The Capital's Dragon Doctor

This hotel was a venue purchased jointly by several Hidden Clans to host the auction.

If someone were to make a move outside or in the shadows, those great clans would probably say nothing. But to act so openly would be a direct slap in the face to them.

After all, the auction's rules were more than just what was on the surface. There were also agreements between the major clans, all bound by strict regulations.

"Heh heh, the kid's sharp. He knows not to play the hero. It seems the rumors are true—this Lin Feng really isn't an idiot."

"Since he ran back into the hotel, let's just wait. I refuse to believe he'll hide in there forever."

"Still, the kid is pretty smart. If he weren't, he might have actually slipped away today."

The burly men muttered among themselves. They had overheard Lin Feng's exchange with the black-clad youth, which is why they didn't act rashly—they, too, could sense that Lin Feng was extraordinary.

They had been lying in wait here for a long time, and they had come prepared.

But Lin Feng didn't hesitate for a second, turning and walking straight into the hotel. This took them by surprise.

'Does this kid have no regard for his pride? He's facing a powerful enemy but doesn't even want to lift a finger, just heads straight back to his room.'

'Is he scared? No, that can't be it. We're talking about the Purple Reishi! Even we would want to claim it for ourselves, so how could he give it up so easily?'

But just as they were pondering this, a graceful figure in white appeared on a windowsill on the hotel's top floor, gazing into the distance.

Her figure was exquisite and curvaceous, her posture graceful. A white dress fluttered in the night wind.

It perfectly outlined her stunning curves. Her delicate, jade-like face was bathed in a silver glow from the moonlight, making her seem like a fairy descended to the mortal realm—an ethereal, yet tempting sight.

"It seems Lin Feng has really attracted a lot of attention this time."

'Should I help him?'

Murong Qian murmured to herself by the window, a conflicted expression on her stunningly beautiful face.

All these people were here for the Purple Reishi, but this was Lin Feng's own affair. Logically, as a member of the Murong Family—one of the great clans—she should remain neutral.

But her recovery depended on Lin Feng's treatment. She had to repay that debt, which put her in a difficult position.

In the end, Murong Qian sighed. She decided not to interfere in Lin Feng's business; otherwise, she would be breaking her promise.

However, she didn't remain idle. She discreetly used her energy to scan the surroundings.

SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH!

A series of sounds tore through the air as dozens of figures shot over.

"Haha, Third Brother, keep a close watch on the area! Don't let that kid slip away!"

"Damn it, I'm going to kill you today, kid!"

"Hurry, after him! We went through hell to get that Purple Reishi. We can't let it fall into someone else's hands, no matter the cost!"

...

Dozens of streaks of light cut across the night sky, throwing the once-quiet evening into chaos. One look at these people and you knew they were up to no good.

WHOOSH!

But as they arrived, they stopped abruptly instead of rushing into action. They were all wary of one another.

After all, everyone was here for the item in Lin Feng's hands. In a way, they were all enemies, so this wasn't the right time to start a fight.

"What are you all doing here?"

Just as the crowd was hesitating, an icy shout suddenly echoed through the night.

A young man in white emerged, leading more than twenty Early Stage of Innate Realm Martial Cultivators. Behind him followed two middle-aged men at the Mid-stage Innate Realm.

"Who are you? That Purple Reishi is ours. Are you trying to snatch it?"

The brawny man leading the first group stepped forward, blocking the path of the white-robed youth and his men.

His name was Qin Lei, an Elder-level figure from the Qin Family, one of the top five great families in Suzhou City. His strength had even reached the Half-Step Late Innate Stage.

Although he couldn't compare to a true Innate Powerhouse, among the people who had arrived so far, he represented a top-tier force.

"Heh heh, you're mistaken. Such treasures belong to the worthy. If you have the skill, then come and take it."

The white-robed youth said faintly, his eyes calm and unremarkable. But the twenty-plus men behind him had already surrounded the area.

"Hmph, we brothers aren't falling for that. Scram if you know what's good for you. Otherwise, even if you outnumber us, we won't be afraid."

Qin Lei snorted. As an Elder of the Qin Family, there was naturally no need for him to back down.

"Do you think we are weak?"

the white-robed youth said coldly.

"Hm?"

Qin Lei frowned. He sensed something was wrong. This group in front of him didn't seem like ordinary people.

BUZZ—

Suddenly, a long saber flashing with golden light was unsheathed. It slashed through the air, leaving a brilliant, cold gleam as it descended upon Qin Lei.

The slash was incredibly fast, reaching Qin Lei in an instant. His pupils contracted violently.

He hastily dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the strike. Even so, he felt his ears ringing; he had clearly been injured.

At the same time, the other Martial Cultivators from the Qin Family drew their swords, warily eyeing the twenty-odd people opposite them. The auras emanating from this group were extremely sharp—they were all, without a doubt, super-experts at the Mid-stage Innate Realm.

HISS—

The onlookers all sucked in a cold breath at this scene. Those who had been chatting casually just moments before were now silent.

Though they also wanted to make a move, they simply weren't strong enough. There were only a few Early Stage of Innate Martial Cultivators among them, and some hadn't even reached the Peak of Postnatal Realm.

"A starved camel is still bigger than a horse," as the saying goes. The words rang true. In this world where the strong prey on the weak, strength was the only thing that mattered.

"Everyone, I may not know which powers you all represent, but you must remember, the Purple Reishi is still in that kid's hands."

"What's the point of fighting amongst yourselves right now?"

Just as the two sides were at a standoff, their swords drawn, a sly, mocking voice suddenly rang out.

Everyone was startled and quickly looked toward the source of the voice. The speaker had already snuck to within ten meters of them and was now watching them with a grin.

"It's you!"

Seeing the newcomer, everyone's faces filled with disgust. They were all too familiar with this person: Su Peng, the infamous Young Master of the Su Family from the Ancient Martial Realm.

"Heh heh, so you still recognize me. How impressive. It seems your brains aren't working too well, though!"

Su Peng sneered at them, but his eyes held an exceptionally sinister and vicious glint.