100: Chapter 100 Free Trade Fair

In the end, amidst a chorus of slightly regretful sighs, he successfully secured the fist-sized, dark-gold glowing monster core for the price of 17,000 Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

"Next, it is time to return and refine the longevity pill for the Old Ancestor." Ye Changge calculated in his heart. With this monster core, supplemented by the few auxiliary medicinal ingredients he had previously collected, his chances of success had increased significantly.

If the pill could be successfully refined, it would at least extend the Lifespan of Old Ancestor Ye Fan, who was already at the Late Foundation Establishment Stage and running low on Lifespan, by over sixty years, which was of great significance for stabilizing the Family Foundation.

Among the subsequent auction items, several gleaming Spiritual Artifacts appeared one after another, as well as a set of incomplete defensive Formation Flags said to have been excavated from an ancient Cultivator's Immortal Cave, sparking a round of bidding wars.

However, Ye Changge was not lacking in Spiritual Artifacts, and with the "Myriad Talismans Heavenly Stems Strategy" and "yuanlian bean general" in his possession, his interest in Formations had shifted towards the more profound path of combining Talisman Arrays due to "The True Explanation of the Myriad Derivations Talisman Array". Thus, he merely observed these auction items and did not make any further bids.

In the end, this three-day auction slowly drew to a close after the final grand finale Spiritual Artifact was purchased at a high price by a distinguished guest in one of the private boxes.

Ye Changge walked out of the main building with the flow of the crowd, feeling a slight sense of regret in his heart.

Although he had successfully bid for the crucial monster core on this trip, he had not been able to fulfill his original plan of purchasing a small spirit-gathering spring or finding a few special Ores that could assist in the Body Refining of the "Kunpeng Refining Art".

However, he was also aware that this auction was essentially still a "small auction".

Truly good items often only appear at those super-large auctions that are held once every decade and gather resources from several nations or even an entire region.

He headed straight to the auction's settlement area, paid the required Spirit Stones in full, and received the Golden Armored Earth Dragon Beast monster core and a Storage Pouch containing the other few scattered Materials.

Just as he was preparing to leave, a pretty and well-mannered attendant standing to the side stepped forward, bowed slightly, and said in a soft voice:

"Senior, please wait. Although today's auction has ended, according to tradition, a small 'Free Trade Fair' will be held on the top floor of our Chamber of Commerce at the third quarter of the Xu hour. The participants are mostly distinguished guests who attended today, or some Cultivators with special channels. There are often rare items that did not appear in the auction or are more suitable for barter. If Senior is interested, you might as well go and take a look."

Ye Changge's heart stirred upon hearing this.

He did indeed still have some items he needed that he hadn't been able to purchase. Such non-public free trade fairs could sometimes lead to unexpected treasures, and the trading methods were more flexible.

"Oh? There is such a thing. What proof is required?"

Seeing that he was interested, the attendant's smile became even sweeter. She respectfully handed over a pale gold card engraved with subtle cloud patterns:

"Senior, holding this VIP card is sufficient. At the third quarter of the Xu hour, just enter the top floor from the dedicated passage at the side door of the Chamber of Commerce with the card. Someone will be there to receive you."

Ye Changge took the card. It felt slightly cool to the touch and was made of a special material. When his Divine Sense swept over it, there was a faint ripple of a Formation, so it was definitely not an ordinary object. He nodded: "Good, I will come at that time."

Leaving the auction grounds, Ye Changge first returned to the Hundred Herbs Pavilion. Inside the shop, Xiao Yurou had already returned and was sitting behind the counter, staring blankly at the account book in front of her, with a lingering trace of disappointment between her brows.

One look was enough for Ye Changge to know that the result of her attempting to refine that Medicinal Pill a few days ago must have been less than ideal.

"Shopkeeper Xiao, is the Alchemy not going well?" Ye Changge walked forward and asked gently.

