"As long as you are the members of Heaven Ascending Pavilion, it's only natural that I won't mistreat you."
Li Xiao spoke in upright manner while inwardly thinking that, after all, he had robbed… cough, requested them to show their dedication by offering their belongings to the pavilion. It didn't feel right to make them suffer such loss without any practical benefits.
He always believed in fairness, rewarding merits and punishing mistakes accordingly. Without rules, there could be no order.
The three rank five magical beasts happily consumed the pills, bowing repeatedly to Li Xiao in gratitude. Although they couldn't speak human words, their intelligence was on par with humans, and they understood the significance of the Pavilion Master's gift.
Li Xiao nodded, "Keep up the good work. After each auction, I will reward you similarly."
Hearing this, the four magical beasts worked even harder, nearly to the point of neglecting sleep and food. The Pavilion Master's words had greatly boosted their confidence, making them feel they were following the right leader.
"Linglong, Bing Shuang, each of you select a beast as your mount. When the opportunity arises, I will help them level up, so you won't lose face."
"Understood!"
These magical beasts had great potential. With proper nurturing, they could reach peak levels and possibly even advance to the rank eight.
Li Xiao looked at the gradually rising sun, enjoying the warmth. He had spent most of his time in Heaven Ascending Pavilion recently and rarely had the chance to stretch his muscles. Today, with nothing pressing to attend to, he could finally breathe in some fresh air.
To liven up the scenery, Li Xiao instructed Niu Meng to dig a small stream, diverting nearby spring water to flow through the area, creating a pleasant riverside view.
Niu Meng, efficient as always, punched a large hole in the ground, and with Bing Shuang and the others' help, they soon constructed a picturesque bamboo pavilion by the stream.
Green hills as the background, pristine river flowing across the land, and peach blossoms as the ornaments—Li Xiao's life couldn't be more comfortable.
If there was no auction to be hold, living such live wouldn't be unpleasant.
Thus, Li Xiao continued his leisure life together with his aides on his side.
…
Misty Cloud Sect
Twiddling the Purple Spirit Crystal in her hand, Yun Yun couldn't erase the thought of meeting the Heaven Ascending Pavillion's master from her mind, making her look somewhat absentminded.
"Master, you've been in daze ever since returning from the Magical Beast Mountain Range. Did something happen?"
The little sect master, Nalan Yanran, walked over, hugging Yun Yun in her arms, her chest pressing against her. "Master, your dearest disciple just came out of seclusion and missed you so much. Hehe."
Yun Yun snapped out of her thoughts and affectionately patted Nalan Yanran's head. "Yanran, you've broken through to a nine-star Dou Fighter and just a step away from becoming a Dou Master. I'm proud of you."
"Of course, It's all thanks to you, Master." Nalan Yanran beamed. "Without you, I wouldn't have had the chance to reach nine-star Dou Fighter so quickly."
"By the way, Master, Elder Yun Leng said you went to the auction at the Magical Beast Mountain Range. How was it? Was it fun?"
Yun Yun smiled, gently tapping Nalan Yanran's nose. "The Magical Beast Mountain Range is extremely dangerous. With your current strength, it's best not to go there. If something happened, I wouldn't be able to protect you. Besides, you have an agreement to fulfil. You mustn't get distracted. Understand?"
"Fine..." Nalan Yanran pouted and stuck her tongue cutely like a little girl. "I understand, Master."
Yun Yun shook her head and turned to look at the disciples training hard outside the hall. She decided to take the Purple Spirit Crystal to Pill King Gu He and ask him to refine an elixir for her.
Gu He himself knew very well that even though he had obtained the Heavenly Flame, without the necessary items, trying to absorb it would be extremely dangerous. But gathering those items was no easy task, so he could only place his hope in Heavenly Ascending Pavilion's auction.
…
A month passed in a brisk.
Li Xiao had already broken through to seven-star Dou Fighter. With each star increase, he could feel the immense Dou Qi surging through his meridians, a very unique sensation.
But he didn't attach to much meaning in it. As long as he got stronger, anything was good thing!
"Not bad. The training speed inside Heavenly Ascending Pavilion is several times faster than outside. No wonder I've progressed so quickly."
Li Xiao marveled, thinking that the system was indeed awesome.
"Hurry up! That kid might be hiding here."
"Follow me!"
Footsteps echoed from outside the valley. Soon, a group of mercenaries in uniform, with fierce and menacing expressions, rushed in.
Seeing the surroundings, they were astonished by the beauty of the place. They had never discovered such a scenic spot in the Magical Beast Mountain Range before.
Leading them was a tall, fat man, weighing at least 300 pounds. His every step made the ground tremble.
"Third Leader, this place is quite good. That kid must be hiding here."
"You're right," He Meng, the third leader of the Wolf Head Mercenary Company, nodded. "Search carefully and keep vigilant. If there's any movement, act immediately."
He Meng behold the sight of the beautiful scenery, musing that it would make an excellent base.
At that moment, his subordinates' exclamations caught his attention. He thought they had found their enemy, Xiao Yan, and rushed over, only to find two stunning women inside the bamboo pavilion by the stream.
As an eight-star Dou Fighter, He Meng was taken aback, his body trembling. His eyes filled with lust.
Just by looking at their stunning faces, he lost control of himself.
His subordinates also ogled the women with lecherous and dirty looks, surprised to find beauties in such a desolate place.
He Meng, disregarding his body's reaction, hurried over, licking his lips. He shoved his companion, Madam Lan, aside.
"My god... I'm not dreaming, am I? Two beautiful ladies! Hehe, I'm He Meng, the third leader of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group and an eight-star Dou Fighter. You... you two are so beautiful..."
Bing Shuang glared coldly at He Meng, her eyes filled with extreme disgust. If not for the Pavilion Master wishing to allow the birds and beasts around, she would have set up a barrier in this place long time ago.
She hadn't expected such ruffians to appear.
"Hehe, you look so delicious," He Meng cackled indecently, his gaze was so hot as if trying to devour them whole.
Suddenly, a deep and husky voice interrupted him.
"So, you're He Meng, the third leader of the Wolf Head Mercenary Company?"
He Meng frowned. Noticing that the speaker was just a brat, his face twisting into a snarl.
"So what? You brat, how dare you mingle with these beauties? Do you want to die? Scram right now!"