This Melon's Guaranteed Ripe

Master Gu Ni said excitedly, "The quality is superb. Whoever refined this pill is at least a Fourth Grade Alchemist!"

Gu Fengchen was not at all surprised by Master Gu Ni's words.

What a joke. Were the alchemists of the Gu Clan just for show?

The person who had refined these pills might even be a sixth- or seventh-grade alchemist.

At that moment, the middle-aged man was equally excited. He was immensely grateful that he had not immediately thrown the other party out because of his strange attire.

A Fourth Grade Alchemist—this was a Fourth Grade Alchemist!!

Whether the person before them was a fourth-grade alchemist himself or had one backing him, it was enough for the Mitel Auction House to seek his friendship.

Gu Ni's gaze swept back and forth over Gu Fengchen without a trace. Alchemists were not Dou Zhes; any one of them would be fought over by every faction.

Thus, as Gu Ni observed him, his mind continuously sifted through possible candidates.

He knew more or less every alchemist near Wutan City, but he had never heard of such a young Fourth Grade Alchemist—not even Gu Ni.

Just then, a woman entered from outside.

Holding a cup of hot tea, she walked over to Gu Fengchen with a seductive sway.

Seductive, alluring, intelligent, mature...

Gu Fengchen knew who this woman was without even thinking about it.

It had to be said that the Mitel Auction House truly knew how to handle things. Once they learned that Gu Fengchen had an extraordinary background, they immediately sent Ya Fei over to serve him tea.

Not many people could enjoy such treatment.

Gu Fengchen carefully examined the mature beauty across from him. Nearly every word he could think of to praise a mature woman fit her perfectly.

Ya Fei had large eyes and a full bust, carrying a distinctly charming allure.

A touch of light red adorned her small lips, making her seem even more playful. The exaggerated curves before her were especially captivating.

Mm, this melon's guaranteed ripe!

Gu Fengchen silently praised her, but quickly withdrew his gaze. A beautiful woman was a source of calamity—women like her were dangerous.

After placing the tea before Gu Fengchen, Ya Fei parted her vermilion lips and spoke in a breath as fragrant as orchids. "Sir, please enjoy."

Gu Fengchen nodded slightly.

He caught the faint fragrance drifting from Ya Fei's body and looked at the mature charm radiating from the girl across from him. Though his thoughts wandered, his gaze remained clear.

Though Ya Fei's expression did not change, she was somewhat surprised when she saw that the eyes behind his mask remained calm.

She was curious that the man before her was unmoved by her beauty. In fact, he did not even seem to have the desire to look at her a few more times.

At that thought, Ya Fei actually felt a trace of defeat.

After all, it was precisely because of her beauty that she had secured her position as the Chief Auctioneer of the Mitel Auction House.

In her view, few men could withstand her charms, much less someone who did not even wish to spare her another glance.

Women were naturally competitive, especially a peerless beauty like Ya Fei. In just an instant, she developed a deep interest in the young man before her.

Ya Fei was a renowned beauty throughout the Jia Ma Empire. Her brows were like painted strokes, her lashes like brushes, and especially her figure—while other girls around her age still fretted over their slightly budding chests, she already possessed exquisite, voluptuous curves and an irresistible mature charm.

At this point, Gu Ni took a deep breath and appraised them. "These pills are of extremely high quality. Strictly speaking, this batch of third-grade Qi Recovery Pills can already be considered Tier 4 Medicinal Pills!"

In Gu Ni's understanding, only a major figure like Pill King Gu He could refine Qi Recovery Pills of such quality.

After considering it for a moment, Gu Ni probed, "Young friend, might I ask whether these pills were refined by your master?!"

Gu Ni could tell that the other party was an alchemist, but he could not determine whether these pills had been refined by the youth himself or by the master behind him.

Judging from his voice, this youth could not be more than twenty years old. Even if he were a genius alchemist, it was absolutely impossible for him to refine pills of such quality at that age!

"I refined all of these myself. Master Gu Ni, there is no need to test me." Gu Fengchen's voice was cold, devoid of joy or sorrow.

Gu Ni's heart trembled at those words, but he immediately smiled. "May I ask what price you have in mind, young friend?"

Gu Fengchen thought about it. Rather than exchanging them for Gold Coins, he might as well obtain something useful.

"I want a Medicine Cauldron."

In truth, because Frank did not know that Gu Fengchen possessed Heavenly Flames, the Medicine Cauldron he had given Gu Fengchen was rather poor at withstanding heat. After Gu Fengchen refined pills for only a few hours, the cauldron already seemed close to the end of its life.

Gu Ni nodded. "Naturally."

Before long, Gu Fengchen selected a third-tier Medicine Cauldron.

The entire cauldron was dark black, with white patterns etched across its surface.

Below the Medicine Cauldron were two Kirin Auspicious Beasts.

The two kirin had their mouths wide open, forming two interconnected fire channels. The channels twisted and extended inward, gradually narrowing the deeper they went.

At the upper section of the Medicine Cauldron, a giant serpent coiled into a dark-red lid. There was also a special opening in the lid, specifically meant for adding Medicinal Herbs.

Fine holes were scattered across the lid as well, serving to dissipate heat.

From this design alone, it was clear that this Medicine Cauldron was definitely not low-grade.

The heat-dissipation holes were meant to prevent an Exploding Cauldron caused by excessive temperatures. The Medicine Cauldron Frank had given him lacked such a design.

A good Medicine Cauldron was to an alchemist what a sword was to a knight.

"How much is this Medicine Cauldron?" Gu Fengchen asked softly as he played with the black cauldron.

"If you like it, young friend, simply take it. Consider it the Mitel Auction House making a friend of you."

This Medicine Cauldron was worth around 5,000 Gold Coins on the market. It was not expensive, but it was by no means cheap either.

Gu Ni was being so generous because he was likely convinced that an even higher-grade alchemist stood behind him.

Gu Fengchen considered it, then shook his head. "A favor is a favor, and business is business. The money still has to be deducted. At most, give me a discount, then deduct it from the auction proceeds for those pills."

"Very well. Is there anything else you need, young friend?" At that moment, Ya Fei sat down beside Gu Fengchen. Her already extremely tight red dress immediately stretched even more tautly.

Especially beneath her slender, elegant neck, that expanse of snowy white was fully exposed before Gu Fengchen.

Well now, was she pulling out the big guns?

In truth, Ya Fei showed goodwill partly because he remained exceptionally calm in her presence, and partly because he was an exceedingly young alchemist.

Moreover, judging by Master Gu Ni's attitude toward this youth, his grade was clearly not low.

Gu Fengchen shifted his gaze away and said to Gu Ni, "I need some Medicinal Herbs. As for what I plan to do with them, do not ask questions you should not ask."

Gu Fengchen handed Master Gu Ni a list containing some of the Medicinal Herbs needed to refine Qi Augmenting Powder. At the same time, he discreetly mixed in several highly toxic Medicinal Herbs that were rarely sold on the market.