The Mitel Auction House's promotional machine proved remarkably effective. Barely a day after Xiao Yan handed over the Foundation Liquid, word had spread to every corner of Wutan City — from the grandest clan halls to the humblest merchant stalls. The news set tongues wagging across the city.
Unlike the high-grade Heaven-tier cultivation technique auctioned last time — a sky-high-priced item that only a handful of the most powerful factions could even contemplate — the Foundation Liquid struck a different chord. For many families, this was a far more practical proposition. Countless elders, eager to see their sons and grandsons reach the rank of Dou Warrior as quickly as possible, were more than willing to spend gold on something that was both effective and relatively affordable.
As the buzz around the Foundation Liquid reached a fever pitch in Wutan City, Xiao Yan — ensconced within the Xiao Clan compound — gradually caught wind of the commotion. Watching seven bottles of imperfect Foundation Liquid generate such uproarious excitement, he felt a mixture of astonishment and renewed appreciation for the extraordinary allure that elixirs held on this continent.
The following day, the Xiao Clan received an official invitation from the Mitel Auction House. Perhaps because Xiao Zhan had previously purchased Foundation Liquid for his son, several of the clan elders expressed keen interest in this second batch. Those whose grandchildren had yet to attain the rank of Dou Warrior were particularly enthusiastic.
That afternoon, when Xiao Yan had planned to slip out alone, Xiao Zhan sent word ahead to summon him. Resigned, the boy followed the messenger toward the clan's main gate.
When he arrived, he found not only his father waiting, but also several of the elders, milling about in a lively crowd.
Spotting his son approaching at a leisurely pace, Xiao Zhan grinned and waved him over.
Xiao Yan sighed and quickened his steps. As he drew closer, his eyes flickered to the two figures standing beside his father, and his brow furrowed slightly.
"Lollygagging like a girl..." Xiao Yu, who had been waiting for what felt like an eternity, shot him a cold glare. Her voice dripped with derision.
"You're the one rushing to a funeral," Xiao Yan replied, his tone flat. The retort nearly cracked Xiao Yu's back teeth.
A light laugh rippled through the crowd — bright as a silver bell.
Xiao Yan tilted his head toward the sound and saw Xun'er standing amid the onlookers. He shrugged at her with a grin. "You're coming to the auction too?"
"It gets tedious staying in the compound all the time. Might as well have a look," Xun'er replied, squeezing through the crowd to stand beside him with a radiant smile.
"What's there to see? A few bottles of Foundation Liquid — they won't do you any good at this point," Xiao Yan said casually.
"Hmph — what's there to see? If not for that stuff, would you have caught up to me so quickly?" Xiao Ning, who had spent two months bedridden after Xiao Yan's last beating, watched the two chatting with undisguised intimacy. His face twitched with resentment, the old wounds apparently forgotten. "Your bones are itchy again?" he jeered.
Xiao Yan lifted an eyebrow, his lips curving into something between a smile and a smirk. "And if they are?"
"Your—" Xiao Ning's face reddened with fury. He clenched his fists, then slowly — deliberately — relaxed them. A cold laugh escaped his lips. "Don't get cocky. You actually did me a favor by injuring me. That forced rest is the reason I've been able to touch the threshold of ninth-stage Dou Power. Give me seven more days, and I'll break through! When that happens, we'll see whose bones are itchy."
The clan elders and onlookers who had gathered around shot Xiao Ning surprised glances. The Grand Elder's weathered face showed a flicker of pride — his grandson had clearly restored some of his dignity.
Xiao Zhan's brow creased with displeasure as he shot the Grand Elder a sharp look. He was about to wave the group forward when he caught the playful glint in Xiao Yan's eye. He paused, swallowing the words that had been forming on his lips.
Xiao Ning stood there, sneering with smug satisfaction. Xiao Yan licked his lips, fell silent for a moment, then scratched the back of his head with an expression of mild embarrassment.
"Ah... sorry about that," he said, his voice light and almost apologetic. "I accidentally broke through to ninth stage a few days ago. Looks like you're still a step behind me."
"...What?"
The moment these words left Xiao Yan's mouth, the surrounding clan members fell silent. Astonished gazes snapped toward the boy, whose expression remained one of helpless nonchalance. Accidentally... broke through?
Heads shook in a mixture of amusement and disbelief. The little fellow was determined to crush people's spirits. Poor Xiao Ning.
Xiao Ning's smug expression froze instantly. His mouth twitched, his throat worked up and down, and he stared fixedly at Xiao Yan. After a long, strained silence, his shoulders finally slumped in defeat. He had believed that touching the bottleneck would restore some measure of face — instead, he had been delivered an even more devastating blow.
Xiao Yu gripped Xiao Ning's arm and shot Xiao Yan a murderous glare. For once, however, she held her tongue, only muttering under her breath: "What the hell is this little brat doing with his training? It's only been two months... How is he already at ninth stage?"
Even though she and Xiao Yan clashed at every opportunity, even she had to admit — the speed of his cultivation was nothing short of astonishing.
"Ha ha!" Xiao Zhan's furrowed brow smoothed instantly, and he let out a hearty laugh. He glanced at the Grand Elder's weary face and bellowed: "All right, all right — the auction is about to begin. No more dawdling, or someone else will snap up all the good lots before we even arrive."
As the elders filed out through the gate, Xiao Zhan lingered a moment to ruffle his son's hair with undisguised pride. "Well done, boy! You've made your old man look good again. That old coot must have boasted about his grandson at least ten times today — I was ready to strangle him. All he really wants is for the clan to buy his boy a bottle of Foundation Liquid. So roundabout about it, the old miser."
Xiao Yan winced as his father wrecked his hair and spread his hands in helpless surrender. Stepping through the gate, he muttered: "I didn't want to bring it up, but he just had to poke the bear..."
A few paces ahead, Xiao Ning's mouth twitched again. He was drowning in frustration and silent despair.
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