C19 The Treasure Hunt Began
"Haha, since Young Master Wang has no objections, my brother and I will head in first!" Ye Wenxuan laughed heartily, his words clearly meant to tease Wang Fei.
Without sparing Lin Xuehan a glance, Xiao Yu, surrounded by a crowd, entered Drunken Star Tower alongside Wang Fei.
"Hehe, brother, I must say you're incredible, being able to produce a Spirit-gathering Talisman like that!" Inside, Ye Wenxuan dropped his earlier arrogance, his face beaming with a smile.
He was delighted to have put Wang Fei in an awkward position once again.
"It's not anything valuable. If you want it, it's yours." After the earlier events, Xiao Yu had come to tentatively respect Ye Wenxuan.
It was commendable that he had been willing to back down in that situation, and to Xiao Yu, the Spirit-gathering Talisman wasn't a big deal.
"What? Brother, are you... are you serious?" Ye Wenxuan's round face turned beet red, and he was almost at a loss for words.
Xiao Yu was actually willing to just give him such a valuable Spirit-gathering Talisman?
"What's there to be serious about? It's merely a Talisman." Xiao Yu said, as he casually tossed the Spirit-gathering Talisman to Ye Wenxuan.
"Brother, be careful!" Ye Wenxuan clumsily caught it. Even though he knew Talismans weren't that fragile, he acted as if he was terrified of breaking it, visibly anxious.
With the Spirit-gathering Talisman in hand, Ye Wenxuan's face lit up with happiness. He hadn't expected that befriending Xiao Yu would reap such a reward so soon.
He smugly congratulated himself on his foresight in recognizing that Xiao Yu was no ordinary person, which had led to this fortunate turn of events.
After securing the Spirit-gathering Talisman, Ye Wenxuan cautiously asked, "Brother, this Spirit-gathering Talisman is so precious. Are you sure it's alright to give it to me just like that?"
"Actually, why don't you give it back to me?" Xiao Yu reconsidered and suggested.
"Ah?" Ye Wenxuan's face fell, and he quickly forced a laugh, "Brother, with your handsome features and extraordinary demeanor, a common Talisman like this surely won't be of much use to you. I'll hold onto it!"
Xiao Yu had anticipated such a reaction, yet he found this kind of person far more agreeable than those from the Lin Family. His previous remark was merely in jest, so he casually said, "Go ahead and take it. I've got plenty more."
Ye Wenxuan's eyes widened in astonishment once again.
It was no surprise that Xiao Yu could part with the Talisman without a second thought, casually giving it away as if it were worthless. Ye Wenxuan had always known Xiao Yu was no ordinary individual, but he hadn't expected such audacity.
Those around Ye Wenxuan couldn't hide their envy. To have so effortlessly received a Spirit-gathering Talisman was akin to gaining a year's worth of cultivation!
And judging by Xiao Yu's demeanor, it appeared he had an abundance of such Talismans!
This realization spurred many to silently vow to cultivate a good relationship with Xiao Yu. Even those who had previously feared offending Wang Fei and hesitated to approach Xiao Yu were now reconsidering their stance.
The Treasure-seizing Organization's event, though centered on the pursuit of treasures, wasn't much different from a regular social gathering before the competition began. It was an opportunity for people to come together, share drinks, and converse, ostensibly to foster interactions among the future leaders of various families.
Throughout the gathering, individuals frequently approached Xiao Yu to offer a toast, all with the intention of forging a closer bond. Even if friendship was out of reach, they hoped to secure a Spirit-gathering Talisman during the treasure-seizing phase. Ultimately, who Xiao Yu chose to trade or sell to would be at his discretion.
As Xiao Yu basked in the attention of many, Wang Fei sat brooding on the sidelines, sipping his drink in silence, without uttering a word.
"Excuse me, everyone, for the interruption. May I inquire if we're ready to commence the treasure-seizing?" a young and stunning woman inquired after everyone had eaten and drunk their fill.
Her eyes were a deep, lustrous black, her gaze captivating. Her lips, a vivid red, seemed to glisten with moisture, and her figure undulated with a seductive grace. Her ample bosom nearly burst through her sheer, long-sleeved blouse.
In contrast to Lin Xuehan's icy demeanor, this woman radiated a lethal charm. Upon her arrival, many young men's eyes were glued to her, and as they continued to drink, their thirst grew, leaving them with parched mouths and tongues.
"Hehe, Miss Ziyu, you've finally arrived. We've been eagerly awaiting your presence!" Ye Wenxuan's eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint, making him look like the quintessential lecher.
"Hehe, I'm sorry, but the tower is hosting numerous esteemed guests today, and I simply couldn't step away," Miss Ziyu replied with an apologetic smile.
Her smile only served to enhance her allure, prompting many onlookers to covertly swallow hard.
"The lady here is Yan Ziyu, an affiliate of Drunken Star Tower. During the Treasure-seizing Organization events, since attendees hail from various families who may not always get along, the Drunken Star Tower provides witnesses and mediators to ensure fairness," Ye Wenxuan explained to Xiao Yu, who was unfamiliar with these proceedings. Grateful for the Spirit-gathering Talisman he had received from Xiao Yu earlier, he was eager to return the favor with a thorough explanation.
"It looks like you've taken quite an interest in this woman?" Xiao Yu teased Ye Wenxuan, unable to resist the urge.
"Cough, my friend, you're reading too much into it. The Drunken Star Tower is shrouded in more mystery than any other power in the city. Rumor has it that even behemoths like Tianming Pavilion wouldn't dare to stir trouble with them. While Yan Ziyu is indeed captivating, it's best to admire her from a distance and not entertain any other thoughts," Ye Wenxuan advised, shaking his head emphatically.
Despite his seemingly lascivious exterior, Ye Wenxuan's mind was more lucid than most, earning him a newfound respect from Xiao Yu.
Yan Ziyu was the kind of woman who could tempt one into wrongdoing, yet she had managed to secure a stable position within Drunken Star Tower. This fact alone indicated that she was far from ordinary; anyone less capable would have been devoured long ago.
Xiao Yu found himself reassessing the situation. Drunken Star Tower appeared to be even more enigmatic than he had initially thought, commanding a level of caution that even the formidable Tianming Pavilion wouldn't challenge.
"Alright, enough chatter. Everyone, please present your treasures!" Yan Ziyu cut straight to the chase, foregoing any unnecessary pleasantries as she addressed the gathering.
At this Treasure-seizing Organization event, titans like the Tianming Pavilion naturally didn't attend; only members from the city's noble families were present.
Among these prominent families, the Qin, Ye, and Wang Families stood out as the most powerful. However, while representatives from both the Wang and Ye Families were present, there was no sign of anyone from the Qin Family.
"The Qin Family, despite their strength, has always been discreet and seldom takes part in events like this. They usually abstain from attending. In fact, there are only a few people in our circle who are acquainted with the Qin Family's descendants," Ye Wenxuan explained to Xiao Yu.
Xiao Yu nodded, seemingly indifferent. These families had no bearing on him, so he felt no obligation to concern himself with their affairs.
Subsequently, individuals from the various families began to unveil their treasures, placing them in front of themselves. Each treasure was concealed within a box, making it impossible to discern their contents.
"Let's stick to tradition and start from the left. Once you've presented your treasures, if anyone is interested, they can propose a trade with their own treasures or make a direct offer in crystals," announced Yan Ziyu, her voice dripping with allure, signaling the commencement of the Treasure-seizing Organization event.
The sequence in which the treasures were revealed started with the less influential families, as power dynamics were clear. The treasures belonging to Wang Fei and Ye Wenxuan were expected to be more valuable and were thus reserved for the end.