Chen Chang'an Appears in the Imperial Capital

Chen Chang'an?

When these three words appeared, everyone's expressions changed instantly.

Damn, could we have been gossiping about the actual person?

"Look at how scared you all are."

"What's there to fear?"

"There are plenty of people with the same name in this world."

"Do you really think he could be that Chen Chang'an?" Though Zhou Lin was also startled, he quickly regained his composure.

Seeing the panicked looks on the others' faces, he couldn't help but mock them.

In his eyes, Chen Chang'an was a legendary Great Emperor-level powerhouse—someone whose presence alone would be awe-inspiring.

But the Chen Chang'an standing before them now seemed utterly ordinary, with nothing remarkable about him.

"Hey, buddy, you’ve got some nerve calling yourself Chen Chang'an at a time like this."

"Aren’t you afraid the Imperial Family will come after you?" Zhou Lin asked curiously.

"What else can I do? My name is Chen Chang'an—I can’t just change it," Chen Chang'an replied with a faint smile.

"Well, that’s true."

"But having this name is both good and bad."

"Mainly, the timing is just unfortunate."

"Right now, many people don’t even dare admit they share the surname 'Chen.' The capital is practically terrified of that name, let alone one that includes 'Chang'an' after it."

"Be careful, alright? I’m serious—this isn’t a joke," Zhou Lin warned.

Hearing this, Chen Chang'an chuckled. "What if I really am that Chen Chang'an?"

Huh?

You?

Zhou Lin scrutinized Chen Chang'an closely before scoffing. "Yeah, right. You?"

"Do you even know what a Great Emperor is? Chen Chang'an is a figure standing at the pinnacle of the Central Heaven Domain—you think he’d waste time chatting with us?"

"If you keep talking like this, I’m out."

"Don’t drag us down with your death wish."

Since they didn’t believe him, Chen Chang'an didn’t push it. After all, he didn’t need their validation.

He had only joined the conversation because their gossip piqued his interest.

Chen Chang'an was a man who never hid his name, but he also didn’t flaunt it.

He spoke his mind—whether others believed him was up to them.

"Hahaha."

"Alright, I’ll take my leave then. Wouldn’t want to trouble you all."

"Enjoy your meal—I’ll cover the bill, as promised."

"Thanks, young man."

"No need."

"Oh, by the way, aside from the Imperial Family seeking reinforcements, have there been any other interesting rumors lately?"

Interesting rumors?

Zhou Lin thought for a moment before his eyes lit up. "Aside from the whole Chen Chang'an situation, there hasn’t been much else."

"The Imperial Family isn’t just looking for help—they’re also summoning all the powerful experts from across the Fengtian Imperial Dynasty to the capital."

"Other than that… Oh! There’s an auction house in the capital. Rumor has it they’ve got some rare treasures coming up."

"Don’t underestimate this auction house—it’s not run by the Fengtian Imperial Dynasty. The real owner behind it is the Gu Family!"

The Gu Family?

Chen Chang'an naturally knew of them. Among the three supreme families of the Central Heaven Domain, the Gu Family was one.

They had a Great Emperor at the peak of power among their ancestors—an existence no one dared provoke.

Still, Chen Chang'an hadn’t expected the Gu Family to be involved in so many business ventures. That was surprising.

"What’s the relationship between the Gu Family and the Fengtian Imperial Dynasty?" Chen Chang'an asked.

"None. The Gu Family is on a whole different level—the Fengtian Imperial Dynasty isn’t even worth their notice."

"The fact that they’ve set up an auction house here has the Imperial Family overjoyed."

"Why do you ask?"

"No reason. Just curious."

"Gentlemen, I’ll take my leave."

Without further questions, Chen Chang'an turned and left.

Watching his retreating figure, Zhou Lin shook his head with a sigh.

"Same name, but what a difference between him and the real Chen Chang'an."

"Fate truly isn’t fair."

After leaving the tavern, Chen Chang'an returned to the inn where Gu Xian'er was staying.

"Young Master!"

