In a room filled with scented oakwood, an old man with a long, white beard and gold-rimmed glasses looked at the cloaked man sitting across the table with scrutiny.
"Mister, may I see the item which you want to auction?"
Although he was curious, his attitude was professional with an air of arrogance.
And why shouldn't he be arrogant?
He is the only 2nd rank alchemist in the entire Wutan City and a highly valued appraiser in the Mitter family.
His name is Gu Ni and he is respected wherever he goes.
Xiao Fan under the black cloak frowned slightly but didn't say anything. He pulled out a jade bottle from his storage ring and handed it over.
Gu Ni was skilled at appraising so he took the bottle, opened its cork and sniffed the medicinal fragrance coming from it, all at once. The movements were fluid as if he had done it a hundred times.
But this is when his face changed. His eyes widened into disbelief.
He took out a long silver needle and inserted it slightly inside the bottle as if to test something.
When he saw the result, he was shocked.
He looked at the cloaked man across from him and suddenly there was respect in his eyes.
"Sir, may I ask if this is a 4th rank pill?"
Gu Ni, although aware still asked for confirmation.
There is no way.
He has never seen this pill before and doesn't know the details. But the energy released from it is unmistakeable.
No one has ever auctioned a 4th rank pill in Wutan City before!
Xiao Fan nodded in affirmation before giving the details: "It is called Meridian Strengthening Pill. It can slightly increase the talent of the consumer. The lower the talent, the greater the effect."
On hearing this, Gu Ni suddenly felt like he was struck by lightning.
What!
What did he hear?
This pill can actually increase talent!
There has never been a precedence of a pill with such heaven defying effect. If it is really as this guest say, this is revolutionary!
Gu Ni immediately bowed and said he couldn't make the decision on this matter.
He asked for Xiao Fan to wait while he went to find the person-in-charge.
And naturally it's none other than.....Ya Fei.
Xiao Fan was presented tea and fruits by the maids and was treated like some leader of a big force.
He didn't have to wait long before he heard a flurry of footsteps outside the door.
Suddenly the door opened and a rosy fragrance wafted inside the room.
Then he saw a tall, plump woman with prominent curves walking towards him.
She was wearing a red cheongsam with a slit running down from her thigh which occasionally moved to show her long, snow-white legs.
Her waist swayed with every step exuding a sinful temptation which was hard to resist.
Her every move was filled with charm— one that no man can handle.
"I have heard that this guest wants to sell the Meridian Strengthening Pill. Is it true?"
A sweet, almost numbing voice came into Xiao Fan's ear causing him to break out of the trance.
He secretly spat: 'goblin' before nodding under the cloak.
Ya Fei's eyes lit up as soon as she heard the answer.
From a small age, she has had good looks and a sense of business but her talent is extremely low which caused her to be isolated in the family.
After growing up, she was sent to this border city to make a living but she didn't lose hope.
She was determined to prove herself and climb the family ranks. This is why she has been working hard to get better business deals, just to show her worth.
But even all these were not enough.
The family just saw her as a tool to make money.
When she will have served her purpose, she will be married away for the family's benefit.
As an independent woman, she obviously didn't want this.
Originally she thought she will never be able to control her own destiny but this pill came at the right time.
If this pill can really transform her talent and give her the freedom she wants, she must have it at all costs.
"Dear Sir, I am Ya Fei. The chief auctioneer of Mitter Auction House and also the person-in-charge here. I am willing to buy this pill from you at the cost of 200000 gold coins. Furthermore, you will also be entitled to a Gold VIP card which can get you a discount of upto 30% in any of our branches across the empire."
Ya Fei said all this in one breath before looking at the cloaked figure again.
She was actually very nervous about what his decision will be. Afterall, her future depends on it!
As for why she didn't just auction it and then buy it from there is because it's not allowed.
The branch members cannot bid in their own auction. Although there are ways around it but she just wanted to give it a try!
Xiao Fan looked at the nervous Ya Fei and felt a little funny. This pill was actually made for her and he knew that once she heard of it, she will definitely try to get it at all costs.
But he will not make a loss.
Although 200000 gold coins and a VIP card is good. It's actually not of much use to him.
Moreover, this is an ancient pill!
It is priceless.
Thinking of this, Xiao Fan shook his head.
Ya Fei who was eagerly waiting for his response saw this and her face immediately dropped.
But this didn't reduce her charm instead she looked more vulnerable. This can arouse a man's protectiveness.
Ya Fei was truly a master of negotiations!
Xiao Fan however, didn't fall for it and continued: "I can sell it but I need you to gather some materials for me. As long as those things are found, the pill is yours."
Ya Fei's eyes lit up and she immediately beamed: "Of course, we can get your stuffs. There are not many things in the Jiama Empire that the Mitter family can't get."
When she said the last part, she was somewhat proud.
Xiao Fan didn't argue and just handed over a list.
After reading it once, Ya Fei was shocked!
The materials listed here are not very expensive but they are truly rare. It will take a lot of time and energy to find all of them.
But as she thought of the freedom that lay ahead, her eyes turned firm and she kept the list while assuring Xiao Fan that he will definitely get these things within a year.
Xiao Fan smiled under the hood as he knew that the things in that list were truly rare and even for the Mitter family, it will be tough to find all of those.
But he really needs them and since he can let someone do the task for him, then why not?
"Okay, then I will take my leave. I will keep in touch so let me know once you find them."
Saying this much, Xiao Fan didn't wait for a response before leaving the room using his technique.
Ya Fei and the others chased after him but he was nowhere to be seen. They were all shocked beyond words.
Afterall Master Gu Ni among them is a Da Dou Shi. Even he can't keep up with this mysterious man!
This was a show of strength planned by Xiao Fan so that they don't try some tricks on him in the future.
And by the looks of their faces, it worked!