Alliance Leader Old Ma's Sky tipped another hundred thousand, thank you Alliance Leader Old Ma — today I can finally afford something good to eat.
…………
"An Emperor-grade mid-tier treasure armor — would that suit Brother Yang's needs?" Kang Siran smiled faintly.
"Emperor-grade mid-tier!" Yang Kai's eyes lit up. "The auction has an Emperor-grade mid-tier treasure armor?"
Kang Siran nodded. "Indeed. The grand finale of this auction is precisely an Emperor-grade mid-tier treasure armor."
"Are you serious!" Yang Kai was overjoyed. This trip to the Purple Source Trading Company had two objectives — first, to purchase Void Crystals and Void Jade for laying down spatial arrays in the future, and second, naturally, to find a treasure armor.
Yang Kai's requirements weren't particularly high. He was, after all, an Emperor Realm master, and he had originally hoped to find any Emperor-grade treasure armor. He hadn't expected there to be an Emperor-grade mid-tier one here — far exceeding his expectations.
He had no intention of having to endure the Dragon Transformation technique leaving him tattered or even stark naked the next time he used it.
"Is a private transaction possible?" Yang Kai asked.
Most items up for auction were consigned by cultivators, though many were also sourced directly by the auction house. Either way, given the long-term cooperative relationship Yang Kai had established with the Purple Source Trading Company, he should have the standing to arrange a private deal.
Kang Siran looked apologetic. "I'm afraid not. If it were any other item, perhaps, but this Emperor-grade mid-tier treasure armor is the grand finale piece. Moreover, it was advertised three months ago. There's no way President Lou would agree to a private transaction."
"I see…" Yang Kai didn't look particularly disappointed. Since it was a long-advertised grand finale, it naturally couldn't be sold privately — doing so would be a major blow to the Purple Source Trading Company's reputation. "No matter. I'll just bid when the time comes."
Kang Siran said, "Brother Yang, please wait a moment. I'll go prepare an invitation for you!"
With that, he stepped out.
Yang Kai waited for a short while before Kang Siran returned with a gold-stamped invitation and handed it to him. "The auction begins at the Hour of the Dog tomorrow night. Come early, Brother Yang — you might come across something you fancy."
"Good." Yang Kai accepted the invitation and tucked it into his Space Ring.
It was a full incense stick's time later before Yang Kai finally left the private room, departing directly from the Purple Source Trading Company's branch.
He wandered casually through Maple Forest City, purchasing a handful of supplies. Spirit Stones flowed out of his hands in generous amounts before he finally made his way back to the Qin family.
The Qin household was bustling with activity — everyone busy packing. Though they were a minor family, they had lived and prospered here for several thousand years. The prospect of suddenly leaving was difficult for the Qin family members, no matter how attached they felt.
However, under Qin Chaoyang's orders, reluctance aside, they had to comply. Everything that could be taken had to be taken.
Yang Kai strolled through the Qin estate but failed to find Qin Chaoyang anywhere.
Qin Yu, on the other hand, had already emerged from her seclusion. The moment she spotted Yang Kai, she hurried over with a bright smile. "Big Brother Yang!"
Yang Kai nodded with a smile. "I haven't seen you in years. Your Cultivation has improved considerably."
He had already probed her — Qin Yu currently possessed a second-level Dao Source Realm cultivation. That was an exceptionally fast rate of advancement, perhaps related to her Heaven-Defying Heavenly physique. A martial artist with that kind of talent, given sufficient time and space, was bound to grow into someone formidable.
"It's all thanks to Big Brother Yang's blessings." Qin Yu interlaced her fingers and stood before Yang Kai, poised and graceful, gratitude filling her voice. "If it weren't for Big Brother Yang, I might have died at eighteen. You're the greatest benefactor I've ever had."
"That was simply your fate. There's no need to thank me." Yang Kai smiled lightly. "Where is your grandfather?"
Qin Yu tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "We're about to leave soon. Grandfather wants to sell the Qin family's land deed. He should be at the City Lord's Manor." She paused, then asked, "Big Brother Yang, are we really going to the Northern Domain?"
"That's right."
"I've heard it's very cold there — snow and blizzards everywhere."
Yang Kai laughed. "Those are exaggerated rumors. While it's true that many places in the Northern Domain are blanketed in snow, there are also plenty of places with singing birds and fragrant flowers. I'm taking you to one of the latter. Once you're there, your Qin family will have far better prospects for growth."
Qin Yu's beautiful eyes lit up, a look of longing and anticipation coloring her expression.
"Go about your business. I'm going to rest a while," Yang Kai said, then headed toward the rear hall.
Watching his retreating figure, Qin Yu opened her mouth as if to say something, but in the end it dissolved into a quiet sigh.
A day passed quickly. When nightfall descended the following evening, Yang Kai pushed open his door and stepped outside.
Qin Yu was pacing back and forth in front of his room, looking troubled. At the sound of the door, she looked up and, seeing Yang Kai emerge, immediately said, "Big Brother Yang, we're all ready."
Qin Chaoyang walked over from nearby as well, his expression solemn. "Brother Yang, the Qin family is fully prepared. When do we set off?"
"We leave at the Hour of the Pig. Meet five hundred li southeast of the city. There's another group joining you."
"Who?" Qin Chaoyang asked, startled.
"The Zhang family," Yang Kai replied.
Qin Chaoyang nodded. "Ah, them."
He knew that the Zhang family also seemed to have a good relationship with Yang Kai. After Yang Kai had departed all those years ago, the Qin family had looked after the Zhang family on his behalf, though in recent years the Qin family could hardly take care of themselves, let alone anyone else. Now, hearing that the Zhang family would be leaving alongside them, Qin Chaoyang felt a certain sense of solidarity in shared hardship.