Chapter 390: The Diao Family

Xiao Fan nodded, understanding the reasons behind the matter…

Indeed, as Nangong Lingxuan said, reaching the Xuandan Realm in one's early twenties meant one was certainly an extremely rare Prodigy in the entire Wuhuang Province.

This was enough for the Nangong Family to change their mind…

And Nangong Lingxuan expressed her deep loathing for Diao Zhen; hearing those words, Xiao Fan suddenly felt much better…

Xiao Fan didn't know much about romantic feelings between men and women.

He was only nineteen now, and though he had passed the age of ignorance…

But he had suffered bullying in the Xiao Family during his childhood, so he never learned about such matters, nor had he ever met a woman he liked.

Later, he married into the Long Family and met Long Miaoyin.

That nominal wife was the first person to enter his heart.

She was also the person he decided to protect for the rest of his life.

Although nothing intimate had happened between them…

Afterward, throughout Xiao Fan's various experiences, he only cared about becoming stronger, completely neglecting matters of the heart…

"Oh, I see then," Xiao Fan nodded, stroking his chin.

Nangong Lingxuan glanced at him but said nothing.

She had explained so much naturally because she feared Xiao Fan would misunderstand her relationship with Diao Zhen.

It would be a lie to say she didn't have Xiao Fan in her heart; even Nangong Lingxuan herself didn't know when he had entered it.

When she joined the Jixian Sect, she indeed intended to become stronger and break her engagement.

She had a strong personality; she wanted to hold the reins of her own marriage in her own hands.

If there was no suitable person, she would rather grow old alone.

However, if she really hadn't reached the Xuandan Realm by twenty-two and was forced to marry Diao Zhen, although she would be unwilling, she probably would have eventually agreed for the sake of her Family.

But after meeting Xiao Fan, all of that changed…

"Since you don't like him either, it's fine if I target him a bit, right?" Xiao Fan looked at Nangong Lingxuan, a mischievous smirk playing on his lips…

"Eh??" Nangong Lingxuan was stunned for a moment, then nodded. "As you wish."

Beside them, Hu Rui had watched the drama unfold from start to finish, inwardly exclaiming: How satisfying…

However, she also felt a faint sense of loss; as a woman herself, she could naturally tell that Nangong Lingxuan's explanations were born from a fear of Xiao Fan's misunderstanding…

The surrounding Jixian Sect Disciples were all as clear-headed as Hu Rui about the situation.

Even Warrior Feng and the other two inwardly exclaimed: How satisfying…

They were all curious: how did Xiao Fan plan to target Diao Zhen?

Or rather, the Diao Family?

A contest of wealth?

Was he joking? The Diao Family was a major Family; how could the current Xiao Fan compete?

Xiao Fan glanced in Diao Zhen's direction, finally taking a careful look at his appearance: dressed in luxurious robes, with delicate features and long, narrow phoenix eyes that exuded a malicious aura…

Though he was good-looking, Xiao Fan felt he still fell far short compared to himself.

Since Nangong Lingxuan had agreed that he could target Diao Zhen, Xiao Fan naturally wouldn't hold back.

He silently calculated his assets…

"I have over seven hundred thousand Spirit Stones left, and combined with various Magical Artifacts and Spirit Pills, it's about two and a half million… That makes over three million available for use."

Xiao Fan nodded to himself; since the other party was trying to spite him, he wouldn't let them have it easy either.

One should know that while Xiao Fan wasn't from a wealthy clan, his personal fortune was staggering…

Furthermore, he had a grade 5 pill, the poe pill, on him, which was worth an astronomical amount. If he were truly pushed to his limit, he could pawn that off as well.

Although it was his first time at this auction, after the previous round of bidding, he had learned quite a few tricks of the trade.

Observing expressions, testing psychology…

In the previous bidding, the Piaomiao Immortal Palace, Ziyun Cave Heaven, Thunder Fire Sect, and Jixian Sect…

…none of these major powers had placed bids because they simply didn't care for the items being auctioned so far.

From the looks of it, the several major powers all planned to wait until the final day of the auction to make their move.

The ones participating in the bidding afterward were mostly major Families and small Sects…

Occasionally, powerful reclusive Loose Cultivators would place a bid…

"Next up for auction… the Grade 4 Medicinal Pill, the Rejuvenation Pill… It was refined by the renowned Grade 4 Alchemist of Shengdan City, Great Master Fan Yong. Once consumed, this Medicinal Pill can rapidly restore spiritual power and heal injuries. I presume I don't need to explain its significance further…"

Wu Qingyan's voice spread in all directions…

A Grade 4 Medicinal Pill wasn't much to major powers.

Besides the Jixian Sect, the other three major Sects also had alchemists with high levels of attainment.

They were not inferior to the Jixian Sect at all.

If they needed something refined, they could just have their own alchemists do it; there was no need to bid at an auction.

But for those major Families and small Sects, it was a different story…

Such powers generally could not afford to retain a Grade 4 Alchemist.

Those whose rank reached Grade 4 Alchemist or higher were few and far between in the entire Wuhuang Province. These people were either in the four major Sects…

…or in Shengdan City, holding noble status and being widely respected.

Very few major Families possessed a Grade 4 Alchemist.

They simply couldn't offer attractive enough conditions to entice these alchemists to join; most of these major Families only had 3rd Grade Alchemists…

"Starting price is two hundred thousand Spirit Stones, with each increment no less than twenty thousand…"

Xiao Fan was startled. Two hundred thousand? So expensive…

In the past year alone, he had consumed grade 5 pills twice: once given by Kong Ping in Jingchuan City, and another time given by Bei Ming at Bailian Peak.

And within the Jixian Sect, while purchasing a Grade 4 Medicinal Pill required many contribution points, it wouldn't amount to this much when converted into Spirit Stones…"