Xiao Yurou snapped back to reality. Seeing it was Ye Changge, she quickly stood up, forcing a smile onto her face: "Senior Ye has returned. The medicinal effect is indeed there, but it is far from what was expected. I am afraid... it is difficult to be of much use."

Her tone carried self-reproach and embarrassment. After all, he had generously gifted her the Pill Formula, and while there was some medicinal effect, it still hadn't solved the fundamental problem.

Ye Changge waved his hand, signaling her not to mind it, and then took out a new jade slip and handed it over: "It is fine. The path of Alchemy is ever-changing. How could a new Pill Formula be so easily successful on the first try? This is a Pill Formula I have re-deduced and adjusted based on the problems you might have encountered during your last refinement. Perhaps it can improve things. Try it again."

Xiao Yurou was stunned, staring blankly at the jade slip in front of her, almost unable to believe it.

The preciousness of a Pill Formula is well known in the Cultivation World. Not only did the Senior not blame her for her lack of skill, but instead... instead, he brought out an improved Pill Formula?

A huge wave of gratitude and a trace of disbelief instantly welled up in her heart.

But aside from this small shop she was barely maintaining and her passable Alchemy skills, she really didn't have anything worth the other party scheming for...

She shook her head, suppressing the chaotic thoughts in her heart. With slightly trembling hands, she took the jade slip and bowed deeply: "Th-thank you, Senior! Yurou will definitely do her best and not let down Senior's high expectations!"

Ye Changge smiled gently: "Doing your best is enough. There is no need to have too much pressure."

He could tell that Xiao Yurou was someone with a passion for Alchemy, and such a person was worth supporting.

Moreover, a stable and reliable source of Medicinal Pills was equally important for the long-term development of the Family.

Xiao Yurou treasured the new Pill Formula and put it away, her eyes reigniting with fighting spirit. After taking her leave from Ye Changge, she hurried out the door, preparing to go purchase another batch of medicinal herbs to attempt refinement.

Ye Changge turned and entered the Pill Refining Room in the backyard.

The "longevity pill" was ranked as a High Grade second-rank pill. The refinement process was quite complicated and required extremely high control over heat and spiritual power.

Fortunately, Ye Changge possessed the "Yin Yang Creation Art", his spiritual power was pure, and his control was meticulous. Coupled with his powerful Divine Sense, he was well-equipped to handle it.

Ye Changge intended to first refine something of higher difficulty to get a feel for it.

Time slipped away quietly amidst the fragrant aroma of the Pill Furnace and the fluctuations of spiritual power.

It wasn't until the sky outside the window gradually darkened and the lights began to flicker on that Ye Changge finally cast a Pill Retrieval Technique.

Three pills were formed, all of them of supreme quality, which was enough to satisfy Ye Changge.

Walking out of the Pill Refining Room, he saw Xiao Zhi organizing the shelves in the front hall.

He swept a glance and found that most of the items placed in the prominent spots on the counter were first-rank Medicinal Pills and Talismans, while the sales of second-rank talismans seemed average.

"Xiao Zhi," Ye Changge said, "Take some of the second-rank middle and Low Grade Talismans we brought and place them by the door or in a prominent spot on the counter. Although this is a Medicinal Pill shop, the passing Cultivators always have diverse needs. Placing the Talismans in plain sight might attract more business."

Xiao Zhi nodded obediently: "Yes, Senior Ye, I will go adjust it right away."

She was very respectful towards this powerful and gentle Senior Ye, and immediately set about rearranging things.

Ye Changge looked at the sky; it was already near the Xu hour, so he did not delay any further. He left the Hundred Herbs Pavilion and headed to the auction Chamber of Commerce once again.

With the card, he successfully entered through the side door passage and went straight to the top floor along the stairs covered with a soft carpet.

At the entrance, two guards with disciplined auras and sharp gazes were on guard. After checking Ye Changge's VIP card, they respectfully let him pass.