Of course, saying that the Gathering Qi Powder was consumed like beans was somewhat exaggerated, but with the Pharmacist Elder’s abilities, as long as there were enough materials, it wouldn’t be too difficult for him to concoct several dozen pills. However, Xiao Yan hadn’t even had a chance to be happy after hearing the Pharmacist Elder’s boast, when he was immediately deflated by the list of required materials.
“Tomorrow, you should prepare four fifty-year-old Ink Leaf Lotus plants, two ripe Snake Saliva Fruits, one twenty-year-old Spirit Gathering Grass, and a second-grade water-attribute magic core,” the Pharmacist Elder said calmly, turning his head only to see Xiao Yan’s stiff expression, which made him pause in surprise. “What’s the matter?”
“Fifty-year-old Ink Leaf Lotus? A herb of such age would cost over three thousand gold coins each, right? Ripe Snake Saliva Fruits? Those are top-tier among low-grade herbs, and some medicinal shops can’t even get them. If you’re lucky enough to find them, they would cost at least eight thousand gold coins. Twenty-year-old Spirit Gathering Grass? Oh my, I only saw it once at an auction, and the price was a full fifteen thousand gold coins. And a second-grade water-attribute magic core costs over two thousand gold coins.”
Xiao Yan rubbed his forehead in pain and groaned, “Just these materials alone add up to over fifty thousand gold coins. Where am I going to get that much money?”
“Uh…” Hearing this, the Pharmacist Elder rolled his eyes and spread his hands, jesting, “Those are your problems, not mine. My job is just to refine the medicine.”
“Damn, the cost is too high. Treating this stuff like beans, even with the Xiao family’s wealth, we couldn’t afford it,” Xiao Yan sighed bitterly in his heart. He then took out a green card from under his pillow, stroking it tenderly. “The money from the Foundation Building Elixir last time is down to just ten thousand gold coins. It’s not nearly enough to buy those herbs.”
The Pharmacist Elder chuckled and sat back leisurely in his chair, looking utterly indifferent.
Xiao Yan rubbed his forehead and said, “Let’s use this money to buy the materials for the Foundation Building Elixir first. We can make a bit more elixir to sell at the auction, otherwise, we won’t have enough money.”
The Pharmacist Elder nodded indifferently. Refining something as simple as a Foundation Building Elixir wasn’t a challenge for him.
Seeing the Pharmacist Elder nod, Xiao Yan breathed a sigh of relief and fell back onto his bed, murmuring, “Being poor is really troublesome…”
…
The next morning, Xiao Yan sneaked out of the family compound early. After purchasing all the materials needed for the Foundation Building Elixir at some herbal shops in Wu Tan City, he found a secluded inn and went inside.
Since these were for sale, Xiao Yan didn’t bother having the Pharmacist Elder carefully select the best, so he bought the cheapest and lowest quality herbs, just like before. Because he was in dire need of money, he bought seven sets of materials, depleting all the money in his card.
While waiting for the Pharmacist Elder to refine the elixirs, Xiao Yan tossed the green card in his hand and shook his head helplessly. He was back to being penniless again.
This round of alchemy took the Pharmacist Elder about an hour to complete. Seeing the seven white jade bottles neatly arranged on the table, Xiao Yan grinned and carefully packed them in cloth, tucking them away in his chest. Patting the bottles, he wrapped himself in a black cloak, covering himself thoroughly before chuckling and leaving the inn.
…
In the appraisal room of the Mi Teyr Auction House, the chief auctioneer Yaphira was astonished, her small, red, and seductive lips slightly parted, her eyes fixed on the seven bottles of Foundation Building Elixir in front of her. Her ample chest, which was quite visually striking, moved in a subtle yet captivating way.
“Cough…” The black-robed man sitting near Yaphira coughed dryly, waking her from her trance.
Yaphira gently caressed the cool white jade bottles, lifting one to sniff it, and then passed it to Gunny beside her.
Gunny carefully examined the bottle and said, a little surprised, “They really are all Foundation Building Elixirs…”
Hearing Gunny’s confirmation, Yaphira’s delicate eyebrows arched, her enchanting eyes sweeping over the black-robed man, her face filled with a captivating charm. “I didn’t expect, after half a year, that the old master would bring such a big business to our auction house.”
“When can we put them up for auction?” asked the aged voice from beneath the black robe.
“Is the old master in urgent need of money? If not, Yaphira suggests waiting a day or two. It’s rare to see seven bottles of Foundation Building Elixir at the same time. If we promote it, the profit you’ll get will be even greater…” Yaphira smiled sweetly, testing the waters.
Hearing this, the black-robed man was silent for a moment before finally giving a soft hum.
Seeing him agree, Yaphira’s smile deepened. She picked up the teacup beside her and personally offered it to him. She was now almost certain that the black-robed man was a second or even third-grade alchemist!
Taking a sip from the cup, the black-robed man suddenly spoke, “I wonder if your auction house could help me procure some herbs?”
Yaphira’s eyes brightened. She sat in a chair, her curves highlighted, and asked with a smile, “What herbs does the old master need?”
“Four fifty-year-old Ink Leaf Lotus plants, two ripe Snake Saliva Fruits, one twenty-year-old Spirit Gathering Grass, and a second-grade water-attribute magic core…”
Listening to the list, Gunny’s face changed, his eyes flickering with suspicion as he looked at the black-robed man.
“Haha, Yaphira will take note of these herbs. Once we have news, we’ll inform the old master promptly. But where does the old master stay? How can we contact you?” Yaphira glanced at Gunny, who had a slightly changed expression, and asked with a smile, her heart racing.
“There’s no need to contact me. If you have these materials, just deduct their cost from the Foundation Building Elixir. I’ll come and collect them whenever.” The old voice from beneath the black robe said calmly.
“I have other matters, so I won’t stay long. I’ll return in two days.” The black-robed man stood up and left the appraisal room.
Watching the figure disappear around the corner, Yaphira’s narrow, beautiful eyes narrowed. “What’s wrong with those herbs, Uncle Gunny?”
Gunny nodded slightly, sighed, and said with a wry smile, “If I’m not mistaken, those are the materials for refining the Gathering Qi Powder.”
Hearing this, Yaphira’s face changed, and she blurted out, “Isn’t the Gathering Qi Powder supposed to be refined by at least a fourth-grade alchemist?”
Gunny nodded and sighed, “It seems we’ve really misjudged this time. But there are only about twenty fourth-grade alchemists in the Jia Ma Empire. Who is this black-robed man? I’ve never heard of him before.”
Yaphira shook her head lightly, her eyes sparkling with a unique light. She murmured softly, “A fourth-grade alchemist… If there’s a chance, I must recruit him!”
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