The bustling crowd surged ceaselessly toward the grand entrance of the massive building, as if swallowed by a gaping maw.
"Since we're here, let's take a look inside."
With a flick of his sleeve, Xiao Bai led Zi Yan forward, striding confidently into the throng. Xiao Yan, seeing this, followed suit, blending into the sea of people.
Bang!
Amid the crowd, a scrawny man suddenly convulsed and collapsed, clutching his hand and wailing in agony.
Xiao Bai, as if deaf to the cries, walked past without a glance, his expression unruffled.
Zi Yan, tugging at his sleeve, glanced back at the writhing man. Blinking curiously, she asked, "Xiao Bai, what's he doing?"
"Stealing candy," Xiao Bai replied flatly.
"What?!" Zi Yan's face darkened, her wide eyes blazing with fury. "I'll swallow him whole!"
"Just a fly. Ignore it."
Xiao Bai grabbed the fuming girl, chuckling as he patted her head. In a gentle but firm tone, he scolded, "You're human now. No more talk of swallowing people, got it?"
"Oh!" Zi Yan pouted, her twin ponytails bouncing as she shook her head. Muttering under her breath, she grumbled, "I was just saying it. Not like I'd actually eat anyone!"
A flicker of amusement passed through Xiao Bai's eyes, but he pretended not to hear, guiding her onward.
Behind them, Xiao Yan cast a blank glance at the crumpled man, noting his blackened hand—ruined beyond repair. A cold smirk tugged at his lips. This type, huh? He'd seen plenty back in Wu Tan City's markets. There, they targeted coin pouches; here, they went for storage rings.
___
Stepping into the auction hall, they entered a vast atrium adorned with countless moonlight stones, bathing the space in a resplendent golden glow.
"No wonder this is the Miteer Clan's headquarters. This scale dwarfs the Wu Tan City branch!" Xiao Yan marveled beside Xiao Bai.
Xiao Bai merely smiled, offering no comment.
"Hmph! This is nothing. Compared to Purple Sky City, it's pathetic!" Zi Yan's bright eyes rolled dismissively.
"Purple Sky City?" Xiao Yan's brow furrowed, puzzled by the unfamiliar name.
No response came. Glancing around, he realized the lively little girl was no longer at Xiao Bai's side.
"Wow! So many herbs! They could make tons of candy!" Zi Yan's voice rang out, her eyes sparkling as she fixated on the herbs displayed at a counter, practically climbing over it in excitement.
Xiao Bai chuckled at her enthusiasm. Her obsession with herbs was practically etched into her bones. Normally, these low-grade Tier One to Three herbs wouldn't catch her interest—too bland, too weak. But ever since he'd started refining them into candy, she'd become indiscriminate. Tier Four, Five, or Six were ideal, but she'd take Two or Three without complaint. To her, energy was energy— food was still food.
Shifting his gaze from her, Xiao Bai let her be. In the Jia Ma Empire, those capable of troubling her could be counted on one hand. Though mischievous, Zi Yan rarely caused him headaches on this journey, so he didn't hover.
Scanning the hall, he strolled to a lounge area, settled into a seat, and beckoned a nearby maid.
"Welcome to the Miteer Auction House, sir. How may I assist you?" A pretty maid approached, bowing respectfully.
"I'm looking to buy a courtyard in the city. Tell me about your options," Xiao Bai said with a nod and a smile.
The maid's eyes lit up, her excitement barely contained. A big client! Property in the Jia Ma Holy City was worth its weight in gold. Even a modest courtyard was a major deal, far outstripping the hall's smaller transactions.
"Sir, any specific requirements for the property?" she asked, her smile growing warmer as she suppressed her eagerness.
"Somewhere quiet and spacious."
"Perfect! We have one that fits your needs—located near the northern noble district, facing south, with a rear courtyard offering a stunning view of Yun Lan Mountain!"
