81: Chapter 81 Auction Invitation

Gu Yan ultimately did not kill anyone in public.

He merely used a terrifying Aura that felt almost tangible to pin Chen Xuanfeng and all the guards he brought in place, leaving them unable to move.

Then, he walked up slowly. Under the terrified gaze of the eldest Young Master of the Chen Family, he raised his hand and lightly patted his cheek, which had flushed red from shame and anger.

"Go back and tell your father."

"In business, one relies on ability, not Family background."

"Next time, if you dare to come here and cause trouble again..."

His voice was very soft, yet it carried a chill sufficient to make Chen Xuanfeng's liver and gallbladder split in fear.

"I will pay a personal visit."

Having said that, he withdrew all of his Aura.

The terrifying pressure, like Mount Tai weighing down on them, suddenly vanished.

Chen Xuanfeng and his subordinates, as if exhausted, collapsed to the ground in unison, gasping for breath, their backs already soaked through with cold sweat.

Chen Xuanfeng was both shocked and furious, wanting to throw out a few more harsh words.

But upon meeting Gu Yan's indifferent gaze, all his harsh words stuck in his throat, and he couldn't utter a single syllable.

He could only glare at Gu Yan with eyes full of extreme resentment, then, supported by his subordinates, he fled from "Gus Pill Shop" in a wretched state.

...

This conflict that occurred in the center of the market square did not subside because of Chen Xuanfeng's defeat.

Instead, it spread throughout all of Baifeng City with even greater speed!

"Have you heard? Young Master Xuanfeng of the Chen Family was driven back by someone at 'Gus Pill Shop'!"

"Driven back? That's an understatement! I saw it with my own eyes! Great Master Gu didn't even move a muscle; just by relying on his Aura, he forced Chen Xuanfeng and his dozen guards to kneel on the ground!"

"My heavens! Qi Refinement Stage ninth layer Great Perfection! Great Master Gu is actually a top-tier expert at the Qi Refinement Stage ninth layer Great Perfection!"

"No wonder... no wonder the Tianyi Chamber of Commerce values him so much!"

Gu Yan's strength was, for the first time, officially revealed to all the factions in Baifeng City.

For a time, undercurrents surged throughout all of Baifeng City.

And business at "Gus Pill Shop" became even more... booming because of this incident!

Are you joking!

A "Great Master of Alchemy" who can not only refine top-grade Medicinal Pills but is also an invincible existence at the Qi Refinement Stage!

Who wouldn't want to befriend such a figure? And who would dare to offend him?

In the following days, the threshold of "Gus Pill Shop" was almost trampled flat.

The wealth of the Gu Family continued to accumulate crazily at a staggering speed.

...

Three days later, at the Gu Family residence.

A luxurious carriage sent by the Tianyi Chamber of Commerce stopped at the entrance of "Gu Garden".

Jin Feiyan came to visit in person.

Inside the reception hall, the two sat down as host and guest.

"Young Master Gu, you have really... stunned everyone this time." Looking at the man before her, who possessed a more composed and steady air than when they first met, Jin Feiyan's shrewd phoenix eyes flickered with brilliance.

She had originally thought that the other party was merely a "technical talent" who had mastered some special Alchemy technique.

Yet she hadn't expected his own strength to be so formidable!

Qi Refinement Stage ninth layer Great Perfection!

Such a figure would be qualified to hold the position of a core Guest Elder even within the three major families!

"The Chen Family suffered such a huge loss, and they haven't been very well-behaved lately." As she poured tea for Gu Yan, she revealed the news as if unintentionally, "I heard that the Chen Family head has already reported this matter to their Family's... Foundation Establishment Stage Old Ancestor, who is currently in seclusion."

"Thank you for the reminder, Miss Jin." Gu Yan's expression, however, showed not a hint of nervousness, "I'll handle whatever comes my way, just as water is held back by earth."

Watching his calm and indifferent demeanor, her evaluation of him in her heart rose by another notch.

She stopped probing and took out a... invitation from her bosom. It was made of scarlet-gold gilded paper, felt warm and smooth to the touch, and was engraved with mysterious runes.

"Young Master Gu, the reason I came today is, first, to deliver your share of the earnings from these past few days." She pushed a gold note of a huge amount, along with the invitation, toward Gu Yan.

"Secondly, it is to... deliver this item."

Gu Yan's gaze fell upon the exquisitely crafted invitation.

"This is?"

"The Tianyi Chamber of Commerce's annual top-tier auction will be held in three days at the top floor of our main pagoda." Jin Feiyan's face showed a solemn expression, "At that time, all the prominent figures from all over Baifeng City, and even the surrounding regions, will be in attendance."

"Given Young Master Gu's current status, you are naturally qualified to be seated in the VIP section."

Upon hearing this, Gu Yan nodded noncommittally.

He did not have much interest in this so-called "high society" socializing.

Jin Feiyan seemed to see through his thoughts; she leaned forward slightly, lowered her voice, and spoke an... inside scoop that was enough to make Gu Yan's expression change instantly!

"Young Master Gu, I know that you have been sending people to inquire about a type of Spirit Medicine called 'ice heart grass' for some time now."

The hand Gu Yan used to hold his teacup paused abruptly!

He raised his eyes, his gaze like lightning, staring directly at Jin Feiyan!

Meeting his sharp gaze, Jin Feiyan continued: "To tell you the truth, although this ice heart grass is rare, my Tianyi Chamber of Commerce happens to know that one will soon appear on the market."

"And the location where it will appear is..."

"At the... auction in three days!"

"According to the reliable information we received, this item was accidentally found by the Chen Family in the Mysterious Ice Mountain Range some time ago. However, because this item has extremely cold properties and does not match their Family's Cultivation Technique style, it is useless to them. Therefore, they decided to place it at our Tianyi Chamber of Commerce's auction to exchange it for a considerable amount of Spirit Stones."

"Moreover, this item will appear as one of the... finale auction items of this event!"

[Ding! Side quest triggered: Iceberg Melting Plan!]

In his mind, the System's voice sounded at the right moment.

[Task Objective: Successfully win the bid for [ice heart grass], and present it to the target character 'Leng Yuechan'.]

[Task Reward: Target character's favorability significantly increased, loyalty locked, and there is a greater than fifty percent probability to unlock the prerequisites for 'Dual Cultivation'!]

[Note: According to this System's big emotional database analysis, 'spending a fortune for a beauty' is one of the most efficient and effective courtship methods since ancient times. Please prepare enough ammunition, Host, and do not miss this opportunity!]

Gu Yan ignored the System's snarky comment.

His heart was already surging with waves!

ice heart grass!

Truly... iron shoes were worn out in the fruitless search, only to find it without any effort!

He had originally been agonizing over how to get this item from the Chen Family's impenetrable defenses.

He hadn't expected that the other party would actually... take the initiative to deliver it right to him!

This is simply a god-sent opportunity!

It is also the only opportunity to obtain the ice heart grass from the Chen Family "fair and square"!

Looking at the gold-stamped invitation on the table, which was emitting a faint glow, his gaze became unprecedentedly... firm!

No matter what!

No matter what the cost!

This stalk of ice heart grass, he...

is determined to have it!

"Thank you, Miss Jin, for informing me of such important news."

Gu Yan solemnly cupped his hands in salute toward Jin Feiyan.

"Three days later, I will definitely arrive on time."