128: Third Young Master Bai Wuchen

A warm smile immediately spread across his face. He quickly stepped forward and cupped his hands, saying.

"This must be the Master Alchemist, I presume? I have long admired your reputation! I am Bai Xiaofeng, the son of the Heavenly Serpent City Lord. To witness your distinguished demeanor today is truly a blessing!"

Jiang Donghua was taken aback by his sudden enthusiasm and instinctively stood up to return the courtesy.

"Uh? Young Master Bai, you are too kind."

Bai Xiaofeng's smile widened. He took the opportunity to sit down right next to Jiang Donghua, acting completely familiar.

"Master, to be able to refine a fourth-grade pill at such a young age, you truly possess extraordinary talent! May I ask who your master is? Could it be some eminent figure from the Northwest Continent?"

The probing had begun.

Red Silk leaned against the window, watching coldly, a hint of a sneer playing on her lips.

Jiang Donghua scratched his head and spoke vaguely.

"Well, my master dislikes publicity, so let's not mention him."

Bai Xiaofeng's eyes darted around, and he immediately changed direction.

"Haha, I understand, I understand! Eminent figures always disdain fame and fortune. Then, Master, are you traveling through the Black-Corner Region this time, or are you..."

"Just passing through."

Jiang Donghua smiled, still revealing nothing.

Bai Xiaofeng cursed inwardly.

"Little fox."

Yet, his face showed no hint of displeasure, and he continued to ramble.

"Oh dear, Master, you've come at the perfect time! Our Heavenly Serpent Mansion recently collected a batch of rare medicinal ingredients. If Master is interested, why not come to the Mansion for a visit?"

"About that?"

Jiang Donghua glanced at Red Silk, saw her subtly shake her head, and immediately understood.

"I'm afraid I don't have time right now. Thank you for the kind offer, Young Master Bai."

Bai Xiaofeng's smile froze for an instant but quickly returned to normal.

He's completely unyielding!

Just as he was about to change the subject again, Red Silk suddenly spoke.

"Young Master Bai."

Bai Xiaofeng turned his head, only to see the cold, beautiful woman looking at him with a half-smile.

"The Master doesn't have time to chat with you right now, because he needs to refine pills!"

This was clearly an order to leave.

Bai Xiaofeng's expression shifted slightly, but he quickly forced out a smile:

"Haha, I was rude. Then perhaps another day..."

"No need to see me out."

Red Silk cut him off directly.

Bai Xiaofeng's eye twitched. He suppressed his anger, stood up, and prepared to leave.

Bai Xiaofeng stopped, suddenly turned around, and a fierce look flashed in his eyes.

He abruptly raised his hand and waved. The door slammed shut with a bang, and the aura of a Dou Ling Level cultivator suddenly erupted, causing the air in the entire room to stagnate.

"This Young Master doesn't have time to beat around the bush anymore."

He stared at Jiang Donghua, enunciating every word clearly.

"Become my guest elder and help me win against my brothers. Pills, medicinal ingredients, women, cultivation methods—anything I possess, I can give it all to you!"

As his voice fell, the room plunged into dead silence.

Red Silk narrowed her eyes, and Lightning Light faintly appeared between her fingers.

Jiang Donghua, however, was stunned in place, clearly not expecting the other party to suddenly drop the facade and lay his cards on the table.

Seeing their silence, Bai Xiaofeng assumed they were intimidated by his offer, and his tone softened slightly.

"You should understand what happens to an Alchemist without a backer in the Black-Corner Region, especially since you're dragging along this burden."

He glanced meaningfully at Red Silk.

Crack!

The teacup in Red Silk's hand suddenly shattered, and the scalding tea was evaporated into mist by the Lightning Light before it could splatter.

"Who did you call a burden?"

She slowly stood up, her clothes fluttering without wind.

Jiang Donghua coughed twice, a playful smile appearing on his face.

"Senior Sister, step back."

Red Silk frowned slightly, and the Lightning Light on her fingertips slowly dissipated, but her gaze remained icy as she stared at Bai Xiaofeng, seemingly ready to strike at any moment.

Seeing this, Bai Xiaofeng was secretly delighted, assuming Jiang Donghua was finally swayed by his offer. He quickly leaned forward, his face covered in a fawning smile.

"Master is truly wise! As long as you are willing to help me, the resources of the Heavenly Serpent Mansion will be yours to use!"

Jiang Donghua pretended to ponder, lightly tapping the table with his fingertip, and slowly said.

"Young Master Bai just said that anything you possess, you can give to me?"

"Of course! As long as Master makes a request, I, Bai Xiaofeng, will absolutely not refuse!"

Bai Xiaofeng pounded his chest in assurance, a greedy glint flashing in his eyes.

Jiang Donghua smiled slightly, took out a prepared list from his storage ring, and gently pushed it toward Bai Xiaofeng.

"Alright, I want these items."

Bai Xiaofeng lowered his head to look, and the smile on his face instantly froze.

The list densely detailed over a dozen rare medicinal ingredients, including many he had never even heard of, century-old spiritual grasses, and even several Pill Formulas!

