Chapter Sixty-three: The Enticement of Yu’er

“Brothers, in Mount Reliance City, the place teems with all kinds of people. Though I am powerful, I can’t guarantee your safety. So, don’t cause trouble, and stay close to me!” Gou Haitian strode ahead, with Su Yizhao and Chi Xiangdong following in his wake. The three of them charged straight through the bustling streets of Mount Reliance City.

Isn’t the one causing trouble you? Su Yizhao wore a wry smile. Seeing Gou Haitian barreling through the crowds unscathed, he guessed this youth must have some formidable backing.

Just then, Chi Xiangdong suddenly pulled Su Yizhao back. “A fifth-tier Crimson Soul Grass!” he exclaimed.

“What?” Su Yizhao turned his head and saw Chi Xiangdong staring intently at a stalk of crimson grass on a vendor’s stall. “What’s it for?”

“It’s the most crucial herb for refining Soul Transformation Realm pills. It’s extremely rare!” Chi Xiangdong quickly stepped forward and asked, “Fellow cultivator, how much is it?”

The stall owner glanced at him and replied, “You can’t afford it.”

“Can’t afford it? Do you believe I could buy you if I wanted?” Gou Haitian had noticed his companions lagging behind, and now turned back, countering the stall owner’s words sharply.

This guy really is a magnet for trouble! Su Yizhao felt a sudden urge to turn and walk away.

“It’s just Crimson Soul Grass, two or three hundred years old at most. Brothers, my family has plenty. Why bother buying? Let’s go!” Gou Haitian grabbed the two of them and hurried away before the furious stall owner could retort.

Chi Xiangdong couldn’t help but protest, “But it’s Crimson Soul Grass! Even two or three hundred years is still valuable!”

“Is it really that precious? Two or three hundred years is enough? Let me tell you, I’ve seen thousand-year-old Crimson Soul Grass!” Though Gou Haitian was small in stature, his words came rapidly.

Chi Xiangdong was left speechless by his retort.

Su Yizhao, meanwhile, didn’t mind at all—he truly had no idea how valuable it was anyway.

“Let’s go home first, then I’ll take you both to the pleasure quarters!” Their senior brother’s announcement made Su Yizhao want to shake him off and leave.

Is this really just a child?

Chi Xiangdong, who had been looking sullen, brightened immediately at these words, as if this was only natural.

Su Yizhao was about to object when Gou Haitian suddenly shouted, “We’re here!”

Looking up, Su Yizhao was stunned.

Five grand characters—“Gou Family Auction House”—were carved in flamboyant script above a tall building.

Wasn’t this the very auction house where he had purchased the “Heavenly Sword Manual”?

He had already cultivated the “Heavenly Sword Manual” to proficiency, and its power greatly satisfied him, though he’d had no chance to test it these past days.

“You—you’re from the Gou Family Auction House?” Chi Xiangdong asked in a low voice.

Gou Haitian replied off-handedly, “Yes, is the Gou Family Auction House famous?”

Su Yizhao, noticing Chi Xiangdong’s reaction, also asked, “Yes, is it really famous?”

Chi Xiangdong’s eyes sparkled as he sent a secret voice transmission, “Su, we’ve struck gold!”

“Struck gold? What do you mean?” Su Yizhao was puzzled.

“The Gou Family Auction House! It’s the only auction house with branches all across the continent—a monopoly! Do you know what a monopoly is?” Chi Xiangdong’s tone was urgent and fervent.

A monopoly? Su Yizhao understood, of course, but what did that have to do with him?

“I’m back!” Gou Haitian charged through the main doors, still barreling straight ahead as before. The guards all saluted him respectfully, but he paid them no mind, leading his two companions through hall after hall.

Building connected to building, hall linked to hall!

After half a cup of tea’s time, they finally met the master of the house—a dignified middle-aged cultivator.

His gaze swept over them, and Su Yizhao felt a chill run down his spine.

