The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 42: The Girl In White And The Girl In Cyan

The Girl In White And The Girl In Cyan . . .

The renowned dan-maker, Shi Yue, slowly regained his composure as he pondered the situation. "You're absolutely right," he concurred with a nod. "His extravagant spending speaks volumes. However, it's worth noting that the supreme dan beads are the centerpiece of this auction. If he fails to secure even a single bead, despite acquiring numerous other precious items, it could be considered a significant loss for him. Given the substantial sums he has already spent on prior items, he could easily outbid any competition for the supreme dan beads. Yet, he has exhibited an astonishing lack of restraint in his expenditures. It's truly baffling."

Xiao Mo-Yan furrowed his brow and spoke in a hushed tone, "Indeed, it is quite perplexing. In fact, could it be possible that he is the very individual who supplied the supreme dan beads? If that were the case, his actions would suddenly make perfect sense, wouldn't they?"

Shi Yue's eyes suddenly sparkled with realization, and he gazed at Xiao Mo-Yan, momentarily rendered speechless by the implications of this revelation.

The two men fell into a contemplative silence, absorbing the gravity of this newfound possibility.

After a brief pause, Xiao Mo-Yan surprised those around him by standing up and striding out of the balcony. He then directed his words toward balcony No.17, his tone polite and inquisitive, "My esteemed friend in No.17, might I have the pleasure of knowing your name? Would you consider gracing us with your presence?"

Under normal circumstances, such a request might have gone unanswered, but Xiao Mo-Yan held a position of great importance as the hierarch of the Ling-Yun Sect—one of the top three martial sects in the Land of Han-Yang. His words carried weight and significance, commanding the attention of everyone present.

The entire room fell into a sudden hush as all eyes turned toward Xiao Mo-Yan, curiosity etched on their faces. They couldn't help but wonder why the hierarch was extending such a gracious invitation to this mysterious newcomer.

In response, Cha-Eun Xiao offered a warm smile and replied with an air of humility, "Hierarch Xiao, you and I are both guests here, and I believe it would not be appropriate for me to assume the role of the host."

Xiao Mo-Yan chuckled in response, his demeanor amiable. "You are absolutely right, my friend. I must have been overly presumptuous. You are a remarkable individual, and I extend a heartfelt invitation for you to visit my Ling-Yun Sect at your convenience. You will always be most welcome."

Cha-Eun Xiao returned the smile and graciously accepted the invitation. "For your kind hospitality, I assure you, I will certainly pay a visit to your sect in the future."

The room was abuzz with astonishment.

"Did Hierarch Xiao just invite that enigmatic individual?"

"What could be the reason behind this unexpected gesture?"

"Remarkable? I fail to see what's so remarkable about that wealthy newcomer."

"I believe he's merely a wealthy but conceited newcomer, nothing more."

Nevertheless, among the attendees, there were those from various sects who found themselves deep in thought. In this moment, they couldn't help but acknowledge that everything about this auction seemed connected to the enigmatic newcomer. Despite keeping a low profile, he had become the focal point of the event. Now, even the hierarch of a top-three martial sect had extended a public invitation to him.

It left them wondering: Was this wealthy newcomer truly as ordinary as he appeared?

In the midst of this intriguing auction spectacle, an unexpected and heartwarming interaction unfolded on balcony No.7. The girl in cyan, known to have engaged in a spirited bidding war earlier, rose gracefully from her seat and made her way towards the neighboring balcony, No.17. With a subtle bow, she expressed her gratitude, saying, "I want to express my deepest appreciation for your generosity earlier. It was your benevolence that allowed me to secure the medicine needed for my father. May I have the honor of knowing your name? Your kindness will forever be etched in my heart."

Cha-Eun Xiao, known to others as Feng, remained quiet for a moment, contemplating his response. He then spoke in a humble tone, "I am Feng. I had my eye on the item you won, but alas, I lacked the necessary funds. My intention was never to yield to you. There's really no need to mention it. I kindly request that you return to your balcony."

The girl in cyan, however, persisted, expressing her gratitude. She retrieved a beautiful jade pendant and gracefully flung it into balcony No.17 with a soft exclamation – "Shoot!" – before it landed in Feng's hands. She offered a warm smile and said, "In spite of your modesty, you have rendered me an immeasurable favor. I shall forever remember your assistance. If Brother Feng ever graces the Kingdom of Lan-Feng with your presence, you will be warmly welcomed by our entire kingdom."

Feng observed a gentle cyan glow before him, and then he held the warm jade pendant in his hand. The girl in cyan remained an enigma, someone he couldn't entirely decipher. Unbeknownst to him, she hailed from the Kingdom of Lan-Feng.

