Chapter 2831

The decor revealed that the true owner of this place placed great importance on an elegant atmosphere, or perhaps it was merely a pretense. Regardless, Yun Xi appreciated the ambiance.

She glanced around, took a sip of tea, set down the cup, and stood up to examine a calligraphy scroll hanging on the wall.

It was a piece of wild cursive script. Yun Xi had studied this style and admired its unrestrained and free-spirited nature, though he could not replicate it himself. He realized that such calligraphy was deeply connected to one’s state of mind. Only someone with a wild and uninhibited spirit could produce such work. While Yun Xi envied that freedom, his path was different.

What was his path? He pondered slightly.

Although his attribute was water, he preferred to transform into mist and clouds. This brought him freedom from worry and allowed for endless changes, making him unpredictable. Thus, his path was the Path of Mystery.

Yun Xi’s eyes lit up. He hadn’t expected to gain insight into the Dao here. It seemed this visit was worthwhile. His mental state had advanced significantly, and he had grasped a fragment of the Dao. This created a deeper karmic tie with the auction house.

Just as he was contemplating this, the manager returned, carrying silver and spirit stones.

Yun Xi considered for a moment, then took only one tael of silver and one spirit stone, along with an invitation. "Your decor and the wild cursive on the wall helped me break through a mental barrier. Therefore, I am gifting the pills to your auction house as thanks for the atmosphere. I will still attend your auction." With that, he turned and left with a graceful stride.

The manager was slightly stunned, then hurried back to report to his boss.

Upon hearing the report, the boss raised an eyebrow. "If he comes in five days, arrange for him to enter the Tian-class private room."

"Master, do you mean this person might be our turning point?" the manager asked.

"I don't know if he is," the boss replied. "But since he gained insight from that calligraphy on the wall, he is a rare individual. Even if he isn't our savior, it is worth cultivating a relationship with such a person."

The manager nodded, understanding and accepting the instruction.

Five days later, on the day of the auction, Yun Xi arrived as the time approached. The manager was waiting at the entrance. Seeing Yun Xi, he immediately said, "Please follow me, guest."

Yun Xi recognized the manager, raised an eyebrow slightly, and followed.

The manager led Yun Xi to the Tian-class room. "This is the Tian-class private room. It is quiet and offers a clear view. Please enter, honored guest."

Yun Xi did not decline and walked in.

The Tian-class room was elegantly decorated. It was evident that considerable thought had been put into the design.

After observing the room, Yun Xi nodded slightly. "This place is nice. I am quite satisfied."

Hearing this, the manager felt relieved. "Please rest, honored guest. Tea and snacks will be brought in shortly. If you desire other items, there is a menu on the table. Additionally, there is a catalog of the auction items for your review."

"Thank you for your trouble," Yun Xi said politely. Since the other party was courteous, he returned the kindness. He would not treat their politeness as a mere favor.

The manager bowed and left. Yun Xi walked to the table. Through the glass window opposite, he could see the auction stage clearly. Beside him were two ropes: one blue and one red. The red rope was for bidding during the auction; pulling it submitted a bid. The blue rope was for requesting food or service.

However, Yun Xi did not need to pull the ropes. Servants soon brought tea and snacks.

The service was excellent and swift, with no noise.

After the servants left, Yun Xi picked up a thumb-sized, star-shaped fruit. He knew this was the Bosuo Fruit, a specialty of Bosuo City. Available year-round, it remained expensive because it contained spiritual energy, beneficial to the body. If one was lucky, eating it could reveal a glimpse of the Dao’s mysteries, earning it the name Dao Fruit.

Because of this, despite its abundance, the price of Bosuo Fruit never dropped.

Yun Xi slowly placed a Bosuo Fruit in his mouth. After a few bites, he nodded slightly. The fruit tasted of faint grass and sunlight from nature. He could clearly visualize clouds drifting in the sky.

As they drifted, they occasionally transformed into patterns of cattle, sheep, wolves, or horses, and sometimes into flowers, grass, and trees. Regardless of the form, they were incredibly free.

When clouds saw drought, they automatically turned into rain. When they saw excess water, the water evaporated back into mist. Being a cloud was truly carefree.

Though his body was not in the sky, his heart was free and unrestrained. This was the initial stage of the Path of Mystery.

