The morning sun had only just begun to spread its gentle golden light across the bustling streets of the city as Xiao Feng walked alongside Xun'er, Xiao Yu, and Xiao Yi Xian. The air was fresh, carrying the faint scent of morning dew mixed with the aroma of food stalls slowly opening for the day. At first glance, everything seemed calm and peaceful, almost like any ordinary outing.
But Xiao Feng knew better.
Because walking beside him… were three girls.
And not just any girls.
The moment they stepped into the main market street, the entire atmosphere shifted dramatically.
Vendors loudly advertised their goods, calling out to passing customers with exaggerated enthusiasm. Silk fabrics of every imaginable color fluttered in the air like flowing waves, reflecting sunlight in dazzling patterns. Jewelry shops displayed shining ornaments that glimmered like stars, catching the attention of anyone who passed by. The streets were filled with people, creating a lively and almost overwhelming environment.
Before Xiao Feng could even properly take in his surroundings—
He was instantly surrounded.
"Brother Xiao Feng, come quickly and look at this dress!"
"Xiao Feng, don't stand there, come here and help me choose!"
"Can you tell me which one looks better on me?"
Three different voices.
Calling him in three completely different directions.
For a brief moment, Xiao Feng stood frozen in place, his mind unable to process the sudden chaos.
Then he let out a long, quiet sigh.
This… is definitely going to be exhausting.
The First Shop – Clothes
The four of them entered a large and beautifully decorated clothing shop filled with countless rows of silk garments, robes, and dresses. Every piece of clothing seemed carefully crafted, with intricate embroidery and elegant designs that reflected both beauty and status.
Xun'er gracefully walked toward a section filled with elegant green dresses, her movements calm and refined, as if she already had a clear idea of what she wanted.
Xiao Yu, on the other hand, confidently strode toward bold and striking red outfits, her posture full of energy and pride.
Xiao Yi Xian quietly moved toward a corner filled with white and light-colored robes, her expression gentle as she examined each piece carefully.
And Xiao Feng—
Was immediately dragged to a central seat.
"Sit here and don't move," Xiao Yu said firmly.
"You're responsible for judging," Xun'er added with a calm but decisive tone.
Xiao Yi Xian simply smiled softly, her expression saying everything without needing words.
A few moments later—
The "show" began.
Xun'er was the first to step out.
She wore a light green dress that flowed around her like gentle mist, perfectly complementing her graceful and noble aura. The fabric moved elegantly with every step she took, making her look almost like a fairy descending from the heavens.
She turned slightly, her eyes landing on Xiao Feng.
"Brother Xiao Feng… how is it?"
Xiao Feng paused for a moment, carefully observing her.
"…It suits you perfectly," he replied sincerely.
Next came Xiao Yu.
She stepped out wearing a red dress that highlighted her confident figure and long, slender legs. Her posture was bold, her expression slightly challenging, as if daring him to say something wrong.
"Well?" she asked, crossing her arms.
Xiao Feng hesitated for a brief second before answering.
"…It looks dangerous."
Xiao Yu's face immediately turned red.
"W-What does that even mean?!" she demanded.
"It means," Xiao Feng said calmly, "anyone who looks at you for too long might get into trouble."
Xiao Yu turned her head away, clearly flustered, though she didn't argue further.
Finally—
Xiao Yi Xian stepped out.
She wore a simple white dress that didn't rely on extravagant design, yet its elegance was undeniable. Her gentle temperament blended perfectly with the soft colors, making her appear calm, pure, and almost untouchable.
She didn't speak.
She simply looked at Xiao Feng quietly.
This time—
Xiao Feng took a little longer before responding.
"…Beautiful."
For a brief moment, silence filled the room.
Then—
All three girls smiled.
And that… was only the beginning.
Endless Outfit Trials
"Try this one instead!"
"No, this color doesn't match, try another!"
"This design is better!"
"Xiao Feng, pay attention!"
"Don't just say everything looks good!"
One outfit turned into ten.
Ten turned into twenty.
Twenty turned into… far too many.
At some point, Xiao Feng stopped keeping track.
He leaned back in his chair, his body slowly losing strength as the hours passed. His eyes grew slightly unfocused, and his mind began to drift as he tried to keep up with the endless stream of questions and opinions.
Yet—
Every time they stepped out wearing a new outfit—
He still looked carefully.
Still gave thoughtful answers.
Still responded honestly.
Because despite the exhaustion…
He felt something warm in his heart.
The sight of their smiles.
Their laughter.
The way Xiao Yu argued passionately over small details.
The way Xun'er calmly analyzed every option before making a decision.