With a contemplative nod, he gently rubbed the pendant before casually placing it in his pocket. The girl in cyan bade her farewell, saying, "I shall take my leave now," and gracefully returned to her balcony.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the room, the girl in white spoke in hushed tones, "That young lady is truly exceptional!"

The two individuals dressed in black who stood behind her listened intently, their expressions filled with curiosity. One of them questioned, "Why do you say that?"

"She effortlessly crafted an image of innocence and kindness after aggressively bidding against that man," the girl in white explained. "She portrayed herself as vulnerable, an act both admirable and devious. Especially when she recognized the importance of that gentleman, she took swift action. Do you realize how challenging it is for a young lady to do such a thing in front of a crowd? Furthermore, her audacity to extend an invitation suggests that she holds a significant position in the Kingdom of Lan-Feng. It's even more intimidating if she's a prominent figure in a powerful kingdom."

Suddenly, the girl in white became alert, adding, "In all my years, I've never encountered anyone as shrewd and tenacious as that young lady. She possesses the potential to be a formidable adversary."

One of her companions expressed doubt, saying, "I fail to see her cunning nature. To me, she seemed rather disgraceful, shifting from fierce competition to flattery when she realized the man's importance. I find her actions distasteful. How could such a naive girl be considered your rival, my lady?"

"The fact that you feel 'disdain' for her precisely illustrates her cunning," the girl in white responded with a hint of disappointment. "Besides... what's so disgraceful about her actions? She concealed her identity behind a silk mask. Consider her impeccable figure; she is undoubtedly a beauty."

The other man in black chimed in with a sneer, "She'll regret it if she discovers the man is of no consequence."

"Allow me to call you a fool," the girl in white retorted. "If he proves to be useless, the girl has only parted with a jade pendant – a mere keepsake. However, if this Feng is indeed an extraordinary individual, the gift she offered him will serve as a bridge connecting them. Perhaps it will yield unexpected benefits in the future! If you still can't comprehend this, despite my explanation, then so be it," she concluded, her expression one of disappointment.

In the midst of this auction's intriguing events, a thoughtful observation crossed the girl in white's mind. She pondered, "Master educates these individuals. Some may be skilled fighters, but few possess true insight…"

Breaking the silence, the girl in white spoke up, addressing the lady in cyan with warmth and curiosity. "May I inquire about your name?" Her voice resonated through the room.

Turning towards the direction of the inquiry, the girl in cyan responded, "Greetings, sister. I bear the name Wen-Ren as my family name, but I doubt it's a name familiar to you. You, my sister, possess remarkable beauty. I'm certain your name matches your grace."

A gentle smile graced the girl in white's lips as she replied, "Sister Wen-Ren, you may call me sister Xiu-Er."

"Sister Xiu-Er, let's find a quieter place later to share tea together," Wen-Ren proposed with a sweet smile, bowing humbly before retreating into her balcony.

Xiu-Er returned the smile with warmth and a glint of recognition in her eyes. "Wen-Ren... That's a name associated with the royal family of the Kingdom of Lan-Feng," she murmured to herself, a meaningful smile playing on her lips.

Once Wen-Ren had retreated to her balcony, her middle-aged companion voiced her concern, "My lady, why did you reveal your name? Isn't that too conspicuous?"

Wen-Ren responded with a soft smile, "I've just returned to this world, my dear. I suppose I need to reintroduce myself to the world. The current circumstances are far from favorable for our kingdom."

"But I fear... the Kingdom of Chen might take advantage and harm you," the middle-aged woman fretted.

In response, Wen-Ren smiled softly and declared, "If that is their intention... let them try. I'll have my sword at the ready when they come. My sword has seen the demise of over three million individuals…"

...

As the salesroom fell into silence once more, the attendees shifted their attention from the enigmatic Feng Zhi-Ling to the upcoming auction item.

The two individuals from the Mu Clan wore somber expressions. Their initial plan to target and eliminate the man they despised had become far more complicated now that he had drawn such attention. Frustration welled up within them.

On the stage, Guan Wan-Shan grappled with his own vexation. He had intended to keep the supreme dan beads' resource for himself, but the sudden emergence of Feng Zhi-Ling into the spotlight had jeopardized his plan.

"If you wished to showcase yourself, why did you maintain an air of mystery for so long? I've been shielding you for quite some time, and now you've thrust yourself into the limelight," he mused, trying to regain his composure.

His spirits lifted slightly as he introduced the eagerly awaited final item of the auction, the legendary supreme dan beads with their exquisite dan clouds. He couldn't help but chuckle, his goatee nearly pointing skyward. "Ladies and gentlemen, I'm sure you're aware that this is none other than the fabled supreme dan beads, adorned with dan clouds, a treasure you've never before had the privilege to witness!" His laughter echoed through the room. "To be frank, despite my long years, this is my first encounter with such a magnificent treasure."