The frivolous voice behind her caused Ya Fei's smile to vanish instantly, replaced by a hard, cold glare.
She turned to see a pale-faced young man, flanked by several guards, his gaze fixed on her with brazen desire.
"I'm busy. I don't have time for you," Ya Fei said icily, brushing past him while still holding Xiao Jietian's hand.
The young man's expression twisted with jealousy as he watched her. Ya Fei was always courteous and approachable, but those who truly knew her understood she naturally shunned men. Few had ever touched her, and even fewer without her consent.
"I thought you hated men, Ya Fei… so it turns out you like pretty young boys? You'd be better off with me than him. He can't satisfy you, hehehe," the young man sneered, his eyes burning with lewdness.
He glanced at Xiao Jietian, who looked ethereal and calm, and sneered again. "Pretty boy, do you know who I am? Kneel and I might spare you. Refuse… and I have a hundred ways to make your life miserable."
He raised a hand, signaling his guards to attack—but space itself seemed to slow, and the area dimmed around him. Only his eyes moved as he struggled in place.
When the world returned to normal, Xiao Jietian held a heart in his hand, faintly pulsating with Dou Qi.
The young man's gaze fell to the bloody hole in his own chest.
"My people aren't for you to insult, and I especially hate being called a pretty boy."
Xiao Jietian crushed the heart in his hand. The lightning-attributed Dou Qi erupted, turning the organ instantly to dust.
"You… you… you—"
Terror and disbelief filled the young man's eyes. He tried to speak, to call for help, but his breath had already stopped. He collapsed to the ground.
"Young Master Leile!" his guards screamed, rushing forward. Touching his neck, they discovered he was already dead.
"Brothers! Kill him, or we all die!" one shouted, panic flashing in his eyes.
The guards unleashed Dou Qi, swords slashing with deadly precision. "Wind Severing Blade!" "Crimson Flame Slash!"
Xiao Jietian waved his hand. Several Dou Shi-level guards were hurled backward, spitting blood.
"What, are you scared?" he asked casually, clapping his hands as he turned to the stunned Ya Fei.
Ya Fei recovered and grabbed Xiao Jietian's hand. "Hurry! Leave! His grandfather is a powerful Dou Ling. He'll definitely seek revenge!"
"Worried about me? And what if I leave—what will you do?" Xiao Jietian asked, smiling.
"You're still smiling! Come with me, I'll take you out. I can handle myself. You acted for me, I won't just stand by," Ya Fei said, her voice tinged with worry.
Xiao Jietian gently patted her hand. "Really? You're not lying?"
Her eyes searched his, finding only absolute confidence. She nodded.
"Let's go. We'll talk about the main business first. You can guide me shortly," he said.
Ya Fei exhaled, still uneasy, but led him toward a private internal staircase. Behind them, the auction house guards cleaned up the scene quickly, maintaining order.
In a spacious study, Ya Fei moved gracefully to her desk while Xiao Jietian and Hai Bodong took seats opposite her.
"That man was Leile. His grandfather is an elder of the auction house, a two-star Dou Ling. He often causes trouble for me and… harbors some very disgusting thoughts," Ya Fei explained, pouring tea for them.
"So I didn't kill the wrong person. People always pay for their actions," Xiao Jietian said indifferently, sipping his tea.
Ya Fei's lips curved slightly. "I remembered everything he did. Had you not acted, he would've been among the first I'd expel when I gained power. Then I'd let him truly understand fear."
Hai Bodong raised an eyebrow in surprise at her composure and resolve.
Ya Fei smoothed the tablecloth and asked lightly, "Do you think I'm vengeful or petty?"
"Compared to your usual expressions, I prefer this side of you," Xiao Jietian said with a faint smile.
"Enough about him. What do you need?" Ya Fei asked, her smile returning.
Xiao Jietian placed a blank sheet of paper on the desk. On it were densely written names of medicinal herbs.
"See if you can gather the ingredients listed here," he said, handing it over. Hai Bodong recognized the list immediately—it was everything required for his Spirit Recovery Purple Pill.
Ya Fei scanned the list, frowning. "Many of these are incredibly rare, priceless even…"
Before she could finish, the study door exploded inward with a surge of Dou Qi.
A grim-faced old man in luxurious robes, radiating the aura of a two-star Dou Ling, stepped in. His eyes burned with hatred.
"Are you the murderers who killed my grandson?" he demanded.
Xiao Jietian calmly set down his teacup. "If you mean the trash downstairs, then yes, I killed him."
"You dog! You will pay with your life for my grandson!"