Chapter 193

Chapter 193

"Honored guests, welcome! My apologies for not greeting you sooner. How may I assist you today?" The steward approached Mu Chen and Ye Shi with enthusiasm.

Ye Shi looked at the steward, who was grinning like a Buddha, and thought to himself: “When there's undue hospitality, there's a hidden agenda. must be wary.”

If the steward knew what Ye Shi was thinking, he'd probably laugh a little more subtly.

The female attendant, witnessing this, was taken aback. She knew the steward of the auction house was a Martial King-level expert. Usually, he acted indifferent even when other Martial King-level experts visited, yet he was so enthusiastic towards these two young fellows.

"Who exactly are these two?" she wondered. "Why would the steward act so...?"

“Do you know me?” Ye Shi tilted his head and blinked.

The steward smiled faintly and replied, “At a glance, you're clearly not ordinary; truly the cream of the crop!”

Mu Chen stood silently to the side. Those who conduct big businesses have noses sharper than dogs. He was certain the man recognized him and Ye Shi.

Ye Shi glanced at Mu Chen, somewhat smugly. "Mu Chen, he called me the cream of the crop!"

"Of course, Shi. You truly are," Mu Chen replied with a smile.

The steward's eyes flashed with a subtle light upon hearing how Ye Shi addressed Mu Chen.

“You both wish to auction something, but we've just held an auction recently…” the female attendant said cautiously.

Auctions aren't organized casually. Invitations have to be sent out, sufficient items prepared. Haphazardly hosting one might tarnish the reputation of the auction house.

The steward shot the female attendant a fierce look and snapped, "Silence! What do you know?"

Startled by the steward's anger, she lowered her head, her face a mixture of embarrassment and fear.

Turning his face, the steward looked warmly at Mu Chen and Ye Shi. “I apologize for our staff’s ignorance. What would you like to auction?”

Ye Shi presented a vial, saying, “This.”

The steward took the vial from Ye Shi without much thought. Everyone knew Mu Chen was an alchemist. However, upon opening it, the steward was utterly stunned.

“Is... Is this a sixth-grade elixir?” The steward exclaimed, eyes widening.

Ye Shi nodded, “Yes.”

The steward looked to Mu Chen, asking, "Young Master Mu, you wish to auction this elixir?"

Mu Chen replied nonchalantly, “Yes. I'm short on cash and want some spirit stones.”

"This is the Emperor Spirit Pill, capable of helping a royal level expert ascend by one star," the steward remarked, his brow furrowed.

Mu Chen nodded, “Precisely.”

"Are you willing to part with it?" The steward inquired, still puzzled.

Mu Chen chuckled, "Why not? I have no use for it currently."

The steward chuckled awkwardly, thinking: "Mu Chen is too young, not thinking of the long-term. He may regret this when he ascends to Martial Emperor. But if he's set on this, it's a boon for the auction house."

The female attendant looked on in disbelief. Auctioning a sixth-grade elixir, and an Emperor Spirit Pill at that, was unimaginable.

“I'll make immediate arrangements for your auction.” A sixth-grade elixir would surely attract a huge crowd.

Mu Chen nodded, “Alright.”

Ye Shi hastily added, “I can't wait for three months. By then, I'd be broke.”

The steward pondered, “Waiting a few more days to spread the word might fetch a better price. However, if you're in a rush, I can expedite it. If we act too hastily without getting the word out, we might not get the best offer.”

"Ten days," Mu Chen firmly decided.

"Would you like to take a look around our auction house? We have many treasures," the steward said with a beaming smile.

Ye Shi nodded, “Sounds good!”

Both Ye Shi and Mu Chen then followed the steward, entering the auction house with keen interest.

There were numerous items inside, but Ye Shi's standards had risen. Most items didn't catch his eye.

“What's this?” Ye Shi asked, pointing at a fiery-red whip sealed at the center of the hall.

“That is a magical artifact left by the master smith Mo Feng,” the steward explained with a hint of regret.

“This whip is a sixth-grade artifact. It's of exquisite quality,” Mu Chen commented, noting that Ye Shi favored whips. This particular one seemed to be right up his alley.

"How many spirit stones is it?" Ye Shi asked, eyes gleaming with interest as he stared at the whip behind the glass.

"I don’t need any elemental stones, what I need is a Grade-6 Elixir, the Frost Essence Antidote Pill. Mo Feng's only son, Mo Yun, has been afflicted by the Nine-Turn Luo Flame. Rumor has it that only the Frost Essence Antidote Pill can cure him. This whip has been here for two years with no takers. Mo Feng invested almost all his fortune in crafting this Grade-6 magical weapon," the steward sighed.

Mo Feng has a good relationship with the auction house, and he has always deeply regretted what happened to Mo Yun.

In truth, the value of the Frost Essence Antidote Pill isn't inferior to that of this Grade-6 Flame Whip. So, finalizing this trade won't be easy.

"The Frost Essence Antidote Pill!" Ye Shi stared intently at the flame whip that was heavily sealed. Turning to Mu Chen, his eyes filled with hope, he said, "Mu Chen, I want it."

