Chapter 237: The Face-Preserving Pill

Translator: Tim Editor: Chrissy

Even if the temple betrayed him after the sale, he needed to be prepared. Fortunately, he’d masked his face and changed his name before arriving.

"If your pill is as you claim," the goateed man said, "it will fetch a heavenly price. But as it’s unprecedented, I doubt it will sell for much initially. It's simply too unbelievable." Ye Mo knew the goateed man spoke the truth.

Ye Mo produced another pill and handed it to him. "I have two. Save one for the middle of the auction; the second should fetch a better price."

The goateed man was stunned. One pill was already incredible; this youth possessed two? If he were a fraud, wouldn't he be courting death? It would be suicide.

The middle-aged woman's gaze remained fixed on the pills. Were it not for her reservations, she would have snatched them. However, she knew even selling all her possessions wouldn't necessarily cover the cost.

The goateed man sighed, examining the second pill. These two would be the auction's most valuable items.

Suddenly, the middle-aged woman spoke, "Might I ask if this pill contains Red Leaf Pumpkin Fruit?"

Ye Mo felt a jolt of fear. The Red Leaf Pumpkin Fruit of Wuliang Mountain wasn't a secret; many knew of it, primarily for its beauty-enhancing properties. The scent on his pills was unmistakable. He couldn't conceal it.

If his source was discovered, his connection to the deaths of Bian Po, Yu Lian, the baldy, and other Black Level masters would be exposed.

Seeing their expressions, he decided, "Screw it. They know anyway. I might as well admit it and maximize the pill's value. Then I'll eliminate the Song Family and retreat to cultivate." He muttered, "What kind of cultivator worries about this and that? How the hell are you supposed to cultivate then?"

Calmly, he said, "The Qian Bei who made the pill mentioned Red Leaf Pumpkin Fruit as an ingredient. You can mention that at the auction." [1] Even the goateed man believed the Face-Preserving Pill was 90% genuine, let alone the woman.

...

An hour later, Ye Mo completed the procedures with the goateed man and found Xu Ping. "Brother Xu, what are you hoping to buy at the auction?"

Xu Ping replied shyly, "My funds are limited. I'm looking for a good sword. I use a sword, but haven't found a suitable one yet."

Ye Mo thought of the eagle-nosed man he'd killed. His sword was excellent, but Ye Mo hadn't taken it. The killing was unprovoked, and taking his belongings would raise suspicion. Even Bian Po's superb sword was too risky to auction. Giving it to Xu Ping would endanger him. "Brother Xu, if you trust me, leave immediately and go far away. Come find me in Beijing a year from now. I promise you a good sword."

He'd originally planned for Xu Ping to confront the taekwondo instructor in Ning Hai the following year, but revealing his identity as Shi Ying was too risky. He'd wait until he was stronger.

"What's wrong, Brother Mo?" Xu Ping asked nervously. Even Ye Mo's concern was unsettling.

Ye Mo didn't hide it. "I expect a hunt after the auction. I'm confident in escaping, but you might be in danger, Brother Xu, if they fail to catch me."

Xu Ping immediately responded, "I'll leave immediately. Brother Mo, be careful. If the Broken Fist Hall dares to harm you, I'll bring them down, even if it means my death."

Ye Mo was touched. Their friendship was nascent, and his help had been partially motivated. Yet, Xu Ping's unquestioning loyalty made him feel Xu Ping was a true friend.

As Xu Ping departed, the auction commenced. Although Ye Mo wore a black mask, he wasn't unique.

He scanned with his spirit sense; the highest-ranked attendees were Earth Level, most were Yellow and Black Level.

He spotted someone resembling Li Qiuyang, whom he’d met in Beijing, a member of the Li Family. But this individual wasn't the outstanding member he knew. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was a relative. The Li Family's influence extended far beyond his expectations, even to hidden sects.

The auction had approximately 500 attendees. Xu Ping's number was in the hundreds, remarkably lucky. The top fifty had private rooms. Ye Mo secured room number 37.

The auctioneer, a man in his fifties, was far stronger than anyone Ye Mo had fought.

The man, Xi Wushan, began, "I've been invited to auction for this hidden sect. Every five years, we offer treasures. I thank our guests, including those from the mortal world. Let the auction begin!"

Ye Mo pondered the presence of "mortal world" representatives. Even the Ye and Song Families couldn't attend. The attendees held significant power. Did the Li Qiuyang look-alike represent the Li Family? They weren't the most powerful, yet others were here, likely masked like him.

Xi Wushan continued, "Our first item is astonishing. I won't guarantee future items will surpass it, but it's the most precious we've ever had." He unveiled a jade vase. "A Face-Preserving Pill: eternal youth, a decade of added life. Made with Red Leaf Pumpkin Fruit and other precious herbs. The starting price is 1 million; increments of at least 100,000."

Ye Mo chuckled; they’d upgraded his porcelain vase to jade. Business savvy.

A murmur arose. The effects were too potent; few could believe such a thing existed. Then silence. No bids.

Ye Mo's heart sank. Did nobody believe it?

Xi Wushan coughed. "Calm yourselves. If you're unconvinced after purchase, consume it; we have someone to vouch for it."

A man in his forties stood, "Brother Xi, you claim Red Leaf Pumpkin Fruit. Many heard of its recent presence on Wuliang Mountain. An elder from Dian Cang went missing there. Xi brother, reveal the seller. Dian Cang would be grateful."

Ye Mo thought, They've arrived. This Black Level mid-stage man was from Dian Cang. He watched Xi Wushan, unsure of his response. He trusted the temple wouldn't reveal his identity, but still worried.

Xi Wushan laughed. "We're merely auctioneers; we don't ask questions. Further inquiries will be considered a challenge. Bidding may now commence." Xi Wushan unleashed his powerful qi, far exceeding the Dian Cang man's. The man, face green with anger, remained silent.

Ye Mo was satisfied. The Dian Cang's arrogance amused him. If he were at Chi Gathering Stage 5 or 6, he would have stood and declared, "It's me, so what?"

After a while, no bids. Ye Mo was annoyed. Were they all short of a million? He raised his card: "1 million." Since these cowards wouldn't bid, he would.

...

[1] Qian Bei (前辈): A term of respect for someone older or more experienced, similar to "senpai" in Japanese. The pinyin is used instead of a direct translation.