Chapter 23

"Master Long." Venerable Medicine and Venerable Poison successively returned the greeting.

Bai Chen, however, looked at the newcomer. He knew that the person who had come was Long Xing, the head of the Dragon Tiger Sect.

However, he did not respond to Long Xing's request to buy. In fact, before the two venerables spoke, he himself did not know that the pill he had refined was the All-Yang Pill, nor did he know its value.

Because his current alchemy level had already been raised to level 6 during the few days of refining.

Therefore, the success rate of refining pills below the ninth rank was 100%, and with the additional 10% success rate increased by Mo Heng, this extra 10% success rate would automatically be converted into the quality of the pill.

Secondly, during the refining process, Bai Chen used three alchemy techniques: Fire Plucking Chestnuts, Fire Pouring Oil, and Last Glimmer. These three alchemy techniques each increased the success rate by 5%, which was a total increase of 15% in the success rate.

Together, they increased the quality of the pill by 25%. In Bai Chen's view, such a pill should be called a high-quality pill, and if the quality exceeded 50%, it would be called a super-quality pill, because pills with a quality exceeding 50% surpassed the standard of fifth-rank pills and reached the true sixth rank.

He did not expect that the value of this high-quality pill would actually reach tens of thousands of taels.

It should be known that ordinary sixth-rank pills were generally worth between 15,000 and 20,000 taels, while the price difference between different seventh-rank pills and above was relatively large, ranging from tens of thousands to fifty or sixty thousand taels.

Bai Chen pondered for a moment and finally looked at Long Xing: "Thirty-five thousand taels each, no bargaining. Fourteen in total, take it or leave it, I'll find other buyers."

"Thirty-five thousand, then thirty-five thousand, a total of 490,000 taels." Long Xing did not hesitate and agreed immediately.

Purchasing fourteen All-Yang Pills for 490,000 taels was a surefire deal, whether he kept them for his disciples or sold them, it would make the Dragon Tiger Sect very happy.

More importantly, it was crucial to establish a relationship with a great alchemy master.

Long Tuxiao could not help but secretly rejoice, fortunately, because Bai Chen had passed through the Thousand Mechanisms Martial Diagram, he had sent his junior brother to inform the sect leader, thus not missing this deal.

Long Tuxiao also seized the opportunity and stepped forward, performing a deep bow to Bai Chen: "I have offended you greatly, Master, please forgive me."

After all, if Bai Chen used the previous insults against him, he would certainly be in trouble.

Now, he put aside his pride and apologized first, regardless of whether Bai Chen forgave him or not, at least he would not continue to hold a grudge.

One could not help but marvel at the Dragon Tiger Sect's wealth; the sect leader carried hundreds of thousands of taels in silver bills when he went out, and if he were robbed, it would truly be a profitable deal.

After the transaction, Bai Chen glanced at the two old men: "Remember to get back what belongs to me."

"The old man understands." Venerable Medicine could not help but smile bitterly.

"I will help you get back your things, and you will take me to meet your master." Venerable Poison still had a cold expression.

"What do you mean by helping me? Isn't this something that should be done naturally?" Bai Chen glanced at Venerable Poison, clearly displeased.

Everyone was puzzled; these two venerables were top figures in Shu, was this boy not afraid for his life?

To speak to the two venerables like this, as long as they gave the order, countless sects would be willing to serve them.

However, what no one expected was that Venerable Poison actually changed his usual cold demeanor and lowered his stance: "Then tell me, how can I meet your master?"

"Refine a pill that surpasses me first. Do you think anyone can meet my master?"

This boy's arrogance was too much, right?

Do you know who these two venerables are?

They are Venerable Medicine and Venerable Poison, the unparalleled masters of medicine and poison! The old monsters of the Ten Thousand Flowers Valley! The supreme elders of the top sects in the thirteen states of Shu!

Do you really think you can surpass these two venerables with your current level?

The two venerables exchanged glances and all showed serious expressions, not at all relaxed.

Others thought it was natural for the two venerables to surpass Bai Chen.

But the two venerables did not think so. After much thought and a silent exchange of glances, they both looked up at Bai Chen: "We admit that individually we cannot surpass you, but if we work together, you may not be able to win. Are you willing to bet?"

What? Did they make a mistake?

Did they say it wrong, or did we hear it wrong?

The moment the two venerables spoke, the audience on the platform and below all held their breath, staring at the three people on the platform.

The two venerables just said they needed to work together to compete with this young man who was not even in his twenties?

"Stakes." Bai Chen agreed without hesitation, although he had no master behind him, he did not think he would lose.

"This..." Venerable Poison lowered his head and pondered.

Venerable Medicine, however, asked: "Young friend, is the tenth-rank Lingdong Pill in the auction house from your hand or your master's?"

Sigh—

This question instantly made everyone draw a sharp breath. Yes!

In two days, the auction house will auction a tenth-rank Lingdong Pill, which is definitely related to him!

Mu Sansheng's mouth was bitter, and he was filled with regret.

Everyone stared with wide eyes, waiting for Bai Chen's answer.

"It was refined by me, but the success rate is too low, ten sets of materials may not even produce one pill."

In fact, for Bai Chen's current alchemy level, refining a tenth-rank pill would decrease the success rate by 20%.

