The Mysterious Guest in the Box

At this moment, the auction house was presenting an item called the Seven Aroma Blazing Fruit.

Chen Chang'an had heard of this item before, but he wasn’t particularly interested. In his eyes, it wasn’t anything remarkable. Though Chen Chang'an had once been unable to cultivate, anything he had ever set his sights on and acquired had never been anything less than extraordinary.

Gu Xian'er seemed to find the Seven Aroma Blazing Fruit useful—perhaps due to her unique constitution—but this was merely Chen Chang'an's speculation. Sometimes, the right item could unleash value far beyond its intrinsic worth. Chen Chang'an hoped this would be the case for the Seven Aroma Blazing Fruit.

"Besides, do you think you can just buy it if you say so?"

"Do you think everyone down there is dead?"

"This thing is quite appealing to others too, you know." Gu Fengyao shot Chen Chang'an a disdainful look.

"Did I offend you somehow?"

"Why do you seem to dislike me so much?" Chen Chang'an asked curiously.

"If you’d just let her go free, I’d definitely find you more agreeable. After all… you really are quite good-looking."

Huh?

What kind of nonsense was that?

Did that make him sound like some wicked, devilishly handsome villain who cruelly restricted the freedom of an innocent young woman?

Was that his fault? Was being handsome a crime?

This was charm—pure charm—didn’t she understand?

"Five hundred thousand high-grade spirit stones! Do we have any higher bids?"

"Five hundred fifty thousand."

"Excellent! We now have an offer of five hundred fifty thousand. Any further bids?"

"The Seven Aroma Blazing Fruit grows within molten lava, containing immense energy. For those who cultivate flame-based techniques, its effects are exceptionally beneficial."

"This item is exceedingly rare to obtain. If you miss this opportunity, you may never encounter it again in your lifetime."

"The current bid stands at five hundred fifty thousand high-grade spirit stones. Are there any—"

"Six hundred thousand!"

Before the auctioneer could finish, someone raised the bid to six hundred thousand.

"Ah, it’s the Side-by-Side King! I’ve heard the Side-by-Side King practices flame-based techniques, correct?"

"Indeed. This item would be of great use to him."

"Seven hundred thousand!"

Hmm?

Another bidder?

Though the Side-by-Side King was also a non-imperial prince, he held no fiefdom and remained in the imperial capital. Yet, no one dared underestimate him—his strength had already reached the seventh level of the Immortal Realm, making him one of the top powerhouses within the Fengtian Imperial Dynasty.

Yet, shockingly, someone had the audacity to challenge his bid.

"Is that… the imperial family?"

"His Majesty is personally attending today. Could it be that the Emperor desires the Seven Aroma Blazing Fruit?"

"But His Majesty doesn’t cultivate flame-based techniques. What purpose would this serve?"

"Hard to say. Perhaps there’s discord between him and the Side-by-Side King?"

Rumors had long circulated that the imperial family kept the Side-by-Side King in the capital out of wariness toward his growing power—to monitor and restrain him.

Still, these were merely rumors. Yet now, the imperial family’s actions seemed to lend them some credibility.

However, with the Fengtian Imperial Dynasty already in turmoil and Chen Chang'an’s recent actions having dealt a heavy blow, provoking the Side-by-Side King at such a time seemed ill-advised.

After all, he was a formidable ally.

"If His Majesty desires it, then this subject shall withdraw." The Side-by-Side King merely smiled faintly, showing no sign of displeasure at the imperial family’s move.

Inside the private booth, Yin Gongyu also smiled. His attendant, however, was puzzled.

"Your Majesty, what is the meaning behind this move?" the attendant asked in confusion.

"I will purchase it and then gift it to the Side-by-Side King. This will demonstrate the imperial family’s favor and regard for him."

"In these troubled times, it’s better to have one more ally than one more enemy. There’s no harm in it."

"Perhaps the Side-by-Side King has already grasped my intent," Yin Gongyu said with a chuckle.

"Ah, I see! Your Majesty’s foresight is truly unmatched."

"With Your Majesty making the bid, surely no one else would dare challenge it."

Though Yin Gongyu knew this to be true, he still feigned humility. "This is an auction. Anyone may bid. I will not abuse my status to act unjustly."

"Your Majesty’s benevolence is truly—"

"Two hundred thousand… top-grade spirit stones!"

