Chapter Sixty-Six: Each Harbors Their Own Thoughts

A faint, almost imperceptible wry smile flitted across Glena’s charming face, tinged with confusion and puzzlement. Confronted with her father’s astonished inquiry, she could only nod gently in response. In a low voice, she said, “I can hardly believe it myself. If someone else had told me, I would have laughed it off, but I witnessed it with my own eyes… Judging by how Su Yi acted that time, it’s very likely he already possesses at least the strength of a third-rank Dou Practitioner…”

Hearing his daughter’s answer, Lord Chet’s brows furrowed deeply, his heart filled with doubt. He tapped his fingers on the arm of the chair, muttering under his breath, “Given Liu Xuan’s identity and the circumstances, there’s no way that Su Yi and Liu Xuan were putting on a show for each other… But if that’s the case, doesn’t it mean Su Yi truly has the strength to defeat Liu Xuan? Even if he caught Liu Xuan off guard, for a third-rank Dou Practitioner like Liu Xuan to have his arm snapped without any chance to resist… that’s not something a person who isn’t even a Dou Practitioner could possibly do…”

“And that’s exactly what puzzles me most…” Lord Chet rubbed his forehead in confusion and sighed. “A person whose Dou Qi Vortex has been destroyed can never cultivate Dou Qi again. Logically, Su Yi shouldn’t have such power. Is there some hidden truth behind all this…?”

“I find it strange as well,” Glena agreed after hearing his analysis. She glanced at the most dazzling woman present, a trace of inexplicable emotion flickering in her eyes. “Su Yi later tried to condense his Dou Qi Vortex again, but he failed, as everyone knows. That was only a few months ago. There’s no reason he could suddenly become a third-rank Dou Practitioner. After all, even with his talent back then, he only advanced three ranks in a year…”

Three ranks in a year was already an impressive pace of cultivation. If someone advanced three ranks in just a few months, they would be considered a prodigy bordering on the monstrous…

Lord Chet, who had been frowning all this while, suddenly smiled. “Since we can’t figure it out, there’s no need to dwell on it. Didn’t you say Su Yi would also participate in this martial tournament? We can observe him closely then… To be honest, when I first heard he was crippled, I felt regret that he wouldn’t compete this time. But now, after injuring Auburn Yu and then Liu Xuan, he’s offended quite a few families. I wonder if he’ll be able to bear the wrath of so many when the time comes…”

Glena’s expression shifted subtly at these words. She swept her gaze quietly across the crowd, then said in mild surprise, “I didn’t expect the Liu family patriarch not to attend today’s auction…”

“Oh, really?” Lord Chet replied, unconcerned. “The Liu family certainly has the qualifications to attend, but as you said, perhaps he’s preoccupied with Liu Xuan’s injuries…”

After a moment’s pause, Lord Chet looked at his daughter and sighed softly. “It seems Su Yi’s methods are as ruthless as ever. If you face him during the tournament, avoid clashing with him head-on, just in case…”

Glena hesitated briefly but said nothing more. Given her status and pride, she was naturally unwilling to admit defeat without a fight. Yet this time, she entered the tournament only to temper herself, with no intention of vying for a top place. As a mere first-rank Dou Practitioner, her talent was excellent, but earning a spot in the top five—and thus the right to go to the Imperial Capital for the Grand Martial Tournament three years from now—was unlikely. Still, with her abilities, perhaps she could try again next time…

That said, there were more roads open to Glena than this one. With her talent, she could pursue further training by passing the entrance exams to the Dou Qi Academy or the Imperial Royal Academy. As the daughter of an imperial city lord, her loyalty to the royal family was unquestioned, and she would have an advantage entering the Royal Academy.

