Ya Fei took the slip of paper with a puzzled expression. However, the moment she read it, her enchanting eyes lit up brightly.
Twelve fifty-year-old Mo Ye Lotus plants, six mature Snake Saliva Fruits, three roughly twenty-year-old Gathering Spirit Herbs, and three water-attributed Tier 2 Magic Cores.
A flash of realization crossed her face.
Aren't these the exact ingredients needed to refine Qi Gathering Powder?
And not just enough for one batch—these were enough for three.
To acquire all of these materials, she would have to spend at least a quarter of the gold coins in her card. And that wasn't even counting the unknown pills that could be made from the rest of the ingredients listed.
If all these materials could be gathered, the auction house could certainly make a considerable profit.
[Ding! Affection +2. You've received 3 Affection Coins.]
Ya Fei's eyes sparkled as she gracefully took a seat opposite Chen Mo. Her alluring curves became more prominent as she leaned forward slightly, curiosity dancing in her gaze.
"Ya Fei only recognizes some of these ingredients as components for Qi Gathering Powder," she said with a charming smile. "What about the rest? What kind of pill are those for?"
Chen Mo didn't reply immediately. Instead, he simply smacked his lips thoughtfully.
Seeing this, Ya Fei's smile deepened, even more captivating. She personally poured him a cup of tea and offered it with her fair, delicate hands.
Chen Mo took a sip, and his gaze swept subtly across Ya Fei's body as she leaned forward, his eyes briefly pausing on the alluring cleavage that was revealed.
Then, he looked up at a 45-degree angle, his face adorned with a gentle, magnetic smile as he said, "Have you ever heard of the Dou Zhe Pill, Lady Ya Fei?"
His features were exquisite, with an almost otherworldly charm between his brows. Most striking of all were his deep star-like eyes—so profound and azure that they seemed to contain a boundless universe.
[Ding! Affection +2. You've received 3 Affection Coins.]
Ya Fei felt a sudden jolt in her heart, her face flushing a soft shade of red. Snapping out of it a moment later, she forced herself to suppress her strange emotions and replied respectfully, "Ya Fei has never heard of such a pill."
Watching the Affection Points rise rapidly, Chen Mo maintained his air of mystery, waiting for her to ask more.
"The Dou Zhe Pill," he finally said, "is a top-tier Tier 3 pill that enhances a Dou Zhe's cultivation. With good fortune, it can directly raise your strength by one star. Even in the worst case, it significantly accelerates your training—with no side effects. But it can only be consumed once in a lifetime."
Ya Fei was stunned by his casual tone. Her seductive face was filled with disbelief as she gasped, "Such a miraculous pill exists? I've never even heard of it before!"
"Of course," Chen Mo said calmly. "It's an ancient recipe, long lost to time. I happened to obtain the formula by chance."
In truth, the pill he referred to as the Dou Zhe Pill was actually called the Spirit Essence Pill in the Sacred Alchemist's Codex he had previously obtained. He simply renamed it to suit the culture of the Dou Qi Continent.
Ya Fei's rosy lips parted slightly in astonishment, her heart trembling as her interest intensified.
Her talent in cultivation was subpar. At twenty-one years old, she had only reached the rank of a Two-Star Dou Zhe—and that was with the aid of medicinal pills.
If she could obtain a Dou Zhe Pill, her strength might finally progress again.
Seeing the look on her face, Chen Mo knew she had taken the bait. "If you don't believe me," he offered, "once I refine it, I'll let you try one for free."
Ya Fei was stunned again. Then joy flickered across her face, though she quickly composed herself and smiled, "You're too kind. How could Ya Fei not believe you? But I absolutely can't accept it for free. I insist on paying for it."
Chen Mo nodded slightly and didn't push the issue. He knew that being too obvious with his intentions could ruin the effect. This was just the beginning—slow and steady wins the game.
Taking another sip of tea, Chen Mo moistened his lips and added, "Do prepare all the required ingredients as soon as possible, and help me inquire about any Tier 6 Magic Cores available. If you handle it well, I'll entrust you with auctioning the Dou Zhe Pills in the future."
Chen Mo had just thrown out another hook.
Sure enough, the system's notification rang again.
[Ding! Affection +3. You've obtained a Foundation Establishment Pill.]
He glanced at the description of the newly acquired pill.
Capable of altering one's physique to a degree and reshaping the meridians and bones.
Chen Mo smiled inwardly. Another piece of bait, ready to be used.
Ya Fei's heart skipped a beat at his words, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
Having heard Chen Mo describe the Dou Zhe Pill's effects, she understood its value. Once the news got out, the three major clans of Wu Tan City would go mad trying to obtain it.
The starting bid alone would be no less than 300,000 gold coins.
If she managed to take charge of the auction, she'd be that much closer to meeting her performance targets.
Her long, seductive eyes curved into a beautiful arc as she confidently promised, "Please rest assured, the Mittel Auction House will do everything it can to gather the ingredients. I'll personally deliver them to you."
Chen Mo nodded and smiled. "Like I said before, there's no need to be so formal. We're of the same generation, after all—just call me Chen Mo."
He was closing the distance between them.
Ya Fei gave a somewhat embarrassed laugh. "How could I dare?"
"Then I guess we can forget about the Qi Gathering Powder auction," Chen Mo teased.
"N-No! Then... I'll just call you Chen Mo from now on," Ya Fei hurriedly replied, startled.
"Mhm. Well then, I've got some things to take care of. I'll be going."
With everything wrapped up, and having squeezed out as much as he could today, Chen Mo rose to his feet, waved casually, and walked toward the exit.
"C-Chen Mo, allow me to escort you."
Ya Fei quickly stepped forward, diligently leading the way.
Just as Chen Mo stepped out of the room, he paused.
Across the auction hall, three distinct groups of people exited from the inner chambers—clearly at odds with each other.
They walked proudly through the hall, causing all other guests to hastily step aside. In Wu Tan City, no one dared provoke the three great clans.
At the front of each group were three clan leaders, glaring coldly at one another while exchanging meaningless pleasantries. Then, all three suddenly stopped speaking, their faces changing dramatically.
They saw Ya Fei, the top auctioneer of the Mittel Auction House, personally escorting a young man in an alchemist's robe.
Without hesitation, the three leaders approached with their entourages quickly following behind.
They all smiled obsequiously, calling out with deference, even flattery.
"I am Galeb, clan head of the Jia Lie Clan. Greetings, Master."
"I am Obapa, clan head of the Ao Ba Clan. Greetings, Master."
"I am Xiao Zhan, clan head of the Xiao Clan. Greetings, Master."
Chen Mo's eyes settled on the middle-aged man before him, dressed in ornate robes and appearing quite amiable.
Unlike with Ya Fei, Chen Mo didn't lower himself in front of these men. He resumed his proud demeanor, exuding the natural arrogance of an alchemist. His tone was cold and aloof.
Surprisingly, this only deepened the reverence in their gazes.
Ya Fei, naturally, noticed the shift in attitude. A strange joy blossomed in her heart.
[Ding! Affection +1. You've received 1 Affection Coin.]
"Does Master know me?" Xiao Zhan asked respectfully, lifting his gaze slightly.
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