Top-tier Unruly Master

Lin Yanxi had grown up in Honggang City since she was young, so she was quite familiar with the location of the antique market.

Lin Yanxi personally drove the car, and because she knew the way well, she didn't waste too much time before arriving at the antique market.

The scale of the antique market in Honggang City was indeed quite large. Although Ding Fan had never been to Liuli Hutong in Yanjing, he had been to the antique market in Dongcheng, which was only a fraction of the size; Honggang City's antique market was three to four times larger. For a moment, Ding Fan felt some confidence—such a large market might just have what he was looking for.

"The goods here often pass off the inferior as the good and the fake as genuine, but it doesn't hurt to have a look," said Lin Yanxi offhandedly.

Since Ding Fan had met Lin Yanxi, this was the first time she had taken the initiative to speak to him. Ding Fan knew that Lin Yanxi was gradually stepping out of the shadows of her past.

"I'm just looking around as well," Ding Fan replied to Lin Yanxi and then continued walking down the street into the antique market.

Lin Yanxi, in a rare good mood today, followed behind Ding Fan, appearing as carefree as if she were there just to relax her mind.

Along the way, Ding Fan appeared calm and composed, but he subtly expanded his Divine Sense to its full breadth. However, after walking through half the antique market, Ding Fan still hadn't encountered anything useful.

Just as Ding Fan was starting to feel disheartened, a familiar wave of Spiritual Energy suddenly reached him. His heart trembled and he quickly headed towards the source of the energy.

Eventually, Ding Fan stood in front of a store called Ju Mingxuan, and the Spiritual Energy he sensed before was emanating from this place.

Upon entering Ju Mingxuan, Ding Fan was immediately greeted by an enthusiastic attendant. After entering the store, he quickly spotted an Ancient Cauldron tucked away in a corner of the shop.

The size of the Ancient Cauldron was about the same as two soccer balls put together, and it had handles on the sides. Despite the cauldron's apparent age, Ding Fan could still sense persistent remnants of Spirit Grass emanating from it. It was this Spiritual Energy that had guided him to this place.

After examining the Ancient Cauldron, Ding Fan was certain that it must have been used by a Cultivator for Pill Refinement. The lingering scent within the cauldron was proof that a Cultivator had used it to refine high-level Spirit Pills, and it was because of this that the Spiritual Energy within had not dissipated over time.

"How much for this Ancient Cauldron?" Ding Fan asked the attendant beside him.

Lin Yanxi stood behind Ding Fan, startled. She couldn't understand why Ding Fan would inquire about the price of an Ancient Cauldron. Could he possibly want to buy it?

"Sir, you really have an eye for the exquisite. This Ancient Cauldron was recently unearthed from the west of the city. It's believed that this batch of antiques dates back to the Three Kingdoms era… The price for this Ancient Cauldron is only one hundred thousand," the attendant eagerly said upon hearing Ding Fan's interest in the cauldron.

Only one hundred thousand?!

Lin Yanxi had some knowledge of antiques and knew that among collections, cauldrons were the easiest to be mistaken about. With the ever-improving techniques to age items artificially, and since cauldrons were often of great antiquity, even experts could be fooled by well-fabricated fakes. Over the years, the price of cauldrons kept dropping.

The attendant's opening bid of one hundred thousand was clearly an attempt to take advantage of Ding Fan.

"Eighty thousand then," Ding Fan bargained before Lin Yanxi could even think of discouraging him.

Having recognized that the Ancient Cauldron had indeed been used by Cultivators for Pill Refinement, Ding Fan was determined to buy it regardless of the cost.

"Alright, sir. Would you like to pay with cash or card?" the attendant replied without a moment's hesitation.

Witnessing this, Lin Yanxi knew that Ding Fan was definitely being taken advantage of. That Ancient Cauldron was probably not even worth ten thousand, yet it was selling for eighty thousand—no wonder the seller was happy.

"Charge it to my card," Lin Yanxi stepped forward, taking out her bank card from her bag and handing it over.

Lin Qingqing had previously instructed to treat Ding Fan well, so naturally, Ding Fan wasn't supposed to pay for anything he liked himself.

All of Ding Fan's money was inside his storage ring, and to access it without drawing attention, he'd need to find a secluded place. Having Lin Qingqing pay saved him the trouble.

Letting a woman pay didn't embarrass Ding Fan; after all, Lin Yanxi's illness wouldn't be cured without spending hundreds of thousands—if not more. Eighty thousand was nothing to her, he was in need of it, so there was no need for unnecessary politeness.

