C14 Not Only Can He Stand up He Can also Kick You!

An ordinary Green Forest Pill, while effective, typically fetched between 1,500 and 2,000 gold coins.

But as soon as Mao Yinghao spoke up, he quadrupled the price and then some!

This move effectively dashed the hopes of smaller families looking for a bargain.

"An increase of 3,000 gold coins in one fell swoop! That's incredibly aggressive!"

"A Green Forest Pill with 55% effectiveness may be worth that price, but to suddenly drive the auction price above the norm? It completely loses its cost-effectiveness!"

"The bidder must be from the Red Card Club seats! They really do have money to burn!"

Nearly everyone in the auction house turned their attention to Mao Yinghao.

He stood a bit taller and his lips curled into a slight smile, reveling in the spotlight.

"So then... 8,000 gold coins, going once," Jin Qiaoyan announced with her melodious voice.

"8,500 gold coins!"

Another bidder entered the fray. The initial shock of the 3,000 gold coin hike had passed, and now the real competition began. The wealthy nobles knew the value of quality and were willing to pay a premium for superior pills. After all, only high-efficacy pills are the best shortcut to enhancing one's strength.

"9,000 gold coins, 9,000 gold coins," chimed in a sweet voice tinged with youthful exuberance.

Mao Yinghao gave a dismissive snort, "Eleven thousand gold coins."

As the son of the city guard general, he wasn't strapped for cash.

A hush fell over the crowd once more.

Even for a luxury, the price was now a serious consideration.

The silence lingered until the sweet voice hesitantly resumed.

"Ten thousand, one hundred, one hundred gold coins."

Her voice betrayed the strain of the bid, teeth gritted over the substantial sum.

The room fell quiet once again.

It was clear that everyone could relate to the trepidation of vying for a coveted item when funds were tight.

But before three seconds of silence could pass, a cold snort crushed her hopes.

Mao Yinghao! The son of the city guard general, clearly outclassing the competition with his deep pockets!

"Thirteen thousand gold coins."

The girl's voice, tinged with heartbreak and urgency, was palpable even through the curtain.

"Thirteen thousand gold coins, going once."

"Going twice."

"Very well, the Green Forest Pill with a 55% medicinal effect is hereby sold to the member at booth number 223."

Jin Qiaoyan announced with a beaming smile.

"However, for those who missed out, there's no need for despair. Our esteemed alchemist has a deep collaboration with the Golden Ruyi Auction House. We will soon be auctioning off another pill crafted by his skilled hands."

The crowd erupted in laughter, knowing full well who was being consoled.

"Without further ado, the next item up for bid is another pill from this distinguished alchemist. Truly, he is among the elite alchemists of the entire empire! Even I am astounded by this pill."

She revealed another box, presenting it for all to see.

"This is also a Green Forest Pill, but this time, the medicinal effect is a full 60%!"

Sixty percent?

The auction hall buzzed with excitement. A mere 0.5% increase might seem trivial, but it signified half the qualification for a Level-6 alchemist, a threshold this alchemist had clearly met!

Level-6 alchemists were a rarity in the Purple Wind Empire, much less in Traessey.

It made perfect sense for Jin Qiaoyan to preside over this auction, seeking to ingratiate themselves with a preeminent Level-6 alchemist.

Mao Yinghao's complexion turned a shade of green.

He intended to give the best gift possible to the girl, and here was a pill with a 60% medicinal effect. What did it mean to offer one with only 55%?

Biting back frustration, Mao Yinghao raised his bid. "Eight thousand gold coins."

Though the price was stretching beyond his expectations and might prove difficult to shoulder, backing out now would be tantamount to admitting defeat!

The audience was stunned once more. Who was this man, flaunting such wealth and audacity? Was he intent on claiming both items?

The girl who had bid earlier was particularly incensed, her heart quaking with vexation.

"Eight thousand five hundred gold coins."

"Ten thousand gold coins."

Mao Yinghao remained stoic, though a twinge of pain flickered in his heart.

"Ten thousand, one thousand, one hundred gold coins!" The adorable voice rang out once more, her heartache palpable even through the curtain.

"Thirteen thousand gold coins," Mao Yinghao declared, relentlessly outbidding the previous offer.

"...Ah!" Behind the curtain, a cute girl with snow-white skin and a bobbed haircut stamped her foot in frustration. "Who is this guy? If I find out his identity, he won't escape my wrath, I swear it, Mu Bao'er will not let him off the hook!"

"Fourteen thousand gold coins," came another bid, upping the ante as the pill's enhanced medicinal effects made it even more coveted.

"Fifteen thousand gold coins," Mao Yinghao called out, though it was clear the bidding was taking its toll on him.

Luckily, this time he faced no further competition. He successfully secured the two pills for a total of 28,000 gold coins.

Mao Yinghao exhaled deeply and gestured for the staff to lower his curtain.

Lowering the curtain meant shedding anonymity in favor of revealing one's identity.

"Purchasing these two pills from the alchemist is an investment of sorts. Who knows, the master might even be present and take a liking to me."

Mao Yinghao reassured himself, his spirits lifting considerably.

"Sorry, it's too late. You're already in my little book," Chen Xing said with a smirk, unable to conceal his amusement as he watched Brother Yinghao. The two pills had fetched 28,000 gold coins, and even after a three percent commission, the net gain was 27,160 gold coins—more than half of the Chen family's quarterly earnings.