Any one of these items could fetch a sky-high price at an auction in the Black-Corner Region, yet Jiang Donghua had demanded so many at once!

Cold sweat beaded on Bai Xiaofeng's forehead. His fingers trembled slightly as he forced out a smile.

"M-Master, isn't this list a bit...?"

Jiang Donghua feigned surprise.

"What's wrong? Didn't Young Master Bai just say that anything you possess, you can give to me?"

Bai Xiaofeng's face turned pale, and he cursed inwardly.

"This brat is making outrageous demands! The value of all these things combined might be something only my father could produce!"

But he dared not refuse outright, as Jiang Donghua was a crucial bargaining chip in his fight for the position he desired.

He gritted his teeth and forced a laugh.

"Master, these items are indeed precious, but could we perhaps reduce the quantity slightly?"

Jiang Donghua sighed, feigning disappointment as he withdrew the list.

"It seems Young Master Bai's sincerity is only this much."

Bai Xiaofeng grew anxious and quickly said.

"Master, please don't misunderstand! It's just that these items are difficult to gather all at once. How about you accompany me to the Heavenly Serpent Mansion first, and I will slowly prepare them for you?"

Jiang Donghua looked at him with a half-smile.

"Young Master Bai, I don't like empty promises. If you can't even show this much sincerity, then let's forget about it."

Bai Xiaofeng's expression flickered uncertainly as he calculated in his mind.

He forced out a smile.

"Master, please wait a moment, I will go gather them immediately!"

After speaking, he hurriedly turned and left, his retreating figure looking somewhat disheveled.

After the door closed, Red Silk snorted coldly.

"That fellow probably has ill intentions."

Jiang Donghua dropped his smile, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes.

"Of course he has ill intentions, but he will return soon, and he will bring sincerity."

Red Silk raised an eyebrow.

"Are you sure?"

Jiang Donghua's lips curled slightly.

"In the Black-Corner Region, the one thing we don't lack are patsies."

Bai Xiaofeng walked out of the inn with a gloomy face, his mind churning.

"This brat certainly has a large appetite!"

He gritted his teeth, but then, upon second thought, he sneered.

"However, since he is willing to name a price, it means there's room for negotiation!"

Bai Xiaofeng rubbed his chin, a hint of cunning flashing in his eyes.

"Temporarily satisfying this Alchemist shouldn't be too much of a problem."

He looked up at the distant, magnificent auction house, a cold, sinister curve appearing at the corner of his mouth.

"I'll go to the auction house first and tell the Elder to take out those three third-grade pill recipes."

Anyway, those Pill Formulas were just gathering dust in Heavenly Serpent Mansion. It would be better to take them out first to stabilize Jiang Donghua, and once the matter was settled, he could figure out a way to get them back with interest!

Thinking of this, Bai Xiaofeng's mood improved slightly, and his steps quickened.

"I thought the woman accompanying him meant he was a lecher who enjoyed playing with women, just like me."

Recalling Red Silk's icy gaze and the Lightning Light flickering on her fingertips, his heart grew cold. That kind of imposing aura definitely did not belong to a woman who cultivated seductive arts.

She was likely a genuine master who had steadily killed countless powerful enemies!

"I didn't expect that the things this kid demanded were all genuinely valuable items!"

Bai Xiaofeng shook his head, feeling both annoyed and helpless.

"This isn't necessarily a bad thing. No wonder he could become a Fourth-Grade Alchemist at such a young age."

At least it showed that Jiang Donghua was not a mediocre talent obsessed with wine and women.

He was a truly capable person.

If such a person could be recruited, he would definitely achieve great things in the future!

"Hmph, I'll let you be smug for a little while."

A cold light flashed in Bai Xiaofeng's eyes, and he quickened his pace toward the auction house.

"Once this Young Master ascends to the City Lord's position, I'll deal with you slowly!"

The entire auction house in Heavenly Serpent City was polished until it was magnificent and golden. The glazed tiles reflected a luxurious sheen under the setting sun, and the golden snake carvings coiled around the vermilion pillars were lifelike, appearing ready to soar into the sky at any moment.

A scarlet carpet was spread before the entrance, and maids on both sides stood submissively, quietly awaiting the arrival of powerful figures the next day.

However, Bai Xiaofeng had no interest in admiring this grandeur. His steps were hurried as he bypassed the main entrance and rushed straight into the side hall behind the auction house.

The security here was tight. Several heavily-auraed guards had sharp, electric gazes, but after clearly seeing the visitor, they all bowed their heads in greeting.

"Ninth Young Master."

Bai Xiaofeng nodded slightly and strode into the inner hall.

The light in the hall was dim. Behind a sandalwood desk, a Gray-Robed Elder was sitting with his eyes closed, meditating. His face was thin and withered, but the faint pressure emanating from him made the air feel viscous—an eight-star Dou Huang!

Bai Xiaofeng's heart tightened, and he quickly cupped his hands in greeting.

"Third Elder."

The elder slowly raised his eyelids. His murky gaze swept over him, and his voice was rough like sandpaper.

