BTTH: Starting With Auctioning Green Lotus Core Flame

"What! You are Li Xiao, the Pavilion Master of Heaven Ascending Pavilion?" The pupils of Hu Qian, the vice-principal of the Outer Branch, contracted sharply. As a peak Dou Emperor, the rumor about the emergence of a mysterious and unfathomable auction house in the remote corner of Magical Beast Mountain Range had entered his ears.

Their collection of items was unimaginable. Not only Heavenly Flames, but they also had Tier-8 Pill, all were auctioned for astronomical prices. This fact suggested that they were either insane or having a background deeper than the major family in Central Plain.

Great Elder Su Qian frowned slightly. He had been in seclusion recently and was unaware of the events in the Jia Ma Empire. Seeing Vice Principal Hu Qian's expression, he felt a tinge of surprise. Not many things in the entire Black-Corner Region could make him look flabbergasted.

Sensing Su Qian's confusion, he briefly told him all the rumors about Heaven Ascending Pavilion through voice transmission, making Su Qian equally shocked. He didn't expect such a formidable auction house to exist in the small corner of Northwest Region.

Su Qian cupped his hand and said, "So, it's Brother Li Xiao. Pardon for my rudeness before."

"You dare address the Pavilion Master as a brother?!" Bai Ling's beautiful eyes flashed with cold light.

Su Qian felt as if his blood had frozen, his breathing became labored, and even his Dou Qi began to churn, as if he would explode at any moment.

"Bai Ling!"

Li Xiao's soft shout stopped her.

Bai Ling had to retract her pressure but continued to glare at Su Qian. Throughout the entire Dou Qi continent, no one was born worthy of calling the Pavilion Master their brother!

After Bai Ling withdrew her pressure, Su Qian stumbled backward, clutching his chest, his face showing signs of age. "What terrifying power, a Dou Venerate expert?"

"Don't ask what you shouldn't."

Su Qian took a deep breath to calm his turbulent Dou Qi and bowed, "I apologize for my earlier offense, Pavilion Master Li."

"No matter. May we speak further?" Li Xiao said calmly.

"Of course, Hu Qian, prepare a resting room," Su Qian hurriedly instructed, simultaneously bringing out tea leaves he had treasured for decades to entertain these formidable guests.

"Yes!" Hu Qian promptly led several outer elders away to make arrangements.

Su Qian respectfully gestured, then led the group towards the Inner Branch. Since the Pavilion Master of the Heaven Ascending Pavilion had arrived, it was only proper for Canaan Academy to host them inside, not at the Outer Branch.

Li Xiao walked through the air effortlessly. Though he hadn't reached the Dou Ancestor realm, with Bai Ling by his side, traversing the sky was easy.

At this moment, Li Xiao noticed a familiar face in the crowd and stopped. "Bai Ling, take Yun'er and Yanran to rest first. I've met someone familiar."

"Yes, Pavilion Master."

Though Yun Yun was reluctant, she followed Bai Ling and left the outer gate of Canaan Academy. She had visited Canaan Academy before but had only been to the Outer Branch under her own power, never setting foot inside the Inner Branch.

Li Xiao descended steadily to the ground, his gaze fixed on the stunning woman before him.

"Is this the young lady of the Gu Clan, Gu Xun'er, whom Xiao Yan misses so much?"

She wore a purple dress, exuding a cold and serene aura like a pure lotus in the mundane world. Her slender waist was like a willow leaf, delicate and elegant. Her long black hair was casually tied with a light purple ribbon, flowing gracefully down her back. On her fair wrist hung two small green bells, adding to her ethereal presence. Moreover, her breathtaking beauty caused this world to turn. Her alluring eyes were filled with an ethereal feeling, resulting in one having difficulty looking away.

Gu Xun'er, who was attracted by commotion and decided to take a look, was startled by Li Xiao's sudden approach. The masked man exuded an air of mystery and just his presence agitated the Dou Qi inside her. She had never felt something like this before.

The surrounding disciples were equally stunned, not knowing who this senior was and why Great Elder Su Qian showed him such respect.

Gu Xun'er recollected herself and asked politely, "Senior, do you know me?"

Li Xiao smiled gently. "I've long heard that Canaan Academy has a stunning beauty named Xiao Xun'er. That must be you."

Gu Xun'er's heart skipped a beat, and she silently breathed a sigh of relief. She had been worried her true identity had been discovered, but it turned out to be a false alarm.

"Senior is joking," Xiao Xun'er replied with a bow. "I am Xiao Xun'er, a disciple of the Xiao family from Wu Tan City."

"I am Li Xiao, the Pavilion Master of the Heaven Ascending Pavilion. Miss Xun'er, would you be interested in accompanying me to the Inner Branch for a chat?"

Xiao Xun'er responded, "I apologize, Pavilion Master Li Xiao, but as an Outer Branch disciple, I am not qualified to enter the Inner Branch. Please forgive me."

Seeing that Xiao Xun'er was unwilling, Li Xiao did not press further. As the saying goes, "a twisted melon is not sweet." Moreover, it was inappropriate to advance things too quickly when they had just met.

"In that case, I was presumptuous. Miss Xun'er, if you have time, you may visit the Heaven Ascending Pavilion in the Magic Beast Mountain Range. There might be something you want there, including the God Seal Technique."

Upon hearing this, Gu Xun'er immediately raised her head, wanting to ask for clarification, but Li Xiao had already vanished.

The God Seal Technique... Could it be the secret technique of her Gu Clan, the God Seal Technique?

If it truly was, then why would it appear with Pavilion Master Li Xiao? Who exactly was he? Could he be from her clan?

But she quickly dismissed this thought. There was no way someone from her clan would auction off the God Seal Technique. Furthermore, only key figures within the clan had access to such a high-level technique.

Li Xiao's presence brought her a great sense of comfort despite being a total stranger. Who was this man really?

To get answers, Gu Xun'er immediately went to a secluded area and summoned her protector, the Dou Emperor expert, Ling Ying.

"Miss, you called for me?"

"Old Ling, what is the background of the Heaven Ascending Pavilion? Why do they have Dou Venerate experts, and what did he mean by the God Seal?"

Ling Ying, kneeling respectfully, replied, "Miss, I have heard of the Heaven Ascending Pavilion. It's an auction house that appeared out of nowhere. It's said that strong figures like Huo Xuan from the Yan Clan, Heaven Venerate Zhou Xing from the Hall of Souls, and Tang Zhen, the Valley Chief of the Burning Flame Valley, have all been there."

"Furthermore, during Young Master Xiao Yan's three-year agreement, Pavilion Master Li Xiao personally went to the Misty Cloud Sect and intimidated Yun Shan, the old Sect Master. Even though Yun Shan had become a Dou Ancestor expert, he still bowed and groveled before Li Xiao."

"Not only that, Yun Shan didn't dare to utter a single complaint, even when Yun Leng perished."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xun'er's expression turned curious. "So, does this mean the Heaven Ascending Pavilion has ties with the Eight Great Clans?"

"I'm not sure, but I've heard they also auction off Heavenly Flames, something even our clan can't easily provide..."

Xiao Xun'er furrowed her brows. "The Misty Cloud Sect has been stagnant. Since the days of Yun Potian, they haven't had anyone truly exceptional. Brother Xiao Yan is quite impressive, having someone like the Pavilion Master of the Heaven Ascending Pavilion willing to help him."

Ling Ying respectfully added, "Miss, your judgment is indeed sharp. That young fellow might be underestimated even by the clan head given time. However, that's assuming he's given enough time. Unfortunately, many in the clan only see the present."