When she had accepted this assignment, she had asked her family whether the person the Yi family was sending was Yi Tianyu.
If it were Yi Tianyu, she did not intend to come, and the family had assured her it was not him.
Now, however, it seemed she had been deceived.
As a Saintess, Lin Xueyan was largely beyond the constraints of her family. However, she did not practice the Path of Heartlessness, and she did not want the family to fall out with the Yi family due to her own willfulness. Though she was dissatisfied, she did not show it.
Yi Tianyu genuinely wanted to exchange a few words with Lin Xueyan, but she spoke first: "Since Young Master Yi has arrived, let us head to the Wanxing Auction House."
Immediately after, she said to Fang Chen: "Remember what I told you earlier."
"Rest assured, I won't let you down," Fang Chen replied.
Lin Xueyan said no more and prepared to leave.
Yi Tianyu’s gaze toward Fang Chen grew increasingly malicious. Before arriving, he had seen them talking; this was the first time he had seen Lin Xueyan speak so much to any man. It made him full of wariness and jealousy toward Fang Chen, and hearing those words, his envy and rage burned even hotter.
In his heart, he had already decided that Lin Xueyan was his woman. Seeing her chatting so happily with another man—and even saying "I won't let you down"—how could he not be furious?
He did not vent his anger, however. Instead, he flashed a kind smile and asked, "Is this fellow your sect-mate?"
Lin Xueyan’s brow furrowed slightly, but she nodded.
Yi Tianyu smiled and said, "In that case, why not let this fellow join us at the Wanxing auction? What do you think?"
"Chapter 30: Are you Fang Chen?"
Yi Tianyu continued, "The more the merrier, isn't that right?"
Lin Xueyan did not overthink it. She felt it might be good for Fang Chen to broaden his horizons and realize that he and people like Meng Yao existed in different worlds.
Thus, she asked Fang Chen, "Do you have other plans?"
Fang Chen thought for a moment. The Wanxing Auction House also bought medicinal herbs; selling his Luoling Grass there would not be a bad idea.
He nodded and said, "In that case, thank you."
Yi Tianyu smiled. "No need for courtesy. We are all fellow practitioners."
As one of the top three auction houses in the Shendong Domain, the Wanxing Auction House attracted many people. At this moment, the entrance was bustling with the wealthy and powerful from Yucheng and the surrounding cities.
Yi Tianyu smilingly produced two gold-inlaid jade invitations and handed them to the attendant at the entrance.
The attendant took them, bowed respectfully, and said, "Two distinguished guests, please enter."
"Two?" Lin Xueyan frowned. "Only two?"
The attendant nodded. "Yes, this is a membership-only auction. Only members may enter. You and Young Master Yi are both registered members, so you both have access."
Lin Xueyan’s frown deepened. "Can I not bring someone else?"
"I am truly sorry. This is a membership-only event. As for safety, you may rest assured; the Wanxing Auction House guarantees the absolute safety of its guests during the auction," the attendant replied.
The corners of Yi Tianyu’s mouth turned up. He glanced at Fang Chen with disdain, then feigned surprise.
"Oh? Is this fellow not a member of the Wanxing Auction House? I assumed you were. My apologies, I’ve made you waste a trip."
Fang Chen realized then that Yi Tianyu had not invited him to attend the auction, but to humiliate him.
Sure enough, the scene immediately drew the attention of many onlookers.
Seeing Fang Chen’s plain, handmade clothes, many sneered: "Looks like a poor kid. To think he dares to come to a Wanxing auction."
"Exactly. Does he really think any stray dog can waltz into a Wanxing auction?"
"It’s hilarious."
The crowd pointed and jeered at Fang Chen as if he were a clown.
Yi Tianyu was satisfied with the reaction, though he put on an apologetic face. "I am truly sorry for the embarrassment. To express my apologies, I will compensate you."
As he spoke, he took out two spirit stones.
"This is my compensation."
He tossed them directly onto the ground, the stones clattering with a crisp sound.
"Oops, my hand slipped. Pick them up yourself."
Fang Chen’s expression remained calm, though his heart grew cold. He had not offended the man, yet he was being humiliated for no reason. Did he really take him for a pushover?
