At the same time in the tea-house, all residents were arguing about whether it would be good to go to the auction and try their luck buying something from the Merchant caravan. Just before Mei Lin arrived, they decided not to go. Even if one of them will go they will not have enough spirit stones to buy anything useful like cultivation pills or cultivations treasures. As soon as Mei Lin returned, she was more than pleased to see everyone sitting downstairs.
"We need to go to the auction. We need to get an invitation and we will be able to go there."
Everyone inside was shocked, that Mei Lin wanted to go to the auction, but they knew, that they would not be able to get the invitation.
"Why do you want to go to the auction?" Asked Xin Ming ready to dismiss the idea, as they were in no way to buy something in the auction. He informed the others about the process of creating spirit stones, highlighting that many high-realm cultivators possess an abundance of them. He also emphasized that the most valuable items at the auction would likely be pills or weapons, none of which they currently possessed. After much deliberation, they settled on their next course of action.
Xia accompanied Yu Lan outside the city to the canyon. Yu Lan wanted to draw, while Xia planned to search for plants to collect and after making some money pay for the awakening ceremony.
Mei Lin decided to at least visit Xu Yi in their tea-house and Xin Ming and Hua Fey will stay in the tea-house and continue to manage it. After agreeing on everything, Xia and Yu Lan proceeded with their venture to the canyon. Yu Lan was already prepared and had everything necessary to go there and draw.
Meanwhile, Xin Ming entered into cultivation, leaving Hua Fey and Mei Lin alone in the tea-house. They quickly also headed to the market.
As they went through the street, Hua Fey asked her out of nowhere. "Are you a demon?"
This question surprised Mei Lin and as they continued, Mei Lin answered her. "Why do you think, that I am a demon?"
"Demons also drink the blood of humans. Like you."
Mei Lin was surprised, that Hua Fey knew that, but she didn't say anything anymore and they continued to the market. Upon arrival, they split ways, with Mei Lin proceeding to the Merchant caravan to bid farewell to Xu Yi before their departure and in the hope tof findingout how to get an invitation to the auction.
Following her departure from Hua Fey at the market, Mei Lin made her way to the southern part of the city where the Merchant caravan was stationed. The caravan was almost at full strength, having assembled nearly forty slug houses ready to depart at any moment. After a considerable amount of time, Mei Lin arrived at the location, where the caravan and located Xu Yi's tea-house and entered.
As Mei Lin pushed open the doors, she entered inside and spotted Xu Yi ascending to the second floor with a tray of tea and food. Instead of following him upstairs, this time, she saw a free position next to the fireplace and sat there, patiently waiting for Xu Yi's return to the first floor.
It didn't take long for Xu Yi to return to the first floor. Upon spotting Mei Lin, Xu Yi was visibly pleased and promptly went to inform his father in the kitchen that he would be taking a break. Xu Yi then joined Mei Lin, and shortly after, Xu Tian brought them tea.
Observing Xu Tian, Mei Lin noticed the toll the fight with the bandits had taken on him. His gaze looked much sharper and along with already stepping into the third stage of BT, he had much longer hair, and unlike before he looked much more muscular. A pleasing aura similar to the flow of the river emanating from around his body was making everyone around feel at peace. Mei Lin felt instantly swept by his strange aura and felt at ease.
"Miss, how have you been? I have been worried all the time, that you didn't make it back into the city. I asked father as he arrived at the tea-house to wait for you, but I had no way to persuade him to wait for you."
Mei Lin was stunned, as he started talking with her and felt worse than death all this time, just because she was left being. Mei Lin didn't feel hurt at all, as she listened to Xu Yi.
"I met a friend along the way, so I was not completely alone. We are currently living in the east part of the Yellow Zone, and I will try to attend an auction that will be sold there, I have never been in an auction, so I will go try to buy something."
"I will ask Father about the invitation to the auction, so you will be able to go there."
Mei Lin chuckled, as she heard the good news.
"Father told me that bandits attacked the caravan because the Leader was delivering a special pill that can assist high realm cultivators with their breakthroughs," Xu Yi began, eager to share more details. However, before he could continue, Xu Tian approached them.
"Welcome miss. I am deeply sorry, that we left you behind in the tea-house. How can I make it up to you," asked Xu Tian who placed the tea on the table.
"Do you have any information about the tickets to the auction?"
"I will go ask around, but now a new caravan is arriving in the city and everything is very hectic. I will send you a message once I get my hand on the ticket."
"Thank you for your hospitality," said Mei Lin and Xu Tian nodded and quickly left. Xu Yi felt happy for Mei Lin and also felt, a heavy height fall on his shoulders. As they discussed the matter, the first slug from the new caravan reached the location where their caravan was stationed.
Loud shoughs were heard from outside and as Xu Tian recognized the arrival, he went to look and to welcome their new neighbors. As he opened the door and stepped outside, Xu Tian immediately noticed the new slug house that had arrived nearby.
"Miss, can I go with you to the auction? I have been in fa ew auctions, so I will tell you some basic information as we will be there.