Sixth-Rank Pill, Dou Huang Pill?

Three days later.

The Imperial Capital of the Jia Ma Empire.

As they entered through the city gates, a broad street stretched out before them.

Shops lined both sides of the street, while people flowed back and forth in a bustling crowd.

Xiao Xun'er's gaze swept across the shops on either side, her eyes filled with excitement.

Just then, the system's voice sounded in Xiao Xuan's mind.

[Detected that bonded target Xiao Xun'er has arrived at the Imperial Capital of the Jia Ma Empire.]

[Imperial Capital map unlocked.]

[Host has received one random feedback reward.]

[Generating feedback reward...]

Xiao Xuan stopped in his tracks.

[Congratulations to the host for obtaining a Peak Sixth-Rank Pill formula: Dou Huang Pill.]

[Dou Huang Pill effect: After being consumed by a Dou Zhe of any level, it grants the strength of a Dou Emperor for a short time.]

[Duration: One hour.]

Xiao Xuan looked at the system panel, one brow rising slightly.

A Peak Sixth-Rank Pill.

Any Dou Zhe, regardless of level, could gain the strength of a Dou Emperor for an hour after taking it.

What did that mean?

It meant that a Dou Zhe could become a Dou Emperor after swallowing this pill.

Though it only lasted an hour, that was already enough for a battle.

Xiao Xuan nodded in satisfaction.

The system's feedback rewards truly were extraordinary.

"Xiao Xuan-gege, what's wrong?" Xiao Xun'er asked, looking at him in confusion.

Xiao Xuan gathered his thoughts.

"Nothing. Let's go."

The two continued onward.

Xiao Xuan led Xiao Xun'er through several streets and arrived before a massive building.

Mittal Auction House.

Imperial Capital Headquarters.

After looking up at the building before them, Xiao Xun'er turned to Xiao Xuan and asked in puzzlement.

"Xiao Xuan-gege, what are we doing here?"

"Buying some medicinal herbs," Xiao Xuan said.

He strode inside.

Xiao Xun'er followed behind him.

As soon as they entered, a maid hurried over to greet them.

"My lords, are you here to attend the auction?"

"Yes," Xiao Xuan said.

"Please follow me."

The maid led them through the main hall and into an enormous auction venue.

Quite a few people were already seated inside.

Xiao Xuan led Xiao Xun'er to a seat in a corner.

Sitting beside Xiao Xuan, Xiao Xun'er looked around the venue, her eyes full of curiosity.

It was her first time in such a place, and she felt somewhat nervous.

"Xiao Xuan-gege, there are so many people here."

"Mm."

Xiao Xun'er asked no more questions. She sat quietly beside Xiao Xuan, her gaze fixed on the auction stage.

Before long, the auction began.

A woman in a cheongsam stepped onto the stage. Her figure was alluring, and her peach-blossom eyes swept across the crowd below.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Mittal Auction House."

Her voice echoed through the venue.

"There are fifteen items up for auction today."

Xiao Xuan leaned against the back of his chair with his eyes closed.

He had no interest in the earlier lots.

Xiao Xun'er sat beside him, watching the auction stage.

The first item was a Mystic Tier Low-Level cultivation technique.

The starting bid was one hundred thousand Gold Coins.

Several factions began bidding, and it was ultimately sold for one hundred fifty thousand Gold Coins.

The second item was a Third-Rank Pill.

One auction item after another was brought out and sold.

Xiao Xuan never opened his eyes.

Until the auctioneer's voice rang out once more.

"The next item is a batch of medicinal herbs."

Xiao Xuan opened his eyes.

On the auction stage, a maid walked up carrying a jade tray.

More than a dozen medicinal herbs rested on the tray, each stored in a jade box.

"This batch contains twelve types of medicinal herbs, every one of them Fourth-Rank or above."

"The starting bid is three hundred thousand Gold Coins."

Xiao Xuan straightened in his seat.

Several of the herbs in this batch happened to be needed for refining the Dou Huang Pill.

He raised his hand.

"Four hundred thousand."

The venue fell silent for a moment.

Someone turned to glance at Xiao Xuan.

Seeing that he was merely a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old youth, with a girl of similar age beside him, contempt flashed through his eyes.

"Four hundred fifty thousand," a middle-aged man called from the front.

"Five hundred thousand," Xiao Xuan said without changing expression.

"Five hundred fifty thousand."

"Six hundred thousand."

The middle-aged man turned to look at Xiao Xuan, displeasure flashing in his eyes.

