Black Seal Auction House, First Floor Hall.
Xiao Bai lounged on a chair, eyes closed, resting. Suddenly, the hall's usual clamor hushed.
Puzzled, he opened his eyes to find the crowd staring reverently toward the entrance.
Following their gazes, he saw a broad-shouldered, bear-like middle-aged man striding in with commanding presence. His tiger-like eyes swept the room, and everyone lowered their heads, none daring to meet his gaze.
Abruptly, the man's thick brows furrowed. His imposing, menacing eyes locked onto the black-robed youth seated calmly on a chair, meeting his gaze with tranquil composure.
The middle-aged man's eyes blazed with intensity, while the tattered-robed youth's were deep and serene. Their stares clashed silently.
Then, Xiao Bai, who had been studying the man with interest, felt a sharp, icy killing intent. His gaze shifted to a youth trailing one step behind the man.
Clad in blood-red robes that seemed to shimmer with flowing crimson under the hall's light, the youth had shoulder-length black hair, with two white strands falling to his chest. A silver half-mask covered his face, revealing eyes like fathomless pools, radiating bone-chilling cold. His high nose and thin, tightly pressed lips suggested he was suppressing some volatile emotion.
"Milord, you've arrived!" A deferential voice broke the tense atmosphere.
The elder from the appraisal room had appeared beside the middle-aged man, bowing deeply.
"Mm." The man gave Xiao Bai a lingering look before turning to the elder, responding faintly. He waved at the blood-robed youth, who withdrew his murderous gaze and followed as the man ascended the stairs.
"Interesting," Xiao Bai murmured, chuckling at their retreating figures. "Peak three-star Dou Huang… Yuan Yi, is it?"
He beckoned to a trembling maid nearby, who had arrived earlier but hesitated to approach. Smiling, he said, "That's my item, right?"
"Yes, milord!" The maid hurried forward, presenting a storage ring with both hands. "After deducting the ring's cost, the remaining gold coins are inside. Please check."
Xiao Bai took the ring, scanned it, and muttered, "What a rip-off!"
A low-tier storage ring had cost him 150,000 gold coins—nearly enough to buy two at the Miteer auction house! He'd already noticed the auction house's exorbitant prices. A "Wood Spirit Three-Needle Flower," worth 50,000–60,000 in the Jia Ma Empire, was marked at 170,000 here.
Whether this was standard for the Black Horn Region or unique to the Black Seal Auction House, he wasn't sure.
The maid, hearing his comment, lowered her head like a startled quail, not daring to speak.
Xiao Bai waved her off and headed out.
He wasn't in the mood to haggle. This massive auction house might change hands in a few days anyway—he'd let it slide for now.
___
Second Floor, Luxurious Room.
The bear-like middle-aged man sat imposingly at the head, the blood-robed youth standing like a spear behind him. The appraisal elder, Hu, bowed slightly, while Huang San, the caravan elder, trembled, hunched over cautiously behind him.
"Hu, explain," the middle-aged man said, his eyes narrowing as he glanced at the two.
"Door Master, this matter was reported by Huang San of the auction house caravan. Let him clarify for you," Hu said, stepping aside to reveal Huang San.
"D-Door Master, it's like this…" Huang San stammered, recounting the entire encounter with Xiao Bai.
"A dragon? A golden dragon?" The middle-aged man, previously indifferent, showed shock at Huang San's description.
The blood-robed youth behind him twitched slightly, a flicker of intrigue passing through his icy, impassive eyes.
"Yes, Door Master! The dragon was barely a foot long, with a childish voice—likely just born!" Huang San, sensing the man's interest, eagerly spilled every detail he could muster.
"The tattered black-robed youth he mentioned—was that the one in the hall, sitting on the chair?" The man's tiger-like eyes turned to Hu, his voice low.
"Correct, it's him! He came to the auction house, trading peculiar fire beads for a storage ring and gold. His original ring was likely lost during his injury," Hu confirmed.
