Qing Lin leapt up instinctively, wrapping her small arms tightly around Xiao Jietian's neck like a frightened koala.
Xiao Jietian held her securely at his hip, his other arm wrapping around her waist. His voice was calm, soothing:
"There, there, don't be scared. It's gone."
He flicked his fingers subtly, releasing a faint wisp of Dou Qi toward the ground, pretending to have destroyed the lurking threat.
He didn't set Qing Lin down; instead, he continued walking, carrying her effortlessly.
Hai Bodong glanced at the sky, muttering to himself, "Young people… always so dramatic," though a faint smile played on his lips.
Little Fairy Doctor cast Xiao Jietian a mock glare, but her eyes lingered on Qing Lin with a trace of envy. Truly, those who knew how to act spoiled had an advantage.
Xiao Jietian exchanged a subtle glance with Hai Bodong. With a quiet flick, several threads of cold air shot into a shadowed corner.
A few ice sculptures fell from the darkness, shattering into pieces on the ground.
"I thought we'd catch a big fish," Xiao Jietian muttered, "but it seems we only have small fry."
The small-time thugs had been following them since they purchased the medicinal herbs. Xiao Jietian had set a trap—but the big fish hadn't taken the bait. Whoever collected the rarest poisonous herbs must be wealthier and more cunning.
"Let's head back. There's a large auction tomorrow. Maybe we'll find something more valuable then," he said, recalling the tip from the pharmacy owner.
With a wave of his hand, the group vanished from the alley.
An hour later, Xiao Jietian opened his eyes in his training room. Golden lightning flickered across them.
"Eight wisps… finally."
He had previously refined the Thunder Origin. His Heavenly Metal Lightning had reached seven wisps, and now it was on the verge of breaking through.
After the breakthrough, he continued his cultivation.
During this time, he sensed a subtle disturbance in the Heaven and Earth energy at Little Fairy Doctor's palace—she was breaking through to Da Dou Shi. A wisp of Xiao Jietian's soul power gently enveloped her, ensuring no mishaps.
Half an hour later, Little Fairy Doctor successfully ascended to the Da Dou Shi realm and began consolidating her power.
Xiao Jietian withdrew his soul influence, resuming his cultivation. Two hours later, he finished, took a quick bath, and fell into a deep, undisturbed sleep.
The next morning, Xiao Jietian dressed, Qing Lin assisting him.
The four figures appeared in the alley where they had returned to the Boundless Heaven World the previous night.
Taking advantage of the moment, Xiao Jietian murmured, "System, check-in."
Ding!Successfully checked into Izumo Empire. Rewards obtained: Frozen Spirit Body, Profound Ice Art cultivation method, Soul Control Talisman ×2, Snow-Colored Swan Kiss ×1.
Soul Control Talisman: Controls the soul; the user becomes permanently loyal to the caster.
Snow-Colored Swan Kiss: Amplifies toxins by thousands of times.
Xiao Jietian examined the ice-attributed body and cultivation method, already planning their strategic uses.
Snow-Colored Swan Kiss… a rare item from the Love Continent. In the right hands, this could be devastating.
Aside: On a distant continent, a figure stood before a sea of blood, holding a white flower. As he prepared to throw it in, the flower vanished. He roared in fury:
"I don't care who you are—by stealing this, you've chosen death!"
Following the directions provided, Xiao Jietian led the group to the Myriad Poisons Auction House.
The building wasn't as luxurious as the Mitel Auction House. Its facade resembled an open spider's mouth, radiating a chilling aura.
Inside, the walls were gray, adorned with shelves of poisonous magical beasts and exotic specimens.
"Esteemed sirs, are you here for the auction?" a maid asked, her expression professional and respectful.
Though the group wore foreign clothing, their noble aura made it clear they were no ordinary visitors.
"We are here for the auction," Xiao Jietian replied calmly.
"Attendance requires allocation of private rooms based on assets, may I ask…"
Before the maid could finish, a man appeared beside her.
"Esteemed sirs, our Pavilion Master has decreed that verification is unnecessary. You will be escorted to Sky Character Room Number Nine. Please follow me."
Xiao Jietian nodded. He quickly realized the manager must have sensed Hai Bodong's cultivation. The Pavilion Master, an Eight-Star Dou Wang, could detect such power only with a treasure or extraordinary insight.
The manager enthusiastically explained the private rooms: Heaven, Earth, Mysterious, and Yellow. Heaven-grade rooms were reserved for the powerful or influential.
On the third floor, the Heaven Character private room was lavish, adorned with ornaments and rich furnishings.
"I shall take my leave. Maids are on standby; call upon them if needed," the manager said, bowing respectfully.
Inside, they had a commanding view of the auction hall. The seats, crafted from precious wood and covered with soft fire-beast fur, were exceptionally comfortable.
Below, the hall buzzed with anticipation. Xiao Jietian idly took Little Fairy Doctor's hand, gently playing with it. Qing Lin stood behind him, massaging his shoulders, marveling at the spectacle before her.
"Little girl, if you want to watch, go to the front," Xiao Jietian said, smiling. Qing Lin squealed in excitement and ran forward.
Hai Bodong closed his eyes, indifferent as ever.
Ten minutes later, the auction began. Qing Lin, coaxed back by Xiao Jietian, sat obediently beside him.
As items sold one by one, Xiao Jietian only bid for two specific poisonous herbs.
"Next up for auction: Mysterious High-Rank Combat Skill—Poison Rain Pours Down."
"When cast, this Dou Technique forms a toxic cloud over an area. Acidic poison rains down continuously; it does not dissipate. Those caught inside must escape or defend with their lives."
The crowd's eyes lit up. A sustainable AoE skill like this was extremely rare.
"Starting bid: 150,000 gold coins."
"160,000!"
Bids flew fast and furious. Prices quickly soared to 350,000 gold coins, drawing bidders from Earth-Class rooms.
"400,000."
Xiao Jietian called out decisively. His sudden jump startled the others.
"410,000!" someone countered.
"450,000," Xiao Jietian responded calmly, asserting dominance over the auction.
The hall fell momentarily silent, impressed by his overpowered bidding strategy.
Xiao Jietian leaned back slightly, eyes scanning the hall, a faint, knowing smile on his face. In his hands, the game had only just begun.