Just as he was about to speak, he heard Lin Xueyan’s cold voice: "Young Master Yi, are you trying to humiliate my friend?"
Although she looked down on Fang Chen, she had been the one to invite him, and she would not allow him to be humiliated on her account.
She said coldly, "Since my friend cannot enter, I will not be attending this auction either." She then said to Fang Chen, "Let's go."
Yi Tianyu was stunned. He had not expected Lin Xueyan to care so much about such a lowly person. This infuriated him further. He admired her so much, yet she constantly rejected him with cold indifference—only to show such concern for a penniless boy!
He said coldly, "Miss Lin, if you dare to walk away, I guarantee that from today, our cooperation with the Lin Family will cease."
Lin Xueyan’s footsteps halted.
She turned around, her expression icy. "Are you threatening me?"
Yi Tianyu did not care. Since things had reached this point, there was no need to pretend.
"Don't think that being a Saintess of the Tianyu Divine Sect makes you so special," he said. "Our two families have a partnership. Do you really think the Tianyu Divine Sect will ruin its reputation for your sake?"
Lin Xueyan’s hands were clenched tight. She wanted to respond with the same authority she held in her sect, but at the thought of her family, she could not speak. That was her home.
"Well? You’re a grown man—is threatening women all you’re capable of?"
At this moment, Fang Chen stood before Lin Xueyan and spoke coldly.
Yi Tianyu looked at him with contempt and sneered, "You, a lowly nobody, think you can oppose me? Do you even deserve to?"
Fang Chen stared at him, and suddenly, his lips curled upward. "We shall see if I deserve to or not."
The next instant, Fang Chen slapped him! He struck Yi Tianyu directly on the right cheek!
Yi Tianyu never expected Fang Chen to dare take action! Furthermore, as he was only at the Peak Spirit Gathering Realm, he had no time to react and was sent flying by the force of the blow!
The scene fell deathly silent. Everyone stared at Fang Chen in disbelief, stunned that he had struck without hesitation.
"Ah! My face! You dare hit me!"
Yi Tianyu collapsed to the ground, wailing and glaring at Fang Chen with fury. Because he had wanted a chance to be alone with Lin Xueyan, he hadn't brought any guards! He didn't know what to do.
"You’re dead! I’m going to kill you!" he roared hideously.
Fang Chen’s lips curled into a faint smile. He felt a sense of relief. He looked at Yi Tianyu and said calmly, "Remember my name: Fang Chen. I’ll be waiting for your revenge."
Lin Xueyan, too, was stunned that Fang Chen had acted so decisively. Her beautiful, cold face was filled with shock. Hearing his words, her expression grew complex.
As clever as she was, she understood perfectly well: Fang Chen was drawing all the hatred toward himself to keep her from being put in a difficult position. She never expected that at her most difficult moment, it would be Fang Chen who stood before her.
"What is going on here?"
A hoarse voice rang out. An elderly man with white hair, wearing the robes of a Wanxing Auction House elder, approached.
Seeing the elder, Yi Tianyu’s eyes lit up. He hurried to say, "Elder Lu! This man is causing trouble at the entrance of the Wanxing Auction House! He dared to strike someone! Please, Elder Lu, deliver justice for me!"
Elder Lu saw it was Yi Tianyu and bowed slightly. "So, it is Young Master Yi."
The Wanxing Auction House had a partnership with the Yi family, as the auction house required vast resources that they typically procured from them. It could be said that fifty percent of the Yi family’s revenue came from the auction house, which was the source of their power. Seeing Yi Tianyu struck, Elder Lu was also annoyed. This was the Wanxing Auction House; striking someone here was a slap to their face.
"I’d like to see who is so bold!"
Elder Lu puffed up his beard and glared at Fang Chen!
But when he looked at Fang Chen, he froze. Why was this face so familiar? He felt he had seen it somewhere before, but he couldn't quite place it.
Lin Xueyan’s expression shifted slightly, and she quickly said, "Elder Lu, my friend acted only because of me."
Fang Chen remained calm. "A man acts for his own deeds. I did strike him, but I meant no offense to the Wanxing Auction House."
Yi Tianyu sneered, "That’s not for you to decide. Kid, you’re finished!"
