Chapter 33: Invitation

Du Fei slowly walked out of the VIP seats of the auction house, and under the reverent gazes of two pretty maids, he entered a small hall and sat down in the center without any courtesy.

After a while, a hurried footsteps sounded from outside the door, and a figure quickly pushed the door open and entered.

"Hehe, I'm truly sorry. There were some follow-up tasks during the auction that delayed me, causing you to wait for a long time!" Yuan Hong said with a warm smile, slightly bowing and then speaking in a low voice.

"It's fine, I didn't wait long." Du Fei seemed indifferent to Yuan Hong's warmth and coldly replied, "If it's over, give me the item. I'm in a hurry."

"Hehe, please wait a moment. The backstage still needs to handle some miscellaneous tasks before the item can be brought here. There's no need to be anxious. Since it's something you've auctioned, I guarantee it will be in your hands." Yuan Hong smiled.

"Very well!" Du Fei nodded slightly, then picked up the teacup beside him and began to turn it, maintaining silence.

Seeing Du Fei's demeanor, Yuan Hong didn't dare to say much. Initially, he only thought Du Fei was an ordinary alchemist, but now he had already mystified Du Fei to an unknown extent.

As an alchemist, he naturally knew that all alchemists were somewhat reclusive. If he spoke rashly, he might offend them with an unintentional word.

Thus, the two sat in silence in the small hall for a while before a maid pushed the door open and brought in a silver tray.

Seeing the item delivered, Yuan Hong chuckled and took out two items from the tray, placing them in front of Du Fei: "Sir, this is the item you auctioned. You can inspect it; it has never been opened. This crystal card contains 100,000 gold coins. Please accept it."

Hearing this, Du Fei raised an eyebrow and after a moment, said coolly, "What do you mean?"

"Hehe, as I mentioned in the VIP seats, our auction house will not charge you any handling fees this time. The elixir you auctioned sold for 400,000 gold coins, and you spent 450 gold coins on this item. Normally, we would charge 100,000 gold coins in handling fees, but since we promised not to charge, we are returning it to you. As for this crystal card, it is the highest-grade item our auction house can provide, and it matches your status. Please accept it." Yuan Hong explained with a smile.

Hearing this, Du Fei frowned for a moment, then pondered and said coolly, "Speak, what do you want in return?"

"Hehe, Sir, you are indeed a wise man. Then I'll be straightforward!" Yuan Hong clapped his hands, "As you can see, the elixir you refined caused a great stir, and this is just in a small city. In a larger city, it would be hyped to an astronomical price. Therefore, our auction house wants to cooperate with you. We will provide the herbs, venue, and sales channels. You just need to refine the elixir. After the deal, we can split the profits 50-50. How about it?"

"I have no interest in such trivial matters." After a moment of silence, Du Fei said coolly, "However, I can promise you that if I have such an elixir to sell in the future, I will prioritize your auction house."

Hearing this, Yuan Hong's face stiffened for a moment, but then he smiled again, "Since you've said that, I won't force anything. No matter where you go in the future, if you bring the Body Strengthening Elixir to the local Danzhou Chamber of Commerce, we will give you the best price."

"Danzhou Chamber of Commerce? Understood." Nodding slowly, Du Fei glanced at the golden card in front of him, then picked up the small box on the table and put it in his pocket, "Can I leave now?"

"Hehe, of course. However, our Danzhou Chamber of Commerce always welcomes your visit." Yuan Hong smiled, his face showing utmost respect.

"Um." Responding casually, Du Fei slowly stood up and walked out without looking back.

In the room, after Du Fei's figure disappeared, Yuan Hong sighed with relief, muttering to himself, "Fortunately, that item was auctioned to this alchemist. Otherwise, who knows what trouble it would cause..."

Walking slowly to the auction house entrance, Du Fei looked up at the glaring sun and couldn't help but sigh.

Although his performance at the auction was nerve-wracking, it was ultimately safe. Fortunately, he obtained the alchemist's legacy. Regardless of what it contained, with the system's assistance, he should be able to analyze it and gain significant benefits.

