Chapter 12

The Mitel Auction House, the largest auction venue in Wutan City, also belongs to the wealthiest family in the Jia Ma Empire: the Miter Clan.

In the Jia Ma Empire, if one speaks of wealth, the Miter Clan is undoubtedly number one.

In the Jia Ma Empire, the Miter Clan, the Nalan Clan, and the Inteer Clan are known as the Garma Three Titans, three great families with influence across commerce, the military, and other spheres—their power is immense.

"Yan'er, you're free today to come to the auction house with Father?" Xiao Zhan arrived at the Mitel Auction House with several Elders and Xiao Yan.

Today, the auction house is offering a major treasure: the Heavenly Grade Advanced Technique, Wind Roll Technique. Xiao Zhan absolutely cannot let this scroll fall into the hands of the Gale Clan or the Oba Clan.

Currently, the highest-level technique any of the three families possess is only Heavenly Grade Mid Rank; whoever acquires the Heavenly Grade Advanced Technique might elevate their entire clan's strength by a full tier.

Xiao Yan said: "I found an ancient cave in a mountain outside the city and discovered some items I plan to sell."

Xiao Yan's gaze swept across the spacious, gilded hall, then walked toward a side room whose door bore three large characters glowing golden: "Treasure Appraisal Room."

He pushed the door open; the room was sparse, with only a middle-aged man sitting boredly on a chair beside a table. Hearing the door, he looked up—and when he saw it was Xiao Yan, his expression changed instantly, his face lighting up with delight: "Young Master Xiao Yan, you've come for a treasure appraisal?"

Xiao Yan smiled in reply: "I acquired a few small trinkets and plan to sell them together in this auction."

Xiao Yan took out three vials of Foundation Building Spirit Liquid from his storage ring and placed them on the appraisal table.

He had already crafted a Two-Rank Elixir a month ago, but crafting one Two-Rank Elixir does not make one a Two-Rank Alchemist—you must also guarantee consistent success.

"What is this?" The appraiser blinked in confusion, carefully picking up the white jade vial, sniffing gently at its mouth; after a moment, his expression shifted slightly, and his gaze toward Xiao Yan gained a touch of reverence: "Young Master Xiao Yan—you're an Alchemist?!!"

Yet he thought again and shook his head; Xiao Yan had only just turned fifteen, and everyone in Wutan City knew about the celebration for his fifteenth birthday.

In another three or four months, the Xiao Clan's collective coming-of-age ceremony will take place.

A fifteen-year-old boy with high cultivation—and also an Alchemist? How could that be possible?

Xiao Yan shook his head: "I found this in a cave. It's called Foundation Building Spirit Liquid—it can accelerate Doubreath Stage cultivation, but only those below the Doubreath Stage can benefit from it."

"And it has no side effects—the medicinal force is gentle."

Hiss! The appraiser drew in a sharp breath—Two-Rank Elixir! That price won't be cheap!

"Young Master Xiao Yan, please wait—I need to fetch Master Gu Ni from our auction house to verify this Spirit Liquid!" A Two-Rank Elixir is worth at least ten thousand Gold Coins; if what Xiao Yan says is true, the price will be even higher.

For three vials, that would be one hundred thousand Gold Coins!

After waiting half a while in the room, the middle-aged man returned—this time accompanied by an elderly man in blue robes, his hair slightly gray: Master Gu Ni.

On Master Gu Ni's chest, instead of the Golden Star Emblem, was a symbol resembling an Herb Furnace, with two silver wave patterns shimmering with noble radiance.

That was the mark of a Two-Rank Alchemist.

Seeing Xiao Yan, even the usually haughty Master Gu Ni set aside his Two-Rank Alchemist's pride and greeted him warmly: "Young Master Xiao Yan, long time no see. Let me examine it first."

With Xiao Yan's talent, he is destined to become a Dou Spirit; Master Gu Ni's status as a Two-Rank Alchemist lets him walk freely in Wutan City only because no one here has Dou Spirit cultivation.

