“Condense!”
Lu Heng gave a low shout, his hands forming a strange hand seal.
The wood-attribute energy in the surrounding air converged frantically, transforming into a palm-sized green light seal in his hand.
Clear patterns were visible on the surface of this light seal, faintly resembling the grain of wood.
He slammed his palm onto the Testing Stone in the courtyard.
With a “crack,” Lu Heng withdrew his palm.
An inch-deep palm print appeared on the hard granite Testing Stone.
The stone around the palm print gradually cracked, spreading out like a spiderweb.
Not only that, a withered yellow color appeared on the stone, as if it had been weathered.
“Interesting.”
Lu Heng looked at the shattered Testing Stone, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
This Azure Wood Seal didn’t just deal physical damage; it also carried a Power of Withering and Flourishing.
If it hit a person, it would likely drain the vitality from that piece of flesh in an instant.
This was the overbearing nature of the Dou Techniques associated with the Five Elements Chaos Art…
Time flew by, and the three-day deadline arrived.
On this day, the weather in Wutan City was exceptionally clear.
The doors of the Mite’er Auction House hadn’t even opened yet, but a crowd had already gathered outside.
Mercenaries from all walks of life, merchants, and idle onlookers blocked the street in front of the Auction House, making it impassable.
Everyone had heard the rumors.
For today’s auction, the Mite’er Family was planning something big.
“Move aside!
Don’t block the way!”
Several guards in uniform roughly pushed through the crowd, forcibly clearing a path.
Immediately after, a group of people dressed in luxurious clothes approached.
The middle-aged man leading them was slightly chubby, wearing a brocade robe embroidered with gold thread, a habitual fake smile on his face; he was the Jia Lie Clan Leader, Jia Liebi.
Beside him followed the Ao Ba Family’s clan leader, Ao Ba Pa.
This man was thin, and his eyes were constantly darting around, revealing a shrewd nature.
“Clan Leader Jia Lie, I heard the Mite’er Auction House has put out word that there’s something extraordinary for the grand finale.”
Ao Ba Pa lowered his voice, his tone carrying a hint of probing.
“You’re well-informed; do you know what it is?”
Jia Liebi snorted coldly, fiddling with two jade walnuts in his hand.
“Just some mystery-mongering.
In this tiny Wutan City, what kind of waves can be made?
It’s probably just more weapons and armor shipped in from elsewhere.”
Despite his words, a trace of vigilance flashed in his eyes.
Just then, the crowd on the other side also became agitated.
“The Xiao Family is here!”
“Look, the kid next to Xiao Zhan, that’s the Genius Xiao Yan, right?”
The crowd parted automatically as Xiao Zhan, dressed in a brocade robe, walked with a powerful stride, his face filled with an irrepressible look of triumph.
Beside him followed a young boy of about nine years old.
Although the boy was still young, there was a confidence and arrogance between his brows that far exceeded his peers.
He was none other than Wutan City’s most famous Genius, Xiao Yan.
Half a step behind Xiao Yan followed a young girl.
The girl was only eight years old, wearing a pale green dress.
She was as delicate as carved jade, yet her temperament was as cool and aloof as a lotus.
She walked quietly, as if the surrounding noise had nothing to do with her, only occasionally revealing a faint, imperceptible indifference when her gaze swept over the crowd.
Xiao Xun Er.
The three parties ran into each other right at the entrance of the Auction House.
The air seemed to freeze for a moment.
“Oh, isn’t this Clan Leader Xiao?” Jia Liebi said with a fake smile, cupping his hands.
“What, you brought your family’s great Genius out today?
Aren’t you afraid the crowd will startle the child?”
Xiao Zhan laughed heartily, his voice booming.
“Clan Leader Jia Lie must be joking.
Yan’er just had a Breakthrough in his cultivation, so I brought him out to see the world.
On the other hand, Clan Leader Jia Lie, I heard your Marketplace business hasn’t been doing so well lately?
Did you bring enough money today?”
At these words, Jia Liebi’s face instantly darkened.
“Humph, there’s no need for Clan Leader Xiao to worry about that.”
Jia Liebi flicked his sleeve and shot a cold glance at Xiao Yan.
At this time, Xiao Yan was just a nine-year-old kid.
Although his Soul was that of a transmigrator, the smooth sailing of the past few years and the praise from those around him had indeed made him a bit arrogant.
Meeting Jia Liebi’s gaze, he didn’t shrink away; instead, he slightly raised his chin, revealing a somewhat provocative smile.
“Clan Leader Jia Lie, please go inside.
It’s not very good to stand here blocking the way.”
Xiao Yan said crisply.
“Sharp-tongued brat.”
Jia Liebi cursed gloomily and led his people into the Auction House first.
Seeing Jia Liebi’s frustrated back, Xiao Zhan was in high spirits and slapped Xiao Yan heavily on the shoulder.
“Good son, you’ve got guts!
Come, let’s go in too.”
The group headed inside.
Xiao Yan slowed his pace, falling slightly behind, and turned to the girl in green, his tone becoming exceptionally gentle.
“Xun’er, the Auction House is crowded; stay close to me so we don’t get separated.”
Xiao Xun Er looked up, a trace of helplessness flashing in her calm eyes, but she still nodded obediently.
“I know, Brother Xiao Yan.”
In reality, she knew very well that anyone in Wutan City who could hurt her probably hadn’t even been born yet.
The group entered a VIP Booth on the second floor.
Looking down from here, the massive Auction House was laid out in a circle, with the central high platform currently covered by a red cloth and the surroundings brightly lit.
Xiao Yan sat on a soft chair, his gaze scanning the venue.
As a transmigrator, he was full of curiosity about this world.
Although he had been a Genius in cultivation these past few years, he still had the Soul of an adult at his core, so he wasn’t nervous in such a setting; instead, he felt a sense of superiority.
“Father, I heard that the chief auctioneer of the Mite’er Auction House is a stunning beauty?” Xiao Yan asked seemingly casually, grabbing a handful of melon seeds.
Xiao Zhan’s face reddened, and he gave a dry cough: “Cough, Yan’er, don’t talk nonsense.
Although Miss Ya Fei is…
cough, indeed beautiful, she’s from the Mite’er Family and is quite capable; she’s no mere eye candy.”
“Oh?”
Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued.
A bit interesting.
Just as he was thinking, the lights in the entire Auction House suddenly dimmed.
Only a few spotlights shone on the central high platform.
The originally noisy crowd instantly went quiet, everyone holding their breath.
The crisp sound of high heels clicking against the floor rang out.
Da, da, da.
The sound was rhythmic, each step seeming to land on people’s heartbeats.
Then, a beautiful figure in red slowly emerged from backstage.
It was a dash of extremely flamboyant red.
The tight red brocade robe outlined the woman’s figure perfectly; her waist was slender enough to be held in one hand, while her curves were voluptuous.
The slit in the skirt was very high, and with every step, those long, fair legs were faintly visible.
She wore a signature charming smile, her peach-blossom eyes sparkling with life; a single glance was enough to steal one’s Soul.
“That…
that’s Ya Fei?”