The way Xiao Yi Xian quietly observed and occasionally surprised them all with her choices.
It made everything… worth it.
Xiao Feng's Turn
"Alright," Xiao Yu suddenly declared, "now it's your turn."
"No," Xiao Feng replied instantly without hesitation.
"Yes," all three of them answered in perfect unison.
Before he could react—
They dragged him toward another section.
"This one will look good on you!"
"Try something more refined!"
"No, this color suits him better!"
Soon—
Xiao Feng found himself standing inside a fitting room, holding more clothes than he had ever worn in his entire life.
When he finally stepped out—
The room fell silent.
He wore a dark robe that fit him perfectly, simple yet elegant, highlighting his calm and steady temperament.
Xun'er nodded approvingly.
"This suits you very well."
Xiao Yi Xian smiled gently.
"You look very handsome."
Xiao Yu crossed her arms and looked away.
"…Not bad."
And just like that—
More outfits followed.
Jewelry Shopping
Just when Xiao Feng thought the worst was over—
It wasn't.
"Let's go look at jewelry."
At that moment, Xiao Feng felt as if his soul was about to leave his body.
Inside the jewelry shop, countless ornaments glittered under the light—golden accessories, jade pendants, and delicate designs that reflected incredible craftsmanship.
"This one looks nice."
"No, this one matches better!"
"Xiao Feng, which one do you think is better?"
Once again—
He became the judge.
At one point—
All three girls held different items and looked at him expectantly.
He stared at them for a moment.
Then sighed deeply.
"…Buy all of them."
There was a moment of silence.
Then—
Laughter filled the room.
Restaurant Break
Finally—
After an entire day of shopping—
They entered a restaurant.
Xiao Feng sat down heavily, as if he had just survived an intense battle.
The food was served quickly.
Hot dishes released a rich aroma into the air, freshly cooked meat glistened with flavor, and warm rice steamed gently on the table.
For the first time that day—
Everything felt peaceful.
Xiao Yu leaned back in her chair.
"That was really fun."
Xun'er nodded calmly.
"Yes, it was."
Xiao Yi Xian smiled softly.
"It was a very enjoyable day."
Xiao Feng looked at them quietly.
Then closed his eyes for a moment.
"…It was exhausting," he said honestly.
They laughed.
But then—
He smiled.
A genuine and relaxed smile.
"…But it was worth it."
The three girls paused slightly.
Then smiled even more brightly.
As the sun slowly set outside, painting the sky in shades of gold and orange—
They continued talking, eating, and enjoying the moment together.
And for Xiao Feng—
Even though his body was completely exhausted—
His heart had never felt so light.
Because sometimes—
It wasn't about strength.
Or cultivation.
Or power.
Sometimes—
It was simply about moments like this.
Warm,Simple And unforgettable.
After spending an entire day wandering through crowded streets, trying on countless outfits, arguing over colors, laughing over small things, and finally enjoying a warm and satisfying meal together, Xiao Feng felt both physically exhausted and mentally relieved.
Yet—
There was still one more thing he needed to do.
As they stepped out of the restaurant, the evening breeze gently brushed past them, carrying away the lingering warmth of the day.
Xiao Feng looked at the three girls beside him and spoke in a calm tone,
"I still have something important to take care of. I need to go to the Mittel Auction House to purchase a few things."
He paused slightly before adding,
"If you're tired, you can head back first… or you can come along if you're interested."
The three girls exchanged glances for a brief moment.
Then—
Almost instantly—
They nodded.
"We'll come with you."
"I also want to see what an auction house looks like."
"It should be interesting." Xiao Yi Xian said
Seeing their agreement, Xiao Feng gave a faint smile.
"Alright, then let's go together."
Arrival at Mittel Auction House
As the sky gradually darkened and lanterns began to light up the streets, the four of them arrived at the grand entrance of the Mittel Auction House.
The building stood tall and imposing, its structure elegant and luxurious, with intricate carvings and golden accents that reflected its high status. Guards stood at the entrance, and well-dressed individuals moved in and out, creating an atmosphere of wealth and influence.
The moment Xiao Feng stepped inside—
An attendant who had been observing the entrance immediately noticed him.
There was a brief flicker of recognition in the attendant's eyes.
Without hesitation, the attendant quietly excused himself and hurried deeper into the building.
Ya Fei's Reaction
Inside a private chamber, Ya Fei was busy reviewing documents and overseeing ongoing auction arrangements.
Suddenly—
The attendant rushed in and spoke in a low but urgent tone,
"Miss Ya Fei… Xiao Feng has arrived."
