At the Dragon's Whiskers Pagoda in Fragrant Jade City,

While seated at a table adorned with an assortment of delectable dishes, Jianyu's gaze shifted outward through the window, and a palpable awkwardness filled the air.

'Sigh, How awkward!'

Despite his inner turmoil, Jianyu maintained a calm and friendly smile.

'This silence is annoying. Does she not realize that I am trying to have a friendly conversation? Her responses are blunt as if she is purposefully making it so.'

I grumbled internally, as the uncomfortable atmosphere continued to linger, disrupting my otherwise tranquil dining experience.

'Enough of these inner frustrations! Let's clear up the uneasy atmosphere. There is still some time before the auction begins. I should try to strike up a proper conversation.'

"Miss Xifeng, are you enjoying the food here?" Jianyu asked calmly, masking his inner thoughts.

"Y-yes! The food here is quite good." Yin Xifeng replied with a hint of surprise, her smile appearing genuine.

'Did she... forget my presence, lost in the flavors? Are these dishes 'that' great?'

"I am happy to hear that this place is known for its culinary delights. It seems like bringing you here was a great choice."

"By the way, the auction we're attending is said to feature some remarkable treasures. It's something to look forward to." I mentioned shifting the conversation to the upcoming event.

"Yes, I'm looking forward to it," Yin Xifeng responded, her expression relaxed, and a more natural smile gracing her lips.

'Does she enjoy auctions? Perhaps the thrill of competing with others using wealth appeals to her. Honestly, I can't fault her for that.'

-------------------

After our meal, we made our way to the Phoenix's Feather auction hall. I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation for this event. After all, auctions can be quite exhilarating if you possess the funds to enjoy them.

Upon arriving at the auction hall, I presented a Jade Token that Lei Qiang had given me earlier in the day to the guard. The sight of the Jade Token prompted a polite greeting from the guard, who promptly escorted us to a VIP room.

The room was furnished with two ornate chairs and a single table. I gestured for Yin Xifeng to take a seat before settling down in a gentlemanly manner. However, her response lacked any overt gratitude.

'Sigh, this is why cold jade beauties are so...'

Since there was some time before the auction commenced, I attempted to engage Yin Xifeng in some casual conversation.

"Miss Xifeng, if there's anything that catches your eye, please don't hesitate to let me know. It would be happy to gift it to you as a keepsake from our first outing."

"...Mhm. I'll let you know."

In due course, the auction began. The auctioneer, a voluptuous woman dressed in a vibrant red gown that accentuated her curves, captured the audience's attention, evoking a sense of excitement that rippled through the gathered crowd.

"Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests, I extend my warm greetings to all of you. I am Yao Ruolan, your host for today's auction," her words(and boobs/ass) ignited a surge of expectation within the crowd. "This is no ordinary auction, as a truly exceptional item will be auctioned today."

"With that said, let us inaugurate the auction!" With this proclamation, Yao Ruolan directed all eyes to the first item up for bid. "Our opening item is a set of Soul Nourishing Pills, an extraordinary elixir designed to fortify the souls of nascent soul cultivators, facilitating rapid advancement toward the Unity Realm..."

...

In the lavish halls of the Phoenix's Feather auction house, within Fragrant Jade City's heart, I was seated at an ornate table with a delicate cup of tea before me.

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

However, despite my lavish surroundings, my interest dwindled, causing a sense of disappointment to settle in.

'Well, this is quite underwhelming. While the items displayed possess some value, they hardly seem to go beyond the ordinary. Can't I stumble upon a heaven-defying treasure like those heaven-blessed bastards?'

My gaze drifted towards Yin Xifeng, seated beside me. To my surprise, she was also looking at me.

'You too, huh......' Knowing that Yin Xifeng's feelings of boredom mirrored mine, I felt a sense of camaraderie with her.

Noticing that her gaze had already lowered, I decided to strike up a conversation.

"It seems like the auction is less thrilling than it was promoted to be."

Her response carried a hint of fluster as she stammered, "Ah, n-not at all."

'I guess she isn't rude enough to speak of such a thing to my face, at the very least.' I mused silently, a soft chuckle escaping me, which, in turn, brought a faint flush to her cheeks.

With this initial exchange, I continued chatting with her, the words flowing with an ease that felt almost unexpected.

