"Sorry, young brother."
"I apologize for my momentary excitement just now!"
Under Ya Fei's dominant threat, Jia Lie Bi could only suppress his anger and grit his teeth to apologize to Yun Tianming. However, his lowered head concealed a sinister intent that no one else could see on his face.
Ya Fei frowned realizing it. It wasn't easy to deceive her. She had already sensed Jia Lie Bi's insincere attitude, knowing that trouble would follow for Yun Tianming. With a cold gaze, she was about to further reprimand him when she saw Gu Ni shaking her head beside her.
"Stop while you're ahead, Ya Fei."
After speaking, Gu Ni voluntarily removed the Dou Qi Armor from his body.
Ya Fei's eyes flickered, her lips pursed slightly as she quickly grasped Gu Ni's stance.
Jia Lie Bi caused a scene at the auction, challenging the authority of the Miteer Family, warranting a warning. However, now that he had backed down, there was no longer a reason for them to relentlessly pursue the matter.
Ultimately, the Miteer Family was a business-oriented family, prioritizing profit in all matters. The Jia Lie Family, as one of the three major families in Wu Tan City and a local powerhouse, pushing them too hard would be detrimental to the business development of the Miteer Family.
Ya Fei's fair palm involuntarily clenched. Her influence was indeed insufficient, and for now, this was as far as they could go. With this in mind, Ya Fei directed an apologetic look towards Yun Tianming.
"It's alright."
"A barking dog seldom bites; a dog that bites usually doesn't bark."
Yun Tianming calmly responded to Ya Fei, his gaze never once landing on Jia Lie Bi throughout.
Ignored!
It was the utmost contempt!
Jia Lie Bi was so infuriated that he almost spat out a mouthful of old blood. He shot Yun Tianming a vicious look and left the auction venue without uttering a word.
As the auction concluded, the onlookers on the stage gradually dispersed.
"Isn't this guy too arrogant? Publicly provoking a 3 Star Dou Grandmaster, isn't he afraid of being assassinated by the Jia Lie Family once he leaves Wu Tan City?"
Xiao Yan lowered his cloak and left with the crowd.
"This person does have the capital for arrogance. His Soul Power is comparable to a sixth-grade Alchemist, and his perception range can cover over a dozen kilometers. It won't be easy for the Jia Lie Family to assassinate him."
Old Yao analyzed the situation, drawing from his personal experiences of being pursued by the Hall of Souls for years. Relying on his formidable Soul Perception, he always managed to escape danger.
————
"Tianming, with the Pill and Qi Method combined, the total is 641,000 gold. With my sister's privilege, I can give you a discounted price and round it down to an even 640,000."
Ya Fei stared directly at him, attempting to read his true thoughts. She had some understanding of Yun Tianming's background. During their time in the Imperial Capital, Yun Tianming frequently brought high-quality medicinal herbs to the Miteer family's Auction House for sale. Over the years, he had likely accumulated around one million in savings. Subtracting the 650,000 spent on the Mountain-crushing Staff, he probably had around four hundred thousand left.
However, what Ya Fei didn't know was that Yun Tianming had a skirmish with Mu Zhan. As a spoils of victory, he obtained 300,000 from Mu Zhan's Spatial Ring.
Yun Tianming currently had a total of 700,000 in savings, and with a determined effort, he could clear the current bill.
"No problem, use the card."
Yun Tianming calmly pulled out the crystal card, feeling somewhat stifled inside. The sensation of having his savings completely emptied was truly uncomfortable.
"Wait! Senior Tianming."
"I'll cover half of this money!"
Nalan Yanran suddenly intervened, handing over her crystal card.
"Oh~ Miss Nalan, are you trying to sponsor Junior Tianming?"
Ya Fei teased with a subtle tone.
"N-no way!"
"Senior Tianming is purchasing this Qi Method to give it to our teacher."
"So, I should contribute as well!"
Nalan Yanran's explanation was reasonable and convincing.
"Alright."
"Let's split the cost evenly."
After a brief consideration, Yun Tianming accepted her goodwill. After all, in his perspective, once he gifted the Qi Method to Yun Yun, the probability of her passing it on to Nalan Yanran was high. So, it was only fair for Nalan Yanran to contribute some money now.
In this way, Yun Tianming and Nalan Yanran each contributed 300,000, completing the final payment.
"The transaction is complete. Here are your items; please inspect them."
Ya Fei handed over the Pill and the Qi Method scroll.
"No need to check. We naturally trust Sister Ya Fei."
Yun Tianming, with a sweep of his Soul Power, instantly confirmed the authenticity of the items and unhesitatingly stored them in his Spatial Ring.
"You slick-talking little guy."
Although aware that these were words of flattery, Ya Fei felt a trace of delight. She then asked, "When will Junior Tianming and Miss Nalan leave Wu Tan City?"
"Probably in two days."
"So soon? Won't you stay a few more days?"
"We've been out for almost half a month; it's time to return to the Misty Cloud Sect for cultivation."
"Ah~ sometimes, Sister is truly envious of you geniuses, making yourselves stronger through cultivation."
Ya Fei sighed deeply. With her limited talent, she was currently at the Ninth Stage of Dou Disciple, not even a Dou Practitioner.
"Everyone has their own expertise, and Sister Ya Fei's talent in business is precisely what the Miteer Family needs," Yun Tianming comforted. Of course, his words weren't just flattery; in the original story, Ya Fei used her outstanding business acumen to double the assets of the Miteer Family, earning admiration from her kin and eventually becoming the family head.
"Well, I'll take Junior Tianming's kind words to heart."
Ya Fei smiled and secretly made a firm resolution.
Setting a small goal, she would manage the Auction House well and strive to return to the headquarters in the Imperial Capital three years later!
"Oh, by the way, Junior Tianming, there's something Sister wants to remind you of."
"Be wary of the Jia Lie Family!"
"Especially Jia Lie Bi. He is ruthless and cunning. Once, due to a minor conflict, he wiped out a mercenary group in Wu Tan City overnight."
Ya Fei warned with a serious expression.
"Don't worry, Sister Ya Fei. I am well aware of this matter," Yun Tianming calmly nodded.
Seeing this, Ya Fei refrained from saying more and personally escorted them out of the auction venue.
"Master Gu Ni, I'm counting on you."
"Oh, Ya Fei, the Miteer Family in Wu Tan City maintains a neutral stance and usually doesn't interfere in the affairs of local families."
"Master Gu Ni, please consider it a favor to Ya Fei, alright?"
Ya Fei pleaded with clasped hands.
"Fine, fine. Just consider that I'm afraid of you."
"But let me make it clear beforehand, my protection for those two is limited to Wu Tan City. Once they leave the city, I won't be able to do much."
Gu Ni, an elderly second-grade Alchemist, was a somewhat peripheral figure in the Miteer Family. Without significant contributions, he would spend the latter part of his life in retirement at the Auction House branch in Wu Tan City. He admired Ya Fei's business acumen, and there might be a chance for her to return to the headquarters in the Imperial Capital in the future.
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