Gazing at the figure blasted away by the sleeves of the Golden and Silver Elders, Xiao Yan’s lips curled slightly. These two old fellows’ methods were indeed despicable. However, since the other party had already conceded, he was too lazy to argue with them in such a setting. The auction today was the most important matter, and with this incident, the intimidating effect he needed had been perfectly achieved. There probably wouldn’t be any more foolish people coming to cause trouble.
“Since the two of you have no objections to our ‘Xiao Sect’ managing Maple City, please take your seats quietly. The auction is about to begin,” Xiao Yan said with a faint smile.
Hearing Xiao Yan’s words, the faces of the Golden and Silver Elders twitched. They had lost all their face today. But there was nothing they could do… With a sigh, both of them shot a wary glance at the coldly beautiful Medusa beside Xiao Yan before dryly laughing and sitting back down.
“Everyone, the earlier scene was just a farce. Please don’t hold it against us. The main event—the medicinal pill auction—is about to start,” Xiao Yan said with a smile as he gazed at the countless people in the auction hall.
After Xiao Yan’s words, there was a momentary silence below, followed by a chorus of responses. After witnessing the earlier scene, even the simplest-minded person could tell that the “Xiao Sect” possessed strength far beyond their imagination. Thus, naturally, no one dared to provoke them, and instead, flattery and assent began to pour in.
There were plenty of opportunists in the Black-Corner Region. Ignoring the overwhelming flattery, Xiao Yan turned and smiled at Xiao Li, who had also let out a sigh of relief, “The next matters can be left to my Second Brother. This auction should proceed smoothly now.”
Xiao Li nodded with a smile. Even the Golden and Silver Elders had met their match; who would dare to cause further trouble?
Seeing Xiao Li nod, Xiao Yan then strode towards the backstage, followed closely by Medusa until they disappeared from the numerous gazes that watched them leave.
As Xiao Yan and Medusa left, Xiao Li smiled slightly, and with a wave of his hand, several maidservants brought silver trays up to the stage. On the trays were small jade bottles that immediately caught everyone’s attention.
“Hehe, the first type of medicinal pill we will auction…”
In the backstage living room, Xiao Yan sat quietly in a chair, holding a warm teacup and occasionally taking small sips. Here, he could faintly hear the excited voices of the bidders, indicating that the effects of the medicinal pills were quite good.
“Thank you for your help this time.” Holding the teacup, Xiao Yan suddenly turned to Medusa, whose face was still cold, and spoke softly.
However, in response to Xiao Yan’s thanks, Medusa still maintained her cold expression. Her slender waist, outlined beneath her dress, revealed a tantalizing curve, making one almost want to draw her into an embrace. Medusa’s emotions were in utter turmoil. When Xiao Yan had found her and asked for a small favor, originally, given her nature, she would have simply ignored him. Yet, upon seeing the earnest and hopeful expression on his young face, an unusual emotion had quietly spread through her soul, causing her to swallow her immediate refusal.
Although she knew that this unusual emotion was due to the fusion of the Heaven Devouring Python’s soul, the subtle influence was frustrating. On one hand, she wanted to slap this presumptuous man, but on the other, the influence in her soul made her hesitate and linger by his side. This conflicting feeling, which she, the Medusa Queen, known for her brutality, had never experienced before, made her constantly struggle and waver.
“Stop keeping that cold face. I know that your agreement to my request was partly due to the influence of the Heaven Devouring Python’s soul. So, I won’t fool myself into thinking that you have any special feelings for me.”
Looking at Medusa’s icy face, Xiao Yan shook his head with a bitter smile.
Medusa’s eyebrows raised slightly, but she remained silent.
Xiao Yan gently placed down his teacup and scratched his head, then awkwardly said, “Actually, we didn’t have much of a grudge between us, right? Back then underground… well, I was also powerless. It was all because of that damnable Fallen Heart Flame.”
