Ya Fei was so excited not only because Yao Chen was a Dou Zong expert from the Jia Ma Empire.
It was also because he was the one and only Rank 7 Alchemist. That was why Ya Fei treated him this way.
"Mr. Yao, on behalf of the Mittel Family, I promise that from now on, you'll be an honored guest of our family."
"If you ever need anything from the Mittel Family or the auction house, just ask. No matter how difficult it is, our family and the auction house will do everything in our power to help."
Ya Fei spoke earnestly, looking at Yao Chen as she made her promise. Her sincerity was unmistakable.
"Very well. I'll remember that." Yao Chen's voice was calm. After he finished speaking, Ya Fei invited him inside to sit and have some hot tea.
"Sounds good." Yao Chen nodded. He was just about to enter the hall with Ya Fei when he suddenly heard the guards outside cry out in pain.
"What's going on? What happened?" Hearing the screams outside, Ya Fei's expression froze.
She was about to go and investigate when several guards hurried inside.
One of them looked at Ya Fei and said, "Sister Ya Fei, there's a powerful Snake-Person outside. She says she's looking for a Sixth-grade Alchemist. I think she must be here for Mr. Yao."
"A powerful Snake-Person? How strong is she?"
"We're not sure, but she should be a Dou Huang expert."
A Snake-Person, a Dou Huang expert—could it be Queen Medusa of the Tagor Desert? Ya Fei thought of a possibility.
Her expression grew wary.
Ya Fei looked at Yao Chen and said, "Mr. Yao, the visitor may well be Medusa of the Snake People Tribe. It seems she's here for you."
"Let's go take a look," Yao Chen said. Then he walked out of the Miteer Auction House.
Outside, he saw a Snake-Person with striking features, dressed in red. She was none other than Queen Medusa.
I can't believe even Queen Medusa of the Snake People Tribe has come to my little auction house. What an honor, Ya Fei thought to herself.
"It seems Mr. Yao's reputation has spread throughout the Jia Ma Empire."
"May I ask if you are Queen Medusa of the Snake People Tribe?" Ya Fei greeted Medusa first.
Medusa's expression was cold and striking. In an icy voice, she slowly asked, "Is there an Alchemist here who can refine a Sixth-Grade Pill?"
"Mr. Yao, it seems Queen Medusa of the Snake People Tribe really is here for you." Ya Fei looked at Yao Chen.
Hearing her words, Medusa slowly shifted her gaze to Yao Chen.
Is he the Alchemist?
The Alchemist capable of refining the Sect-Breaking Pill, a Sixth-Grade Pill? A Dou Zong expert?
Medusa kept her eyes fixed on Yao Chen. He wore a black robe, seemingly intent on concealing his identity.
Curious, she spoke up after a moment.
"Are you the Alchemist? I hear you possess the strength of a Dou Zong."
Queen Medusa was currently a Peak Nine-Star Dou Emperor. She had yet to reach the Dou Zong realm, but she was still among the strongest Dou Huang experts.
It wasn't every day she got to meet a Dou Zong expert, and Medusa was intrigued. If she had the chance, she would love to exchange a few moves with one.
She wanted to see just how great the gap was between a Peak Nine-Star Dou Emperor and a Dou Zong.
Yao Chen could tell that Queen Medusa seemed to doubt his Dou Zong strength. He stood where he was without a word.
He merely raised a hand. A mass of green flame instantly surged from his palm.
The Green Lotus Core Flame.
Queen Medusa froze, thinking she must have seen wrong. But after taking a closer look, she was certain.
It was the Green Lotus Core Flame, a Heavenly Flame from the Tagor Desert!
She had originally wanted to obtain the Heavenly Flame to help her advance to Dou Zong. But she had arrived too late—the flame had already been snatched up.
She never expected that the one who had taken it would be Yao Chen!
If he were merely an ordinary Dou Huang, Medusa would certainly have tried to seize it to increase her strength.
But Yao Chen was a Dou Zong expert. Though Medusa very much wanted the Heavenly Flame, she had to consider whether she was strong enough to take it from him.
"I am the queen of the Snake People Tribe. I came to Wutan City after hearing from the elders of my tribe that, a few days ago, you refined a pill capable of helping a Peak Nine-Star Dou Emperor break through the Dou Huang barrier and enter the Dou Zong realm."
"I've come to ask you to refine another one. The Snake People Tribe will naturally reward you handsomely."
From Queen Medusa's words, it was clear that she carried herself with an air of arrogance toward everyone, whether Xiao Yan or anyone else.
But there was one thing she needed to understand: Yao Chen was currently a Dou Sheng expert.
What could a mere Queen Medusa, with the strength of a Dou Huang, amount to?
She was still calling herself "this queen" in his presence. Yao Chen wasn't about to indulge her.
Yao Chen's Dou Qi erupted in an instant. A mighty surge of Dou Qi burst from his body.
Even with the strength of a Peak Nine-Star Dou Emperor, Queen Medusa was sent stumbling several meters backward.
"If you want me to refine a Sixth-Grade Pill, then drop that queenly airs!"
"Your Snake People Tribe may be powerful in the Jia Ma Empire. Ordinary human factions may not dare provoke you."
"But to me, your Snake People Tribe are nothing but ants!"
Yao Chen's voice slowly faded. Medusa's expression instantly turned fearful. Is this the power of a Dou Zong expert?
The moment Yao Chen's Dou Qi burst out, Queen Medusa found herself unable to move, utterly powerless to defend herself.
If she had just engaged Yao Chen in a brief fight, she would have been defeated on the spot, without the slightest suspense.
"The power of a Dou Zong is terrifying! I never imagined it would be this frightening!" Just moments ago, Medusa had carried herself like an arrogant queen. Now, in a matter of seconds, she trembled like a frightened kitten—a startling change from before.
At that moment, Yao Chen looked at the System Panel. It displayed the reward result.
[Host has completed the mission. You displayed the strength of a Dou Zong, shocking Queen Medusa and making her realize just how terrifying a Dou Zong expert's strength is. Random reward triggered: one Orange Treasure Chest. Would you like to draw a reward?]
Seeing the System Panel's prompt, he found that he had obtained an Orange Treasure Chest.
He immediately opened the system inventory. As soon as he saw the Orange Treasure Chest, he chose without hesitation. "System, open the chest now!"
[Host has opened an Orange Treasure Chest. Drawing reward...]