A Collective Gasp

"That must be Old Man Mi. Seems like he's nearing the end of his lifespan."

"Indeed. His sect suffered some upheaval years ago—most of their cultivators perished in battle, leaving him as their sole Divine Transformation expert. But his remaining years are few, and his sect lacks successors. If he falls, their sect would lose its Divine Transformation anchor... and likely become easy prey for those Fallen Ones."

"I see..."

Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Under such circumstances, gambling for this Divine Transformation Pill was understandable. Some even suspected this auction might have been deliberately arranged.

After all, the Frostveil Pavilion boasted abundant talent—five or six Divine Transformation experts among them. They had no shortage of such pills, hence their willingness to part with one.

"Interesting..."

Su Min's sharp perception caught these undercurrents. A faint smirk played on her lips, though she remained silent.

She waited calmly for the next item while the Divine Transformation Pill was handed off. No sect would dare renege on such a transaction—the pill's value had already surpassed its original purpose.

Under normal circumstances, no late Divine Transformation expert would risk their life for it.

"With that concluded, we present our final treasure: the Netherfrost Soul Crystal, harvested from the Tianhan Snow Plains' deepest reaches! This crystal contains pure energy with limitless applications. Our sect obtained only three—two were used by our elders, and this last one is now offered for auction!"

As the auctioneer spoke, a crystal shimmering with unique energy and natural laws was unveiled. In that instant, every Divine Transformation expert present—Su Min included—felt their hearts tremble. Few things could stir them so profoundly at this level, but this crystal was undoubtedly one.

"For me, this could unleash vast reserves of pure energy while activating the residual bloodline power within me..."

Su Min's mind raced. During the Black Tortoise trials, she'd bathed in both Tortoise and Dragon blood, yet not all that energy had been absorbed. This crystal could complete the process.

Moreover, the frost crystal seemed to harbor a peculiar allure, faint yet undeniable. The only drawback was its exclusivity—it only benefited ice-aligned cultivators. For others, it was worthless.

But for Su Min, this was perfect. Ice and water shared origins, and her unique constitution could assimilate it—hence that peculiar resonance.

"I must obtain it."

She'd concealed her identity to avoid trouble, but now that no longer mattered. This crystal's value far outweighed any need for secrecy. A Golden Core cultivator had no place in this bidding war.

If exposure was inevitable, so be it. At worst, she'd face some unforeseen hassles—hardly worth fretting over.

"All present have sensed its worth. However, it only benefits ice-aligned cultivators. Our sect has only two such individuals, hence this surplus. But its value remains immense—we seek no spirit stones. Instead, we'll evaluate offers privately. Interested parties may enter for negotiations."

"..."

This announcement met with silent nods, Su Min included. Publicly flaunting one's wealth was perilous—unwanted attention often followed those possessing treasures beyond their means to protect.

Even Su Min faced this dilemma. As an alchemist, she possessed countless high-grade pills—but only within the bounds of what her strength could safeguard.

Those desperate enough to covet her wares still couldn't overpower her.

As expected, private chambers shielded by anti-detection arrays opened. Not even Su Min could pierce their veils—these specialized formations thwarted all probing unless one disregarded stealth entirely.

"No rush..."

Watching Divine Transformation experts enter and exit those chambers with frowns, Su Min noted their unsuccessful bids. The Frostveil Pavilion was clearly weighing options, but their dissatisfaction suggested the offers fell short.

They seemed to desire something specific—yet undefined. This ambiguity frustrated bidders immensely. Were it not for the half-step Dao Comprehension overseer, some might have resorted to less civilized methods.

Meanwhile, inside the negotiation room...

"Young lady, what brings you here?"

The Frostveil Pavilion's half-step Dao Comprehension elder regarded Su Min with bemusement. Her Golden Core peak cultivation was pathetically insignificant in his eyes—hardly worth his attention.

A Golden Core cultivator meddling in such affairs? Preposterous. A flick of his finger could reduce her to dust. That he remained courteous spoke volumes about his self-restraint.

A more temperamental expert might have swatted her out the door upon entry.

But then—

"Two Spirit Transformation Pills. If that's insufficient, I can add more. Alternatively, if you're willing to wait a century, I can provide a seventh-tier pill."

