Chapter 1: The Crimson Dragon Jade Xiao

  BJ, Panjiayuan Antique Market, East 3rd Ring South Road.

  It was a weekend, and the streets were crowded with people of all kinds, each with their own thoughts, wandering around, hoping to find something they liked.

  The wind was a bit strong, and the weather was very cold. Ouyang Xuan looked at Huangfu Yiling, who had some redness on her face from the cold, and said with some sympathy: "A'ling, look at the weather, it's so cold, but you still insist on coming out with me."

  Huangfu Yiling put her hand to her mouth and blew warm air on it, saying happily: "I'm not afraid, as long as you can accompany me."

  Ouyang Xuan's heart felt warm and fuzzy, she thought for a moment, then grasped Huangfu Yiling's right hand and closed her eyes.

  In the depths of his mind, a fiercely burning inner elixir appeared in Ouyang Xuan's spiritual sea, quietly waiting for its master's call - with it, Ouyang Xuan could unleash his power to defy the cold and heat, roaming freely across the four seas.

  Ou Yang Xuan's mind stirred slightly, and the inner elixir of Zhu Rong suddenly shone with a faint light. A weak but unusual heat flow emerged from the spiritual sea and slowly penetrated Ou Yang Xuan's left arm.

  Success! Ouyang Xuan was overjoyed in his heart: It seems that his control over the Zhu Rong inner elixir is getting stronger and stronger, even such a weak energy can be easily separated, it's impossible in the past.

  "Ouyang, why are you closing your eyes?" Seeing Ouyang Xuan remain silent for a long time, Huangfu Yiling found it very strange.

  Ouyang Xuan suddenly opened his eyes and smiled confidently: "Are you still cold now?"

  Huangfu Yiling was taken aback, and suddenly felt a very warm heat being transmitted from Ouyang Xuan's left hand to her own body, instantly enveloping her entire person.

  In an instant, the biting cold disappeared, and Huangfu Yiling only felt like she was in a very comfortable greenhouse, feeling so relaxed that her whole body's pores were yawning lazily.

  "Ouyang, your hand feels extremely comfortable in mine. I...I suddenly feel very warm, not cold at all." Huangfu Yiling's clear eyes were filled with an unbelievable surprise: "How did you do it?"

  Ouyang Xuan was taken aback, sweat beading on his forehead, and his mind racing quickly, he laughed: "Haha, this is the internal energy of us martial artists, impervious to cold and heat, isn't it powerful!?"

  "Inner Breath!?" Huang Fu Yiling was skeptical: "Isn't this something made up in martial arts novels? Is this really a thing?"

  "There is!" Ouyang Xuan said with a smile, "Ling, let's not talk about this anymore. You're not cold now, come and walk around with me."

  "Ah, husband is so good!" Huangfu Yiling suddenly stood on tiptoes and kissed Ou Yangxuan's cheek.

  Ouyang Xuan secretly smiled to herself: Well, this can also deceive people. Hehe, I'm really a genius. They say that women in love have an IQ of zero, but it seems like men aren't much different either.

  At this time, Huangfu Yiling looked around and asked strangely: "By the way, Ouyang, why did you suddenly think of buying a Xiao? I've never seen you play it before."

  Ouyang Xuan quickly turned his attention, smiled and said: "Just because you haven't seen me blow it doesn't mean I don't know how to blow it! Think about it in your heart, come buy it!"

  "Why don't you go to the big mall to buy new ones, but instead come to this antique market to buy old goods?" Huangfu Yiling was puzzled, and no matter how she thought about it, she couldn't understand.

  Ouyang Xuan smiled secretly: the sound of Jade Xiao is the most perfect, and the older the Jade Xiao, the more it has an ancient charm, the more suitable for playing "Nine Heavens", and best of all, it's a thousand-year-old antique, this thousand years of accumulated spiritual energy is very helpful to one's cultivation.

  Of course, Huáng Fǔ Yì Líng couldn't say that. ōu Yáng Xuān said seriously: "The old Xiao is ancient and fragrant, it looks like it has a temperament, wife, you don't understand this?"

  "Hmm, I suppose you're right. You're quite the elegant follower." Huangfu Yiling said with a hint of reproach, before smiling and leaning into Ouyang Xuan's side.

