The farce finally ended with Ji Shiyu fleeing in panic, which looked even more like running away to avoid punishment.
“If you dare to do it, then dare to admit it! Don’t run if you’ve got the guts! If you’re scared, then get as far away from me as you can. If I see you again, I’ll take it as your agreement! Whoever backs out is a coward!”
Listening to the yelling behind her, the unlucky Huangmao didn’t even dare to look back.
If it weren’t for Xiao Wang holding her back, Xiao Xinran would have already chased after her. Xiao Father apologized to the guests and then gave Xiao Mother a thorough scolding.
Nothing but trouble!
Not only was their family’s reputation ruined, but they also couldn’t explain themselves to their old friends, and on top of that, they’d offended the precious daughter of a Celestial Aristocratic Family.
What on earth happened between Yun Liu and Ji Shiyu?
The most ridiculous part was that all three of the people at the center of the rumors felt like they were the victims.
Of course, the main party was unwilling—having the engagement hanging over her head was like a guillotine, never knowing when it might fall.
The female lead was even less willing; there was no way she’d allow a broken engagement. She swore to win back everything she had lost.
Huangmao wasn’t any better off. She’d been beaten up for no reason, publicly humiliated as the homewrecker, and for some reason was now saddled with a three-year promise. Even if she jumped into the sea of clouds, she wouldn’t be able to clear her name.
Ji Shiyu racked her brains but couldn’t figure out how things had turned out like this.
The thing she regretted most now was saving Yun Liu and Xiao Xinran that day.
Those two are absolutely toxic!
***
Night fell.
In the center of Mist City, a striking pagoda blazed with lights, packed with people.
Shanhai Pavilion was the place every cultivator visited most often.
Put simply, it was the adventurers’ guild of the Misty Realm’s cultivation world, with a wide range of business across the Nine Provinces.
On the sixth floor of the pagoda, a white-robed youth sat calmly in the pavilion, quietly waiting for the event to begin.
Yun Liu was no stranger to Shanhai Pavilion.
In the game, he’d often come here to shop for bargains, and he knew all the tricks to picking up deals.
The sixth floor was where the Auction was held.
Right now, both upstairs and down were packed with curious guests, all craning their necks.
Word had spread that a Heaven-Grade Spirit Herb had appeared here and would be auctioned publicly.
Rogue cultivators from the surrounding counties had flocked in, and among them were Divine Radiance Disciples in Cloud Robes, who had come down from the mountain just to see for themselves.
Speaking of which, there was a strange incident to mention: today, Mist City had experienced a sudden celestial phenomenon, drawing widespread attention.
Unsurprisingly, this Heaven-Grade Spirit Herb was freshly picked, still warm from the furnace.
Who would have thought that, right under the nose of the Divine Radiance Five Peaks, a small city could hide an alchemist capable of refining Heaven-Grade Spirit Herbs?
Compared to the herb itself, everyone was even more curious about the identity of its owner.
And Yun Liu was relaxing in a private box above, sipping tea, with a radiant girl in a purple dress waiting on him.
The Shanhai Pavilion’s poster girl was respectful, having personally confirmed that the herb in the youth’s hand was indeed a Heaven-Grade Spirit Herb.
From all the intelligence she held, she was certain that the young man before her was none other than the Pill Alchemist himself.
Sensing Yun Liu’s lack of interest, the girl gently said, “Mr. Yun, if you could give us a bit more time to prepare, Shanhai Pavilion could invite even more interested buyers and fetch you a much better price.”
“It’s nothing special, just sell it however you like. I’ll be leaving soon, and I may never return.”
“All right.”
The girl was inwardly amazed.
What kind of confidence did this young master have, to treat a Heaven-Grade Spirit Herb like an ordinary cabbage?
In this world, treasures are divided into Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow Grades.
Yellow is the lowest, nothing remarkable.
Profound items are noteworthy, while Earth-Grade treasures are rare and always fought over.
But Heaven-Grade treasures are true rarities—impossible to seek, only to stumble upon.
A spirit herb capable of causing a celestial phenomenon clearly belonged to this class, and its appearance attracted all eyes.
