After delivering a portion of Luminous Soil to Lan Mulian, Mu Zhi’an rode the carriage back to the Mu Manor.

His senior sister disliked crowded places, and auctions weren’t her cup of tea. She had only considered attending for the Luminous Soil.

Now that she had it, there was no need for her to go.

Instead of taking her to a bustling auction house, it would be better to find a quiet and secluded spot for their next outing.

As for Ye Lingxuan… he hadn’t visited the Ye Manor.

He had been looking for an opportunity to interact with her, and this was it.

He would meet with Huang Manting, then approach the Ye sisters, testing the waters, seeing what secrets Ye Lingxuan might be hiding.

Lost in thought, he arrived at the Mu Manor.

As he entered the courtyard, he saw the servant who had annoyed him twice already that day.

The servant, noticing him, bowed respectfully. “Young Master.”

Mu Zhi’an nodded, glancing at him. “Have you realized your mistake?”

The servant, confused and slightly indignant, replied, “What mistake, Young Master?”

“All servants of the Mu Manor enter the courtyard with their right foot first. You stepped in with your left,” Mu Zhi’an said seriously.

The servant was bewildered. Since when was that a rule?

“Reflect on your actions.”

Mu Zhi’an walked past him, ignoring his puzzled expression, and headed towards Bai Ruoxi’s room.

The servant scratched his head, watching him go, still confused.

Another servant approached him, whispering, “He’s telling you to be more observant, to understand the situation and act accordingly.”

Servants weren’t just there to complete tasks. They also had to be aware of the atmosphere, the unspoken rules.

Mu Zhi’an was already quite lenient. In other families, like the Gongsun family or the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce, such a mistake would have resulted in immediate dismissal.

Realization dawned on the servant, and he looked at Mu Zhi’an with gratitude.

He was the young master. He didn’t have to offer such guidance.

“He’s changed a lot, hasn’t he? He used to frequent brothels and pleasure houses, but he hasn’t gone in a while,” the servant murmured.

“With Miss Bai staying at the manor, there’s no need for such places,” the other replied.

“But he went to the Rising Phoenix Inn this afternoon,” the first servant whispered.

“The Two Polarities Sect examiner is staying there.”

“Shh, don’t gossip. It’s none of our business,” the other warned.

They exchanged glances, then fell silent.

It was unwise to discuss their master’s private affairs.

Especially such sensitive matters.

…

Mu Zhi’an quietly entered Bai Ruoxi’s room and saw her, sitting on the bed, meditating.

She sat with impeccable posture, her long hair cascading down her back, her delicate collarbone visible beneath her robe, her ample bosom straining against the thin fabric.

She’s eager to reach the peak of Foundation Establishment, to ensure she passes the entrance exams… he thought to himself, admiring her alluring figure.

She was worrying too much. With her current strength, she was unrivaled among her peers.

Seeing that she was still meditating, he didn’t disturb her. He sat down beside her, closing his eyes.

At his current rate, he might even break through to the fourth level of Foundation Establishment in the next few days.

Time flew by, and soon, the day of the auction arrived.

He dressed carefully, adjusting his robes in front of the mirror.

He looked slightly tired.

It was understandable. As an Inborn Celestial Vessel, he had been contributing to Bai Ruoxi’s cultivation progress almost every night.

The process was exhausting, both physically and mentally.

He glanced at her. She was lying in bed, her shoulders bare beneath the thin blanket, her breathing slow and even.

She had clearly exhausted herself with her cultivation.

He smiled, then left the room.

As the door closed, her eyelashes fluttered, and she opened her eyes.

…

Morning Glory Auction House.

Mu Zhi’an arrived at a luxuriously decorated private room on the second floor, where Huang Manting awaited him.

She leaned back in her chair, her long hair cascading down her back, her legs crossed, her black dress accentuating her pale skin, her toes playing with her shoe. “You’re early, Young Master Mu~ A whole fifteen minutes early.”

He sat down, guided by a servant, smiling politely. “I always prefer to arrive early for appointments.”

She smiled, her lips a vibrant red. “It seems we’re alike in that regard.”

He took a sip of tea, glancing at the guests arriving below. “Since the auction hasn’t started yet, why don’t we get straight to the point, Miss Huang? I have other engagements later.”

She tapped her finger against the armrest, taking a sip of tea, then sighed dramatically. “You truly had me fooled, Young Master Mu.”

“Don’t you have anything to say about your deception?”

He pondered for a moment, then smiled. “Thank you for your assistance, Miss Huang. My family is quite pleased with those three market districts.”

The Mu family was indeed satisfied. While those districts weren’t in prime locations, they still generated a significant income.

Her smile faltered, and she stared at him, her voice cold. “So you came to me for those market districts?”

He took another sip of tea. “I also wanted to answer your questions, Miss Huang. Instead of wasting time on an investigation, I decided to be transparent.”

She stared at him, her eyes narrowing.

Realization dawned on her, a mixture of anger and apprehension swirling within her.

The Mu family’s young master, a wastrel obsessed with women… that was the rumor. She had met him a few times, and he had seemed foolish.

But what if… it was all an act?

He had visited her that day for three reasons: to acquire the market districts, to warn her against investigating him, and to exact revenge for her actions.

And he had taken advantage of her!

She had thought she was the one teasing him, but it was the other way around!

She felt a surge of anger, her voice laced with venom. “You’re quite the schemer, Young Master Mu.”

“I was simply being helpful, Miss Huang. You wanted to satisfy your curiosity, and I obliged. Isn’t that enough?”

He set down his cup, his expression innocent. “I just want to be a good person. But does that mean… I deserve to be taken advantage of?”

