Chapter 97: Preparation

The morning in Buyue City always seemed to have an unusual hustle and bustle. Du Fei slowly walked down the street, facing the somewhat reverent gazes of the people, he could only pretend not to notice. After all, after some events, Du Fei's fame in Buyue City had reached its peak, and it was extremely difficult to find someone who didn't recognize him.

After casually walking around the city for a bit, Du Fei headed towards his destination, the Buyue Auction House. However, this time he did not wear his black robe as usual, but instead walked in casually and confidently.

Seeing Du Fei, the guards at the auction house entrance clearly recognized him. They didn't even need to exchange pleasantries and immediately arranged the best treatment for Du Fei. After all, what the name Du Fei represented in Buyue City was something anyone would understand.

"Hehe, I didn't expect Young Master Du Fei to grace us with his presence! Your esteemed teacher often comes to patronize our business, but this is the first time Young Master Du Fei has come in person. I apologize for not welcoming you from afar!" Yuan Hong, sitting in the VIP hall, smiled and slightly bowed.

"Hehe, Manager Yuan is too polite!" Du Fei smiled inwardly but did not show it, and said calmly, "I once heard my master say that Manager Yuan is a straightforward person. If we need anything, coming to you would certainly earn us some favor."

"Hehe, that's true, but I wonder what Young Master Du Fei needs?" Yuan Hong said with a smile.

Du Fei casually searched his chest and pulled out a piece of soft sheepskin, tossing it onto the table and said with a faint smile, "I hope Manager Yuan can help prepare these things. If I were to search for them myself, it would take too much time."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Hong took the sheepskin and examined it carefully. His face showed a look of surprise, then he glanced at Du Fei with a hint of curiosity and said in a low voice, "Young Master Du Fei, forgive me for being too talkative, but from these preparations, it seems you are not only planning to refine a large amount of medicine but also preparing for a long journey!?"

After inwardly praising Yuan Hong's keen eye, Du Fei said calmly, "Yes, these herbs are for my own use. As for the journey... please keep it confidential for me."

"Hehe, our auction house always acts prudently. Young Master Du Fei can rest assured... However, if you are planning to travel, you are missing some essentials, such as fresh water, dry rations, tents, insect repellent, and fire starters. These things may seem insignificant, but they are necessary for a journey. Has your master not instructed you?" Yuan Hong said with a faint smile, seemingly glancing at Du Fei casually.

Upon hearing this, Du Fei's heart skipped a beat, but his expression did not change. He smiled and said, "I see, thank you for your advice, Manager Yuan... My master only mentioned it briefly before leaving, and I have no experience with traveling... So, I would appreciate your guidance to ensure I don't miss anything."

Hearing this, Yuan Hong seemed to relax a bit, nodded slightly, and said, "Very well, I will take the liberty of adding a few items for Young Master Du Fei. I will instruct someone to prepare them immediately."

"Thank you!" Du Fei nodded slowly, hesitated for a moment, and then smiled, "In addition, there are two more things I need your help with, Manager Yuan. First, the storage ring I have is too small, and I want to exchange it for a higher-quality one. Second, could you help me convert these gold coins into a crystal card?"

As he spoke, Du Fei's mind flickered, and a pile of gold coins immediately filled the room.

Seeing the sudden appearance of the gold coins, Yuan Hong's face twitched. He could sense the powerful mental energy just now and understood that Du Fei was showing off a bit.

He smiled lightly and said, "These are trivial matters. I will instruct someone to handle them. Young Master Du Fei, please wait a moment."

As he spoke, Yuan Hong waved his hand, and the gold coins were quickly stored in his storage ring.

"Hehe, by the way, your master entrusted us with an item for auction. The results are out, and I wonder how much you have earned..." After staring at Du Fei for a while, Yuan Hong said with a faint smile.

"In that case, please settle the account for me, Manager Yuan," Du Fei said after a moment of thought.

"Hehe, that's fine... Speaking of which, I am deeply admiring of your master. I wonder when I might have the opportunity to learn from him..." After a moment of silence, Yuan Hong said with a faint smile.