But with various techniques and Mo Heng's assistance, the success rate would steadily exceed 100%.

"Brother, brother, what's wrong with you?" Mu Sansheng's junior brother quickly supported the unsteady Mu Sansheng.

At this moment, Mu Sansheng was filled with regret...

The two venerables exchanged glances and saw a glimmer of hope in each other's eyes. They spoke in unison: "Alright, we will bet with you, refining the tenth-rank Lingdong Pill!"

Bai Chen thought for a moment and nodded: "Alright, but I need some time. I don't have the materials and need to prepare."

"That's fine, we also need some time to prepare. Let's set it for five days from now, right here on the platform, to decide the winner!"

The two venerables said with confidence, and everyone silently remembered the date: five days from now!

Three great alchemy masters betting on refining pills on the platform, although it was not a life-or-death battle, it was much more exciting.

"You haven't said what the stakes will be."

Venerable Medicine and Venerable Poison each took out a book from their sleeves. Venerable Medicine said: "These are our lifetime experiences in alchemy and poison, as well as techniques and formulas. We will use these as the stakes. If you win, we will give you these two books. But if you lose, you must take us to meet your master."

After Bai Chen and the two venerables set the bet, Long Xing stepped forward: "Why don't the three of you rest at our place and discuss further?"

"Do you have alchemy materials at your Dragon Tiger Sect?" Bai Chen asked directly.

"Well, if you need them, I can help you acquire them. I believe..."

"That's not necessary, I'll find them myself." Bai Chen shrugged and jumped off the platform: "See you in ten days."

Bai Chen had no ties with the Dragon Tiger Sect, and at most, they had just made a deal. There was no need to owe them a favor.

Moreover, Bai Chen was not looking for materials for the Lingdong Pill, but for materials for lower-rank formulas.

Because he needed to advance his alchemy level in these five days. If he could reach level 7, he would have a sure chance of winning.

The alchemy level of the two venerables was probably on par with his. From their questions about the tenth-rank Lingdong Pill, it was clear they were not very confident. However, working together might compensate for their techniques, greatly increasing the success rate.

Thus, Bai Chen did not have a sure win. If he did not want to reveal his true strength, he had to win steadily and not make any mistakes.

Seeing Bai Chen leave, Mu Sansheng immediately chased after him.

"Brother, wait."

Bai Chen had anticipated Mu Sansheng's pursuit, but his gaze was not as friendly as before.

"I said, our second meeting would not be pleasant."

"Sorry, I... I just wanted..."

"No need to think about it. I originally planned to cooperate with the Iron Scroll Sect and provide you with some pills, but it's not necessary now. It seems I have many options."

Bai Chen did not want to continue talking to Mu Sansheng and turned to walk into the crowd.

Mu Sansheng stood there, watching Bai Chen leave, feeling a bitter taste in his heart.

In Bai Chen's view, the Iron Scroll Sect was still the ideal choice for cooperation, but the way of cooperation was clearly not as initially planned.

Returning to the inn arranged by the auction house, the Qingzhou Auction House had a rule: if a consignor entrusted items to the auction house, the auction house must ensure the consignor's safety until the items were sold.

In the past, there was an incident where the auction house's people, driven by greed, secretly killed a consignor. This led to a significant decline in the auction house's reputation, and they had no choice but to announce this rule.

As soon as he entered the inn, a person approached Bai Chen with a flattering smile.

"Master Bai, our manager Wang is waiting for you inside. Do you have time now?"

Bai Chen looked at the manager's attendant and nodded: "Lead the way."

Manager Wang was the head of the Qingzhou Auction House, known for his efficiency and shrewdness, except for the attendant he chose to follow him.

Bai Chen wished he could be like a protagonist in a novel, where just by emitting a certain aura, the manager would follow him, begging to be taken in.

Seeing Bai Chen arrive, Manager Wang greeted him with a bow: "Master Bai, we have arranged the auction process. Your item will be the highlight, and we have already spread the news. I believe no major sect in Qingzhou will want to miss this auction."

"Thank you." Bai Chen nodded, satisfied with Manager Wang's arrangements. He could be a hands-off boss without much effort.

"Also, the alchemy materials you entrusted me to acquire, I have mostly arranged. Here is the list, please review it. The total is 180,000 taels. Do you want to pay after the auction, or..."

Manager Wang spoke tactfully, knowing that many customers did not have enough silver on hand but had sufficient value. Bai Chen was one such customer.

Therefore, he was very sincere and did not make Bai Chen feel uncomfortable.

"Here is a 200,000 tael silver bill. 180,000 taels are for the previous materials, and the remaining 20,000 taels are for your services. If possible, I hope Manager Wang can continue to help me acquire new materials, as I have an urgent need."

Manager Wang took the list and frowned slightly, showing some hesitation. Bai Chen, noticing his expression, asked: "Is there any difficulty, Manager Wang?"

"Most of the materials on the list are easy to obtain, but the Sunset Flower may be difficult to meet your needs in the near future."

"Why is the Sunset Flower, which is not a rare material, so difficult?"

"Three days ago, a disaster occurred in Xizhou, causing heavy civilian casualties. The entire Xizhou is in chaos, and the Sunset Flower is exclusively produced there..."

"Such a major event in Xizhou?" Bai Chen's expression changed slightly: "Do you know the current situation in Xizhou?"