It only took a few more minutes to go over the remaining details, after which Jiang Feng led Jie back down through the auction house.

All the while, Jie brooded. The spirit tiger cub still bothered her, and she wasn't sure why. Similar things happened on Earth, and while they upset her, they didn't make her feel this... full of rage. She wanted to tear the hunters apart with her bare hands. She felt stupid for it, and Ming would probably tell her she was being so too.

After all, strength was all that mattered here.

The tigers had been too weak, and so they had suffered.

Jie clenched her fists so tight her fingernails dug into her palms. Why does it have to be that way? It shouldn't be! People shouldn't just take and abuse and destroy anything that gets in their way. It's not right...

She wanted to believe in justice, fairness, and a happy ending. But, it seemed the world constantly sought to remind her that there was no justice except that dictated by the strong. No fairness except that the strong should win. No happiness except that protected with fists of iron and oceans of blood...

And Jie felt stupid for not being able to simply accept that. To see the world as others saw it. To just... let go and not care... like everyone else seemed to. What would happen when she had to kill? Would she balk and fail herself and Ming?

She followed Jiang Feng, lost in her thoughts.

The second Jie stepped into the entrance hall, the Pan siblings waved to her.

"Are you finally done?" Pan Tian asked with a winsome smile.

"I shall leave you to be with your friends," Jiang Feng said with a bow, "Should you ever have need of me, simply ask anyone at any branch. The Onyx Pavilion is at your service."

With that, Jiang Feng vanished with a soft breeze.

"We walk into an auction house and you outshine my entire family. I'm starting to feel a little jealous. Did you learn what you wanted?" Pan Tian asked.

Jie shook her head. "No. It seems it won't be that easy," she said.

"Ah, well... hey! My aunt said you can come with us to the auction tonight," Pan Tian said, "I think she wants to get on your good side."

"I guess I can go," Jie said.

It'll be good to observe the auction process. See how they act on my behalf... though they might just be well-behaved this one time. I did give him a lot of money after all... Jie thought.

She didn't plan to tell anyone about her arrangement with the auction house. The Pan siblings seemed nice, but who knew how they'd react if they learned she had so much wealth? Besides, even if they were indeed trustworthy, they could still let something slip at the wrong moment.

It just wasn't worth the risk.

Pan Tian grabbed Jie by the arm. "Time for us to have some fun!" she said.

The trio walked out of the Onyx Pavilion and onto the city streets. A group of six guards split off from those guarding the chariots and closed in around Jie and her friends. They maintained a bit of distance, so the trio wasn't cut off from the bustle of the city, but they stuck close enough that should a fight break out, they could easily respond.

"So, what'll we do first?" Pan Zhanshi asked.

"Food," Pan Tian said, "I'm hungry. Jie, have you ever been to the Golden Carp?"

"No," Jie said, "does it sell food?"

"It's the best restaurant in the city! It's expensive, but I promised to treat you," Pan Tian said with a bright smile.

"You don't have to do that," Jie said.

"Oh, please. What kind of friend breaks their promises?" Pan Tian said.

Jie chuckled. "I wouldn't know. It's been a while since I've had any friends," she said.

"Probably because you scare everyone stiff," Pan Zhanshi said with a smirk.

"Hey! Don't be mean to Jie!" Pan Tian said.

"How is that being mean? I'm jealous! I wish I could make people wet themselves with just a look," Pan Zhanshi said with a laugh.

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"She hasn't made anybody wet themselves!" Pan Tian said, "You haven't... right?"

Pan Zhanshi burst out laughing. "That only proves my point," he said.

They strolled through the city and Jie marveled at the sights, the sounds, and the smells. She would be forever grateful that they had working sewers. That was something that never sounded nice in any of her novels. Just... eww.

Around them, experts flittered through the crowd, disappearing and reappearing further along too fast to see. Flying magical beasts lazily glided through the air above them, and store owners yelled into the din. Most of those around them wore fine clothes. A few did not, and they were treated with utter disregard.

Those with higher cultivation strode through the crowd as though they owned the world and shoved anyone foolish enough to be in their way aside. Buildings rose high into the sky to either side of the road. Not unlike skyscrapers. But, their designs were far different from the bland and faceless monoliths in the cities on Earth.

As they walked, Jie tried to think of a way to bring up the favor she needed to ask of Pan Tian. She'd hoped to have a natural, easy way to broach the topic but as they continued walking and no such opportunity leaped to present itself, Jie finally gave up and simply asked directly.

"I asked Jiang Feng about an item that could aid my cultivation like you told me about," Jie said.