"That's hard to say. My master didn't mention what he is doing... I can't say much about it, so I can only apologize to Manager Yuan. However, if I meet my master, I will certainly convey your regards!" Du Fei nodded slightly and said calmly.

"In that case, thank you, Young Master Du Fei!" Yuan Hong said with a smile.

With that, there seemed to be nothing more to say. A moment later, a servant quickly brought a silver tray into the room.

After gesturing for the servant to leave, Yuan Hong casually lifted the silk scarf on the tray, revealing two items.

He pointed to a simple ring with a faint black glow and said slowly, "Young Master Du Fei, this storage ring is called the Black Spirit Ring. It has a much larger space, at least ten times more than the one you have. I have already stored the items you need inside. This purple crystal card is the highest quality we can provide. It includes the proceeds from your master's auction and the gold coins you exchanged. The remaining funds are stored in the card. Please check it."

Du Fei casually took the two items, inspected them, and then put them in his chest with a smile, "Thank you, Manager Yuan. If I need anything in the future, I will come to you again."

"Hehe, Young Master Du Fei, you are too kind. It's you who has been patronizing our business."

Nodding without comment, Du Fei did not intend to waste more words and slowly stood up, "In that case, I will take my leave."

"Goodbye!" Yuan Hong also stood up and bowed slightly.

......

Walking out of the auction house, Du Fei slowly exhaled.

Unlike his previous visits, this time Du Fei did not hide his identity, so Yuan Hong's attitude was quite different.

However, regardless of that, it seemed that he had successfully established himself as the disciple of a mysterious alchemist.

With this identity, things might be easier in the future.

With this thought, Du Fei slowly made his way to the Du family residence. He still had a lot to do...

But even so, taking a day off to rest wouldn't hurt.

He slowly walked into the Du family courtyard. After a few steps, he saw several servants quickly approaching, bowing slightly, "Young Master Du Fei, the family head has been looking for you. They are all waiting for you in the main hall."

"The family head is looking for me?" Du Fei thought for a moment and understood the situation. He nodded slightly and said, "Lead the way."

......

"Hehe, Fei, have you been resting well these past two days? Has anyone dared to cause trouble for you?"

In the Du family meeting hall, Du Zhen Tian, sitting in the center, saw Du Fei walk in and laughed, saying calmly.

Du Fei smiled and said, "Thank you for your concern, family head. I don't think anyone would dare to do such things anymore. So, I have been resting well... However, when I fought with Gu Yun, I was quite injured. If the family head has no other matters, I should continue to recover."

"Cough, cough..." Du Xuan Feng, sitting below, coughed lightly and said, "Fei, since the family head has called you, there must be something to discuss. Although your injuries are important, they can wait a bit, right?"

Hearing Du Xuan Feng speak, Du Fei could not refuse. He nodded slightly and sat down in his position.

He casually glanced at Du Qian, and both of them showed a knowing look.

Then, Du Fei's gaze swept around the room.

After a moment, he couldn't help but frown slightly. It seemed that, except for a few core disciples who were out on missions, all the important figures of the Du family were present...

It seemed that today's matter would not be easy to handle.

Thinking about this, Du Fei rubbed his forehead, feeling a bit troubled.

"Hehe, Fei..." Du Zhen Tian looked at Du Fei carefully and said calmly, "I have heard some rumors these past few days. It seems that the mysterious alchemist who appeared in our Buyue City a few months ago is your master, right?"

Du Fei's lips twitched, and after a moment, a look of helplessness appeared on his face. He stood up and bowed, "This matter is extremely confidential, and my master did not allow me to reveal it. However, since the family head has asked, I cannot avoid answering... Yes, that person is indeed my master! But my master has a special identity and does not allow me to use his name to show off. So, I cannot reveal his name... However, I believe the family head, with your wisdom, can probably guess who my master is..."

Upon hearing this, Du Zhen Tian's body trembled slightly, and his gaze met Du Xuan Feng's for a moment.

There are not many alchemists in the Da An Dynasty who would act so mysteriously... Could it be that old eccentric?

At this thought, both of their faces showed a look of shock...