Chapter 53: Does Dongfang Yuyue Have Someone He Fancies?

Without any introduction needed from Lady Jinyu, the atmosphere in the hall surged with excitement once again.

The Longevity Pill had finally appeared!

This was a genuine high-grade medicinal pill!

The real deal!

This was the ultimate reason why the majority of people came to the black market!

Coming here was definitely not a wasted trip!

"Did you all see that? That immortal aura, that luster—it easily reaches the standard of a high-grade master!"

"Even if old Wang here only gets to glance at a high-grade pill in this lifetime, it's already worth it, hahaha!!"

Everyone's eyes were locked greedily onto the Longevity Pill in Lady Jinyu's hands.

Suddenly, someone gasped aloud. It was the exact same person who had guessed at the entrance that the pill was crafted by the Medical Underworld Valley.

"This box~? Could this Longevity Pill have been refined by the Medical Underworld Valley?" That person had clearly noticed the specific incantations and seals layered on the box encasing the pill.

This was the distinctive insignia of the Medical Underworld Valley!

He had once been fortunate enough to witness it and could not possibly mistake it.

Everything from the Medical Underworld Valley bore a specific packaging that ordinary people could not replicate.

While the rest of the Longevity Pill's packaging was unremarkable, the piercing sword emblem intertwined with black and red on the outermost layer was crystal clear. This was the unique hallmark of the Medical Underworld Valley.

Hearing him point this out, the others—whose eyes had initially been entirely captivated by the pill itself—looked closer and realized it truly was the signature packaging of the Medical Underworld Valley!

"To think that the Longevity Pill was actually refined by the Medical Underworld Valley!" As one person spoke up, the rest could not help crying out in astonishment.

"Today, aside from the high-grade spirit stone that sparked a frenzy, the tassel skirt was the main attraction. And since the tassel skirt was designed by the young master of the Medical Underworld Valley, I never expected the grand finale—the Longevity Pill—to also come from them!"

"The Medical Underworld Valley is truly about to achieve instant fame this time. There will certainly be no shortage of excitement for them hereafter!"

"Indeed, absolutely!"

In an instant, nearly everyone began contemplating in their hearts how to curry favor with the Medical Underworld Valley once they stepped outside.

One must know that being able to casually produce a high-grade medicinal pill either meant it was accidentally acquired or someone had refined it.

Clearly, for a grand stroke like the Longevity Pill, if it had been merely stumbled upon by chance, there was no way it would be put up for auction.

Therefore, there was only one possibility! The Medical Underworld Valley had an alchemist! Furthermore, their rank was not low at all! They had at least broken through to become a high-grade alchemist!

This explosive piece of information detonated in everyone's mind.

How could they possibly miss the chance to cozy up to such a titan! They had to cling to them for dear life!

Simultaneously, the private rooms on the second floor were also churning with long-lasting turbulence.

"It was actually acquired from the Medical Underworld Valley!" Leng Qing'er's usually detached and icy face finally cracked, her eyes flashing with intense interest.

As a noble physician with an extraordinary background and Elder Gong as her mentor, Leng Qing'er was still unable to perfectly refine even a low-grade medicinal pill. Never did she expect that a newly emerged Jianghu faction would possess such a formidable talent?

Regardless of whether the rumor was true or false, this person and the talent behind them were things she, Leng Qing'er, was determined to claim!

Leng Qing'er's jealousy and madness were perfectly stirred to life. If anyone were present at this moment, they certainly would not recognize the woman before them as the universally praised First Talent of the Fengyue Kingdom, nor the wildly rumored Destined Maiden?

What an absolute joke!

"Your mind is in turmoil!" Leng Zimo remarked, unable to help himself as he looked at the madness and jealousy lurking in the depths of Leng Qing'er's eyes. This younger sister of his was far too ambitious.

Leng Qing'er's red lips curled slightly as her gaze landed on Leng Zimo's sternly rigid, handsome face: "Does elder brother not wish to know who this number one alchemist in the world is?"

