Damn These Beasts!

Twenty million had already exceeded Gu He's expectations.

But he knew very well that this was a seventh-rank pill. Forget twenty million—even fifty million would be worth it.

"Twenty-one million." Gu He called out through gritted teeth.

"Twenty-five million." Yun Yun's expression did not change.

"Twenty-six million."

"Thirty million." Yun Yun's voice remained calm.

Gu He's hand began to tremble.

Thirty million.

Liu Ling watched his master's expression.

"Master, perhaps we..."

Gu He shook his head.

"Forget it."

He gave up.

With the Cloud Mist Sect Master personally making a move, he could not compete.

Besides, he liked Yun Yun and did not want to fall out with her over a single pill.

The auctioneer looked around.

"Thirty million. Is there anyone offering more?"

No one spoke.

"Thirty million, going once."

"Thirty million, going twice."

"Thirty million..."

"Thirty-five million."

A voice came from a corner.

Everyone looked in its direction.

Yun Yun turned and glanced at him.

The other party cupped his hands.

"Sect Master Yun, this old man also has great need of this pill."

Yun Yun withdrew her gaze.

"Forty million, plus two High-Tier Profound Grade Dou Techniques from my Misty Cloud Sect."

Forty million, along with two High-Tier Profound Grade Dou Techniques.

That exceeded what he could afford.

He gritted his teeth and lowered his hand.

The auctioneer's voice rang out.

"Forty million, going once."

"Forty million, going twice."

"Forty million, going three times."

"Sold."

The small hammer in her hand fell.

"Congratulations, Sect Master Yun, for acquiring the seventh-rank pill, the Ascending Emperor Pill."

"The final price is forty million Gold Coins."

"Plus two advanced High-Tier Profound Grade Dou Techniques from the Misty Cloud Sect."

Those were the terms Yun Yun had proposed when raising the bid.

Forty million Gold Coins, plus two High-Tier Profound Grade Dou Techniques.

This was already a price ordinary factions could not bear.

But Yun Yun did not care.

As long as she could pave the way for Nalan Yanran, any price was worth it.

Yun Yun rose and headed for the backstage area.

Nalan Yanran followed behind her.

Backstage.

Xiao Xuan sat in a chair, holding a cup of tea.

Teng Shan entered with a wide smile on his face.

"Young Master Xiao, the pill has been sold."

"Forty million Gold Coins, plus two High-Tier Profound Grade Dou Techniques."

Xiao Xuan accepted the Storage Ring Teng Shan handed him.

He inspected its contents.

Forty million Gold Coins were stacked neatly inside.

Two High-Tier Profound Grade Dou Technique scrolls emitted faint ripples of Dou Qi.

The corners of Xiao Xuan's lips lifted slightly.

Forty million Gold Coins.

Together with two High-Tier Profound Grade Dou Techniques.

This deal had not been a loss.

These two Dou Techniques could be given to Xiao Xun'er.

She had a fire-element constitution, so High-Tier Profound Grade fire-element Dou Techniques were just right for her.

Xiao Xuan put away the Storage Ring and stood up.

He was just about to leave.

A voice sounded behind him.

"Xiao Xuan."

Xiao Xuan halted.

He turned around.

Yun Yun stood some distance away, looking at him.

Her cheeks were slightly flushed.

Nalan Yanran stood behind Yun Yun. The instant she saw Xiao Xuan, she froze.

This was Xiao Xuan?

The Xiao Clan's Fourth Young Master?

He looked no more than fifteen or sixteen.

Was he really a Seventh-Rank Alchemist?

Countless thoughts flashed through Nalan Yanran's mind.

Yun Yun walked over to Xiao Xuan.

"We meet again."

Xiao Xuan looked at her.

"Mm."

Seeing his calm expression, Yun Yun swallowed the words that had reached her lips.

She recalled what had happened that day in the Magic Beast Mountain Range.

The Amethyst Winged Lion King had sealed her Dou Qi.

She had lost consciousness.

When she woke, her collar had been undone.

Her wound had been covered with medicinal herbs.

He had applied the medicine for her.

He had seen her entire body.

Yun Yun's cheeks grew even hotter.

