Chapter 97: Heaven-Tier Auction!
Jiang Yun retrieved a jade bottle from his ring and pushed it over. Even before it was opened, faint, unusual wisps of fragrance imperceptibly permeated the room.
Smelling this fragrance, Hai Bo Dong even felt a loosening sensation in the Dou Qi within his body. Ya Fei, whose cultivation was far inferior, had already turned a rosy blush, the Dou Qi inside her seething and churning, reaching the verge of a breakthrough.
"Young Master, this is... this is..." As if guessing the contents of the bottle, Hai Bo Dong felt his entire body tremble and asked somewhat stammeringly.
"As you imagined, inside here is precisely a sixth-tier Emperor Pill!" Jiang Yun waved his hand, and the jade bottle fully opened. A pill the size of a longan, entwined with pill markings, hovered in Jiang Yun's palm. His tone was unhurried as he introduced it.
"Emperor Pill!"
The moment the name Emperor Pill came out, Mite'er Tengshan immediately let out a startled cry, staring at Jiang Yun in disbelief. Only now did he notice that Jiang Yun was actually wearing an alchemist's long robe, only without a badge symbolizing his alchemist tier.
Coupled with his initial shock at Hai Bo Dong's attitude, he hadn't immediately realized the other party was actually an alchemist.
Looking at the pill before him again, Mite'er Tengshan instantly made a connection. This honored guest—could he also be a sixth-tier alchemist?!
A sixth-tier alchemist who could refine an Emperor Pill at that!
Not every sixth-tier alchemist could produce an Emperor Pill. As a pill at the very pinnacle of the sixth tier, even for a seventh-tier alchemist to refine it, absolute certainty was not guaranteed.
Though somewhat shocked by Jiang Yun's youth, Mite'er Tengshan wished even more that this was true.
"I never imagined the Grandmaster was also a sixth-tier alchemist. Hai Bo Dong truly has eyes but failed to see Mount Tai!" What Mite'er Tengshan could think of, Hai Bo Dong naturally thought of too. At this moment, he shook his head with a bitter smile.
Once, an opportunity to connect with a sixth-tier alchemist had been placed right before him, and he rejected it. Later...
As for now?
Hai Bo Dong did not think that when the other party had no need of them, the Mite'er family could latch onto him. To have nurtured such a young, genius alchemist as Jiang Yun, he must inevitably come from that place everyone yearned for.
The Central Plains!
Toward Hai Bo Dong's sigh of emotion, Jiang Yun merely smiled calmly!
"May I ask what the Grandmaster wishes to exchange for?"
"If it is merely gold coins, Hai Bo Dong is willing to purchase this Emperor Pill at double the price!"
Taking a deep breath, Hai Bo Dong slowly calmed himself down. Shifting his reluctant gaze away from the Emperor Pill, he clasped his hands toward Jiang Yun and spoke.
Mite'er Tengshan, hearing this at the side, also looked at Jiang Yun with a face full of anticipation. Gold coins were dead items. Even at a premium, as long as they could exchange them for an advancement in Hai Bo Dong's strength, spending however many gold coins was worth it.
And at this moment, Ya Fei had long been stunned ever since Jiang Yun brought out the Emperor Pill. Now, gazing at the extremely young Jiang Yun, and then looking back at the geniuses of the Jia Ma Empire... they were simply unsightly.
"I don't need gold coins. I only support barter—medicinal ingredients, cultivation methods, rare treasures. As long as it can pique my interest, I can bring out fifth-tier, sixth-tier, and even seventh-tier pills to exchange!"
As Jiang Yun's voice fell, the breathing of everyone present quickened somewhat.
"Seventh-tier!"
Even Hai Bo Dong let out a startled cry. Seventh-tier pills! Ordinary sixth-tier pills were already one-pill-hard-to-find. In Jiang Yun's mouth, seventh-tier pills seemed as casual as cabbages on the roadside.
Was this the terror of the Central Plains?
Looking at Jiang Yun's demeanor, which didn't seem fake at all, Hai Bo Dong chose to shut his mouth. He said respectfully, "Grandmaster, the Mite'er family will certainly use all its power to publicize this auction!"
"Ya Fei, choose a fine residence and invite the Grandmaster and his companions to rest!" After the discussions were settled, Mite'er Tengshan instructed Ya Fei at his side, his eyes flickering subtly in the shadows.
Ya Fei immediately understood his meaning. A sense of desolation and powerlessness rose in her heart. She knew what Mite'er Tengshan was implying. She had thought that with Hai Bo Dong's support, having taken the position of chief auctioneer, she could control her own fate.
Never did she imagine that in the end, it would still be like this—just changed to another person, another person the Mite'er family couldn't refuse.
If Jiang Yun truly took a liking to Ya Fei, the Mite'er family would profit immensely. Even if it was just a single night's pleasure, with no feelings for Ya Fei whatsoever, the Mite'er family would only rejoice and celebrate.
