Chapter 4

That "um" left Li Ruoling stunned, a faint bitterness rising in her heart.

In this life, why has he lost interest in me?

How could this be? Could someone be interfering?

For a moment, Li Ruoling thought of another woman.

She gritted her teeth. It must be her. She wants to tear Li Ruoling and Xu Chen apart. That damned woman.

PS: Please vote with flowers and ratings. I'm used to low numbers, but 200 flowers will unlock an extra chapter, and 50 ratings will unlock another. No cap!

When they emerged from the auction house, Luo Yi, the master of the auction house, waited at the only exit used by the heads of the various families.

In full view of everyone, Luo Yi held a precious box and personally handed it to Xu Chen.

"Young Master Xu, these are the elixirs the Holy Maiden bid for you. Payment has already been made, and you have received a fifty percent discount. Please accept them."

Luo Yi said with a cheerful smile.

People from the various families in Qingyang City gasped in shock on the spot; Luo Yi had personally met Xu Chen and delivered the elixirs.

What an immense honor! If this got out, the Xu family would be bragging about it for a year.

After all, the greatest power in Qingyang City was the Qianling Auction House, and all other families could only look up to it.

Moreover, it was rumored that the Qianling Auction House was backed by people from the Jixia Academy, making it incredibly powerful.

Damn!

Seeing this scene, Xu Chen felt troubled; this was making him look like the protagonist.

Damn it, every time something unexpected happened, he worried the plot would reset, and he was extremely panicked.

Regarding this box right now, he didn't even know if he could accept it, but he guessed he probably could.

After all, Li Ruoling had disrupted the plot without issue, so logically, accepting it should be fine for him too.

Besides, he was a villain, and villains always got the upper hand.

Therefore, Xu Chen took the box and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Master Luo."

Luo Yi smiled and said, "No trouble at all; it's a small matter."

Li Ruoling nodded and transmitted a voice to Luo Yi: "Well done."

Luo Yi was overjoyed; the Holy Maiden was satisfied, which was wonderful.

After Xu Chen took the box, he found that the system had not issued any warning.

He breathed a sigh of relief; that was acceptable.

Luo Yi then continued, "From now on, whenever the Xu family comes to bid on items, a fifty percent discount will be applied to the payment.

If members of the Xu family wish to sell items, the deposit collected will also be discounted by fifty percent.

Everyone at the auction house, listen to me: whoever dares to charge even a single extra coin will be immediately kicked out of the Qianling Auction House."

Luo Yi's voice was loud enough for everyone present to hear.

Hearing this, the people from the many families in Qingyang City twitched at the corners of their mouths.

The entire city of Qingyang, only the Xu family enjoyed such a discount; this was far too generous.

They, these families, were truly filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred.

Li Ruoling looked at Luo Yi again with approval, as if to say, "Good, very sensible."

Luo Yi was inwardly delighted; if the Holy Maiden was happy, his own benefits would not be lacking in the future.

Xu Chen: "..."

He remembered that in his past life, this discount was enjoyed by the Ye family.

It had absolutely nothing to do with his Xu family.

But now, he had stolen the discount that belonged to Ye Xuan.

Oh no, will something bad happen?

However, after a long while, the system still remained silent.

Xu Chen felt both joy and worry; this was truly nerve-wracking.

Showing off was certainly satisfying, but the plot was jumping around...

He took a deep breath and thanked Luo Yi: "Thank you, Master Luo."

Luo Yi smiled and said, "Welcome to the auction house often, Young Master Xu. There are many fine treasures recently, and some can even be given to you for free."

Xu Chen's eye twitched; give it to your sister!

Some of those items belonged to the protagonist, Ye Xuan.

If he actively snatched them, who knew what might happen?

Therefore, Xu Chen coughed and said, "Thank you, Master Luo, but I do not like to take advantage of cheap deals, so let's forget it."

The corners of the mouths of the many families around twitched, with a vague impulse to surround and beat Xu Chen to death.

If you are so good at pretending, then don't eat soft rice; if you have the ability, keep the Spirit Elixir that Li Ruoling gave you.

Luo Yi inwardly gave Xu Chen a silent middle finger, but his face still wore a smile: "High moral character and integrity; I, Luo, admire you."

Li Ruoling chuckled lightly: "Enough. Whatever Xu Chen likes, I am here for him."

Luo Yi nodded: "The Holy Maiden speaks truly."

Ye Xuan watched, burning with anger.

You dog couple, what kind of things are you?

Wait until I become powerful in the future; I will definitely teach you a harsh lesson.

He was about to leave when the master inside his ring said, "Do not act impulsively; you must still befriend the Holy Maiden."

Ye Xuan took a deep breath; indeed, he had his master's help, but he lacked resources.

But Li Ruoling could easily possess various resources, allowing him to advance quickly, so he needed to befriend her.

If he gave up just because of anger, that would be too stupid.

Therefore, Ye Xuan asked his master: "Master, is it acceptable to reveal that I crafted this elixir?"

The old man inside said, "No problem. As long as it can help you, then say it."

Hearing this, Ye Xuan smiled again.

He was only sixteen years old yet could craft third-grade elixirs; he could be called a genius.

With such a genius, how could Li Ruoling not be tempted?

Therefore, full of confidence, he stepped forward immediately and said, "Holy Maiden."

Li Ruoling was about to leave with Xu Chen when she heard this voice and instantly knew who it was.

Disgust flashed in her eyes as she looked coldly at Ye Xuan and asked, "Do you need something?"

Ye Xuan gritted his teeth and said, "I am Ye Xuan of the Ye family. The Spirit Soul Elixir you just purchased was actually refined by me."

Upon hearing this, many from the great families present were stunned on the spot.

Ye Xuan was actually the one who refined this Spirit Soul Elixir.

My heavens, this is too incredible.

Could it be that Ye Xuan is a rare alchemy genius in the world?

Xu Chen narrowed his eyes; he remembered this matter was originally supposed to be exposed only at the Jixia Academy.

Or rather, someone else helped expose it, not Ye Xuan himself, and in the end, an Elder of the Academy took Ye Xuan as a disciple.

Today, Ye Xuan actually spoke up voluntarily?

What exactly does this Ye Xuan intend to do?