Seeing that Elder Lu had not yet taken action, he said anxiously, "Elder Lu! This kid is called Fang Chen—he’s just a pauper with no background!" He assumed the elder was hesitating because of Lin Xueyan.
"Fang Chen?"
At the mention of the name, Elder Lu’s eyes lit up! Hadn't Manager Yan been looking for this very person for the last two days?
"Are you Fang Chen?" he asked excitedly.
Fang Chen looked at Elder Lu suspiciously, not understanding the man’s excitement, but he nodded. "I am."
"Fang Chen of the Tianyu Divine Sect?" Elder Lu asked again.
"Indeed," Fang Chen nodded.
"It really is you!"
Elder Lu was overjoyed! He bowed respectfully and said, "We have been searching for you everywhere! Please, come inside to talk!"
Fang Chen was confused. Seeing Elder Lu invite him into the auction house, he quickly said, "I am not a member. I cannot go in."
"You are the highest-tier member of the Wanxing Auction House!" Elder Lu replied hurriedly.
Lin Xueyan, standing to the side, was at a loss. Since when had Fang Chen become so popular?
Yi Tianyu also realized what was happening and shouted, "Elder Lu, what are you doing? He’s just a pauper, a lowly nobody with no money or power!"
"Chapter 31: Invitation"
Hearing this, Elder Lu barked, "Shut up! Is Little Friend Fang someone you can insult?"
"Elder Lu must have mistaken him for someone else! He’s just a lowly mongrel, how could he be the person you’re looking for?" Yi Tianyu still believed Fang Chen was trash and that the elder had made a mistake.
Fang Chen’s expression turned icy. This Yi Tianyu kept provoking him again and again; did he really think he was a pushover?
He stopped in his tracks and said slowly, "Thank you for the invitation, Senior, but I am just a pauper. I’d better not disturb your house."
He could see that Elder Lu wanted something from him. While he didn't know what it was, he could test the waters. If they truly valued him, they would deal with Yi Tianyu. If they didn't, he hadn't lost much, and he could simply turn and leave.
"Kid, you really think..."
Yi Tianyu sneered, wanting to mock Fang Chen further, but Elder Lu kicked him, sending him sprawling into the dirt!
"Audacious! How dare you insult a distinguished guest of our Wanxing Auction House! Yi Tianyu! Your gall is truly immense! From this day forward, our Wanxing Auction House cuts all ties with the Yi family! Your membership is hereby revoked!" Elder Lu said coldly. He had noticed that Fang Chen was gauging their stance.
"E-Elder Lu, you’re joking, aren't you!"
Yi Tianyu panicked completely. The Yi family relied entirely on the auction house’s acquisitions. Without them, the Yi family would suffer massive losses! As for finding another buyer? That was impossible! Smaller houses couldn't meet their supply, and the larger ones all had their own supply chains. If the family learned of this, he would likely be beaten to death!
Elder Lu snorted. "Joking? Do you think I'm joking with you?"
The Wanxing Auction House was never short on families supplying materials; countless others were clamoring for a partnership. But Fang Chen was different. A powerful appraiser could bring untold profits to the house. Troops were easy to find, but a good general was rare.
He stopped paying attention to Yi Tianyu’s pleas and said respectfully to Fang Chen, "Young Master Fang, please. Manager Yan has been searching for you for a long time."
Fang Chen did not expect them to actually cut ties with the Yi family for his sake, so he did not refuse again.
Elder Lu did not forget Lin Xueyan. He smiled and bowed. "Since Miss Lin is Young Master Fang’s friend, please, come in as well."
Lin Xueyan did not know what was happening, but she nodded blankly and followed them inside.
Soon, only Yi Tianyu and the crowd remained at the entrance. They now realized that Fang Chen’s identity was extraordinary and that it was Yi Tianyu who had brought disaster upon himself. Their expressions shifted, and they began to mock him.
"Couldn't you see his status? To offend him to such a degree..."
"Exactly. What a fool."
"To have such a fool in their family, the Yi family is truly unlucky."
Yi Tianyu’s expression shifted from despair to something hideous.
"Fang Chen! Lin Xueyan! I’ve noted this debt! Just you wait!" He gnashed his teeth, glared at the two who had already entered, and silently slipped away.
