Max stayed on the upper floor, leaning on the railing as he watched the preparations below.
Ya Fei checked every display personally. Even from a distance, Max could see the tension in her shoulders. She was calm on the outside, but she was clearly preparing for something big.
A staff member approached her and whispered something. Ya Fei nodded, but her eyes turned toward the elevator leading to the VIP rooms.
Max understood immediately.
"The powerful families are already arriving."
He adjusted his mask.
He didn't care about them, but he wanted to see how the pill's appearance would affect the auction house.
A few minutes later, he heard footsteps behind him. Two merchants walked by, talking loudly as they climbed the stairs.
"Did you hear? There's a first-tier pill with purity close to peak grade."
"What? That shouldn't even be possible."
"I know. The appraisers confirmed it. Even the Miteer Family is shocked."
Max kept walking, pretending he didn't hear anything.
He took a seat near the back, far from others. From here, he had a perfect view of the stage.
Below, Ya Fei raised her hand, signaling her workers.
"Bring out the special item."
The lights dimmed.
A glass case was placed at the center of the stage.
Ya Fei stepped forward with a bright smile.
"Ladies and gentlemen, today's auction will begin with a rare and exceptional item. A first-tier pill refined with near-perfect purity."
A wave of noise spread across the hall.
"Impossible!"
"Who made it?"
"Is it from a famous clan?"
Ya Fei kept smiling, but her eyes were sharp.
"The identity of the alchemist is confidential. Only the pill is for sale."
Max nodded to himself.
Good. She kept her promise.
No one would suspect Xiao Yue. No one would guess he refined it, either.
Ya Fei gently opened the outer box. Inside was the jade container holding the pill.
Even from the balcony, Max felt the energy burst out when she opened it.
People below gasped.
"That's… pure!"
"The medicinal lines are so clear!"
"Whoever made this is a genius."
The bidding started instantly.
Numbers shot up faster than expected.
Ya Fei stood calmly, but Max noticed the slight smile on her face growing.
This was exactly what she wanted.
And exactly what he planned.
While watching the chaos below, Max leaned back and crossed his arms.
"This should be enough money for Xiao Yue's next steps… and mine."
A small alert appeared in his mind.
[ Goal complete. The pill's value exceeded expectations. Funds secured. ]
Max exhaled softly.
Now he just needed to collect the earnings quietly and return home before his sister worried.
As the bidding continued to climb, Max rose from his seat.
"Let's see how high it goes before I leave."
He watched for a few more moments as the hall buzzed with excitement, Ya Fei controlling the crowd with expert timing.
Then he turned and made his way toward the exit, moving like a shadow slipping through the crowd.
No one noticed him.
And that was exactly how he wanted it.
Max walked down the stairs quietly, blending into the crowd. The noise from the auction hall grew louder behind him as the price kept rising.
He reached the corridor near the payment counters. A staff member wearing the Miteer uniform approached him politely.
"Sir, are you here to collect auction proceeds?"
"Yes," Max answered calmly.
"Please follow me."
The staff member led him to a small private room. It had a simple table, two chairs, and a sealed box placed on the side. Moments later, Ya Fei entered with a bright, practiced smile.
But Max could tell—she was excited.
"Congratulations," she said. "Your item caused quite a stir."
Max nodded once. "How much did it sell for?"
Ya Fei tapped the jade slip in her hand.
"After deducting the auction fee, your total earnings come to this amount."
She passed him the slip.
Max took a quick look.
It was more than he expected. Much more.
"Good," he said. "Transfer it in gold cards."
Ya Fei raised an eyebrow. "Not in spirit coins?"
"Gold cards are easier to carry," Max replied simply.
She didn't push the topic.
Within a minute, she prepared two thin golden cards and placed them on the table.
"Here you go. Completely anonymous, as requested."
Max picked them up and stored them in his ring. He turned to leave, but Ya Fei spoke again.
"Sir."
He paused.
"If… the alchemist wishes to sell more pills in the future, the Miteer Auction House will offer a higher percentage and better protection. You can send items through you or any trusted person."
Max looked at her for a second.
Her eyes didn't show greed.
They showed calculation. And caution.
She wanted long-term cooperation.
"I'll keep it in mind," he said simply.
Ya Fei smiled lightly. "I will be waiting."
Max opened the door and left the room without another word.
He walked out of the auction house and onto the street. The noise inside faded behind him.
The sky was darker now. The auction would continue for hours, but he had no reason to stay.
He adjusted his mask and cloak, then blended into the evening crowd again.
"Money secured. Time to head back."
He moved quickly through the busy streets, avoiding attention. No one glanced at him twice.
Within twenty minutes, he reached the inn.
The moment he opened the door to his room, he sensed warm energy.
Xiao Yue was still cultivating. Her flame was stable, her breathing smooth.
Max stepped quietly inside and sat down on the floor.
He took a slow breath.
"Tonight was a success."
He looked at Xiao Yue's focused expression and nodded to himself.
"With this money, she can keep training safely. We can stay low. No trouble."
Max leaned his head back against the wall and closed his eyes for a moment. The room was quiet except for the faint hum of Xiao Yue's flame. She didn't break her focus even once.
After a few minutes, her breathing shifted slightly. The flame flickered, then pulled back into her palm. Xiao Yue opened her eyes slowly.
"Brother?" she asked, noticing him.
"Yeah, I'm here," Max said.
She wiped a bit of sweat from her forehead. "How did it go?"
"Smooth," Max replied. "Everything sold without problems. We got the money."
***
Support me at
patreon.com/boring_world
It's 22 chaps ahead