Alchemy Master

Chapter 531, Obtained

Translator: Silavin

The Shooting Star Spirit Crystals, from their external appearance, indeed looked like lumps of metal that had been subjected to high temperatures. In fact, from certain perspectives, their shape was even less appealing than lumps of iron.

The surface was pitted and uneven, appearing unremarkable. However, Qin Yichen knew that when these meteorites from beyond the sky fell to Earth, they had melted due to the high temperature. Consequently, the outer shell was not only extremely sturdy but also capable of blocking Spiritual Energy and Yuan Energy detection.

This was precisely why purchasing Shooting Star Spirit Crystals had become a gambling endeavour, as no one could determine whether Spirit Seeds were inside.

The Shooting Star Spirit Crystals before the crowd looked quite dirty, resembling discarded scrap metal from a blacksmith’s workshop.

The North Dipper Auction House had acquired and placed it in the auction merely to attract attention through the reputation of ‘Shooting Star Spirit Crystals’, despite this being offcuts.

“Shooting Star Spirit Crystals, starting bid of ten thousand gold coins…” After the auctioneer finished speaking, the hall immediately erupted with sounds of disapproval. Due to the high price, several individuals who had initially considered bidding for amusement abandoned such thoughts.

Who would willingly spend ten thousand gold coins on a useless lump of metal?

“Twenty thousand gold coins!” Just when everyone assumed the item would go unsold, Qin Yichen spoke first, doubling the price in one breath. This relieved the auctioneer, who had been concerned about a failed sale.

“Excellent! The gentleman in VIP room 26 bids twenty thousand gold coins! Are there any higher offers?” His speech quickened considerably, as though fearing the person in the VIP room might reconsider.

“Twenty-one thousand gold coins…” Soon, a discordant voice emerged. It originated from the Qian Family’s VIP room.

He had only increased the bid by one thousand gold coins, clearly testing Qin Yichen while demonstrating his lack of genuine interest in acquiring the offcut.

“One hundred thousand gold coins!” However, as soon as those words concluded, a price that shocked everyone’s hearts emerged from Qin Yichen’s mouth, reverberating throughout the auction hall.

*Siii…* Many people involuntarily drew sharp breaths. One hundred thousand gold coins represented no small sum. Even some Minor Forces within Heavenly Dragon Imperial City could not produce one hundred thousand gold coins immediately. Yet now, someone was willing to spend one hundred thousand gold coins on a useless offcut!

In the Qian Family’s VIP room, the Young Master was clearly stunned upon hearing this price. His gaze shifted towards Qin Yichen’s VIP room, and after a moment, he appeared to comprehend something.

“This Young Master has already suffered one loss to you. Do you think I would fall for that again!?” He burst into laughter filled with satisfaction. “This Young Master shall yield to you. One hundred thousand gold coins, take it and enjoy yourself!”

His great revenge had been achieved! Although Qin Yichen’s interference had caused him considerable losses, compared to these one hundred thousand gold coins, it was insignificant.

Everyone could detect his satisfaction. Immediately, sounds of regret echoed throughout the auction hall, though voices of schadenfreude were equally numerous.

However, what they did not know was that Qin Yichen felt equally satisfied and relieved. Following the Qian Family’s intervention, Qin Yichen’s greatest concern was not the Spirit Herbs and materials, but rather the Shooting Star Spirit Crystals.

Had Qin Yichen not previously set traps that caused the Young Master some modest losses, he would certainly not have withdrawn as easily when Qin Yichen competed for the Shooting Star Spirit Crystals. The price would undoubtedly have exceeded the current amount!

However, having suffered losses, he feared Qin Yichen was employing the same tactics again. Therefore, he abandoned the bid decisively while believing he had outmanoeuvred Qin Yichen.

“…”

“One hundred thousand gold coins, going three times! Congratulations to the distinguished guest in VIP room 26!”

The auctioneer’s voice carried excitement. An item originally expected to go unsold had achieved such a high price—something he had never anticipated. Afterwards, he would certainly receive a bonus.

Soon, someone delivered the Shooting Star Spirit Crystals to Qin Yichen’s door, accompanied by the Young Master from the Qian Family.

“Ha ha!” Upon seeing Qin Yichen, he burst into laughter. His joyful mood was evident from his laughter, his face bearing complete mockery. “Boy, I want to see whether you can produce one hundred thousand gold coins!”

Qin Yichen was not wearing his Alchemy Master robes today. Although his attire was not common clothing, compared to that Young Master, he definitely appeared quite modest.

At least from his clothing, Qin Yichen did not appear capable of producing one hundred thousand gold coins. So, the Young Master had come over clearly to watch a good show.

Should someone bid but prove unable to pay auction fees, the auction house’s measures to hold them accountable were quite severe, with some methods being truly chilling. Therefore, no one dared bid recklessly at such auctions.

Naturally, without strict rules, auction houses would have descended into chaos long ago.

“That’s none of your concern.” The corners of Qin Yichen’s mouth curved slightly upward as he replied indifferently. His palm turned, revealing a golden card bearing the character ‘Feng’, which he handed to the North Dipper Auction House employee carrying the Shooting Star Spirit Crystals.

“A gold card from the Feng Family!?”

Even the employee immediately recognised the origin of this golden card and exclaimed in surprise. The Young Master also fell into momentary bewilderment.

As someone from the Qian Family, how could he not understand what a Feng Family gold card represented? To possess a Feng Family gold card required deposits exceeding one million gold coins at Feng Family financial institutions!

The Feng Family gold card symbolised status itself.

“Consider yourself lucky. Hmph!” The Young Master coldly snorted, his face full of reluctance as he departed with a flourish of his sleeves.

Qin Yichen paid him no mind. After settling the fees, he carefully moved the Shooting Star Spirit Crystals into his VIP room.

Observing his delighted expression, both Gongshu Zhiyi and Lu Xiaoguan were thoroughly puzzled. However they looked at it, they felt Qin Yichen had wasted one hundred thousand gold coins!

“Brother Yichen, what are you buying this lump of metal for?”

Gongshu Zhiyi asked with her head tilted, her beautiful large eyes sparkling. She maintained some blind faith in Qin Yichen.

Lu Xiaoguan, however, felt Qin Yichen had acted somewhat impulsively.

“This is valuable.” Qin Yichen cared little for their thoughts. After closing the door, he stored the Shooting Star Spirit Crystals in his ring.

[Now, I’ve got my High Grade Spirit Seed!]

With this High Grade Spirit Seed, he had hope of rapidly advancing his martial cultivation realm. Should any emergencies arise, he would not lack even basic self-preservation capabilities.

The North Dipper Auction House auction had concluded. The sole topic that remained on everyone’s lips was that someone had spent one hundred thousand gold coins on offcut Shooting Star Spirit Crystals!