Mu Chen crossed his arms, gave a nod and a subtle smile, saying, "Alright."

The steward, upon hearing this, looked at Mu Chen in surprise, "Young Master Mu, do you have the Frost Essence Antidote Pill?"

Mu Chen shook his head, "Not at the moment."

"Then why..." The steward looked at Mu Chen curiously.

Mu Chen smiled faintly, replying nonchalantly, "I don’t have it now, but I will soon."

The steward looked at Mu Chen with puzzlement.

Ye Shi grinned brilliantly, "Mu Chen is always so good to me."

Mu Chen playfully tapped Ye Shi's nose, "If I’m not good to you, who else would I be good to?"

Seeing the steward nearby, Ye Shi scratched his head in embarrassment.

"Please handle the auction," Mu Chen said softly.

"Of course, of course," the steward respectfully ushered both Mu Chen and Ye Shi out.

"Steward, who are those two? Could they be Martial Kings?" a maid asked in confusion.

"They are indeed Martial Kings. But even an average Martial Emperor wouldn't compare to their esteemed statuses," the steward said solemnly, watching their departing figures.

A Grade-6 Formation Master and a Martial Emperor hold the same status, and Ye Shi's grandfather is Qu Kun.

With a Grade-8 aptitude and being a Martial King at such a young age, their promotion to Martial Emperor is almost guaranteed. If luck favors them, even advancing to Martial Ancestor is possible.

The maid stared in astonishment, not expecting such high praise for the two from the steward.

"Martial Kings?" The maid was incredulous, "But they look so young."

"Indeed, they're only seventeen," the steward replied, reflecting on his youth when at that age, he was merely a Martial Spirit and would get overwhelmed upon meeting a Martial King.

...

"Mu Chen, are you confident in crafting the Frost Essence Antidote Pill?" Ye Shi asked, tilting his head.

Mu Chen nodded and replied, "Somewhat. The Frost Essence Antidote Pill is a mid-tier Grade-6 elixir. It's easier to make than the Spirit Emperor Pill, so there shouldn't be any problems."

Ye Shi nodded, relieved, "That's good to hear."

The news of the Grade-6 Spirit Emperor Pill being auctioned at Le Feng Auction House spread rapidly. Soon, various Martial Emperors were mobilized, as pills that can directly enhance one's abilities, like the Spirit Emperor Pill, have always been hotly contested among the elites.

Not long after Mu Chen and Ye Shi left, Mo Feng arrived at the auction house.

"Master Mo," the steward greeted him respectfully upon his arrival. Besides being a Grade-6 Artifact Master, Mo Feng was also a Martial Emperor, a valued guest of the guild.

Mo Feng frowned, "I heard that someone put up a Grade-6 Spirit Emperor Pill for auction?"

The steward nodded, "Indeed, someone did."

"How skilled is this alchemist? Could you introduce them to me?" Mo Feng inquired.

Crafting the Spirit Emperor Pill, one of the more challenging Grade-6 elixirs, is no small feat. If someone can produce it, their alchemy skills must be top-notch among Grade-6 alchemists.

The steward hesitated, "Master Mo, the person who consigned the Grade-6 elixir might not be a Grade-6 alchemist. I believe he chanced upon this pill during an adventure in a secret realm."

Mu Chen's youth and the fame of his formation skills after the incident at the Martial Ancestor secret realm overshadowed the fact that he's also an alchemist.

Mo Feng sighed lightly, "I see. Never mind then."

Ever since Mo Yun was poisoned, Mo Feng spent a huge fortune hiring a Grade-6 alchemist. Unfortunately, the alchemist had terrible luck, wasting three sets of ingredients without producing a single pill. Feeling guilty, the alchemist returned the fee.

Seeing Mo Feng's dejected demeanor, the steward couldn't help but feel sympathetic.

"Father," Mo Yun called out upon seeing Mo Feng return.

"How are you feeling?" Mo Feng inquired.

Mo Yun smiled gently, "It's all the same. Father, don't worry about me anymore."

With an annoyed tone, Mo Feng retorted, "What nonsense are you spouting? Rest assured, I will find another way to cure your ailment."

Mo Yun was afflicted with the Nine-Turn Luo Flame poison. Once it flares up, one feels like they're burning alive, it's a fate worse than death.

Seeing Mo Yun suffering through such agony repeatedly, Mo Feng felt a heart-wrenching pain but felt utterly powerless.

Mo Yun sighed softly, expressing in a somber tone, "Dad, over the years, my illness has burdened you so much."

Mo Feng is a Level 6 Artifact Refiner. However, to cure him, they often ended up bankrupt.

Mo Feng frowned and said, "Yun, what nonsense are you talking about? If I hadn't made enemies, they wouldn't have sought revenge on you."

Mo Yun gave a bitter smile, "Father, I..."

"Enough. Stop overthinking. Rest assured, I will find a cure for you, no matter the cost. You just need to take good care of yourself." Mo Feng reassured Mo Yun.

Mo Yun looked at Mo Feng, giving a resigned and bitter smile.