Thanks to Brother Yinghao's generous contribution!

"It's him!"

"Mao Yinghao! The scion of the Ma family!"

"No wonder he could come up with such a sum on the spot! The son of the City's General!"

"Losing to the General's son is nothing to be ashamed of," murmured the crowd, buzzing with conversation.

"Mao Yinghao? It's that young man! But he doesn't possess a Wood Root, as far as I recall! Why would someone without a Wood Root compete with Bao'er for the Green Forest Pill?" The short-haired girl clenched her teeth in vexation. "This vendetta, I, Bao'er, will not forget!"

After the excitement peaked, the auction wound down, ending rather uneventfully without any more notable items coming up for bid.

"Hello, here are the two Green Forest Pills you've won."

The staff member handed over the pills and deducted 28,000 gold coins from the red card.

Mao Yinghao's heart sank as he watched the numbers on his card plummet.

He passed the pills to Luo Shuining.

"Shuining, it's not often we get to enjoy ourselves like this. I got these for you as a gift."

Chen Xing gave him a sidelong glance.

He thought to himself, 'I mentioned it first, and now you're acting like it was your idea. Shameless.'

"Ah?" Luo Shuining was taken aback. "You bought these pills for me?"

The possibility had never crossed her mind.

"Wow, that's so romantic!"

"Bidding for the fair lady. The handsome young man from Starfall Academy is as charming as ever."

"Accept it, Ningning," the elegant woman urged, her eyes twinkling with excitement.

"Indeed, accept it. It will make for a lovely tale," Pang Qing chimed in, lending his support.

Chen Xing turned away and wiped his face. "Boss, you go ahead. I've got some things to handle and will be back later."

Mao Yinghao wore a smug grin, watching Chen Xing leave like a dog with its tail between its legs.

Luo Shuining watched Chen Xing's retreating figure, feeling an inexplicable pang of sympathy.

She then turned to Mao Yinghao and shook her head.

"I can't accept this. It's far too precious."

Chen Xing hadn't gone far when he stepped into a restroom at the Golden Ruyi Auction House, finally letting his hand fall from his face.

He couldn't help it; if he hadn't covered his face, he might have burst out laughing.

"Stay serious," he told his reflection while straightening his attire. "Generously giving money to a dragon is an honor."

He then donned the black robe he had prepared earlier, transforming into the enigmatic alchemist persona.

Heading to the auction house's front desk, he saw Lu Ming waiting, almost as if he had expected Chen Xing's arrival.

"Master, here is the payment for your two pills: a total of 28,000 gold coins. After taxes, that comes to 27,160 gold coins, all here." He handed a purple crystal card to Chen Xing, similar to his own top-tier membership card. This storage card, accepted throughout the Purple Wind Empire, could be used to exchange for gold coins anywhere.

Chen Xing accepted it, examining the card with interest. He marveled at the convenience of such a device, a novelty after 100,000 years.

"Your sincerity is well noted. Miss Qiaoyan has been excellent. We'll certainly have more opportunities to collaborate in the future. Just be prepared for what's to come."

With a casual wave of his hand, Chen Xing conveyed a sense of authority. Despite his laid-back demeanor, he was once a dragon who ruled vast territories a hundred thousand years ago. He understood the significance of having Jin Qiaoyan, the most capable representative from the Jin Ruyi Auction House, manage the sale of his pills.

Lu Ming's face beamed with happiness.

"Then, I bid you farewell, Master."

Upon departing, Chen Xing didn't head straight back to Water Blue Town. Instead, he split the funds in his purple crystal card into two amounts: 10,000 and 17,160, before making his way home. Revealing such a large sum of money all at once could easily compromise his identity.

...

"Young Master, you've returned. How did the assessment go?"

Taotao greeted Chen Xing with delight.

"Of course, there were no issues. Who do you think your young master is?" He patted Taotao's head affectionately. "Where's my uncle?"

Taotao hesitated briefly, "Uncle is at the front of the shop, but... there's a bit of trouble."

"Trouble?"

Chen Xing's eyebrows arched as he made his way to the front of the shop.

"How's it going? Anyone brave enough to buy? Some of these medicinal herbs are already losing their spiritual energy! Chen Lingran, have you gone blind to endorse such a wasteful heir to lead the Chen family? I'm curious to see how you'll justify this to our ancestors!"

"If your incompetence brings the Chen family to ruin, to the point where we can't even put food on the table, you'll be the villain of our entire clan!"

Chen Haoran stood in front of the shop, berating Chen Lingran, who was seated in a wheelchair. Next to him, an alchemist from the Alchemist Association, Alchemist Yang, stood with his arms folded and a smug smile, watching the scene unfold with detached amusement. The badge of the Alchemist Association on his chest was conspicuously visible.

He stood there like a sentinel, deterring the townspeople who had initially been interested in making a purchase from coming any closer.

Chen Lingran, seated in his wheelchair, was visibly seething with anger, the corners of his mouth nearly tearing from the intensity of his rage.

"A congenital cripple, you've already disgraced the Chen family, and now you're even backing a piece of trash for leadership. It just goes to show, a cripple will always be a cripple, incapable of standing tall in any respect!"

"No."

A dashing pair of long legs lashed out, delivering a fierce kick to Chen Haoran's face and sending him sprawling to the ground.

"Uncle, you'll not only rise again, but you'll also return the favor with a kick just as harsh."