Although Tao Jin was from Anyang City, he had heard of the recently famous Master Dust in Clear River City.
Guiding Mo Shiqiu, the president of the Clear River City Alchemy Guild, to refine the Snow Lotus Creation Elixir and helping the guild advance to the second rank—these were all Master Dust’s achievements.
Including the recent establishment of a new family in Clear River City, which caused the grand event of “a hundred families paying homage,” it was said to be due to Master Dust’s influence.
“That’s me,” Terra Su nodded slightly.
Upon hearing this, Tao Jin couldn’t help but curiously scrutinize Terra Su. So, this man in the black cloak was the mysterious Master Dust?
However, because Terra Su’s cloak covered his entire face, Tao Jin couldn’t see his specific appearance or deduce his exact age from his voice.
Beside them, Gu Qianyin’s expression changed slightly. Terra Su was too bold, daring to impersonate Master Dust…
Master Dust’s reputation was so widespread that even someone like her, who was from the Azure Luan Sect, had heard of him. Such a figure could never be a fifteen-year-old boy. Terra Su was being too reckless this time. Didn’t he consider the consequences of impersonating Master Dust?
Gu Qianyin wanted to persuade Terra Su not to do this, but it was inconvenient to speak in front of Tao Jin and the others, so she could only stand there silently.
“So you are Master Dust. My apologies for not recognizing you,” Tao Jin said as he took Terra Su’s elixir bottle, uncorked it, and poured a pill into his palm.
With just one look, Tao Jin’s expression changed slightly: “It is indeed the Purple Flame Elixir, and it’s a twelve-star one at that.”
Terra Su smiled without speaking, but his eyes showed a hint of appreciation. Tao Jin could recognize the Purple Flame Elixir at a glance, indicating he was no ordinary person.
“Master Dust, do you intend to sell these four Purple Flame Elixirs directly to our Five Treasures Hall, or do you want to consign them at tomorrow’s mobile auction?” Tao Jin asked.
“Consign them,” Terra Su replied. He had planned this from the beginning. Elixirs that help in breakthroughs often attract fierce competition at auctions, easily fetching high prices.
Tao Jin looked slightly disappointed. He had hoped Terra Su would sell the four Purple Flame Elixirs directly to Five Treasures Hall, allowing them to make a profit from the resale.
However, Five Treasures Hall was a large and wealthy establishment, not overly concerned with short-term gains. What they valued was reputation. As long as the four Purple Flame Elixirs were auctioned at Five Treasures Hall, it would serve as free advertising for them.
Moreover, even with consignment, Five Treasures Hall could still earn a significant commission, making it very profitable.
“Master Dust, if you consign them at our mobile auction, the usual commission is twenty percent of the final price. However, since the Purple Flame Elixir is a high-value item, I can reduce the commission to fifteen percent. How does that sound?” Tao Jin smiled.
What a rip-off.
Terra Su sighed inwardly. Five Treasures Hall was merely acting as an intermediary, yet they were taking a hefty fifteen percent commission. It was easy money.
However, Terra Su had many important matters to attend to and no time to personally handle the auction of the Purple Flame Elixirs. Besides, he wasn’t that concerned about money. He nodded in agreement, “Alright.”
Tao Jin beamed and continued, “Regarding these four Purple Flame Elixirs, our suggestion is not to sell them all at once at tomorrow’s auction but to auction them off one by one every month or two. This way, we can maintain the elixirs’ high demand and fetch higher prices.”
Terra Su shook his head, “Sell them all at once tomorrow.”
Although Tao Jin’s suggestion made sense, Terra Su couldn’t wait that long. By then, he would have already refined new elixirs for auction.
Seeing Terra Su’s determination, Tao Jin didn’t argue further. After all, the elixirs belonged to Terra Su, and it was up to him to decide how to sell them.
Tao Jin instructed someone to bring a jade token, split into two pieces, and handed one piece to Terra Su, smiling, “This is a token. After the auction, you can use it to collect your payment from Five Treasures Hall. You can also send someone else to collect it, but they must have this token, and it must not be lost. Our Five Treasures Hall only recognizes the token, not the person.”
Each jade token had unique patterns, preventing forgery.
“Additionally, we keep the seller’s identity confidential unless you request otherwise,” Tao Jin added.
“Alright, I’ll await good news from Five Treasures Hall,” Terra Su said, taking the token and leaving with Gu Qianyin.
As soon as Terra Su left, Tao Jin immediately instructed his subordinates, “Spread the word that tomorrow’s mobile auction will feature an extraordinary elixir. Also, send someone to Anyang City to inform our old clients!”
“Yes!”
The subordinates left to carry out the orders.
When Terra Su walked out of Five Treasures Hall, he saw Wei Youde, barely alive, being carried out by the hall’s armed guards and thrown outside the gate.
Terra Su felt no sympathy for him. Wei Youde’s fate was entirely due to his own greed.
After leaving Five Treasures Hall and reaching a secluded spot, Gu Qianyin finally spoke, “Are you crazy? Impersonating the recently famous Master Dust—do you know how serious the consequences could be if you’re found out?”
Terra Su replied, “Have you ever considered that maybe I am Master Dust?”
“Impossible,” Gu Qianyin said firmly. Master Dust’s alchemy skills were so advanced that he must be an old man with a white beard, not a fifteen-year-old boy like Terra Su.
Terra Su smiled faintly and said no more, “Let’s go.”
The two leisurely returned to South Jiang Manor, where Terra Su changed out of his black cloak and back into his usual attire.
Just as he was about to eat, Sophia Xu walked in.
“Little Terra, tomorrow Five Treasures Hall is holding a mobile auction. They say there will be exclusive elixirs for sale. Shall we go take a look?” Sophia Xu asked expectantly.
Terra Su was slightly surprised. He didn’t expect Five Treasures Hall to spread the news about the Purple Flame Elixir so quickly. They were efficient.
“Sure, Auntie. I also want to check out the mobile auction,” Terra Su smiled.
Sophia Xu was very pleased and sat down to have dinner with Terra Su and the others before leaving.
Gu Qianyin watched the scene thoughtfully. She didn’t understand why Terra Su didn’t tell Sophia Xu that he was the one selling the Purple Flame Elixirs.
But she figured Terra Su must have his reasons.
…
The next day, the Five Treasures Hall mobile auction proceeded as scheduled.
Early in the morning, Terra Su arrived at Five Treasures Hall with Sophia Xu, Gu Qianyin, and Gu Qianxue.
Today, Terra Su didn’t wear his black cloak but used his real identity. As soon as they arrived at the entrance of Five Treasures Hall, they were warmly welcomed.
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