"Ninth Young Master, instead of preparing for tomorrow's auction at this hour, why have you run over here to see this old man?"

Fine sweat broke out on Bai Xiaofeng's forehead, but he quickly forced out a smile.

"Third Elder, your nephew has an urgent request."

The elder snorted coldly, lightly tapping the desk with his fingertip.

"Speak."

Bai Xiaofeng took a deep breath and lowered his voice.

"Your nephew wishes to purchase the three third-grade pill recipes that are scheduled for tomorrow's auction."

The elder frowned, a sharp gleam flashing in his eyes.

"Oh? Those are items for tomorrow's auction. What do you need them for, toilet paper?"

Bai Xiaofeng gritted his teeth and said stiffly.

"Your nephew has recruited a Fourth-Grade Alchemist, and these Pill Formulas are needed as a show of sincerity."

"Third Elder, please give me these Pill Formulas first. Here are the gold coins I can produce right now. As for the remaining gold coins, I absolutely will not short the auction house."

The elder was silent for a moment, then suddenly sneered.

"Ninth Young Master, you haven't been fooled by some wandering charlatan, have you?"

Bai Xiaofeng's expression stiffened, and he quickly said.

"Third Elder, please believe me, that person can indeed refine a fourth-grade pill. Your nephew saw it with his own eyes!"

The elder stared at him for a long time, then suddenly waved his hand. Three ancient scrolls materialized out of thin air, suspended mid-air.

"Take them."

Bai Xiaofeng was overjoyed and reached out to take them, but then heard the elder coldly add.

"However, taking them now and paying later is acceptable, but don't fail to produce the gold coins when the time comes. Even if you argue it out with your father, Ninth Young Master, you will not be in the right!"

Bai Xiaofeng naturally nodded, grabbed them, placed them in his storage ring, and hurried away.

After Bai Xiaofeng's figure completely disappeared outside the door, the Third Elder slowly withdrew his gaze and sighed softly, shaking his head.

"Fighting back and forth, what is there to fight over?"

His thin, withered fingers lightly traced the patterns on the desk, and a hint of weariness flashed in his murky eyes.

"In this world, strength is ultimately king."

Internal strife had been constant in Heavenly Serpent Mansion for years. The Young Masters fought overtly and covertly, employing endless tactics to recruit Alchemists and powerful experts.

But in the end, without sufficient strength, even if one took the City Lord position, how long could one hold it securely?

"I wonder why that old fellow has been in seclusion so often recently, ignoring worldly affairs?"

The Third Elder muttered softly, his tone carrying a sense of helplessness.

The Heavenly Serpent Mansion Lord, Bai Xiaofeng's father, had been in seclusion for a long time, and the Mansion's affairs were almost entirely handled by the Elders.

With the distribution of power, various factions were stirring, and the sons were fighting fiercely to the death.

"Alas~"

He sighed deeply, closed his eyes again, and lost all interest in the outside conflicts.

"Forget it, let them do as they please."

"In the end, only the one who survives is the winner."

Hong Yu lowered her head and hurried down the long corridor, only thinking about completing the task assigned by the Ninth Young Master as quickly as possible.

However, just as she turned the corner, a tall, slender figure blocked her path.

"Oh, isn't this the little maid next to Ninth Brother?"

Hong Yu stiffened all over. She suddenly looked up and met a pair of narrow eyes that seemed to be smiling but weren't—it was Third Young Master Bai Wuchen!

"Th-Third Young Master!"

She immediately knelt down, her voice trembling.

Bai Wuchen wore a plain white brocade robe, lightly fanning himself. He looked as gentle as jade, but a cold, playful amusement showed in his eyes as he looked down at Hong Yu, suddenly chuckling softly.

"Strange, why isn't my dear Ninth Brother indulging in debauchery in his palace during the day?"

Cold sweat broke out on Hong Yu's forehead. She dared not look up.

Bai Wuchen narrowed his eyes, suddenly reached out, grabbed her neck, and lifted her up!

"Tell me, where did he go?"

Hong Yu struggled to breathe, her face flushed red, and she managed to squeeze out a few words.

"Th-This servant doesn't know..."

Bai Wuchen sneered, his grip tightening slightly.

"Playing tough?"

Hong Yu closed her eyes in pain and finally said tremblingly.

"The Ninth Young Master went to, to recruit a Fourth-Grade Alchemist!"

"Oh?"

A sharp light flashed in Bai Wuchen's eyes, and the pressure in his hand eased slightly.

"A Fourth-Grade Alchemist? Interesting."

A meaningful smile curved his lips. He then released his grip, allowing Hong Yu to fall to the ground, coughing violently.

Bai Wuchen leisurely straightened his cuff and said indifferently.

"Lead the way."

Hong Yu looked up in terror.

Bai Wuchen leaned down and whispered in her ear.

"Otherwise, my Ninth Brother might lose a toy."

Hong Yu trembled all over, her face ashen white.

"Th-This servant will lead the way now~"

She struggled to crawl to her feet and stumbled forward, despair already settling in her heart.