"You are, Lin Tian?"
Xie Yuchen's footsteps were light, his voice soft yet questioning.
He exuded a gentle yet dignified aura to everyone present.
Looking at the person before him, as if stepping out of a painting, Zhang Tian smiled with a carefree air.
He wore a black suit jacket, but inexplicably, his inner shirt was pink, and a smile played on his lips.
"Xie Yuchen, long time no see."
Zhang Tian smiled and shook his hand.
Xie Yuchen's hand was soft and slender, yet surprisingly strong, befitting someone who had cultivated with Er Hongyue since childhood.
It was precisely because he was Er Hongyue's disciple that Xie Yuchen had honed his skills to perfection.
His Qinggong far surpassed that of ordinary people.
Especially his clavicle and disguise skills, Zhang Tian felt that with the added advantage of his cultivation background,
The Xie Yuchen before him would be even more formidable, his cultivation at least at the Tianji level.
Moreover, Zhang Tian had a feeling that the elders, the Nine Gates survivors, were likely all still alive.
If they cultivated and even achieved longevity, how could the Nine Gates, skilled in tomb exploration, not leave themselves a way out?
Others might not know, but the Wu family, Wu Laogou, was definitely alive, Zhang Tian was certain of this.
"I truly didn't expect you to attend this auction as well. Let's go in together."
"Thank you for what happened last time."
Xie Yuchen smiled as he walked ahead.
"It's nothing. We're all friends. Moreover, it's truly fortunate to make your acquaintance, Brother Xie, through a mere trinket."
Zhang Tian's words flowed like honey, ceaseless.
His meaning was simple: the minor divine artifact was nothing compared to the gain of knowing Xie Yuchen, a way of heavily flattering Xie Yuchen.
Xie Yuchen responded with a gentle smile.
"Brother Zhang exaggerates. It is my honor to know you, Brother Zhang."
Xie Yuchen was not foolish. He was very intelligent, knowing how to speak according to the audience. Otherwise, he wouldn't be the future head of the Xie family.
As they walked, they didn't speak much more.
Zhang Tian and Xie Yuchen did not have any immediate plans to collaborate, so they were not considered close, merely acquaintances.
"Boss, who is that? Their outfit is a bit strange."
Fatty whispered into Zhang Tian's ear.
Zhang Tian replied softly.
"Xie Yuchen, from the Xie family."
Zhang Tian said casually, and Fatty didn't say anything further.
Hu Bayi remained silent, following quietly behind.
In such a situation, Hu Bayi knew it wasn't appropriate to speak.
Soon, Huo Xiuxiu also spotted Xie Yuchen.
Most people from these families knew each other.
Especially the younger generation, they might have even played together as children.
This further increased the frequency of interactions between the various families.
"Hehe, Little Flower Brother, you're finally here. If you were any longer, the auction would have started."
"Hmm, who is this? Little Flower Brother, have you made a new friend? That's rare!"
Huo Xiuxiu, with her mischievous spirit, glanced around the group.
A smile on her face.
"Hey, where did this little elf come from? Fatty..." Fatty was muffled by Zhang Tian before he could finish.
"When a man is about to die, his words are benevolent."
Zhang Tian chuckled.
"This Fatty's words are quite pleasant to the ear!"
"Praise me more..."
Huo Xiuxiu, like a little fox, looked at Fatty, her eyes narrowed.
Zhang Tian didn't know much about Huo Xiuxiu's personality. She was mischievous, emotionally mature for her age, valued relationships, and often got caught up in things.
But this didn't mean that Fatty, who hadn't received proper education, could speak carelessly.
"Alright, let's go in. This is my friend Zhang Tian, and these are his friends."
Xie Yuchen said, his gaze shifting to another direction.
There, a stout figure and a tall, slender figure were slowly approaching.
"Little Flower Brother, look! It's Wu Tianzhen!"
Huo Xiuxiu's eyes lit up.
As a child, Huo Xiuxiu had a crush on Wu Xie and always wanted to marry him, but after encountering the incident with her grandmother, it never came to be.
Amidst Huo Xiuxiu's exclamation, everyone turned their gazes to the approaching figures.
Wu Tianzhen, accompanied by a stout man, was walking towards them.
"Good heavens, the Dragon and Phoenix!"
"OMG! Fatty's improved version!"
Zhang Tian and Wang Fatty were stunned.
