Bab 98: Chapter 98: Heaven-Level Auction!
As he inhaled the fragrance, Hai Bodong could even sense a loosening of his Dou Qi within his body, while the less skilled Ya Fei's face had turned rosy as her internal Dou Qi boiled, nearly reaching the verge of a breakthrough.
"Master, this... this..." Seemingly guessing the contents of the bottle, Hai Bodong's body trembled as he stammered.
"As you guessed, inside is a sixth-grade Emperor Extreme Pill!" Jiang Yun waved his hand, opening the jade bottle completely. A pill the size of a dragon's eye, with swirling pill patterns, floated in Jiang Yun's palm as he introduced it at a leisurely pace.
"Emperor Extreme Pill!"
As soon as the name of the Emperor Extreme Pill was mentioned, Mitel Tengshan let out a gasp, looking at Jiang Yun in disbelief. Only now did he notice that Jiang Yun was actually wearing an alchemist robe, but without the emblem symbolizing his rank.
Coupled with his initial shock at Hai Bodong's attitude, he hadn't noticed right away that the person before him was an alchemist.
Seeing the pill before him, Mitel Tengshan couldn't help but make a connection. Could this esteemed guest be a sixth-grade alchemist?
And a sixth-grade alchemist capable of refining the Emperor Extreme Pill, no less!
Not every sixth-grade alchemist could refine an Emperor Extreme Pill, one of the pinnacles of sixth-grade medicinal pills. Even a seventh-grade alchemist wouldn't be fully confident in refining it.
Despite being shocked by Jiang Yun's youth, Mitel Tengshan hoped it was true more than anything.
"I didn't know the Master was actually a sixth-grade alchemist; it's a wonder Hai Bodong didn't recognize truly great talent!" What Mitel Tengshan conjectured, Hai Bodong naturally thought of as well. Now, he shook his head with a wry smile.
Once, he had a chance to connect with a sixth-grade alchemist but had refused. Later...
As for now?
Hai Bodong didn't think that with nothing to give, the Mitel family would be able to establish a connection with Jiang Yun, who must have come from that alluring place capable of nurturing such a young alchemist.
The Central Plains!
Jiang Yun smiled calmly at Hai Bodong's sentiments.
"Master, what would you like to exchange for this?"
"If it's just gold coins, Hai Bodong is willing to buy this Emperor Extreme Pill at double the price!"
Taking a deep breath, Hai Bodong gradually calmed down, reluctantly moving his gaze away from the pill and speaking respectfully to Jiang Yun.
Hearing this, Mitel Tengshan also looked at Jiang Yun with anticipation. Gold is just material wealth; as long as it could trade for Hai Bodong's advancement, no amount of gold would be too much.
Ya Fei, meanwhile, had been stunned from the moment Jiang Yun produced the Emperor Extreme Pill. Now, looking at the young Jiang Yun and then at the so-called geniuses of the Jia Ma Empire, she found them unbearable to look at.
"I don't need gold coins; I only do barter trades. Medicinal ingredients, methods, rare treasures—anything that interests me. I can offer fifth-grade, sixth-grade, or even seventh-grade pills in exchange!"
As Jiang Yun finished speaking, everyone present found their breathing a little quicker.
"Seventh-grade!"
Even Hai Bodong couldn't help but exclaim in shock. Seventh-grade pills were rare enough; now, in Jiang Yun's words, they seemed as common as cabbage on the roadside.
This was the terror of the Central Plains?
Seeing Jiang Yun's genuine demeanor, Hai Bodong chose to hold his tongue, bowing respectfully and saying, "Master, the Mitel family will use all its resources to promote this auction!"
"Ya Fei, select a high-quality residence and invite Master and company to rest!" Having finalized the discussion, Mitel Tengshan instructed Ya Fei, a glint in his eyes.
Ya Fei immediately understood, a sense of melancholy and helplessness rising in her heart. She knew what Mitel Tengshan meant. With Hai Bodong's support, she had hoped to control her destiny by becoming the chief auctioneer.
But in the end, it was still the same story, only replaced by another person—a person the Mitel family couldn't refuse.
