"Master, do you see now? I wasn’t wrong to become your disciple!" Min Li exclaimed, practically bouncing in his saddle. "Who in all of Solenthia could be as dominating as you? No one! Only a heaven’s favored child like you could pull this off. I swear, you’ll defy the heavens someday. It's the greatest honor of my life to walk this path to immortality by your side!"
If not for his serious expression and genuinely excited aura, Jin Yu would’ve slapped him off the horse for excessive flattery.
Sigh.
"That’s enough, Min Li," Jin Yu said, mildly exasperated. "Tell me… where can I have some fun?"
Min Li blinked, caught off guard. "Ah, yes, Master… but…" He scratched his head awkwardly. "I don’t actually know…"
Jin Yu facepalmed. "Right. I forgot—you’re not even from this city. Haozi?"
"Young Master," Haozi chimed in smoothly, "there are many popular places in the city for someone of your... status. The most prestigious is the Divine Ascension Auction House. Nobles and big shots from inside and outside Solenthia go there to flaunt their wealth. Next is the Deep Valley Gambling Den—it’s practically a hangout for young masters. Third—"
"That’s enough," Jin Yu interrupted, a sly smile tugging at his lips, his eyes glittering with mischief. He gently caressed Rainbow’s petal as he spoke. "Tell me—how much does my Jin family even have?"
Haozi noticed that glint and grinned knowingly. Puffing up his chest with pride, he declared, "Divine Ascension? Pfft. As grand as they are, they’re nothing compared to your family. Even if you emptied their entire vault, you still wouldn’t have touched a tenth of your inheritance!"
Jin Yu’s mouth dropped into a perfect ‘O’. "Wait, seriously? Are they just poor, or is my family too rich?"
Haozi chuckled, pleased to finally boast about his young master. "It’s not that they’re poor. In fact, their face value alone is more than hundreds of noble families combined. But compared to the Jin clan? They’re like rats begging for rice at your door."
"Ooooh," Jin Yu muttered again, eyes wide.
Min Li stared at him like he was witnessing a celestial being descend. He doesn’t even know how rich he is… Truly, only the most heaven-defying figures are blind to the weight of their own wealth.
With a sharp tug on his reins, Jin Yu veered his horse to the side. "Lead the way."
"Yes, Young Master!" Haozi answered, beaming as he galloped ahead.
---
The Divine Ascension Auction House towered at the heart of the noble district like a golden beast basking in sunlight. Its curved rooftops shimmered with spirit ore inlays, and robed attendants moved like flowing silk along the grand entrance.
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Jin Yu pulled to a stop before the gates. A pair of heavily armored guards crossed their halberds, eyes scanning the trio.
"State your name and business," one of them barked.
Before Haozi could speak, Jin Yu raised a single brow and slowly dismounted. His feets hit the polished stone floor with a calm and quiet thud. The aura around him was calm—but the kind of calm just before a storm.
"Move," Jin Yu said casually, brushing nonexistent dust from his sleeve. "I’m here to spend money."
The guards stiffened. Something about the boy's tone didn’t match his age—it carried the weight of someone used to being obeyed.
Still, they hesitated. The rules were strict—no entry without identification, regardless of appearances.
Haozi stepped forward and quietly whispered a name into one guard’s ear.
The man’s expression froze. Then his eyes widened.
"I-I see. Please, this way, Young Master Jin!" He snapped to attention and the halberds parted like waves before a ship.
Jin Yu smirked. "That’s better."
Inside, the auction house was a palace of luxury. A crystal chandelier floated mid-air, spinning slowly. Cultivators in elegant robes lounged on velvet seats, sipping spirit wine while waitresses glided between tables like trained dancers.
Min Li’s jaw dropped. "Heavens… are those spirit fruits on that tray?"
Jin Yu ignored him. His gaze swept the room like a blade, measuring the crowd. Nobles. Young masters. Cultivators. All barking louder than they could bite. He could smell the arrogance. It made him grin.
An elegant woman with silver threads in her hair approached them. Her robe shimmered with flowing Qi patterns.
"Young Master Jin," she greeted with a respectful bow. "I am Mei Lan, chief host of the Divine Ascension Auction House. A private VIP room has been prepared for you. Shall I escort you?"
Jin Yu didn’t answer immediately. He looked her up and down, not lecherously, but with the cool assessment of someone who decided worth in a glance.
"...Lead the way," he finally said.
"As you wish."
As they moved, whispers followed them like shadows.
"Who is he?"
"He doesn’t look familiar… but Mei Lan came out herself!"
"He said he came to spend money. How much can he spend?"
Jin Yu didn’t hear them.
He didn’t need to.
Because soon… they would all know his name.
---
Along the spacious hall leading to the VIP room, a sudden scoff at his side brought Jin Yu to a halt. He turned, brow raised, and found a girl glaring daggers at him.
She was dressed in elegant robes, her arms crossed and expression twisted with disdain—none other than Kang Li.
Jin Yu's brow knitted together. “You are…?”
Ding!
Influence +800
Ding!
Influence +800
Ding!
Influence +800
(Emotion provoked: Irritation)
The barrage of dings startled him.
What the hell...? He tilted his head slightly. “Do I owe you money or something?”
Ding!
Influence +1,000
Ding!
Influence +1,000
Ding!
Influence +1,000
(Emotion provoked: Anger)
Jin Yu: “...”
Haozi quickly leaned in and whispered something into his ear.
Understanding dawned, and Jin Yu gave a slow smile. “Ahh, Miss Kang Li! Forgive my rudeness—it’s been a while. How have you been? Did you miss me?” he asked, his tone playful and dripping with mock sincerity.
Ding!
Influence +1,000
Ding!
Influence +1,000
Ding!
Influence +1,000
(Emotion provoked:Fury)
Damn. Jin Yu thought, inwardly grinning.
Kang Li’s glare turned murderous. She huffed, flipped her hair with dramatic flair, and stormed past him as though his presence wasn’t worth acknowledging.
Jin Yu chuckled softly. Cute.
“Such a cute girl,” he murmured, watching her back retreat.
Ding!
Influence +500
Ding!
Influence +500
Ding!
Influence +500
(Emotion provoked: Anger)
What the—? Jin Yu frowned. Her influence points dropped? Is she feeling smug now? What a weird creature…
Just then, he felt a light jab against his hand.
“What the—?” He looked down.
Influence +10 (Jealousy)
Rainbow, nestled on his wrist, had changed color—an unmistakable shade of jealousy. Her petals drooped pitifully, like a grieving child.
Jin Yu stared, speechless. “You silly little thing…”
He gently stroked her petals. “My pretty Rainbow, you're the only cute girl in this world. Every other one is ugly. I was lying to her, alright? Believe Daddy, hmm?”
Rainbow turned a cheerful yellow and swayed playfully, curling one of her roots around his finger like a spoiled child seeking affection.
Jin Yu smiled to himself. Such a tiny plant, yet so expressive. Interesting…
“We’re here, Young Master,” Mei Lin gave Jin Yu a subtle weird look , before announcing with a smile.
She gestured toward an ornate door, guarded by two mid-stage Human Realm cultivators. Their respectful posture and polished armor made the place feel both secure and lavish.
In a small city like this, such a show of strength was already impressive—most nobles barely scraped this level, and commoners didn’t cultivate at all.
