Auction

"My name is Mai Lin. Remember that," she said, striding out of the room with her back straight and robes flowing like silk in the breeze.

Outside, she summoned her flying sword with a casual flick of her hand. The blade hovered silently in the air, humming with spiritual energy.

"Come onto the sword," she called, turning her head slightly to look at Yu Chen.

"Yes, Master," he replied, stepping forward. But instead of standing like the others, he climbed on and gently hugged her from behind, his arms wrapping around her waist for balance.

"Shhh!" she flinched, a jolt running through her body. Her cheeks flushed faintly.

"Do not touch me," she said coldly, trying to sound composed.

Yu Chen silently adjusted himself, choosing to sit cross-legged on the sword instead of standing. He could feel people staring.

From the ground below, a few young disciples laughed.

"Hey, look at that! Is he sitting down like a scared kid?"

"What a joker! Must be his first time flying!"

Yu Chen didn't care. Mock me now. One day, you'll all be looking up.

They soared over the sect grounds, cutting through clouds as the golden sky dimmed into twilight. Eventually, they landed in front of the grand Auction Hall nestled within the inner district of the sect. Lanterns flickered to life, and cultivators in elegant robes moved around like currents in a river of light.

Inside, curious eyes followed them. Many turned to look at Mai Lin—her sudden appearance in public, especially here, was rare.

She walked directly to the main counter.

"Call Mu Kim. I have something to auction," she said to the receptionist.

From the second floor, a murmuring voice reached down.

"Isn't that the Elder from Alchemy Peak? Why's she here all of a sudden?"

The receptionist took the paper Mai Lin scribbled on, opened it—and her eyes widened. Without hesitation, she rushed upstairs.

Soon, Mu Kim descended with hurried steps and greeted Mai Lin.

"Please, Elder Mai Lin, let's speak in private."

They were led to a secure room. Once inside, Mu Kim gestured for the door to be closed. The receptionist quietly exited, guarding the door.

Mu Kim glanced between them.

"This boy…?"

"He's my personal disciple," Mai Lin said firmly.

"Understood. Then let's see the item."

Mai Lin reached into her ring and pulled out a pill, holding it between two fingers.

Mu Kim took it gently, inspecting its surface. Her expression tightened with disbelief. She scanned it with her system, but the response stunned her:

> [You common people are not allowed to view Uncommon items.]

Though the system refused to reveal detailed information, the pill's name—"Pure Qi Refining Pill"—flashed clearly.

It was enough.

Mu Kim's breath caught. She had never seen a pill emit such pure spiritual energy, especially from someone without cultivation.

"Thank you for this. I'll inform our guests," she said carefully.

But Mai Lin wasn't done. She placed four more on the table.

"Put all five on the auction list."

Mu Kim's face turned pale. She could barely contain her shock as the dense spiritual energy radiated off the pills, far stronger than standard Qi Refining pills.

---

That Night — Third Floor of the Auction Hall

Yu Chen and Mai Lin sat in a secluded balcony space, watching the bustling lower floors where wealthy cultivators had begun to gather.

The auction commenced. On stage, Mu Kim walked out with grace, holding a flaming red sword on a silver tray.

"Item one! A Rank 3 Blacksmith's Fire Core Sword. Starting bid: 30,000 Coins."

Bids flew.

"45,000!"

"50,000!"

"65,000!"

Then came a deep voice from the third floor:

"90,000."

Heads turned immediately.

"That's the Zen Family!"

"Why are they here today? There's nothing that rare on the list… right?"

"Haven't you heard? Something special is being auctioned. Only the VIPs were notified."

Yu Chen leaned over. "Master, this is boring."

Mai Lin smirked. "Wait until our items come up. You'll feel something far stronger than boredom."

---

A few more items passed, including a pink-hued Body Cleansing Pill.

"Rank 2 Alchemist. Starting at 20,000."

"25,000!"

"38,000!"

"50,000!" Again came the Zen Family's thunderous voice.

"Man, forget it. We can't compete. They'll crush anyone who bids against them," someone muttered.

The excitement dwindled.

