Jun Lin Inn, Lan An's Room
"Young Master, are you in?" Knock knock.
No sooner had Lan An and Bai Su Mei emerged from the Spirit Blossom Orb than Chen Jiang's urgent voice and knocking echoed from outside.
Grinning, Lan An clasped Bai Su Mei's delicate hand and opened the door.
"Young—" Chen Jiang froze mid-word, his eyes bulging at the white-robed woman beside Lan An. His jaw dropped, stammering, "Fairy… a fairy descended! I've seen a fairy!"
He swore to the heavens he'd never beheld such beauty—no, beauty was too feeble a word. Bai Su Mei's ethereal nobility made him avert his gaze, fearing his unworthy stare might profane her.
"Hmph, call her Young Mistress!" Lan An growled, half-amused, kicking Chen Jiang's rear.
"This lowly one greets Young Mistress!" Chen Jiang blurted, still dazed. He'd never dreamed his Young Master would have such a divine companion, clearly his woman by Lan An's command.
"Heehee, your subordinate?" Bai Su Mei giggled, nestling happily into Lan An as he introduced her.
"Oh, right, Young Master! Two hours until the auction. Mistress Meng Ying awaits," Chen Jiang said, steadying himself to report.
"Mistress Meng Ying?" Lan An shot him a peculiar look. Calling him Young Master but Qin Meng Ying Mistress? That implied…
"She insisted I call her that," Chen Jiang explained awkwardly, baffled by the lofty Qin Meng Ying's request.
"Fine, let's go," Lan An nodded, dropping the matter.
Jun Lin Inn, Entrance
A captivating figure greeted them, her silhouette mesmerizing in a sleek purple palace gown that accentuated her flawless curves.
Hearing footsteps, Qin Meng Ying turned, her eyes flashing as they fixed on the white-robed woman. A thin veil masked her face, lending a dreamy allure.
"Who's this fairy? Xiao Nan, no introduction?" she asked as they approached, her tone tinged with something unusual.
Unfazed, Lan An smiled. "She's Bai Su Mei, one of my women."
Ignoring Qin Meng Ying's odd glance, he turned to Bai Su Mei. "Su Mei, this is my friend. Call her Sister Meng Ying."
Bai Su Mei nodded gently, tucking a strand of hair. "Su Mei greets Sister Meng Ying," she said softly.
With her Void Refinement perception, Qin Meng Ying instantly discerned Bai Su Mei's serpent beast origin and the master-servant bond with Lan An, marking him as her life's anchor. Smiling warmly, she took Bai Su Mei's hand. "Such a beautiful sister. That fool's lucky."
She'd meant to congratulate Lan An on refining the True Earth, sensing his progress, but Bai Su Mei's presence shifted her focus. Lan An rubbed his nose, sheepish, trailing the women, with Chen Jiang tailing them like a shadow.
Duo Bao Pavilion
Though not his first visit, Lan An marveled at the pavilion's extravagance. Today, it teemed with a thousandfold more activity, the skies alive with cultivators on flying artifacts and mounts, all drawn to the auction.
Every few breaths, a hundred-strong team in gleaming armor patrolled, quelling disputes and maintaining order, each at least Golden Core.
"That's the Golden Guard, Duo Bao Pavilion's elite force for major events," Qin Meng Ying explained.
Bai Su Mei, new to human bustle, gazed about with adorable curiosity. Qin Meng Ying had veiled her divine face to avoid trouble, but their perfect figures and unique auras still drew countless stares.
Their matching Immortal Lovers' Fate Robes, noble and ethereal, painted them as divine lovers, impossible to ignore. Lan An caught furtive glances from women, his Beast Arena fame lending him newfound renown.
"Greetings, honored guests. Please present your invitation. Each allows one companion," two beautiful attendants in qipao said at the entrance, their eyes flashing with envy at Bai Su Mei's robes but remaining courteous.
Lan An produced the golden card from Cheng Bi, Duo Bao Pavilion's stewardess. Qin Meng Ying casually presented a jet-black, glittering card.
At the sight of the black card, the attendants paled, bowing deeply. "Greetings, esteemed lord! Our apologies for the delay. You may bring any number of guests. The premier suite is ready."
"Enough, let's go!" Qin Meng Ying waved, ignoring Lan An's golden card, striding in.
Lan An's group followed, slightly awestruck, feeling rustic beside her poise.
The scene stunned nearby guests, sparking fervent whispers:
"Who's that purple-robed woman? Even the city lord doesn't get such treatment!"
"What's that black card? So different from our invitations!"
"Hmph, ignorant! That's a Black Star Card, Duo Bao Pavilion's supreme VIP pass."
"Right, only those of extraordinary status with major dealings get one."
"My master said fewer than a hundred hold such cards across Bing Tian Frost Continent. We're lucky to witness one!"
"Let's yield to her in the auction. We can't afford to offend such a figure."
Amid the buzz, a discordant voice cut through: "Hmph, what's so special? My clan's matriarch has one too."
Three figures approached, two elders and a youth, clad in fiery red, their Fire Spiritual Energy blazing.
"It's the Yan Clan!"
The crowd nodded, agreeing that Yan Yue Qi's status warranted a Black Star Card.
