Cooperation

Ya Fei said with a smile, "Please wait a little longer, little brother. Some procedures are still being handled."

Xiao Peng nodded in understanding and waited quietly.

Ya Fei walked over and sat in the chair opposite Xiao Peng. Her fingertips rested lightly on the edge of the table as she studied him with a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

"You look quite unfamiliar, little brother. Is this your first time in Wu Tan City?" Ya Fei softened her voice, like a spring breeze rippling across a lake. "This Clear Wind Pill was refined exquisitely. One glance at its quality tells me the alchemy techniques used were extremely seasoned. May I ask who your master is?"

Xiao Peng looked at Ya Fei and said, "My master does not like being disturbed by others."

At his words, understanding flashed through Ya Fei's eyes. She then covered her lips and chuckled softly, showing not the slightest embarrassment as her eyes shimmered. "I was presumptuous."

She knew very well that most alchemists had eccentric temperaments. Those with genuine skill, especially, were often extremely guarded about their masters and lineage.

Xiao Peng's words were both an excuse and a statement of attitude. He was unwilling to dwell further on the subject.

"But then again, for someone so young to refine a Clear Wind Pill of such quality is truly admirable." Ya Fei shifted the topic, her tone becoming more sincere. "I know all the alchemists in Wu Tan City, but someone your age with such attainments is a first."

She wanted to build a good relationship with Xiao Peng. His talent was among the very best in the entire Jia Ma Empire.

She did not know whether Xiao Peng's talent surpassed that of Pill King Gu He, but anyone capable of teaching a genius like Xiao Peng had to possess alchemy skills at least comparable to Pill King Gu He's.

Otherwise, how could a master make a boy who looked fourteen or fifteen become a Second-grade Alchemist?

Xiao Peng smiled faintly. "You flatter me. My skills can only be called average. My teacher says there are plenty of people more talented than I am."

Hearing Xiao Peng's words, Ya Fei silently scoffed inwardly.

Plenty?

How could that be possible? In the whole Jia Ma Empire, there were probably not even enough people with greater talent than Xiao Peng to count on one hand.

"Your master is quite modest." Ya Fei lightly traced circles along the rim of her cup with her fingertip. "But you are indeed frank, little brother. If this is merely average, I fear quite a few alchemists in the Jia Ma Empire would be ashamed."

Ya Fei changed the subject again, her tone carrying just the right degree of warmth. "Speaking of which, aside from selling pills, do you have any other needs during this visit to the Miter Auction House? If you need any Medicinal Herbs or Dou Techniques, the auction house has quite a few rare treasures. I can offer you a discount."

Xiao Peng raised his eyes and glanced at her. Ya Fei truly was shrewd. With only a few words, she wanted to draw closer to him while also probing his background.

After thinking for a moment, Xiao Peng said, "I need quite a lot of herbs. Can you supply them?"

Common ones were easy enough to find, but he did not need those. He needed to refine better pills to aid his cultivation.

Delight flashed through Ya Fei's eyes, and the smile on her face grew all the more genuine. "Of course we have herbs. While the Miter Auction House would not dare claim to gather every rare treasure beneath the heavens, within the Jia Ma Empire, we can find traces of most ordinary and even rare herbs."

She leaned forward slightly, her tone carrying a touch of seriousness. "What herbs do you need, little brother? If you have a list, I can have someone inventory the storerooms immediately. If there are particularly rare varieties, it may take some time to procure them, but as long as the auction house has them, we will certainly reserve them for you."

Xiao Peng nodded slightly and told Ya Fei all the herbs he needed.

Ya Fei gestured to the middle-aged man beside her, telling him to write everything down.

She was somewhat curious why Xiao Peng did not need Magic Cores.

Everyone knew that Magic Cores were essential for pill refinement.

Could it be that Xiao Peng's master was also an exceptionally powerful expert?

Ya Fei carefully searched her memories, but could not think of anyone who fit the description.

After watching Ya Fei think for a moment, Xiao Peng said, "Are you interested in cooperating?"

Ya Fei was stunned at first. Then a sharp gleam flashed through her eyes, and a smile immediately reached her brows. Yet she restrained her eagerness at just the right moment, merely leaning forward slightly as she asked in a probing tone, "What sort of cooperation do you have in mind, little brother?"

She knew very well that for such an outstandingly talented young alchemist to propose cooperation on his own, this was no small matter. Would it be a long-term pill supply arrangement, or did he have some other avenue?

Xiao Peng lightly tapped the edge of the table with his fingertips. His voice was calm, yet carried an unquestionable certainty. "Every month, I can provide a certain number of pills, with quality no lower than today's Clear Wind Pill. In exchange, the Miter Auction House must provide all the herbs I require."

That way, he could continuously improve his alchemy skills without having to worry about materials at all.

The light in Ya Fei's eyes grew brighter, and her fingertips unconsciously tightened. Yet she maintained her composed smile. "Little brother, that truly is a pleasant surprise."

After a brief pause, her tone became increasingly solemn. "A monthly supply of pills, with quality no lower than today's Clear Wind Pill... approximately how many do you mean by a certain number? Also, will the types of pills be fixed?"

These details were crucial.

If the quantity was considerable and the types covered several pills commonly used by cultivators, they could even attract customers from neighboring towns.

Xiao Peng raised his eyes, his gaze candid. "The quantity is not fixed. It depends on how much energy I have that month, but there will be no fewer than fifteen pills. The types will also vary. They may assist cultivation, or they may heal injuries and detoxify poisons, but their grade will never be low."

He needed to hone his techniques through refining different pills. Fixing the types would instead hinder his improvement.

After doing the calculations in her heart, Ya Fei thought that even twelve Second-grade Pills would be no small amount. If their quality was all as excellent as this Clear Wind Pill's, it would be enough to take the auction house's pill business to the next level.

More importantly, it would be of great benefit to her personally.

Ya Fei immediately nodded. "Agreed. As for the herbs, so long as you need them, the Miter Auction House will do its utmost to supply them. We will charge ninety percent of market price as a sign of our sincerity in this partnership."

Offering a ten percent concession on her own initiative was both a gesture of goodwill and a way to secure this resource for the long term.

She saw things clearly. The youth before her was no ordinary person. Today's small investment might bring immeasurable returns in the future.

Xiao Peng neither agreed nor disagreed. Whether they offered a discount was unimportant; what mattered was being able to obtain herbs reliably.

This was the time for him to develop. Once the teachers from Jia Nan Academy arrived, he would do as Xiao Yan had done.

Though attending Jia Nan Academy would not be of much use to him, since he had Sect Leader Tongtian as his teacher.

The only thing there that interested him was the Fallen Heart Flame.

Xiao Peng nodded, took a sip of tea, and said, "Then, happy cooperation. At the beginning of every month, I will come collect the herbs and deliver the pills to you."

The smile in Ya Fei's eyes deepened. She lifted the teacup on the table and lightly raised it toward Xiao Peng as though using tea in place of wine. "Happy cooperation."

As she set the cup back down, her fingertip paused on its rim before she added, "At the beginning of every month, I will have the herbs prepared in advance. You can collect them directly when you come. If there is anything you need urgently, send word at any time. The storeroom will make room for you first."