"Elder Gu, jumping around for a bit is fine, but rein it in," Yun Ze reminded.
Gu Yuena couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh.
Hearing this, Gu Ming forced himself to restrain his excitement, but his face was still full of smiles, unable to hide his joy.
"Thank you, Yun Ze. This pill of yours is no different from giving me a second life. I, Gu Ming, will remember this favor," Gu Ming said seriously.
He even bent slightly at the waist to give a bow. This bow had nothing to do with rank or status—it was simply a sincere expression of his gratitude.
Yun Ze shook his head. "Elder Gu, you vouched for me, I gave you a pill. Fair trade. There's no need for extra gratitude."
"True, but a hundred years of extra life is far too important for me. Saying it gave me a second life is no exaggeration at all."
"For a century of life, even if you asked for my entire fortune, I would have gladly paid. That's not something a simple guarantee can ever match," Gu Ming said firmly.
Yun Ze only smiled and shifted the topic. "Elder Gu, I recorded a video of your transformation after taking the pill. I plan to broadcast it across the entire continent as proof of its authenticity. I hope you'll agree."
"Agree? Of course I agree!" Gu Ming responded instantly. "Not only do I agree, I'll personally help promote it."
"Those fellows called me earlier asking if the rumors were true, and I only gave vague replies. Now, I can give them a definite answer. Hahaha!"
His mood was excellent, and after regaining vitality, even his manner of speech had shifted—he no longer sounded as old and measured.
"Then I'll trouble Elder Gu with that," Yun Ze said.
"A small matter, a small matter." Gu Ming waved his hand, then leaned forward with a fiery gaze.
"Yun Ze, can you give me a few more of these pills? Don't worry, I won't take them for free—I'll pay the market price."
Of course, he wanted to take more of these century-extending pills, hoping to live a few more centuries, perhaps even longer.
"Elder Gu, these pills aren't cabbages you can just hand out. There were only six in total this time. You've taken one, so there are only five left."
"These five will not be sold at a fixed price. If you want them, you'll have to bid in the auction five days from now," Yun Ze explained.
"Also, once you consume one, your body develops resistance. The effects of a second pill are weaker. By my estimate, a second pill would extend life by at most sixty years, and a third perhaps only twenty. After that, even less."
"So even if you do join the auction, I'd only recommend buying one, maybe two at most. Buying more isn't worth it."
"After all, the price these pills will fetch will be astronomical—beyond imagination. Even with your wealth, I doubt you could buy them all."
"Of course, if you're truly rich enough to rival a nation and are buying them for others, then buying all five would be fine."
Gu Ming was a seasoned Rank 9 Soul Engineer and a Rank 9 Mecha Master—earning money was child's play for him. Combined with his position as head of the Federation Research Institute, his personal fortune easily exceeded tens of billions, though he probably never even bothered to calculate the exact amount.
Upon hearing Yun Ze's words, disappointment flashed in Gu Ming's eyes. He had hoped these pills could let him live several more centuries, but clearly that was too naïve.
He chuckled wryly, then looked at Yun Ze with a trace of admiration. "You really are a clever one. Using an auction to drive the price sky-high."
Indeed, auctions nearly always brought higher returns than fixed pricing, maximizing profit.
Yun Ze only smiled silently.
"Looks like I'd better prepare some funds in the next few days. If I can buy one or two more, gaining a few extra decades is still worth celebrating, hahaha," Gu Ming said cheerfully.
"I'd like to try to bid for one as well," Xu Chuan said. He too yearned for such a miraculous pill.
The temptation of another hundred years of life was simply too great—nearly impossible for anyone to resist, especially powerful Soul Masters like them.
"You're welcome to try. If Elder Gu or Elder Xu win one at auction, I'll authorize a 20% discount for you," Yun Ze said with a light smile.
"Really?" Both Gu Ming and Xu Chuan exclaimed in delight, staring intently at Yun Ze.
"Of course. That much authority I do have," Yun Ze replied.
"Yun Ze is our Dragon Phoenix Hall's young master. Since he promised you a discount, it counts," Gu Yuena said with a charming smile.
Di Tian also nodded.
They all understood Yun Ze's real intent—giving these two a discount would embolden them to bid higher, which in turn would push the overall auction price upward.
"Hahaha, good! What a fine child," Gu Ming laughed heartily, his appreciation for Yun Ze deepening.
Xu Chuan's gaze also carried gratitude. A 20% discount greatly increased their chances of securing a pill.
"Oh, Yun Ze, I also want to ask—who is the master that refined this longevity pill? Could you introduce me?"
"Someone capable of creating such a miraculous pill—I truly admire them and would love to make their acquaintance," Gu Ming said.
Gu Yuena's expression remained calm, though she nearly burst into laughter. She wanted to say, That 'master' is sitting right in front of you.
Yun Ze, however, put on a look of sorrow. "The one who refined these pills was my grandfather. But while making these six pills, he suffered a heavenly tribulation. His body was gravely injured, and he's now in seclusion within the family, recovering. It may be years before he can leave again."
Gu Yuena nearly laughed aloud, and even Di Tian's expression turned a bit odd. Neither of them exposed Yun Ze's fabrication.
"Injured? Does he need help? I know many healing Soul Masters, including one reputed to be the strongest healer on the continent. If necessary, I can invite her," Gu Ming said anxiously, as if this imaginary elder were his dearest friend.
"That won't be necessary. Our family has an Ultimate-level Healing Soul Master. She has already treated my grandfather. He's fine now, just needs several years of rest to recover fully," Yun Ze replied.
Naturally, he meant Bi Ji. Since she would eventually run the Medicine King Pavilion and appear publicly, there was no need to conceal her existence.
"An Ultimate-level Healing Soul Master?" Both Gu Ming and Xu Chuan's eyes widened, their hearts skipping a beat.
"Your family has an Ultimate-level healer?" Gu Ming turned to Di Tian, his tone seeking confirmation.
"Yes. One," Di Tian said simply.
At that, Gu Ming, Xu Chuan, and the others' gazes toward Di Tian, Yun Ze, and Gu Yuena shifted subtly. Their curiosity and respect for this ancient hidden clan only deepened.
After all, none of them had ever seen an Ultimate-level Healing Soul Master. Even Shrek Academy's most powerful healer was still one step below.
If what they said was true, and their family truly possessed such a healer, then this clan's heritage was terrifyingly strong.