Next morning, Shen Xi decided to check the runes and formations she had acquired back in the Ling Kingdom.
Meanwhile, Xiao Li, fuelled by her natural curiosity and the need to gather the latest rumours surrounding the ancient ruins, prepared to head out but she made sure to drag Mu Chen along with her.
As Mu Chen and Xiao Li stepped out of the building's grand entrance and onto the bustling streets, the atmosphere changed instantly.
The incident from the previous evening had clearly traveled through the city like wildfire. The sight of the imperial guards kneeling in forced submission was not a sight the inhabitants of the capital would soon forget.
"Hey, look, those guys are finally out," a young cultivator whispered to his companion, nudging him as they watched the duo pass. "Yesterday, they really humbled the imperial guards. It was a sight to behold."
A woman nearby nodded in agreement, her eyes lingering on Mu Chen's indifferent profile. "You know, I heard that they don't have much of a reputation compared to the other famous prodigies who have gathered here. But after the strength they displayed yesterday? They are definitely dark horses. The exploration of the ancient ruins is going to be a lot more interesting this time around."
The murmurs followed them like a trailing shadow as they navigated the crowded thoroughfares.
Amidst the cacophony of the marketplace and the clatter of horse-drawn carriages, a soft, enchanting voice suddenly resonated through the air.
"Handsome young master, are you perhaps looking for a partner? How about considering the Yun family?"
The voice was accompanied by the delicate, rhythmic tinkling of silver bells. A figure, moving with a grace that was almost ghostly, appeared beside Mu Chen. She seemed to manifest out of the very air, brought forth by a fragrant breeze that smelled of exotic blossoms.
A delicate, tender hand moved with practiced gentleness, reaching out to brush against Mu Chen's cheek. However, before those slender fingers could make contact with his skin, they came to an abrupt, jarring halt, frozen in mid-air.
Mu Chen didn't flinch. He looked at the intruder with a look of profound confusion. "Who are you?" he asked.
The girl did not have any killing intent or malice, which was the only reason she was still drawing breath. Still, he found it remarkably rude for a stranger to attempt such a thing without an invitation.
Xiao Li, standing on the other side of Mu Chen, recognized the girl instantly. She let out a small huff, though her eyes were filled with recognition. "Mu Chen, she is Yun Er, the princess of the Yun family."
The girl was dressed in flowing black garments. Her feet were bare and as white as jade, adorned with necklaces of silver bells around her ankles. Her face was also very beautiful, with enchanting eyes that regarded him with great interest.
She stood there like a little mermaid brimming with allure, a prominent figure among the younger generation who had converged on the city.
Yun Er was momentarily stunned. She stared at her own hand, which remained suspended in the air, unable to move forward. She quickly shook off her shock, masking it with a playful smile as she turned toward the other girl.
"Oh? The little princess of the Xiao. It's the first time I've actually seen you in person," Yun Er said, her voice like silk.
Although the two princesses had never met face-to-face, they moved in the same circles of elite geniuses. They were well aware of each other's reputations and had gathered extensive information on the prominent figures of the Northern Domain.
"Let's introduce ourselves properly. I'm Yun Er," she said, offering a cheerful, brilliant smile toward Mu Chen.
Yun Er was widely known to be the swiftest among the younger geniuses, a master of movement and stealth. The fact that she couldn't even touch Mu Chen despite her sudden, ghostly approach told her everything she needed to know.
He was powerful—frighteningly so. In her mind, befriending someone of such caliber brought no harm, and more importantly, he was exceptionally handsome, which was always a bonus in her book.
"Huh? I thought you were some kind of ruffian," Mu Chen joked.
Yun Er's playful expression vanished in a heartbeat, replaced by a look of indignation. "What do you mean by that? I only tried to touch your face! Is your face made of solid gold and untouchable?"
She huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. She would remember this slight. Women are known to hold grudges.
Xiao Li burst into a fit of uncontrolled laughter, clutching her sides. Calling Yun Er a scoundrel or a ruffian wasn't entirely inaccurate. After all she was known as much for her eccentric behaviour as her beauty.
"Just kidding," Mu Chen said, already turning back toward the direction of the Tower of Pride. "Anyway, let us head back to the room. I've had enough of the crowds for now."
"Take me with you," Yun Er said, following them without waiting for an invitation. "I'm a little bored, and to be honest, I know quite a lot about what's going on in this city. I can be very useful."
Mu Chen didn't bother to reply, but he didn't reject her presence either.
Xiao Li shrugged and gave a quick nod of approval. "Okay, come along then."
With one more person now tagged onto their group, they made their way back to the suite.
As soon as they crossed the threshold, Nibi jumped from her spot on the couch and landed squarely in Mu Chen's arms. He instinctively stroked her soft fur and pulled a small bag of snacks from his sleeve.
"Here," he said, handing a piece of dried spirit-fish to the cat. Nibi let out a long, satisfied meow and began to munch on her treat.
Shen Xi, who was still meticulously working on a complex set of runes at the table, looked up and saw the newcomer. A faint, amused smile touched her lips as she thought: It seemed this guy really did have a peculiar streak of luck when it came to attracting girls.
