Chapter 138: Thank Me

Walking through the massive city gate, Xiao Yan looked up, his gaze sweeping across the grandeur of Jia Ma Sheng Cheng, and couldn't help but sigh in admiration. Such immense scale—truly worthy of the capital; in both area and prosperity, Jia Ma Sheng Cheng stood first.

"Eight years since I last came," Xiao Yan murmured, his lips making a sound of wonder.

When he was young, Xiao Yan had come to Jia Ma Sheng Cheng every year with his father to visit the Nan Lan Clan, until eight years ago, when Nalan Yanran joined Yun Lan Sect and became Yun Yun's Qin Zi Chuan Di Zi, and the broken Three-Year Agreement caused him to set foot in Jia Ma Sheng Cheng no more.

Hai Bodong had no interest in those boring buildings; after glancing around, he suddenly asked, "By the way, when are you going to Yun Lan Sect?"

"Another one or two months," Xiao Yan mused, calculating the time left until Nalan Yanran's Three-Year Agreement, then replied.

"That long? Then let's head to the Pai Mai Chang first—see if there's any leftover material for the Spirit Replenishing Purple Pill." Upon hearing this, Hai Bodong invited.

"Fair enough. I've never been to this so-called empire's largest auction house when I came to Jia Ma Sheng Cheng before—hope there's something good." Xiao Yan rubbed his chin and smiled.

Soon, Xiao Yan, having admired the bustle of Jia Ma Sheng Cheng, arrived at his destination, his steps slowing as he looked up at the massive building and its distinctive emblem at the end of the street.

A look of surprise surfaced on his face; Xiao Yan sighed, "Tsk tsk tsk—truly worthy of the Miter Clan's headquarters; this scale is utterly incomparable to the branch in Wutan City."

Not only was the decoration lavish and extravagant, the entire building was a seven-story department store, with people constantly streaming toward it from all directions.

Entering the auction house, soft daylight poured down from the central skylight; the noise outside seemed severed by some special force—just one door apart, yet as if separated by two worlds.

The instant he entered, Xiao Yan's keen Soul Force sensed a dozen hidden gazes sweeping over him, even including a Dou Ling-level powerhouse.

"Truly, one of the Three Great Families of Jia Ma Empire—this kind of display isn't small at all."

In the first-floor Hall, crystal display cases lined the walls, overflowing with goods, and crowds flowed ceaselessly beside them.

Inside the cases lay various rare items, each marked with a price—but every single one cost at least thirty thousand Gold Coins.

Thirty thousand Gold Coins was already a vast sum for ordinary people, but to Xiao Yan's current wealth, these meant nothing.

Hai Bodong boasted, "This is only the first floor. The first level of the auction house serves the local elite of Jia Ma Sheng Cheng—mostly miscellaneous goods. The real treasures lie several floors higher."

"Oh?" Xiao Yan's interest stirred at this.

"The auction house, like cultivation methods, is strictly divided into Heavenly, Earth, Profound, and Yellow Ranks—the second through fifth floors. The fifth floor, Heavenly Rank, is the highest, but it opens only once every few years. When it does open, it means the Miter Auction House is auctioning something monumental. Nearly half the empire's strongest and faction leaders will rush here."

"Once, the climax item auctioned at the Miter Tianjie Auction House was an egg of a sixth-rank Earth Flame Scale Crocodile Dragon."

Xiao Yan's eyes sharpened—a sixth-rank Magic Core egg! If hatched and raised to maturity, it would inevitably reach Dou Wang rank; if nurtured well, it might even reach sixth rank—that's Dou Huang power!

"Earth Rank opens once a year for the annual auction, Profound Rank once a month, and Yellow Rank opens daily—mostly for Registered Items and medicinal materials or Magic Cores acquired by Mercenary Groups." As Hai Bodong explained, he led Xiao Yan toward a back area resembling staff quarters.

Suddenly, noise erupted nearby; Xiao Yan's face twisted in resignation as he sensed it.

A pair of legs clad in red boots came into view, heels clicking sharply on the floor. As always, the woman wore a qipao, perfectly showcasing her curves.

The commotion was unquestionably caused by the crowd's murmurs at the sight of her.

Ya Fei, the controller of the Wutan City auction house.

Her peach-blossom eyes, like springwater brewed, swept casually through the Hall—until they landed on Xiao Yan. Her gaze froze instantly; her steps halted.

"Xiao Yan brother! Three years apart—you've grown even more handsome! Even your sister can't help but feel a flutter." Ya Fei hurried forward, smiling warmly at the slender youth, her full chest swelling beneath her brocade robe, round and lifted—every step a visual shock.

Xiao Yan chuckled softly. "Long time no see, Ya Fei sister—you've grown even more dazzlingly beautiful."

Xiao Yan glanced at Hai Bodong, who disliked attention, and said, "Ya Fei sister, could we find a quiet place?"

Ya Fei, perceptive to moods, nodded lightly and led Xiao Yan and Hai Bodong up a back staircase. As they ascended, they chatted, the atmosphere light and pleasant.

"Hehe, Ya Fei, this is our family's office—outsiders aren't allowed. As Acting Inspector Elder, don't you know that?" A voice from above interrupted the mood. A young man looked down at Ya Fei's perfect figure, his eyes lecherous, his breathing quickening.

Xiao Yan's Soul Force swept over him—the youth had just entered Dou Shi at this age; his talent was decent.

"I'll take responsibility," Ya Fei said coldly. "Move aside."

The lecherous youth glanced at Xiao Yan and Hai Bodong behind Ya Fei and sneered, "Hehe, so that's why you rejected me—you've got such a peculiar taste? You like these soft-skinned pretty boys? Or maybe you prefer the old one behind you?"

Ya Fei's face darkened, fists clenched, nails digging into her palms—but she said nothing, choosing instead to sidestep and continue upward.

Clearly, this man had done this kind of provocation before.

"Fool," Xiao Yan shook his head slowly. "You don't even know how you'll die."

"Brat! You're asking for death!" Already resentful of Xiao Yan, the youth seized the insult as an excuse and lunged for Xiao Yan's clothes.

Thud—a faint Flame Wave erupted from Xiao Yan's body; the green fire, like a ravenous wolf, swallowed the reaching hand whole. In an instant, the entire right hand turned to black charcoal and fell off.

"Aaaahhh!!! My hand!!!"

Hearing the scream, several guards rushed over. When they saw the writhing man on the ground, their faces turned ashen—he was the Elder's grandson!! Who burned off his hand?!

Xiao Yan looked down coolly at the youth rolling from the second floor, his gaze sharp. "Thank me—I just saved your life."

(End of Chapter)