Chapter 17

After Song Li said goodbye to his mother, he returned to his room. Pang Da was aimlessly pacing in the living room. Seeing Song Li, he immediately exclaimed, "Boss, you're finally back! I was about to die of boredom!"

Song Li smiled and said, "I went to think of a way to make money. I've got some ideas now, it just depends on whether you can complete the task."

Pang Da immediately thumped his chest loudly, swearing, "As long as it's a task you give me, Boss, I'll do it even if it means going through fire and water."

Song Li said, "Wait a moment, I'll be right out," and then he rushed into his cultivation room, closing the door.

He sat cross-legged on a cushion, closed his eyes, and once again "internally viewed" the cluster of purple flames in his abdomen. He made hand seals and used the fire control technique inherited from Zhurong to extract a thread of energy from the cluster of flames. This extraction was negligible compared to the vast energy contained in the Imperial Fire Seed, even less than a fraction of a fraction. Moreover, as long as he cultivated the "Red Emperor Purple Flame Technique," the lost energy could be replenished immediately, so it was no loss to him.

He activated the fire control technique, guiding the thread of fire energy through his meridians, gathering it in his palm. At Song Li's command, a small cluster of purple flames immediately appeared in his palm, playfully flickering in the breeze.

This was the primordial fire derived from the "Imperial Fire Seed." However, due to Song Li's relatively weak strength, his control was also weak, and he could only extract this much energy from the flames. It looked more like an artificial fire seed, which was exactly what Song Li wanted to achieve. This small cluster of fire seed possessed all the attributes of the Imperial Fire Seed. The only flaw was that the energy it contained was too weak, so its usage was limited, unlike the Imperial Fire Seed itself, which was inexhaustible. In this sense, this fire seed was very similar to an artificial one, and once the energy it contained was depleted, the flame would automatically extinguish. Since Song Li had only extracted a thread of energy from the Imperial Fire Seed, even compared to Yun Lin's "Three Pure Flame Fire," its usage was somewhat limited. However, the flame energy derived from the Imperial Fire Seed was far purer than that of ordinary artificial fire.

Anyone with a discerning eye should be able to feel the purity of the energy contained in this fire seed, but the flaw was that the energy was scarce, and the number of uses would definitely be limited.

Song Li was confident that no one in the world could recognize his "Imperial Fire Seed," so he felt safe to release it, disguised as an artificial fire seed. Even for artificial fire seeds, purple was the highest grade. Song Li thought it was still a bit too showy, so he sneaked into the alchemy room and took a bit of flame from his mother's "Three Pure Flame Fire," covering the purple flame. Since the energy of the purple flame was much higher than that of the Three Pure Flame Fire, it could firmly attract and hold the Three Pure Flame Fire, making it a protective shell. This way, the flame would appear red to others, not too conspicuous. Damn, throughout history, there have been many inferior goods passed off as high-quality ones, but Song Li was probably the first to pass off high-quality goods as inferior ones. There was no choice; before he had the strength to protect himself, he had to be low-key. If someone recognized this as a "Primordial Fire Seed," he would likely have to flee for his life, and even the Holy Emperor might not be able to protect him. Moreover, the Holy Emperor might not protect him and could even join the ranks of those trying to seize the fire seed.

Since the core of this small cluster of flames was the same purple color as the "Imperial Fire Seed" and was crystal clear like glass, Song Li named it "Purple Heart Crystal Fire." If someone asked, he would say it was made from a small piece of extraterrestrial meteorite. Since meteorites are rare, no one could trace it.

When Song Li left his mother's alchemy room, he took a container specifically designed to hold fire seeds. It was entirely black, made from black soil from beyond the domain, which had excellent heat insulation, making it perfect for a fire seed container.

Song Li placed the "Purple Heart Crystal Fire" in the container, sealed it with the lid, and then carried it out with a smile.

Pang Da, seeing Song Li carrying a black jar out, asked curiously, "Boss, what's this thing?"