For a moment—
Everything stopped.
Ya Fei's hand paused mid-motion.
Her eyes widened slightly.
Then—
Without a second thought, she set aside everything she was doing.
"Prepare the VIP room immediately," she said, already standing up.
Her movements were swift and decisive as she made her way toward the entrance.
The Meeting
When Ya Fei arrived—
Her gaze immediately landed on Xiao Feng.
A charming smile naturally appeared on her face as she stepped forward gracefully.
"Master Xiao Feng, it has been a while," she greeted warmly.
But then—
Her eyes shifted.
And she froze for a brief moment.
Standing beside him—
Were three exceptionally beautiful girls, each with their own unique charm.
Xun'er's elegant and refined aura.
Xiao Yu's confident and fiery presence.
Xiao Yi Xian's gentle and serene temperament.
For a split second—
Even Ya Fei was visibly surprised.
But being who she was, she quickly recovered, her expression returning to its usual composed and charming demeanor.
"It seems you didn't come alone today," she said with a soft smile.
She then gracefully greeted each of them before gesturing politely,
"Please, follow me. I've prepared a VIP room where we can talk comfortably."
Inside the VIP Room
The VIP room was spacious and luxuriously decorated, with soft lighting, elegant furniture, and a calm atmosphere that isolated it from the noise of the auction hall.
Xiao Feng took his seat calmly.
The three girls sat beside him.
Ya Fei personally stepped forward and began pouring tea.
Instead of letting servants handle it—
She dismissed them all.
"I'll take care of it myself," she said lightly.
Her movements were smooth and graceful as she poured tea for each of them, her demeanor both professional and subtly charming.
The three girls couldn't help but observe her closely.
Ya Fei's figure was elegant and well-proportioned, her presence naturally drawing attention without any effort. Her confidence, maturity, and composure gave her a completely different charm compared to them.
For a brief moment—
Xiao Yu glanced at Xun'er.
Xun'er glanced at Xiao Yi Xian.
An unspoken comparison silently passed between them.
Then—
Almost simultaneously—
They looked away.
Xiao Feng, however, seemed completely unaware of the subtle tension in the room.
He picked up his cup of tea calmly and took a sip before placing it down.
"I came here today to look for a few specific items," he said directly.
Ya Fei sat down opposite him, resting her chin lightly on her hand as she looked at him with interest.
"Oh?" she said softly.
"And what exactly does Xiao Feng need this time?"
Her tone carried curiosity—
But also confidence.
Because she knew—
If Xiao Feng came personally—
Then whatever he wanted…
Would not be something ordinary.
Xiao Feng gently placed his teacup down, his expression turning slightly serious as he leaned back into his seat. The relaxed atmosphere in the VIP room subtly shifted, as if everyone present could sense that what he was about to say carried weight.
He looked toward Ya Fei and spoke calmly,
"I need a large quantity of poisonous plants and herbs… the rarer, the better. Along with that, I require attribute-based magical beast cores—preferably those with poison affinity."
He paused briefly, then continued in an even steadier tone,
"And… I also need a beast fire, at least Tier 4. If possible, one that carries poison or corrosive attributes. The stronger, the better. I need it as soon as possible."
The moment those words left his mouth—
The room grew noticeably quieter.
Ya Fei's expression didn't change much, but her eyes flickered with a hint of surprise.
Beside Xiao Feng—
Xiao Yi Xian's fingers tightened slightly around her teacup.
For a brief moment—
Her calm expression wavered.
Poison herbs… poison cores… even beast fire…
She understood.
Or at least… she thought she did.
He's doing this… for me.
Her heart stirred slightly.
But then—
A trace of confusion surfaced.
But why… beast fire?
Poison-based cultivation and constitution enhancement did not necessarily require flame—
She lowered her gaze slightly.
Remaining silent.
Because she trusted him.
Xiao Feng, unaware of her inner thoughts, continued speaking.
"I also need these."
He took out a neatly folded piece of paper and placed it on the table.
Ya Fei reached out and accepted it, unfolding it with care.
As her eyes scanned through the list—
Her brows lifted slightly.
"A… 5th-grade Body Strengthening Pill?"
She looked up at him, a faint smile forming on her lips.
"It seems Xiao Feng is aiming quite high."
Xiao Feng gave a small, calm nod.
"I want to test it," he said honestly.
"See how effective it is."
His tone was casual—
But his words carried confidence.
Currently, he was at the peak of a 4th-grade alchemist.
Under normal circumstances, refining a 5th-grade pill would be extremely difficult, with a very low success rate.
