453: Chapter 453 The Heart of the Vermilion Bird

[As soon as these words were spoken—]

[Fairy Tianxuan's gaze was like a blade, coldly slicing toward you.]

[Your expression remained unchanged as you immediately sent a secret transmission: "Well? With this identity, there shouldn't be any problems, right?"]

[Fairy Tianxuan opened her mouth, but she forced herself to swallow the words that were on the tip of her tongue.]

[Her expression was complex, and a trace of helplessness flashed in her eyes, but she ultimately did not speak up to refute you.]

[Because she knew very well—]

[If you truly were that person, capable of annihilating the Huanling Sect in an instant, you could just as easily annihilate her Tianxuan Immortal Dynasty.]

[Even if she reported this to the Heavenly Palace and had them send people to suppress you, so what?]

[Once a conflict began, her Tianxuan Immortal Dynasty would surely be reduced to ruins, becoming a sacrificial lamb in this game of chess.]

[Furthermore, she also knew exactly what kind of figure Yun Xiaozi was.]

[Even if "Yun Xiaozi" was an impostor, what did it matter?]

[It only meant that the matter was even more complicated.]

[This was something that she, Empress Tianxuan, and even the Tianxuan Old Ancestor understood perfectly.]

[A struggle at this level was absolutely not something they could interfere with.]

[Thus, on the various Star Continents today, countless powers were all doing the same thing—]

[Driving away those of unknown identity.]

[Turning a blind eye and simply asking them to leave.]

[As for whether you were that "Yun Xiaozi," where you were going, or what you intended to do—]

[What did it have to do with them?]

[They couldn't wait for the Heavenly Palace to suffer a setback.]

[They were eager for someone to overthrow the Nine Heavens Heavenly Palace that loomed over their heads.]

[After all, this world of immortal cultivation was strictly hierarchical, like an insurmountably tall tower.]

[For lower-tier powers to climb a step higher, there was no other way but to wait for the upper tiers to collapse.]

[Hadn't the Nine Heavens Heavenly Palace of the past also stepped over the ruins of its predecessors to reach where it is today?]

[Fairy Tianxuan remained silent for a moment.]

[In the end, she let out a soft sigh and said nothing.]

[She didn't care if you were the real "Yun Xiaozi" either; she only hoped to find a private opportunity to "coax" you into leaving.]

[Bai Yan was different.]

[Your words were like a thorn, piercing right into his most sensitive spot.]

[His eyes bulged, and he exhaled a heavy snort of air through his nostrils, gritting his teeth as he spoke:]

["Kid, say that again?"]

[How could admirers like them not know whether Fairy Tianxuan had a fiancé?]

[You smiled and said unhurriedly: "Haven't you noticed that Fairy Tianxuan hasn't refuted it?"]

[These words jolted him into realization.]

[Bai Yan suddenly turned his head to look at Fairy Tianxuan.]

[Fairy Tianxuan's face was calm, showing no ripples of emotion.]

[She didn't admit it, but she didn't deny it either.]

[At this, the vat of jealousy in Bai Yan's heart completely overturned.]

[His eyes blazed with fire as he stared intently at you, his voice carrying an irrepressible rage:]

["What kind of thing are you? You think you're worthy of coveting the Eldest Princess?"]

[You picked up your teacup and took a light sip, appearing calm and indifferent: "That's not for you to worry about."]

[You looked up at him, a hint of a smile on your lips: "Fairy Tianxuan... well, she just happens to like my type."]

[Bai Yan's fists cracked as he clenched them, his spiritual power surging, nearly causing him to attack on the spot.]

[However, with Fairy Tianxuan by his side, he ultimately did not want to act recklessly.]

[He took a deep breath, suppressed his mounting rage, and stood up indignantly.]

[After taking two steps, he suddenly turned back, pointing a finger at you as he spoke each word emphatically:]

["Kid, I'll remember you."]

[With that, he flicked his sleeves and stormed off.]

[Fairy Tianxuan withdrew her gaze and looked at you, her eyes filled with a bit of confusion: "Why did you have to offend him? He is, after all, a Genius of the Bai family."]

[You raised an eyebrow: "The Bai family? Are they very powerful?"]

[She shook her head slightly and explained in a calm tone:]

["The Bai family has a deep foundation and some unknown secret technique that makes every Disciple in their clan exceptionally talented. Many of their outstanding members hold key positions in various academies, the Heavenly Palace, Holy Lands, and even the Wuji Immortal Sect."]