Glena let out a soft breath, inwardly a little frustrated. Although she had many reasons and backup plans, it still unsettled her to think she might not measure up to someone she had once regarded as a cripple…

…

Across from Lie Chen and Lord Chet, Auburn Shan sat quietly in his own seat, a cold, predatory glint occasionally flickering in his eyes as he glanced at Lie Chen. Ever since he’d lost to Lie Chen in the bidding for the high-level Xuan-rank Dou Technique, “Heaven and Earth Shift,” Auburn Shan had been in a foul mood. Though the loss had indirectly depleted Lie Family’s wealth, being suppressed so thoroughly was undeniable, especially since Lie Family managed to win even with reduced finances. Were it not for the fact that the mysterious black-robed man later stole the “Heaven and Earth Shift” that the Lie Family had paid dearly for, Auburn Shan would have felt even more bitter and resentful.

Seated beside Auburn Shan was the same elder who had accompanied him last time. Auburn Shan, his face dark, muttered, “Grand Elder, why is there still no word from Zhong Yuan?”

Upon learning of Su Yi’s whereabouts the day before, Auburn Shan had ordered Zhong Yuan to quietly capture him. After all, Su Yi had injured his precious son; how could he let that go? Even if it had been a fair fight, Auburn Yu would have to pay the price for his wounds! Reason or not, the Auburn family had the power to act as they pleased.

Auburn Yu was the product of his family’s painstaking cultivation. Auburn Shan placed great hopes on his son in the upcoming martial tournament. If Auburn Yu could distinguish himself and win the chance to go to the Imperial Capital, then in three years, with his talent, he would surely achieve a high ranking and bring fame to their family.

By then, the Auburn family’s status and prestige would naturally rise. Yet all of this was nearly ruined by Su Yi alone!

“That damned little bastard!” Auburn Shan cursed through gritted teeth, his hand clenched into a fist, veins bulging as if he wanted to crush Su Yi with his bare hands.

The Grand Elder, seeing Auburn Shan’s rage, sighed inwardly and glanced at Mei Ya before saying in a low voice, “Zhong Yuan is a thirteenth-rank Dou Master. Capturing Su Yi should have been an easy task, yet he hasn’t returned all night. Could it be that someone from the Auction House intervened…?”

Auburn Shan’s expression shifted. If the Auction House was secretly protecting Su Yi, things would indeed become complicated. Though the Auction House was not counted among Changling City’s three great powers, it was by no means weak, its strength nearly rivaling the Auburn family.

Due to its nature, the Auction House was less ostentatious and aggressive than the city’s three powers, its real strength hidden in the shadows. Most visible staff were ordinary workers, and the guards on display were merely Dou Practitioners.

Yet for the Usiman Auction House to have stood firm in Changling City for so many years, could its true strength really be so meager? Even before Mei Ya and her peers arrived three years prior, Auburn family intelligence indicated that the Auction House possessed at least several Dou Lords. The exact number, however, was unclear.

Still, Auburn Shan had learned through various channels that the Auction House secretly maintained an elite guard force, and entry into this unit required at minimum the strength of a Dou Master.

From this, one could gauge the Auction House’s true power. More importantly, the Auction House was backed by the Usiman family, one of the empire’s three great clans. With such a colossal power behind them, even the Auburn family would not risk open conflict.

“Hmph, don’t think hiding in the Auction House will save you! Su Yi, aren’t you going to compete in the martial tournament?” Auburn Shan sneered darkly, a chilling edge to his words. “I’ll be sure to give you a proper welcome then—make you wish for death, but deny you even that!”

The Grand Elder, seeing Auburn Shan’s mood, said nothing more. When Auburn Yu had been carried home unconscious by the guards, the entire Auburn family had been thrown into chaos. Auburn Shan, seeing his son’s battered state, had nearly coughed blood in rage.

These past days, he’d been run ragged trying to treat Auburn Yu’s right hand. Though certain concerns prevented him from acting openly against Su Yi for now, this grudge would not easily be forgotten.

…

While the great powers each harbored their own intentions and the auction house rang with fierce bidding, in a somewhat secluded section of seats, a man and woman sat together. The man wore white, the woman projected a wild air—none other than Shi Yan and Ina, whom Su Yi had once encountered by chance.

Martial Peak, Chapter 66 – Each with Their Own Motives, complete.