"Did you learn anything useful?"

"Yes, a few things."

"Since Da Huang hasn’t arrived yet, we’ll wait a few more days. I’m curious to see what kind of reinforcements the Fengtian Imperial Dynasty will find."

Chen Chang'an and Gu Xian'er had only arrived in the capital today.

Despite the heightened security, the two had strolled in without any trouble.

Da Huang’s delay wasn’t due to slowness—Chen Chang'an was simply too fast now.

After merging with the fetal pearls, he had gained several abilities.

In Alchemy Emperor City, the energy from one of the pearls had fused into his right leg.

At the same time, Chen Chang'an discovered he had acquired a spatial ability—something akin to teleportation.

However, for some reason, none of his abilities could be used to their full potential yet.

They were also limited in frequency. Still, it was enough.

This was how Chen Chang'an had managed to swiftly eliminate targets scattered across different locations.

"Xian'er, when you have time, look into what’s being auctioned at the capital’s auction house."

Auction house?

Gu Xian'er was surprised. Since when had Chen Chang'an taken an interest in such places?

The last time they visited one was in No-Return City, and that was only because of Wu Mingdao’s soul.

"Young Master, is there something you need from the auction?"

"Could it be… another pearl?" she asked, startled.

"Not sure. But the auction house is owned by the Gu Family."

"There might be something worthwhile."

"Even if there’s nothing I need, we could find something for you."

"Ah… Thank you, Young Master."

"Don’t thank me yet."

"Yes."

There was no need to dig too deeply into the auction details—the auction house itself was already promoting the event.

Despite the capital being shrouded in fear of Chen Chang'an, the auction house was an exception.

As a Gu Family enterprise, who would dare cause trouble there?

Moreover, the Gu Family’s influence was immense. Their promotions naturally drew widespread attention.

Even the Imperial Family, despite being overwhelmed, had no choice but to send representatives.

"Young Master!"

"The auction house is keeping the items this time completely secret. They haven’t revealed anything, but they’ve invited all the influential figures in the capital."

"I looked into it—this has never happened before."

"Will you be attending?" Gu Xian'er asked.

"Since we have nothing better to do, we might as well take a look."

Auction House

"Third Elder, why is the Ancestor paying such close attention to the Fengtian Imperial Dynasty’s auction this time?"

"Ancestor usually doesn’t concern himself with such matters, yet he even sent us here?"

Gu Fengyao couldn’t understand. Shouldn’t her top priority right now be rigorous cultivation? Why did she have to personally handle such trivial matters?

Moreover, the items they had brought with them this time seemed far too extravagant for such a small place like the Fengtian Imperial Dynasty. Did they even deserve such treasures?

"Fengyao, this is the Ancestor’s will. We can only obey."

"If the Ancestor has arranged it this way, there must be a reason."

"Don’t act like a spoiled child. Besides, this won’t interfere with your cultivation," the Third Elder said sternly.

"But..."

"I just don’t understand. The Gu Family has so many members—why must it be me who comes here?"

"If the Ancestor personally named you, it must serve a purpose."

"Are you questioning the Ancestor’s orders now?"

Hearing the Third Elder’s words, Gu Fengyao quickly replied, "Fengyao wouldn’t dare."

"Enough, don’t overthink it. The auction begins tomorrow, and once it’s over, we’ll..."

"Wait—it seems we might not be able to leave yet."

The Third Elder had been about to say they could depart after the auction, but then he recalled that before they left, the Ancestor had hinted at something else.

"Why can’t we leave?" Gu Fengyao asked, puzzled.

"I can’t say for certain. Whether we leave or not depends on whether the person the Ancestor is waiting for appears."

The person the Ancestor is waiting for?

Gu Fengyao knew nothing about this and asked curiously, "Third Elder, who is the Ancestor waiting for?"

"Could it be that some important figure is coming to the Fengtian Imperial Dynasty?"

"I don’t know either. But the Ancestor said that whoever wins the final auction item is the one he’s been waiting for."

"Tomorrow... perhaps we’ll find out!"