Gu He stepped out of the private room slowly, pausing at the door to gaze at the slightly dim sky. He took a deep breath, then turned and made his way toward a living room within the auction house.
"First, let's collect the proceeds from the auction and the items I purchased," Gu He murmured to himself as he walked.
Upon entering the living room, Gu He handed his VIP card to a maid. After explaining his purpose, he was respectfully ushered inside.
"My lord, please wait a moment. The auction will conclude shortly, and the person in charge will assist you with the auction items," the maid said, placing a cup of warm tea on the table beside Gu He before withdrawing with a polite smile.
Gu He nodded slightly, cradling the teacup in his hands and taking a small sip. He closed his eyes, his fingers tapping lightly on the table. After some time, the sound of footsteps echoed through the hall, growing louder as they approached. His fingers gradually stilled.
Opening his eyes, Gu He saw the curtains part as Mittel Tushan entered, accompanied by two maids and a warm smile.
Gu He gave a slight nod and asked softly, "Has the auction concluded?"
"Hehe, it has ended successfully," Mittel Tushan replied with a smile, his eyes briefly sweeping over Gu He.
He gestured, and one of the maids stepped forward, holding a silver tray. On it lay a purple-gold card adorned with seven ripples of different colors.
The Seven-Pattern Purple Gold Card was a prestigious item on the Dou Qi Continent, typically reserved for Dou King realm experts and above. However, exceptions existed, and a Sixth tier alchemist like Gu He was more than qualified to possess one.
"Your Excellency Pill King, the total auction price for your Pill is 300 million gold coins. After deducting a 10% auction fee, 270 million gold coins remain."
"The Fire Ganoderma cost 30 million, and the Rank 5 magical beast egg cost 100 million. Thus, your final income is 150 million gold coins. All the funds are stored in this purple-gold card, and the items you purchased are in this ring," Mittel Tushan explained, his eyes narrowing into slits as he smiled.
He waved his hand, and the maid presented the silver tray to Gu He. On it lay the Seven-Pattern Purple Gold Card and an ordinary storage ring.
Gu He took the card and the ring, carefully inspecting the Fire Ganoderma and the Rank 5 magical beast egg inside before transferring them to his own ring.
"Since everything is in order, I won't trouble you any further. I'll take my leave," Gu He said, cupping his hands in a gesture of respect before turning to leave.
"Wait a moment," Mittel Tushan called out, his tone polite but urgent. "My family head has a request. If you don't mind, would you be willing to meet and speak with him?"
Gu He paused, a slight frown creasing his brow.
'The head of the Mittel Clan? Mittel Tengshan? What could he want from me?' After a moment of hesitation, he turned back and resumed his seat.
Seeing this, Mittel Tushan's face lit up with relief. He bowed respectfully and said, "Please wait a moment, Pill King. I will summon the family head immediately." With that, he hurried out of the room.
A short while later, the sound of footsteps sounded again, and an elderly man with gray hair entered the room.
"Mittel Tengshan greets His Excellency, the Pill King," the old man said with a respectful smile as soon as he entered.
Gu He looked up and got straight to the point. "What brings you to seek me out, Mittel Tengshan?"
Mittel Tengshan hesitated for a moment before speaking slowly. "I was wondering if Your Excellency could refine a pill that increases lifespan?"
'A lifespan increasing pill?' Gu He was slightly taken aback.
'Is this man nearing the end of his life?' He studied Mittel Tushan, noting the faint anxiety in the old man's expression.
After a moment of thought, Gu He replied, "Such pills do exist."
Mittel Tengshan's face brightened with hope. "What is the name of this pill? Could you refine one for me?"
Gu He paused, then said calmly, "I am familiar with a pill called the Deep Green Longevity Pill. Consuming it can extend one's lifespan."
"Deep Green Longevity Pill..." Mittel Tushan repeated softly, then asked, "What tier is this pill?"
Gu He met his gaze and replied, "It is a sixth tier pill."
'Sixth tier!' Mittel Tengshan's expression flickered with astonishment. He hesitated, then tentatively asked, "How much lifespan can it extend?"
"Ten years," Gu He answered plainly.
"Ten years!" Mittel Tengshan was visibly shocked, a glimmer of hope flashing in his eyes. "I wonder if Your Excellency could refine a Deep Green Longevity Pill for me?" he asked, his tone tinged with desperation.
The Mittel Clan had fallen into a precarious situation since the disappearance of their grand elder, the Ice Emperor Hai bodong.
Historically, the Mittel Clan had specialized in commerce, amassing immense wealth over the years and earning the title of the wealthiest family in the Jia Ma Empire. However, their vast riches were not matched by comparable strength in cultivation.
The saying "wealth without power is a curse" rang true for the Mittel Clan. Without a powerful figure to protect them, they had become a target for various forces, particularly the royal family, which had long coveted their wealth.
Before the Ice Emperor's disappearance, his presence had deterred any threats. But now, without their strongest protector, the Mittel Clan was like a piece of fat, eagerly eyed by predators.
Many cities had begun to exclude the Mittel Clan, forcing them to establish branches in remote areas. Even the small city of Wu Tan had become one of their few options.
Currently, the entire Mittel Clan relied solely on Mittel Tengshan.
Although he was listed among the top ten powerhouses in the Jia Ma Empire, his strength was at the lower end of that ranking. Moreover, his advanced age and limited talent meant he would likely remain a Dou King for the rest of his life.
With no rising stars in the family, Mittel Tushan had no choice but to plan for the family's future carefully.
…
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