Zhang Tian felt that something was amiss.
As for Wang Kaixuan, he was somewhat excited; it was like a meeting across time.
At this moment, a scene flashed through Zhang Tian's mind.
Wang Kaixuan holding Wang Banyue, standing on a deck, with familiar background music playing in his mind.
He shook his head, casting aside the strange vision.
"Boss, why do I feel like I've met a kindred spirit?"
Wang Kaixuan looked at Wang Banyue, feeling as if they had met too late.
"Hold on! You two are not compatible!"
Zhang Tian quickly intervened.
Wang Banyue, though crude, had a refined side. Wang Kaixuan, on the other hand, was loyal and righteous. Both had their unique traits.
"Oh, Xiu'er, Little Flower, you're here too. Little... Zhang... Master, so you're here as well."
When Wu Tianzhen saw Zhang Tian, he gritted his teeth.
He looked as if he wanted to devour Zhang Tian.
Zhang Tian's lips curved into a smile.
"Young Master Wu, long time no see. How have you been lately?"
Zhang Tian appeared nonchalant, making it impossible to fathom his thoughts.
He gave off an inscrutable aura.
"Thanks to you, I'm doing very well!"
"Oh, why are you here too, Little Brother?"
Seeing Little Brother, Wu Tianzhen was startled. The mysterious man who had accompanied him on tomb expeditions had joined Young Master Zhang's entourage.
He could never have imagined this in his wildest dreams.
"Attending the auction."
Zhang Qilin replied, in his usual tone.
Wu Tianzhen glanced at Zhang Qilin, then at Zhang Tian, and took a deep breath.
He felt as if he had missed something important.
"Fatty, let's go inside."
Wu Tianzhen, seeing Zhang Tian, felt overwhelmed and wished to leave immediately.
Beside Wu Tianzhen, the spiky-haired Fatty turned with a flourish and followed Wu Tianzhen away.
"Huh? Brother Tianzhen, what's wrong?"
Huo Xiuxiu looked puzzled.
"I don't know. Perhaps he's suffered some blow."
Xie Yuchen shook his head, indicating ignorance, but his gaze flickered curiously towards Zhang Tian.
Zhang Tian waved his hand, saying nothing more.
The group entered the Crescent Hotel.
Today was the auction day, and the Crescent Hotel was incredibly crowded.
The decorations outside and the palace-like layout inside all spoke of the hotel's prestige.
Among the crowd, Zhang Tian noticed that most were in suits, while they, wearing Zhongshan suits, were a rarity.
Those who did were mostly elders.
"Zhang Tian, we're going to a private room. See you next time."
Xie Yuchen said to Zhang Tian.
"Bye-bye, handsome boy, Fatty. Remember to praise me more next time we meet."
Huo Xiuxiu waved to them and then followed Brother Hua Hua.
Zhang Tian and his companions found a place to sit.
At the Crescent Hotel, only those with significant power had private rooms.
Most ordinary bidders sat in chairs and participated in the auction by number.
Of course, the hotel would protect those who purchased items, so incidents of theft were rare.
"Boss, that girl is so lovely, clever and bright. Fatty was planning to praise her a few more times, look at you."
Fatty said, and Zhang Tian gave him a sideways glance.
"Aren't you afraid of being dragged by a cart at night?"
"Who is Fatty afraid of?"
Fatty patted his chest, making a loud sound.
Zhang Tian gave him a thumbs up, nodding in admiration. This was the Wang Fatty he knew.
Loves to brag, yet timid, and also loves money, haha.
"Let's sit for now. There should be quite a few items at this auction."
Zhang Tian said, and they settled in a corner.
As for Zhang Qilin, he completely concealed himself in the darkness, silently observing.
"Second Brother, stop slacking off. You're a distinguished attendee of the auction. Can we show some spirit? I'll dye my hair green and we'll roam the martial world together!"
Fatty urged, seeing Zhang Qilin retreating into the shadows.
However, Little Brother paid him no mind, causing Fatty to grumble.
"Boss, I wonder what items will be up for auction this time. I heard that many hidden masters have come."
Hu Bayi's voice was low but serious.
Zhang Tian nodded subtly.
His gaze was fixed on the private rooms not far away.
Inside them were figures of great influence.
Whether he could acquire some useful items would depend on Zhang Tian's own abilities.