"Quit joking. A sixth-tier Pill? Where in Black Rock City would you even find a sixth-tier Alchemist?"
"Exactly! Master Otto and Chairman Frank are only fourth-tier. How could they possibly refine a sixth-tier Pill?"
"Black Rock Auction House must be messing with us!"
The stunned silence didn't last long. The crowd quickly erupted in a wave of noisy protests and mocking laughter.
Though Black Rock City was one of the most prominent strongholds in the Jia Ma Empire, at the end of the day, it was still just a city under the Empire's rule. The strongest expert in the city was the City Lord, a Dou Ling. As for Alchemists, the most accomplished were the chairman and vice-chairman of the Alchemist Guild—Otto and Frank—both of whom were merely fourth-tier.
Expecting someone here to refine a sixth-tier pill was just ridiculous. In fact, it was an impossible task anywhere in the Jia Ma Empire—except for one man.
Dan King Gu He.
Aside from him, the Empire had no other known sixth-tier Alchemists.
As the noisy discontent swelled, even the black-robed auctioneer began to sweat from the pressure.
It wasn't that he thought the item itself was fake—rather, it was that this level of auction item simply shouldn't appear here. Whether it was the sixth-tier magical beast blood or the requirement of a sixth-tier Alchemist, those were words that just didn't belong in Black Rock City.
But what could he do? The moment he remembered the terrifying presence who had forced the item onto the auction list moments before it began, he couldn't help but swallow hard, cold sweat beading down his spine.
His eyes drifted toward Box No. 1.
As the auctioneer, he was well aware of the person inside that box—Lin Ran—and the conditions Lin Ran had attached to his own auction items. If anyone could meet the qualifications to take on this task, it was him.
"Everyone, please remain calm. If anyone here is interested in this Eight-Winged Black Serpent Emperor's blood, please raise your voice."
The auctioneer cleared his throat with a forced smile. Instantly, the noisy hall went silent again.
None of them were Alchemists, and none of them had the ability to refine a sixth-tier Pill. If someone foolishly bid and ended up being forced to fulfill the seller's condition, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Whoever possessed sixth-tier beast blood was not someone they could afford to provoke.
This uncomfortable silence lingered for nearly five minutes.
Just then, Otto and Frank returned to the auction hall. Hearing the auctioneer's most recent announcement, both men were momentarily stunned.
"What the hell happened while we were gone?"
"I have no idea. Sixth-tier Pill? What's going on?"
The two old men exchanged bewildered glances. As they took in the eerie quiet of the room, Otto sighed. "Looks like something interesting happened while we stepped out. Forget it, let's return to the booth first."
"Agreed."
They quickly made their way back to their private booth—where the president of Black Rock Auction House was already waiting with his head bowed low, wiping cold sweat from his brow.
"That's the situation, exactly as it happened," the man muttered nervously. "I had no choice, City Lord. That woman forced this item in at the last second before the auction began. I couldn't stop her."
"Useless fool!" the City Lord barked, his face dark. Just as Otto and Frank entered, he waved his hand. "Leave us."
"Yes, City Lord…" The auction house president bowed profusely and exited the room, casting a grateful glance at Otto and Frank as he left.
Clearly, if not for their timely return, he might not have walked out in one piece.
The two Alchemists shared a knowing look, then followed the City Lord's gaze—straight toward the alluring figure outside the VIP booth.
"City Lord," Otto asked, "what do we do now?"
"We wait and watch…" the City Lord murmured. "She's not here for us. Her strength far exceeds mine, and for someone who can casually offer up sixth-tier beast blood, her backing must be terrifying. Avoiding conflict is the best option."
Otto and Frank nodded silently. They were Alchemists, but they weren't naive. Even they could see that this mysterious powerhouse had clearly come for someone else.
Back on stage, the black-robed auctioneer was still glancing nervously toward Box No. 1. When no response came, he sighed and prepared to announce the item's withdrawal.
But at that very moment, a voice rang out—relieving him of his burden.
"Refining a sixth-tier Pill? Just that bit of Eight-Winged Black Serpent Emperor blood alone isn't enough."
The calm voice shattered the silence.
All eyes immediately turned to Box No. 1.
"This guy again…"
The identity of the guest in Box No. 1 was shrouded in mystery, and none dared compete with his bids. But now, even when something as absurd as a sixth-tier beast blood was on the line, he still had the guts to speak up—this left many dumbfounded.
However, those who knew what was going on… had their pupils shrink in shock.
'That voice… could it mean… that young man—or whoever supports him—really is a sixth-tier Alchemist?!'
"Uhh…"
The auctioneer was sweating bullets now. It wasn't rare for a buyer to nitpick a seller's offering during a sale—but in this case, both parties were people he couldn't afford to offend!
He was stuck in the most awkward position possible. Say something? Risk his neck. Say nothing? Still risky.
Thankfully, the enchanting woman onstage took a graceful step forward. Her alluring body swayed like a serpent beneath the light as she chuckled and said, "Then, what kind of compensation would you consider sufficient?"
She wore a light blue, high-slit cheongsam that hugged her perfect curves. A snow-white leg peeked from the slit, and her silken waist was cinched by a silver sash—surpassing even Little Doctor Fairy in sheer seductiveness.
If Little Doctor Fairy's slender waist was like a swaying willow, then this woman's waist was that of a water snake—capable of ensnaring any man's heartbeat.
But no one dared ogle her. She had offered Tier-6 beast blood. Just who would dare have designs on her?
Still, the sight of her made many men's faces flush, causing the woman to let out a few teasing chuckles.
"Where did this brazen hussy come from? Who's she trying to seduce?!"
Little Doctor Fairy let out a discontented huff, narrowing her eyes. As clever as she was, she could tell immediately:
'This fox is clearly here for my Young Master!'
After all… aside from her Young Master, who else in this backwater city could possibly be a sixth-tier Alchemist?!
(End of Chapter)