"It might be related to my body. After breaking through to Dou Practitioner, I gradually developed wood and fire attributes. So I plan to go into seclusion again soon and try becoming an alchemist."
"So, Tian Ge is already a first-rank alchemist?" Xiao Xun'er asked curiously.
Xiao Tian just smiled without answering her question and smoothly changed the subject. "It seems Xun'er has been cultivating very hard these past three months. You've already broken through to Dou Practitioner."
"Xun'er has been working hard the whole time, just thinking about surprising you when you came out of seclusion," she replied playfully, her eyes curving into crescents. "Are you surprised?"
"Very surprised! As expected of the genius girl everyone in the family acknowledges. Though with your talent, it would be strange if you hadn't broken through in three months," Xiao Tian said with a warm smile, gently patting her head.
Xiao Xun'er's eyes sparkled with happiness at the praise.
Seeing her so delighted, Xiao Tian remembered tomorrow's auction at the Mitel Auction House — where a Profound-rank High-grade cultivation technique would be sold — and how his father had schemed against the Jia Lie Family. He suggested, "Tomorrow there's a big auction at the Mitel Auction House. Let's go together and have some fun afterward."
"Okay! Then I'll come find Xiao Tian Ge Ge tomorrow morning."
Xiao Tian accompanied Xun'er for a meal and a short stroll around the Xiao Family grounds before they parted ways.
Back in his room, Xiao Tian sat on a chair and took out a golden Dou Huang Summoning Card from his system space. The card shimmered with a faint human silhouette shrouded in mist.
"System, use the summoning card."
"Ding! Usage successful. Summoning: Nine-Star Metal-Attribute Dou Huang — Jin Mo."
A black swirling gate appeared in front of him. An old man with golden hair, a youthful face, and wearing a light gold robe stepped out of the portal. He walked forward and knelt on one knee.
"Subordinate Jin Mo greets Master!"
"Rise. From now on, I'll call you Old Mo, and you can call me Young Master. No need for 'Master'," Xiao Tian said calmly.
"Yes, Young Master." Jin Mo stood up respectfully.
"Old Mo, go to the Jia Lie Family and find an alchemist named Liu Xi. Kill him. He possesses a fake death pill, so make sure to turn him completely into ashes to eliminate any hidden risks." Xiao Tian briefly described Liu Xi's appearance.
"Yes!" Jin Mo responded and vanished in a flash.
After sending Old Mo off, Xiao Tian sat cross-legged on his bed and began cultivating.
About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea later, Old Mo's voice sounded directly in his ear:
"Young Master, the mission is complete. The target has been erased from this world. However, when I returned, I used some Dou Qi and was sensed by an Eight-Star Dou Huang. How should this person be handled?"
Xiao Tian thought for a moment. The Eight-Star Dou Huang was most likely Xun'er's hidden protector, Ling Ying, the only Dou Huang from the Gu Clan.
"No need to bother with him. He is not an enemy. When you have nothing to do, hide in the shadows and protect my father. Go."
"Yes, this subordinate will carry out the order." Old Mo's presence faded away.
At the same time, in another courtyard, Ling Ying was reporting to Xiao Xun'er:
"Young Lady, a Dou Huang entered Young Master Xiao Tian's room earlier. This subordinate sensed that his strength is extremely powerful — I am likely not his match. However, he bore no ill will toward Young Master Xiao Tian."
Xiao Xun'er walked to the window and gazed toward Xiao Tian's courtyard, her voice turning cold:
"I don't care who he is. Elder Ling, you must investigate his identity. I will not allow anyone with ill intentions to harm Xiao Tian Ge Ge."
"Yes, Young Lady." Ling Ying's figure gradually disappeared.
After he left, Xiao Xun'er continued staring out the window and murmured softly, "I hope you truly have no ill intentions toward Xiao Tian Ge Ge… Otherwise, no matter where you hide, Xun'er will find you and eliminate you."
Early the next morning, Xiao Tian went to pick up Xun'er, and the two headed to the Mitel Auction House together. On the way, they ran into Xiao Zhan, who was also going to the auction, so they joined him.
The auction house was already packed. This was an unprecedentedly grand event — not only were three types of second-rank pills being auctioned, but a Profound-rank High-grade cultivation technique had also appeared, attracting almost every clan leader and wealthy merchant in Wu Tan City.
Following Xiao Zhan, they easily secured seats near the front. The heads of the other two major families — Ao Ba and Jia Lie — were already seated in the front row. Xiao Tian, Xun'er, and Xiao Zhan sat slightly behind them.
Xiao Tian chatted quietly with Xun'er while listening to the lively discussions around them about the upcoming auction items.
Suddenly, a captivating and seductive voice rang out:
"Please quiet down, esteemed guests. I am Ya Fei, chief auctioneer of the Mitel Auction House. The auction is about to begin. I hope everyone can take home something satisfactory today."
Under countless heated gazes, Ya Fei stepped gracefully onto the stage in a tight red cheongsam that perfectly accentuated her devilish figure. Her skin looked even more radiant and flawless than yesterday — clearly, she had already taken the Ding Yan Dan in private.
Her appearance instantly made the eyes of many men in the hall burn with passion.
"Is she pretty?" Xiao Xun'er suddenly reached out and pinched Xiao Tian's waist, pouting as she looked at him.
Xiao Tian turned his head and gently stroked Xun'er's hair with affection. "No matter how pretty she is, she's not as pretty as my dearest Xun'er. In my heart, Xun'er is the most beautiful…"
"You… don't say anymore. I forgive you," Xun'er quickly interrupted, her face flushing red.
Xiao Tian chuckled softly. "Alright. You can ask me anytime you want to hear it again. Right now, I'm more curious about what price my pills will fetch… and how fiercely people will fight over that Profound-rank High-grade cultivation technique."
"So those second-rank pills are Xiao Tian Ge Ge's? Then… you're already a second-rank alchemist?" Xun'er's eyes widened slightly. "It seems your talent is even more terrifying than Xun'er imagined."
"My alchemist talent is just so-so," Xiao Tian replied with feigned modesty.
Xiao Xun'er looked at his slightly upturned lips, rolled her eyes at him, and decided not to continue the conversation — afraid he would get too carried away if she kept praising him.
After their whispered exchange, Xiao Tian scanned the front row. All three clan leaders — Xiao Zhan, Ao Ba, and Jia Lie — had determined looks in their eyes.
Just as he was observing the atmosphere, the lights on the stage focused, and Ya Fei stood elegantly beside the auction platform.
"Everyone, the auction officially begins. Please welcome the first item…"
One auction item after another was brought up and sold at high prices. Throughout the early stages, the three clan leaders remained seated without bidding — these were merely appetizers.
"Next up are the highly anticipated cornerstone items of this auction. Everyone, please look forward to them."