Hearing this, Leng Zimo maintained a calm expression, though his heart was secretly unsettled. He was well aware of just how crucial a high-grade alchemist was to a family. Otherwise, the Leng family would not take such immense pride in Leng Qing'er, an uninitiated physician.

However, this did not mean the person was necessarily in the Medical Underworld Valley. Until a conclusion was reached, he did not want to get excited prematurely, lest he suffer too many disappointments.

On the same floor, Murong Xin seemed to have discovered a new territory, clutching her trusted confidante's shoulders tightly: "The Medical Underworld Valley actually has a high-grade alchemist! I must have my imperial father summon him into the palace to be my exclusive alchemist!"

The thought of being able to consume high-grade skin-nourishing and beauty-enhancing pills like the Longevity Pill every single day made Murong Xin's heart leap with excitement.

The confidante wore a look of utter despair as she offered advice: "Your Highness, that~ might be somewhat difficult!"

A high-grade alchemist naturally possessed boundless arrogance. It would likely be difficult for them even to catch a glimpse of this person, let alone the princess's desire to claim the alchemist entirely for herself.

Was that even possible? Especially with a formidable medical and poison-wielding clan like the Medical Underworld Valley; even His Majesty might not be able to command their presence.

Yet Murong Xin's mouth turned down at the corners as her expression instantly darkened: "What is so difficult about this? I am the most favored little princess of the Tianlin Kingdom. Is there anything I want that I cannot get?"

Her confidante fell silent, knowing the princess had set her heart on that high-grade alchemist and that no amount of persuasion would work.

She could only silently pray in her heart that Murong Xin would not cause any massive catastrophe, for otherwise, she herself would surely be the one to suffer in the end.

The situation on Luo Yuhuan's side was much the same. Upon hearing that the Medical Underworld Valley harbored an alchemist, her eyes were filled with nothing but greed.

Learning that the Longevity Pill had been refined by the Medical Underworld Valley, Luo Yuhuan had initially hesitated, but soon accepted the reality. For a medical and poison powerhouse like the Medical Underworld Valley, producing a high-grade alchemist should not be too difficult.

Now that she knew, the rest would be easy to handle. Upon returning, she would definitely report this news to her father. If the family gained a high-grade alchemist, it would undoubtedly be a massive asset.

By then, she would also receive heavy reuse from the family for her meritorious service in making the recommendation!

Nearly everyone was simultaneously immersed in the shockwave echoing through their minds.

Only Lu Xuanxuan remained indifferent to the temptation of the Longevity Pill, keeping her head lowered as she sighed repeatedly.

"The Young Master of the Medical Underworld Valley is truly full of surprises, actually being a high-grade alchemist!"

Dongfang Yuyue realized that his understanding of this little girl was still far too shallow. News like today's was something he likely never would have imagined had he not heard it with his own ears.

A mere fourteen-year-old girl was actually a high-grade alchemist, something everyone yearned for yet could never attain? Who in this world could possibly rival such talent!

He had never expected that the little creature he had set his sights on not only possessed exceptional talent and excelled in medicine and poisons, but could now even refine pills. For a moment, it seemed he had struck gold!

"There are still plenty of things this young master can do. His Highness Prince Yu had better keep his eyes open." Luo Qianfan turned her head away with an air of proud coquetry.

"However, if Your Highness came all this way and bought nothing, wouldn't that be a shame? Why don't I refine a pill exclusively for Your Highness another day, so that Your Highness can use it to win the favor of a beauty?" Luo Qianfan laid her little scheming thoughts bare without reservation.

"Very well, then I shall trouble the Young Master of the Medical Underworld Valley!" Dongfang Yuyue accepted without a trace of politeness.

Could it be that this flamboyant peacock had someone specific in mind? How come she knew nothing about it?

At this moment, inside the brilliantly golden main hall, the most thrilling moment was about to arrive.

A beam of colorful light struck the luster of the Longevity Pill, radiating countless starlight brilliance.

Lady Jinyu pursed her lips into a smile, a merchant-like shrewdness flashing in her eyes.

