"What a pity..."
Just as everyone was exclaiming in admiration, a voice distinct from the rest suddenly rang out, drawing the attention of all.
Behind the medicine cauldron, the joyful expressions on the pretty faces of the two yellow-clad girls holding the Clear Spirit Pills slightly darkened.
Following the gaze to the speaker, they were surprised to find a youth dressed in black. He had delicate features, a slender build, and was a handsome young man, but his shaking head carried a hint of regret.
Everyone was taken aback. Who was this youth, daring to say 'what a pity' in front of so many people? Was this a dissatisfied evaluation of the pills refined by Miss Shuangshuang? Or was he deliberately embarrassing her?
Feeling the gazes of the crowd upon him, Ye Chen finally reacted, awkwardly scratching his nose and saying, "My apologies, it just slipped out."
It just slipped out...
Everyone was speechless. This was clearly a challenge to Miss Shuangshuang.
The cool gaze of the yellow-clad girl fell upon Ye Chen. A trace of displeasure flashed across her lovely face as she said indifferently, "Just now, what did you say was a pity?"
Seeing the faintly cold look in the girl's eyes, Ye Chen realized he had caused trouble and had undoubtedly offended this young lady.
After all, this girl was also a proud little peacock. With her charming beauty and outstanding alchemy talent, she had no peers among her age group. Having refined a genuine First Grade high pill, she was naturally immensely proud. To suddenly have someone sigh and say it was somewhat lacking naturally displeased her.
However, since he had already spoken, Ye Chen continued, "Although the pill is First Grade high, it only barely qualifies as such. Because, young lady, when you reached the final stage of refinement, perhaps you grew a bit impatient. The Dao Fire was too fierce, resulting in a slight flaw. This caused what should have been a true First Grade high Clear Spirit Pill to become its current, barely First Grade high state. That's why I said it was a pity."
Stunned. Everyone was stunned!
Although hearing Ye Chen speak so bluntly, the alchemists present, upon careful thought, felt the youth's words held great merit. However, the girl's background was extraordinary. Pointing this out so publicly was essentially a public reprimand, equivalent to offending her. The youth's fate likely wouldn't be good.
It had to be said, this youth's courage was truly not small.
Shuangshuang's face darkened slightly. Who did this youth, who looked about her own age, think he was, daring to publicly lecture her? Even if his words sounded reasonable, being called out like this in public made it hard for her to save face. She couldn't help but say coldly, "Who are you? I don't recall the Alchemist Heart Palace having an alchemist like you?"
The implication was that Ye Chen had trespassed into the Alchemist Heart Palace's inner hall.
Ye Chen naturally understood the meaning behind her words and could only shrug. "Sorry, I'm not an alchemist of the Alchemist Heart Palace. I just happened to be passing by looking for someone."
"Who are you looking for? This is the inner hall of the Alchemist Heart Palace. Only our alchemists and important figures are allowed here. Trespassing is not permitted," Shuangshuang said coldly.
Ye Chen shook his head. "I'm looking for Li Yun. I wanted to discuss something with him. Isn't he at the Alchemist Heart Palace?"
Upon hearing this, almost everyone present sucked in a cold breath, staring wide-eyed.
Who didn't know that Master Li Yun was now one of the masters of the Alchemist Heart Palace, a genuine Two-Star Alchemist? Normally, anyone who saw him would respectfully address him as 'Master'. But this youth, how dare he so disrespectfully call Master Li Yun by his name directly and even say he wanted to find him? Wasn't that too bold?
"Huh, why does this youth look somewhat familiar?" one alchemist couldn't help but say.
"I also feel like I've seen him before," another alchemist agreed, though he only found the face familiar and couldn't quite place who it was.
"I'm sorry, Master Li Yun is very busy. He won't see anyone without an appointment. Next time, please make an appointment first. If you have nothing else, please leave. Unrelated persons are not welcome here," Shuangshuang said coldly, her meaning clear: she was not welcoming Ye Chen and wanted him to scram.
After a pause, she added, "Also, let me say this: next time you dare trespass into the inner hall, it won't be as simple as just asking you to leave."
The threat in her words was unmistakable.
Ye Chen rubbed his nose. So he was really being treated like a crazy trespasser. He felt somewhat speechless. It seemed he had no choice but to take out the Alchemist Heart Palace token Li Yun had given him back then as proof.
Just as he was about to retrieve the Alchemist Heart Palace token Li Yun had given him from his person, a hearty, cheerful voice suddenly rang out: "Hmm, quite a nice medicinal fragrance. One whiff tells me it's a First Grade high pill. Shuangshuang, you little lass, your talent is truly extraordinary. You actually managed to refine it."
A figure strode in, dressed in brocade robes, immediately capturing everyone's attention. It was Master Li Yun.
"Greetings, Master Li Yun."
"Master Li Yun, you've arrived."
A chorus of flattering voices rose from the crowd. Li Yun nodded indifferently to the others as a form of acknowledgment.
With Master Li Yun's appearance, the expression on the yellow-clad girl Shuangshuang's face changed from slightly dark to joyful. She bounced over to Master Li Yun's side like a beautiful little sprite, lively and cheerful, and said with a giggle, "Teacher, you finally came!"