"...Now, on to our next item—a mysterious five-colored jade fragment, brought by a mysterious cultivator. This extraordinary piece of jade harbors within it the essence of five fundamental elements, an irregular amalgamation of power. The bid starts at a modest sum of 200 mid-rank spirit stones."

A momentary "huh?" escaped my lips, for what lay before me was far from anticipated—a World essence jade.

'World essence jade in a mere auction house?! Well, this is quite an unexpected yet pleasant surprise.' A smile adorned my face and my eyes glittered with stars as I looked at the transcendental treasure.

World essence jade, often mistaken as spiritual jade, is in fact, a unique substance formed from the essence of obliterated realms. While the quality varies, each fragment contains a trace of the Dao laws that govern the world that birthed it.

'Interesting, this one seems to resonate with five elemental Dao laws. This will be a excellent for my foundations... This is far too much to be a simple coincidence... Could it be? Am I the chosen on—'

Just as this thought emerged, a voice cut through the murmurs of the crowd.

"250 mid-rank spirit stones."

The voice emerged from a cloaked figure, their identity masked behind a veil of shadows. Their tone was indistinct yet charged with an underlying urgency.

'Sigh, as expected...'

My gaze returned to the jade, my next actions clear as day.

"500 mid-rank spirit stones." I declared, my voice unwavering, deliberate with a sense of calmness.

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd, the cloaked figure's frustration discernible even from this distance. A challenging smile danced upon my lips.

"600 mid-rank spirit stones!" The challenge was met with a simmering vexation.

"1,000 mid-rank spirit stones." I continued without a pause ushering in a moment of silence.

After a few moments of silence, the cloaked figure decide to leave, but not before taking a last glance at me.

"Sold to the young master on the 4th floor!" proclaimed the auctioneer, a statement that marked the conclusion of this event.

As the cloaked figure retreated, my attention lingered upon their fading silhouette.

"Lei Qiang."

The words summoned my ever-present attendant, who appeared silently.

"Start an investigation into our mysterious bidder."

"Of course, young master." She nodded in assurance.

'Is this a new player or the familiar one?' I pondered the cloaked figure's identity, yet to be known.

"Also, look into the location of Xiao Xiang's brother," I whispered, with a mysterious yet meaningful smile.

'Regardless, I must ensure that, Yin Xifeng remains ignorant of the world essence jade's existence. It holds far too great of a value to be shared.'

"Moving to the next item, a true marvel in our presence. An earring of unparalleled craftsmanship, crafted from a sun blaze jewel and the feather of a golden pheasant. Let the bidding start at 400 mid-rank spirit stones."

"900 mid-rank spirit stones," my bid was swift like the wind, seizing the opportunity that had presented itself.

'Fortune favors the prepared mind!'

As the echoes of my internal thoughts faded, my attention turned to Yin Xifeng, an adoring smile adorning my face.

"These earrings would look splendid on you, Miss Xifeng."

Her response came with a timid smile, "A-ah, thank you!"

'Is she blushing? Intresting... Maybe she doesn't receive gifts often.' I wondered.

'Then again, given her status as the favored granddaughter of the Yin family matriarch, it's not entirely unexpected. Her interactions with the opposite sex must be limited.'

'Yes indeed, that seems plausible.'

"Well, I am glad that this trinket was to your liking."

What followed after that was the usual, dreadful, stifling, uncomfortable silence.

...

As Yin Xifeng's departure neared, the sun gracefully descended, casting its final golden glow upon the world.

Once our farewells concluded, Yin Xifeng paused for a moment, her gaze downcast. Then, in a surprising turn, she dashed forward, her lips briefly meeting my cheek in a fleeting gesture.

"Huh?" I was momentarily taken aback, my hand instinctively reaching for the spot she'd kissed.

As she departed on the immortal boat, disappearing into the horizon ablaze with crimson and gold, I stood there, without any movements.

This sight signified the interactions of an innocent youth and the act of a maiden's first kiss.

As for what were the thoughts of this supposedly 'innocent youth'?

"I AM NOT A PEDOPHILE!! I AM NOT A PEDOPHILE!! I AM NOT A PEDOPHILE!! I AM NOT A PEDOPHILE!! I AM NOT A PEDOPHILE!! I AM NOT A PEDOPHILE!! I AM NOT A PEDOPHILE!! I AM NOT A PEDOPHILE!! I AM NOT A PEDOPHILE!!!!!"