Despite his words, Xiao Zhan dared not show the slightest neglect. He cupped his hands in a gesture of respect toward Medusa before turning to converse with Zhou Changqing.
After a bit of idle chat, the three elders led some servants in, presenting Zhou Changqing and his companion with fruits and tea. The elders themselves remained to keep them company. They were in the presence of two Dou Kings, after all. Even if one of them had a good relationship with the Xiao clan, they couldn't afford to be disrespectful.
Xiao Zhan was perceptive enough not to inquire about the source of Zhou Changqing's newfound strength, sticking to casual conversation instead. Zhou Changqing, in turn, updated him on Xiao Yan's current situation, setting his mind at ease.
Soon after, the Xiao clan, having made all the necessary preparations, held a grand banquet in honor of their two guests.
With the guests in high spirits, Zhou Changqing brought up the matter of the Jia Lie clan and the other families, as well as the scattered factions that had participated in the attempt on his life years ago.
"Uncle Xiao, although I have some power now, I can't be everywhere at once. I'll need the Xiao clan's help to deal with the survivors from those families and the other minor powers."
"Rest assured, my boy. This is a task the Xiao clan would gladly undertake. We will handle it perfectly."
"Then I must thank you, Uncle Xiao."
"Hahaha, no, it is I who should be thanking you! You've eliminated several of the Xiao clan's greatest threats the moment you returned. Come, come, let this uncle toast you."
At the earnest invitation of Xiao Zhan and the others, Zhou Changqing and Medusa stayed in the Xiao residence for one night.
The next day, the two of them headed directly for the Miteer Auction House.
There, Zhou Changqing did not find Ya Fei, only Gu Ni. From him, he learned that Ya Fei had returned to the imperial capital several months prior. With that, he departed.
He returned to the small courtyard he once called home. After tidying the place and taking a moment to remember his adoptive parents, he did not linger. He and Medusa transformed into two streaks of light, soaring across the skies above Wu Tan City.
On the second floor of the Miteer Auction House, inside a certain room, Gu Ni watched the two vanishing rays of light from his window. A wistful expression crossed his aged face as he murmured to himself.
"Young Miss, oh, Young Miss, your judgment truly puts this old man to shame. Who could have imagined that the young boy from back then would one day become a peak expert in the Jia Ma Empire?"
"If you had agreed to my suggestion back then, the Miteer clan might have another Dou King among its ranks today..."
"But this young master Changqing is not an ungrateful person. I imagine your life in the capital will be much easier if you meet him there."
"It's just that... that female Dou King of unknown origin by his side...唉... I can only hope you still have a chance, Young Miss..."
After Zhou Changqing's departure, the Xiao clan moved with lightning speed. The three elders personally led large groups of clansmen toward different parts of the city. Following the list of names they had compiled, they sought out every individual who had helped in the ambush against Zhou Changqing, settling each debt one by one.
Meanwhile, Xiao Zhan led his own men to search the city for any person or power connected to the Jia Lie clan and the others, leaving no stone unturned. To eliminate them root and stem, the Xiao clan dispatched numerous members to track down those who had fled Wu Tan City and to seize their assets in other locations.
Such a massive operation naturally drew the attention of the other powers in the city. After learning the full story, their leaders all came to the same conclusion.
The Xiao clan was about to become the sole ruler of Wu Tan City!
To show their loyalty and curry favor, the various small and mid-sized powers all arrived at the Xiao residence bearing gifts, hoping to secure their own future and ensure they wouldn't be squeezed out of existence.
The distance from Wu Tan City to the Jia Ma Holy City was not particularly great.
After just one day of travel, Zhou Changqing and Medusa, high in the sky, could see a vast and magnificent city sprawling beneath the clouds. To the north of the city stood a massive mountain range, looming like a colossal beast crouching on the horizon, from which a faint pillar of spiritual light seemed to pierce the heavens.
The Jia Ma capital was nothing like Wu Tan City. To avoid causing a commotion and attracting the attention of powerful experts who might misinterpret their arrival as a provocation, Zhou Changqing and his companion did not fly directly into the city. Instead, they chose a nearby mountain peak to land on before proceeding on foot.
Medusa had no desire to attract the notice of the old masters within the city either, so she had no objections.
Zhou Changqing's gaze swept over the travelers on the main road and the tall, thick city walls, a sense of awe growing within him.
