Chapter 98: A Teacher's Example!
The next morning!
Before the Mite'er Auction House, an extremely aristocratic carriage, guarded by numerous black-armored guards, came to a halt.
The carriage was pulled by four tall, robust horses, pure white with coats entirely free of mottled color. On the golden-yellow brocade curtains surrounding the carriage was drawn a strange beast whose entire body blazed with blue flames.
This strange beast was not small in size, its overall appearance quite ferocious, faintly giving off a sense of intimidation. This seemingly savage strange beast emblem was, however, extremely famous within the Jia Ma Empire, for it was the symbol of the Imperial Family—not to be worn by anyone but important figures of the Imperial Family.
From within the carriage curtain, a fair, jade-like slender hand reached out. Yao Ye was the first to step out.
She did not immediately disembark but rather turned around to support Jia Xingtian as he also stepped down.
"Jia Xingtian, even you have come?" From behind, a surprised voice suddenly rang out. Fa Ma had arrived alone, striding quickly to this side. His eyes swept over Jia Xingtian with some surprise. Seeing the other's increasingly aged face, understanding immediately dawned in his heart.
"Heh heh, if I didn't come, this old man's bag of old bones might truly have to be given up!" Jia Xingtian gave a self-deprecating bitter laugh, his tone somewhat rueful.
Frowning as he examined the other, Fa Ma sighed, "Your injuries are actually easy to treat. But within your body still lingers a strand of extremely tyrannical Dou Qi. This Dou Qi contains an exceptionally strange attribute, capable of devouring all matter within the human body. In this old man's humble opinion, only a heavenly flame is capable of driving it out."
"Unfortunately, there has been no news of heavenly flames in the Jia Ma Empire for a very long time!"
"Sigh—" Hearing Fa Ma's words, Jia Xingtian smiled bitterly in his heart. How could he not know? What Fa Ma said was exactly the same as his own family's alchemist had concluded.
But a heavenly flame! Far easier said than done?
"We can only come and try our luck now!" Looking at the Mite'er family, Jia Xingtian's eyes were filled with hope.
"Great-Grandfather, President Fa Ma, let's go inside!" At this moment, Yao Ye, supporting Jia Xingtian, spoke to Fa Ma beside her.
"Then let's..."
Jia Xingtian smiled, nodded, and was about to step forward. In the next moment, as if sensing something, he turned his head to look into the distance. At the same time, he freed himself from Yao Ye's support. His body instantly straightened, his entire complexion becoming considerably more flushed, no longer appearing so sickly and frail.
Fa Ma had also sensed something. Seeing the difference in Jia Xingtian before and after, he shook his head inwardly, while also joining in the wait.
After a short while, at the end of the road, several more luxurious carriages appeared.
The carriages stopped not far away, and several figures disembarked. The one in the lead was a woman of noble bearing, her serene and beautiful face, her plain dress unable to conceal her grace and nobility.
At her side was a mature, middle-aged man with sharp, defined features.
The group was precisely Yun Lan Sect's Sect Leader Yun Yun, Pill King Gu He, and Nalan Yanran was also prominently among them.
The groups met, each tacitly understanding the other's purpose without words. In a short while, Ya Fei, draped in a red cape and dressed in a grand red gown, came out to greet them.
"Honored guests, your arrival graces us. My apologies for any neglect. Hai Lao is already waiting within the hall!"
With Ya Fei's arrival, for a moment, Yao Ye, Yun Yun, Nalan Yanran—four women each with their own unique charms—vied in beauty. For a time, it left most people somewhat dazed.
"Then let's go see that old fellow!" Jia Xingtian nodded and took the lead, stepping inside.
Yun Yun's group followed silently right behind!
Under Ya Fei's guidance, the group arrived at that same pavilion as the day before. Hai Bo Dong and Mite'er Tengshan had already been waiting there for some time.
"Old fellow, I want to—"
The moment he saw Hai Bo Dong, Jia Xingtian immediately began impatiently and urgently.
"Say no more!" Before he could even begin, Hai Bo Dong hurriedly raised his hand to cut him off. His attitude resolute, he said, "Old demon, it's not that I'm being heartless. It's just that Grandmaster Jiang enjoys peace and quiet. When the Heaven-tier auction starts, you will naturally meet him."
Hearing Hai Bo Dong speak thus, the group couldn't hide their disappointment, but at the same time, a thread of joy also rose within them. Since Hai Bo Dong said so, that meant there truly was an alchemy grandmaster who had come to the Jia Ma Empire.
"Is it truly impossible?" Even knowing the answer, Jia Xingtian was still unwilling.
"Take my advice: do not go and anger Grandmaster Jiang!" Hai Bo Dong advised with a solemn expression.
Don't be fooled by how agreeable Jiang Yun seemed now. The first time they met, the other had left far too deep an impression on him. Even now, Hai Bo Dong still felt a shiver of fear seeing him.
He was absolutely certain: the other party was definitely also a ruthless and merciless character!