“When I successfully evolved, if you hadn’t taken me, the Heaven Devouring Python, away, none of this would have happened. And if given enough time, I would have eventually merged with the Heaven Devouring Python’s soul. It was born from my evolution, so in a way, we are one.”
Hearing Xiao Yan attempting to shirk all responsibility, Medusa’s delicate brows arched, and she gritted her teeth, “If you hadn’t taken the Heaven Devouring Python, none of these troubles would have happened, and I wouldn’t have been dragged underground. And now, you dare to say we don’t have much of a grudge?”
Xiao Yan sighed again, tapping his aching head, “Back then, I didn’t know that the Heaven Devouring Python was you, and besides, you said you are one with it. Did I treat that little guy poorly at all?”
“You always say I kept that little guy as a pet, embarrassing you, the Queen. But by the heavens, I treated it like a little ancestor. I gave it the Purple Crystal Companion Source, which even I barely ate, like water. Isn’t that good?”
Xiao Yan proclaimed his innocence loud and clear.
Hearing Xiao Yan’s aggrieved defense, Medusa was taken aback. Whether or not he truly treated the Heaven Devouring Python as a little ancestor, she didn’t know. However, he did often feed it the precious Purple Crystal Companion Source, which she knew very well.
Mulling over her thoughts, Medusa’s icy face thawed slightly. Before Xiao Yan could find joy in this, she suddenly remembered something, and her face turned cold again. “Even if I can overlook those things, what you did when I was weak is utterly unforgivable. According to the rules of my Snake People, if one’s body is violated without consent, the violator’s head must be taken back and thrown into the Sacred Pool to be corroded to ashes!”
Hearing this, Xiao Yan’s face stiffened. He suddenly felt a chill run down his neck. Was this woman going to take his head back for disposal? Pulling a grimace, Xiao Yan felt the urge to protest. Underground, he was completely controlled by the desire born of the Fallen Heart Flame, and thus, only vague memories remained. Moreover, under those circumstances, he had no control. It was his first time too…
“Once I fulfill our agreement, you must refine the Restoration Pill for me. Then, I will settle these grievances.”
Medusa ignored Xiao Yan’s rigid face and chuckled coldly.
“And don’t think of delaying. If I don’t see the medicinal pill when the year is up, your end will be no better!”
With that, Medusa’s figure trembled and she slowly vanished from the chair.
Staring at Medusa’s disappearing figure, Xiao Yan helplessly shook his head. This woman was indeed difficult to deal with. It seemed he would have to play the long game. Luckily, there was still plenty of time before their agreement. He still had a chance to make her feel better about him.
“A headache…” Rubbing his temples, Xiao Yan, after a moment, could still think of no solution, and he let out a mournful cry.
The auction lasted nearly a day, finally ending perfectly as the sky darkened.
The proceeds from the auction, even though Xiao Li and Xiao Yan had anticipated it, still brought a sense of joy when they heard the report from their subordinates. With this large amount of money, not only could Xiao Yan obtain all the rare medicinal ingredients he needed, but the remaining funds would also allow the “Xiao Sect” to recruit many powerful fighters.
Of course, as the three forces that had contributed to the success of the auction, and because their strength would be needed in the future, Xiao Yan did not hesitate to share a considerable sum with them. Seeing their surprised expressions, Xiao Yan knew that the money had the desired effect. To subdue people, one needed more than just sticks.
Moreover, the smooth conduct of the auction not only brought great profits to the “Xiao Sect” but also revived Maple City, which had become somewhat desolate after the Black Alliance’s dissolution, bringing it back to its peak popularity, and even surpassing it. This was somewhat unexpected for Xiao Yan and Xiao Li.
On the second day after the auction, Xiao Li dispatched men to quickly gather all the expensive herbs that had been reserved in various places.
When Xiao Yan received the well-preserved medicinal ingredients from Xiao Li, the joy on his face was unhidden. He knew that with these ingredients, the day for the revival of the Medicine Ancestor was not far off…
And once the Medicine Ancestor awakened, the day they would return to the Jia Ma Empire would also be near…
All the enmities would be settled then!
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