Some guests even began dozing off in their chairs.

---

Then came the final item.

Mu Kim stepped forward, holding a sealed jade box, her voice commanding attention.

"Ladies and gentlemen—our final item of the night: five Pure Qi Refining Pills, crafted by an alchemist ranked higher than 5."

The entire hall went silent.

"What?" a man snapped awake. "Did she just say… Pure Pills?"

"Impossible! Do those even exist outside legends?"

"Can we confirm it?" someone from the Zen Family called out.

Mu Kim nodded.

An elder from the Zen family descended and approached the platform, scanning the pill.

> [You common people aren't worthy to view Uncommon items.]

His eyes narrowed, but the name flashed on screen: Pure Qi Refining Pill.

He turned and walked away.

"It's real," he said simply. "I couldn't even see the full details."

A smooth voice whispered from within the Zen family booth, "Leave it. I'll find out who the owner is soon enough."

Mu Kim closed the box and held up a note.

"The seller left a message: One pill is enough to safely push a non-cultivator into the Qi Gathering realm, without deviation. Each pill is equivalent to three standard ones."

She dropped the paper into a brazier, letting it burn into ash.

"Starting price: 50,000."

"100,000!" boomed the Zen Family's voice.

"Damn it. Again with the big bids."

Suddenly, a number lit up behind the auction stage.

[120,000]

In a quiet town far outside the sect, a chubby man watched the auction live from his system display.

"Heh… Let's see how they react when they realize I bid through the system store."

"Wait... Someone's using system access to participate anonymously?"

"180,000!" the screen flashed again.

"Kekekekeke… My kids are definitely becoming cultivators after this," the man giggled, rubbing his hands.

The Zen Family hesitated.

"We're out," a soft voice said from their box. "Let them have it."

Mu Kim raised her voice. "Sold! To the anonymous buyer for 180,000 Coins!"

The pills vanished into the system store.

---

Later That Night — Alchemy Peak

Mai Lin and Yu Chen walked into the treasury wing to collect their earnings. After deducting the auction house's 5% fee, she received 171,000 Coins.

Outside, she summoned her sword.

"Let's go," she said flatly.

Yu Chen stood still, frowning slightly. "You made over 130,000 in profit… and I get nothing?"

People nearby began to watch them, intrigued.

Mai Lin's face flushed a shade of red. "Get on the sword. We'll talk at the peak." She grabbed his wrist and lifted off.

---

Back at the Alchemy Peak…

She dropped him on the grass outside her house and crossed her arms.

"Speak."

Yu Chen looked up seriously.

"I want a share of the profits. I helped you earn that money."

She sighed.

"Yu Chen, I'm drowning in debt. Ten million Coins owed—fifteen percent interest per year. If I don't pay it back soon, I'll lose everything."

Yu Chen narrowed his eyes. She's lying… or hiding something.

"You made 150,000 from Qi Refining pills alone," he said calmly. "Imagine what we'll make with Foundation pills. You'll be rich in a week."

Mai Lin stepped forward and rested her hands on his shoulders. Then she leaned down and kissed his cheek.

"Kiss~"

She smiled.

"That's all a pervert like you gets… for now."

Yu Chen blinked, dumbfounded.

She turned away, then glanced over her shoulder.

"Fine. I'll give you extra Coins after each auction. Happy now?"

As she entered her room, she glanced back again with a strange look in her eyes.

"He's just a walking treasure…" she murmured under her breath.

Yu Chen returned from his bath, fresh and dressed in the clean sect robes.

She stared for a moment, taken aback.

"Damn… he looks good."

Yu Chen adjusted his collar.

"I need to get a better set for Mu Chen too. He'd love this."

Mai Lin blushed.

"Don't fall for my looks, Master," he teased. "One day, I'll conquer you. Then I'll know I've really achieved something."

She smirked.

"You're staying with me from now on. It's too dangerous for someone like you to be out there alone."

Yu Chen stepped back.

"No, Master. You can't—wait—noooo—!"

She shut the door behind him and activated a formation around the entire house.

The seals glowed, locking him inside.