I Am Today's Chief Auctioneer, Ya Fei

"Coagulate!"

Lu Heng let out a low shout, his hands rapidly forming seals as the wood- and fire-attributed Dou Qi within him poured into the medicinal cauldron like a breached dam.

The difficulty of refining a third-grade pill truly could not be compared to that of a second-grade pill.

It was not merely a test of one's total Dou Qi reserves; it also demanded exquisite control over the flames.

"Buzz!"

The medicinal cauldron gave off a dull hum, and even the surrounding space seemed to tremble.

The medicinal liquid finally stopped struggling and began to rapidly contract and solidify, ultimately forming a deep green pill the size of a longan.

It was done!

Looking at the pill floating within the flames, Lu Heng's taut nerves suddenly relaxed, and he gasped for breath.

"Three days, three Yuan-Coagulating Pills... that really was somewhat challenging."

"The third-grade pills in the Pharmacopoeia of Ten Thousand Worlds are indeed harder to refine than the pills originally found on the Dou Qi Continent."

Lu Heng muttered to himself, a hint of pride in his voice.

Then, after putting away the pill and regulating his breathing for a while, Lu Heng walked out of the sealed chamber.

Outside the courtyard, the sun was already setting.

In the rear courtyard of the Miteer Auction House, Ya Fei had spent half an hour pacing about. Her steps were not large, but they were somewhat disorderly.

Today, she had changed into a light purple brocade robe. Compared to the fiery red clothes she usually wore, it gave her a gentler air. Yet her ever-enchanting eyes kept glancing toward the tightly shut door.

He had said three days, but the sun was about to set.

Over those three days, aside from the occasional dull hum coming from beyond the stone door, not a single person had been seen.

"You little bastard, if you exhaust yourself, I'll smash that medicinal cauldron of yours."

Ya Fei twisted a silk handkerchief in her hands as she muttered under her breath, though her brows were filled with concern she could not conceal.

She knew Lu Heng was gifted, but alchemy consumed one's vitality and spirit.

Even those white-bearded old men in the guild needed several days of rest after refining second-grade pills. Lu Heng was only eleven—was his body made of iron, to refine so many in one go?

"Creak!"

Lu Heng's door slowly opened.

Ya Fei's body trembled. The anxiety on her face instantly vanished, replaced by a smiling expression, though she hurried forward so quickly that she nearly stepped on her skirt.

Lu Heng walked out. The setting sun shone on his face, making the fine beads of sweat glimmer faintly.

He stretched lazily, and his joints crackled loudly. His spirits looked even stronger than before he had entered.

"Sister Ya Fei, sorry to keep you waiting." Lu Heng smiled brightly, clearly in a good mood.

Ya Fei hurried over and looked him up and down. Only when she saw his rosy complexion did the worry in her heart finally settle.

"Your sister thought you'd passed out in there."

Ya Fei reproached him lightly, taking out the silk handkerchief she had twisted into a wrinkled mess. She stood on tiptoe and gently wiped Lu Heng's forehead, though it had long since dried and there was no sweat at all.

"Why work so desperately?" Ya Fei sighed, her voice soft.

"If you wear yourself out, your sister will be heartbroken. Money is just a number. At worst, I can help you scrape some together."

Hearing those warm words, Lu Heng felt as comfortable as though he had been soaked in warm water.

He did not dodge, allowing Ya Fei to fuss over his face as he pulled three warm jade bottles from his Storage Ring and waved them before her.

"That won't do. I'm the man who's going to support you." Lu Heng placed the jade bottles into Ya Fei's hands, his tone lighthearted. "All three Yuan-Coagulating Pills are here."

Holding the jade bottles, still carrying lingering warmth, Ya Fei felt their weight in her palm.

Rather than immediately inspecting the pills, she reached out and lightly scraped Lu Heng's nose.

"Such a glib tongue."

Though she said that, her beautiful eyes curved into crescents, filled with pride she could not hide.

"You haven't eaten yet, have you?"

Ya Fei casually linked her arm through Lu Heng's, leaning half her weight against him.

"Come on. Your sister will take you to have something good and nourish your body."

Feeling the soft sensation against his arm, Lu Heng did not stand on ceremony and teased, "Then I'll need to eat more meat to build myself up."

The meal was set in Ya Fei's small courtyard. There were four dishes and a soup, but they were far more exquisite than usual.

During the meal, Ya Fei served food to Lu Heng while telling him about the developments in the city over the past two days.

"The commotion we've stirred up this time may have exceeded expectations."

Ya Fei took a sip of red wine, her expression becoming somewhat more serious.

"The lord of Black Rock City sent people over. The head of the Xue Clan in Black Rock City has also arrived. Even Frank, the president of the Alchemist Guild, and Otto, its vice president, could no longer sit still. They entered the city this afternoon."

"Isn't that perfect?" Lu Heng stuffed a piece of braised pork into his mouth and said indistinctly, "The more people there are, the more suckers there'll be. That's how we drive the price up."

"And that's not all."

Ya Fei put down her wineglass, her delicate brows knitting slightly.

"Many Dou Masters from around the Magical Beast Mountain Range have also come after hearing the news."

Lu Heng paused with his chopsticks, then smiled.

"Although the Yuan-Coagulating Pill is only a third-grade pill, its effects are far beyond what an ordinary third-grade pill can offer. It's only natural for these Dou Masters to come."

"The auction will be the day after tomorrow."

Ya Fei turned her head toward Lu Heng, her eyes shimmering.

"Do you want to come take a look? You can see your sister's elegance on stage."

Lu Heng swallowed the meat in his mouth and wiped his lips.

"I'll go, of course. With such a lively scene, if I don't show up to support you, who will applaud Sister Ya Fei?"

Two days passed in the blink of an eye.

Wutan City was completely abuzz.

Normally, it was merely the three great clans and mercenary groups squabbling with one another. But today, one could toss a brick into the street and hit a Dou Master.

Luxurious carriages from Black Rock City and horse caravans from the surrounding towns packed the broad street outside the Miteer Auction House until it was completely blocked.

Inside the auction house, the crowd was even more uproarious.

A massive crystal chandelier cast down soft light, illuminating the entire venue as brightly as day.

The first-floor hall was packed with people, while the VIP seats on the second floor were completely filled.

Lu Heng did not go to the specially prepared private room. Instead, he found an inconspicuous seat in a corner.

"Clang!"

A crisp bell rang throughout the venue.

The hall, which had been as noisy as a marketplace, instantly fell silent. Thousands of eyes turned in unison toward the central platform covered in red carpet.

The lights converged.

A graceful figure slowly stepped out.

Ya Fei today was simply a disaster for men.

She wore a tight-fitting red cheongsam, its slit reaching the top of her thigh. With every step, flashes of snow-white skin appeared and disappeared, leaving countless men below with dry throats.

A professional smile hung on her exquisite, alluring face. Her gaze swept across the room like a tiny hooked brush, making hearts itch unbearably.

"Distinguished guests, welcome to the Miteer Auction House."

Ya Fei's voice was soft enough to melt the bones, reaching every corner of the auction house.

"I am today's chief auctioneer, Ya Fei."