Upon hearing these words—
Jia Lie Bi and Ao Ba Pa, standing off to the side, couldn't help but furrow their brows. They exchanged a glance, their expressions growing slightly grim.
They feared that Chen Mo and Xiao Zhan might know each other. If Chen Mo chose to support the Xiao Clan, then the balance of power between the three major clans in Wu Tan City would be instantly shattered.
Chen Mo smiled faintly, his gaze drifting to the young girl in a pink dress standing behind Xiao Zhan, and then shifting to the black-robed, delicate-featured youth beside her. With a gentle smile, he said:
"You must be Xiao Yan, correct?"
This statement surprised everyone present. They were puzzled as to why Chen Mo would show such a kind expression toward a mere youth.
"You know me?" Xiao Yan frowned slightly. He felt something off about that smile—as if there was some hidden agenda.
Next to him, Xun'er raised an elegant brow.
Xiao Zhan quickly asked, "Does Master know Yan'er?"
"Not quite. I've only heard of him. An eleven-year-old Dou Zhe—Wu Tan City's famed young genius. That kind of talent is truly remarkable," Chen Mo replied with a light smile.
Since arriving in Wu Tan City, Chen Mo had taken the initiative to inquire about Xiao Yan.
Hearing the praise, Xiao Zhan felt a surge of joy in his heart and chuckled, "My son's just had some good fortune, that's all."
Ya Fei, standing beside Chen Mo, had to stifle a laugh. For someone like Chen Mo—a nineteen-year-old Tier 4 alchemist—to call Xiao Yan talented… it felt more like mockery than praise.
But Chen Mo was being sincere. He waved his hand casually and smiled, "Good fortune is also a part of one's ability. Who knows, perhaps he may even become an alchemist someday."
The crowd was stunned into silence.
Even Ya Fei looked momentarily dumbfounded. For an alchemist to say such a thing to a young Dou Qi prodigy—it could only mean one thing.
Was he trying to take Xiao Yan as his disciple?
Xiao Zhan was momentarily dazed, but then joy surged in his heart. If Yan'er could have a Tier 3 alchemist as his master, then his future would be boundless!
Jia Lie Bi and Ao Ba Pa's faces turned utterly sour. If Chen Mo really took Xiao Yan as his disciple, then he would be completely siding with the Xiao Clan. At that point, even if their two clans joined forces, they still wouldn't be a match for the Xiaos.
But Chen Mo's next words stunned the crowd even more—and left them utterly confused.
He looked directly at Xiao Yan and said, "That ring on your hand, I like it. Name your price—I'll buy it."
"The ring? Xiao Yan's ring?"
At that, all eyes turned toward Xiao Yan's hands. Soon enough, they spotted a black ring on the index finger of his right hand.
The crowd was perplexed. The ring was pitch-black, old-looking, and seemed entirely unremarkable.
Both Xiao Yan and Xiao Zhan's expressions changed.
"It's not for sale. It's my mother's keepsake—don't even think about it!"
As soon as he realized the man had designs on his mother's only memento, Xiao Yan's eyes turned red with fury and he roared in anger.
He had already sensed something strange during the auction, and now his suspicions were confirmed.
Xiao Zhan felt incredibly awkward at his son's sudden outburst.
Meanwhile, Jia Lie Bi's somber face twisted into a mocking sneer. Eager to curry favor with Chen Mo, he snapped, "How dare you act so disrespectfully toward the Master!"
Ao Ba Pa also chimed in, "Boy, the Master has taken a liking to your ring. That's a great honor. Don't be so ungrateful."
Though they appeared to be helping, in truth, they were just stirring the pot. If Xiao Yan made some outrageous demand—like asking for a pill that could help him reach the level of a Da Dou Shi—it would be disastrous for their two clans.
Chen Mo rubbed his face in slight amusement. So he won't sell it? Why yell so loudly about it?
Still, he wasn't angry. With the system in his possession, he didn't need Xiao Yan's ring—the one that housed Yao Lao. It was just a passing interest. With a chuckle, he said:
"Don't you want to at least hear what I'm offering in exchange?"
"No matter what you offer, I won't sell it," Xiao Yan replied firmly.
"A Three-Pattern Qingling Pill," Chen Mo said calmly.
The moment he spoke, the entire hall was shaken.
A Three-Pattern Qingling Pill could help a Dou Shi break through into the realm of Da Dou Shi. Even if consumed by a Da Dou Shi, it had a small chance of raising one's cultivation by a full star—without any side effects.
However, a person could only ever consume one such pill in their lifetime. A second would be completely ineffective.
This was a god-tier pill capable of creating a Da Dou Shi powerhouse.
Jia Lie Bi and Ao Ba Pa's faces darkened again.
"Not selling," Xiao Yan refused without the slightest hesitation.
"Then forget it. I just happened to like the ring's design. Since you're unwilling, I won't force the issue," Chen Mo said, then murmured softly, "It's not really worth a Three-Pattern Qingling Pill anyway."
"That's enough."
Chen Mo cast one last glance at the girl beside Xiao Yan—Gu Xun'er—then turned to Ya Fei and said, "No need to see me off. I've got other matters to attend to."
Without waiting for a response from anyone, he strode out of the auction hall.
Right now is Xiao Yan's peak. It's normal that he wouldn't sell.
Once his Dou Qi starts to decline, it'll be much easier to coax him into parting with it.
He's only eleven. It won't be long.
That's why Chen Mo didn't offer an absurd price up front. He didn't want to startle the snake and make Xiao Yan suspicious of the ring's true secret. By merely expressing casual interest, it would be much easier to manipulate him later.
As for seizing it by force? With Xun'er at his side, that would be impossible.
And Chen Mo had no desire to make enemies for no reason.
Watching Chen Mo's retreating figure, Xiao Zhan wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and said, "Yan'er, in the future, you mustn't act so rashly."
Off to the side, Jia Lie Bi and Ao Ba Pa stared at Xiao Yan, their eyes red with jealousy—like angry rabbits.
Over the next two days—
Chen Mo frequently visited Ya Fei under the pretext of checking on the medicinal herbs' preparation.
Little by little—
Ya Fei's favorability toward him reached 30 points.
"Chen Mo, these are the materials needed for the Qi Gathering Powder—all of them are here. As for the Dou Zhe Pill ingredients, we'll need a few more days," Ya Fei said as she personally brought over a jade tray.
She paused beside him, slightly bowed, and carefully placed the tray on the table, a hint of apology on her face.
"No problem. Any word on that sixth-rank magic core?" Chen Mo asked casually.
****
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