  Ouyang Xuan then pulled Huangfu Yiling, walking back and forth in the Panjiayuan antique market, and every time they saw a shop selling jade antiques, they went in to search carefully. However, after wandering around for half a day, there was no valuable discovery, not even the Hetian jade flute that Zhang Liangming gave him.

  "Alas..." Ouyang Xuan's expression was very gloomy: "Why can't we find anything good?"

  "Ouyang, don't be in a hurry, maybe if we look at one more house, we'll have some gains. Where there's a will, there's a way! Look, there's another one over there, let's go take a look." Huangfu Yiling saw that Ouyang Xuan was a bit unhappy and quickly pulled him along.

  Arriving at the entrance of the jade store, Ouyang Xuan looked up and saw the sign on the doorframe: Bì Lóng Jade Store.

  The sign is very old, with a seal script font, emitting a very ancient atmosphere.

  Ouyang Xuan looked inside somewhat strangely, and a middle-aged slightly fat man hurriedly came over with a smiling face: "Two of you, come in and take a look? We are a hundred-year-old shop, genuine goods at fair prices, no cheating of the young or old, just look at this sign to know I'm not bragging."

  "'A hundred-year-old brand?' Ouyang Xuan was stunned: 'This Panjiayuan Antique Market doesn't have such a long history, does it?'"

  "Hehe, my family has been in the jade business for generations, originally at Shichahai and later moved here. In Panjiayuan, no other store has a collection of jade as rich as ours, everyone in the trade knows that." The boss looked very proud.

  "Ah, looks like we've found the right place." Ouyang Xuan's expression changed to one of delight, and he hastily asked: "Boss, what's your surname?"

  "Oh, I'm Huang, what can I help you with? Let me introduce you to something." Mr. Huang was very enthusiastic indeed.

  "Hmm, I'd like to buy a Xiao flute, the older the better. Do you have any?" asked Ouyang Xuan.

  "Antiques?" Old Huang was taken aback: "There are very few people buying this kind of thing nowadays."

  Ouyang Xuan was somewhat disappointed: "I really like Gu Xiao's ancient charm, I've always wanted to find a suitable one, but you don't have it here?"

  "We have, we have, this hundred-year-old shop is not just bragging." Old Master Huang hastily said: "I have a Ming dynasty one here, and an even more precious Song dynasty one, let me show you?"

  "Let's go, thank you!" Ouyang Xuan was overjoyed: one branch of the Ming dynasty and one branch of the Song dynasty were much older than the previous few houses, maybe there would be something that could satisfy himself.

  Huang boss hurriedly turned around to the inner room, and soon brought out two exquisite purple sandalwood boxes, enthusiastically inviting: "Come, come, come, sit down and take a look."

  As he spoke, he invited Ouyang Xuan and Huangfu Yiling to sit down.

  Ouyang Xuan gently opened a wooden box, and in the faint fragrance, a white jade flute lay quietly on the red brocade, emitting a soft and gentle glow.

  Ouyang Xuan carefully picked it up, put the Xiao near his mouth and gently blew out the opening of "Jiutian".

  In an instant, a string of clear and distant notes sprang from Xiao's body, as if there was a kind of ethereal and otherworldly feeling that made Huangfu Yiling and Huang Lao feel dizzy for a moment.

  Suddenly, the sound of the Xiao stopped, and Ouyang Xuan somewhat regretfully put the white jade Xiao back in its box. He shook his head and said, "Boss, the quality of this Xiao is not the best, and the ancient tone is also insufficient. It can't produce the clarity and simplicity that I want."

  Huang boss only came to his senses at this time, and hurriedly praised: "This gentleman plays a good Xiao, I was so mesmerized that I couldn't help but listen. This one won't do, let's take a look at this one from the Song Dynasty."

  "Wow, Ouyang, I didn't expect your Xiao Shi to be so good. How annoying, why didn't you brag about it to me before?" Huang Fu Yi Ling said with a pout.

  "Hehe, Lingling, stop messing around, I'll tell you again later, okay?" Ouyang Xuan smiled and opened the second wooden box.

