23 Xue Yufeng

The auction hall fell into an eerie silence, broken only by a collective gasp of astonishment that rippled through the room. Even esteemed figures like Grandmaster Tang and Fang Han found themselves momentarily taken aback by the unexpected entrance of a young man. His presence exuded regal authority, demanding both attention and respect.

This individual was none other than Xue Yufeng, the crown prince of the mighty Xue Empire. As a scion of the empire's ruling dynasty, his identity carried an overwhelming aura of power and influence.

The sight of a member of the imperial family attending an auction of this nature was highly unusual. This unexpected turn of events left Wu Huang and the others visibly bewildered.

"It's highly unusual for members of the Xue imperial family to show interest in anything beyond ice elemental cultivation methods. Xue Yufeng shouldn't have any  interest in the Violet Cloud Heavenly Flame seed. However, the young woman accompanying him is not simple, she actually made such a large bid and does not even seem fazed," as a seasoned merchant Yang Jin quickly gathered his thoughts and assessed the situation. He could instantly tell that the young lady in purple was someone with an important status but he couldn't figure out her background. 

Sensing Yang Jin's sudden unease, Zhou Yuan couldn't shake the feeling that the situation was about to take a dire turn. Just as he was about to inquire, Wu Huang quickly extended his greetings. "Wu Huang of the Wu Clan, greets the Crown Prince."

Ling Ming promptly followed suit, displaying his respect for Xue Yufeng. "Ling Ming of the Ling Clan, greets the Crown Prince." Then, he had a sly idea and let out a chuckle. He turned toward the private room where Zhou Yuan and Yang Jin were located and spoke with a mischievous tone.

"Yang Jin, as members of the five great clans, why don't you and your companion pay your respects to his highness, the Crown Prince?" Ling Ming's unexpected remark left all present parties perplexed.

In the crowd, some began to speculate, saying, "So, the person bidding just now was Yang Jin of the Yang Clan?"

"No, I've personally heard Yang Jin speak before, and his voice was different," countered another observer.

This sudden twist of events piqued Xue Yufeng's curiosity. As all eyes turned toward a particular private room, Yang Jin was seething with anger. However, realizing that exposing Zhou Yuan to the spotlight could be detrimental, he restrained himself.

Just as he was about to voice his discontent, Zhou Yuan placed a calming hand on his shoulder. Seeing his friend's stern expression, Yang Jin understood that this was not the time for rash actions.

Reluctantly, Yang Jin took a deep breath and rose from his seat to acknowledge Xue Yufeng's presence. "Yang Jin of the Yang Clan, greets the Crown Prince."

The Crown Prince responded with a nod, awaiting the greeting from the other occupant of the room.

Zhou Yuan stood upright and followed suit showing his figure. "Zhou Yuan of the Zhou Clan, also the Crown Prince." As these words left his lips, the eyes of Wu Huang, the Crown Prince, and the young lady dressed in purple widened in shock.

"Zhou Yuan?"

"Is that Zhou Yuan?"

This revelation sent shockwaves of astonishment throughout the hall room, leaving the attendees in a state of disbelief. The person standing inside the room beside Yang Jin was blind and seemed incredibly frail despite his cultivation being at the 8th level of the Qi Refinement Realm. 

It was inevitable they were in disbelief; Zhou Yuan had once been a renowned figure with a stellar reputation. He had been hailed as a living legend, achieving the 8th level of the Qi Refinement Realm at the tender age of 10 and displaying the potential to reach the Spirit Lake stage before turning 15.

However, it seemed that fate had taken an unfavorable turn. Three years ago, he had been subjected to an ambush, suffering severe injuries that had abruptly halted his once-promising rise. The current Zhou Yuan no longer possessed the same luster and potential he had once exhibited. While no one dared to openly voice their sentiments, there was an underlying feeling of disillusionment among the audience, an unspoken acknowledgment of the decline of a previously remarkable talent.

Xue Yufeng, as the Crown Prince, possessed keen intelligence. He quickly recovered from his initial surprise. "Ah, so it's Junior Brother Zhou Yuan. It has truly been a significant amount of time since our previous encounter. I've really missed our days together back at the academy," he stated with a dazzling smile. 

Nevertheless, those perceptive enough could discern the insincere undertone in his words. Deep down, Xue Yufeng held contempt for this fallen genius, but he understood the importance of maintaining a polite facade. 

"Your Highness, there's no need to trouble yourself with such insignificant matters," Zhou Yuan responded, his voice carrying an air of indifference. This reply left the Crown Prince momentarily stunned, rendering him momentarily unable to respond swiftly. Then, he proceeded to laugh softly.

"Indeed, Junior Brother Zhou Yuan, you speak wisely. We've all encountered our fair share of challenges on our individual journeys. It's a pleasure to see you again, and I hope your recovery has been progressing well," the Crown Prince replied with a more relaxed tone, steering the conversation towards a more pleasant note.

"Thank you, Your Highness," Zhou Yuan replied with a nod of appreciation. He then gently directed the conversation, "It's been a challenging journey, but I'm making progress in my recovery."

With a slightly inquisitive tone, Zhou Yuan continued, "And if I may inquire, Your Highness, this young lady by your side, she carries an air of remarkable presence. Would you do me the honor of introducing her?" Despite his blindness, Zhou Yuan had a keen sense of perception and could sense that the young lady was not an ordinary individual.