“If my spies hadn’t discovered your investigation, would you have uncovered my deepest secrets?”

She had no response.

She had been in the wrong. His actions were simply retaliation.

The auction house was filling up, the murmur of voices rising from below.

A tense silence filled the room.

Finally, she smiled again, her charm returning. “You’re right, Young Master Mu. I apologize for investigating you. Let me offer you a toast.”

He raised an eyebrow. “With tea?”

She chuckled. “I’ll treat you to some wine at our Chamber of Commerce another time.”

“I’ve heard my father has a fine collection. I’m looking forward to it,” he replied with a smile.

The tension dissipated, replaced by a seemingly amicable atmosphere.

“However, there’s something that troubles me,” she said, sighing dramatically. “Am I truly worth less than three market districts to you, Young Master Mu?”

Her words were accusatory, but her tone was soft, almost coquettish.

He looked at her, her eyes shimmering with feigned tears, her makeup accentuating her beauty. She was indeed alluring.

He smiled gently. “Three market districts can’t compare to you, Miss Huang.”

“Then why did you use me?” she asked, her voice still soft, but a dangerous edge crept into her tone.

He set down his cup, sighing. “You wanted me to be your Dao Companion, didn’t you?”

“No,” he corrected himself, shaking his head. “Knowing your personality, Miss Huang, if I were with you, I would be your servant.”

“But you want the horse to run without feeding it. So tell me… between distant grass and readily available market districts, which is more appealing?”

She narrowed her eyes, her delicate fingers trailing across his hand, her nails sending shivers down his spine.

“So, if I offered you sufficient compensation, you would choose me over Miss Bai~?”

He withdrew his hand, smiling. “Of course. With your charm, Miss Huang, if you offered me something irresistible. I would know what to do.”

She struggled to maintain her smile, remembering his awkwardness, his blushing like a virgin. He must have been mocking her all along.

She tapped her foot, then placed her hand on his again, her voice soft. “I wonder, would Miss Bai be upset if she knew we were so intimate in this private room?”

“I doubt it. She’s confident in her beauty,” he replied with a chuckle.

Normally, he might have entertained her flirtation.

But after spending so much time with Bai Ruoxi, his worldly desires had waned.

And besides, Bai Ruoxi was her equal in terms of family background and surpassed her in beauty and other areas. And her aloof yet delicate aura, it was irresistible. The choice was obvious.

She glanced at the auction below, then changed the subject. “What are your plans once you join the Two Polarities Sect, Young Master Mu?”

“What plans? I’ll just do what I do. Unless you’re planning to establish your own sect within the Two Polarities Sect?” he joked.

She shook her head. “Once we join the sect, our status in Tianxuan City will be irrelevant. I was thinking we could help each other.”

He chuckled. “I’m just a lowly cultivator. What could I possibly offer you?”

“Help me when you can. And when you can’t…”

She paused, taking a sip of tea, then looked up at him, her eyes meeting his. “You can help me in other ways.”

*Thud.*

Her shoe slipped from her foot, the sound echoing through the room, adding to the charged atmosphere.

She looked down at her foot, her voice soft. “I wouldn’t ask you to leave Miss Bai. Just spend some time with me occasionally”

He stared at her, her beauty alluring, then spoke after a moment of silence. “That’s a tempting offer, Miss Huang.”

She smiled, her gaze fixed on him. “So you accept?”

She knew the answer, but she wanted to hear him say it.

No man could resist such an offer from a beautiful woman.

And this was just the first step.

She would start by claiming she had no intention of breaking them up, but eventually he would become addicted to the thrill of their secret encounters, until he was completely under her control.

She understood men.

He nodded slowly.

Before her smile could fully bloom, he continued, “I refuse.”

Her smile froze, and he drained his cup, rising to his feet.

Her eyes flashed with anger, but she suppressed it, trying to salvage the situation. “The auction is about to begin, Young Master Mu. Won’t you stay?”

“I have another appointment. I shouldn’t take up any more of your time,” he replied with a smile.

He left the room, her gaze following him, a mixture of anger and something else swirling within her.

A woman like her, if he had accepted her offer, he might have gained some short-term benefits.

But to truly conquer her, it would come at a steep price.

And besides, Miss Huang’s lipstick couldn’t compare to Bai Ruoxi’s.

He stood in the corridor, scanning the crowd below, searching for the Ye sisters.

But he couldn’t find them.

“Strange, haven’t they arrived yet?”

Or were they in another private room?

He was about to investigate when he noticed a familiar figure standing near a nearby room.

She wore a moon-white robe, her face veiled, her eyes as cold and clear as ice.

Lan Mulian.

What the hell is she doing here?!

She disliked crowds, why was she…?

He froze, then, after a moment of hesitation, turned to leave.

But as he turned, he saw another familiar figure.

Bai Ruoxi, dressed in a plain white dress, her aura delicate and alluring, was chatting with Wei Mengrou. They were scanning the crowd, seemingly searching for someone.

“….”

He stood there, speechless, then turned and hurried back into the private room.

Huang Manting looked up at him, her expression cold.

“I’m back, Miss Huang,” he said, smiling awkwardly, then sat down.

“Weren’t you leaving, Young Master Mu? Have you changed your mind?” she asked, her voice icy.

“Something came up”

He was lost in thought, a sense of dread creeping into his heart.

He had lost control of the situation.

Huang Manting, regaining her composure, watched him, a knowing smile on her lips.

Something was wrong.

He had been about to leave, then suddenly changed his mind. What could possibly frighten the Mu family’s young master?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay