The Mitel Auction House. Reception room.
Upon the pristine desk sat a small jade box. Inside the box, a pale blue pill the size of a dragon's eye lay quietly, its surface smooth and lustrous. A rich, exotic fragrance wafted from it, filling the room with an intoxicating aroma that invigorated both body and mind.
Gazing upon the pill within the jade box, Ya Fei and Gu Ni—the auction house's director and head appraiser respectively—could scarcely conceal the delight spreading across their faces.
Peering from beneath the black robe at the two who had momentarily lost their composure, Xiao Yan secretly shook his head, amusement stirring within. "If they knew this Qi-Gathering Powder was nothing more than a rushed, corner-cutting production by Yao Lao, what expressions would they wear?"
The Qi-Gathering Powder that Xiao Yan presented was clearly not of the same caliber as the one he had previously consumed. Even so, this hastily refined batch by Yao Lao was enough to bring considerable surprise to Ya Fei and Gu Ni.
"The Elder's alchemy skills are truly admirable. The quality of this Qi-Gathering Powder could likely rival that refined by certain Fifth-Rank Alchemists." After studying the pale blue pill with renewed admiration, Gu Ni voiced his sincere praise.
From beneath the black robe, the aged voice chuckled lightly. "You two may put the pills away. Having received so much assistance, I would feel unsettled if I did not offer some token of gratitude."
"Hehe, Elder is far too kind. You are our guest—we were merely fulfilling our duties." Ya Fei carefully lifted the jade box with her delicate hands, her luminous eyes glimmering as she spoke with a radiant smile.
The black-robed figure offered a noncommittal smile. These words, let alone Yao Lao, even Xiao Yan found them utterly laughable inwardly. If they truly only did what was in their duty, the Mitel Auction House would have long since gone out of business.
Xiao Yan drew a scroll of paper from within his robe and handed it to Ya Fei. "I would trouble you to prepare the medicinal ingredients listed here."
Ya Fei accepted the paper eagerly, her eyes scanning its contents with a quick glance before she nodded with a bright smile. After the lesson from their last encounter, she no longer dared show the slightest hesitation.
Waving over a servant girl, Ya Fei handed her the paper and instructed her to prepare the items promptly.
Lifting the teacup beside him, Xiao Yan took a small sip. A thought suddenly crossed his mind, and after a moment's deliberation, the aged voice spoke once more. "Miss Ya Fei, I would like to inquire about something."
Hearing Yao Lao speak, Ya Fei smiled sweetly and replied softly, "Please go ahead, Elder."
"The Jie Lie family has purchased a considerable amount of medicinal ingredients here, have they not?" Yao Lao asked evenly.
At this, Ya Fei's heart tightened imperceptibly. Her alluring features shifted subtly as she exchanged a furtive glance with Gu Ni beside her. After a moment's hesitation, she spoke tentatively. "Last time, the Jie Lie family did indeed purchase nearly a hundred thousand gold coins worth of ingredients at our auction. And those ingredients... all possessed certain blood-staunching and healing properties."
The black-robed figure gave a slight nod, and then the aged voice fell into a conspicuous silence.
Observing the black-robed figure's demeanor, Ya Fei grew somewhat uneasy. She had long known that the elder intended to aid the Xiao Clan. With the auction house having sold such a large quantity of ingredients to the Jie Lie family, there was no telling whether this elder of unknown temperament might harbor some resentment toward the auction house.
The atmosphere in the room gradually grew heavy and oppressive. Watching the black-robed figure remain silent, Ya Fei could not help but shift restlessly in her seat. Had it not been for Gu Ni repeatedly shooting her meaningful glances to restrain her, she would have long since felt compelled to break the silence.
"You must have already deduced the purpose behind my purchasing such a large quantity of ingredients last time, I presume?" After a prolonged silence, the aged voice finally shattered the tense atmosphere.
Gently biting her red lip, Ya Fei nodded softly. "The Elder intended to refine those ingredients into healing medicine to help the Xiao Clan?"
"Before coming here just now, I had already delivered all the healing medicine I refined to the Xiao Clan." Yao Lao nodded slightly and spoke in a somber tone. "In perhaps two more days, the contest between the Xiao Clan and the Jie Lie family for the hearts and wallets of Wutan City's market stalls will begin."
On a topic such as this, Ya Fei was unsure how to respond, and so she wisely maintained her silence.
"Refining healing medicine requires vast quantities of low-grade ingredients. In Wutan City, only the Mitel Auction House has the capacity to supply such large quantities. No other medicinal ingredient shop possesses this capability." Seeing that Ya Fei remained silent, Yao Lao continued in a measured tone.
"The forthcoming competition between the two families in the healing medicine market hinges not only on price and quality, but also upon an abundant supply of refining ingredients."
"Therefore, I hope that the Mitel Auction House will henceforth refuse to supply any ingredients to the Jie Lie family."
The moment Yao Lao's words fell, Xiao Yan's gaze, sharp and unwavering beneath the black hood, fixed intently upon the alluring, fox-like mature beauty beside him. He would remain in Wutan City for no more than two months, and within that time, he had to help his father bring down the Jie Lie family. Only then could he depart in peace with Yao Lao to pursue his training.
Hearing Yao Lao's words, Ya Fei's expression shifted subtly. She spoke with visible difficulty. "Elder, the Mitel Auction House has a strict rule against participating in any conflict between families. If we were to agree to your request, it would amount to indirectly aiding the Xiao Clan. That goes against our established principles..."
"I can refine two additional Qi-Gathering Powders for you free of charge." Yao Lao spoke calmly.
"Elder, this is not a question of pills, truly..." The temptation of two Qi-Gathering Powders caused Ya Fei's delicate hands to tremble involuntarily, yet she still struggled to hold her ground.
"Three..."
"Elder..." Ya Fei smiled bitterly, and even Gu Ni's face twitched uncontrollably. Three Qi-Gathering Powders? That was worth at least five hundred thousand gold coins!
"Five!" The aged voice, cool and unhurried, struck mercilessly at the very foundation of Ya Fei's resolve.
Hisss... Ya Fei's slender, elegant eyes slowly closed as she drew in a long, deep breath of cool air. After a long moment, she abruptly opened them and smiled with resignation. "Elder, you have won. Henceforth, the Mitel Auction House will not supply a single stalk of medicinal ingredient to the Jie Lie family!"
"Miss Ya Fei's willpower was rather more formidable than I expected. In one month, I will deliver the goods. Of course, that is contingent upon the Mitel Auction House not having disappointed me." Yao Lao spoke with a faint smile.
"Rest assured, Elder. I am quite clear on what carries greater weight." Ya Fei replied composedly.
Having honed her skills at the auction house for several years, Ya Fei quickly composed herself. The value of the Jie Lie family compared to that of a Fourth-Rank Alchemist or above—the two were essentially incomparable. Making such a choice was never difficult; the challenge lay in securing maximum profit in the process. And with the terms now on the table, Ya Fei was thoroughly satisfied.