"Weak energy, only third-tier," the man said, examining a fire bead in his hand.
Recalling the youth who had met his gaze in the hall, he noted his composed demeanor but unsteady aura, a clear sign of serious injury. After a moment's thought, he spoke warmly to the still-bowing Huang San, "You're Huang San, right?"
"Yes, Door Master!" Huang San replied.
"You've done well. I'll reward you handsomely."
"Thank you, Door Master! I'll dedicate myself to Eight Gates, even unto death!" Huang San's heart raced with excitement—this was exactly what he'd hoped for.
"You've earned it," the man said, his tone growing kinder. "You mentioned you've secured everyone from the caravan who saw him?"
"Yes, milord! Such news could bring trouble to Eight Gates, so I ordered them not to leave or speak of it until I return," Huang San said, puffing out his chest proudly.
"Haha, excellent! If everyone in Eight Gates had your foresight, we'd thrive!" The man laughed heartily, standing. "Bu'er!"
"Here!" The blood-robed youth bowed slightly, his voice hoarse and subdued.
"Take him to claim his reward—and reward everyone in his caravan!" The man's smile didn't reach his eyes, which flashed with ruthlessness. His voice softened further, "Remember, a generous reward. Don't miss a single one."
"Thank you, Door Master!" Huang San nearly trembled with joy, thanking him profusely.
He didn't notice Hu's face pale when the man assigned the blood-robed youth to handle the "rewards." Hu's gaze toward Huang San carried a trace of pity.
The blood-robed youth, the Door Master's adopted son, was dispatched for one task alone: killing.
After the youth led a jubilant Huang San away, the man's smile faded. "Have you tracked him?" he asked coldly.
Hu suppressed his emotions and bowed. "Yes, Door Master. We tampered with the storage ring—colorless, odorless. With a 'Scent-Seeking Bird,' we can find him within a hundred miles."
"Good." The man nodded faintly. "I trust your work, but this matter is critical. No mistakes."
"Rest assured, Door Master. That kid's not from the Black Horn Region. He's alone, injured, and vulnerable. Handle it cleanly, and no matter his background, no one will know," Hu said, his tone rising with fervor. "This heaven-sent opportunity is yours, Door Master. With that golden dragon's pure dragon blood, you could one day dominate the continent!"
"Haha…" The man's eyes gleamed with delight at the vision, then darkened with bitter resentment. "Thousand Herb Workshop… Black Emperor Sect!"
A blood-robed figure pushed open the door, reeking of blood. Hu wrinkled his nose uncomfortably, subtly stepping aside.
The youth's cold, hoarse voice echoed calmly, "Adoptive Father, the caravan's thirty-eight members—all rewarded, not one spared."
"Mm." The man nodded, cautious. "Tonight, test that black-robed youth. Gauge his abilities. Keep it quiet—I'll have the city guards assist you."
"Understood." The youth dipped his head, his icy eyes flickering with an odd glint.
___
Bustling Streets.
Xiao Bai emerged from a tailor's shop, his tattered black robe replaced with a fresh one, no longer looking like a bedraggled refugee.
Glancing at the darkening sky, he heard Little Golden Dragon sneeze from his sleeve, grumbling via transmission, "My lord, that ring stinks! What kind of shady shop sells us second-hand junk?"
"Didn't I switch hands already?" Xiao Bai strolled along, ignoring the occasional clangs of weapons nearby. Smiling faintly, he said, "Bear with it. It's bait—we can't wipe it off yet."
Turning a corner, he spotted a large inn and headed toward it.
As he neared, a gong's clang caught his attention.
"Attention! After sunset, Black Seal City is under curfew. Violators will be killed on sight!" a black-clad city guard shouted.
"Curfew? What's Eight Gates up to? I was planning to hit Red Sleeve House tonight!" a passerby grumbled.
