Upon learning that Xiao Yan was the one who had bought the Flame Python Bow, Zhou Changqing didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
So he'd ended up scamming one of his own.
He had no intention of returning the tier-six pill or the Dragon's Blood Essence Gold, however.
Business was business, and he wasn't about to let such a prize slip through his fingers.
After stowing away the items, Zhou Changqing gestured for the group to sit. Xiao Yan then took the opportunity to introduce Hai Bodong.
"Oh? So you are the Ice Emperor, Hai Bodong, formerly one of the ten strongest experts in the Jia Ma Empire? I am Zhou Changqing. It is an honor to meet you, Senior Ice Emperor."
"Heh, that's all in the past. Now, I'm just an ordinary old man," Hai Bodong chuckled. "You, on the other hand, young man… if I'm not mistaken, you've already reached the Dou Wang realm. To possess such strength at your age is truly humbling."
"Hehe, this junior has merely had some fortuitous encounters and a bit of luck. I cannot compare to you, Senior."
Hai Bodong didn't believe a word of it, his eyes filled with undisguised amazement as he looked at Zhou Changqing.
He had initially assumed that while the young man was clearly not old, he had to be at least in his early twenties.
He never would have guessed that the youth before him looked practically the same age as Xiao Yan, perhaps only seventeen or eighteen.
After some idle conversation, the group didn't stay for long.
Xiao Yan and Hai Bodong both had matters to attend to; they had only come to meet Zhou Changqing and make his acquaintance.
Teng Shan and Ya Fei also had to deal with the aftermath of the auction.
The days that followed returned to a state of calm.
Zhou Changqing took up residence with the Mittel clan, spending his time either cultivating or tinkering with his equipment, constantly refining and upgrading his gear.
He also consumed the Tier 6 Xuan Spirit Marrow Tempering Pill, which significantly enhanced the resilience of his meridians.
As for Queen Medusa, she rarely left her room, spending every day either absorbing lightning energy or cultivating.
At the Dou Zong realm, advancing even a single star was exceedingly difficult, so she had not yet broken through to become a two-star Dou Zong.
However, it seemed that the evolution of her Snake-Person and Serpent Spirit bloodlines had drastically boosted her innate talent.
Her Dou Qi cultivation was climbing at a visible rate, and it wouldn't be long before she broke through to the second star.
Compared to the two of them, Ya Fei was far busier.
Having taken over the management of the entire auction house, she was swamped with tasks every day.
But judging by the genuine smiles that frequently graced her face, it was clear she was enjoying every moment of it.
Then there was Xiao Yan.
Just as in the original story, he had gone to the Nalan clan to treat Nalan Jie's poison in his quest to obtain the Seven Magical Green Spirit Saliva.
At the same time, to help Yao Lao's soul continue to recover and strengthen, Xiao Yan had registered for the Alchemist Grand Meet, hoping to win the championship and obtain the formula for the Tier 6 Spirit Fusion Pill.
Days turned into weeks.
One day, Ya Fei sought out Zhou Changqing.
"You want me to accompany you to a banquet at the Nalan residence? And they sent me an invitation?"
Zhou Changqing looked at Ya Fei, puzzled.
As far as he could recall, he had absolutely no connection with the Nalan clan. Why would they suddenly invite him?
Ya Fei wrapped her arm around Zhou Changqing's, her smile as radiant as a blooming flower. "Old Master Nalan Jie of the Nalan clan was afflicted with a strange poison some years ago. Even the Pill King, Gu He, was powerless against it."
"As you probably know, Xiao Yan got a letter of recommendation from Clan Head Teng Shan and went to try his luck for the reward the Nalan clan was offering. And who would have thought? He actually succeeded."
"Now, Old Master Nalan Jie's condition is improving by the day. He'll likely make a full recovery soon. To celebrate, the Nalan clan is hosting a grand banquet."
"Nearly every major power in the imperial capital has received an invitation, and our Mittel clan is no exception."
"And you, as the master refiner who has become the talk of the town and a hot commodity in the eyes of every major faction, are naturally on their guest list."
"They just couldn't find you, so they passed the invitation to the Clan Head and asked him to deliver it on their behalf."
"And what makes them think I'll go?" Zhou Changqing asked with a raised eyebrow.
Ya Fei patted his arm and shot him a playful, exasperated look. "My dear brother, do you have any idea how famous you are in the capital right now?"
"Lately, the door to the Mittel estate has practically been beaten down by a constant stream of visitors, all hoping to get a glimpse of you. In the eyes of these factions, your status is likely no less than that of a tier-six alchemist."
"Although every single one of them left disappointed without ever seeing you, their desire to win you over hasn't waned in the slightest."
"The Nalan clan must be thinking the same thing, which is why they sent you an invitation."
"Besides, they sent one to everyone else. Not sending one to you would be a blatant sign of disrespect, and the Nalan clan isn't that foolish."
"As for whether you actually attend, that's not something they're concerned with."
Zhou Changqing nodded in understanding.
It was true. Quite a few people had tried to see him recently, almost all of them hoping to establish a connection.
However, to maintain his mystique and prestige, Zhou Changqing had received none of them, deciding to let these major powers wait a little longer.
If he was too accessible, he wouldn't be seen as valuable.
But this banquet might just be the perfect opportunity for his official debut.
He was, after all, planning to fleece these factions for all they were worth.
"Alright, then. For your sake, Sister Ya Fei, I'll go with you."
With the matter settled, a pleased Ya Fei took her leave.
The following evening, Ya Fei found Zhou Changqing, and together they set off for the Nalan residence.
After passing through several streets, they finally arrived before a vast and imposing estate.
Led by a servant, they entered the Nalan residence without issue.
The estate was brightly lit with lanterns, and Nalan clan members moved back and forth along the pathways, creating a bustling, festive atmosphere.
Numerous guards patrolled the grounds, maintaining order.
It was clear that the Nalan clan was taking this banquet very seriously and wanted to ensure nothing went wrong.
Following Ya Fei, Zhou Changqing weaved through a series of paths and corridors.
Before long, they arrived at the heart of the Nalan estate.
The grand and opulent main hall of the Nalan clan came into view.
As they approached, they could hear the sounds of cheerful conversation and laughter, mingled with the faint strains of elegant music.
The great doors of the hall were wide open.
With her arm linked through Zhou Changqing's, Ya Fei entered with a graceful and composed bearing.
Inside, a lively scene unfolded before them.
The spacious hall was filled with people mingling in small groups. Some were seated, others stood, with the older, middle, and younger generations forming distinct circles, all engaged in pleasant conversation.
The sudden appearance of such a bewitching beauty naturally drew many eyes.
The young men of the various clans, in particular, all turned to look at Ya Fei.
Although her strength wasn't formidable, she was still a prominent figure from the Mittel clan.
Even before the recent events involving the master refiner and the auction, Ya Fei's fame among the younger generation was considerable.
Now, she was an elder in the Mittel clan with real authority.
A stunning woman who could stir a man's desires, possessing both cunning and a powerful background—countless young talents had their eyes on her.
So when these admirers saw her holding onto another man's arm with such intimacy, their gazes turned sour with envy and rage.
The looks they shot him were sharp enough to tear him limb from limb.
Many of them were already sneering under their breath.
"So what if he's a 'little' handsome? Hmph! Just a pretty boy!"