"Thanks for your help, Your Highness."
Yin Xuan stood up, palms pressed together, offering a proper thanks. Well, at least he saved a bit of cash. Honestly, the guy's got high emotional intelligence—just way too proud for his own good.
Dugu Yan, though, was a different story. She actually cares about him. She's a good person.
Xue Qinghe waved off the thanks—settled back into his seat, smiled, and said, "No need, you'll be picking up the tab later anyway."
To him, this was barely a favor. The gesture cost him nothing, so why not collect some goodwill on the side?
Next up, the auction rolled on. For Yin Xuan and Dugu Yan, most lots were just ordinary stuff—nothing special. A few rare herbs caught some attention (snow lotus, ginseng), going for hundreds of thousands of gold soul coins. Even then, nothing compared to the medicine from the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.
After a while, the "top-tier" auction wrapped up. No need for them to fetch their stuff—the auction staff delivered it right to them. Yin Xuan paid up, handed the precious dress to Dugu Yan, stuffed it in her bag.
Xue Qinghe rose, still smiling. "Yin Xuan, Dugu Yan, I have to meet some friends. Enjoy yourselves."
Yin Xuan didn't hesitate—led Dugu Yan out. He figured Xue Qinghe's mysterious friend was the second VIP from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. Xue Qinghe called him "teacher." That could only mean Ning Fengzhi, the sect leader. Plus, tiny Ning Rongrong was there.
After Yin Xuan and Dugu Yan left, Xue Qinghe also got up, heading for the second private suite.
Truth is, dealing with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School isn't ideal. They've got more money than some nations, treasures everywhere. Even the Heavenly Dou Kingdom's best stuff went to them as rewards. There's almost nothing left in the kingdom's treasury—except for one item. Ning Fengzhi had requested it repeatedly, but Emperor Xueye always politely refused. Xue Qinghe didn't even know about this.
Yin Xuan never cared about the "treasures" of the Glazed Tile School anyway.
"Qinghe, where are those two kids you brought?" Ning Fengzhi walked over, a friendly smile on his face. Not seeing Yin Xuan and Dugu Yan, he asked.
"They're students from Heaven Dou Royal Academy," Xue Qinghe replied smoothly. "I bumped into them and brought them along, but now that the auction's over, they're heading back."
He kept things vague; Ning Fengzhi didn't push for more details.
Xue Qinghe played the gracious host well—it worked for him. If it had been Xue Qinghe's real family, none of this would be possible. Still, nothing unusual for him.
"But Brother Qinghe, that's not fair!" Ning Rongrong suddenly became dramatic, hands on her hips. "Where's that dress? Hand it over!"
Xue Qinghe only laughed. "I didn't buy it—someone else did. But I'll have someone tailor one for you. Something even better. Deal?"
She sniffed, "Alright. I'll forgive you, just this once."
Hearing that, both Xue Qinghe and Ning Fengzhi chuckled.
***
The next evening, at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, behind the mountain, students avoided the official battlegrounds. Instead, you'd find them fighting in the forest, away from prying eyes. The school never bothered stopping them.
The soul master fights made the place messy—ground torn up everywhere.
Yu Tianheng waited in the center, arms folded, the moon glowing down.
Yin Xuan showed up without a sound, calm as ever. "Sorry to keep you waiting. Thanks for the 100,000 gold soul coins. I'm here to pay back the favor."
Yu Tianheng nearly jumped out of his skin—how did Yin Xuan sneak up like that? Took him a second to compose himself. "You—how are you so quiet?"
Yin Xuan wasn't about to explain any tricks. "It's late. Let's get this over with."
From his palm, the Dark Blue Silver Emperor flared out. Three purple soul rings glowed. At this point, he saw no reason to hide anything. If he was out in public, sure, he'd disguise the color. But not here.
Yu Tianheng stared, shocked by the three rings.
"If you're gonna ask about my spirit rings or power level, don't bother," Yin Xuan said, deadpan. "Let's start."
Blue silver grasses everywhere responded—swaying, pulsing, ready to lend him energy.
Yu Tianheng steeled himself. Lightning flickered. His Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex Martial Soul woke up—possessed him, made him taller, more fierce. Three rings appeared: two yellow, one purple.
He grinned, showing off. "My Martial Soul: Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex. Level 31 Power Attack, Three-Ring Battle Soul Master. Let's see what you've got!"
Yin Xuan coolly responded, "Mine's Shadow Demon Grass. Level 32 offensive type, three-ring battle soul master. I'm ready."
Yu Tianheng looked surprised. The info he'd heard didn't match this, but now wasn't the time to argue.
He smirked, confident in his martial soul. "Level 32, huh? That's just right. If you lose, you can't complain. Plant-type soul? I'll let you take the first shot!"
Yin Xuan said nothing, just activated his second and third soul skills.
For a second, the ground trembled.
Dark golden vines exploded from the earth—sharp at the ends, every vine like a spear. Their vitality was boosted thanks to the Black Jade Divine Bamboo. Right now, their hardness rivaled any top-tier weapon soul. That was the Black Jade Divine Bamboo working.
He didn't aim to injure Yu Tianheng; just trap him.
The vines shot through every weak spot—armpits, neck, groin. In a flash, Yin Xuan had him suspended, bound tightly.
Yu Tianheng was left hanging, stunned. Everything happened so fast, he never got a chance to react. Only clue he had was the spirit ring flashing—then suddenly, he was caught.
"You lost," Yin Xuan said. "Don't challenge me again. This was a one-time thing."
And Yin Xuan walked away.