  The jade flute in the wooden box was unexpectedly rare black, but its luster was black and shiny, black and enchanting, and a wave of elegant ancient charm came rushing forth.

  Ouyang Xuan picked up the black jade flute in a somewhat strange manner, and when he put it in his hand, he felt a faint warmth, praising: "The material of this jade flute is very good, and its ancient charm is also great."

  "Yes, this is a rare and precious black jade piece, passed down through the ages, there are only a few of them left. Take another look at the emblem on top, it's from the Song Dynasty palace treasure, the ancient charm should be enough." Old Master Huang said with pride.

  "Then I'll try again, to see if I can blow out the clarity I want." Ouyang Xuan gently put the sheng mouthpiece to his lips and began playing the opening of "Jiutian" once more.

  Clear and pleasant notes burst out again, filling the entire space. The feeling of comfort and relaxation was even more vivid.

  Suddenly, the sound stopped again. Ouyang Xuan shook his head regretfully: "It's much better than the first one, but it's still a bit rough in terms of clarity. Moreover, Song Feng is too refined and lacks vigor, and the ancient rhyme also has some flaws. Alas, it seems that finding a suitable one is not easy!"

  The boss Huang raised his thumb and said, "This gentleman seems to be a true connoisseur of Xiao, able to discern even the slightest difference. A truly exceptional ancient Xiao should be from the prosperous Tang Dynasty - with its strong martial spirit and resplendent culture. If the materials used are exceptionally fine and the craftsmanship is done by masters, then it would be the most perfect jade Xiao in the world. Unfortunately, such a Tang Xiao is hard to find under the sky."

  Ouyang Xuan's eyes lit up, and he praised: "It turns out that the boss is also a connoisseur of Xiao!" Suddenly, his eyes dimmed again: "Unfortunately, this kind of top-grade Tang Xiao is hard to find."

  Huangfu Yiling saw Ouyang Xuan's emotions were somewhat down, and hurriedly comforted him: "Ouyang, don't be discouraged. Otherwise, I'll get my dad to ask his friends at the museum to help look for it, maybe they can find a good Xiao for you."

  "Hehe," Old Man Huang suddenly smiled: "I and the two of you are indeed fated. Actually, I have a top-notch Tang Xiao here, but it's the treasure of my shop, something that hasn't been shown to anyone for many years."

  Ouyang Xuan was overjoyed and suddenly stood up saying: "Really? Then can you let us take a look, as long as it's suitable, the price is negotiable."

  Huang boss smiled and said: "You wait a minute." He turned around and went back to the inner room, and after a long time, he came out with an ancient sandalwood box.

  The old sandalwood box on the table looked very distant, covered with a layer of light dust. Old Huang used a feather duster to sweep away the dust and quietly opened the lid.

  In an instant, a fierce red light flashed across the room, and a crimson jade flute quietly appeared before everyone's eyes. The jade flute was surrounded by a powerful red dragon, which raised its head and swung its tail, emitting a strong and majestic aura. The jade quality was also very ancient, with coarse and simple patterns, presenting an unbelievable ancient charm. But what was strange was that the jade flute was perfectly matched, not giving people a rough or sloppy feeling at all, but instead having a subtle elegance.

  Ouyang Xuan's eyes grew hot, his expression becoming somewhat frenzied as he hastily picked up the peculiar jade flute, muttering to himself: "Good flute, good flute, this must be what I've been looking for!"

  "You try blowing it and see if it meets your requirements?" said Old Master Huang with a smile.

  "Good!" Ouyang Xuan eagerly put the fiery shakuhachi to his lips, suppressing his excited emotions, and began to play softly.

  Beautiful notes flowed quickly from the jade flute, and in an instant, Ouyang Xuan felt that strange and extraordinary feeling again.

  He wore a golden crown on his head, dressed in ancient finery, and donned a scarlet armor outside. He stood proudly between the vast sky and earth. Under his feet were white clouds and the boundless land, above his head was the infinite universe and countless stars. For a moment, he truly felt an overwhelming sense of pride, as if flying through the nine heavens, unrivaled and supreme.

