The news of a Xuan-level martial skill in Yulan City had spread far and wide.
The factions from several neighboring cities could no longer sit still.
They all rushed to Yulan with heavy purses to attend this auction.
The entrance of the Yage Auction House was packed.
Looking out, one could see only the heads and elders of various factions.
Ordinary people could only watch from a distance.
Ouyang Peng stood at the entrance the entire time, waiting.
He showed no special regard for the faction leaders who passed by buttering him up — even when the heads of the four great families arrived, he merely clasped his hands in a brief greeting.
After a long while, most of the crowd had entered.
But the cloaked figure he was waiting for still hadn’t appeared.
Ouyang Peng frowned.
“Is he not coming?”
A trace of disappointment flickered through him.
To avoid running into his own family members, Feng Hao circled around the city for some time.
Just like last time, he bought a black cloth, wrapped himself tightly, and emerged.
“Sir, you’ve arrived!”
The moment he saw that black cloak, Ouyang Peng hurried over to greet him, his face bright with joy and his voice full of respect.
After reporting everything to headquarters, an order had come back: fulfill every request this man made.
Spare no expense to win his favor.
“Mm.”
A hoarse voice came from beneath the black cloak.
Ouyang Peng quickly led the way.
The people standing in the hall exchanged startled glances at this scene.
Who was this cloaked figure that even the branch head treated with such deference?
As the head of the Yage Auction House, Ouyang Peng didn’t need to flatter anyone.
To see him so ingratiating toward this cloaked man — how could they not be shocked?
They parted to make way, watching the two disappear into the private chamber.
Only then did they start murmuring among themselves as they slowly filed into the auction hall.
Though they couldn’t guess who it was, most understood that this was undoubtedly an extraordinary figure.
“Please have a seat, sir.
The auction will begin shortly.”
After Feng Hao sat down, Ouyang Peng stood nearby, speaking respectfully.
His attitude made Feng Hao uncomfortable.
This was a man even his own father had to flatter, yet here he was, treating Feng Hao with such deference.
How things had changed.
Being a medicine refiner was truly a great profession.
Beneath the black cloak, the corner of Feng Hao’s mouth curled up.
“Even so, I will defeat you with my own strength.”
His fists clenched tightly.
An icy face surfaced in his mind, and a faint, cold aura unconsciously leaked from him.
Feeling the shift in atmosphere, Ouyang Peng grew anxious.
Had he done something wrong?
Had he displeased this great figure?
“No.”
Feng Hao shook his head slowly, continuing in his hoarse voice.
“By the way, how are the herbs coming along?”
“One hundred thirty types are already in transit.
The remaining ones are being acquired by our other branches.”
Ouyang Peng reported in detail, constantly watching for any change in Feng Hao’s mood.
“Thank you for your trouble.”
A trace of gratitude crept into Feng Hao’s voice.
“Use all the proceeds from today’s auction to buy more of the same herbs.”
“Yes, sir!”
Hearing the shift in his tone, Ouyang Peng breathed a sigh of relief.
The auction began shortly.
Under Ouyang Peng’s guidance, they walked directly to the front row and sat down.
Only the heads of factions like the four great families could sit in the front row.
Seeing Ouyang Peng’s attitude toward the cloaked man, their eyelids twitched.
Feng Hao swept his gaze around casually and spotted his father, Feng Chen, sitting in the second row, looking directly at him.
He couldn’t help tightening his cloak, afraid of being seen through.
But soon, the lights throughout the hall dimmed, leaving only a few shining magic crystals on the auction stage.
Everyone’s attention turned to the platform, and Feng Hao let out a small breath.
*Ding!…*
A bell rang, and the hall gradually quieted.
An elderly auctioneer stepped onto the stage.
“Welcome, everyone, to our auction today!”
The old man smiled and began with pleasantries.
“Now let us begin the auction.”
Item after item was brought up in sequence, but the competition was lackluster.
Only the smaller factions were bidding.
The major ones were all conserving their funds.
“Next up for auction is a spiritual herb.”
The old auctioneer pulled the red cloth off the tray in his hand, revealing a small, bright red three-petal flower.
“Buy it.”
Burning Elder’s voice sounded directly in Feng Hao’s mind.
“Huh?”
Feng Hao was taken aback, because he realized this herb wasn’t one of those recorded in the Divine Farmer’s Canon.
“This is a ten-year Pinglian Flower.
Starting bid is one thousand gold.
The old auctioneer announced loudly.
“One thousand one hundred gold!”
Someone in the crowd immediately called out.
“One thousand one hundred fifty!”
“Two thousand gold.”
A hoarse voice rang out.
Not very loud, but it brought the bidding to a halt.
Feng Hao didn’t know what this so-called Pinglian Flower was for, but since Burning Elder had spoken, it must have its uses.
Ouyang Peng was momentarily startled, then nodded subtly to the auctioneer.
“Very well.
The Pinglian Flower is won by this gentleman.”
The old auctioneer brought down his gavel directly.
“Thank you.”
“Heh heh.”
This was exactly Ouyang Peng’s goal — to make the mysterious medicine refiner feel favorably toward him.
He held nothing back in his efforts.
Just now, the Pinglian Flower, normally worth at least five thousand gold, had been secured cheaply.
Ouyang Peng would quietly make up the difference himself.
And his goal was achieved.
Feng Hao genuinely felt grateful toward him.
Regardless of Ouyang Peng’s motives, he was the first person to show Feng Hao respect.
Feng Hao decided that if Ouyang Peng ever truly needed help, he would definitely lend a hand.
The incident passed quickly.
The auction continued.
During the proceedings, two more herbs listed in the Divine Farmer’s Canon appeared, and Feng Hao secured both at very low prices.
He wasn’t trying to take advantage — he simply couldn’t afford to be generous at this point.
“Ladies and gentlemen, our final item for today’s auction!”
The old auctioneer lifted the scroll from the tray.
“A Xuan-level martial skill — Drifting Sand Palm!”
His voice trembled with excitement, almost shouted.
“Starting bid: thirty thousand gold.
Minimum increment: one thousand.”
“Forty thousand gold!”
Before his words had even settled, Wan Shuo, seated in the front row, called out a bid.
With a daughter who had awakened an elemental constitution, the Wan family’s rise was certain.
But they were severely lacking in martial manuals.
Wan Shuo was determined to secure this Xuan-level martial skill.
[END OF CHAPTER 13]