Mittel Auction House

The next day

Mittel Auction House, Treasure Appraisal Room

"The spirit liquid has reached the level of a Second-Grade Pill. What this gentleman said before was no lie!" Alchemist Guni stated his appraisal result solemnly. At the same time, he frowned slightly and exchanged glances with the oval-faced beauty beside him.

Everything that had happened today had truly been predicted by that mysterious person from yesterday. Someone had actually brought Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid in for appraisal.

The middle-aged appraiser could not understand Guni's reaction. Relieved, he looked eagerly at Xiao Yan, who was likewise shrouded in a black robe, and smiled. "Sir, do you intend to auction this spirit liquid?"

"Yes. Can you arrange the earliest possible auction time for me?"

Just as the middle-aged man was about to agree, Guni stepped forward and interjected, "I'm afraid that won't be possible. This Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid is rather good. We at Mittel can purchase it for 20,000 Gold Coins!"

"20,000?" Old Man Yao's somewhat displeased voice came from within the black robe.

Although its production cost was less than a thousand Gold Coins, the Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid was a formula developed by Old Man Yao. While 20,000 Gold Coins was not a low price, it had not reached a level that satisfied him.

To this, Old Man Yao said flatly, "I can say that Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid is one of a kind. Only an auction can reveal its true value!"

Guni paused. Whether it was Xiao Han or the Xiao Yan before him, he did not wish to offend either of them carelessly. He could only say, "My fellow Alchemist, I'll be honest with you. Yesterday, our Mittel Auction House also acquired a Foundation Establishment Pill with the same effects."

"Wait, what did you say? A Foundation Establishment Pill?" Old Man Yao's voice turned grave.

"Yes. Based on my many years of experience in pill refinement, the medicinal properties of your two medicines seem identical. Moreover, that was no ordinary pill. Its grade surpassed Top Grade. If you have time, I hope you can visit Auction Room No. 1 and take a look at that pill!" Amid Guni's proud demeanor was also a trace of sincerity.

"A pill that surpasses Top Grade?"

"Yes. It truly is difficult to believe. We had always thought Top Grade was the highest grade of pills. Who would have imagined that there was an even higher level beyond Top Grade? As for the Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid in your hand, if you are willing to sell it, we are willing to purchase it for 20,000 Gold Coins." Guni estimated that the Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid before him was worth at least 30,000 Gold Coins. However, since he had promised Xiao Han, he should keep his word.

"Fine. Take me to Auction Room No. 1." Old Man Yao agreed to Guni's request.

The price of 20,000 was a little low, but Xiao Yan was short of money now.

After receiving a Black Iron Token from Guni, Old Man Yao arrived at Auction Room No. 1.

At the same time, Xiao Han, seated in the rear rows of the auction room, suddenly heard the system's voice in his mind.

"Ding dong!"

"Congratulations, you have overturned the Storyline of Battle Through the Heavens and prevented Xiao Yan from auctioning Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid. Reward: 4,000 Experience Points. 800 Coupon Points."

As the system's voice faded, a warm current flowed into Xiao Han's Dantian. His realm had already entered the late stage of a Six-star Fighter.

"Uh..." Xiao Han clicked his tongue inwardly. After going to so much trouble, he had only received 4,000 Experience Points. He protested, "Xiao Ai, why is the reward only 4,000 Experience Points? The other party is the protagonist, Xiao Yan!"

"Master!" System Xiao Ai explained, "Although you prevented Xiao Yan from auctioning the Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid, he still ultimately profited from it. Based on this system's final decision, you are awarded 4,000 Experience Points."

"Is that so? It seems I was still too merciful." Xiao Han came to that conclusion.

Still, he did not regret it. Guni was no fool either. Unless Xiao Han offered sufficient temptation, the Mittel Auction House would not offend another mysterious Alchemist for his sake.

Being able to receive 4,000 Experience Points was not bad either.

"Eh, Master, Xiao Yan has arrived!" Xiao Ai reminded him.

Xiao Han looked toward the entrance and indeed saw a person in a black robe entering Auction Room No. 1. Xiao Han knew that person was Xiao Yan.

"The Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid can't be auctioned. Why did he still come in?" Xiao Han asked doubtfully.

"I don't know. But Master, according to the Storyline in Battle Through the Heavens, the Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid was ultimately obtained by Xiao Yan's father, Xiao Zhan. Xiao Zhan later gave it to Xiao Yan. Now that the Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid has been replaced by the Foundation Establishment Pill, it is highly likely that it will eventually fall into Xiao Yan's hands as well. Xiao Ai does not understand why you put up a Divine Grade Foundation Establishment Pill instead of the slightly inferior Top Grade Foundation Establishment Pill." Even as a system, Xiao Ai was deeply puzzled.