  Ou Yang Xuan's inner spiritual sea's Zhu Rong internal elixir suddenly awakened with the whistle, and frantically jumped up in the spiritual sea, emitting intense, crimson light. Even the internal elixir of Chi Bao also stirred, emitting a faint white auspicious glow.

  Ouyang Xuan was slightly intoxicated: It's this Xiao, it made me feel the most authentic charm of "Jiutian", and also made me feel the broad and kind heart of Zhurong back then.

  The sound of the Xiao continued fluently, as Ouyang Xuan played the jade Xiao with a spirited and elegant demeanor, his enchanting eyes flowing with an otherworldly charm that was mesmerizing.

  Suddenly, Ouyang Xuan discovered that the jade flute he was playing had actually resonated with Zhu Rong's inner elixir: a fierce hot current surged out of the spiritual sea, pouring wildly into the jade flute through Ouyang Xuan's lips and arms.

  Ouyang Xuan was shocked and hastily wanted to stop, but it was too late. He couldn't help but feel a pang of regret: This is terrible, the divine power of Zhu Rong's inner elixir is too overbearing, this peerless jade flute is probably done for.

  But unexpectedly, something strange happened to Ouyang Xuan: after the crimson jade flute in his hand received the hot flow of Zhu Rong's inner dan, it did not shatter, but instead became even more crimson all over, and even emitted a faint golden light.

  Ou Yang Xuan was overjoyed: Could it be that this jade flute has a special material quality, allowing it to coexist with the scorching hot inner dan of Zhu Rong?!

  Overjoyed, Ouyang Xuan continued to play, the 'excited' jade flute's notes became even more intense and filled the air. The proud and lonely smile that dominated all under heaven also became even more apparent.

  Ou Yang Xuan suddenly felt that in the spiritual sea, the inner dan in Zhu Rong's land was rapidly shooting out streams of warm currents that were surging through Ou Yang Xuan's entire body, more and more, faster and faster.

  In an instant, Ouyang Xuan only felt that the energy in his body was becoming more and more abundant, gradually having a fierce desire to burst out.

  Ouyang Xuan was greatly shocked and hastily lowered the pitch of "Jiutian": It's strange that as the notes fell, the energy that was difficult to control when playing "Jiutian" before also gradually calmed down, as if it were a docile kitten slowly returning to the spiritual sea.

  At this time, Ou Yang Xuan's heart was filled with indescribable joy: the flute could actually merge with Zhu Rong's inner dan and perfectly control it. If he played it frequently, he would definitely be able to bring out the terrifying divine power of Zhu Rong's inner dan.

  Soon, the tune "Nine Heavens" came to an end, Ouyang Xuan gently put down the jade flute, covered the box, took a deep breath, and said firmly: "Boss, I want this jade flute. Name your price."

  Suddenly, a burst of warm applause erupted around him, the thunderous cheers almost blowing off the roof.

  Ouyang Xuan was shocked and turned back to look: at some point, the entrance of the store was crowded with people like a tide, and they were all crazily applauding.

  It seems that the charm of "Jiutian" is indeed unstoppable.

  "Yeah, old man, you're talking too nicely." Huangfu Yiling also became a bit crazy, and she threw her arms around Ouyang Xuan and kissed him hard on the cheek.

  Ouyang Xuan was shocked: When did it start? The normally stable and introverted Huangfu Yiling became so open!?

  At this time, Old Man Huang laughed and said: "This jade flute has a famous name, called 'Red Dragon Jade Flute'. It was created in the early years of the Tang Dynasty, and its material is extremely rare. Currently, only one such instrument exists in the world. Originally, it was the beloved object of Li Jing, a famous general of the Tang Dynasty. Later, it fell into the hands of ordinary people, and who knows how many flute enthusiasts have possessed it? A hundred years ago, my ancestor acquired it. Our family has always loved flutes, but unfortunately, this Red Dragon Jade Flute is extremely difficult to play. Throughout our generations, no one in my family has been able to play a decent tune on it. I didn't expect that you, Mr. He, would have the fate to play it. It's truly heaven's will."

  "Is it? Then I'm even more determined. Name a price." Ouyang Xuan was overjoyed.

  Huang boss thought for a moment, carefully measured Ouyang Xuan, and suddenly raised one finger.