"Young man, I have use for this batch of herbs. Give this old man some face."

Xiao Xuan glanced at him.

"Six hundred fifty thousand."

The middle-aged man's expression darkened.

The auctioneer looked around the room.

"Six hundred fifty thousand, going once."

"Six hundred fifty thousand, going twice."

"Six hundred fifty thousand, going three times."

"Sold."

The small hammer in her hand came down.

"Congratulations to this young master for winning this batch of medicinal herbs."

Xiao Xuan rose to his feet and headed backstage.

Xiao Xun'er followed behind him.

Once they reached the back, Xiao Xuan paid the Gold Coins and received the batch of medicinal herbs.

He opened the jade boxes and inspected them one by one.

All twelve types of medicinal herbs were of fine quality.

Thirteen ingredients were needed to refine the Dou Huang Pill, and he was still missing one.

A Fifth-Rank Medicinal Herb, Ice Spirit Grass.

Xiao Xuan stored the herbs in his Storage Ring, his brow furrowing slightly.

Ice Spirit Grass was a Fifth-Rank Medicinal Herb, and it was rare throughout the entire Jia Ma Empire.

The Mittal Auction House might not have it either.

Just then, a maid hurried over.

"Young Master Xiao."

Xiao Xuan turned to look at her.

"Clan Head Teng Shan requests your presence in the VIP room."

Xiao Xuan fell silent for a moment.

"Lead the way."

The maid nodded and turned toward the depths of the auction house.

Xiao Xuan led Xiao Xun'er after her.

The two passed through a corridor and arrived outside a VIP room.

The maid knocked on the door.

"Clan Head, Young Master Xiao has arrived."

The door opened.

Teng Shan stood at the entrance, his face covered in smiles.

"Young Master Xiao, why didn't you tell me in advance that you were coming? I could have sent someone to receive you."

Xiao Xuan looked at him without speaking.

Teng Shan stepped aside and made a welcoming gesture.

"Young Master Xiao, please come in."

Xiao Xuan stepped inside.

"Whatever medicinal herbs Young Master Xiao requires, just say the word. The Mittal Auction House will certainly do everything in its power to obtain them for you."

Xiao Xuan took out a list from his Storage Ring and handed it over.

Teng Shan accepted the list and glanced at it.

His brow furrowed slightly.

"Ice Spirit Grass?"

"A Fifth-Rank Medicinal Herb."

"Young Master Xiao, is this herb for pill refinement?"

"Yes," Xiao Xuan said.

Teng Shan nodded.

"Though Ice Spirit Grass is rare, the Mittal Auction House should be able to obtain it."

"Please wait a moment, Young Master Xiao. I'll have someone look into it right away."

He turned and walked out of the VIP room.

Xiao Xuan sat in his chair, lifted his teacup, and took a sip.

Xiao Xun'er sat beside him.

"Xiao Xuan-gege, what pill are you going to refine?"

"The Dou Huang Pill," Xiao Xuan said.

Xiao Xun'er froze for a moment.

"The Dou Huang Pill?"

"A Peak Sixth-Rank Pill. It allows a Dou Zhe of any level to possess the strength of a Dou Emperor for a short time."

Xiao Xun'er's pupils contracted slightly.

A Dou Zhe of any level could possess the strength of a Dou Emperor for an hour?

This was practically a heaven-defying pill.

Before long, Teng Shan pushed open the door and entered.

His expression was somewhat unpleasant.

"Young Master Xiao, Ice Spirit Grass is currently out of stock."

Xiao Xuan's brow furrowed slightly.

"When will you have it?"

Teng Shan shook his head.

"Ice Spirit Grass is a Fifth-Rank Medicinal Herb, and it is exceedingly rare throughout the Jia Ma Empire."

"Two days. Within two days, I will definitely deliver the Ice Spirit Grass into Young Master Xiao's hands."

Xiao Xuan looked at him and nodded.

"Then I'll have to trouble Clan Head Teng."

Teng Shan hurriedly waved his hand.

"You're too polite, Young Master Xiao. It's only right."

He paused.

"Young Master Xiao, does that Dou Huang Pill you mentioned really have such an effect?"

Xiao Xuan looked at him.

"Of course."

Teng Shan's breathing quickened.

A Dou Zhe of any level could possess the strength of a Dou Emperor for one hour.

If the Mite'er Family could obtain this pill, it would mean gaining another Dou Emperor-level powerhouse.

Even if it only lasted for one hour.

That was enough to decide the outcome of a battle.

Teng Shan took a deep breath and suppressed the excitement in his heart.