["Furthermore, the Bai family is most skilled at networking; their web of connections spans across all major powers, deeply intertwined."]

[She paused and looked at you: "By offending him like this, I'm afraid you'll invite retaliation."]

[You nodded and smiled, then suddenly asked: "No wonder he dares to covet you despite being a mere Nascent Soul?"]

[Fairy Tianxuan's expression remained unchanged: "He is several decades younger than me. If he reached my age, his cultivation might not necessarily be inferior to mine."]

["And yet you still don't care for him?"]

["My heart is set on the Dao; I have no other thoughts." Her tone was indifferent, devoid of joy or sorrow.]

[Then, she changed the subject, looking directly at you: "Once you obtain the heart of the vermilion bird, please leave as soon as possible. I thank you in advance."]

[You nodded: "Don't worry."]

[She gave you a deep look and whispered: "Thank you."]

[With that, she turned and left.]

[Rising Sun.]

[You arrived early at the Langgan Pavilion.]

[Inside the auction hall, every seat was already filled. Thousands of people were packed together, a sea of heads moving about as the clamor rose and fell.]

[The private rooms on the second floor were elegantly decorated with carved railings and jade masonry.]

[You glanced up—Bai Yan was sitting there, looking down with a cold sneer.]

[It wasn't just him.]

[The Eldest Princess was also there.]

[Fairy Tianxuan sat in another private room, her face covered by a light veil, making her expression unreadable. Her gaze swept over you indifferently, and she said nothing.]

[Bai Yan, however, shot you a glance, a mocking smile curling at the corners of his mouth.]

[You withdrew your gaze, your expression normal.]

[At that moment, an old man walked onto the auction stage.]

[He was dressed in a gray robe, with a lean face but bright, piercing eyes, and a steady aura surrounding him—the Late Nascent Soul Stage.]

[It was Deacon Xu of the Langgan Pavilion.]

[He didn't waste a single word, simply waving his hand:]

["The auction begins."]

[As soon as he finished speaking, a young female cultivator walked gracefully onto the stage.]

[She was draped in translucent gauze, her skin like congealed fat and her face beautiful. In her hands, she held a jade tray where spiritual light swirled—it was the first auction item.]

[Deacon Xu announced loudly:]

["The first item is Profound Iron Essence. Originating from Meteoric Iron from beyond the heavens, it can be used to forge Magic Treasures and is indestructible. The starting price is one hundred thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones."]

[As soon as his voice fell, someone in the audience immediately placed a bid.]

["Two hundred thousand!"]

["Three hundred thousand!"]

[You picked up your teacup, blew on it gently, and said casually:]

["One million."]

[The entire hall went silent.]

[Everyone turned their heads to look at your unfamiliar face.]

[Deacon Xu was startled for a moment, then raised the wooden gavel in his hand:]

["One million. Are there any higher bids?"]

[No one responded.]

["One million, sold!"]

[The gavel fell.]

[Your expression remained unchanged as you continued to drink your tea.]

[The auction continued.]

["The second item is Thousand-Year Warm Jade, which can nourish the Primordial Spirit. The starting price is five hundred thousand."]

["Five million," you spoke again.]

[The crowd frowned.]

["The third item is a Fire Phoenix Feather, containing a trace of Phoenix True Fire. It can be used to forge fire-attribute Magic Treasures. The starting price is five hundred thousand."]

["Five million," you spoke once more.]

[The entire audience broke into an uproar.]

["Who is this guy? Has he gone mad?"]

["Where did this hothead come from, bidding like that?"]

[You turned a deaf ear to them.]

[Item after item.]

[The fifth, the tenth, the twentieth, the thirtieth—]

[For every single one, you started at ten times the price and settled the deal in one go.]

[Gradually, the discussions grew louder and louder.]

["What exactly is this kid's background? Does he have so many Spirit Stones that he has nowhere else to spend them?"]

["Hmph, he's probably some playboy from a wealthy family out here showing off."]

["Showing off? This is seeking death! Doesn't he understand the principle that 'possessing a jade ring becomes a crime'?"]

[In the private room on the second floor, Bai Yan fanned himself with a folding fan and sneered: "Idiot."]

[Fairy Tianxuan remained calm, but her gaze lingered on you for a moment longer.]

[Her Tianxuan Immortal Dynasty was also short on money.]