"Very well!" Seeing Hai Bo Dong advise so repeatedly and earnestly, Jia Xingtian could only let the matter rest.
"I have one more question!" Then, Jia Xingtian spoke again, "Is the seventh-tier pill real?"
At these words, the gazes of everyone present were drawn over.
Seeing this, Hai Bo Dong nodded and said, "Telling you in advance is also fine. The pills this time are all provided by Grandmaster Jiang. Furthermore, Grandmaster Jiang only accepts barter. If something appears that piques his interest... a seventh-tier pill, is not impossible to trade!"
Everyone's expressions grew fervent at Hai Bo Dong's words. It's real! There really is a seventh-tier pill.
"In that case, Yun Yun shall take her leave first!" Yun Yun, who had remained mostly silent since entering, was the first to rise and bid farewell.
"These are humble gifts prepared by the Yun Lan Sect. I trouble Hai Lao to pass them on to the Grandmaster!" Before leaving, Yun Yun left behind three brocade boxes. Seeing the pained expression on Gu He's face beside her, clearly the contents were not of low value.
And very likely high-tier medicinal ingredients!
Having come in haste, they left in haste. The members of the Nalan family and the Yun Lan Sect followed Yun Yun, the first to depart.
"Teacher..." Inside the carriage, Nalan Yanran looked at Yun Yun anxiously.
"Yanran, this matter cannot be handled rashly. Most alchemists have eccentric temperaments. If we anger him because of this, the loss would outweigh the gain. Let's see how the auction goes the day after tomorrow!" Yun Yun explained calmly, composed.
"Very well!"
Not long after Yun Yun left, Jia Xingtian and Fa Ma also left behind their gifts and departed.
Looking at the brocade boxes on the table, Hai Bo Dong felt a dull ache in his teeth. For the first time, he experienced the drawing power of a high-tier alchemist.
Putting the gifts into his ring, Hai Bo Dong rose and walked toward the back.
In the inner courtyard of the Mite'er family, Jiang Yun's group was gathered here. Zi Yan was sprawled on an exquisite reclining chair, popping pill after pill into her mouth. Qing Lin was diligently studying the Dou Technique in her hands.
At this moment, Xiao Yi Xian was manipulating a pink flame beside a three-mouthed cauldron, receiving guidance from Jiang Yun.
"Lower the temperature a bit more!"
With Jiang Yun's voice in her ear, Xiao Yi Xian carefully controlled the temperature of the flame. In the flame, a Blood-Clotting Grass was tumbling within the fire.
The beads of sweat dripping from her forehead showed that this process was not going smoothly. Under Jiang Yun's instruction, finally, the Blood-Clotting Grass slowly began to shed its outer skin. The juices contained within the grass leaves were also roasted into tiny specks of pale white powder.
The essential medicinal power within the Blood-Clotting Grass had finally been successfully extracted by this rookie, Xiao Yi Xian.
Narrowing his eyes slightly as he watched Xiao Yi Xian once again successfully refine the Blood-Clotting Grass into white powder, Jiang Yun nodded with a smile and said softly, "Good. Now you have successfully extracted all the ingredients for the Blood Clotting Powder. You can proceed to the next step."
"Hah— Alchemy is so tiring!" At these words, Xiao Yi Xian's body slumped as if drained of strength. She gently wiped the sweat from her forehead and sighed.
Yet, when her gaze shifted to the dozen or so jade boxes laid out before the cauldron—the jade boxes filled with the same, the various colored powders extracted from the other ingredients, all the results of Xiao Yi Xian's prior hard work.
Seeing these and thinking of the steps to come, Xiao Yi Xian was instantly brimming with excitement. She looked at Jiang Yun expectantly: "Next is pill condensation! Then won't I be a first-tier alchemist?"
"Thwack—"
Flicking Xiao Yi Xian's smooth forehead lightly, Jiang Yun said, amused, "You've only just learned to walk and already want to fly? This is only the lowest tier of medicine—it doesn't even count as a proper pill. At most, you've stepped halfway into the ranks of alchemists!"
"Honestly, can't you encourage me a little?" Flicked by Jiang Yun, Xiao Yi Xian clutched her slightly red forehead. Noticing the glances coming from both sides, her cheeks instantly flushed crimson, and she mumbled quietly.
"Besides, technically speaking, I'm your disciple, you know. If my alchemy is too terrible and word gets out, wouldn't it embarrass 'Teacher'—the future number one alchemist of the continent!"
Looking at the glib-tongued Xiao Yi Xian, a teasing glint appeared in Jiang Yun's eyes. "Then call me 'Teacher'?"
"I..." Sensing the teasing look in Jiang Yun's eyes, Xiao Yi Xian seemed to think of something, and her face grew even redder. Finding she was no match for him, she turned her head and began manipulating the rank five beast flame sent over from the Mite'er family—the Peach Blossom Flame—to continue refining the pill.
Seeing this, Jiang Yun smiled wordlessly and focused intently as Xiao Yi Xian began her first-ever pill condensation.
