If obtained through auction, it would undoubtedly add many unnecessary risks and also require greater expenditure.
Therefore, Ye Chen hoped to acquire it directly through Zhou Yun's connections.
Seeing this, Zhou Yun also wore a bitter smile: "Fellow Daoist Qian, to be honest, this Dragon Soul Grass does not belong to my Zhoutian Clan. Moreover, many Alchemy Masters have long since heard the news. I'm afraid obtaining it will be quite difficult."
The implication was that it was almost impossible to obtain without going through the auction.
Ye Chen was somewhat disappointed but still said: "As long as Fellow Daoist Zhou Yun can help me obtain it, I am willing to refine an Eighth-Rank Pill for you or the Zhoutian Clan, be it low, middle, or high grade."
Without a doubt, this was a tremendous temptation.
Any pill that reached the Eighth Rank or above was enough to drive nearly any Great Power to madness.
Not to mention being able to choose from low, middle, or high grades—anyone who wasn't a fool would choose the high-grade Eighth-Rank Pill.
It must be known that such a high-grade Eighth-Rank Pill could make even a Nine Tribulations Realm Divine King, a figure beyond the Great Power level, feel tempted, even crazed.
For the entire Zhoutian Clan, a high-grade Eighth-Rank Pill was an extremely precious treasure. Many veteran Eighth-Level Alchemy Masters wouldn't dare claim they could refine such a pill. Although they were all Eighth-Rank Pills, the difficulty in refining between low, middle, and high grades was as different as heaven and earth.
Therefore, the moment he heard Ye Chen proactively propose the condition, Zhou Yun felt a fiery impulse, almost agreeing on the spot.
But this impulse was ultimately suppressed. Zhou Yun's face held only a helpless, bitter smile, and his gaze carried deep regret as he said: "Fellow Daoist Qian, to be honest, I truly wish I could agree on behalf of the entire Zhoutian Clan. But I'm sorry, we cannot agree."
"Why? Is one Eighth-Rank Pill not enough? Two would also be acceptable," Ye Chen said, carrying a rather extravagant air.
Only the ghosts knew how frustrated Zhou Yun felt, almost wanting to vomit blood. He could only explain helplessly: "Fellow Daoist Qian, I can only say that if my Zhoutian Clan possessed this Dragon Soul Grass, we would be more than willing to agree for just one high-grade Eighth-Rank Pill. But unfortunately, the Dragon Soul Grass is not owned by my Zhoutian Clan. It was entrusted to us by another party for auction. Therefore, I must apologize for my inability to help."
"So that's how it is," Ye Chen also felt regret. After all, Dragon Soul Grass was extremely rare in the world, only able to be nurtured where a True Dragon had fallen, nearly impossible to find across the ages.
Then, Ye Chen cupped his fists towards Zhou Yun and said: "I wonder if Fellow Daoist could speak with the party who entrusted it for auction to see if a private transaction is possible. Everything is negotiable. If successful, I am also willing to offer three high-grade Seventh-Rank Pills as compensation."
Truly an Alchemy Master, so extravagantly generous—just the compensation for success was three high-grade Seventh-Rank Pills.
Although their combined value was less than a single low-grade Eighth-Rank Pill, the difference wasn't that great.
Zhou Yun couldn't help but secretly suck in a cold breath, growing even more curious about the forces behind Ye Chen. Such a Heaven's Pride talent, becoming an Eighth-Level Alchemy Master at such a young age—the forces behind him were definitely extraordinary, likely some Imperial Clan or Immortal Clan.
Thinking this, Zhou Yun became even more enthusiastic, cupping his fists and saying: "Fellow Daoist Qian, please rest assured. I, Zhou, will definitely do my utmost to contact the original owner of the Dragon Soul Grass and strive to secure it for you."
"Thank you for your help, Fellow Daoist Zhou," Ye Chen also said.
After some pleasantries, Zhou Yun immediately left. His hurried manner clearly showed he hoped to contact the original owner of the Dragon Soul Grass as soon as possible.
After all, three high-grade Seventh-Rank Pills were a huge temptation no matter what.
Moreover, befriending an Alchemy Master like Ye Chen was also worthwhile.
Ye Chen turned and saw the eager look on Abenue's face. He smiled gently at her: "Don't worry. No matter what, I will obtain this Dragon Soul Grass for you."
Seeing her master so earnest, Abenue couldn't help but feel a slight sting in her delicate nose.
Back then, she was merely a variant insect race Mother Queen in the Chaotic Sea, even corrupted by an alien race, tending towards falling into demonhood. It was later that Ye Chen used his own golden blood energy and Dragon Race origin power to purify the evil within her body and strengthen her origin.
Later, she had once thought of devouring Ye Chen. Although she was later suppressed, it was because of her unwavering loyalty in the cosmic borderlands over the years that Ye Chen held no grudge and cultivated her, allowing her to continuously improve, become a young generation's supreme, break through various shackles, and reach her current heights.
Now, he was even willing to spare no effort to obtain that Dragon Soul Grass, allowing her to completely shed her shackles, become a pure-blooded True Dragon soaring beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens, and become the strongest young generation's supreme.
Such a man, though her master, also made her heart flutter lightly. The look in her eyes towards her master held an extra touch of unusual softness.
This softness was something she hadn't possessed before.
Quietly, she clenched her delicate fist, making a lifelong vow in her heart.
This time, whether she obtained the Dragon Soul Grass or not, she would acknowledge Ye Chen as her master for this lifetime, willing to abandon everything, guard by her master's side, accompany him in battling the vast, boundless Chaotic Sea, and fight that most terrifying blood-stained future in history.
Time quickly passed for two days, but there was still no news from Zhou Yun's side.
Less than a day remained until the final Zhoutian Grand Ceremony.
Ye Chen had basically given up on the Zhoutian Clan helping him obtain the Dragon Soul Grass. He said to Abenue with a hint of apology: "Abenue, I'm sorry. But at the auction ceremony, I will definitely bid for and obtain the Dragon Soul Grass no matter what. Don't worry too much."
On Abenue's enchanting face, at this moment, there was a kind of unusual charm. She smiled radiantly, a smile that could topple the three thousand realms of Mortal Dust: "Master need not apologize, nor be like this. This Dragon Soul Grass—obtaining it is fate, not obtaining it is heaven's will. Abenue firmly believes that even without this Dragon Soul Grass, she can rely on herself to evolve into a pure-blooded True Dragon and become the strongest young generation's supreme."
Ye Chen was slightly taken aback. Abenue's charm at this instant was so moving it made him lose focus for a moment.
It wasn't because of Abenue's peerless enchanting beauty. Whether it was the Goddess, Yi Wu, or Chen'er, Yaya, Ruoxi—which of them didn't possess peerless beauty that could stun the ages?
It was just that Abenue at this moment, with that radiant smile, contained a confidence and charm he had never seen in his life.
A smile that could topple the Mortal Dust—perhaps placed in the mortal, secular world, it would be enough to cause chaos among countless great nation forces.
The so-called 'beauty brings calamity' was no more than this.
The other eight Supreme Talents also felt somewhat dazed facing Abenue.
At the same time, outside the mansion, someone suddenly came to visit. It was a member of the Zhoutian Clan, who respectfully said to Ye Chen: "Master Qian, the Supreme Elder invites you and your companions to gather at the Cloud Radiance Palace."