The dignified Cloud Mist Sect Master, one of the Jia Ma Empire's ten greatest experts.

Yet she had revealed such a state before a young man.

Yun Yun took a deep breath and suppressed the strange feelings in her heart.

"That Ascending Emperor Pill—did you refine it?"

"Mm," Xiao Xuan said.

Standing to one side, Nalan Yanran heard this.

Her eyes were filled with shock.

He had truly refined it.

A fifteen- or sixteen-year-old Seventh-Rank Alchemist.

She had always believed that her father and grandfather had been taken in by rumors.

But now, her teacher had asked him personally.

And Xiao Xuan had admitted it.

Although Xiao Yan had become useless.

The Xiao Clan still had Xiao Xuan.

A Seventh-Rank Alchemist.

There was not a second one like him in the entire Jia Ma Empire.

She suddenly felt that her decision to go to the Xiao Clan and break off the engagement.

Seemed truly to have been a mistake...

Just then, a voice came from nearby.

"Master Xiao."

Gu He walked over.

Liu Ling followed behind him.

Gu He came before Xiao Xuan and cupped his hands.

"Master Xiao, I was presumptuous earlier in the private room."

Xiao Xuan looked at him without speaking.

Gu He took a deep breath.

"Master Xiao, I have a request."

"Speak."

"I have been stuck at the Dou Wang realm for many years," Gu He said.

"Failing to obtain the Ascending Emperor Pill this time is truly regrettable."

"If Master Xiao is willing to refine an Ascending Emperor Pill for me as well, I will certainly offer a generous reward."

Gu He's attitude was exceedingly sincere.

He was the Jia Ma Empire's foremost alchemist.

A Sixth-Rank Alchemist.

He was respected wherever he went.

Yet before Xiao Xuan, he did not dare put on any airs.

A fifteen- or sixteen-year-old Seventh-Rank Alchemist.

Such a person could only be befriended, never offended.

Xiao Xuan looked at him.

"We'll talk about it later."

Gu He was taken aback.

He hurriedly nodded.

"Yes, yes, Master Xiao is right."

"I will await Master Xiao's message at any time."

Xiao Xuan was about to speak.

When the system's voice suddenly sounded in his mind.

[Mission issued: Help Yun Yun increase her strength by one star in the Dou Emperor realm.]

[Upon completing the mission, the host may receive one random reward.]

Xiao Xuan looked at the system panel.

Help Yun Yun increase her strength by one star in the Dou Emperor realm.

Yun Yun was currently a Three-Star Dou Emperor.

Increasing by one star would make her a Four-Star Dou Emperor.

Xiao Xuan gathered his thoughts.

He looked at Yun Yun.

Their gazes met in midair.

Yun Yun's ears grew slightly hot.

She looked away.

"Xiao Xuan, that Ascending Emperor Pill was prepared for Yanran."

"She'll use it after she breaks through to the Dou Wang realm."

Xiao Xuan glanced at Nalan Yanran.

Nalan Yanran lowered her head, not daring to meet his gaze.

Xiao Xuan withdrew his gaze.

"Mm."

Yun Yun looked at him.

"What are your plans next?"

Xiao Xuan fell silent for a moment.

"Return to the Xiao Clan."

Yun Yun nodded.

"Then... until we meet again."

Xiao Xuan said nothing.

He turned and walked toward the door.

Yun Yun watched his departing figure, a trace of complicated emotion flashing through her eyes.

Nalan Yanran walked over to Yun Yun's side.

Gu He stood nearby, watching Xiao Xuan's retreating back.

His eyes were filled with nervousness.

He had to find a way to get Master Xiao to refine an Ascending Emperor Pill for him.

As long as he could break through to the Dou Emperor realm, any price would be worth paying.

Gu He silently made up his mind.

He was currently a Dou Wang.

If he could advance to the Dou Emperor realm, he would have complete confidence in refining Peak Sixth-Rank pills in the future.

Just as he left the Mittal Auction House,

a powerful aura suddenly erupted from the sky.

Two Sixth-Tier Magical Beasts, along with four Fourth- and Fifth-Tier Magical Beasts, appeared above the Mittal Auction House.

"What's going on? Why are these beasts here?"

"Damn it!"