Truly worthy of a nation's capital. The scale of its architecture and the sheer volume of people were the greatest he had ever witnessed, surpassing even the holy city of the Snake-People.
After passing through a gate tunnel that felt like a cavern, they were greeted by a scene of vibrant activity. The streets teemed with carriages and people, flanked by rows of shops selling goods almost exclusively related to cultivation. It was clear that ordinary mortals were a rarity in Jia Ma Holy City; even the merchants and servants likely possessed the strength of a Dou Zhe.
After asking a passerby for directions, Zhou Changqing led Medusa toward their destination.
Half an hour and several streets later, they finally arrived.
Before them stood an enormous complex of buildings, covering an area equivalent to dozens of football fields and divided into many structures. The perimeter was enclosed by a massive, donut-shaped building. Standing before this ring-like edifice, people seemed as small as ants, their comings and goings resembling an ant colony entering and leaving its nest.
The headquarters was truly in a league of its own, incomparable to the branch auction houses in the countryside. Such a luxurious, resplendent, and magnificent structure was the only thing worthy of the Miteer clan's reputation as the wealthiest in the empire.
Using their Dou Qi to create a path through the dense crowd, they finally stepped through the massive gates of the outer building.
Unlike the exterior, the interior was incredibly spacious, with no sense of crowding. Soft light cascaded from the ceiling, revealing a grand hall that felt as vast and dreamlike as a city carved from crystal.
A quick scan of the hall revealed guards maintaining order and attendants serving guests everywhere. Countless crystal display counters were arranged throughout the space, with customers browsing for their desired items. Everything in the counters was clearly priced, and nothing sold for less than thirty thousand gold coins. Even so, many people were making purchases. The terrifying revenue of the Miteer headquarters and the wealth of the Holy City's inhabitants were on full display.
Having studied the Miteer clan, Zhou Changqing knew this was merely the outer sales hall of the headquarters. Above it were four different tiers of auction halls: Heaven, Earth, Mystic, and Yellow.
Naturally, Zhou Changqing had no interest in the items for sale in this outer hall. He was about to lead Medusa toward one of the higher-level auction areas when a pretty attendant, dressed in a fetching yet respectable uniform, noticed them.
As an attendant specially trained by the Miteer clan, she possessed a keen eye. The young man was extraordinarily handsome with a transcendent air about him, clearly a person of high status—either wealthy or noble. The woman beside him, though her full face was not visible, possessed striking eyes, a graceful and voluptuous figure, and a cold, noble aura. It was obvious her status was equal to, if not greater than, the young man's; she was certainly not his subordinate.
All of this told her that they were guests of the highest importance.
A warm smile gracing her lips, the attendant walked gracefully toward them. She offered a slight bow and said with a smile, "Welcome to the Miteer Auction House. How may I be of service to you, esteemed guests? I can provide you with an introduction."
Seeing an attendant proactively approach them, Zhou Changqing nodded. "I do have some needs. There is nothing here that I want. Could you take us to a higher-level auction hall?"
"Of course. This way, please," the attendant replied, her eyes brightening and her smile widening as she bowed and gestured for them to follow.
Following the attendant, the pair soon left the crystal hall and ventured deeper into the complex.
Along the way, Zhou Changqing spoke up.
"Excuse me, do you know of a Ya Fei?"
"Sir, are you referring to the acting supervising elder, Miss Ya Fei?"
"If there isn't a second person named Ya Fei in the auction house, then that must be her."
"You know Miss Ya Fei?"
"Yes, we're good friends. I came here not only to buy a few things but also to see Sister Ya Fei. Could you please inform her for me?"
"Of course, esteemed guest. Since you are a friend of Miss Ya Fei, it's no trouble at all. Please follow me. I will notify her shortly."
Upon learning that the young man before her knew a supervising elder, the attendant's expression grew even more respectful. She immediately led the two of them to a reception room.
A short while later, a tall, voluptuous, and enchanting beauty in a black dress embroidered with gold patterns burst through the door, led by the attendant.
The moment she entered the room, her gaze locked onto Zhou Changqing. Seeing that familiar, handsome face she had longed for, the woman froze in place. A moment later, a bewitching and radiant smile blossomed on her lips.
"Little Changqing, it's been a long time."
"Sister Ya Fei, it has been a long time," Zhou Changqing replied, a gentle smile gracing his own features as a hint of nostalgia flickered in his eyes.