Just sacrificing one clan member with unexceptional cultivation talent to establish a connection with a sixth-tier alchemist (?)—one couldn't say it wasn't an absolute bargain.
Ya Fei looked at Jiang Yun's refined face and recalled his status. Instantly, the resistance in her heart lessened significantly. She even began entertaining other thoughts.
If it succeeded, wouldn't even the Mite'er family have to rely on her and treat her with the utmost respect? Thinking of this, even Ya Fei's smile brightened considerably.
"Grandmaster, please follow me!"
Nodding, and holding Zi Yan's hand, they followed Ya Fei and left the place. Toward the silent maneuvering of those few, Jiang Yun's heart was as clear as a mirror.
Although the beauty before him could be easily obtained if he merely wished it, Jiang Yun harbored no such thoughts in his heart. Looking at all the people he had brought to his side, they were all primarily chosen for their potential. Up until now, Jiang Yun only truly valued Zi Yan the most.
Medusa counted as half. These two had the potential to grow into Heavenly Sovereigns and aid him. The remaining Qing Lin and Xiao Yi Xian could only be considered backup candidates. As for others, Jiang Yun had yet to discover any possessing sufficient talent.
The entire way, faced with Ya Fei's enthusiasm, Jiang Yun remained very calm. When they reached their residence, watching the closed front door, Ya Fei helplessly sighed.
Throughout their conversation, she could feel the sense of distance from Jiang Yun. The beauty she was ordinarily so proud of had lost its effect before him. This gave Ya Fei a trace of defeat.
In all these years of tempering outside, she deeply understood just how powerful an attraction her beauty held over men. Until now, she had never encountered a man like Jiang Yun, who seemed utterly indifferent to her.
Perhaps this was what a genius was like!
Within the room.
The moment Zi Yan entered, she huffed angrily, "Xiao Yun, I don't like that woman!"
"?" Jiang Yun looked at Zi Yan with some puzzlement, not understanding what crazy spell she was under now. Surely she wasn't jealous?
Qing Lin and Xiao Yi Xian gleefully hid in the corner, eating melon seeds and watching the drama unfold!
"Her acting that way can also be considered only human. I have absolutely no interest in her. As long as I ignore her, it's fine!" Jiang Yun chuckled lightly and rubbed Zi Yan's soft, smooth hair.
"Mm!" Zi Yan needed to be coaxed along the right way. Seeing Jiang Yun reassure her repeatedly, she immediately calmed down and also thought it through. As long as Jiang Yun had no intentions, the other party had no opportunity to exploit.
It was mainly that Ya Fei reminded Zi Yan of an annoying individual.
Medusa Queen!
The same alluring, bewitching charm. Although Ya Fei wasn't as naturally, innately seductive as Medusa, that similar style made Zi Yan especially hateful toward her.
Overnight.
An explosive piece of news spread from the Mite'er family throughout the entire Holy City of Jia Ma, and even spread toward the surrounding great empires.
The Mite'er Auction House's Heaven-tier auction was opening!
One could say that to curry favor with Jiang Yun, the Mite'er family mobilized all its power, striving to spread this news in the shortest possible time.
One had to know, the Mite'er Auction House was the largest commercial organization in the Holy City of Jia Ma. The energy they possessed was colossal. Almost overnight, countless staff members of the Mite'er Auction House spread the news.
After the honey trap temporarily failed, Mite'er Tengshan knew that if this matter was handled beautifully, to Jiang Yun's satisfaction, and he saw the Mite'er family's sincerity, then the Mite'er family would have a chance to build a good relationship with Jiang Yun.
This was an auction where sixth-tier pills, and even the legendary seventh-tier pills, might appear! All of this was being handled by their Mite'er Auction House.
Just this reputation alone was enough to elevate the Mite'er family yet another level.
The original three great families of the Holy City of Jia Ma had, in truth, long lost their balance. The Nalan family had produced a Nalan Yanran, who became the Young Sect Master of the Yun Lan Sect. Her cultivation talent was monstrously outstanding. In the entire Jia Ma Empire, Nalan Yanran was unmatched among the younger generation.
Thus, faintly, the Nalan family already had a tendency to surpass the other two families.
And a few months ago, for unknown reasons, the strongest experts of the Imperial Family, the Mu family, and the Nalan family all suffered severe injuries. During this period, the atmosphere of the empire had grown increasingly strange.
Although Hai Bo Dong's return had added a few degrees of confidence to the Mite'er family, Jiang Yun's appearance now was an opportunity for the Mite'er family to thoroughly step out beyond the Jia Ma Empire.
Mite'er Tengshan naturally knew how rare this opportunity was, and how slim the chances were. But when an opportunity is placed right before your eyes, can you abandon it just because the chances are slim?
He immediately issued orders to halt all operations of the auction house, solely to serve this single Heaven-tier auction.