"You went out to gather information?" Shen Xi asked Mu Chen.
"Yup," Mu Chen replied as he moved toward the bed. "But she says she already knows a lot. So, there was no reason to stay out."
Shen Xi nodded, her gaze shifting to Yun Er.
The princess felt as if she were being introduced as a living encyclopedia, but she didn't mind. She was too busy staring at Shen Xi. Yun Er's eyes widened, even she, a princess famed for her looks, she found captivating. She couldn't help but click her tongue in appreciation.
"Well, well, who would have thought that such a beauty would be hiding here?" Yun Er remarked, her heart racing for a moment.
However, since they were both girls, she didn't reach the point of being completely overwhelmed, though she remained deeply impressed.
Mu Chen, who had just flopped onto the bed, looked at her with one eye open. "You don't like women, do you?"
Xiao Li, sitting nearby, thought for a moment before chiming in. "Well, she might. There are rumors that she values appearance above all else, regardless of gender."
Yun Er felt several black lines appearing on her forehead as she glared at the two of them.
"If you both don't know how to speak properly, just shut up!" she snapped irritably.
Shen Xi, hearing Xiao Li's remark, turned a strange, questioning gaze toward Yun Er. Could she really be that way? Seeing the look in Shen Xi's eyes, Yun Er nearly coughed up blood. She felt the urge to scream that her sexual orientation was perfectly normal.
"Anyway," Yun Er said, desperately changing the topic before things got any weirder. "There is an auction tonight. I think we should all check it out. We might find something interesting—perhaps a life-saving treasure that could help us once we enter the ancient ruins."
Everyone in the room nodded in agreement. Even Mu Chen gave a slight nod. Since there was nothing else to do until the ruins opened, an auction seemed like a decent way to pass the time.
...
While total darkness reigned over the wilderness outside the walls, the city itself was a sea of brilliant lights.
Beneath the Tower of Pride lay a vast, sprawling basement that served as a premier auction house. The upcoming exploration of the ancient ruins presented numerous dangers, and since every person in the city was a potential competitor, everyone was looking for an edge.
Being accompanied by two princesses of prominent families had its perks. Mu Chen and his companions were ushered into a private VIP room on the upper tier. From their vantage point, they could clearly see the entire auction floor, the stage, and every item that was brought out.
"All the most well-known prodigies should be here tonight to participate in the fun," Yun Er said, leaning against the railing with interest.
The auction began with a flourish. The first item brought onto the stage was a damaged early earthly weapon. Despite its cracked blade, the starting price was a staggering five hundred thousand spiritual stones.
The bidding began immediately, the numbers climbing rapidly as cultivators vied for the artifact.
As the auction continued, various treasures, pills, and scrolls were paraded across the stage. Mu Chen sat in the back of the lounge, looking entirely unimpressed.
Xiao Li and Yun Er both placed bids on a few minor treasures throughout the evening, but Mu Chen hadn't even twitched his hand. Just as he was about to get up and head back to the room to sleep, the auctioneer announced a new item.
"Purple Orchid Jade Wine. Starting price: fifty thousand spiritual stones."
A bottle made of exquisite purple glass was brought out. It was transparent and translucent, and even from the VIP lounge, the violet nectar could be seen swirling gently inside. The bottle seemed to glow with a faint, internal light.
Shen Xi and Mu Chen immediately locked eyes.
"Finally, something good," Mu Chen said, his eyes finally showing a spark of life.
Shen Xi smiled back at him. "You still owe me a bottle of wine, don't you?"
Mu Chen tilted his head, looking at her. "Really?"
Before Shen Xi could respond, Nibi, who had been resting in her arms, let out a loud meow. The cat waved her paws and flicked her five tails as if she were telling a grand story. She seemed to be reminding Mu Chen of the bet they had made—the one concerning the four-breath limit he had predicted for the fight against Sun Liang.
Hearing the cat's input, Shen Xi chuckled softly. "See? even Nibi remembers our wager."
Shen Xi reached down to scratch behind Nibi's ears. The golden cat purred and cast a look of pure disdain toward Mu Chen, her expression clearly stating that she was unimpressed by his weak memory.
Mu Chen stared at the cat in betrayal. "Whose side are you on? I'm the one who brings you snacks."
Nibi merely twitched her whiskers in response. Shen Xi laughed and turned her attention back to the auction stage. "Regardless of who is on whose side, a bet is still a bet."
Mu Chen let out a long sigh. He realized that against these two, he truly had no control over the situation.
Yun Er, watching the exchange from the side, found the entire dynamic incredibly puzzling.
She leaned over to Xiao Li and whispered, "What is up with this group? They get this excited over a bottle of wine. It's like they don't care about the treasures at all."
Xiao Li giggled, her eyes bright. "Well, they are strange. At first, I thought it was odd too, but now I think they're fun. They don't try hard at anything. They just exist, and honestly, it's really refreshing."
Yun Er's confusion only deepened. "What does that even mean?"
Xiao Li patted Yun Er's hand with a knowing smile. "Don't worry. You'll learn what it means soon enough."