Auction Eve

Fifth-grade Alchemist!

What seemed like an offhand remark from Flowing Cloud left Master Gu Ni unable to remain calm.

Originally, Master Gu Ni had assumed that Flowing Cloud's master was perhaps only a Third-grade Alchemist.

And that the Alchemist's Handbook in Flowing Cloud's possession merely contained insights into refining pills as a Third-grade Alchemist.

But he had never imagined that Flowing Cloud's master was actually a Fifth-grade Alchemist.

Then didn't that mean the Alchemist's Handbook in Flowing Cloud's hands had been left behind by a Fifth-grade Alchemist?

No!

Master Gu Ni suddenly realized that Flowing Cloud's master was definitely more than a Fifth-grade Alchemist.

He had left behind a handbook and some treasures before departing, and had told Flowing Cloud that they could meet again only after he became a Fifth-grade Alchemist.

What did that mean?

It meant that, in Flowing Cloud's master's eyes, Flowing Cloud would only be worthy of notice after becoming a Fifth-grade Alchemist.

In Flowing Cloud's master's eyes, a Fifth-grade Alchemist was merely the beginning.

Then what level was he?

A Sixth-grade Alchemist?

A Seventh-grade Alchemist?

Or perhaps an Alchemist of an even higher level?

In an instant, these guesses flashed through Master Gu Ni's mind.

As he looked at the Alchemist's Handbook in Flowing Cloud's hand, his body began to tremble slightly.

"This old man thanks you, Young Master!"

Bowing deeply to Flowing Cloud, Master Gu Ni accepted the Alchemist's Handbook from his hand with trembling hands.

At that moment, Master Gu Ni completely submitted to Flowing Cloud in his heart.

He knew that the handbook in his hands was far more precious than he had imagined.

After all, this Alchemist's Handbook had been left behind by Flowing Cloud's master. It very likely recorded the pill-refining insights of a Sixth-grade or even Seventh-grade Alchemist.

If word of this got out, even Fifth-grade and Sixth-grade Alchemists would likely be unable to resist such a fatal temptation.

Yet Flowing Cloud had so easily handed such a priceless treasure to him.

For a time, Master Gu Ni was overwhelmed with complicated emotions, and his heart completely pledged itself to Flowing Cloud.

"Hehe..."

"Now that Master is one of us, I, Flowing Cloud, have never mistreated my own people."

Flowing Cloud smiled faintly as he spoke to Master Gu Ni.

Those words were not only meant for Master Gu Ni, but also for Ya Fei standing nearby.

Ever since Flowing Cloud had arrived at the Mittel Auction House, Ya Fei had been obedient to his every command.

But Flowing Cloud knew that Ya Fei only obeyed him because he was the Young Master of the Mite'er Family.

If he lost his position as the Young Master of the Mite'er Family, Ya Fei would definitely no longer obey him.

That was not an outcome Flowing Cloud could accept.

What he wanted was for Ya Fei to sincerely submit to him.

Even to become his woman!

If Flowing Cloud claimed he had no thoughts about a woman as enchantingly seductive and capable as Ya Fei, he would be far too hypocritical.

Not only did he have such thoughts, he had already regarded Ya Fei as his personal possession.

If anyone dared to lay a hand on Ya Fei, Flowing Cloud would chop off that hand without mercy.

Now, he had successfully made Master Gu Ni sincerely submit to him.

The next step in his plan was to make Ya Fei submit to him and willingly become his woman.

Ya Fei was a woman who lacked a sense of security.

Flowing Cloud believed that as long as he could provide her with enough security, he could easily conquer her.

And he believed that what had just happened had surely left an indelible impression on Ya Fei's heart.

"Then this old man will take his leave first!"

Holding the Alchemist's Handbook, Master Gu Ni could not wait to read it and immediately bid Flowing Cloud farewell.

Flowing Cloud nodded, and Master Gu Ni promptly left his courtyard.

Before long, only Ya Fei and Flowing Cloud remained in the courtyard.

Flowing Cloud's gaze traveled over Ya Fei with little restraint.

Ya Fei was still dressed in a red gown today, her entire body exuding a seductive and enchanting charm.

A Silver sash was tied around her slender, willow-like waist, accentuating its delicate curve to perfection.

The long, dazzlingly fair legs revealed beneath her red gown stirred a burning impulse within Flowing Cloud.

One day, I will conquer you!

Forcefully suppressing the restlessness within him, Flowing Cloud murmured to himself inwardly.

Feeling Flowing Cloud's gaze wandering over her body, Ya Fei's heart immediately tightened.

She had seen that kind of look from Flowing Cloud countless times, so she naturally understood what he was thinking.

"Young Master, Ya Fei will take her leave as well!"

With her thoughts in turmoil, Ya Fei wanted to escape from here.

"Wait, Sister Ya Fei..."

Flowing Cloud suddenly called out to stop her.

"Young Master, do you have any other instructions?"

Though uneasy, Ya Fei still turned to look at Flowing Cloud and forced a smile onto her face.

"Have the matters concerning the auction been prepared?"

Relieved, Ya Fei realized that Flowing Cloud was only asking about the auction.

"In reply to Young Master, Ya Fei has arranged everything for the auction. It can definitely proceed as scheduled," Ya Fei said confidently.

"Mhm. I have always trusted Sister Ya Fei's abilities," Flowing Cloud praised.

"Young Master flatters me!" Ya Fei appeared somewhat flattered.

"Oh, Sister Ya Fei, continue helping me collect the blood of Third-tier Magical Beasts. I have a use for it."

Flowing Cloud had already used up the Bloodthirsty Demonic Wolf's blood. If he wanted to condense a second blood aperture, he would need to collect more Magical Beast blood.

"Yes, Young Master!"

Ya Fei merely assumed that Flowing Cloud was cultivating some secret art. She did not think much of it and agreed at once.

"Then go attend to your work, Sister Ya Fei."

Flowing Cloud nodded in satisfaction.

Ya Fei immediately felt as though a great burden had been lifted and promptly left Flowing Cloud's courtyard.

Watching Ya Fei's alluring figure depart, Flowing Cloud revealed an inscrutable smile.

"The auction starts the day after tomorrow. I wonder what kind of treasures I will obtain this time."

Xiao Clan.

At dusk, following his usual habit, Xiao Yan slowly climbed the mountain behind the clan and sat on a cliff face, calmly gazing at the steep mountain range shrouded in mist across from him.

That was the Magical Beast Mountain Range, renowned throughout the Jia Ma Empire.

Sitting quietly on the cliff face, Xiao Yan seemed absent-minded.

"Brother Xiao Yan, I knew you would be here."

At some unknown moment, a figure in purple appeared behind Xiao Yan. It was Xiao Xun'er.

"Little Sister Xun Er, you're here."

Hearing Xun Er's voice, Xiao Yan forced a smile and turned to look at Xun Er.

"Brother Xiao Yan, were Flowing Cloud's conditions too excessive? Is that why you are in such a difficult position?"

Xiao Xun'er came to Xiao Yan's side and sat beside him, tilting her pretty face toward him as she spoke.

"How did you know?" Xiao Yan looked at Xiao Xun'er in surprise.

"Brother Xiao Yan, you look so troubled. How could I not guess?" Xiao Xun'er said playfully.

"His demands are not particularly excessive. I just find them strange and am worried there may be a trap, which is why I have not agreed to them yet."