All three women had disguised themselves, though only with simple makeup and alterations. They still looked very beautiful, just not quite as stunning as their true appearance. Women like this were common enough in the Immortal Realm, especially in Dream Spirit Sanctuary.
"Excuse me, may we sit here? The tavern is full, so we wondered if you two might allow us to join you?" Roxanne Lin asked politely.
Serena Frost, true to her naturally cold temperament, would never say something like that in front of a crowd. Evan Lin glanced at Roxanne Lin, a faint smile playing at his lips, but said nothing.
Blazefire Immortal Lord also found these three sudden arrivals rather curious, but since they'd asked so politely, he couldn't really object. He just waited to see whether Evan Lin would agree.
Evan Lin, seeing Blazefire's glance, smiled and said, "To dine at the same table with three beauties—what an incredible honor! Of course we agree."
Then Evan Lin called out to the waiter, "Bring us a few more of the tavern's signature dishes, and add some extra bowls and chopsticks."
The three women glanced at Evan Lin but only smiled without answering. After they sat down, it wasn't long before the waiter brought over the bowls, chopsticks, and dishes. Evan Lin then said:
"The food here is actually pretty good. Since it's rare to dine with three beautiful ladies, let me treat you all today. Order whatever you like, don't be shy."
"Thank you, sir! In that case, we won't stand on ceremony," Roxanne Lin replied with a smile.
Blazefire Immortal Lord glanced at Evan Lin, then at the three women, shook his head, and asked, "Are you three from Dream Spirit Sanctuary? Did you come to Newcapital City for the auction too?"
"We're not from Dream Spirit Sanctuary, but we did come to Newcapital City for the auction. I'm hoping I can win something I really love. Are you here for the auction too?" Roxanne Lin asked.
"That's right, we came here specifically for it. This auction is going to be packed—just three days left, and everyone's excited. Don't be shy, order whatever you want!" Blazefire Immortal Lord said.
Just then, conversation started up again at the next table. "This year's auction is even livelier than before. I bet lots of people won't get what they want," said a middle-aged man.
"Why do you say that, Brother Liao? Did you hear some kind of inside scoop?" someone asked eagerly.
"It's not really insider news—lots of people know this. Only a few thousand people can actually enter the auction hall, and you have to register with your real name. Each Immortal Lord can bring one guest, each Immortal Emperor can bring three, and anyone at Ninth-Heaven Arch-Immortal level can enter directly.
Everyone else has to pay an entry fee, and it's no small amount—fifty high-grade Immortal Stones. That number alone will keep a lot of people outside," the middle-aged man said.
Evan Lin glanced at the three women, meaning only Serena Frost could enter for free; Roxanne Lin and Macy Mei would need to pay a hundred high-grade Immortal Stones if they wanted to go in.
"That's so harsh! I've only got about two hundred high-grade Immortal Stones, and it took me a hundred years to save them up. If fifty disappear in one go, how am I supposed to bid for anything? This auction is ridiculous," someone complained.
"Seriously, what a letdown. If we can't buy anything, we might as well just drink for a few days. The Celestial Nectar Jadewine here is amazing—if I spend my hundred years' savings on this wine, at least it's worth it."
"That's not entirely true. The people inside the auction hall do get the best stuff, but the City Lord also thought about regular Immortals. He set up a special open-air auction outside the main hall, so people who don't have many Immortal Stones can still shop for what they need."
There are some pretty good items among those, and if they were inside the main hall, their prices would double. That's why the City Lord set up the open-air auction, so we still have a good chance to buy what we need," another middle-aged man said.
Every word of this conversation reached Evan Lin and his group. Just then, a commotion broke out outside the tavern as several dozen brightly dressed young women entered, drawing everyone's gaze.
Each one was stunningly beautiful, no less than Roxanne Lin, though still a bit below Macy Mei and Serena Frost. But one woman among them was every bit their equal.
Evan Lin couldn't see through this woman's cultivation at all. She wore a thin gauze veil that barely covered her face; her features were perfectly visible. Her big, bright eyes seemed to speak, her delicate oval face and charming cherry lips made her utterly enchanting.
Most striking of all was the red cinnabar beauty mark at her brow, which made her even more captivating. Evan Lin found himself staring, completely entranced.
One of the young women spoke to the waiter, "Prepare five deluxe rooms and bring all the food and wine up quickly!"
She handed over a purple Immortal Stone, shocking everyone in the tavern. It was a supreme-grade stone, worth a full hundred high-grade Immortal Stones. Many people began speculating about the women's identities.
The women soon left, but the one with the cinnabar mark paused, turned, and gave Evan Lin a slight smile before leaving. The whole tavern was filled with envy.
At that moment, the three heroines all glared at Evan Lin. How could he attract beautiful women wherever he went? Was he fated to be a magnet for trouble—and for beauties?
"Lin, do you know who those people are?" Blazefire Immortal Lord asked Evan Lin.
"No idea. Could they be from Dream Spirit Sanctuary?" Evan Lin replied.
"Looks like you're pretty sharp. They are indeed from Dream Spirit Sanctuary. Did you notice how beautiful the girl with the cinnabar mark was—and that you couldn't sense her cultivation?" Blazefire Immortal Lord asked.
"How do you know? Do you know her? She can't possibly be the Domain Lord of Dream Spirit Sanctuary, right? If she is, that's incredible," Evan Lin said.
Serena Frost, who hadn't spoken until now, said, "You're actually right. She's Lynn Ling, one of the Four Immortal Fairies, and the Second Domain Lord of Dream Spirit Sanctuary. Her cultivation should be at Immortal Emperor level. If you like her, I'd advise you not to get involved—it's far too dangerous."
Evan Lin was startled and immediately asked, "How do you know? And who are you, anyway?"
Serena Frost shot Evan Lin a look and said, "Didn't you hear one of the women call her 'Second Domain Lord Lynn Ling'? Or were you so dazzled you didn't notice?"
"No, no! I'm just surprised the Dream Spirit Sanctuary would send a Domain Lord to this auction. The items up for sale must be extraordinary." Evan Lin protested, not realizing Serena Frost was deliberately teasing him.
[Author's Note: Support with monthly votes and recommendations! Should Xiaoxiao really only update five chapters a day? If this week's support is strong, there will be a special release for Dragon Boat Festival (2000 recommendations, 200 monthly votes).]