Ancient Gu Clan Fragmented Jade!

Bone Tempering Pill!

"It was done."

He opened the jade box, and an incomparably rich pill fragrance immediately spread through the air.

Inside the jade box lay a pill, lustrous white throughout, with a radiant sheen flowing across its surface.

Faint, profound pill patterns had appeared on its surface—it was a superior third-rank pill, the Bone Tempering Pill!

"Superior third-rank... This batch was even more successful than expected."

Xiao Chen smiled faintly, closed the jade box, and strode toward Ya Fei's residence.

That night, the Mittel Auction House held its monthly treasure appraisal auction.

As the lanterns lit up, the auction house was already packed with voices and people.

Forces from all across Wutan City had gathered there. Great clans such as the Jialie and Oba clans had all arrived, and even several wealthy merchants from the Jia Ma Empire had rushed over after hearing the news.

The first-floor hall was packed to capacity, while the curtains of the private rooms on the second floor hung low, shadows shifting behind them.

"I heard tonight's got a big finale!"

"Of course! Mittel announced that several precious pills would be saved for the grand finale!"

"Hmph, what good stuff could a Wutan City branch possibly produce? It's probably just empty hype!"

Discussions rose and fell, with most people merely there to watch the spectacle.

On the high platform, Ya Fei, dressed in a red gown, hosted the auction with a radiant smile.

With a graceful lift of her jade-like hand, item after item was brought onto the stage. Bidding cries rang out one after another, and the atmosphere gradually heated up.

But everyone knew that the true main event was still to come.

"Everyone!"

Ya Fei's voice suddenly rose, carrying a trace of undisguised excitement.

"The grand finale of tonight's auction has arrived!"

As her words fell, two maidservants carried a jade box and slowly stepped onto the high platform.

The instant the jade box opened, an incomparably rich pill fragrance swept through the entire venue like a storm!

"What an intense pill fragrance!"

"Th-this is what rank of pill?!"

"Gasp—superior third-rank?! How could anyone in a tiny place like Wutan City refine a superior third-rank pill?!"

The previously bustling hall fell silent in an instant, followed by wave after wave of sharp gasps.

Everyone's eyes were locked tightly on that lustrous white pill, its radiant sheen flowing across its surface!

Inside the private rooms on the second floor, several previously indifferent gazes abruptly sharpened.

The wealthy merchants from the Jia Ma Empire sat upright, their faces filled with disbelief.

"Pill patterns?! Th-this is a superior third-rank pill!"

"Someone in a tiny place like Wutan City can actually refine a superior third-rank pill?!"

"A superior third-rank pill—the Bone Tempering Pill!"

Ya Fei announced loudly, her voice trembling slightly.

"This pill tempers the muscles and bones and strengthens the body. It has remarkable effects on Dou Shi and Da Dou Shi experts alike! The starting bid is three thousand gold coins!"

"Three thousand five hundred!"

"Four thousand!"

"Four thousand eight hundred!"

"Five thousand!"

Bids erupted one after another, and everyone fought until their faces were red. Even the Jia Ma Empire merchants, who had originally come only to watch, joined the fray!

"Five thousand five hundred!"

"Six thousand!"

"Six thousand five hundred!"

"Seven thousand!"

When that wealthy merchant from the Jia Ma Empire called out seven thousand, the entire venue fell silent for a moment. This price had already broken Wutan City's all-time record for a single-day transaction!

"Seven thousand gold coins! Any higher bids?"

Even Ya Fei's voice had gone off-key.

In the end, the Bone Tempering Pill was sold to that merchant for the staggering price of seven thousand two hundred gold coins!

Wutan City's single-day transaction record had been completely rewritten in one stroke!

"Boom—!"

Thunderous applause erupted across the venue, and the cheers nearly blew the roof off.

"Crazy, this is crazy! One pill sold for seven thousand two hundred gold coins!"

"This is the first time Wutan City has ever seen a deal this huge!"