"To be honest, if Xiao Yan gets the Divine Grade Foundation Establishment Pill, I'd still think it's too low-grade."

"Master, Xiao Ai still doesn't understand."

"Ah." Xiao Han sighed softly and explained, "Only after fighting Xun Er did I realize that combat techniques are my greatest weakness right now. I urgently need a high-level combat technique. Eight Extremes Collapse and Flame Splitting Wave Ruler are both excellent choices." Xiao Han had long been captivated by these combat techniques.

"But if I want to obtain those combat techniques, I can only use the ability of Extraction. If I use Extraction, I must come into contact with Xiao Yan or Old Man Yao's body. To make contact with their bodies—or soul bodies—with Xiao Yan being so wary of me, there is only one way: fight Xiao Yan."

"I am now a Dou Zhe, and my level is not low. Xiao Yan naturally won't be foolish enough to accept my challenge and humiliate himself. Then there is only one solution..."

"Help Xiao Yan increase his cultivation. Then fight him, ultimately achieving the goal of Extracting his combat techniques and cultivation techniques." Xiao Ai followed Xiao Han's train of thought and made her deduction.

"Exactly." Xiao Han nodded slightly.

"But Master, can you be certain that Xiao Yan will accept your challenge after his cultivation increases?"

"Who said I was going to challenge him?"

"What? Master, are you going to force Xiao Yan to challenge you?"

"Yes." Xiao Han had not been idle these past few days. He had been thinking about how to obtain high-level combat techniques.

The Xiao Clan's strongest combat technique was Raging Lion's Fury. It was only Mysterious Tier Intermediate, and it was far too conspicuous. Only elders and the clan chief could practice it. Even if Xiao Han obtained it, using it in the future would be troublesome.

Other than Raging Lion's Fury, he could only obtain high-level combat techniques from Xiao Yan and Old Man Yao.

Xiao Han had already thought it through. Once Xiao Yan's cultivation increased, whether he could force Xiao Yan to challenge him would depend on just how far Xiao Han went against Xiao Xun'er.

"Clan Chief Xiao Zhan bids 60,000 Gold Coins. Is there anyone else who wishes to raise the price?"

From the front came a delicate, seductive voice so soft it could make one's bones go numb. "Since no one else is raising the price, this Divine Grade Foundation Establishment Pill shall be purchased by Clan Chief Xiao Zhan!"

Seeing that no one responded, Ya Fei wisely stopped there. She lightly tapped the small hammer in her hand against the table, confirming the buyer.

(The following content was originally from Chapter Thirty-Five. Ya Fei's content has been revised, and sensitive terms have been handled.)

Ya Fei: The auctioneer of the Mittel Auction House and also the owner of the auction house. She was skilled at reading people and highly eloquent. She could sell any item at a satisfyingly high price.

Ya Fei extended her delicate hand and pulled away the red silk covering the silver tray.

Everyone could see an ancient scroll resting atop the silver tray.

The scroll emitted a faint azure glow. Set against the silver tray, the radiance was clearly visible, giving it an incomparably mysterious air.

"The final auction item: Mysterious Tier Advanced Cultivation Technique, Wind Scroll Art!"

Ya Fei's tender voice rang out, and the hall fell completely silent. Even a needle dropping could be heard.

The guests in the front rows were all prominent figures of Wutan City. There were the Xiao Clan's Three Great Elders and Clan Chief Xiao Zhan, Gale Family's Clan Chief Gale Bi, and Ouba Family's Clan Chief Ouba Pa!

These three clan chiefs had gathered here for this Mysterious Tier Advanced Cultivation Technique—Wind Scroll Art.

The Xiao Clan's strongest cultivation technique was merely the Mysterious Tier Intermediate Raging Lion's Fury. The reason the Xiao Clan could become one of Wutan City's three great clans was largely because it possessed this Mysterious Tier Intermediate combat technique.

Pills were exceedingly rare and could only be used temporarily; cultivation techniques were different, as they could be passed down to one's descendants for countless generations.

For a Dou Zhe, possessing a high-level cultivation technique meant becoming a strong expert was only a matter of time. Without a cultivation technique, even if you ate pills like beans, you could not become a true expert.

"Miss Ya Fei, hurry up and name the price!" A Dou Zhe below could not help shouting.

Ya Fei laughed sweetly, a mature and alluring smile appearing on her cheeks. Her gaze swept across the hall. When she finally spotted Xiao Han, she paused slightly and playfully winked at him.

She really is a seductress! Xiao Han smiled faintly.

"Wind Scroll Art, starting bid: 200,000 Gold Coins!"

Sister Xiao Mei seems to have Wind Attribute Dou Qi! Xiao Han thought of Xiao Mei.

After being dealt a blow by Xiao Han, Xiao Mei had become even more diligent than Xiao Yan. Two months had passed, yet Xiao Mei was still in seclusion.