"Curfew in the Black Horn Region? That's a first. Only empire cities pull stunts like this!" another scoffed.
"Tch, who pissed off Eight Gates to make them resort to such a laughable tactic?"
Overhearing the chatter, Xiao Bai stroked his chin, his expression wry. This curfew… it's for me, isn't it?
"Heh, so eager already?" he mused. "Think my injuries make me an easy target for a quick strike?"
Shaking his head, he entered the inn.
___
Deep Night, Starless Sky.
Black Seal City, usually vibrant, had never been so silent.
Black Seal Auction House Hall.
Lit brightly, devoid of daytime bustle, only three figures remained—one seated, two standing.
"Door Master, we've confirmed the kid's at East Arrival Inn," Hu reported, bowing.
"Have you cleared the place?" the seated man asked.
"It's an Eight Gates property. We claimed a VIP needed the inn exclusively and relocated everyone," Hu replied.
"Such a commotion, and he didn't react?" The man frowned.
"Our people had excuses ready, but he hasn't left his room since entering, as if oblivious to the outside," Hu said.
The man's brows knitted, a flicker of wariness in his eyes. Either the youth was too injured to sense his surroundings, or he was utterly fearless.
"No need to worry, Adoptive Father," the blood-robed youth rasped. "I'll probe him. If he has tricks, I can claim I acted because he disrespected you in the hall. You can step in to smooth things over. But if his injuries have dulled his senses, it plays right into our hands."
The man's face lit up. The excuse was perfect—flexible for advance or retreat. Risks existed, but for a golden dragon, it was worth it.
"Haha, well said, my boy!" He stood, clapping the youth's shoulder, and waved grandly. "Do it your way. Go!"
___
East Arrival Inn, Guest Room.
Freshly washed, Xiao Bai sat leisurely at a table, penning letters to Xun'er and Xiao Yi Xian for delivery tomorrow, to ease their worries.
He ignored the inn's unusual activity, even welcoming it.
His writing hand paused briefly, then continued, finishing the last few characters. With a swipe, he dried the ink, sealed the letter in an envelope, and stored it in his ring. Turning slightly, he said, "Since you're here, drop the sneaking. Make your move."
"Not bad for the golden dragon's master. You're no ordinary man," a grating, sandpaper-like voice replied.
A black-robed figure pushed open the door, face obscured.
"What's this poison? Smells rather nice," Xiao Bai said, sniffing the musky, orchid-like scent in the air, as if chatting with a friend.
"…" The figure's cold eyes flickered with shock. Is this guy a monster? Even a Dou Huang wouldn't dare inhale the Three Absolute Phantom Poison so carelessly.
"Not talking?" Xiao Bai smiled, unbothered, and glanced around. "Call your boss, Yuan Yi, out here. I'm injured, sure, but a mere seven-star Dou Wang like you? Whatever your plan, it's not enough."
"Heh," the figure sneered. "Enough or not, that's not for you to say."
He slowly drew a long, blood-red blade, its edge gleaming. A thick, bloody aura spread, tainting the air.
"Tch, that stench of blood—your blade's tasted plenty," Xiao Bai said, noting the faint crimson haze filling the room. He shook his head.
"Void-Severing Slash!"
The figure wasted no words. A crescent of red blade light, laced with howling, anguished souls, surged toward Xiao Bai like a mountain-splitting strike.
Xiao Bai watched the approaching crimson arc. Clenching his fist, his jade-like hand, devoid of Dou Qi fluctuations, shot out, unleashing sonic booms and faintly warping space.
Bang!
Energy scattered, an invisible shockwave slamming into the room's walls, collapsing them.
Xiao Bai's figure blurred, leaving a fading afterimage by the table. His real body appeared before the black-robed figure, seizing his neck.
"I said one of you isn't enough."
As he tightened his grip to crush the figure's throat, a voice cried out, "Wait!"
____
If you want to support me and read advanced chapters 30+ and other stories: patreon.com/Caluem