He watched as she skillfully tossed the pure white powder into the cauldron, then warmed and roasted it for a dozen or so minutes. Just as the pure white powder began to turn slightly reddish, she swiftly poured the poppy flower liquid inside.
The moment the liquid entered the cauldron, it enveloped the pure white powder. After tumbling within the flame for a short while, the two gradually fused into a pale red, viscous liquid.
Xiao Yi Xian's soul perception strenuously controlled the temperature of the flame, slowly roasting the pale red, viscous liquid.
As time passed, under the continuous roasting of the flame, the viscous liquid gradually transformed into a dark red paste-like consistency.
After hesitating for a moment, she raised her hand, about to toss the final ingredient in. At that moment, Jiang Yun's voice came from beside her:
"Wait three more breaths."
Xiao Yi Xian's hand paused slightly. She obediently followed Jiang Yun's instruction. After the set time, she added the final ingredient. Ultimately, a clump of pale red, viscous medicinal liquid slowly took shape.
Seeing this, Jiang Yun smiled faintly. With a wave of his hand, the cauldron's lid flew off. With a beckoning gesture from his right hand, a jade bottle flew over, and the medicinal liquid within the cauldron slowly poured inside.
Looking at Xiao Yi Xian's expectant gaze, Jiang Yun chuckled softly: "Congratulations, you've successfully created the first 'pill' of your life. You've officially stepped through the threshold of an alchemist!"
"I'm an alchemist!" At the very moment Jiang Yun acknowledged it, even with the fact right before her eyes, Xiao Yi Xian still felt a bit like she was dreaming. She had become an alchemist.
"Sister Xiao Yi Xian (Xiao Yi Xian), congratulations!" At this moment, Qing Lin and Zi Yan also came over, wrapping their arms around her from both sides. They spoke happily, genuinely pleased for her from the depths of their hearts.
This girl, so ill-fated, had finally fulfilled her wish!
"Mm!" Hearing everyone's congratulations, Xiao Yi Xian nodded forcefully, tears glistening in her eyes.
A long while later, after the initial excitement passed, Xiao Yi Xian suddenly felt both her hands sink into a soft, warm embrace. That familiar sensation made her expression freeze, and the joy from just moments ago came to an abrupt halt.
Turning her head to look at each side respectively, Xiao Yi Xian gazed at Qing Lin with a mixture of grief and indignation. Why?! Zi Yan was one thing—after all, she was a Magical Beast in human form, so human standards didn't apply.
But Qing Lin was clearly younger than her! Why could she reach a level Xiao Yi Xian couldn't?!
Oh. Qing Lin had the bloodline of the snake-people, not purely human either. Remembering this point, Xiao Yi Xian immediately grew even more dejected.
This sudden shift from joy to gloom left everyone completely baffled.
"Grandmaster!"
Fortunately, Hai Bo Dong's voice came from outside at that moment, instantly diverting everyone's attention.
"Enter!"
After Hai Bo Dong entered and smelled the lingering medicinal fragrance in the air, he felt he might have come at an inopportune time. Taking out the jade boxes sent by the major powers, he said:
"Grandmaster, these are greeting gifts from the Imperial Family, the Alchemist Association, the Yun Lan Sect, the Nalan family, and the Mu family! They wished to seek an audience with you! I sent them all away."
Looking at the labeled boxes on the table—among them even one from the Mite'er family itself—Jiang Yun couldn't be bothered to expose such minor, petty thoughts.
Sensing the energy fluctuations within them, they were clearly all fine items. He could guess at what they sought. Turning his head to look at Hai Bo Dong, he said:
"I understand. I'll meet them all together at the auction. Thank them on my behalf!"
Having received Jiang Yun's reply, Hai Bo Dong turned and left.
"Are we really not going to see them?" After Hai Bo Dong left, Xiao Yi Xian couldn't help but ask. These were all previously legendary 'great figures'!
"Just a few Dou Huangs, not even a single Dou Zong. What's there to see?" Already opening the boxes one by one, Zi Yan said nonchalantly without raising her head.
"Zi Yan is right. Don't worry about it." Facing Xiao Yi Xian's stunned look, Jiang Yun nodded and spoke in a relaxed manner.
"Eh— it's actually a Purple Orchid Fruit! Just right, I can refine a Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill. Qing Lin will be able to use it very soon!"
Indeed, with the rank six Eight-Winged Black Serpent Emperor providing Qing Lin with Dou Qi, she could rapidly advance all the way up to Dou Huang. By Jiang Yun's estimate, in another three months, Qing Lin would be able to break through to Da Dou Shi.
Time slipped away quietly.
Very soon, it was the day of the Mite'er Heaven-tier Auction.
The Mite'er Heaven-tier auction house was located on the fifth floor of the Mite'er Trading Company in the Holy City of Jia Ma. The entire floor was the auction house.
And today's auction, given its special nature, was fated to draw a great many people. Even the Mite'er family couldn't estimate the numbers. Thus, they had placed it in the Mite'er family's largest venue.