Flowing Cloud's "Master"

"Come in!"

After coming to his senses, Flowing Cloud tidied up the messy room a little before leaving it and heading into the courtyard.

As soon as Flowing Cloud spoke, Ya Fei pushed open the door and entered. An elderly man followed behind her—it was Master Gu Ni, the Second-grade Alchemist stationed at the Mittel Auction House.

"Ya Fei pays her respects to the Young Master!"

Arriving before Flowing Cloud, Ya Fei parted her red lips and spoke.

"Ya Fei, this is?"

Flowing Cloud nodded and looked at Master Gu Ni behind her, pretending not to know.

Within the Mittel Auction House, aside from himself, the only person Ya Fei would personally guide was Master Gu Ni, the Second-grade Alchemist.

"Young Master, this is Master Gu Ni, the Second-grade Alchemist of the Mittel Auction House!" Ya Fei introduced him to Flowing Cloud.

Behind Ya Fei, after hearing her words, Master Gu Ni was about to step forward and say something.

"Master Gu Ni!"

"This junior, Flowing Cloud, greets Master Gu Ni!"

Before Master Gu Ni could react, Flowing Cloud strode forward and took the initiative to approach him, speaking with a respectful expression.

"Uh..."

Flowing Cloud's behavior had clearly caught Master Gu Ni off guard.

Master Gu Ni seemed somewhat flattered as he said, "Young Master, you are too courteous. You have been in Wutan City for so long, yet this old man has never come to pay you a visit. I should be the one asking for your forgiveness!"

"No, Master has devoted himself wholeheartedly to the Mittel Auction House. The Mittel Auction House's influence today is entirely due to your contributions."

"This junior has been in Wutan City for many days, yet failed to personally visit you. That was this junior's fault. Please do not take offense." Flowing Cloud wore a gentle smile, his manner humble and courteous.

Looking at the humble Flowing Cloud before him, Master Gu Ni was somewhat dazed.

At the same time, a trace of shame arose in his heart.

He had always believed that Flowing Cloud, the Young Master of the Mite'er Family, was a spoiled young master.

But where could Master Gu Ni see even the slightest trace of a spoiled demeanor in the youth before him?

What spoiled young master could achieve this much?

"Young Master, you flatter me," Master Gu Ni said.

This time, when Master Gu Ni addressed him as Young Master, he did so sincerely.

At this moment, although Master Gu Ni had not submitted to Flowing Cloud,

he had at least acknowledged Flowing Cloud's status as the Young Master of the Mite'er Family.

"Master Gu Ni, you have personally come to visit. Is there something you need this junior's assistance with?"

Seeing Master Gu Ni's attitude, Flowing Cloud could not help but feel delighted, though he continued to maintain a humble manner.

"Young Master, after Master's appraisal, the pill you gave me is a Third-grade Pill, a Qi Gathering Pill."

Ya Fei explained from the side, "Master and I came here this time to confirm it with you in person."

As she spoke, Ya Fei took out the transparent pill bottle Flowing Cloud had given her. Inside was none other than that Qi Gathering Pill.

Upon hearing this, Master Gu Ni nodded as well. His gaze burned as he stared at Flowing Cloud, his eyes revealing a hint of urgency.

He had taken the bait!

The corners of Flowing Cloud's lips curved upward slightly. The moment he saw Master Gu Ni following Ya Fei into this courtyard, he knew his goal had been achieved.

A Third-grade Pill held irresistible temptation for a Second-grade Alchemist.

And to Master Gu Ni, Flowing Cloud, who could provide Third-grade Pills, possessed an absolutely fatal allure.

Master Gu Ni desperately wanted to know where the Third-grade Pills in Flowing Cloud's possession had come from.

He had a feeling that this matter concerned whether he could break through to become a Third-grade Alchemist in this lifetime.

"That's right, it is indeed a Qi Gathering Pill."

Looking at the transparent bottle in Ya Fei's hand, Flowing Cloud nodded and said frankly.

"It really is a Qi Gathering Pill!"

Having received Flowing Cloud's confirmation, Ya Fei no longer harbored the slightest doubt. She looked at the Qi Gathering Pill in her hand with immense excitement.

A Third-grade Pill!

Although she had hosted quite a few auctions, this was still the first time she had come into contact with a Third-grade Pill. Naturally, she was somewhat excited.

"Young Master, this old man has an unreasonable request..."

Compared to Ya Fei, Master Gu Ni was even more excited after receiving Flowing Cloud's confirmation.

"Could you tell me where this Third-grade Pill came from?"

The moment the words left his mouth, a trace of embarrassment flashed across Master Gu Ni's face.

By rights, the origin of this Third-grade Pill was Flowing Cloud's own secret. Asking about it like this was truly inappropriate.

If their positions were reversed, he would not easily reveal such a secret either.

Moreover, they had no relationship to speak of, and there had even been conflict between them before.

Thinking of this, Master Gu Ni hurriedly said, "If it is inconvenient for Young Master, then never mind..."

"Please forgive this old man's presumption!"

As Master Gu Ni spoke, a trace of disappointment appeared in his eyes.

"Master, you jest. What is there that cannot be said?" Just as Master Gu Ni was disappointed, Flowing Cloud suddenly spoke.

Hearing this, Master Gu Ni was briefly stunned before recovering. His aged face looked at Flowing Cloud with excitement. "Young Master is willing to tell me?"

Nodding, Flowing Cloud pondered for a moment before saying, "Actually, this Qi Gathering Pill was left to me by my master."

Although Flowing Cloud was making it up, he spoke with remarkable naturalness.

Ever since he handed this Qi Gathering Pill to Ya Fei, Flowing Cloud had already anticipated the day Master Gu Ni would come knocking.

Naturally, he had long prepared his explanation.

He had many secrets, and he would bring out even more astonishing treasures in the future. All of those things needed an origin.

At this moment, the master Flowing Cloud spoke of was the best possible source for those items.

That was right!

Flowing Cloud intended to fabricate the impression that an "alchemy master" stood behind him, using it to conceal why he could produce so many treasures for auction.

In fact, there was another benefit to doing this.

As the treasures Flowing Cloud brought out increased in number in the future, they would inevitably attract the covetous eyes of interested parties.

At that time, the "alchemy master" behind him would certainly make them wary, causing them to hesitate out of fear.

This was a plan Flowing Cloud had long been devising.

"Master?"

"Young Master, are you saying that you have an alchemist master?"

"And that this Qi Gathering Pill was left to you by your master?"

Hearing Flowing Cloud's words, Master Gu Ni was stunned, and then shock appeared on his face.

Ya Fei's beautiful face beside him was likewise filled with surprise.

This was the first time she had heard that Flowing Cloud had a master—and that his master was an alchemist.

Faced with their shock, Flowing Cloud nodded in confirmation. "That's right."

"Then... where is your master now, Young Master?" After a moment of silence, Master Gu Ni gradually calmed down and asked somewhat cautiously.

According to what Flowing Cloud had just said, this Qi Gathering Pill had been left behind by his master. That meant the other party was at least a Third-grade Alchemist.

Now that he was rashly inquiring about that person, Master Gu Ni feared that he might offend the "master" behind Flowing Cloud.