  "One hundred thousand!?" Ouyang Xuan was taken aback, but immediately gritted his teeth and said: "Alright, this treasure is worth the price! However, I don't have that much money on me. Can I make a deposit first and pay you in full in two days? Is that okay with you?"

  Huang boss shook his head and still raised that finger.

  Ouyang Xuan's face changed greatly, and he said somewhat angrily: "One million!? Old Master Huang, you're too greedy! This doesn't seem like something a century-old shop would do."

  "No, ten thousand!" Suddenly, Old Huang smiled firmly and said.

  "Whoa——" The crowd at the entrance suddenly fell silent, with everyone's mouth agape in shock.

  "What, what? Ten thousand!" Ouyang Xuan was shocked and thought to himself: Based on the history, material, craftsmanship, and aura of this jade flute, even ten million would be a low price. An estimated thirty to fifty million is a reasonable price, but one hundred thousand is also a bit unbelievable!

  "Yes, the goods are sold to those who appreciate them, and the price is not important." Old Master Huang smiled: "More importantly, I think you're not an ordinary person, and in the future, you'll definitely become rich or noble. This thing is useless if my family keeps it, so let's just consider it a gift between friends. In the future, if you can take care of this small shop, then Huang will be grateful."

  Ouyang Xuan's eyes lit up: What a formidable businessman, his eyes are really venomous. However, it's refreshing and worth making friends with him.

  "Alright, Mr Huang is indeed straightforward. I'm Ouyang Xuan, let's be friends!" Ouyang Xuan smiled and extended his hand.

  "That's an honor for Huang, my full name is Huang Jinlong, feel free to come and sit down whenever you're free." Old Master Huang smiled happily.

  "Here, Huang, there's over 10,000 yuan on this card, the password is six zeros. You take it, I'll be too ashamed to show my face!" Ouyang Xuan handed over a bank card.

  The Golden Dragon didn't stand on ceremony either, taking it with one hand and laughing: "Then big brother will take the money!"

  "Huang, it's an honor to meet a friend like you today. But I have something else to attend to, so I'll take my leave first." Ouyang Xuan said gratefully: "Here is my business card, if you need anything in the future, you can find me. I believe that in BJ, there are very few things that I cannot handle."

  Upon hearing this, the people at the entrance all showed envious expressions, straining their necks and tiptoes to see what was written on Ouyang Xuan's business card. Unfortunately, it was too far away and they couldn't make out a thing. (Frustrating, haha)

  Huang Jinlong took the business card from Ouyang Xuan, glanced at it briefly, and his eyes lit up. He smiled and said, "Indeed, I can see that you're not an ordinary person, your future prospects are boundless."

  "Thank you, Huang Ge, for your kind words. We'll take our leave now!" Ouyang Xuan nodded slightly and smiled faintly.

  "Alright then, I won't see you off since I shouldn't leave this place unattended!" Huang Jinlong knew he had made the right gamble and was overjoyed.

  "Goodbye!" Ouyang Xuan left the Bì Lóng Yù Qì shop with Huangfu Yiling, feeling extremely joyful, and took a long breath of the cold air.

  "Lingling, today was really rewarding!" As he spoke, Ouyang Xuan gently stroked the box containing the 'Red Dragon Jade Flute', his face filled with excitement.

  "Yes, I'm happy for my husband too." Huang Fu Yiling also had a delighted face: "However, you play the flute so well, in the future you must often play it for me to listen, otherwise I won't forgive you."

  "As long as your wife is willing to listen, you can brag for a lifetime." Ouyang Xuan said with a thick-skinned and smiling face.

  "Whoever listens to you for a lifetime is a big bad egg." Huangfu Yiling made a ghostly face at Ouyang Xuan, giggled and ran forward.

  "Hehe!" Ouyang Xuan looked at Huangfu Yiling with a happy smile, his heart bursting with excitement: When he had the time, he would go to Dragon Group again for training and see how much his strength could be improved by "Nine Heavens". The enemies in the future would definitely become stronger and stronger. For himself, for those he loved and who loved him, he also wanted to become stronger!

  Ouyang Xuan's gaze became increasingly firm and gentle as he thought of this.