"It might be related to my body. After I broke through to Dou Zhe, my body gradually developed some wood and fire attributes. So, I plan to find time to go into seclusion and experiment with it, and then I became an Alchemist," Xiao Zhitian explained casually.
"So, Tian Ge is now a First-Rank Alchemist?" Xiao Xun'er asked in surprise.
Xiao Zhitian merely smiled and didn't answer Xun'er's question. Instead, he changed the subject, saying, "It seems Xun'er has been cultivating very hard these past three months as well, having already broken through to Dou Zhe."
"Xun'er has been cultivating all this time, just thinking about surprising you when you came out of seclusion. So, are you surprised?" Xun'er asked playfully.
"Very surprised! As expected of the genius girl recognized by everyone in the family. However, with your talent, it would have been strange if you hadn't broken through to Dou Zhe in three months," Xiao Zhitian said, smiling as he patted Xun'er's little head.
Xiao Xun'er's eyes curved into crescent shapes as she listened to Xiao Zhitian's praise. Seeing her so happy, Xiao Zhitian thought about the auction tomorrow, which would feature a cultivation technique up for bid, and also recalled how his father had tricked the Jia Lie Family. He then said to Xun'er, "Tomorrow, there's a big auction at the Mitel Auction House. Let's go take a look, and afterward, I'll take you around to play."
"Okay! Then I'll come find Xiao Zhitian Gege tomorrow," Xun'er said with enthusiasm.
Xiao Zhitian accompanied Xun'er as she ate a little and strolled around the Xiao Family courtyard before they parted ways.
Returning to his room, Xiao Zhitian sat on a chair and took out a Dou Huang Summoning Card from his system backpack. The card was golden, with a faint human figure etched on it, shrouded in mist.
"System, use the summoning card," he commanded.
"Ding! Usage successful. Successfully summoned: Nine-Star Metal-Attribute Dou Huang; Jin Mo."
A black, swirling portal appeared not far in front of Xiao Zhitian. From it, an old man with golden hair, a youthful face, and wearing a light-gold robe stepped out. He walked up to Xiao Zhitian and knelt on one knee.
"Subordinate Jin Mo greets Master!" he said respectfully.
"Rise. From now on, I'll call you Old Mo, and you can call me Young Master. There's no need to call me Master," Xiao Zhitian said, appraising the summoned Dou Huang.
"Yes, Young Master," Jin Mo responded, then respectfully stood before him.
"Old Mo, go to the Jia Lie Family and find an Alchemist named Liu Xi. Kill him. He possesses a fake death pill, so you must reduce him to ashes to avoid any hidden dangers," Xiao Zhitian instructed, then briefly described Liu Xi's appearance.
"Yes!" Jin Mo acknowledged and instantly flashed away.
Seeing that Jin Mo had already left to carry out the mission, Xiao Zhitian returned to his bed and sat cross-legged to cultivate.
After a short while, Old Mo's voice echoed in Xiao Zhitian's ear. "Young Master, the mission has been completed. The target has disappeared from this world. However, when I returned, I was sensed by an Eight-Star Dou Huang due to using Dou Qi. How should this Dou Huang be handled?"
Xiao Zhitian thought for a moment. The Eight-Star Dou Huang should be Ling Ying, Xun'er's bodyguard and the only Dou Huang of the Gu Clan. He said calmly, "No need to bother with him. He's not an enemy. When you have nothing else to do, hide in the shadows and protect my father. Go."
"Yes, this subordinate will carry out the order," Old Mo replied, then turned and left to guard Xiao Zhan.
Meanwhile, Ling Ying was reporting to Xun'er. "Young Lady, a Dou Huang entered Young Master Xiao Zhitian's room. I sensed that this Dou Huang is extremely powerful and also detected me. I am no match for him, but he bears no ill will."
Xiao Xun'er listened carefully, then walked to the window, gazing toward Xiao Zhitian's courtyard. "I don't care who he is, Elder Ling. You must find out his identity. I will not allow anyone with ill intentions to harm Xiao Zhitian Gege."
"Yes, Young Lady," Ling Ying replied, before dissipating into the shadows.
After Ling Ying left, Xiao Xun'er murmured to herself, "I hope you bear no ill intentions and will not harm Xiao Zhitian Gege. Otherwise, no matter where you hide, Xun'er will find you and eliminate you."
The next morning, Xiao Zhitian came to pick up Xun'er, and they headed to the Mitel Auction House together. On the way, they ran into Xiao Zhan, who was also preparing to attend the auction, and the three of them went together.
Upon arrival, they entered the grand hall, where a large crowd had already gathered. This was an unprecedentedly significant auction. Not only were three kinds of Second-Rank pills on display, but even a Profound High-Rank cultivation technique was up for bid, attracting the attention of various clan leaders and wealthy merchants from across the city.
Following Xiao Zhan, they easily found a spot near the front of the auction stage. Clan leaders of the other two major families, Clan Leader Aoba and Clan Leader Jia Lie, were already seated. Xiao Zhitian, Xun'er, and Xiao Zhan sat slightly behind, observing the crowd and the auction items with interest.
Suddenly, a captivating voice echoed through the hall. "Please quiet down, esteemed guests. I am Ya Fei, chief Auctioneer of the Mitel Auction House. The auction is about to begin, and I hope everyone takes home something satisfactory."
Under countless gazes, Ya Fei, dressed in a red cheongsam-like dress, gracefully stepped onto the auction stage. The dress accentuated her devilish figure, her radiant skin and charm seeming even more captivating than yesterday. It was as if she had privately taken the Ding Yan Dan. Her appearance immediately ignited passion in the eyes of those below.
"Is she pretty?" Xun'er asked, reaching out to pinch Xiao Zhitian's waist while pouting.
Xiao Zhitian turned and affectionately stroked her head. "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," she interrupted, blushing, as she listened to Xiao Zhitian's increasingly direct words.
"Alright then, you can ask me anytime you want to hear it. I'm also curious what price my pills will fetch, and how many people will compete for the Profound High-Rank cultivation technique," Xiao Zhitian replied casually.
"So, those Second-Rank pills are Xiao Zhitian Gege's? Then he's already a Second-Rank Alchemist? Your talent is even more terrifying than I imagined," Xun'er whispered.
"My Alchemist talent is just average," Xiao Zhitian replied modestly, feigning humility.
Xun'er rolled her eyes at him but stopped paying attention, fearing that continued chatter would make Xiao Zhitian get carried away.
After their whispered conversation, Xiao Zhitian scanned the three clan leaders in the front row. Each wore a hint of determination in their eyes.
Just as Xiao Zhitian finished observing, the lights focused on the auction stage. Ya Fei stood gracefully beside it and announced, "Everyone, the auction officially begins. Please welcome the first item…"
One auction item after another was displayed and sold. Throughout the process, the three clan leaders made no move, and neither Xiao Zhitian nor Xun'er found anything of particular interest. These were merely appetizers for the true highlights of the auction.
"Next up are the highly anticipated cornerstone items. Please look forward to them," Ya Fei announced with a dazzling smile.