Chu Yunfei and his two companions entered through the main gate.
A steward in blue robes quickly stepped forward, his gaze first falling on Ling Xueyao, before he bowed respectfully.
"Greetings, Your Highness."
No need for formalities.
Ling Xueyao did not delay.
"I wish to see the Grand Master."
The steward bowed and replied, "The Grand Master is not in the pavilion today. The Deputy Grand Master has already received the news and is waiting for His Highness on the sixth floor."
"Lead the way."
"Please, Your Highness."
The steward led the three into the Pill Pavilion.
Several managers walked towards her, and upon seeing Ling Xueyao, they all stepped aside, but no one dared to approach her to inquire.
The three of them took the platform inside the pavilion and went directly up to the sixth floor.
A woman in blue stood outside the elegant room.
She was about forty years old, with gentle features, and only a wooden hairpin was inserted in her hair. There was no trace of spiritual energy emanating from her.
Chu Yunfei glanced at her again.
To be able to sit in the position of the deputy pavilion master of the Imperial City Pill Pavilion, the person must not be an ordinary person.
The woman in blue hurried over.
"Why didn't you inform me beforehand that Your Highness was coming? I could have sent someone to greet you at the palace gate."
" Vice Pavilion Master Liu, you're too kind."
Ling Xueyao removed her veil.
"I only learned of the Soul-Consolidating Origin-Returning Pill at the last minute, and came in a hurry, without having sent a formal invitation beforehand."
Vice Pavilion Master Liu stepped aside to make way.
"Your Highness and Miss Wen have been friends for many years. There's no need for a formal invitation to visit Pill Pavilion. Please come in quickly."
The group entered the elegant room.
A maidservant served the spirit tea, Vice Pavilion Master Liu turned his gaze to Chu Yunfei.
"And who is this young master?"
Chu Yunfei.
Ling Xueyao introduced him, "He is a friend of mine, and also someone your Pavilion Master Wen met in Qingyang City."
The teacup in Vice Pavilion Master Liu's hand stopped at the edge of the table.
"So it's Young Master Chu."
Chu Yunfei picked up the spirit tea.
"Does Vice Pavilion Master Liu know me?"
"I have never met you, but I have long heard of your name."
Vice Pavilion Master Liu rose and bowed.
"When Pavilion Master Wen sent a message to the main pavilion a few days ago, he specifically instructed that if Young Master Chu comes to the Imperial City Pill Pavilion, he can come directly to me for anything he needs."
"Did Pavilion Master Wen mention me?"
"She was worried that the young master was new to the capital and unfamiliar with the various factions within the city. If he encountered trouble here, the Pill Pavilion could help him."
Vice Pavilion Master Liu sat down again.
"As long as it's not something the Pill Pavilion can't handle, we won't shirk our responsibility."
Chu Yunfei ran his fingertips along the rim of the cup.
The fact that the Deputy Pavilion Master of the Imperial Pill Pavilion could make such a statement in person suggests that Wen Jiao's status within the Pill Pavilion is clearly not as simple as it appears on the surface.
The title of "Sect Master of Qingyang City" is likely just a title she uses in public.
" Pavilion Master Wen has gone to great lengths."
"Young Master Chu has a cooperative relationship with the Pill Pavilion regarding pill formulas, so it is only right that they look after your safety."
Vice Pavilion Master Liu did not offer further explanation.
Ling Xueyao picked up her teacup and got straight to the point.
"Besides the Soul-Consolidating Origin-Returning Pill, I also need a Grade 5 pill to repair the five internal organs and meridians, and a Grade 5 pill to repair my foundation."
"We happen to have both of these pills in the pavilion. They are of superior quality and were just delivered yesterday. If Your Highness needs them, I will have them fetched now."
"The price will remain the same."
"Business rules must be followed, of course. However, since Your Highness has come in person, we can settle the payment according to the internal prices of the Pill Pavilion."
Ling Xueyao nodded.
"There's one more thing. I'm willing to pay double the market price in spirit stones to buy tonight's Soul-Consolidating Origin-Returning Pill."
Just as Vice Pavilion Master Liu was about to pour tea, upon hearing this, he paused, his teapot hovering over the rim of the cup.
"Does Your Highness wish for the Pill Pavilion to withdraw its auction items?"
"Good."
Ling Xueyao looked at her.
"One of my father's former subordinates has suffered a spiritual injury and urgently needs this pill. Open bidding could easily lead to complications. If double the price is not enough, the Vice Pavilion Master can make another bid."
Vice Pavilion Master Liu placed the teapot back on the table, looking troubled.
"If Your Highness desires a fifth-grade pill, I can arrange it right now, but the Soul-Consolidating Origin-Returning Pill is out of the question."
Why?
"This pill was entrusted to an auction by a customer. When the customer delivered the pill, they specifically requested that the auction be held publicly and also left a divine soul imprint on the contract jade slip."
Vice Pavilion Master Liu sighed, "If the Pill Pavilion were to sell itself privately, the compensation of spirit stones would be secondary; what would happen is the reputation built up over many years."
