The grand auction gradually came to an end.
As the hall emptied and murmurs of excitement filled the air, Ling Xian rose from his seat without a ripple of emotion on his face. With silent steps, he exited the VIP room.
Yan Ruyin naturally followed behind him, her expression calm and unreadable, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
The two moved quietly through a private corridor, led by a courteous attendant of the Phoenix Auction House. Before long, they reached a luxurious reception hall, where several supervisors awaited them respectfully.
One of them, a woman in embroidered crimson robes, stepped forward and bowed deeply.
"Honored guest, your items are ready for collection. Please verify them."
With a casual wave of her hand, three treasures floated forward:
A large pouch heavy with spirit stones, gleaming with pure spiritual energy.
A jade box containing the Starlit Core Root, radiating a faint, gentle starlight.
A plain black case housing the Voidstone Core, appearing utterly unremarkable to the untrained eye.
Ling Xian's gaze passed over each item calmly, but when his eyes landed on the Voidstone Core, a rare gleam flickered deep in his pupils.
"Voidstone Core...""In the higher realms, entire sects would wage wars over something like this.""If I refine it perfectly, it could store a small world inside. In this lower realm, it's a heaven-defying artifact.""No matter what, it must remain hidden until the right time."
Suppressing his thoughts, Ling Xian inspected everything meticulously, then collected the items into his spatial ring without ceremony.
The spirit stones vanished with a flash, followed by the jade and black cases.
The staff bowed again, their heads lowered in absolute deference.
"Thank you for your patronage, honored guest."
Without responding, Ling Xian simply turned away, his robe sleeves drifting through the air with quiet grace.
Yan Ruyin kept pace naturally at his side, saying nothing.
She didn't ask about the spirit stones, nor about the items — because she understood instinctively that she walked alongside a man whose destiny far surpassed ordinary things.
As they stepped out into the cool night, the stars overhead shimmered faintly.
Ling Xian's mind was already planning ahead:
"The Starlit Core Root... it will be perfect for crafting the pill to enhance Yan Ruyin's foundation.""Strengthening her will also strengthen the harmony of our dual cultivation.""Everything is proceeding exactly as it should."
After collecting his rewards, Ling Xian and Yan Ruyin were about to leave quietly through the auction house's rear passage.
Just as they crossed the threshold, a soft voice called out behind them:
"Honored guest, please wait a moment."
It was Feng Lianhua herself, the elegant host of the auction, walking toward them at a brisk but composed pace. Her expression was courteous, but a trace of slight nervousness could be detected.
Ling Xian paused, turning his head slightly.
"Yes?" His tone was neither cold nor friendly — simply calm, with a quiet patience.
Feng Lianhua hesitated for the briefest second before bowing lightly.
"I apologize for disturbing you. Matriarch Qin Yuxuan of the Qin Clan has made a... special request," she said carefully. "She wishes to meet the seller of the Heaven Root Essence Pill Recipe."
Hearing this, Yan Ruyin's brows lifted slightly in surprise. Beside her, Ling Xian's expression remained unchanged.
Feng Lianhua quickly continued, sensing she should explain more:"I understand the Auction House rules forbid revealing a seller's identity without permission. I have declined on your behalf initially... but just now, I received word that if you agree, Matriarch Qin would like to meet privately — without any additional witnesses."
She glanced up at Ling Xian cautiously, awaiting his response.
Ling Xian's gaze flickered faintly.
"The Heaven Root Essence Pill... it can repair damaged foundations — something priceless to clans with crippled younger generation heirs.""Matriarch Qin's eagerness suggests someone close to her is afflicted.""If I offer aid, it could serve my future plans. And...""I do need more dual cultivation partners to stabilize my Ecliptic Harmony Sutra.""If her daughter possesses a unique constitution..."
After weighing it calmly in his heart for a moment, Ling Xian nodded.
"I can meet her," he said simply.
Feng Lianhua's face immediately brightened with relief. She bowed once more.
"Thank you, honored guest. Please — this way."
Without another word, Ling Xian and Yan Ruyin followed her down another quieter hallway.
As they walked, Yan Ruyin glanced sideways at him, a small, unreadable smile playing at her lips.She could guess part of Ling Xian's intention, but she said nothing — trusting him fully.
The doors ahead slowly opened, revealing a private meeting chamber.
Inside, an elegantly dressed woman, exuding a strong matriarchal air, stood up from her seat immediately.
Matriarch Qin Yuxuan — beautiful, stately, but her eyes carried heavy exhaustion and traces of sorrow.Behind her stood another figure, a veiled young girl who seemed fragile and pale, though her aura was faintly special.
Ling Xian stepped forward silently, his face calm and composed, hiding the deep calculation stirring beneath his steady gaze.
"Let us see if fate brings another companion to my side."
As Ling Xian entered the private chamber, an invisible ripple seemed to pass through the room.
Matriarch Qin Yuxuan's sharp, calculating eyes subtly widened as she laid eyes on him.She had expected an older alchemy master — not this impossibly handsome young man with steady, deep eyes that seemed to reflect the stars themselves.
For a fleeting moment, she was caught off guard.Even Feng Lianhua, who followed behind Ling Xian, found herself unconsciously standing a little straighter, her heartbeat slightly irregular.Yan Ruyin, walking quietly at Ling Xian's side, smiled inwardly — she was already accustomed to how this man unintentionally commanded attention wherever he went.
The young veiled girl behind Matriarch Qin, though shy, peeked out nervously... and the moment her eyes fell upon Ling Xian, her fingers clutched the fabric of her sleeve tightly, her cheeks gaining a faint pink hue.
Ling Xian ignored the subtle changes in the atmosphere.
His presence wasn't deliberate — it was simply the natural gravitas he carried from his past life as the most Handsome and womens favorite in higher realm, now hidden beneath mortal skin.
He stopped a few paces away from Matriarch Qin and offered a faint nod.
"You requested to meet," he said, his voice low and smooth, carrying an effortless weight that made Matriarch Qin's heart skip a beat before she gathered herself.
"Indeed," Matriarch Qin said, recovering quickly, her matriarchal poise returning.
The atmosphere inside the private chamber turned solemn as Ling Xian stepped forward.
Feng Lianhua quietly excused herself to stand at the side, keeping her eyes respectfully lowered — but even she couldn't help sneaking occasional glances at Ling Xian's calm, flawless bearing.
Matriarch Qin Yuxuan bowed her head slightly toward Ling Xian.
"I thank you for your willingness to meet us," she said, her voice composed yet carrying a trace of hidden desperation."As I said... my daughter's foundation was severely damaged after an incident. Despite countless resources and healers, her condition has only worsened."
Ling Xian gave a light nod, his gaze settling on the veiled young girl.
Qin Wushuang stood quietly behind her mother, her figure slender, her aura faint and flickering like a dying flame.From her lowered head and tight hands, it was obvious she bore great inner suffering.
Ling Xian's tone remained polite but firm.
"Before I say anything further," he said, "may I check her pulse?"
He extended his hand slightly but waited without moving forward.
Matriarch Qin blinked, startled by his respectful manner.Most healers or cultivators would have already moved without asking — yet this young man, powerful as he might be, still asked for permission.
Impressed, she nodded.
"You may."
Ling Xian stepped forward slowly.As he gently grasped Qin Wushuang's wrist between his fingers, the young girl stiffened slightly, unused to any stranger's touch.However, Ling Xian's fingers were steady and warm — full of unshakable calm — and she found herself gradually relaxing.
His spiritual sense slipped into her meridians.
''Hm? This isn't just simple internal injury...she sure have special constitution ''
To be continued....