Yun Xi swallowed the fruit, a slight smile appearing on his lips. The Bosuo Fruit was good; it allowed him to sense a trace of the Dao’s mysteries.

She did not eat more. Although there were many fruits, greed was unnecessary. One effective fruit was enough, and not every Bosuo Fruit would provide such an experience.

She then picked up the auction catalog.

There were many treasures listed. Yun Xi noticed a set of red robes, a female-style magic garment. Seeing this, he thought of Lie Xuan.

Although she knew Lie Xuan was a girl, Lie Xuan did not yet know that Yun Xi had seen through her disguise. she had never seen Lie Xuan in women’s clothing. Thus, Yun Xi decided to buy the set, intending to give it to Lie Xuan later to try on. she imagined it would look good.

Acting on his thought, Yun Xi bid for the robes. The item was auctioned early, and few attendees were interested in women’s clothing, so Yun Xi acquired it smoothly.

After securing the robes, Yun Xi stopped bidding. As for the pills that caused frenzy among the bidders below, he shrugged indifferently. Indeed, utilizing waste was necessary.

After the auction ended, Yun Xi did not leave immediately. He sipped his tea slowly, then heard a knock on the door.

"Come in," Yun Xi said calmly, just as he had predicted.

A young man entered. Seeing Yun Xi, he was slightly stunned, surprised by Yun Xi’s youthful appearance.

This was understandable. Since achieving the Foundation Establishment stage, Yun Xi’s appearance had remained fixed at eighteen years old, causing the visitor’s surprise.

"Greetings, brother. I am Shen Zhang, the current head of the Shen Family Auction House," the young man introduced himself.

"Greetings, Brother Shen. I am Yun Xi, just passing through," Yun Xi replied with a smile.

She was not lying; she did not intend to stay in Bosuo City for long.

"Greetings, Brother Yun," Shen Zhang said, taking a seat opposite Yun Xi upon invitation.

Yun Xi spoke, "Brother Shen went to such great lengths to invite me. Is it not simply to meet me?"

Shen Zhang was surprised by Yun Xi’s alertness but did not hide his intentions. "Brother Yun, to be honest, I invited you because I have no other choice. The Shen Family is facing a difficulty. I am wandering blindly, hoping to meet someone who can save our family."

Yun Xi raised an eyebrow, looking at Shen Zhang. He was surprised by Shen Zhang’s directness.

In Yun Xi’s words, this was their first meeting, yet Shen Zhang was so open. If Yun Xi could not sense that Shen Zhang had no malicious intent, he might have suspected his motives.

However, thinking further, Yun Xi realized Shen Zhang spoke this way because he had no other path. Meeting Yun Xi was a gamble.

But Yun Xi was not someone to be used lightly. He smiled, poured himself a cup of tea, and remained silent.

Shen Zhang waited for Yun Xi to respond. When Yun Xi did not, Shen Zhang continued, "Brother Yun, I have no other choice. If I could, I would not rashly come to see you."

"But you did come," Yun Xi said with a light smile, his clear eyes making Shen Zhang feel somewhat ashamed.

"I apologize, but I have no choice. I bear the responsibility of the entire Shen Clan, so I had to calculate on you," Shen Zhang stood up and bowed deeply to Yun Xi.

Shen Zhang possessed both the shrewdness of a merchant and the integrity of a warrior. Although it was their first meeting, he openly admitted that he came to calculate on Yun Xi.

Seeing such Shen Zhang, even Yun Xi, who was skilled in calculation, could not dislike him. Instead, he felt a bit of goodwill.

"Although I dislike being calculated upon—I only calculate others and never wish to be calculated myself—your attitude has earned my respect. Therefore, I will not hold your calculation against you. Tell me, what matter makes you calculate on a stranger?"

Yun Xi originally did not wish to interfere. However, he had gained insight from the wild cursive in their shop and sensed the Dao’s mysteries from the Bosuo Fruit. Although small, a karmic tie had been formed. Previously, he had not charged for the pills. Now, he had to accept this trouble to resolve the karma.

When Yun Xi achieved Foundation Establishment, Liang Chen had explained clearly: cultivators must value karma. If karma is not resolved, it will breed heart demons during the tribulation before ascension, leading to failure. Therefore, Yun Xi had to understand and resolve this karma.