Song Li said mysteriously, "You know my mother is an alchemist, right? This contains the most precious fire seed for alchemists. She has a better one now, so she doesn't need this one. I play with it when I have nothing to do, but it's not very useful to me. So I want you to take it to the auction house to sell it. But you must keep it secret and not reveal your true identity. This thing is very valuable, and if someone intercepts it on the way, it would be a huge embarrassment for our Justice Alliance."

"I understand. I'll keep a low profile. Don't worry, I'll change my appearance so much that even my father might not recognize me," Pang Da, being very clever, immediately understood Song Li's intentions. After all, he was like a worm in Song Li's stomach.

Song Li knew that Pang Da was full of tricks and very smart, though not good at fighting, his mind was sharp, and he was loyal. That's why he trusted him with this task.

Pang Da used a sharp tool to cut some of his armpit hair and found some black clay at Song Li's house. He painted his face in front of a mirror, and after a short while, he turned around, and Song Li couldn't help but marvel. Pang Da had transformed into a dark-faced, bearded young man. Although he was a bit short, the overall effect was convincing. Even if Secretary Pang saw him, he wouldn't recognize this bearded man as his son, Pang Da.

"Guess how old I am, young master?" Pang Da said in a deep, rough voice, stroking his short beard. Indeed, he had a good control over his voice, and it didn't sound the least bit childish.

"Go to hell, you're clearly a young man, why call yourself 'old master'? That's a dead giveaway!" Song Li kicked him.

Song Li changed his clothes, gave him some instructions, and sent him out the back door.

After Pang Da quietly left through the back door, Song Li changed into a set of brocade clothes, put on a scholar's cap, and swaggered out the front door, got into a carriage, and headed to the Mandala Auction House with his attendants.

The Mandala Auction House was the largest, most active, and best-reputed auction house in the capital, almost monopolizing the majority of the auction transactions in Holy Lion City.

It was a four-story building, with carved beams and painted rafters, red tiles, and flying eaves. The grand entrance gate bore the sign: "Mandala Auction House." People were coming and going in a steady stream, a bustling scene, indicating a thriving business. Song Li, dressed in fine brocade, fanned himself with a folding fan, exuding an air of arrogance. His attendants, fierce and intimidating, clearly belonged to a wealthy family. The receptionist at the entrance saw Song Li and his group and immediately put on a fawning smile. To them, such people were VIPs, rich and naive, easy to deceive. They might look tough, but with a little flattery and a bit of provocation, they would easily part with their gold coins. Businessmen loved such young, naive rich kids, who were easy to deceive.

"Sir, you have a full forehead and a square jaw, and your third eye is bright, indicating great fortune and wealth. Your presence at our Mandala Auction House is an honor. May I ask if you are here to buy or sell?" the receptionist asked with a smile.

"Of course, I'm here to buy," Song Li said, his nose in the air.

"Then, may I ask if you are here to barter or to buy with cash? If you are here to barter, please go to the second floor. If you are here to buy with cash, please go to the first-floor auction hall."

"Take me to the first-floor hall," Song Li said, fanning himself.

"Right this way, sir," the receptionist bowed and led Song Li to the auction hall. The auction hall was spacious, capable of accommodating hundreds of people. Although the auction had not yet started, the hall was almost full, with people milling about. Many wore hoods to conceal their faces, as items auctioned here were often very valuable. If someone bought something and others found out, the consequences could be dire, as killing for treasure was not uncommon in the cultivation world.

Fortunately, there were still a few seats left in the front VIP section. These seats were not for ordinary people. The capital's young masters often came to the auction house, and these seats were reserved for them. If someone sat in one of these seats and a young master came to bid, it could lead to serious trouble. These young masters were notoriously difficult to deal with.

The receptionist, seeing Song Li's fine clothes and arrogant demeanor, assumed he was a young master from a noble family and led him to the VIP section.

When Song Li entered, he saw Song Mo Ran. The guy was sitting in the front VIP section, just two seats away. He was wearing a light yellow brocade robe, a scholar's cap, and was fanning himself with a folding fan. Song Li was surprised to encounter a "clash of outfits." When Song Li saw Song Mo Ran, Song Mo Ran saw him too. Their gazes met, and sparks flew.