"Sir, here are the three close-combat techniques you requested: Explosive Fist, Sky-Splitting Leg, and Heavy Elbow Strike. All of them are of low-grade Xuan rank. Additionally, the medicinal herbs you asked for are also included." With a seductive tone, the charming woman, holding a silver tray with three scrolls and a low-grade storage ring, gracefully walked to Xiao Se's side, her voice soft and alluring.
The enchanting voice caused Xiao Se's heart to tremble slightly. He quickly ran his cultivation to calm himself down, secretly cursing in his heart, "Enchantress."
Without waiting for her to introduce herself, Xiao Se already guessed her identity: Ya Fei, the chief auctioneer of the Miteer Auction House, who would one day become the "Golden Empress."
"Hehe, Sir, let me introduce you. This is Ya Fei, our auction house's newly appointed chief auctioneer, just transferred from Gamma Holy City. She brought these techniques for you," Gu Ni said with a chuckle.
"Hmm," Xiao Se nodded slightly, took the storage ring from the tray, and waved his hand, storing the three Xuan-ranked techniques into the ring. He said calmly, "You can deduct the cost of these techniques from the proceeds of the elixirs sold. If there's nothing else, I'll be going now. I'll return when necessary."
"Please wait, Sir." Ya Fei covered her red lips with her hand, smiling sweetly, and stopped Xiao Se as he prepared to leave.
"What is it?" Xiao Se's raspy voice sounded under his black robe.
Seeing the figure in front of her, entirely wrapped in black robes, even wearing standard gloves, Ya Fei frowned slightly. Her famed beauty seemed to have no effect on him.
She pouted, her gaze sweeping subtly over Xiao Se, only to find nothing remarkable other than his unique ring. Disappointed, she exchanged a glance with Gu Ni and bit her red lips, asking in a gentle voice, "It's rare to see an alchemist without an emblem. Might I ask for your name, Sir?"
"Revealing one's true strength to others is foolish. But since you wish to know, you may call me Master Pu," Xiao Se rasped, giving a name from his past life on Blue Star.
"Hehe, so you're Master Pu. If you ever need to auction more elixirs in the future, do consider our Miteer Auction House," Ya Fei said with a charming smile, her chest rising and falling slightly, creating a mesmerizing curve.
"Hmm." Xiao Se's raspy voice replied again, and without waiting for a response from Ya Fei or Gu Ni, he turned and left the room, heading for the entrance of the auction house.
Watching his retreating figure, Ya Fei's smile vanished, and she turned to Gu Ni with a puzzled expression. "Uncle Gu Ni, did I offend him in some way?"
Gu Ni shook his head and sighed softly. "The higher-ranking the alchemist, the stranger their temperament. We can't easily guess their thoughts."
"A high-ranking alchemist? Is he really stronger than you, Uncle Gu Ni?" Ya Fei asked, surprised.
"I'm not on his level. Just talking about the Foundation-Nurturing Spiritual Liquid, even if I had the formula, I might not be able to make it. And to refine a flawless second-grade pill, he must be at least a third-grade alchemist, possibly even fourth-grade," Gu Ni said with a wry smile.
"Unable to refine it even with the formula?" Ya Fei's eyes narrowed slightly, and she casually remarked.
Hearing this, Gu Ni was alarmed and quickly warned her, "Miss, don't do anything rash. A pill recipe is an alchemist's lifeblood. Provoking one, especially without knowing their full strength, is not wise. It would be like stirring a hornet's nest. Decades ago, the famous Che Ke family of the Jia Ma Empire paid the price for that mistake."
Seeing Gu Ni's fearful expression, Ya Fei helplessly rubbed her forehead and smiled bitterly, "Uncle, you're overthinking. I wouldn't dare offend a third-grade or even fourth-grade alchemist. I understand the boundaries."
"Good, that's a relief," Gu Ni sighed, visibly relaxing.
After confirming no one was watching him, Xiao Se slipped into an empty corner and removed his black robe.
Passing through the Xiao family courtyard, he headed straight for the back mountain, not intending to return to his assigned quarters.
As soon as he entered the cave, Longkui emerged from the magic sword's pattern, transforming into her red form under Xiao Se's gaze.
"Brother, that woman had bad intentions towards you. Don't let her fool you," Hong Kui pounced into Xiao Se's arms, warning him.
"Uh—" Xiao Se forced a smile, glancing at the enticing sight before him, and swallowed hard, saying, "I know."
Of course, Xiao Se kept another thought to himself: I wasn't exactly innocent either.
Seeing Xiao Se's agreement, Hong Kui smiled contentedly. Her eyes flashed with a hint of coldness. "Brother, should I kill her tonight?"
"Don't be foolish. She was just trying to figure out who I really am. Besides, young ladies shouldn't always talk about killing," Xiao Se quickly stopped her, startled by her suggestion. Losing such a beauty would be a shame.
"Oh, if Brother says no, then Hongkui won't kill her," Hongkui pouted, her cold gaze softening.
Xiao Se wiped imaginary sweat from his forehead and quickly changed the subject, "Hongkui, you know how to fight, right?"
"Hehe..." Hong Kui giggled, stepping back and waving her tiny fists, her fierce cuteness on display. "Hongkui is really strong! Back in the Demon Tower, I beat those demons to a pulp!"
Xiao Se nodded slightly. "Good. For now, you'll be my sparring partner. Once I've mastered my current techniques, we'll leave the Xiao family and explore the world."
He knew that staying with the Xiao family any longer would be pointless, possibly even dangerous.
The moment he obtained the magic sword, he had decided to leave, but he had delayed his departure to hone his skills. He needed more techniques than just the Flaming Sword to defend himself.
That's why he had asked the Miteer Auction House to find him some close-combat techniques. Combined with his sword, his footwork, and beast fire, he would be well-prepared for the road ahead.
—
T/n -> Red Longkui → Hong Kui (Hongkui)
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