Freedom

Unlike a public auction, at the small private auction hosted by the Tour family, the auctioneer first gave a brief introduction to the items up for bidding.

Yun Xi was surprised to discover that most of the auction items were actually "detection-type" items.

Especially the advanced detection-type rune. Although it was only for one-time use, the fact that it bore the word "advanced" meant its starting price was at least one White Crystal. Even Gold Coins could not buy it.

With so many detection-type items, it was not difficult to associate them with "that matter" mentioned by the noblewomen.

The location of "that matter" was still some distance from Qinglan Town. If one needed the exact location or related information, detection-type resources would naturally be required.

Most likely, this auction had also kept up with the times and tried its best to collect items related to it.

Looking around the venue, Yun Xi unexpectedly noticed a familiar figure. The other party was seated at the very front of the auction hall—the advanced alchemist from the Enchanting Accessories Shop.

He was still wearing a robe that wrapped him from head to toe, making it impossible to see his face clearly. However, his iconic silvery-white hair was unforgettable.

Many people in Qinglan Town had white hair, but only this person's was so lustrous and radiant.

As an advanced alchemist, his five senses were extraordinarily sharp. Seemingly sensing Yun Xi's gaze, he turned his head sharply.

Then, the alchemist made an unexpected move. He actually stood up and walked over to sit in the empty seat beside Yun Xi.

The neighbors present were all astonished. This alchemist had settled in their Qinglan Town several years ago and lived in one of the finest houses on Yulan Street, yet he was extremely cold and rarely interacted with anyone.

This auction was only the third time they had seen him in a public setting—less than once a year on average.

Who would have thought that the fallen noble young lady had earned his favor? Could it be that the two of them had known each other before?

Yun Xi was also somewhat surprised by his sudden approach. In her eyes, they were merely buyer and seller, nowhere near familiar enough to sit together in public.

Had he come to find her about something?

Seemingly noticing Yun Xi's confusion, the alchemist got straight to the point. "Can I receive several months' worth of installment payments in advance?"

Huh? Yun Xi was taken aback.

"Our contract has already taken effect. Paying in advance wouldn't be quite appropriate, would it?"

"I can waive the remainder. How about reducing the 120 Green Crystals per month to 100 Green Crystals?" As he spoke, a rune quietly ignited in the alchemist's hand.

It was an advanced shielding rune that could prevent others from eavesdropping on their conversation.

After all, this was a major deal involving Green Crystals. The slightest carelessness could attract unwanted attention.

Reducing it by 20 Green Crystals each month...

"Are you reducing the 20 Green Crystals for all 300 months?" Yun Xi immediately asked.

"That would be too much. I mean only the several months I receive in advance." The alchemist's tone remained completely calm.

"How many months do you want in advance?"

"Twenty months..."

Yun Xi frowned.

"Or eighteen months?" The alchemist probed Yun Xi's available funds bit by bit.

Yun Xi remained silent.

"Then twelve months will do. I really need a sum of money recently."

"At most ten months. I still need to use the remaining money to purchase other supplies." After careful consideration, Yun Xi gave her bottom line.

It was not that she was unwilling to provide more. It was just that, based on her understanding of the Yuqi Grand Duchy and the basic benefits available to its nobles, it was impossible for a fallen young lady from a powerful family to be carrying so much cash. Around 2,000 Green Crystals was about right.

For ten months of payments, after deducting 20 Green Crystals per month, the total would be 1,000 Green Crystals, which was more reasonable.

"Fine. Ten months, then." The alchemist did not try to squeeze Yun Xi for everything he could. Although it was somewhat insufficient, he agreed.

Just as the two were about to amend the contract and pay the ten months' worth of installments in advance, Yun Xi suddenly spoke. "Respected Sir Alchemist, since I'm willing to pay you these installments ahead of time, could you fulfill a small request of mine?"

"Oh? What request?"

"I want to know about the major matter that is about to happen in Qinglan Town. I imagine that this matter... is also related to the reason you currently need money, isn't it?"

Yun Xi had not wanted to get involved at first, but after hearing several noblewomen discussing it, she learned that the children of the Grand Duke of the Yuqi Grand Duchy would all be taking part...

In that case, the resources connected to "this matter" would no longer be items that could be bought with money.

It was impossible to watch such an opportunity slip away right before her eyes.

If she seized it, it would become one of the foundations of her future.

Even if she failed, at worst she would only revive once and lose some Spirit Attribute. She could still bear that cost.

In other words, she was willing to exchange Spirit Attribute for some precious items. But if it involved other dangerous and unrewarding tasks, it would not be worth it.

"Are you sure you want to know? Once you know, it means you have accepted the mission."

"Before you answer, I need to tell you something. The reason I've been trapped in Qinglan Town for so many years is precisely because I participated in this mission before and lost my freedom."

"Pay attention. I mean freedom."

Thanks to Yun Xi's generosity, the alchemist gave her a warning. Whether she could hear the key point in his words would depend on how clever she was.

Upon hearing the word "freedom," Yun Xi immediately thought of the Goddess of Freedom statue at the entrance to Qinglan Town.

This... Yun Xi was instantly horrified.

The alchemist's hint was already very clear. That matter was related to the Goddess of Freedom—and very closely so.

The Goddess of Freedom had been mentioned in the "Shuyu Plains Basic Introduction." She had arrived at the Shuyu Plain 2,000 years ago and protected everyone there, only to suddenly depart 500 years ago and vanish without a trace.

According to the historical records of the Shuyu Plain, the Goddess of Freedom had remained there for as many as 1,500 years, making her the deity who had lived in the Shuyu Plain the longest. During that period, she had helped many villages and towns dispel evil and suppress supernatural threats, earning the worship of countless people.

Even though she had left 500 years ago, many regions still upheld her as their supreme faith.

When Yun Xi had first seen the information about the Goddess of Freedom, she had assumed the deity would be far beyond her reach. After all, this was the "Godfall" continent.

But judging from what the alchemist had revealed, could the Goddess of Freedom still be alive?

The alchemist had participated in "that matter" several years ago and had consequently lost his freedom...

After thinking it over again and again, Yun Xi still arrived at the same conclusion: apart from the Goddess of Freedom, who else could forcibly restrain the freedom of a powerful alchemist?

"Incidentally, my master died because of this as well. He lost his freedom of 'life,' so you should think carefully about whether you really want to know about this matter."

The alchemist's subsequent words further confirmed Yun Xi's conjecture.

His master had been at Legendary level—the strongest existence beneath the gods. Even someone of that caliber had lost his freedom because of it...

Sure enough, it was related to the Goddess of Freedom.