"Breaking news! In three days, the Mite'er Auction House will open a Heaven-tier auction!"
"At the Mite'er Heaven-tier auction, rank six beast flames, rank six magic core weapons will appear! Rumored finale items will be pills, high-tier pills!"
"Extra! Extra! Latest news! At the Mite'er Heaven-tier auction, seventh-tier pills may appear! You heard that right, seventh-tier pills!"
For a time, the entire Jia Ma Empire was littered with flyers. The propaganda voices of the Mite'er family's children could be heard in almost every corner.
The Jia Ma Imperial Family!
Yao Ye looked at the flyer in her hand, her beautiful eyes unable to hide their gravity: "All are treasures one can only chance upon but not seek out! Usually, bringing out just one would be enough to open an Earth-tier auction. Even one or two among them would be sufficient to open a Heaven-tier auction. Could it be..."
"Could the rumored seventh-tier pill be real?!"
Beside her, the gloom-ridden Jia Xingtian put down the flyer in his hand and mused, "Many of these are the Mite'er family's hidden treasures kept at the bottom of their chests. It seems this time they've truly latched onto a high-tier alchemist!"
Hearing this, Yao Ye stood up excitedly, her voice urgent: "Great-Grandfather, this Grandmaster can certainly heal your injuries! I'll go invite him right away!"
Jia Xingtian frowned and stopped Yao Ye, who was about to leave. He said seriously, "You must not act rashly. If there truly is an alchemy grandmaster here, your behavior might offend him. I've looked at the flyer; it states that pills are barter only. It seems the person really exists. You go first to the treasure vault and select a few precious medicinal ingredients. I'll go sound out Hai Bo Dong."
Yao Ye frowned slightly. After thinking for a moment, she nodded, "Alright!"
At this time, the Alchemist Association had already exploded into an uproar.
News of the suspected seventh-tier pill had drawn all the old fellows here. The Jia Ma Empire only had one sixth-tier alchemist, and he wasn't even from their Alchemist Association.
They only had a single fifth-tier alchemist. For alchemists, pills also served as good teachers and excellent reference points!
If they could fathom even a tiny secret within, their own alchemy skills might experience a meteoric rise.
These alchemists now probably wished they could bankrupt themselves if it meant securing this seventh-tier pill.
"President!"
At this moment, an old man walked out, and the surrounding alchemists immediately clasped their hands in respect.
This was precisely the president of the Jia Ma Empire's Alchemist Association, a fifth-tier alchemist, Fa Ma!
"I am already aware of the matter. Che Er Mi, go take inventory of the medicinal ingredients in the warehouse. We will do our utmost to secure this seventh-tier pill. Presumably, no one objects?"
Fa Ma was also a decisive man, issuing orders with swift efficiency.
"None, none!" Of course, no one had objections to Fa Ma's order. A pill like this, kept at the Alchemist Association, could be studied all the way to the seventh tier!
Who would dare object?!
"President, where are you going?"
Watching Fa Ma head outward after issuing the command, Che Er Mi hurriedly called out.
"This old man is going to the Mite'er family to pay respects to the Grandmaster!" Fa Ma hurried outward without looking back. Judging by his footsteps, he was clearly already impatient.
At this moment, in the Nalan household, Nalan Yanran, clad in the Yun Lan Sect's silver-moon long robe, had just returned home to visit Nalan Jie when she encountered this news.
"There's actually a seventh-tier pill!" Nalan Yanran looked at the words on the flyer, her heart thumping once.
Gu He was also only a sixth-tier alchemist. With the pills he usually provided as supplements, she naturally understood how helpful a high-tier alchemist was to cultivation. Now, a suspected seventh-tier alchemist had actually appeared at the Mite'er family!
Even if Gu He were here, he would probably be stunned, right?
"Yanran, you understand the old man's injuries too. Father originally wanted to visit the Grandmaster personally, but the current situation you also know. As a mere Dou Ling, I'm afraid I wouldn't even get to meet the Grandmaster. Could I trouble Sect Leader Yun to help..."
Nalan Yanran's father, the current head of the Nalan family, Nalan Su, spoke to Nalan Yanran with some anxiety and hesitation.
No matter how you put it, borrowing his daughter's influence was still somewhat difficult for a father to utter.
Not to mention the constraints of identity!
Nalan Jie was the marshal of the Jia Ma Empire, yet Nalan Yanran was the Young Sect Master of the Yun Lan Sect. Most importantly, the Imperial Family and the Yun Lan Sect were at odds.
The Nalan family's position was thus very awkward!
After hearing Nalan Su's request, Nalan Yanran thought for a moment, then stood up and said, "I'll return now and report to Teacher. But Father, I cannot guarantee that Teacher will agree."
Hearing Nalan Yanran agree, Nalan Su's face lit up with joy. He said excitedly, "Good, good, good! As long as Yanran delivers the message, it's fine. Whether it succeeds or not will all depend on heaven's will!"