"You've been performing exceptionally well recently. The Mittel Auction House is managed in an orderly fashion. From now on, you will officially take over the management of the Mittel Auction House, including Lei Ou's former position."
Upon hearing Miteer Tengshan's words, everyone in the hall turned their gazes toward Ya Fei with fervent admiration. No one voiced any objections—this was an announcement, not a negotiation.
"Understood! Many thanks, Great Elder."
Ya Fei ignored the envious looks directed at her, nodded slightly, and clenched her jade-like hands within her sleeves.
She knew that her appointment wasn't truly because of her excellent management, as the Great Elder claimed. It was mainly due to her relationship with Xiao Tian and the mysterious jade vial he had given earlier.
She understood that the jade vial wasn't compensation for Lei Ou's death, but rather payment to the Mitel Clan for her previous protection of Xiao Tian.
Although she didn't know exactly what was inside the jade vial, she had vaguely heard gasps of surprise from the elders. Anything that could astonish the Great Elder must be truly extraordinary.
"Recently, we have a distinguished guest staying with the family. You must not offend him under any circumstances, or you will be punished according to the family rules."
Miteer Tengshan swept his serious gaze across everyone in the hall.
"Yes, Great Elder!"
Seeing the Great Elder's solemn expression, everyone shivered inwardly and quickly nodded in agreement.
Afterward, Miteer Tengshan concluded the meeting, and Ya Fei went to take over her new duties.
Only Hai Bodong and Miteer Tengshan remained in the waiting room.
"Elder Hai, is that person really so formidable?" Miteer Tengshan asked with a slight frown. There was naturally a trace of imbalance in his heart after a member of his family had been killed.
"What? Still trying to save face?" Hai Bodong snorted. "That kind of parasite would only harm the entire family and eventually bring about its destruction. If Xiao Tian hadn't acted first, I would have killed him myself. A thousand-mile embankment can be destroyed by a single ant hole."
"You overthink everything and are always calculating, but in this world, strength reigns supreme. There is a Dou Zong standing behind Xiao Tian, but how can you be sure there is only one Dou Zong?"
"Xiao Tian is like a bottomless pit. On the surface, he appears to be merely a Dou Wang and a third-rank alchemist, but he is certainly far more than that. His hidden strength is enough to kill me as easily as slaughtering a chicken."
"You should seriously consider the suggestion I mentioned to you earlier. Now is the best time; it may not be so in the future."
After Hai Bodong finished speaking, he stood up and walked out of the room, leaving Miteer Tengshan sitting there alone, lost in deep thought.
…
Xiao Tian arrived at the foot of a towering mountain. A massive military camp was stationed there, and faint sounds of soldiers training could be heard drifting through the air.
"Heh, the Imperial Family is indeed very wary of the Cloud Mist Sect. Only elite legions are stationed here."
On the surface, they were guarding against the Cloud Mist Sect, but their true purpose was certainly more complicated. As for whether some people who had originally intended to join the Cloud Mist Sect had suddenly switched to the Imperial Family's army, that remained unknown.
Xiao Tian glanced at the camp briefly and quickly lost interest. His gaze shifted to the long bluestone steps that stretched upward like a stairway to heaven. These ancient stone steps, whose age was unknown, had witnessed countless ambitious youths and countless tragic endings. Above them, everything was shrouded in thick mist.
Xiao Tian stepped onto the stairs. Since it was not the enrollment season or any special occasion, there were only two or three people walking on the path.
He walked all the way to the end of the steps, where six Cloud Mist Sect disciples stood guard.
"It's not enrollment time. If you don't have an invitation, please stop here!"
A Cloud Mist Sect disciple who appeared to be the team leader stepped forward and spoke to Xiao Tian without any politeness.
"What about this?"
Xiao Tian directly took out a token.
The mountain-guarding disciple took the token with both hands and was instantly shocked. On the front of the token was an image of a cloud and a silver sword, while the back bore the words "Sect Master."
This was the Cloud Mist Sect's Sect Master token—seeing the token was equivalent to seeing the Sect Master himself.
"Greetings, sir! I am a mountain-guarding disciple of the Cloud Mist Sect. You may call me Little Li. May I ask what matter requires me to announce your arrival?"
The disciple spoke respectfully, a hint of flattery visible in his eyes.
Are you kidding? This was the Sect Master's personal token. Anyone possessing it must have an extraordinary relationship with the Sect Master. If he could build a good connection and simply mention his name to the Sect Master later, he would surely receive special treatment within the sect.
Xiao Tian went straight to the point: "I want to see your Sect Master."
"Go inside and report it," the team leader instructed another disciple.
That disciple bowed respectfully and immediately ran into the mountain, even using a Movement Dou Technique to hasten his pace.
"Sir, I will take you to the reception hall. Would that be acceptable?"
"Yes, lead the way."
Xiao Tian nodded slightly, his voice calm.
"Sir, please follow me."
After passing the steps, a huge circular plaza came into view. The entire plaza was paved with massive, white jade-like stones that gleamed elegantly.
Around the plaza stood rows of magnificent buildings, giving off an imposing and grand atmosphere.
In the center of the plaza stood a giant stone tablet. At the very top, in the most prominent position, was engraved the name of the Cloud Mist Sect's first Sect Master: Yun Potian.
"Sir, this is our sect's Honor Tablet. It records the names of all past Sect Masters and those who have made great contributions to the sect."
Noticing Xiao Tian staring at the tablet, the mountain-guarding disciple, Little Li, introduced it politely from the side.
At the bottom of the list of past Sect Masters was the name of the ninth-generation Sect Master: Yun Yun.
Xiao Tian shifted his gaze across the rest of the plaza. Many disciples wearing moon-white robes were walking about. Cloud-patterned long swords adorned their cuffs, fluttering gently in the wind as if alive, faintly carrying traces of weak sword intent.
The Cloud Mist Sect was a sect where everyone practiced swordsmanship, and many of their Dou Techniques were sword-based moves. However, the only somewhat peculiar one was Yun Shan.
Yun Shan, as one of the major villain bosses in the early stages, could even execute the Wind Extreme Meteor Kill without using a sword.
The disciples on the plaza noticed that Xiao Tian was wearing an alchemist's robe instead of the Cloud Mist Sect's uniform and cast curious glances at him.
Xiao Tian ignored their gazes and followed Little Li toward one of the buildings.
Upon entering the hall, he saw that it was furnished with many tables and chairs.
"Please come in, sir. Please wait here for a moment. Someone will attend to you shortly."
The mountain-guarding disciple bowed respectfully to Xiao Tian and then turned to leave.
Xiao Tian casually chose a seat. Soon after, a female disciple entered and respectfully served him tea and snacks.