"How could I not come when my precious disciple is refining a First Grade medium pill?" Master Li Yun pinched the girl's cute, upturned nose, chuckling, his words filled with doting affection.
"Congratulations, Master Li Yun, on gaining a genius disciple. A joyous occasion indeed."
"At such a young age, Miss Shuangshuang can refine a First Grade medium Clear Spirit Pill. Her talent is peerless. One day, she might even become a Three-Star Alchemist. Master Li Yun has truly taken in a genius disciple."
"Truly congratulations to you, Master Li Yun."
From the crowd came waves of sycophantic praise. The look of pride on the yellow-clad girl Shuangshuang's face grew even stronger. She presented the refined Clear Spirit Pill to her teacher with both hands, saying proudly with a smile, "Teacher, look, how is this Clear Spirit Pill your disciple refined?"
"Good, good, good," Master Li Yun chuckled, taking the Clear Spirit Pill and nodding with slight satisfaction. "Not bad. To be able to refine a First Grade high pill at such a young age is truly not bad. However, Shuangshuang, you must pay attention. When refining, were you perhaps a bit too hasty? Originally, this Clear Spirit Pill could have been a true First Grade high pill. Only in the final stage, the Dao Fire was a bit too fierce, causing some of the medicinal efficacy to dissipate and a slight flaw to appear. This turned what should have been a true First Grade high Clear Spirit Pill into its current, barely First Grade high state. It's a bit of a pity."
Hearing this, not only was Shuangshuang stunned, but the people around were also quite astonished, because these words sounded familiar. Weren't they exactly the same as what the black-clad youth had just said?
Instantly, everyone couldn't help but look at the youth. Shuangshuang even widened her eyes, staring at this mysterious black-clad youth.
If the words spoken by this black-clad youth were still somewhat questionable, then who was her teacher? He was a genuine Two-Star Alchemist, one of only a handful in the entire Xia Feng Kingdom. Even he said so, proving the youth's words were not false.
Just who was this black-clad youth, to see through the problem at a single glance?
"What are you all looking at?" Master Li Yun was somewhat puzzled. Following everyone's gaze, he saw Ye Chen in his black attire. First, he was startled, then he laughed heartily and strode forward to greet him. "I wondered who it was. So it's you, little friend Ye Chen. My apologies for not welcoming you properly."
Ye Chen shook his head, smiling wryly. "Trying to find you is really quite difficult. As soon as I came in, I was treated like a madman and was about to be 'asked' to leave."
"Who dares to ask my honored guest to leave?" Li Yun frowned. But when he saw his precious disciple's somewhat embarrassed and blushing expression, he immediately understood. He let out a dry laugh. "Little friend Ye Chen, please don't be angry. My disciple didn't know your identity, that's all. I hope you won't take offense."
Shuangshuang looked at the youth who could remain so calm and composed even in front of her teacher. A shy blush spread across her cheeks, like fiery clouds, making her look charming and enchanting. She felt somewhat awkward, but her eyes shone even brighter. "Could it be... you are the Brother Ye Chen that Teacher often mentions?"
"Brother?" Ye Chen was taken aback, seemingly impacted by this form of address. But seeing the girl's shy expression, he couldn't help but smile wryly. "I suppose I am."
Exclamations of surprise arose from the surroundings. So this black-clad youth really did know Master Li Yun, and their relationship seemed more than just casually familiar.
"I remember now! Earlier in the main hall, Gu De wanted to harass the Yang family's little princess, Miss Vivian, but was thwarted by a youth in the end, wasn't he? It was this youth."
"I remember too! Because of this youth, Gu De was even expelled by Master Li Yun and kicked out of the Alchemist Heart Palace."
With Master Li Yun's arrival, the youth's identity finally became clear, drawing everyone's attention. The incident with Gu De had caused a stir throughout the Alchemist Heart Palace. This youth was the key figure who caused Gu De's expulsion. How could he not be known?
"The main hall is a bit noisy. Little friend Ye Chen, come with me to my palace to discuss matters," Li Yun said.
Subsequently, Ye Chen followed Li Yun and Shuangshuang to a palace within the Alchemist Heart Palace that belonged to Li Yun. It was named Cloud Arrival Palace, appearing grand and majestic. In the center stood a bronze medicine cauldron, the one Li Yun usually used for alchemy.
After entering the palace, Shuangshuang obediently and proactively brewed tea. Before long, a pot of fragrant, elegant green tea was presented. She poured tea into three cups. The delicate aroma wafted up; it was top-quality tea.
Ye Chen downed his cup in one gulp. His rough manner made Shuangshuang lightly furrow her willow-leaf eyebrows. What a blockhead who didn't know how to appreciate tea, wasting the top-quality tea she had painstakingly brewed.
Ye Chen, of course, was unaware of the girl's thoughts. After drinking the tea, he got straight to the point: "Li Yun, this time I want to learn more about the auction."
Li Yun smiled slightly. "I knew you'd come to me about this. Here, this records all sorts of information about the auction."
A Memory Jade was handed over. Ye Chen extended a wisp of spiritual power, which entered the Memory Jade...