"Starting price, one hundred thousand liang!"

Since the Longevity Pill was a high-grade medicinal pill, one hundred thousand liang seemed justifiable.

However, such an astronomical price still shut many people out.

This was a full one hundred thousand liang of gold!

The black market was basically extorting people!

Therefore, the majority of spectators adopted a wait-and-see attitude, actually wanting to see whose hands this pill would finally fall into.

Murong Xin was the first to bid.

"One hundred and one thousand liang!"

Luo Yuhuan followed closely behind.

"One hundred and two thousand liang!"

Murong Xin called out again.

"One hundred and fifty thousand liang!"

Luo Yuhuan was clearly struggling to keep up, yet she was still staging a dying struggle. Their sole purpose in coming today was the Longevity Pill, so no matter the cost, they had to acquire it.

"Two hundred thousand liang!"

They fought tooth and nail, until the price finally settled at five hundred thousand liang!

Just as they were about to continue, a voice echoed from the long-silenced private room.

"One million liang!"

It had already reached one million liang! These people clearly harbored high expectations for the Longevity Pill!

A voice rang out once more:

"One million five hundred thousand liang!"

Leng Qing'er's eyebrows twitched imperceptibly. That person again? What on earth were they trying to do?

Meanwhile, Luo Qianfan was also struck with astonishment. This peculiar person was truly beyond her expectations.

Initially, Luo Qianfan had intended to throw a wrench into their plans at a critical moment, but now it seemed unnecessary; someone else was doing it for her.

The auction proceeded with unusual fervor.

Leng Qing'er gritted her teeth and continued:

"One million six hundred thousand liang!"

She imagined that person would stop, but the result turned out just like it had during the auction for the tassel skirt.

"Two million liang!" The price was outrageously high!

Yet this time, Leng Qing'er was resolute in not letting go; she was determined to secure this Longevity Pill.

"Two million one hundred thousand liang!"

Leng Zimo could not help speaking up: "It has already exceeded the expected value, three million at most. If it goes any higher, you will simply have to give up."

No matter how wonderful this Longevity Pill was, it was merely an external possession, after all. Since it involved gold, Leng Zimo was naturally unwilling to invest too heavily in the pill.

Hearing Leng Zimo's words, a wave of anxiety rose in Leng Qing'er's heart: "Esteemed brother, pray wait. Since this gentleman already outbid this humble maiden once for the tassel skirt, might he yield this opportunity to me this time? I shall be eternally grateful."

She could only gamble on this man's intentions regarding the Longevity Pill.

If his desire was merely a passing fancy, upon hearing her words, he certainly would not raise the price further. But if he was steadfast on obtaining the Longevity Pill, she would have to carefully reconsider her options.

One second,

Two seconds,

The man's proud and aloof voice rang out: "Since the young lady desires it so sincerely, this gentleman shall withdraw and gift this Longevity Pill to the young lady."

What a script; this guy was quite a talent. He withdrew yet still managed to deliver a parting blow to Leng Qing'er. Still, she liked it!

Luo Qianfan nodded in satisfaction.

Leng Qing'er caught the subtext in the man's words, but she could not afford to act rashly now. Having finally made him give up on the Longevity Pill, it would be disastrous if another complication arose.

As it turned out, the complications did not stem from that man alone.

Inside her room, Luo Yuhuan brought out the very bottom of her family's emergency gold vault and eagerly spoke out:

"Two million five hundred thousand liang!"

Indeed, the greater the treasure, the more twists and turns it brought.

As soon as Luo Yuhuan dropped her words with such a high bid, though she had originally intended to drop out of the bidding, Leng Qing'er's earlier remarks had confirmed her identity.

As the saying goes, enemies meeting face-to-face found their eyes turning red with hatred.

If Leng Qing'er were allowed to acquire the Longevity Pill, she truly would not measure up to her.

Therefore, she was determined to have this Longevity Pill.

Veins bulged on the back of Leng Qing'er's hands. Having finally made that man dismiss his thoughts, she never expected Luo Yuhuan to pop out and stir up trouble again.