“Tian’er, these are...?” the man asked.

Gou Haitian puffed out his chest and replied loudly, “These are my junior brothers! Ha! Even the Opening Mountain Sect is nothing by comparison. I said I’d rather cultivate at home, but you wouldn’t agree. I’m this year’s senior disciple, and that includes them as my junior brothers!”

Su Yizhao and Chi Xiangdong could only exchange helpless glances and offer respectful bows.

The middle-aged cultivator’s gaze lingered on them, then he smiled. “These two are also very talented. Tian’er, you had better be careful they don’t take your place as senior brother!”

Gou Haitian looked left and right, clearly unconvinced. “They may be older, but I’ve always kept them in check. Don’t worry, Father. By the way, where’s Aunt?”

His father’s expression remained unchanged. “She’s organizing tomorrow’s auction items. You should go learn from her. I’ll entertain these two for you.”

“Alright!” Gou Haitian, suspecting nothing, dashed off toward a side door.

The middle-aged cultivator’s gaze now scrutinized the two young men before him.

Su Yizhao remained calm, while Chi Xiangdong looked a bit uneasy.

“Your skin has a crystalline tone, and your gaze is occasionally blazing. Your bearing is extraordinary. What is your purpose here?” After a few moments of silence, the man asked solemnly.

He cared nothing for their cultivation or strength—clearly, such things didn’t matter in his eyes.

Su Yizhao replied evenly, “You overthink, friend. We were brought here by force; we have no ulterior motive.”

Chi Xiangdong nodded in agreement.

The middle-aged cultivator neither confirmed nor denied their answer. “Whatever your intentions, if you so much as harm a hair on his head, or dare use him to threaten the Gou family, then your families had best prepare themselves.”

Su Yizhao felt a chill in his heart. This man’s position and cultivation were evidently unfathomable, and his threats sounded utterly natural and justified.

“Aunt, these are my two junior brothers—their talent is second only to mine!” At that moment, Gou Haitian burst in again, followed by a young woman in a simple dress.

Su Yizhao looked over and was immediately struck.

Simplicity itself, yet beauty that pierced the heart—like a white lotus blooming unstained, like a delicate grass in a pure spring!

The young woman also looked up at him. Suddenly, her tranquil face changed for an instant, and she murmured, “Impossible!”

Su Yizhao froze in surprise.

The middle-aged cultivator was also shocked.

Chi Xiangdong and Gou Haitian stood there, stupefied.

Do they know each other? Impossible! Chi Xiangdong immediately dismissed the idea.

“Have we met before?” Su Yizhao asked, uncertain—after all, he had been in this auction house before.

Her face quickly regained its composure. “No, we haven’t,” she answered coolly.

Gou Haitian let out a breath. “Come, let me introduce you. This is my senior disciple Su Yizhao, this is my second disciple Chi Xiangdong, and this is my aunt.”

The middle-aged cultivator frowned slightly, but the young woman remained unmoved. She offered a slight bow. “I am Gou Yuer. Please take good care of him.”

“I’m the senior brother—it’s me who’s supposed to look after them, alright? How boring. Let’s go, you two. I said I’d take you to…!”

“Go ahead, but be back soon!” The middle-aged cultivator waved them away before Gou Haitian could finish.

“Miss, do you know him?” After the three had left, the man asked the young woman with a trace of respect in his voice.

Gou Yuer nodded. “He bought the ‘Heavenly Sword Manual’ for ten million superior-grade profound stones. How could I not remember?”

The man chuckled. “How odd. A sword manual that could have been had for six million at most, and he spent ten million. You could say he’s inexperienced, but from his bearing, he doesn’t seem the type.”

Gou Yuer said nothing, lost in thought.

The man muttered, “‘Heavenly Sword Manual’, and his cultivation is only at the Six Spirits Realm. Perhaps he joined the Opening Mountain Sect just to temper his body. No matter—those two are no threat to Tian’er anyway.”