But...
Jiu Jiu couldn't help pouting a little, regret flickering in her eyes.
Given how the other party saw her now, if she dared show up in front of her again, she'd probably get chopped into mince on the spot. She hadn't forgotten how she'd tricked her at the last moment, nearly driving her into a desperate situation.
Sure, things had turned out fine in the end, but the process... yeah, not so much. With her kind of vengeful personality, she definitely hadn't let that slide.
"It's not time yet... not yet." Jiu Jiu shook her head, but the spark of interest in her eyes didn't fade. "I'll need to find the right moment, with a reason she can't refuse, to appear before her again."
As the thought crossed her mind, a plan began to form.
She turned to the old man standing respectfully nearby. The smile on her face faded a little, her tone slipping into command.
"Lao Ge."
"Old servant is here," Lao Ge immediately bowed deeply.
"Pass down the order. Cancel all covert searches and tests targeting her. What happened today is to be classified at the highest level."
Her eyes glinted with a hint of cunning light. "And as for the auction three days from now... that Soul-Nurturing Sapling—make sure she wins it.
No matter what it takes, that item must end up in her hands. If needed, use our funds to secretly raise the bid or clear any obstacles."
"Understood?" Her voice was calm, but it carried a chill that made the air freeze.
"Understood, Young Master!" Lao Ge's heart jolted as he immediately caught her meaning. This was her way of continuing goodwill—helping silently, offering her what she needed most, and paving the way for a reunion later.
"Rest assured, Young Master. I'll see it handled perfectly, no loose ends."
"Good." Jiu Jiu nodded with satisfaction and waved her hand. "Go."
Lao Ge bowed and withdrew from the secret chamber.
Once again, only Jiu Jiu remained. She leaned back against her chair, half-lidding her foxlike eyes, a slow, knowing smile curling at her lips—one filled with anticipation.
Three days later.
In front of the Tianxing City Auction Hall, the place was packed with people, far noisier than usual.
The line stretched from the gate all the way to the corner of the street, full of cultivators radiating powerful auras.
And the reason was simple. Today marked Tianxing Auction Hall's once-in-a-decade grand event.
Rumor had it that countless rare treasures would appear this time, drawing cultivators from all nearby regions, each hoping to strike fortune or find a hidden gem.
Xie Zhaolin, wrapped in a plain black cloak that hid her figure completely, kept her aura suppressed to the late Foundation stage as she slowly approached the entrance.
The moment she got close, a maid who had been waiting at the side immediately stepped forward with deep respect.
"Honored guest, you've arrived! We've reserved Box Number Three under the Heaven tier for you. Please, this way."
The maid gestured politely, indicating that Xie Zhaolin could enter through the side passage reserved for VIPs. Though surprised that the maid could recognize her so precisely, she didn't question it. She simply nodded slightly and was about to follow—
"Stop right there!"
A loud, angry shout exploded from the waiting crowd!
A tall, burly man stepped out of line, blocking her path. His aura surged—the early Core Formation stage. His face darkened as he looked her up and down. When he sensed her mere Foundation-stage cultivation, his eyes filled with open disdain.
"Who the hell do you think you are, cutting in line?!" His voice boomed, carrying the pressure of a Core Formation cultivator, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
"Today's the decade auction! Rules are strict! Even someone like me, a Golden Core cultivator, has to wait in line! And you, a mere Foundation late stage—what right do you have to walk the VIP path? Don't tell me you've got some filthy deal going on with that maid?"
His words immediately stirred up the crowd.
Most people who came here weren't weak or poor, and everyone hated waiting. Seeing someone skip the line—a low-level cultivator, no less—lit a fire of indignation.
"Yeah! Why does she get to go in first?"
"Bet she bribed the maid or something!"
"If it were some powerhouse or a big shot, fine, but her? Who does she think she is?"
Murmurs of scorn and mockery rippled through the crowd. Many were clearly enjoying the drama, hoping it'd blow up further.
Seeing that people were siding with him, the Golden Core man puffed up even more, chin raised high as if upholding justice itself.
The maid frowned slightly and tried to explain. "Senior, you're mistaken! This lady is—"
"Mistaken?" The man barked out a laugh, cutting her off before she could finish. His gaze locked coldly on Xie Zhaolin. "You're not getting in without explaining yourself!"
Finally, Xie Zhaolin lifted her head a little, her gaze cool under the shadow of her hood.
She didn't want trouble, not here, not now.
So she said nothing, simply turned slightly to go around him.
"You dare ignore me?!" The man's pride snapped. Being disregarded in front of everyone? Unforgivable. Rage flooded his face.
He suddenly reached out, trying to grab her shoulder by force. "Stand still, bitch! You're not going anywhere until you explain yourself!"
His movement was rough, full of aggression and intent to humiliate. Spirit power from his Core Formation cultivation surged along with it. If he actually caught her, any ordinary Foundation cultivator would've had their shoulder shattered instantly.
Gasps rose from the crowd. Some looked alarmed, others gleeful, waiting to see a scene.
The maid's expression turned ugly, just as she raised her hand to intervene—
Crack!
Before anyone could see how it happened, a slender, pale hand had already gripped the man's wrist.
Then came a sharp, sickening snap that echoed through the silent air.
"Ah—!"
The man's scream tore through the noise, sharp and pitiful.
Pain like never before shot up his arm as his wrist was crushed by an unstoppable force, bones snapping like twigs. His Golden Core energy scattered uselessly, unable to resist even a fraction of the power holding him.
He stared in horror at the figure before him. Beneath the cloak, a pair of cold, emotionless eyes met his.
That gaze... was like staring into the eyes of death.
Xie Zhaolin's fingers tightened slightly.
Thud!
The man's legs buckled, and he dropped to his knees with a dull crash. His face turned pale as paper, sweat pouring down his body as fear consumed him.
For a long moment, the world went silent.
Every whisper, every murmur from the crowd died instantly.
The air felt frozen. No one dared to breathe too loud.
And at the center of it all, only Xie Zhaolin stood—her cloak swaying lightly, her presence vast and untouchable.