"What a seductress, so desperate to spend money and keep a pretty boy," a cold voice suddenly emerged from the inner hall of Ju Mingxuan.

The person did not come with good intentions. As Ding Fan's gaze hardened, a man and a woman walked out from the inner hall.

What surprised Ding Fan was that he knew the man—it was Huang Jian, the same person who had attempted to show off in his presence in Honggang City and ended up being knocked over by him.

The woman who had spoken was with Huang Jian, and she had a significantly sturdy build. If not for her long hair, it would have been hard for anyone to categorize her amongst women at first glance.

At this moment, the robust woman looked at Lin Yanxi with displeasure, while Huang Jian stood somewhat meekly behind her.

"You're Lin Yanxi, right?" the burly woman pointed at Lin Yanxi and asked.

"I don't know you," Lin Yanxi said indifferently.

The stout woman snorted. "You may not know me, but I certainly know you. Let me introduce myself, I am Huang Jian's fiancée, my name is Zhu Zifang, daughter of Singapore's wealthiest man, Zhu Qingyun."

Lin Yanxi frowned slightly. "There's no need for you to introduce yourself."

Zhu Zifang continued, "Usually, I'd have no need to introduce myself, because you're not qualified to speak to me, let alone know me. I'm introducing myself now because I want to make one thing clear to you: no matter what your past with Huang Jian was, I'm telling you now to stay away from him. He's engaged to be married."

Standing aside, Ding Fan crossed his arms. Last time, in the airport parking lot, it was definitely Huang Jian who was pestering Lin Yanxi. Now they had the nerve to turn the tables.

But Ding Fan had no intention of intervening just yet.

Ding Fan knew that Huang Jian was the one who had runaway at the wedding, and all the knots in Lin Yanxi's heart were because of him. This was a good opportunity for Lin Yanxi to let go of her burdens.

"I think you're mistaken. I won't bother you, but please don't bother me either..."

Before Lin Yanxi could finish, Zhu Zifang flew into a rage. "I really didn't expect you to be so shameless. Saying you won't bother us—if that's true, why did you fall sick when Huang Jian left you? Do you think I can't see through your seductive intentions? You're just looking for any chance to steal Huang Jian away from me."

Lin Yanxi glanced at Huang Jian behind Zhu Zifang. "Huang Jian, if you still consider yourself a man, then make things clear to your fiancée. Have I ever pestered you?"

With a broad sweep of her hand, Zhu Zifang pushed the hiding Huang Jian forward. "Huang Jian, you better make things clear now."

Huang Jian's expression was rather awkward, and he stuttered without a word coming out for a while.

"Spit it out, what are you mumbling for?" Zhu Zifang said, clearly annoyed.

It seemed as if Huang Jian had made a great resolution as he glanced at Lin Yanxi and then coldly said, "Lin Yanxi, don't delude yourself anymore. There's no chance for us, the only person I love now is Zhu Zifang. Please don't contact me again..."

Fuck!

Ding Fan, looking on, would have smacked Zhu Zifang if not for wanting Lin Yanxi to come out of her shadow by herself. It was ridiculous.

"You... you said... what did you say?" Lin Yanxi's brows furrowed tightly, her face suddenly turning ashen.

"Did you hear that? Lin Yanxi, I'm letting you off this time. But if I find out you're pestering my fiancé again, don't blame me for not being polite!" Zhu Zifang pointed at Lin Yanxi's nose and shouted.

Lin Yanxi felt a tightness in her chest, and darkness came over her as she fainted...

Just as Lin Yanxi hit the ground, Ding Fan reached out and caught her.

At that moment, Huang Jian didn't even glance at Lin Yanxi. He walked out of Ju Mingxuan, ingratiatingly hugging Zhu Zifang, whose waist was as thick as a water barrel."

Ding Fan had never thought it possible to be so disgusted with someone that it made him nauseous, but now, the mere thought of Huang Jian made him feel a wave of revulsion, as if he truly wanted to vomit.

Ding Fan then channeled some True Qi into Lin Yanxi's body, and only then did she slowly open her eyes.

The color had drained from Lin Yanxi's face, no longer the rosy hue of morning; once again, her eyes dulled.

Ding Fan knew that Huang Jian's words had hurt Lin Yanxi once again. He had anticipated this, but Lin Yanxi's inner demons couldn't be exorcised without confrontation.

"Try to relax. If you feel like crying, just let it out," Ding Fan helped Lin Yanxi stand and said.

"Could you... could you stay with me for a drink?" Lin Yanxi stood there with a vacant look in her eyes, her forlorn appearance was heart-wrenching.

Ding Fan nodded. "Sure."