Yu Zheng Mao attempted to persuade Yu Zhao several more times, but seeing her firm stance, he realized his efforts were in vain. Though disappointed, he couldn’t help but admire her resolve.
“It seems we didn’t think this through.” He retrieved a small golden seal. “This is the VIP seal of Black Water City Auction. With it, you can enjoy complimentary VIP services and discounted rates. Miss Yu, I insist you accept this.”
Yu Zheng Mao had prepared for this outcome beforehand. If his first strategy failed, he would move on to the second.
This time, Yu Zhao didn’t refuse and accepted the seal without hesitation.
Using this as a pretext, Yu Zheng Mao only charged Yu Zhao 80% of the usual fee, leaving both sides satisfied.
“If Miss Yu has no urgent matters, why not stay and relax in the private room with some tea before departing?”
Yu Zhao’s eyes glimmered.
Yu Zheng Mao was subtly warning her that someone might cause trouble for her.
Her expression remained composed. “Thank you for your kind offer, Manager Yu, but I do have other matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave.”
If they had any sense, they wouldn’t have provoked her at the auction, escalating the conflict. Now, everyone who attended the auction was aware of their dispute. Should anything happen to her, those three wouldn’t escape suspicion.
As for others who might target her—unless she faced a Nascent Soul cultivator, she was confident in her ability to escape unscathed.
“Haha, I overthought it. Allow me to escort you out, Miss Yu.”
The stronger Yu Zhao appeared, the more pleased Yu Zheng Mao was.
Throughout the entire process, Meng Yue remained a silent observer. Even as they left the auction house, she barely exchanged words with Yu Zheng Mao. Yet, she wasn’t bothered. Instead, she was delighted to have gained valuable experiences and new stories to tell.
“Miss Yu, are you leaving already?” Meng Yue looked at Yu Zhao with reluctant eyes.
Perhaps out of admiration for someone stronger, Meng Yue had developed a strong sense of reliance on Yu Zhao after their brief meeting.
Yu Zhao gently ruffled Meng Yue’s hair. “Yes, I must go.”
“Miss Yu, could you tell me where you live? One day, when I’m strong enough to explore the world like you, I’ll come find you.”
As Meng Yue spoke, her fingers nervously twirled together, afraid that her question might displease Yu Zhao.
Yu Zhao considered for a moment. Feeling a natural affinity for Meng Yue, who was a straightforward and kind-hearted girl, she saw no harm in sharing.
“I am a disciple of the Five Elements Dao Sect. If you ever embark on your journey, you can find me there. However, I may not always be at the sect, so you can write to me in advance.”
Meng Yue’s eyes widened in astonishment, and she screamed internally.
Ahhh!
Miss Yu is a disciple of the Five Elements Dao Sect!
This is incredible!
Meng Yue’s cheeks turned pink at a visible pace, and she became so excited that her words tumbled out in stutters. “Yes! I will definitely visit! Miss Yu, don’t forget me!”
“Of course. I’ll be waiting for you at the Five Elements Dao Sect.”
After receiving Yu Zhao’s promise, Meng Yue left reluctantly, turning back every few steps to glance at her.
Yu Zhao didn’t leave immediately; instead, she returned to the inn.
Inside the room, Chen Tian Dong was animatedly recounting the events of the auction to his clan members, gesturing wildly.
When they heard about Yu Zhao being deliberately overbid, their faces collectively darkened.
But when they learned how Yu Zhao had outsmarted her opponent, forcing him to pay nearly a thousand extra high-grade spirit stones, they cheered enthusiastically, as if they had been present at the scene.
Knock, knock—
As everyone was still basking in the lingering excitement, the room’s door was suddenly knocked on.
Chen Tian Dong frowned at first but then quickly brightened as if he had thought of something. He ran to the door with a delighted expression.
Sure enough, standing outside was Yu Zhao.
“Senior Yu, you’re back,” he greeted warmly.
The Chen family members inside, upon hearing it was Yu Zhao, quickly stood up to welcome her, their voices overlapping noisily.
Chen Tian Dong, mindful of disturbing other guests, hurriedly ushered everyone back into the room and attempted to invite Yu Zhao in.
“No need for formalities. I’ve come to bid you farewell,” Yu Zhao replied with a faint smile. After all, leaving without a word after meeting them would have been rather discourteous.
Chen Tian Dong’s face fell slightly. “Senior Yu, are you leaving now?”
“Yes.”
Hesitating for a moment, he thickened his skin to ask, “May I know where you are headed next? If it’s on the way, our Chen family caravan would be honored to escort you further.”
As soon as he said this, his face flushed in embarrassment. Their survival in Black Water City had been entirely thanks to Yu Zhao. Without her intervention, the Chen family would have perished at the hands of the Black-Robed Elder. Offering her an escort seemed absurd since they owed her a great debt instead.
“Southern Abyss City,” Yu Zhao replied plainly.
Her next destination, Water Cloud Palace, was near Southern Abyss City.
Disappointment flashed across Chen Tian Dong’s face. Southern Abyss City, bordering the Southern Abyss, was in the far south, the complete opposite direction of the Chen family’s territory.
“Senior Yu, though we won’t have the honor of accompanying you, I wish you a smooth journey and the fulfillment of your goals. If you ever pass by Perching Mountain City, please visit our Chen family. We will welcome you with open arms,” he said sincerely, bowing deeply.
Yu Zhao smiled and nodded before bidding the Chen family farewell.
Eager to see her off, they escorted her all the way to the inn’s entrance. If not for her repeated insistence, they would have followed her to the city gates.
Finally shaking off their overwhelming hospitality, Yu Zhao heaved a sigh of relief. She glanced at the sun to determine her direction and set off southward.
Barely half an hour later, she encountered three familiar figures on the main road.
The three men, led by Young Master Fan, froze in place, their jaws dropping as if they had seen a ghost. They neither approached nor fled, standing rooted to the spot.
Fortunately for them, Yu Zhao showed no interest in conversing. She passed by without a word, her steps light and her presence bringing a cool breeze as she walked by.
It wasn’t until Yu Zhao’s figure had long vanished that Young Master Fan snapped back to reality. Grabbing his guard in near panic, he exclaimed, “She’s gone, isn’t she? She’s really gone, right?”
The guard, still shaken, nodded fervently. “Yes, Young Master, she’s gone. Far away.”
“Whew…” Young Master Fan exhaled deeply, but moments later, he felt a chill. Touching his back, he found his clothes soaked with cold sweat. A shiver ran down his spine.
The outside world was far too terrifying. He wanted to go home!
Meanwhile, in another inn within Black Water City.
Crash!
Wang Qian slammed his palm onto the table. The wooden surface shattered instantly, sending cups and plates crashing to the floor.
“Intolerable! Absolutely intolerable!” he roared, glaring at the Fourth-Grade Alchemy Recipe in his storage space. Instead of joy, his heart was filled with rage and resentment.
Beside him, Tian Han and Guo Ming En sat quietly, their heads lowered as they stared at their tea-soaked robes and shoes, saying nothing.
“Sir, do you require your room to be cleaned?” a cautious voice came from the doorway as a staff member knocked.
“Get lost!” Wang Qian bellowed.
The staff member quickly scurried away, leaving Wang Qian to seethe in silence amidst the ruins of the table.