Pan Tian smiled brightly. "That's great! What'd he say?" she asked.

"He said that my qi is too chaotic for generic items, so I'd need something custom-made. And that I should ask you if your family craftsmen could perhaps make something for me? I'd be happy to pay of course. Depending on the price," Jie said.

Pan Tian nodded. "That makes sense. I'll see what I can do. It'll take time for my request to be approved or denied so don't expect anything right away. But, I'll do my best!" she said with her usual bubbly tone of voice that had a way of making Jie smile.

"Thank you. Jiang Feng said you'd need this," Jie said as she withdrew the stone Jiang Feng had used to test her qi and handed it to Pan Tian.

Pan Tian's eyes seemed to lose focus for a moment as she held the stone before returning to normal. "Woah! You weren't kidding! I knew your qi was ferocious but this? No wonder you need a custom fit! I'll ask my family and hopefully we can make you something suitable," Pan Tian said.

They continued on through the city, and the people around them gradually looked wealthier, their clothes becoming finer and glittering jewelry becoming a common sight.

"We should've taken a carriage," Pan Zhanshi said.

"Aww. Are you winded already?" Pan Tian said.

Pan Zhanshi scoffed.

"It's not much further anyway," Pan Tian said, "and this way, we get to walk in the open air. The carriages are so stuffy and cramped."

Jie chuckled. And the trio kept walking.

They crested a large hill and walked toward the building of moving fish Jie had seen earlier. Each fish glowed with a soft golden light as it swam through the air, causing the building to be in a constant state of swirling motion and dancing lights.

Ten guards wearing fine robes embroidered with beautiful golden fish stood at attention outside the entrance. Each of them was at the fourth star of the Expert rank or higher and Jie wondered if she could take them on in a fight.

Jie couldn't help but stare at the swirling cloud of fish around them as they entered the building, something that seemed to make Pan Tian and Pan Zhanshi smile.

The interior of the building looked unbelievably expensive and every surface glistened from the lights of the countless fish surrounding them, giving everything a surreal, magical appearance.

A woman stood behind a lectern in an upscale dress with a sparkling smile adorning her face.

"Welcome to the Golden Carp, names please," said the woman.

"Pan Tian, Pan Zhanshi, and Liu Jie, our guest," Pan Tian said.

The woman's eyes glittered. "Ah, how lovely of the Pan family to join us once again. Will you be using your family table?" she asked.

"I'd prefer one in the garden today," Pan Tian said.

"Of course," said the woman.

Jie followed her friends beyond the entrance and into an expansive garden. Mouth-watering scents filled the air and the gentle stream running through the garden gave the restaurant a relaxing atmosphere.

They took their seats and as Jie had no clue what to order, Pan Tian ordered for her.

"I promise you're going to love it," Pan Tian said.

Jie smiled softly. In truth, she felt a bit uncomfortable here. The restaurant was without a doubt the fanciest place she'd ever been in and on another world no less. There were probably a million rules related to dining in such a place, and she didn't know any of them.

Such thoughts turned only to irritation however as Jie spotted an all too familiar face.

Chen Ai approached their table with a sadistic smirk on her lips. "Well, well... I suppose they'll let anyone in here these days," Chen Ai said. She had a whole entourage behind her, but they all flinched when Jie looked their way.

Jie looked Chen Ai up and down slowly and frankly. "So it seems," she said.

Pan Tian giggled and Pan Zhanshi whispered, "Ouch..."

Chen Ai's face reddened and her eye twitched. "I meant you," she said.

"Are you sure?" Jie asked.

The Pan siblings chuckled. Chen Ai ground her teeth.

"You should watch yourself. There's no telling who you'll offend with your thoughtless words. Bad things could happen," Chen Ai said.

Jie regarded Chen Ai coolly. "Wise words," she said. Her tone was cold and empty.

Chen Ai swallowed hard. "Whatever. I have no time for trash like you," she said and stormed away to another table in the garden.

Pan Zhanshi and Pan Tian stopped laughing and turned serious. "They're up to something," Pan Tian said.

"Mmm... you'd best be careful, Jie," Pan Zhanshi said.

"Don't worry though!" Pan Tian said with a bright smile, "Our family is protecting you and so are we. And they dare not do anything too obvious or the city lord will use it as an opportunity to come down hard on them."

"Would he though? Strength is all that matters here," Jie said.

"But the Chen family has been growing in strength and influence. They'll probably make a bid to take over the city at some stage. Trust me, the city lord is probably praying for the Chen family to do something he can use against them," Pan Tian said, "so, you don't have to worry too much. Just be careful. Okay?"

"I'll certainly try," Jie said.