Previously—
He could only succeed perhaps once out of five attempts, wasting large amounts of valuable medicinal ingredients.
But now—
Things were different.
He had obtained a strange flame.
And more importantly—
A soul cultivation technique.
Both of these dramatically enhanced an alchemist's control, perception, and precision.
Now—
He had confidence.
"This time… it will be different," he added quietly.
Ya Fei observed him for a moment.
Then smiled.
A knowing smile.
Without saying anything more, she folded the list carefully and stood up.
"I'll arrange everything immediately."
She clapped her hands lightly.
A moment later, a trusted subordinate entered the room.
"Take this list," Ya Fei instructed, handing over the paper.
"Check our current stock. If anything is unavailable, contact the head office and arrange immediate transfer. Priority handling."
"Yes, Miss Ya Fei."
The subordinate bowed and quickly left.
Ya Fei then turned back to Xiao Feng.
"Anything else?"
Xiao Feng nodded slightly, as if he had just remembered something.
"Yes. I also need essence blood from magical beasts."
He spoke calmly,
"Preferably from beasts with strong physical defense. Any rank between 4th to 6th will do."
This time—
Even Ya Fei couldn't completely hide her surprise.
"Essence blood… body refinement… high-grade pills… and beast fire…"
She let out a soft laugh.
"It seems you're preparing for something quite… intense."
Xiao Feng didn't deny it.
He simply smiled faintly.
After that—
The atmosphere gradually relaxed.
Ya Fei resumed her seat, personally pouring fresh tea for everyone once again.
Without servants around, the environment became more private and natural.
Xiao Feng then began introducing everyone, his tone calm yet carrying a subtle firmness that naturally drew everyone's attention.
"This is Xun'er," he said, his voice softening slightly as he glanced at her.
"She is my younger sister."
Xun'er smiled gently and nodded toward Ya Fei, her movements elegant and composed as always.
Then—
Xiao Feng's gaze shifted.
"This is Xiao Yu… and this is Xiao Yi Xian."
He paused for just a brief moment, as if choosing his words carefully, before continuing in a steady voice,
"They are… my official fiancées."
The moment those words were spoken—
The atmosphere in the room changed.
Xiao Yu was the first to react.
Her face flushed slightly, a rare hint of shyness appearing on her usually bold and confident expression. She tried to maintain her composure, lifting her chin slightly, but the faint happiness in her eyes could not be hidden.
Xiao Yi Xian lowered her gaze gently, her lips curving into a soft smile. A quiet warmth spread through her heart, and although she didn't say anything, her expression clearly revealed her joy.
Both of them—
Did not deny it.
In fact—
They were happy.
Because this acknowledgment… meant something.
It wasn't casual.
It wasn't ambiguous.
It was clear.
Then—
Their thoughts subtly shifted.
Ya Fei…
The two girls couldn't help but glance at her.
Not with hostility—
But with a quiet understanding.
Someone like Ya Fei…
Her charm, her maturity, her presence—
It was almost certain.
She might become one of us… someday.
Surprisingly—
Neither of them felt resistance.
Instead—
There was a faint acceptance.
Even curiosity.
Meanwhile—
Ya Fei stood there.
Still.
For a brief moment—
Her usual composed and charming expression faltered.
Fiancées…?
The word echoed softly in her mind.
Her gaze unconsciously shifted toward Xiao Feng.
Then toward Xiao Yu and Xiao Yi Xian.
A subtle, unfamiliar feeling stirred within her chest.
Jealousy.
It was faint.
Controlled.
Almost imperceptible.
But it was there.
However—
Ya Fei was still Ya Fei.
In just a moment, she regained her composure, her lips curling into a graceful and charming smile as if nothing had happened.
"I see…" she said softly.
"What a lovely group."
Her tone was smooth.
Her expression flawless.
But deep inside—
A small ripple had already formed.
Xiao Yu crossed her arms lightly, her confidence returning, though the slight blush still lingered on her face.
Xun'er nodded politely, maintaining her elegant demeanor, as if everything was completely natural.
Xiao Yi Xian smiled gently, her earlier thoughts now hidden beneath her calm and serene expression.
The conversation gradually shifted to lighter topics.
Ya Fei spoke elegantly, her words smooth, refined, and engaging, effortlessly guiding the flow of conversation.
Xiao Yu occasionally responded with bold and straightforward remarks, bringing a lively energy into the room.
Xun'er maintained a composed and intelligent presence, adding thoughtful responses at the right moments.
Xiao Yi Xian quietly listened most of the time, occasionally speaking in a soft voice that carried surprising insight.