Seventeen, Born with Bewitching Bones!

Before long, the middle-aged man returned. Immediately afterward, the slightly hurried sound of footsteps approached, and two figures entered the room one after the other.

"Hehe, this must be your first time in Wu Tan City, sir? It's rare indeed for someone to come here to appraise pills!"

A figure approached with a charming laugh, carrying a faint fragrant breeze. Her soft, sweet voice reached Xiao Dongchen's ears, stirring ripples in his heart.

He glanced over without making it obvious. At such close range, Xiao Dongchen finally understood what true mature charm was.

She was a woman dressed in a fiery red gown. Her lovely face wore a smiling expression, and her rosy cherry lips invited endless fantasies. Beneath her long, narrow lashes were a pair of peach-blossom eyes shimmering with watery allure. Every glance seemed to whisper sweet nothings to men.

As his gaze traveled down her elegant, slender jade neck, he saw the deep, pale cleavage pressed out by her full breasts. Her slim, willow-like waist swayed with incomparable charm, making it difficult for anyone to remain composed!

There was no need to say it—she was Ya Fei!

"Mm."

Xiao Dongchen quietly swallowed and nodded lightly, then could not help stealing another couple of glances.

This fox enchantress truly deserved her reputation as the Innate Bewitching Saint Physique in Battle Through the Heavens. She was unbelievably stunning!

If he were not such an upright gentleman, he would probably have wanted to act like a beast!

Hearing that dry, aged voice and catching his seemingly casual peeking, Ya Fei froze for a moment. Then she covered her red lips with her jade hand and chuckled softly. The ample curves on her chest trembled in a breathtaking fashion before she smiled and said, "Please wait a moment, sir. Our Master Gu Ni will appraise your pills for you."

"Alright."

With such a beauty keeping him company, Xiao Dongchen was in no hurry. A sideways glance brought his eyes to the full, perky rear wrapped tightly in the red dress. He licked his lips and barely suppressed the distracting thoughts in his heart, only to lower his gaze and inadvertently catch sight of her pair of snow-white, lustrous little feet, nearly sinking deeper into the mire.

No, broaden your horizons. Enchantress, I need you to aid my cultivation!

With that thought, he stopped looking around and calmly focused his eyes on his nose, his nose on his heart.

Only then did Xiao Dongchen notice the other elder, whose hair was somewhat gray. A pill furnace and two silver stripes were embroidered on his green robes. This fellow should be that so-called Tony... ah, no, Master Gu Ni.

"Sir, this is Master Gu Ni of our auction house. He will be the one appraising your pills."

After the middle-aged man finished his respectful introduction, he carefully picked up the jade bottle and presented it with both hands.

"Mm, let me take a look."

Taking the jade bottle, Master Gu Ni first sniffed the medicinal fragrance. Narrowing his eyes slightly, he poured out a pill and used Dou Qi to float it above his palm. After steadying his mind, he examined and tested it with his soul force.

As his soul force probed deeper, Gu Ni's expression gradually grew solemn. A moment later, he returned the pill to the jade bottle. When he looked at Xiao Dongchen again, his eyes were filled with deep respect.

"This is a Third-Grade Pill, the Spirit-Nourishing Pill. It is genuine, and it is even of flawless top quality! Sir, are you considering auctioning it at our auction house?"

With a wave of his hand, Gu Ni dismissed the middle-aged man. His aged face was full of smiles as he asked eagerly.

A major figure!

Anyone capable of refining a top-quality Spirit-Nourishing Pill was at least a fourth-grade Pill Refiner. Even at the headquarters of the imperial capital's auction house, someone of that level would surely be an honored guest!

Even though he was a proud second-grade Pill Refiner, Gu Ni did not find it embarrassing to curry favor like this. If he could receive even a little guidance from this person, becoming a third-grade Pill Refiner might be within reach!

"That depends on what Miss Ya Fei thinks."

Xiao Dongchen did not answer directly. Instead, he smiled faintly and looked toward the woman who seemed born with seductive charm.

"A top-quality Spirit-Nourishing Pill?"

Ya Fei pursed her cherry lips, and faint ripples appeared in her beautiful eyes. Hearing him hand the matter over to her, she instantly came to her senses. Lowering her head slightly and leaning closer, she gently bit her red lip with pearly teeth and said in a sweet, bone-softening voice, "If you are willing, sir, then naturally I am willing as well."

