on the bed as his Spiritual Power swept into the Storage Ring. "It would be tragic if I found a good treasure at the auction and ran out of money."
He sighed again as the inventory revealed itself. "Gold coins… look plentiful, but never enough. I've already burned through nine million in just a few days here in the Central Plains. Only a little over ten million left. I'm practically broke."
He continued to murmur while checking through the items.
"Let's see… plenty of Xuan Class Qi Methods and Dou Techniques, but those aren't worth much. I've got a mid-Di Class Three Beast Savage Technique and a low-Di Class Swallowing Flame Technique… tsk, none I can even use."
"No more Dou Ling Pills left, but I still have two completed Mighty Huang Pills, and materials for another. As for Zong Breaking Pills, no finished ones, though I still have ingredients for two sets. That's worth a few million at least."
Feeling somewhat reassured, Liu Xi smiled faintly. "If worse comes to worst, I'll just trade pills. Who can resist Mighty Huang Pills or Zong Breaking Pills?"
With a thought, a jade bottle appeared before him, floating in the air. It contained a freshly acquired Beast Flame.
He crushed the jade bottle in his palm — crack! — and a cluster of azure-blue flame emerged, instantly heating the room.
Without hesitation, Liu Xi opened his mouth and inhaled, drawing the flame into his body. The wisp of Transmuted Flame within him flared violently, devouring the blue Beast Flame bit by bit until nothing remained.
Eight days passed in a flash.
Liu Xi had fed all nine of the Beast Flames he'd bought into the Transmuted Flame. Now, that once-fragile fire had grown to the size of a clenched fist.
Its power was still below the Transmuted Flame used by the three elders of Demon Flame Valley, but far greater than any Beast Flame Liu Xi had ever wielded.
When the day arrived, Liu Xi gathered Xiao Yixian and Zi Yan, checked out of Yue Lai Inn, and made their way toward the Cape Auction House.
The streets were more crowded than ever — as packed as a holiday market, leaving barely a place to stand.
With a light wave of his hand, Liu Xi released his Dou Qi, forming a protective barrier that enclosed the three of them. Together, they walked steadily through the sea of people.
"Who the hell's pushing— oh, uh, sir! Go right ahead!"
A burly, scarred mercenary in leather armor had been about to curse, but the instant he met Liu Xi's eyes — and felt that crushing Dou Huang aura — his tone flipped instantly. "Make way for the lord! Come on, move aside for the lord!"
Zi Yan giggled. "Hehe, Big Brother, looks like you've just gained yourself a grandson! That makes me the second grandparent now!"
Liu Xi chuckled softly. "That man's got good instincts — a quick learner."
They moved through the dense crowd toward the VIP passage, where guards held back the masses.
Just as they approached, a group dressed in matching robes emerged from the street — led by a Dou Huang powerhouse. The crowd murmured in excitement.
"It's the Lin Family from Haiyun City," someone whispered. "The leader is their Patriarch, Xie Yuan — a 9-Star Dou Huang!"
Liu Xi raised a brow slightly, listening as the chatter continued.
It seemed Xie Yuan had been born poor but possessed exceptional talent and striking looks. He had married into the Lin Family as a son-in-law, catching the eye of the clan's eldest daughter. Through countless life-and-death trials, betrayals, and schemes, he had risen to power — becoming not only a Dou Huang but eventually the Lin Family Patriarch.
A true tale of rags to riches.
But before the murmurs died down, another group arrived — also led by a 9-Star Dou Huang.
"Xie Yuan, I didn't expect you to come in person," the newcomer sneered.
Turning back, Xie Yuan met his gaze calmly. "Su Bo, looks like you came too."
When their eyes met, the atmosphere around them tightened, two powerful auras colliding invisibly. Only after a long moment did Xie Yuan look away, striding into the auction hall with his people.
Su Bo merely snorted coldly and followed with the Su Family entourage.
From the surrounding whispers, Liu Xi quickly pieced the story together.
Su Bo — Patriarch of the Su Family from Wuyu City — had once been madly in love with the Lin Family's eldest daughter. Wealthy, handsome, and powerful, he had thought victory was certain… until Xie Yuan stole her heart.
From that day, hatred brewed. Unable to win her, Su Bo had vowed that if he couldn't have her, no one would. Many of Xie Yuan's near-death "accidents" over the years had apparently come from Su Bo's hand.
Piecing it all together, Liu Xi couldn't help but smirk. 'Tch, what a cliché love feud… if someone wrote this as a novel, it'd be a bestseller.'
He shook his head, amused. 'Thank heavens I'm a Dou Huang and an Alchemist now. If I ever had to live off writing romance dramas, that'd be tragic.'
The Dou Qi barrier parted the crowd once more, and amid countless envious stares, Liu Xi, Xiao Yixian, and Zi Yan stepped into the VIP passage.
Presenting the VIP card he'd received earlier, Liu Xi was immediately greeted with deference by the guards, who stepped aside and gestured them through.
They followed a long corridor, turning twice before emerging into the vast auction hall once more.
"Sir, may I know your seat number?" a soft voice asked.
A beautiful attendant approached with a graceful bow, her voice tender and polite.
Without glancing sideways — especially with Xiao Yixian and Zi Yan nearby — Liu Xi simply handed her the card.
The attendant's eyes flickered with recognition as she saw the color of the card. Her posture straightened, and her tone became even more respectful.
"Sir holds a Level Three VIP Card. Please follow me."
She led them through the hall, weaving past rows of seats until they reached the front, near the auction platform.
"Your seats are here, honored guests."
Zi Yan immediately leapt into the plush chair covered in fine velvet, giggling. "Big Brother, this seat's way comfier than the last one!"
Liu Xi sat down beside her, nodding in agreement. "Well, it should be. You only get seats this soft after spending over a million."
He leaned back, eyes flickering toward the grand stage where the auction was soon to begin.
(End of Chapter)
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