"Master, don't tell me you want to bid on this and give it to Xiao Mei in the end?" System Xiao Ai asked.

"Yes." Xiao Han nodded and added, "But I won't bid. The final price of this item will be 550,000 Gold Coins. I don't have that much money right now!"

Xiao Han currently had only a little over 200,000 Gold Coins on him.

A little over 200,000 Gold Coins was enough for a family of eight to live without worry for three generations. Yet here, it was only enough for the starting bid on a cultivation technique.

It seems I'm still too poor. Only after watching this auction did Xiao Han realize just how poor he was.

"Master, if you aren't bidding, don't tell me you plan to steal it?" Xiao Ai asked tentatively.

Xiao Han smiled but said nothing.

"230,000!"

"240,000!"

"300,000!"

Faced with the Wind Scroll Art, the price continued to rise. Bids rang out one after another, quickly climbing to 300,000 Gold Coins.

Ya Fei truly deserved to be an outstanding auctioneer. She was mature and bewitchingly beautiful, and every smile and frown could stir a person's nerves.

Whenever someone called out a high price, Ya Fei would give them a seductive smile. The person who had painfully raised the bid would immediately become energized.

As Ya Fei covered her mouth and chuckled alluringly, the atmosphere in the hall remained fervent throughout.

"550,000!"

Just as Xiao Han had predicted, Gale Bi ultimately won the Wind Scroll Art with a high bid of 550,000 Gold Coins.

Once the auction ended, Xiao Han turned and headed to the reception room.

The moment he entered the reception room, Xiao Han discovered that Ya Fei and Alchemist Guni were already waiting for him inside.

"Hehe, are you the owner who refined the Divine Grade Foundation Establishment Pill?" Ya Fei walked up to Xiao Han. A fragrant breeze wafted toward him, and her soft, sultry laughter made even the tip of Xiao Han's heart tremble.

Xiao Han cursed inwardly. Ya Fei truly was a seductress.

Looking at Ya Fei from such close range, Xiao Han finally understood just how beautiful she was.

Ya Fei wore a red dress, enchanting as fire, perfectly accentuating her mature and charming temperament.

She had a pair of narrow, sparklingly beautiful eyes that always released a seductive force when one least expected it.

Xiao Han's face burned. He had never examined a woman from such close range before. Fortunately, the black robe and Mask concealed him, so Ya Fei could not detect anything unusual.

"Young lady, standing so close, are you trying to seduce this old man?" From behind the Mask came Xiao Han's hoarse, deep voice.

"Hehe..." Ya Fei seemed somewhat surprised by the age of the Mask's owner. After a brief pause, she smiled sweetly. "You must be joking, old sir. However, Ya Fei enjoys making friends. Would you be willing to have dinner with Ya Fei?"

"Not interested. Give me the money. I have matters to attend to!" Xiao Han said flatly. At this moment, Xiao Yan should not have gone far yet.

"Old sir, please wait a little longer. Some procedures are still being handled." Ya Fei smiled gently. A trace of astonishment flashed through her expression before vanishing. She had actually been rejected!

Xiao Han nodded and shifted his gaze away from Ya Fei.

This stunning Ya Fei truly stirred Xiao Han's heart. Even without the system, Xiao Han would have wanted to take Ya Fei for himself.

However, experience told Xiao Han that Ya Fei was mature and alluring, and as the owner of the auction house, countless men had fallen at her feet, yet none had obtained Ya Fei in the end.

What did that mean?

It meant ordinary methods no longer worked on Ya Fei. If he wanted to win Ya Fei, he could only play hard to get. For a woman like Ya Fei, who was so confident in her beauty, only by ruthlessly striking at that confidence could he leave an extraordinary impression in her heart.

Xiao Han was a normal man, but his rationality told him that the more indifferent he was toward Ya Fei, the more likely he was to capture her heart.

Meanwhile, Ya Fei's gaze swept over Xiao Han's body, trying to identify him through even the slightest movement.

After examining him, Ya Fei felt somewhat disappointed. Even when she used her soul force to probe him, she found that she could not break through the aura formed by the Mask. Helpless, Ya Fei could only ask softly, "Old sir, apart from Guni, Wutan City has never had an Alchemist above the second grade. Did you come from elsewhere?"

"Young lady, don't ask what you shouldn't." Xiao Han replied somewhat impatiently.

"Uh..."

Ya Fei paused slightly, but her expression did not change at all. That faint smile remained on her face.

Seeing that she could not get anything from him, Ya Fei still did not give up. Yet despite Xiao Han's cold replies, she failed to learn even the slightest useful information. Helplessly, Ya Fei could only abandon the thought of questioning him. Smiling sweetly, she took a Crystal Card from close against her body. The card bore the crest of the Mite'er Family.