Before the attendant could finish, another bid rang out from outside—this time, an astonishing two hundred thousand top-grade spirit stones!

This instantly tripled the previous bid, far exceeding the Seven Aroma Blazing Fruit’s actual value.

More importantly—who in the world had the nerve to defy Yin Gongyu’s authority?

Everyone’s curiosity was instantly piqued. All eyes turned toward the booth where the bid had originated.

"Who is seated in that booth?"

"I… I don’t know. Do any of you?"

"Not a clue. Wasn’t it empty earlier?"

"Judging by everyone’s reactions, it seems no one knows who’s inside."

"Could it be… someone not from the Fengtian Imperial Dynasty? That would explain such audacity."

"Possible. Perhaps a traveler who heard of the auction and came."

"Even so, this is the imperial capital of Fengtian. Doesn’t he fear the imperial family’s retaliation?"

"Maybe he has the strength to back it up."

"Strength? Don’t be ridiculous. Does he think he’s Chen Chang'an? Does he really believe anyone can act with impunity in Fengtian?"

"Shh! Are you trying to get yourself killed? Mentioning Chen Chang'an in such a setting?"

"My mistake, my mistake! Hopefully, no one heard…"

No one knew who occupied that mysterious booth. Meanwhile, Yin Gongyu’s expression darkened.

The bid of two hundred thousand top-grade spirit stones had caught him completely off guard. While he could afford it, he would never spend so extravagantly—not only because the Seven Aroma Blazing Fruit wasn’t worth it, but also because such a lavish display of favor toward the Side-by-Side King was unnecessary.

"Did you take note of who is in that booth?" Yin Gongyu asked coldly.

"Your Majesty, I… I don’t know."

"What? You don’t know? Didn’t I instruct you earlier to confirm the seating arrangements of all attendees?"

Upon his arrival, Yin Gongyu had ordered his attendant to carefully note the locations of all guests and which booths they occupied.

Yet now, the attendant claimed ignorance?

Thud!

The attendant dropped to his knees in terror, pleading, "Your Majesty, spare me! I—I truly wasn’t negligent! I made sure no one else entered before I returned."

"When I left, that booth was empty. I don’t know how—"

"Enough. Perhaps they arrived late."

"Whoever it is, they are certainly not from the Fengtian Imperial Dynasty. Otherwise, they would never dare act this way."

Yin Gongyu was confident of this much. Only an outsider would have the audacity to slight him so openly.

But after all, this was the Gu family's auction house, so he didn’t dare to act rashly now and could only suppress his anger for the time being.

"Two hundred thousand top-grade spirit stones. Are there any higher bids?"

"None at all?"

"Two hundred thousand top-grade spirit stones, going once."

"Two hundred thousand top-grade spirit stones, going twice."

"Two hundred thousand top-grade spirit stones, going three times."

"Sold!"

In the private booth, Gu Fengyao glanced at Chen Chang'an with surprise. Clearly, she hadn’t expected him to spend such a fortune on a mere maid.

After all, these were top-grade spirit stones. Could this be the reason Gu Xian'er was so devoted to Chen Chang'an?

"You’re not staying with him just because he’s generous, are you?"

"Two hundred thousand top-grade spirit stones, spent without a second thought?"

"I have to admit, his lavishness does make him look rather dashing."

"But I still believe your worth is far greater. You mustn’t let his extravagance cloud your judgment."

Gu Fengyao seized every opportunity to advise Gu Xian'er earnestly. Yet, at this moment, Gu Xian'er didn’t hear a single word she said.

Her eyes were fixed on Chen Chang'an, brimming with emotion. She never imagined her young master would spend so much for her sake.

Such kindness was something she could never repay in this lifetime!

"Damn it!"

"She’s moved!"

Seeing the look in Gu Xian'er’s eyes after her lecture, Gu Fengyao felt utterly defeated. It was obvious—this girl had feelings for Chen Chang'an.

Gu Fengyao couldn’t understand it. What was so great about Chen Chang'an anyway?

Aside from being handsome and having an abundance of spirit stones, what else did he have? For cultivators, such things should be trivial!

"What a scoundrel, deceiving naive young girls!"

"Ugh!"

Chen Chang'an ignored Gu Fengyao’s sarcastic remarks and instead asked, "Is the next item the final lot?"

"Don’t know. Don’t ask me."

"Xian'er, tell me—yes, it is."

Chen Chang'an: "..."

Gu Xian'er: "..."