Chen Mo stood up and nodded slightly. His expression appeared nonchalant as he accepted the iron token, but his fingers subtly brushed against Ya Fei's delicate hand. Without lingering, he calmly walked out of the room under the gaze of the two people present.
Ya Fei's cheeks flushed slightly, though she didn't think too much of it, brushing it off as an accidental touch.
Watching Chen Mo's figure disappear from view, the smile on Ya Fei's charming face slowly faded. Her elegant brows furrowed slightly as she walked over to the table and lazily leaned against a chair, her graceful figure on full display.
"What a strange man. He didn't even want a discount," she murmured softly. After a brief silence, she raised her head and looked at Gu Ni.
"Uncle Gu Ni, what do you think about this?"
"I get the feeling that man wants to pursue you," Gu Ni said thoughtfully, stroking his white beard.
Hearing this, Ya Fei's cheeks reddened again, though her reaction wasn't particularly strong.
Ever since she came of age, she had been surrounded by noble young masters and talented prodigies constantly vying for her attention.
Although none of them were as outstanding as Chen Mo, it wasn't enough to make her blush so deeply just from hearing Gu Ni's words.
She then asked, "Why do you say that, Uncle Gu Ni?"
"I can't explain it clearly. It's just a feeling," Gu Ni replied.
Ya Fei pursed her lips and teased, "If he really is pursuing me, that wouldn't be so bad. A nineteen-year-old third-tier alchemist with limitless future prospects—if I clung to him, those old geezers in the clan would have to treat me with nothing but respect."
Gu Ni didn't respond to that. He knew that if Ya Fei were truly the type to rely on someone's status, she would've done so long ago. She wouldn't be stuck in this remote place, isolated from her family.
Instead, Gu Ni smiled and said, "Regardless of that Chen Mo's true intentions, it's definitely a good thing for you, young miss.
If not for the major business he brought, trying to meet the family's performance expectations in a small city like Wu Tan City would have taken you five or six years."
Ya Fei nodded. "Indeed. If he's telling the truth and he really lets me auction off Qi Gathering Powder later, I could cut that time in half at the very least."
"Mhm." Gu Ni agreed, but after a moment of reflection, his expression suddenly shifted with a gasp.
"Wait a moment—he's a third-tier alchemist, but Qi Gathering Powder is a top-tier third-tier pill. It usually requires at least a fourth-tier alchemist to refine it!"
Hearing this, Ya Fei's beautiful face also changed as she exclaimed, "Could it be that in less than three months, he advanced from a third-tier alchemist to a fourth-tier one?!"
After all, the news of Chen Mo passing the third-tier alchemist exam at the Alchemist Guild right after leaving the auction house had spread throughout the Imperial Capital. The guild itself had confirmed it.
"That seems unlikely. I think he was probably already a fourth-tier alchemist and just didn't reveal his full strength during the test," Gu Ni said in amazement.
While a nineteen-year-old fourth-tier alchemist was still astonishing beyond reason, it was far more believable than someone breaking through a whole tier in under three months.
Ya Fei pressed her red lips together, her eyes gleaming with brilliance. She murmured softly, "If he really is a fourth-tier alchemist at nineteen, then I must find a way to win him over when the opportunity arises."
There was no denying the strength of the publicity from the Mittel Auction House. Just one day after Chen Mo left the auction house, almost every faction in Wu Tan City had heard the news.
Unlike the extravagant items that usually sold for hundreds of thousands or even millions, this upcoming auction featured products such as Energy Charging Pills, Rejuvenation Powder, and Foundation Establishment Elixirs, which were much more affordable.
They didn't leave people feeling helplessly priced out.
And for many, Foundation Establishment Elixir was as essential as any rare item.
In order to help themselves—or even their children or grandchildren—become a Dou Fighter as quickly as possible, many elders were more than willing to spend on something affordable yet effective .
Just as the buzz around Foundation Establishment Elixir spread across Wu Tan City...
Another piece of news also began drawing attention.
A third-tier alchemist had purchased a residence within the territory controlled by the Xiao Clan and had moved in.
In no time, all sorts of factions began sending invitation cards to Chen Mo.
But all of them were turned away by the maid Chen Mo had hired—Qian'er. (She has no role, don't overthink it.)
The auction would take place in two days.
So, Chen Mo, secluded in his residence, was focused on his own matters.
In truth, with Chen Mo's current capabilities, he could complete Ya Fei's entire performance target in just a month—or even half a month.
But achieving such results so quickly wouldn't have the best long-term effect.
Only gradual progression would yield optimal results.
Auction the Foundation Establishment Elixir in two days.
Then the Qi Gathering Powder ten days later.
And finally, the Darkgold Demonic Tiger King's pelt fifteen days later.
During that time, Chen Mo would naturally have to interact with Ya Fei more often. And through repeated contact, their relationship would grow closer.
Based on how favorable her impression became, he would decide the next steps of his plan.
So, there was no need to bring out all the good stuff at once.
Chen Mo sat cross-legged atop the Green Lotus Platform. After spending considerable effort adjusting his condition to its peak, he examined the item he had recently acquired—Undying Demonic Flame (Infant Form).
According to the system's description:
The Undying Demonic Flame was one of the Ten Ancient Divine Flames. It had the power to bring the dead back to life, regenerate flesh and bone, undergo nirvanic rebirth in flames, and annihilate all things.
The infant form was what the Undying Demonic Flame looked like when it had just been born.
Most importantly, it could devour other flames to grow and evolve. It could also draw on the pure energy within Chen Mo's body to continuously transform and strengthen itself.
Chen Mo extracted it from his system inventory.
It appeared as a flame whose lower half was black and upper half was blue.
Yet the two colors didn't clash or look unnatural—they blended beautifully and harmoniously, giving off an oddly pleasing aesthetic.
The moment it was summoned from the system backpack, an intense wave of heat instantly filled the room.
The terrifying aura it emitted was no weaker than that of a Heavenly Flame—possibly even stronger than the Green Lotus Core Flame.
And this was merely its infant form, just as it had gained sentience.
One could only imagine how powerful it would become once fully matured.
Chen Mo calmed his slightly excited heart. Without hesitation, he suddenly opened his mouth and activated the Supreme Primordial Scripture, transforming his internal energy into a powerful suction force.
He swallowed the Undying Demonic Flame whole.
In an instant, it was as though boiling magma coursed through his veins.
Unstoppable waves of heat surged through his limbs and bones.
Chen Mo's entire body trembled violently as if struck by lightning. He could feel just how terrifying and domineering the energy was.
Even though he hadn't guided the energy intentionally, it still forcefully invaded his bones and surged through his meridians.
It even began to devour the two Beast Flames in his cyclone uncontrollably. Only the Green Lotus Core Flame managed to barely resist it.
Right now, Chen Mo absolutely couldn't let it devour anything, or it would drastically increase the difficulty of refinement.
If you want to support me or read advanced Chapters (21+), consider checking out my pat.
patr*on.com/Salsita2k