Ling Xueyao asked, "Could we contact the client?"
"The communication jade talisman is kept by the Grand Pavilion Master, and the Soul-Consolidating Origin-Returning Pill has been advertised for a month, attracting many forces in the Imperial City."
"Removing the pills now will inevitably lead to speculation that the Pill Pavilion favors the royal family. Your Highness should be aware that the Pill Pavilion never participates in disputes between the royal family and sects."
The elegant room remained quiet for a few breaths.
Ling Xueyao looked at the spiritual tea in her cup and did not mention double the price again.
Chu Yunfei put down his teacup.
"Now that the contract has been signed, let's proceed according to the auction rules."
Ling Xueyao turned her head to look at him.
"You make it sound so easy. The Soul-Consolidating Origin-Returning Pill is also useful for those in the Divine Sea Realm. If members of the Seven Sects participate, the price won't be low."
"The royal family has accumulated wealth over many years; surely they can afford even a single grade-six pill."
"What I'm worried about isn't the spirit stones."
"That's because we're worried someone might deliberately drive up the price."
Chu Yunfei leaned back in his chair.
"Before her identity is exposed, they will only regard Her Highness as an ordinary competitor. If someone really fights for her at any cost, it's not too late to think of other ways."
Vice Pavilion Master Liu continued, " The Pill Pavilion will prepare a private room on the third floor for Your Highness. The room's array will isolate you from sight and ordinary divine sense, and your identity will not be revealed during the bidding."
Ling Xueyao remained silent for a moment.
"That's the only way."
Vice Pavilion Master Liu summoned a maid and had two Grade 5 pills brought to him.
Chu Yunfei personally inspected the pills and confirmed that their efficacy was not a problem before Ling Xueyao settled the payment using a disposable storage bag.
As the three left the elegant room.
Vice Pavilion Master Liu escorted him all the way to the sixth-floor array platform.
"If Young Master Chu needs anything, please send someone to me at any time."
"Good."
The platform began its descent.
Once Vice Pavilion Master Liu's figure was obscured by the building, Chu Yunfei looked at Ling Xueyao.
"Your Highness has a close relationship with Pavilion Master Wen, so you should know her identity, right?"
"You want to know?"
"The deputy head of the Imperial City Pill Pavilion treats her with such respect; if I still regard her as an ordinary branch head, I would be far too obtuse."
Ling Xueyao watched the constantly changing array patterns.
Why don't you wait until Jiaojiao comes back and ask her yourself?
"So you knew all along."
"That's her own business."
Ling Xueyao stepped off the array platform.
"If Jiaojiao is willing to tell you, she will naturally say it herself. Since she hasn't mentioned it, I won't make the decision for her."
"You two seem to have a very close sisterly bond."
She's done a lot for you too.
Chu Yunfei followed her.
"Your Highness's words sound a bit sour, don't they?"
Ling Xueyao quickened her pace.
If you continue talking nonsense, you can find a seat in the lobby yourself tonight.
"I didn't have an invitation. Is Your Highness really going to leave me outside?"
" Vice Pavilion Master Liu has already said that you can ask her for anything you need."
That's different.
What's different?
Chu Yunfei smiled.
"I'd rather be with Her Highness the Princess."
Ling Xueyao didn't reply, but a light blush appeared behind her ears.
A long corridor separated the auction venue from the Pill Pavilion. The three of them passed through the array gate and entered the venue.
The auction venue has three floors.
The first-floor lobby was already mostly full, the second floor had regular seating, and the third floor had only three private rooms, each equipped with an array to isolate divine sense.
The three entered a private room on the third floor.
The room was furnished with a soft couch and a tea table, and through the window, one could clearly see the scene on the auction stage.
Shen Qianyue walked to the window, glanced down at the view below, and his expression immediately became serious.
There are quite a few people here tonight.
The hall was filled with murmurs and discussions.
Some people recognized the clothing of many sects, and several elders from second-rate sects led the way. As for the people in the private rooms on the third floor, they all concealed their identities, and no one knew who was sitting inside.
Ling Xueyao sat down at the table, her gaze fixed on the auction stage.
Chu Yunfei leaned against the window, scanning the entire venue.
Within his sea of consciousness, Xiaoxiao Dragon's voice rang out.
"There are at least eight Divine Sea Realm auras hidden in the main hall and the second floor, as well as several Late Stage of the Heavenly Origin Realm experts. There are also Divine Sea Realm experts guarding the Pill Pavilion in the shadows. If anyone dares to cause trouble here, they probably won't be able to leave this venue."
"A sixth-grade pill is enough to tempt someone at the Divine Sea Realm, so it's not surprising that the Pill Pavilion prepared a powerful expert in advance."
Chu Yunfei withdrew his gaze.
The lighting array around the auction stage suddenly lit up.
A woman in a scarlet dress slowly walked onto the stage and took the wooden mallet offered by a maid.
"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."
"My name is Su Mei, and I'm in charge of tonight's auction."
She glanced around the room, then placed the gavel on the table.
"I hereby declare that the Pill Pavilion auction tonight has officially begun!"