Noticing their youth, she added with a playful grin, "Living in such a prime spot, if you have children someday, they might catch a bit of Yun Lan Sect's spiritual charm. Who knows? They could end up like the Nalan Clan's young miss and join the sect!"
"…" Xiao Bai.
"…" Xiao Yan.
The two exchanged a glance, stunned into silence by her words.
Where to even begin with this?
"Pick another!" Xiao Yan growled, fists clenched, his voice tight with irritation. His kids joining Yun Lan Sect? In her dreams! Though he knew it was just sales talk, the thought of living somewhere with a daily view of that mountain soured his mood.
"No need to change. This one's fine," Xiao Bai said with a cheerful wave.
"Bai-Ge!" Xiao Yan spun toward him, face darkening. "What's so great about that lousy mountain? Or are you planning to let my future nephews and nieces join Yun Lan Sect?"
"Doesn't matter to me," Xiao Bai shrugged, grinning. "If I had a kid who wanted to join, I wouldn't stop them."
If I had a child, their mother might be the Yun Lan Sect leader herself. If I dared say no to the sect, she'd probably come at me with a sword!
Xiao Yan was speechless, already pitying his hypothetical nephews and nieces for having such an unreliable father.
The maid trembled, sensing she'd misspoken. The black-robed youth seemed fine, but the dark-clad boy—was he scorning Yun Lan Sect? "S-sir, would you like to… change properties?"
"No change. How much?" Xiao Bai dismissed Xiao Yan's sullen glare with a wave.
Xiao Yan's frustration deepened. This guy's dead-set on that mountain view. Has he betrayed our united front? He'd expected them to stand together against Yun Lan Sect.
"One million eight hundred thousand gold coins!" the maid replied, her face lighting up, her voice softening further.
"You pay, and we'll switch. Deal?" Xiao Bai teased Xiao Yan through a transmitted chuckle, eyeing his exasperated expression.
Xiao Yan's eye-roll faltered, nearly flipping backward. Embarrassed, he waved it off. "Forget it. We'll take it. Worst case, I'll stay indoors and avoid the view!"
"Haha!" Xiao Bai's laughter rang out.
"Hmph!" Xiao Yan muttered, fuming at the infuriating cackle. "Thirty years east, thirty years west—don't underestimate a young man's potential! Just you wait!"
"Young man, keep it up! I'll be waiting!" Xiao Bai patted his shoulder, grinning encouragingly.
As he prepared to pay, the lively hall suddenly hushed. The rhythmic tap of high heels on marble echoed like a melodic note, clear and captivating.
Turning slightly, Xiao Bai caught the sound of quickened breaths around him. Through the crowd of men, their eyes gleaming with fervor, a graceful figure glided forward.
"Bai-Ge, not gonna say hi?" Xiao Yan smirked, catching the scene.
"Say hi? Will that get me a discount on the house?" Xiao Bai shot back, glancing at the gossip-hungry Xiao Yan.
As he spoke, he felt a gaze settle on him. A delighted, melodic voice followed from nearby. "Oh? What kind of discount is Young Master Xiao hoping Ya Fei can offer?"
Both turned to see a ravishing woman in a black-and-gold cheongsam approaching with elegant steps. Her peach-blossom eyes, shimmering like spring water, fixed on them with a mix of disbelief and subtle joy.
Her smiling face carried a hint of allure, her figure even more captivating than two years ago—like a ripened peach, brimming with charm. The surrounding men's gazes burned, their postures stiffening awkwardly as they sucked in their stomachs.
"Ya Fei! Been a while," Xiao Bai greeted, rising with a smile.
"Young Master Xiao, two years, and you're like a different person! I hesitated before daring to call out," Ya Fei said, her heels clicking as she reached him. Her eyes swept over him, a flash of amazement in her smile.
His white hair had turned black, his once icy, star-like eyes now deep and serene, like a starry sky washed clean by rain. He exuded a fresh, natural air, far more approachable than before.
"Heh, have a seat," Xiao Bai said, ignoring the dagger-like stares from the crowd and gesturing to a chair with a smile.