"Hiss—"

The elder's breath caught. Trembling, he reached for the two pills Su Min had casually tossed onto the table, his half-lidded eyes widening comically.

Staring between the pills and Su Min, he momentarily short-circuited. The cognitive dissonance overwhelmed him.

Yet as a half-step Dao Comprehension expert, his reboot took under a second.

Rising swiftly, he abandoned all pretense of aloofness, bowing deeply.

"So it's Grandmaster Su! Forgive this humble one for failing to recognize you earlier! This old man is Yue Ningzi, Frostveil Pavilion's Grand Elder. We're eternally grateful for the Divine Transformation Pill you provided."

In moments, Yue Ningzi was pouring tea and ushering Su Min to the seat of honor. Behind him, the auctioneer gaped, his tray nearly slipping from numb fingers.

Only one person in this world could produce two Spirit Transformation Pills so casually—and promise a seventh-tier pill within a century.

While sixth-tier pills left Yue Ningzi unfazed, seventh-tier ones made his heart race. Among them was the legendary Dao Comprehension Pill—the holy grail for all half-step Enlightenment experts, himself included.

Su Min's promise might be speculative, but its allure was undeniable. The Dao Comprehension Pill's effects were undisputed. As for materials, Su Min's cauldron currently held enough for two attempts.

Once she reached late Divine Transformation, she'd inevitably attempt refining them. What cultivator wouldn't leap at a shortcut saving millennia of effort?

"Grandmaster Su... might that seventh-tier pill be an Dao Comprehension Pill?"

"If you provide the materials—especially the core ingredients, which I lack. It may take over a century. At my current level, I'd likely succeed only at late Divine Transformation..."

Su Min's meaningful glance said: Your call.

"Since Grandmaster Su desires it, we're honored to oblige. But seventh-tier pills require patience, whereas our current needs are pressing. Moreover, I recall Grandmaster specializes in fire attributes? This frost crystal..."

"My physique is unique—the Five Elements Holy Body accommodates all."

"Ah... Very well. We'll relinquish the crystal if Grandmaster can provide three things."

"Name them."

"First, one Spirit Transformation Pill. Second, a life-saving pill for critical moments. Third, a custom earth-grade magical artifact. And once Grandmaster reaches Divine Transformation, an Dao Comprehension Pill—materials provided by us."

"Deal."

Su Min agreed instantly. With a wave, one Spirit Transformation Pill returned to her grasp while another pill materialized.

"This pill ensures rapid recovery from near-fatal injuries for anyone at Divine Transformation stage or below—including half-step Dao Comprehension. As for the artifact, provide blueprints and materials."

Unlike expendable pills, most artifacts were heirlooms. Hence, scarcity wasn't as acute. In the current era, crafting earth-grade artifacts typically required late Dao Comprehension or even Unity Stage prowess—unless one wielded special flames.

Fortunately, artifact forging lacked alchemy's precision demands. At her level, Su Min could manage—given schematics and materials.

"Bring the frost crystal for Grandmaster Su!"

Convinced by Su Min's decisiveness, Yue Ningzi ordered the crystal delivered without further haggling. Su Min's reputation guaranteed her word.

"Marvelous..."

Su Min admired the crystal's glass-like surface—a perfect insulator containing boundless cold energy. Her bloodline trembled in response, confirming its potency.

"Regarding your identity, Grandmaster Su..."

"Remains confidential."

"Understood. Announce the auction's conclusion. The frost crystal's recipient shall remain undisclosed—notify the 'winner' privately."

As the auctioneer departed to make the announcement, both occupants faintly heard the crowd's murmurs. This theatrical closure served Su Min's anonymity.

The abrupt ending surprised many, but most approved—such treasures were best transported discreetly. Even if suspicions of foul play arose, discretion trumped transparency when safeguarding valuables.

"That woman never emerged... Did she trade herself for patronage?"

"Who knows? Not that it matters. At most, she secured a Nascent Soul opportunity—well within Frostveil Pavilion's means."

"Return and await news. We must monitor developments closely."

While the crowd dispersed, Su Min exited via a rear passage into the Frostveil Pavilion's local headquarters—with only a select few aware of her presence.