"Senior Brother Ming Cong, the fact that Yinxi Elixir has not appeared does not prove she cannot make it. It could have leaked privately." Ming Yu still harbored reservations about Ran Xi and did not trust her.
Ming Cong shook his head. "Junior Sister Ming Yu, you should study Ran Xi as a person. Her rise answered the times.
She was the one who insisted on the plan for the entire realm to ascend, which is why she broke through two stages on the very day of ascension. Cultivators at the reception site said that day, cultivators from the Weiyu Realm all had breakthroughs accompanied by golden light of merit. Even he shared in the glow.
Tell me, how would a cultivator protected by merit be in league with evil cultivators?"
"If so, then someone is deliberately targeting Ran Xi Daoyou and sent word back to Yixian Gate, wanting us to make things difficult for her and stir up conflict between Yixian Gate and Hao Ran Sect." Ming Yu reacted quickly. With a lift of her brows, she stated her deduction.
Huo Chongshan had not spoken. After the two finished, he said, "Whether or not Ran Xi Daoyou leaked the recipe for Yinxi Elixir, she is half a disciple of Yixian Gate, with deep ties to us. Since Hao Ran Zhēnzūn has already spoken, we will return to the sect and wait. If her conscience is clear, she will come openly."
"Yes, Master Uncle."
The three took another turn through Chuyue City, then left the Chuyue Mountains.
Chong'an City
After changing her face, Yunxi adjusted her cultivation to late Refining Void and reentered Chong'an City.
This time she went straight to Chong'an's largest auction house.
Although bearing the signboard of an auction house, Chong'an Auction also ran other businesses. Pills, talismans, artifacts, arrays, and robes were all for sale. They purchased cultivators' finds from Chong'an Mountain too. The more you traded, the greater the benefits, and you could even receive admission to the auction without paying spirit stones.
As Yunxi stepped inside, a Golden Core female cultivator approached with a bright smile. "Senior, what do you require?"
Yunxi glanced at the respectful Golden Core cultivator and said, "I hear you will auction a Phoenix Feather Robe. This Lord is interested. How do I gain admission?"
The Golden Core cultivator's smile warmed. "To attend this auction, one must spend at least ten thousand top grade spirit stones in our establishment. If Senior consigns higher value treasures for us to auction, you may also receive admission."
"Tsk. Your auction house does know its business. This Lord will consign an item."
Yunxi would not spend spirit stones on this point.
"This way, Senior." The Golden Core cultivator ushered Yunxi into a private room, where a dedicated appraiser would evaluate her item and prepare an estimate.
While waiting, Yunxi thought it over and decided to sell a vial of Gene Fortification Elixir. She wanted to cast a line and see who might bite.
When an old man with an immortal bearing entered, Yunxi flicked her sleeve and placed the vial upon the table. She explained its effects, emphasizing that it stimulated potential and assisted breakthroughs, suited to cultivators of ordinary aptitude or near the end of their lifespan. It could be taken only once in a lifetime.
The old man was at a loss how to appraise it. He had never heard of such an elixir, there was only one vial, and it could not be tested on the spot. The other party's description was lofty. If it proved useless, would that not ruin the auction house's reputation?
Yunxi smiled and added, "This Lord is the inheritor of Yixian Gate. That is not something one can fake."
She handed over a Yixian Gate token. It was authentic, found within the sect after she received the legacy. She had not lied. She was indeed the inheritor of Yixian Gate, though not a disciple of the Spirit Region's Yixian Gate.
Having examined the token, the old man set aside his doubts and asked with a smile, "What starting price does Senior desire?"
"Ten thousand top grade spirit stones."
The old man hissed softly. That price seemed rather high.
Yunxi's eyes curved with a charming smile. "Just list it. Someone will pay. This Lord has one more condition. Whoever purchases the elixir must take it on the spot so all can witness the effect."
"That may violate our rules."
He frowned and refused.
"Rules are dead and people are living. If you agree to this Lord's condition, the proceeds from the first vial go entirely to your auction house. For the second vial, you take your regular commission. How about it?"
The old man chuckled. "So Senior wishes to use our name to build the reputation of this Fortification Elixir."
Yunxi admitted frankly, "Yes. Mutual benefit. If the name is established, I will periodically supply lots to your house. A very good deal."
"Please wait. I must consult my superiors." He could not decide alone.
"Very well. This Lord will wait." Yunxi was confident they would agree. Her elixir could withstand scrutiny.
Sure enough, a quarter of an hour later the old man returned, agreed to the proposal, and provided a contract and an admission token for the auction.
Yunxi left one vial, took the items, and departed from Chong'an Auction.
Once outside, she sent a transmission. "Xiao Meng, can you sense the Fortune-Turning Pearl's aura?"
"Zūnshàng, I did not sense it inside the auction house. Elder Sister's heart should be sealed."
"No matter. That is standard for auctions. Before the sale, no item may be allowed any mishap. We will only see it on the day of the auction. Be patient."
Yunxi was not surprised. A treasure like this would be stored separately. The Fortune-Turning Pearl was also a headline draw. Luck was intangible, the one thing cultivators could not train directly, yet good fortune could double one's progress.
Yan Meng was angry but knew this was not clan territory and did not dare make a scene. She restrained her aura and obediently played the brow ornament.
Just as Yunxi was about to find an inn to rest, a burst of black fog exploded among the crowd ahead. A familiar voice rang out.
"City Guard Office, seizing evil cultivators. Fellow Daoyou, please lend a hand."
As Cen Sen's words fell, someone cursed, "These evil cultivators are getting bolder. Everyone, take action. Do not let them escape, or no one will be able to leave the city."
"Catch him and kill him."
"Finally forced them out. We cannot let them run this time."
Yunxi understood the crowd's mood. When she entered the city a second time, she discovered Chong'an City now allowed entry but not exit. Cultivators could come in but could not leave at once.
The City Guard's reason was sound, to capture evil cultivators hiding in the city. Wanted posters were pasted at the gates. Today, some evil cultivator had exposed themselves.
In the next instant, a wave of gray smoke rushed straight toward Yunxi.