A Two-Rank Alchemist's ability cannot summon a Dou Spirit.

Master Gu Ni used special instruments to inspect the vials; after careful examination, he nodded: "Indeed, as Young Master Xiao Yan said—it has reached Two-Rank Elixir. Just as Ya Fei is currently hosting the auction, I'll arrange for it to be included."

Xiao Yan entered the auction hall and sat beside Xiao Zhan. In the center, beneath bright lights, a beautiful woman in a red gown was using a voice sweet and seductive enough to make bones melt, explaining the functions of the item in her hands to everyone present.

Chief Auctioneer of the Mitel Auction House: Ya Fei, a beauty nearly everyone in Wutan City knows; her mature, alluring charm has caused countless men to fall at her feet.

Xiao Yan had visited the auction house many times; he had to admit—even he admired Ya Fei, who was born with natural seduction, a born fox spirit.

Seeing Ya Fei, Xiao Yan understood the Dawn King.

Who wouldn't want to be the Dawn King, keeping such a fox spirit?

"Hehe, everyone, the auction house has just received a new registered item—interestingly, it was submitted by Xiao Clan's Young Master, Xiao Yan," Ya Fei suddenly smiled toward Xiao Yan's direction.

She even blew him a flirtatious kiss, as if thanking Xiao Yan for bringing her business.

Xiao Yan kept his eyes down, focused on his nose, silently chanting Xun Er's name to resist the fox spirit's allure.

Hearing Ya Fei's explanation, Xiao Zhan remained uninterested; his son had already reached Doubreath Stage—this Foundation Building Spirit Liquid was useless to him. He needed to save his Gold Coins to bid for Wind Roll Technique.

In the end, Xiao Yan's self-crafted Foundation Building Spirit Liquid sold for one hundred thousand and five thousand Gold Coins, letting Xiao Yan instantly experience just how profitable Alchemy could be: materials costing less than ten thousand Gold Coins yielded tenfold profit!

Ultimately, Wind Roll Technique was unquestionably won by Xiao Zhan; the Gale Clan and Oba Clan, outmatched by Xiao Zhan's wealth, turned pale with rage.

After leaving Auction Hall No. 1, Xiao Yan returned to the Treasure Appraisal Room—Master Gu Ni and Ya Fei had already been waiting.

Seeing Xiao Yan arrive, Ya Fei in her red gown smiled lightly: "Young Brother Xiao Yan, how kind of you to come support Sister's auction house."

Ya Fei's long, glistening eyes fixed on Xiao Yan as she approached him with feline steps, swaying her waist. The first time she met him, Xiao Yan had thought she was from the SnakeTribe—her waist twisted more than a serpent's!

Xiao Yan silently cursed: fox spirit.

"Sister Ya Fei's abilities are outstanding—entrusting you with the auction is best."

Ya Fei pulled out a gold card and handed it to Xiao Yan, bending slightly to whisper close to his ear: "Young Brother Xiao Yan, introduce me to the Alchemist who helped you craft these elixirs, alright?"

Master Gu Ni had already noticed during inspection—the Foundation Building Spirit Liquid was far too fresh to have come from a cave, as Xiao Yan claimed.

Xiao Yan's whole body tingled; had his willpower been weaker, that fox spirit's whisper alone would have made any man kneel.

Xiao Yan's face remained calm as he took the gold card, smiling: "Sister Ya Fei, to be honest, I crafted these myself."

Ya Fei giggled, covering her mouth: "Don't tease Sister, you're only fifteen. Even Dantian Alchemist Gu He was still just a Pill Apprentice at fifteen, not even a One-Rank Alchemist. How could you possibly craft Two-Rank Elixirs?"

Xiao Yan spread his hands, feigning innocence: "If Sister Ya Fei doesn't believe me, there's nothing I can do."

Ya Fei lifted her index finger to tilt Xiao Yan's chin, gazing into his eyes: "If you're a Two-Rank Alchemist, I'll give you the entire auction house."