If Jiang Yun indeed took a liking to Ya Fei, it would be a huge win for the Mitel family. Even if it was just a night of pleasure with no emotional attachment, the Mitel family would be overjoyed.
Sacrificing a clan member without exceptional cultivation talent to connect with a sixth-grade alchemist was an incredible bargain.
Looking at Jiang Yun's handsome face and thinking of his status, Ya Fei felt less resistant and even entertained other thoughts.
If successful, wouldn't the Mitel family rely on her, showing her utmost respect? Thinking about it, Ya Fei's smile grew brighter.
"Master, please follow me!"
Nodding, Jiang Yun held Zi Yan's hand and followed Ya Fei. Watching the others' covert actions, he felt as clear as a mirror.
Though the beauty before him could be easily obtained if he wished, Jiang Yun had no such desire. The people he kept around all had the greatest potential. So far, Zi Yan was the one he considered the most important.
Medusa counted as half since both had the potential to grow to the Heavenly Supreme level and aid him. Qing Lin and the Little Fairy Doctor were backups, and he had yet to find others with sufficient talent.
On the way, Jiang Yun remained calm in the face of Ya Fei's warmth. Upon reaching their residence, and seeing the door close, Ya Fei sighed.
During their conversation, she sensed Jiang Yun's distance. Her usual pride in her beauty seemed ineffective against him, causing her a sense of defeat.
Through her training outside, she understood how strongly her beauty attracted men. Yet till now, she hadn't met a man like Jiang Yun, who seemed indifferent to her.
Maybe that's what a genius is!
Inside the house.
As soon as she entered, Zi Yan grumbled, "Xiao Yun, I don't like that woman!"
Confused, Jiang Yun looked at Zi Yan, not understanding her sudden outburst. Could it be jealousy?
Qing Lin and the Little Fairy Doctor hid in the corner, engrossed in their melon seeds!
"What she's doing is natural human behavior; I have no interest in her. As long as I ignore her, it will be fine!" Jiang Yun chuckled and rubbed Zi Yan's soft, smooth hair.
"Mm!" Comforted by his reassurance, Zi Yan quickly calmed down, realizing that as long as Jiang Yun had no intentions, she had no openings.
The main reason was that Ya Fei reminded Zi Yan of someone she disliked.
Queen Medusa!
With a similar enchanting allure, although Ya Fei wasn't as naturally bewitching as Medusa, their styles were alike, which Zi Yan particularly loathed.
Overnight.
An explosive piece of news spread from the Mitel family across the entire Jia Ma Holy City, even reaching surrounding empires.
In an effort to please Jiang Yun, the Mitel family mobilized all its resources to disseminate the news quickly.
To know, the Mitel Auction House was the largest commercial organization in Jia Ma Holy City, their power immense. In nearly one night, their countless staff had spread the news far and wide.
After the initial failure of the beauty trap, Mitel Tengshan knew that if they impressed Jiang Yun with this event, the Mitel family might secure a relationship with him.
This auction could feature sixth-grade, and even rumored seventh-grade, pills, all managed by their Mitel Auction House.
Just the name alone could elevate the Mitel family.
Originally, the three major families of Jia Ma Holy City had long lost their balance. The Nalan family had produced Nalan Yanran, who became the Young Sect Master of Yun Lan Sect with terrifying talent. In the Jia Ma Empire, Nalan Yanran was the undefeated younger generation.
Quietly, the Nalan family had surpassed the other two families.
A few months ago, for unknown reasons, the strongest members of the royal family, the Mu family, and the Nalan family had all suffered severe injuries, making the empire's atmosphere increasingly eerie.
While Hai Bodong's return had bolstered Mitel family, Jiang Yun's arrival was the opportunity for them to step out of the Jia Ma Empire.
Mitel Tengshan knew this opportunity was rare and might be fleeting, but could you forgo a chance because it was slim?
He immediately ordered the suspension of all auctions, focusing solely on the Heaven-Level Auction.
"Big news! In three days, Mitel will host a Heaven-Level Auction!"