There were barely any alchemists at Shanhai Pavilion capable of refining Heaven-Grade pills, even at the Second Grade, and their potential was not to be underestimated.
The girl treated this high-profile client with the utmost care.
With a sidelong glance, the girl found the handsome, charming young master Yun even more mysterious.
Sixteen years old and already able to refine a Second-Grade Heaven-Grade Spirit Herb—what about in the future?
“Let’s begin.”
The girl clapped her hands.
At her command, a steward immediately stepped onto the stage.
The buyers below couldn’t see the VIPs in the boxes, but Yun Liu could see everything happening in the hall.
He already had a rough estimate for his First Pot of Gold.
There was no need to promote it at the provincial capital’s main pavilion.
Because the richest fool in East Pole Province was here tonight, and she would definitely show up and win the herb.
No prestigious clan or immortal family could outbid a Celestial Aristocratic Family.
So Yun Liu had no worries about getting a good price.
From the moment he ransacked the pharmacy, he’d been planning to give Ji Shiyu a good fleecing!
After days of effort and perfect QTE, he’d produced a Heaven-Grade Foundation Establishment Pill—the very thing a Nine-Stage Qi Refining protagonist needed most right now.
While the steward exchanged pleasantries, someone was already sneaking inside.
Ji Shiyu, cloaked and hooded, had her proud, dazzling golden hair bundled up and hidden, not daring to show her face.
Tonight, every big name in Mist City had gathered at Shanhai Pavilion—not just Shenhua Inner Disciples, but plenty of Outer Sect Newcomers as well.
A Heaven-Grade Foundation Establishment Pill could guarantee a cultivator a perfect Innate Spiritual Foundation, putting them far ahead of their peers.
Its value was self-evident, and even those who hadn’t yet reached Foundation Establishment could prepare in advance.
As soon as she got upstairs, Ji Shiyu overheard people nearby gossiping, delighted by the latest rumors.
“Hey, did you hear? The young master of the Yun Clan, despite his disability, refused to endure humiliation, went to break off his engagement, and agreed to settle things in three years.”
“No, no, I heard someone found a new lover, the scoundrel was shameless about it, and the eldest Miss Xiao went on a rampage chasing after him, cutting down a whole street!”
After speaking, that person pointed to another private box and gave a thumbs-up.
With such a scandal in Mist City, City Lord Xiao Wang and his beloved daughter Xiao Xinran were both present, but their faces didn’t look too good.
The red-clad girl’s face was streaked with tears.
“Brother Yun is crazy! To marry into a wealthy family and have a beauty at his side—what more could a man want?”
“You don’t get it. He’s playing hard to get, turning the tables before it’s too late. Better to strike first than wait for disaster.”
“Taking advantage of his situation? That’s high-level stuff!”
“My little brother-in-law’s second aunt’s niece works at the Xiao Family Mansion. Rumor has it that kid’s new lover is a real beauty and has a powerful background.”
“Oh? So he found an even bigger backer—no wonder he’s acting so bold! Truly a role model for us all!”
A group of people chattered away, spreading wild rumors.
The whole city was abuzz, the gossip almost as heated as the celestial phenomenon itself.
The townsfolk loved every minute of it.
Two women fighting over a man, a man who was supposed to be a cripple, at that.
Even the storytellers at the teahouse wouldn’t dare make this up!
Could it be that the Yun Clan brat was secretly gifted, or perhaps… impressive in other ways?
ಥ_ಥ
“It’s not like that at all!”
Ji Shiyu covered her ears, on the verge of tears, and quickly ducked into a corner to sit down.
Speaking of which, after escaping the Xiao Family Mansion, Huangmao had packed her bags and planned to flee Mist City that very night—maybe even leave East Pole Province and go home to lay low for a while.
When she first arrived, she’d sensed the flow of fortune in East Pole Province, thinking it was destiny’s guidance.
Who knew it was actually the beginning of a nightmare!
Unfortunately for her karmic ties are a thing and won’t ever cut loose until dead, resolve, or forgiven (like forgiveness ever happens)