The woman had a tall, graceful figure and features as clear and cold as spring water from a snow-capped mountain.
Her exquisite face, slender brows, and long, curvaceous frame were further accentuated by the silver fitted dress she wore. The silvery fabric against her jade-like skin lent her a unique metallic chill and elegance.
What stood out the most, however, was her waist-length silver hair!
This was no dull, sickly silver from some illness. Her hair shimmered like soft, floating silk, adding a strange allure to her entire presence.
Compared to her, the girl called Lin Fei lacked that ethereal grace. Her features were delicate, and her own head of silver-white hair was lustrous and soft, but she simply didn't have that same aloof charm.
Perhaps sensing Lin Ran's bold and direct gaze, the silver-robed woman furrowed her brows slightly and walked up to Lin Fei's side.
"You cut in line, Lin Fei."
"It's no big deal. It's not like he has anything worth auctioning anyway."
Lin Fei huffed, sounding a bit displeased. She glanced back at Lin Ran, whom she had just bumped behind her, then stuck out her tongue and backed off.
"Sorry about that. You go first."
"Oh my, isn't that the young city lord and Master Frank's disciple? Please, come in, come in!"
Before Lin Ran could speak, someone inside the appraisal room had already noticed the commotion and recognized the two women. The staff immediately stepped forward with respectful smiles and ushered them inside.
Lin Ran was left standing alone at the doorway.
"Young Master."
Xiao Yixian arrived shortly after. Seeing how the staff had treated them, she stamped her foot lightly. "So rude! They actually served those line-cutters first!"
"It's fine."
Lin Ran gave a calm smile and stepped inside as well.
That brief conversation had jogged his memory. Those two women… they seemed to be the same ones from the original story who had competed with Xiao Yan in Alchemy.
One was the daughter of Black Rock City's City Lord, and the other—the silver-haired one—should be Xue Mei, the disciple of Master Frank, the chairman of the Alchemist Guild in Black Rock City.
In the original story, Xiao Yan had encountered them while registering his Alchemist rank. Who would've thought that Lin Ran, choosing a random city and auction out of sheer boredom, would cross paths with them? Fate? Or just coincidence?
"To think it's a fourth-grade Pill—Green Spirit Pill. Such potent medicinal strength! Master Otto's Alchemy has improved again."
"Oh? This is a high-tier fourth-grade Pill—Weather Energy Pill? Master Frank really hasn't lost his touch!"
Lin Ran entered the appraisal room with Xiao Yixian and immediately saw the person in charge cradling two ornate pill boxes like treasures, lavishing them with praise.
Lin Fei stood with hands on her hips, her face full of smug pride. "Of course! My teacher's Alchemy skills are known across all of Black Rock City!"
"Naturally, Young Miss! Naturally!" the staff member said eagerly. "So then, these two Pills will be entered into the premium auction?"
"Obviously. Why else would I bring them?"
Lin Fei replied haughtily, while Xue Mei simply nodded. "We'll leave them in your care. My teacher gave clear instructions—these Pills are only to be exchanged for medicinal ingredients. Prioritize Bai Shu Wood Fruit, Chuan Jiao Flower, and Gui Xin Kou."
"If those aren't available, here's a list of acceptable substitutes."
As she spoke, Xue Mei handed over a neatly prepared list.
"Understood, completely understood! Please rest assured."
"We'll take our leave now, then."
The staff member carefully stored the list while Xue Mei nodded and turned to leave, dragging Lin Fei with her.
As they passed Lin Ran and Xiao Yixian, Xue Mei gave Lin Ran a brief, apologetic glance—perhaps acknowledging her misuse of privilege by cutting in line.
'At least she knows some manners.'
Lin Ran smiled faintly and said nothing as he led Xiao Yixian forward to the counter.
By now, the man in charge had just finished putting away the two pill boxes. The respectful expression he had shown earlier was completely gone. He now scanned Lin Ran and Xiao Yixian with sharp, suspicious eyes.
He couldn't discern anything from Lin Ran at all, and while Xiao Yixian's body bore a unique presence, whatever method was cloaking her had clearly surpassed his abilities to detect.
But then his eyes landed on the icy-blue bracelet on Xiao Yixian's wrist—and his expression changed dramatically.
"A fifth-rank Ice Alligator's Magic Core?!"
The man's attitude shifted immediately. He straightened up with a friendly smile and gestured respectfully, "Please, esteemed guests, have a seat! What would you like to auction today?"
"Tch. How snobbish."
Xiao Yixian muttered under her breath. Though her voice was soft, it echoed clearly in the quiet room. The staff member, however, didn't let it affect his expression in the slightest and maintained his professional demeanor.
Seeing this, Xiao Yixian said no more. With a flick of her slender fingers, she placed three small jade bottles on the table.
"More Pills?"
The staff member blinked. He raised his head, surprised to see three bottles before him. Another Pill submission?
He hadn't expected that after receiving two fourth-grade Pills earlier, someone else would bring more.
Of course, he didn't believe these would be better than what had already been submitted. Still, anyone who used a fifth-rank Magic Core as an accessory was not to be underestimated.
Wearing thin gloves, he carefully picked up one of the jade bottles.
He tilted it slightly, and a green Pill rolled into his palm.
It was a rich, emerald green, radiating a thick medicinal fragrance. The scent was so concentrated it practically turned into visible mist, glowing faintly on the surface of the Pill.
"This… this is!"
Staring at the tangible fragrance, the man's expression changed. His voice lowered into disbelief. "A solidified Pill aroma… a fifth-grade Pill?!"
"A Recovery Pill, fifth-grade."
Xiao Yixian replied with a small hum, a touch of pride in her voice. "This Recovery Pill is specifically formulated to heal severe internal injuries. Its medicinal properties are gentle and won't worsen the patient's condition—perfect for treating critical wounds."
"A treasure! A true treasure!"
The man's hands were trembling.
A fifth-grade Pill!
Not just rare in Black Rock City, but even in the entire Jia Ma Empire, such a Pill was an extraordinary treasure.
Fifth-grade Pills were notoriously difficult to refine. Even certified fifth-grade Alchemists struggled with success rates. Only the legendary Pill King Gu He could reliably make them—and even his odds weren't high!
Carefully, the staff returned the Pill to its bottle and swallowed hard as he looked at the other two jade vials. Then, respectfully, he turned to Lin Ran.
"My lord, may I trouble you to wait a moment? I must invite Master Otto and Master Frank to appraise these Pills properly."
"Go ahead."
Xiao Yixian gave a light nod, then glanced at Lin Ran before adding, "But please hurry."
(End of Chapter)