As she lowered her head, a large expanse of fair skin was revealed. Combined with her expression, both innocent and alluring, as well as her rather teasing words, Xiao Dongchen's blood surged, and he nearly lost control and got a nosebleed.

Alright, alright, so that was how she wanted to play?

He glanced once more at her exquisite, full, enchanting curves. Xiao Dongchen had originally intended to agree, but upon seeing that dazzling pale skin, he inexplicably blurted out, "You're so naughty~"

The entire Appraisal Room immediately fell silent.

Gu Ni revealed the expression all men understood. He inwardly sighed at how vigorous the old man still was, but said nothing.

Meanwhile, Ya Fei, who had weathered countless storms, was now like a cat whose tail had been lightly stepped on. A seductive blush instantly rose on her cheeks. Her delicate brows furrowed slightly, and her rosy lips opened and closed. Though speechless, she looked pitiful and delicate.

Seeing yet another side of Ya Fei's charm, Xiao Dongchen simply stopped looking. He pulled his hat brim lower and sighed inwardly.

I have walked on thin ice all my life. How can I ever reach the shore?

The sea of suffering is boundless. I don't want to turn back!

"Mm, I like it. Auction it for me as soon as possible."

Xiao Dongchen tossed out those words coldly, looking like a man of noble integrity.

Originally, he had wanted to say, "Leave Ya Fei behind." But to uphold his principles, he could only give up on that idea. Otherwise, with his peerlessly handsome face, one careless mistake might mean he would only see tomorrow's sun.

Being a man was so hard!

I'm truly a good person. For Xiao Yan's sake, I'm willing to make such a sacrifice. At the very least, I deserve an award!

Hehe!

Seeing that Xiao Dongchen made no further excessive moves, Ya Fei finally relaxed. She let out a faint breath, put on her seductive smile again, and drew a crystal card from her bosom. Her voice was gentle and sweet as she spoke.

"Sir, this is the VIP card of our Mite'er Auction House. In addition to VIP treatment, you will only need to pay a two percent service fee for items you auction."

Hearing this, Xiao Dongchen did not stand on ceremony. He reached out to take the card, and when his fingers touched her cool, fair, slender hand, his eyes shifted. He casually traced a circle in her tender palm before swiftly taking the VIP card away.

It was as if an electric current passed through her palm, making Ya Fei's delicate body tremble. Though shy, she looked at that fair, slender hand with sudden surprise. Such an aged voice paired with a hand like a youth's looked abnormal no matter how she viewed it.

"I'll arrive on time for the auction three days from now. If there's nothing else, shall I leave?"

Xiao Dongchen examined the crystal card in his hand, only to smell a refreshing fragrance. After thinking briefly, his heart began to stir again.

"Hehe, I didn't expect you to know our auction house so well, sir. In the future, remember to have the guards announce your arrival. We will surely welcome you with the utmost hospitality!"

Ya Fei did not notice the youth's thoughts. Setting aside her suspicions, she continued smiling brightly as she spoke.

"Alright, I'm leaving."

Replying casually, Xiao Dongchen stood up and left this soul-stirring place without looking back.

Watching his somewhat hurried retreating figure, Ya Fei became even more suspicious. Turning around, she lazily sat in a chair and rested her fragrant cheek on her hand, displaying her curves without the slightest concern.

"Master Gu Ni, is he really an Alchemist?"

"Mm, at least fourth-grade. But I've never heard of such a person in the Jia Ma Empire."

Gu Ni glanced at Ya Fei and answered with a serious expression.

"I see. Then he is indeed someone worth befriending."

After a brief silence, Ya Fei spoke softly.

Having gained experience, she would not foolishly investigate his background. After all, Pill Refiners were not people to be provoked!

"Indeed. Though judging from the situation, he seems very interested in you."

Narrowing his eyes, Gu Ni said it like a casual joke.

"Hehe, I'm rather curious about him too, but I don't like old men."

Ya Fei curled her lips dismissively. After all, countless people coveted her beauty, but who could ever succeed?

If—if he were a refined young gentleman, she would not mind considering it.

But how could that be possible?

A fourth-grade Pill Refiner and a handsome young man simply could not be associated together by common sense, could they?

Those hands...

With a soft sigh, Ya Fei shook her head and abandoned that unrealistic thought.

A fourth-grade Alchemist... how envy-inducing!