Fang Chen was invited to the highest-level parlor in the Wanxing Auction House. Elder Lu had tea served. After one sip, Fang Chen felt his internal energy flow smoothly; his mind cleared, and his cultivation even slowly improved. He was slightly shocked—this was the first time he had tasted such high-quality tea.
Lin Xueyan was also at a loss. Fortunately, she had seen her share of the world, so she maintained her usual cold, aloof image. Although she was a Saintess of the Tianyu Divine Sect, the Wanxing Auction House was a massive power, and this was only a branch. Even with her status, she had never received such top-tier treatment. She never expected that, because of Fang Chen, she would receive the highest level of hospitality from the house. Her gaze toward Fang Chen became even more complex.
Elder Lu made small talk, praising Fang Chen’s youth and talent. Not long after, the door opened, and a graceful figure entered: Yan Qiaolin.
She wore a vibrant red qipao today, her makeup exquisite, making her already peerless beauty even more captivating. Upon entering, she scanned the room, and her gaze lingered on Fang Chen.
"You must be Young Master Fang Chen," Yan Qiaolin said with a radiant smile.
Fang Chen stood and bowed. "That is I."
Yan Qiaolin smiled. "Young Master Fang is indeed as talented as the rumors say. You must have many women pursuing you."
"You flatter me," Fang Chen replied. "May I ask why I have been summoned today?"
Hearing his directness, Yan Qiaolin remained smiling. "Young Master Fang is truly straightforward. I won't beat around the bush, then. But allow me to introduce myself."
She sat across from him, her long, flawless legs visible beneath the qipao—a sight that would entrance many. "My name is Yan Qiaolin, a branch manager of this Wanxing Auction House," she said, before getting to the point. "Last time, Young Master Yu Yuanwen brought a pill to be auctioned here. Honestly, I am ashamed. Our house claims to be among the top three in the Shendong Domain, yet we failed to identify that the pill was a forgery. We later heard that it was you who exposed it. Is that true?"
Although she knew it was him, she wanted to hear it from him. Lin Xueyan looked at Fang Chen in shock. She knew the capabilities of the Wanxing Auction House; for a pill to deceive even them, the forgery must have been masterful. Had it been a fluke?
Fang Chen nodded. "That is correct."
Seeing him confirm it, Yan Qiaolin’s eyes lit up. "And how did you discern it?"
Fang Chen repeated his explanation of the forgery. Yan Qiaolin listened intently, and after a long silence, she asked, "So, you can distinguish the authenticity of both pills and medicinal materials?"
"Not all of them, naturally," Fang Chen said, choosing not to be overly boastful. "But I can identify almost everything up to the fifth grade."
In truth, he could handle sixth-grade as well, but that was too shocking, so he chose to remain low-profile. However, his modest statement made everyone in the room gasp! Fifth grade! In the Shendong Domain, that was already the highest level!
Of course, Yan Qiaolin would not believe him based on words alone. She said, "We happen to have a few items we cannot confirm. Could I ask Young Master Fang to appraise them? If you can identify them, our house will certainly treat you well."
Fang Chen thought for a moment and nodded.
Yan Qiaolin clapped her hands, and five beautiful, tall attendants entered, each carrying a red wooden tray covered with a cloth. They placed the trays on the table and bowed before leaving.
"Please, proceed," Yan Qiaolin invited.
Fang Chen didn't stand on ceremony. He walked to the first tray and lifted the cloth. Inside lay a second-grade pill, bright red, with cracks on the surface. The medicinal scent was heavy but carried a slight trace of off-notes.
Fang Chen glanced at it and declared, "Though the pill looks vibrant, it is all superficial. The cracks are not from excessive heat, but left over from the forging process. It is a fake."
Yan Qiaolin’s eyes sparkled. Their own appraisers had needed an entire incense stick of time to realize this, yet Fang Chen had seen it at a glance!
"Please, continue," she said.
Fang Chen lifted the cloth from the second. It was a verdant herb, with the appearance of jade, crystalline and translucent.
He took one look and stated, "Third-grade Jade Spirit Grass. A pity, it is a forgery. There is an herb known as the False-Jade Grass, which has no medicinal value but bears a slight resemblance. Through special treatment, it can be made to look incredibly realistic."