"Just who is that mysterious alchemist?!"

The crowd discussed animatedly, their gazes toward the stage filled with deep shock.

Ya Fei stood on the high platform, smiling so widely she could barely close her mouth.

She looked toward the gray-robed figure in the corner below, her eyes brimming with gratitude and admiration. In just seven days, this man had delivered results powerful enough to shake Mittel Headquarters!

After the auction ended, Ya Fei's accountants worked for more than half the night before they finally finished tallying the day's accounts.

That night's total transaction volume matched the combined total of the previous three full months!

"Mr. Xiao!"

Ya Fei held the account book, her voice trembling with excitement.

"Do you know what tonight's total transaction volume was? Thirty-seven thousand gold coins! A full thirty-seven thousand!"

"Mm."

Xiao Chen merely nodded faintly.

"It was a little less than I expected."

Ya Fei: "..."

Late at night, Xiao Chen returned to the small courtyard when the system notification suddenly rang out in his mind.

"Ding! A resounding victory at the auction!"

"Chain settlement triggered: The host used the 'Bone Tempering Pill' to help Ya Fei achieve her sales target. Return awarded: [Third-Rank Pill Refining Insights] ×1!"

"Return description: These insights contain complete refining essentials for all types of third-rank pills. They can greatly shorten the refining time for similar pills and increase the success rate!"

The next day, a carrier pigeon from Mittel Headquarters flew into Wutan City.

In the letter, headquarters lavishly praised Ya Fei's performance. Her position as branch president was practically guaranteed!

Ya Fei came to Xiao Chen in high spirits to share the good news, but Xiao Chen merely smiled faintly.

"This is only the first step."

"The first step?" Ya Fei was stunned.

"Becoming the president of Mittel's Wutan City branch is only the beginning."

"Miss Ya Fei, do you believe that before long, we'll be able to take over most of Mittel's business throughout the Jia Ma Empire as well?"

Ya Fei stared blankly at Xiao Chen. After a long while, she gave him a respectful curtsy and solemnly spoke.

"Mr. Xiao, from this day onward, Ya Fei's life belongs to you!"

The next morning, Xun'er came.

She took an ancient brocade box from her robes and solemnly placed it before Xiao Chen.

"Uncle, after much thought, Xun'er decided to give this to you."

"This is...?"

Xiao Chen opened the brocade box and saw an ancient jade piece resting quietly inside.

The jade was dark red in color and warm to the touch. Faint flames seemed to dance within it, while a barely perceptible warmth slowly flowed into his body through his fingertips.

"Gasp—"

Xiao Chen drew in a sharp breath, and a strange glint flashed through his eyes.

"This jade... truly is a divine treasure!"

The warmth was extremely faint, yet it carried an indescribable liveliness—as though it was not an inanimate object, but a living thing!

"This is a fragment of ancient jade from my Gu Clan. It contains a trace of the aura of the Golden Emperor Burning Sky Flame."

Xun'er spoke softly. "Since Uncle is interested in that wisp of Heavenly Flame, this jade fragment might be able to help you."

Xiao Chen's heart shook.

Naturally, he understood the value of this jade fragment. An ancient jade piece that sealed the aura of a heavenly-ranked Heavenly Flame—let alone in Wutan City, there might not be another one even in the entire Jia Ma Empire!

Yet Xun'er was willing to give such a thing to him...

"Xun'er, this is far too precious..."

"Uncle has treated Xun'er like family. What does it matter if Xun'er gives Uncle a piece of jade?"

Xun'er interrupted him, her smile gentle and faint.

"Just accept it, Uncle. Though the aura within this jade fragment is faint, it can nourish fire-element meridians and will greatly benefit your pill refining."

"This jade fragment was a protective item passed down to Xun'er by an elder of the clan, and now I'm giving it to Uncle..."

She paused, then added one more sentence.

"Uncle must not refuse, or Xun'er will get angry."