"As for the last option, it's also the simplest. The Mittel Auction House can buy this pill outright. That way, you can receive your gold coins directly, without any waiting.
"However, this method has a downside too. Once the pill changes hands, any subsequent profit or loss will have nothing to do with you. These three options each have their advantages and disadvantages. Choose for yourself. We're happy with whichever you pick."
After she finished, Ya Fei stood there and waited for Han Chen to make his choice. Whichever option he selected, the Mittel Auction House would only benefit.
After listening to the three options Ya Fei presented, Han Chen considered them carefully. He had to ensure he gained the greatest possible benefit.
First, rule out the first option. I can't expose myself before those powerful figures yet. Weakness is the original sin. Once they discover my origins, there probably won't be anywhere in the entire Jia Ma Empire that will shelter me.
After some careful thought, Han Chen finally settled on the second option. Rather than letting the Mittel Auction House name a price and buy it outright, he felt it would be better to join the auction house. That would secure a relatively fair return while preventing them from driving the price down to a pittance.
"Miss Ya Fei, I'll choose the second option."
Hearing his answer, Ya Fei understood that Han Chen still did not trust them. But on reflection, that was only natural. If he trusted others at the drop of a hat, they would have to reassess his value as a business partner.
Giving Han Chen a captivating smile, Ya Fei put the pill away.
"In that case, we'll keep the pill at the auction house for now. In two months, we'll send you an invitation..."
"That won't be necessary. I'll come myself when the time arrives. Also, I need to acquire a few things."
"Oh? What do you need, little brother Fei Yu?"
When Ya Fei heard that Han Chen wanted to purchase supplies, her eyes immediately lit up. Hadn't another opportunity to work together just arrived?
"I need... a Ring of Holding, a Medicine Cauldron, some spirit herb seeds, and a few Yellow Tier Dou Techniques."
Han Chen had his reasons for wanting these things. The Ring of Holding needed no explanation, and the Medicine Cauldron was essential. With that huge supply of Yellow Dragon Pills, he would soon break through to Dou Zhe, and refining pills would be unavoidable.
As for the spirit herb seeds, he planned to use Creation Liquid to cultivate spirit plants. Alchemy was a profession that burned through money. An ordinary person could only spend money buying medicinal ingredients.
He, however, could use Creation Liquid to grow spirit herbs directly from seeds, cutting his costs by more than half.
The Yellow Tier Dou Techniques were purely a stopgap, intended to keep him from revealing his trump cards too early and help him maintain his disguise.
Hearing Han Chen's requests, Ya Fei and Gu Ni exchanged puzzled looks. How could the disciple of such a powerful figure lack Dou Techniques and a Medicine Cauldron?
Still, their professional discipline kept them from asking.
Ya Fei nodded to Han Chen.
"Wait a moment, little brother Fei Yu. I'll have someone take care of it right away."
As she spoke, she gave Gu Ni a meaningful glance. Understanding her intent, he turned and left.
She, meanwhile, gracefully sat down beside Han Chen, propping her chin on one hand as she looked at him.
"Little brother Fei Yu, tell me some more stories about your teacher. I've never even left the Jia Ma Empire in all my life~"
Han Chen glanced at Ya Fei beside him, then closed his eyes.
"My teacher is accustomed to roaming far and wide. He's visited so many places that I couldn't recount them all offhand. I'll tell you about them another day when there's time, Miss Ya Fei."
Seeing his response, Ya Fei knew she could not rush things. Rather than invite a rebuff, she stood with a smile, removed the Ring of Holding from her hand, and offered it to Han Chen.
"In that case, next time it is. Your big sister still has some things to attend to, so I'll have to take my leave~
"Use this Ring of Holding for now. Consider it a first-meeting gift from your big sister, to mark our friendship. Don't refuse, or I'll get angry."
"And there's no need to pay for the supplies either. This Foundation Establishment Pill has already brought considerable value to the Mittel Auction House.
"There's no need to fuss over such a small sum. I only hope that the next time you have rare pills like this, you'll think of Fei Yu, your little brother, first."
Han Chen accepted Ya Fei's goodwill. He had nothing against this investor, and he needed these resources right now. Once he had finally attained the Great Dao, he would repay her.
Taking the Ring of Holding from Ya Fei and putting it on, Han Chen nodded to her.
"Thank you."
"Goodbye, then."
Ya Fei opened the door and left. Having obtained what he wanted, Han Chen also departed from the Mittel Auction House.
He glanced back at the brilliantly lit Mittel Auction House, sighed, and walked alone into the darkness...
The following morning, after daylight had fully broken, Han Chen stood in a small courtyard wearing blue robes. He surveyed the fruits of his night's labor and wiped away his sweat.
After leaving the Mittel Auction House the previous night, he had spent a long time finding this courtyard. After all, there were still two full months before the Foundation Establishment Pill's auction. He could not stay at an inn the whole time.
Besides, having a courtyard to himself would make everything much more convenient, whether he was cultivating spirit herbs, refining pills, or cultivating.
On the surface, it was just an ordinary courtyard. But Han Chen had already cleared the rear yard, planted a ring of bamboo around its perimeter to conceal it from prying eyes, and sown all the spirit herb seeds he had obtained from Ya Fei inside.
Without a formation, this courtyard's safety isn't guaranteed. I can't leave anything valuable at home.
Han Chen made a few simple traps, then turned and left the courtyard.
"Whew, I'm finally settled in. Time to take a look around."
Now that he had a stable base, Han Chen intended to break through to Dou Zhe here before leaving. With daylight upon him, it was the perfect time to explore. He had never forgotten the black iron fragment in the Xiao Family Market.
Wutan City was bustling during the day, with plenty of mercenaries hawking all kinds of goods in the markets.
Whenever Han Chen spotted promising spirit herb seeds along the way, he bought them.
After browsing for a while, Han Chen finally arrived at an inconspicuous vendor's stall. He had explored almost the entire Xiao Family Market. Looking at the small piece of iron weighing down a corner of the stall's cloth, he slowly crouched.
"Honored customer, see anything you like?"
Behind the stall, a shifty-looking male mercenary saw Han Chen crouch and immediately rubbed his hands together, asking with a smile.
Han Chen glanced at him but did not answer. Instead, he picked up an emerald-green crystal from the stall and examined it.
The emerald crystal was the size of a peach pit, its surface shimmering with green light and streaked with traces of blood.
When the mercenary saw what Han Chen had picked up, his eyes lit up. That was the most valuable item on his stall. Noticing Han Chen's fine clothing, he immediately decided to fleece him.
"Hehe, young master, you have a good eye. That's the magic core of a First-Rank Magical Beast, a Swallowwood Fox. Among rank-one magic cores, it's one of the finest."
"To obtain that magic core, our mercenary company spent several full days lying in wait. We killed several of them before getting this one. Its value speaks for itself."
Han Chen repeatedly weighed the energy-rich magic core in his hand. Ignoring the mercenary's sales pitch, he merely asked in an indifferent tone.
"How much?"
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