As for the Bone Washing Pill, now that he had money, he could find a large chamber of commerce and spend a fortune to get it.

Thinking of this, Du Fei felt a bit impatient. He pretended to walk around the area for a while before slowly heading towards a dark alley.

However, just as he was about to enter the alley, a figure quickly appeared in front of him. A lean middle-aged man bowed slightly and smiled, "Sir, could you spare a moment? My young lady invites you."

Looking at the middle-aged man, Du Fei frowned slightly. From his display of strength, he was at least a Ninth Rank Martial Artist. Du Fei wasn't a match for him, and he also sensed several figures approaching from all directions. If he refused, they would likely force him.

If Du Fei were truly an alchemist, he wouldn't be afraid, but at the moment... After a moment of thought, Du Fei said coolly, "It's the Yun family's young lady, right? I expected it. Lead the way!"

Hearing this, the middle-aged man's expression relaxed slightly. He gestured and led Du Fei to one side.

After walking for a while on a wide street, Du Fei followed the middle-aged man into an elegant courtyard. In the center of the courtyard was a delicate octagonal bamboo pavilion. Inside, Yun Yuling, dressed in white, was gently playing a phoenix-tail zither. The music was graceful and soothing.

However, Du Fei had no particular appreciation for art. Seeing the middle-aged man step back, he walked into the pavilion and sat down opposite Yun Yuling without a word.

Yun Yuling, as if not noticing Du Fei, continued playing. When the music ended, she suddenly raised her right hand and gently struck the zither, turning it into powder.

Du Fei, as if not seeing this strange action, remained silent.

After shattering the zither, Yun Yuling's eyes slowly scanned Du Fei. After a moment, she smiled, "Sir, please forgive Yuling for being frank. If I'm not mistaken, you are at most an Eighth Rank Alchemist... or even a Ninth Rank Alchemist!"

Alchemists, like martial artists, are divided into nine ranks and three levels: Seventh to Ninth Rank Alchemists, Fourth to Sixth Rank Alchemists (Alchemist Masters), and First to Third Rank Alchemists (Alchemist Saints). Each rank is further divided into three sub-ranks, and the difference between ranks is vast!

Du Fei had to admit Yun Yuling's insight. He had expected that his facade would eventually reveal some flaws.

After a moment of silence, Du Fei said coolly, "How did you figure it out?"

Hearing Du Fei's admission, Yun Yuling smiled, "Sir, you are indeed straightforward. Since you're honest, I'll be frank too! There are three reasons I guessed your identity: First, if you were a high-rank alchemist, why would you refine such a low-rank elixir? Others might not notice, but I know that a Ninth Rank Alchemist could refine it. Second, in the Da'an Dynasty, there are only a few Seventh Rank Alchemists, and I recognize them. Lastly, you are young and proud, a characteristic of the young. I guess you are under twenty. Am I right?"

"Clap, clap, clap..."

Du Fei clapped lightly and smiled, "Miss Yun, you have keen eyes. You are completely right... But you must understand that even so, I am still an alchemist!"

"Indeed! Alchemists value lineage! To achieve such success at your age, your teacher must be extraordinary... This is likely your greatest support. Am I right?" Yun Yuling smiled and spoke gracefully.

Du Fei sighed, not knowing how to respond to Yun Yuling's self-assured guess.

This woman was indeed too smart, almost guessing his identity. But it was just "almost"! No matter how smart she was, she could never guess that he had a system, a cheating tool!

Because she was too smart, she had already deduced his background, behavior, and mystery, creating the best identity for him. Even if he denied it, she would still believe it!

Thinking of this, Du Fei almost burst out laughing.

As long as she had this belief, he would be safe today and could even gain many benefits!

Taking a deep breath, he suppressed his thoughts and emotions, finally saying coldly, "Miss Yun, did you bring me here just to embarrass me? If so, I'll take my leave!"

Finishing, Du Fei slammed the table and turned to leave.

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End of Chapter 33

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