"At the Mitel Heaven-Level Auction, there will be items such as sixth-tier beast flames, sixth-tier magic core weapons, and the headline—high-grade pills!"
"Breaking news! According to the latest information, the Mitel Heaven-Level Auction might feature seventh-grade pills. You heard right, seventh-grade pills!"
In no time, the entire Jia Ma Empire was covered in flyers, and the promotion of the Mitel family's disciples was audible everywhere.
In the Jia Ma palace!
Reading the flyer in her hand, Yao Ye's beautiful eyes turned serious. "All these rare treasures, any one of which normally would initiate an Earth-Level Auction, maybe even a Heaven-Level Auction by itself. Is the rumor about the seventh-grade pill true?"
Next to her, the aging Jia Xing Tian put down his flyer, pondering. "Many of these are the Mitel family's most prized possessions. It seems they have really connected with a high-level alchemist!"
Hearing this, Yao Ye stood up excitedly, her voice urgent. "Great-grandfather, this master should be able to heal your injuries. I will go and invite him!"
Jia Xing Tian furrowed his brows, stopping Yao Ye and said sternly, "Don't act rashly. If there really is an esteemed alchemist, you might offend him with your actions. The flyer says pills are bartered for. Let's believe it and select some valuable medicinal ingredients from the treasure trove. I'll go speak with Hai Bodong."
Mesmerized, Yao Ye thought for a moment and then nodded. "Alright!"
At the Alchemist Guild, things were in an uproar.
The news about the possible seventh-grade pill had attracted all the old alchemists. The Jia Ma Empire had only one sixth-grade alchemist, who wasn't part of their guild.
They only had one fifth-grade alchemist. For alchemists, pills were also excellent teachers and references!
Understanding even a bit of its mysteries could significantly improve their alchemy skills.
These alchemists now probably wished they could sell their possessions to obtain that seventh-grade pill.
"Guild Master!"
An elderly man emerged, and the surrounding alchemists immediately bowed respectfully.
He was the Guild Master of the Jia Ma Empire's Alchemist Guild, fifth-grade alchemist, Fa Ma!
"I've heard about it. Chelmer, go inventory the treasury's ingredients; we must strive to obtain this seventh-grade pill. I assume no one has objections?"
Decisive, Fa Ma issued the order.
"No objections, no objections!" Of course, no one objected to Fa Ma's command. Such a pill in their guild could lead them all the way to seventh-grade!
Who would dare object?
"Guild Master, where are you going?"
Seeing Fa Ma walking out after issuing commands, Chelmer hurriedly asked.
"I'm going to the Mitel family to pay respects to the master!" Without looking back, Fa Ma rushed out, clearly impatient.
In the Nalan family, dressed in the silver moon robes of Yun Lan Sect, Nalan Yanran had just returned home to visit Nalan Jie when she encountered this news.
"A seventh-grade pill!" Nalan Yanran's heart thumped as she read the flyer.
Gu He was only a sixth-grade alchemist, and with his pills aiding her cultivation, she knew how helpful a high-level alchemist could be. Now the Mitel family might have connected with a seventh-grade alchemist.
If Gu He were here, he might be astonished too.
"Yanran, you know your grandfather's ailment. We wanted to personally invite the master, but given the circumstances, I, a mere Dou Ling, might not be able to meet him. Could you ask Sect Master Yun for help?"
Nalan Yanran's father, the current Nalan family head, Nalan Su, spoke anxiously and hesitantly to Nalan Yanran.
No matter what, asking his daughter to leverage her influence was awkward for a father.
Moreover, there were their status constraints!
Nalan Jie was the general of Jia Ma Empire, while Nalan Yanran was the Young Sect Master of Yun Lan Sect. The most important thing was that the royal family and Yun Lan Sect were at odds.
Nalan family's position was indeed awkward!
Hearing her father's request, Nalan Yanran pondered briefly, then stood up and said, "I'll return and report this to my teacher. But Father, I can't guarantee he will agree."
Seeing Nalan Yanran agree, Nalan Su's face lit up with joy. He exclaimed excitedly, "Good, good, good! As long as you relay the message. Whether it works or not is up to fate!"
(Chapter ends)
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