Yan Yang smirked, outwardly calm, entering with Yan Wei and a white-haired elder, Yan Feng, a Mid-Stage Spirit Transformation Yan Clan elder tasked with guarding the clan's prodigies.
Soon after, another trio arrived—two youths and an elder. The young man was strikingly handsome, the veiled woman's lively eyes and lithe figure drawing many gazes.
"Wonder if that brother's here?" Li Lin scanned eagerly, muttering. He'd heard a Nascent Soul cultivator targeting Lan An was crippled by Jun Lin Inn's mysterious powerhouse, cementing his resolve to cling to "Young Master Xiao Nan." A prodigy with such backing couldn't lack a mighty force.
"Hmph, why seek him? Let fate decide," Li Zhu Lan said, annoyed. Her cousin's recent aloofness and obsession with Lan An baffled her. Was he truly so smitten as to seek a bosom friend?
Yet she couldn't fathom her own heart, often recalling Lan An's fierce yet dashing Beast Arena performance. His victory earned her a fortune in spirit stones, and memories of his "valiant little brother" stirred her deeply.
Duo Bao Pavilion, Auction Hall
The auction occupied the pavilion's third floor, a vast space larger than a stadium, with countless seats spiraling neatly around a resplendent central stage. Near the stage, a dozen VIP suites offered unobstructed views.
"Esteemed guests, to your private suite," a suave attendant bowed, guiding them to Suite 4, reserved for Qin Meng Ying's Black Star Card.
Inside, the suite was lavish, with fragrant tea ready. Transparent walls allowed full view of the hall, while arrays blocked external prying.
Settling into plush seats, Qin Meng Ying nodded, asking, "How many Black Star Cards are present?"
"Including you, four esteemed guests," the attendant replied respectfully.
"Impressive turnout for 12,000 invitations," Lan An mused, admiring Duo Bao Pavilion's prestige.
"You may go," Qin Meng Ying dismissed.
"Yes, call if needed," the attendant bowed out.
"Three others, huh? Heaven-Grade items draw a crowd," Qin Meng Ying said. Her Jun Lin Inn, a Heaven-Grade architectural artifact, underscored her understanding of their allure.
"I'm not after Heaven-Grade items. I'll bid if something suits me," Lan An said, smiling. With his System, he didn't obsess over competition.
"Hmph, gifting me Thunder-Fire Mysterious Art like it's nothing? Your wealth must be vast," Qin Meng Ying teased.
"I've another gift for you," Lan An said mysteriously.
"What? Show me!" Her eyes sparkled, eager for anything he offered.
"Secret," he grinned roguishly, withholding it.
"Who cares then!" she huffed, feigning indifference.
Bai Su Mei watched their playful bickering, her eyes curving into crescents, her smile radiant.
Auction Hall, Rising Tensions
As they bantered, the hall's seats filled, with VIP suites gradually occupied, each entry sparking awe.
"He's not in a VIP suite, is he?" Li Lin frowned, scanning the crowd. His Golden Core perception couldn't pierce the suites' arrays.
"Maybe he's not here," Li Zhu Lan said, her mood dimming at the thought.
"No way. With his status, he'd never miss this," Li Lin countered.
"You know his status?" Li Zhu Lan asked, skeptical.
"A guess," Li Lin said calmly, earning her glare. Their elder's face twitched, unsure who these juniors obsessed over.
Nearby, Han Lie and Han Ming slumped, facing a hunched, green-haired crone.
"Fourth Elder, we were careless, losing those spirit stones," Han Lie admitted.
"Right, that freak fought beyond his realm like it was nothing. We couldn't predict it," Han Ming added.
Han You, Han Clan's Fourth Elder, an Early-Stage Spirit Transformation cultivator, seethed. The juniors' betting losses before the auction infuriated her. Only their prodigy status spared them her wrath.
Suppressing her fury, she rasped, "After the auction, I'll report to the Patriarch."
Han Lie and Han Ming exchanged grim looks. Failing to bid due to their losses spelled trouble.
Auction Stage
A captivating figure appeared on the stage, her crimson robes hugging her ample curves, long legs gliding, hair elegantly pinned, purple lips ripe, and phoenix eyes sultry.
The hall hushed, all eyes on her.
"It's her?" Lan An thought, recognizing Cheng Bi, the stewardess he'd dealt with before.
Cheng Bi's gaze swept the hall, lingering on Suite 4. She'd investigated Lan An, learning he'd shaken Ling Wu City soon after arriving, clashed with the young city lord, and was tied to that woman. Her curiosity burned.
Pushing aside her thoughts, she infused her voice with spiritual energy, her orchid-like tone ringing out: "Greetings, honored guests. Many know me as Duo Bao Pavilion's stewardess, but today, I hold another role."
Pausing, she giggled, her ample chest quivering, drawing gulps from many men. "I'm honored to host this grand auction. Please indulge me."
Instantly, two terrifying pressures swept the hall, paling most cultivators, their spiritual energy trembling. Gasps rose: "Two Void Refinement experts!"
Duo Bao Pavilion's show of force warned against trouble or greed-fueled theft.
Recognizing the intent, the crowd straightened, disciplined.
Satisfied, Cheng Bi smiled, declaring, "Duo Bao Pavilion's Grand Auction officially begins!"