Ya Fei nodded gracefully, settling into the seat with a slight bend, her curves accentuated temptingly.
"Young Master Xiao Yan, long time no see," she said, her gaze shifting to Xiao Yan with a light laugh.
"Thought you'd forgotten me, Miss Ya Fei. Seems your eyes are only for my Bai-Ge," Xiao Yan teased with a playful grin.
"*Giggle*! You jest, Young Master Xiao Yan," Ya Fei replied, covering her lips with a delicate laugh. "I met you and Young Master Xiao on the same day. How could I forget?"
Her mind drifted to their first meeting in Wu Tan City, marveling at how that struggling clan had produced two such extraordinary figures. The elder was a given, but the younger—once shorter than her—had shed his youthful inexperience, now radiating confidence and resolve.
Her eyes lingered on Xiao Bai as she asked softly, "When did you return?"
"Just arrived in the Jia Ma Holy City today," Xiao Bai replied, smiling at the effortlessly charming woman. "No place to stay, so I came to you first."
Ya Fei shot him a mock glare. No place to stay, so you "had" to come here?
"You're here for that agreement, aren't you?" she asked, recalling the uproar three years ago over the broken engagement in Wu Tan City. It felt like yesterday, yet time had flown.
Before Xiao Bai could respond, his brow furrowed, his eyes sharpening as he snapped his head toward a corner.
"Bai-Ge, what's wrong?" Xiao Yan asked, startled by the sudden shift in Xiao Bai's demeanor. He'd never seen his brother truly angry.
"Xiao… Xiao Bai!" Ya Fei's smile froze, her pupils contracting. The pressure made breathing difficult; if not for the chair, she might've collapsed.
"Scram!"
A childish yet crisp shout cut through, answering Xiao Yan's confusion.
Bang!
A figure arced through the air, spitting blood, and crashed onto the marble floor. The crowd scrambled back, clearing a wide circle.
All eyes turned in shock to the small girl rubbing her wrist. Her delicate fist, so unassuming, had delivered that devastating blow.
"Still standing there? Didn't you see the young master get hit? Grab her!" a man barked, fear in his eyes but emboldened by the clan's headquarters. He pointed at the hesitant guards.
The guards exchanged glances, reluctantly stepping forward.
"Insolence!"
A thunderous roar erupted, shaking the hall. Everyone, regardless of cultivation, felt dizzy, ears ringing as if deafened. The guards encircling the girl bled from their ears, collapsing in terror.
In a blur, a black-robed figure appeared beside the girl, his eyes glinting with icy menace, chilling to the bone.
Seeing Xiao Bai's grim expression and the frost in his gaze, Zi Yan's face paled. Tugging his sleeve, she whispered nervously, "Xiao Bai, he kept pestering me, saying there were tons of herbs upstairs and trying to drag me up. I warned him, but he wouldn't stop, so I hit him. Don't be mad, okay?"
Their first meeting had left her slightly intimidated by him. Though he was kind and easygoing, his rare sternness made her heart quiver.
Xiao Bai crouched, meeting her anxious eyes. His expression softened as he ruffled her hair gently. "You did well. Next time you meet scum like that, punch them dead. If you can't, call me. Got it?"
"Mm-hm! Don't worry, Xiao-gege! I can handle a thousand of those creeps without you lifting a finger!" Zi Yan's brows lifted, her confidence returning. She patted her chest, her bright eyes sparkling again, relieved he wasn't upset.
Xiao Bai smiled, then stood. The warmth in his eyes faded, replaced by a gathering chill. The air around him grew as cold as a frozen abyss.
"Xiao Bai, don't act rashly! That guy's grandfather is a Dou Ling!" Ya Fei, sensing his killing intent, rushed to his side, her voice urgent. "If you're not sure you can handle it, leave now. I'll keep this quiet!"
"Dou Ling?" Xiao Bai's lips curled faintly. Looking at Ya Fei, he said calmly, "Even if his grandfather were a Dou Huang, he dies today."
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