"My realm is stable now. It's about time."
Xiao Tian took out a Dou Ling Pill and directly tossed it into his mouth.
The Dou Ling Pill instantly transformed into a surge of pure energy that rushed into his smooth Dou Crystal.
"Boom!"
A powerful wave of Dou Qi erupted from Xiao Tian's body, and his cultivation realm instantly broke through to four-star Dou King.
"No wonder those people love taking pills so much. This feeling is truly wonderful. Hahaha!"
However, Xiao Tian had no intention of frantically relying on pills to raise his realm. Although he possessed many cultivation-enhancing pills, depending entirely on them would only make his foundation hollow and unstable.
What? Isn't refining spiritual thunder basically the same as taking pills?
Just kidding. Spiritual thunder was cultivated through the steady accumulation of his own Dou Qi — like depositing money and earning ten times the interest before withdrawing it. The foundations were completely different.
Xiao Tian walked out of the training room and saw Ya Fei sitting cross-legged on his bed, cultivating. The moment he emerged, Ya Fei stopped her practice and opened her eyes.
After the baptism of her special physique, Ya Fei had now reached the six-star Dou Practitioner realm, and her cultivation speed was extremely fast.
"Feier, why did you come over? Are you missing me already?" Xiao Tian asked with a mischievous smile as he walked over and hugged her.
"Why does it feel heavier here?" he added curiously while weighing her in his arms.
"Stop messing around," Ya Fei rolled her eyes at him but didn't stop his playful actions. "I was waiting for you. A servant reported that your brother, Xiao Yan, appeared at the auction house. He was asking about soul-related medicinal ingredients. Do you want to see him?"
"Then have someone bring him to your office. We'll go meet him there," Xiao Tian said after releasing her and thinking for a moment.
Soul-related medicinal ingredients? That would be for Yao Lao. Without the original intense battle against the two Dou Emperors of the Heavenly Snake Mansion, why would Yao Lao be so weak or dormant? If he were in his normal state, most ordinary soul medicines wouldn't have much effect.
Could this be another test from the Son of Destiny? If there was no trouble, he still had to create some?
Ya Fei tidied her clothes, then stepped forward to help Xiao Tian smooth out the wrinkles in his robe.
"Then I'll go make the arrangements first."
Ya Fei was decisive by nature. She quickly left to handle the matter.
…
In Ya Fei's office, after making the necessary arrangements, she returned and continued dealing with some remaining affairs. She might soon give up this position entirely. Since her lover would definitely leave this place eventually, she would naturally follow him wherever he went.
Helping the family with some matters now was also a way to repay them for raising her. Although she strongly disliked this family, they had still nurtured her for many years and had sheltered her from many storms.
"Knock, knock."
A knock sounded at the door, followed by a respectful voice.
"Elder Ya Fei, this subordinate has brought the person."
"Come in."
After Ya Fei's charming voice rang out from inside, the door was pushed open. A figure dressed in a black robe, carrying a large black ruler on his back, walked in.
The visitor was none other than Xiao Yan.
After Xiao Yan entered, the guards outside quietly closed the door and left.
At this moment, Xiao Yan was still quite confused about why he had been suddenly invited.
He had originally been browsing the auction house counters, searching for any soul-related medicinal ingredients, when an auction house guard approached and said that Elder Ya Fei wished to see him.
At first, upon hearing the name Ya Fei, he thought of the chief auctioneer from the Wutan City branch of the Mitel Auction House. He had once entrusted her to sell medicine, but she didn't know his true identity.
Full of doubts, Xiao Yan had followed the guard upstairs.
"Teacher, what's going on? Why did the elder here suddenly want to see me? And the name is the same as the one from Wutan City," Xiao Yan asked with a frown, speaking to Yao Lao inside the black storage ring.
"I'm not sure either, but it's fine. You have the Heavenly Flame for self-defense, and I'm here as well. Any conspiracy is vulnerable in the face of absolute strength," Yao Lao replied.
Although Yao Lao was also unclear about the other party's intentions and was currently quite weak, his aura remained steady and imposing.
With Yao Lao's reassurance, Xiao Yan relaxed slightly.
…
Xiao Yan curiously looked around the elegant office. His gaze eventually fell on the desk, where a woman was focused on writing. When he saw her face clearly, he was stunned.
"Miss Ya Fei? It really is you!" Xiao Yan exclaimed in surprise. "I thought it was just someone with the same name. I didn't expect that after more than a year, Miss Ya Fei has been promoted from chief auctioneer of the Wutan City branch to an Elder of the main house. Congratulations!"
"May I ask why you wanted to see me, Miss Ya Fei?"
Although surprised by her rapid promotion, seeing a familiar face eased most of Xiao Yan's doubts.
"Young Master Xiao Yan, you flatter me," Ya Fei smiled gently and nodded. "However, it's not me who wanted to see you — it's someone else."
"She's not the one looking for you. I am."
The door opened again as a familiar voice came from behind Xiao Yan.
"Eh? Tian Ge?" Xiao Yan turned around in surprise. "Why are you here at the auction house?"
"Very good. Your cultivation has improved a lot, your body is much sturdier, and you've grown taller. Have you refined that item?" Xiao Tian asked as he patted Xiao Yan's shoulder and gave it a firm squeeze, his voice full of praise.
Feeling his brother's genuine concern, Xiao Yan's eyes reddened with emotion.
Xiao Tian led Xiao Yan over to another set of tables and chairs and sat down.
"Why do you suddenly need soul-related medicinal ingredients?" Xiao Tian asked directly, getting straight to the point.
Xiao Yan glanced at Ya Fei, who was making tea on the side, then looked back at Xiao Tian.
"It's fine. Ya Fei is one of us now. You can speak freely," Xiao Tian said, understanding his hesitation.
Ya Fei, standing nearby, felt a surge of sweetness in her heart at Xiao Tian's trust. She smiled like a blooming flower.
She brought over the brewed tea and teapot, placing them beside Xiao Tian and Xiao Yan. With a gentle smile toward Xiao Tian, she said, "You two chat. I still have some matters to attend to."
"Okay, go ahead."
Xiao Tian understood what her actions meant and nodded with a warm smile.
After Ya Fei left the office, she didn't go far. Instead, she stayed just outside the door, quietly standing guard over the room.
Yao Lao floated out from the bone flame ring. "Xiao Tian, my boy, long time no see. You've already become a Dou King? Although I don't know how, this old man can barely sense that you're roughly at that level."
"It's just luck. I recently gained a small opportunity," Xiao Tian replied. "But Yao Lao, why do you look so weak? Did something happen?"
(Xiao Yan & Yao Lao: Why does that phrase sound so familiar…?)
Yao Lao's current form was translucent and far less solid than before, clearly showing he was in a very weakened state.
"Yao Lao, in your current condition, you should go back and rest first."
Yao Lao had only come out to explain why Xiao Yan needed soul medicinal ingredients.