"Miss Ye, Mr. Kong, you..."
Sun Zheng's expression turned grim as Ye Ling and Ye Yi didn't bid high for his family's heirloom.
He had expected the Physician's Heart Pill to fetch a high price, but the few discerning individuals present didn't want to offend Ye Yi and Kong Xuhan, thus refraining from bidding.
Now, with Ye Yi also withdrawing from the bidding, it meant Ye Ling could acquire the Physician's Heart Pill at a minimal cost.
However, regardless of his reluctance, Sun Zheng had to bring down the gavel.
As Sun Zheng's gavel fell, the auction officially concluded. Continuous applause erupted in the venue, with many prominent figures flocking towards the elder who had won the Elixir of Immortality, their eyes filled with envy.
In contrast, only a few alchemists approached Ye Ling's seating area in the front row to offer their congratulations.
For the vast majority present, the Elixir of Immortality held far greater value than the Physician's Heart Pill, which was merely an add-on to the auction. Naturally, they paid it little attention.
Sun Zheng, standing on the auction stage, felt an immense bitterness seeing so few people interested in the divine pill that had been his family's legacy for over a thousand years.
He had severely overestimated the value of the Physician's Heart Pill.
Ye Yi, without even glancing at the King of the Underworld who had acquired the Elixir of Immortality, congratulated Ye Ling, "Congratulations, Mr. Kong, on obtaining the divine pill. I wish you enlightenment of the ancient Medicine King's legacy from this pill."
"At that time, even if you held a high-ranking position in the Red Dust Pavilion, no one would dare question you."
Ye Ling politely replied, "Miss Ye flatters me. My acquisition of this Physician's Heart Pill is also with the hope that we can all progress together."
Ye Ling then added, "Miss Ye, the auction has now concluded. I believe we can now discuss our cooperation."
"Thus far, I have shown sufficient sincerity to your Pavilion. I hope your Pavilion will reciprocate with equal sincerity."
Ye Yi smiled, "Rest assured, Mr. Kong, the Red Dust Pavilion will absolutely not disappoint you."
Ye Ling chuckled, "Then I shall eagerly await it."
The two conversed briefly about their cooperation. After they had roughly finalized the terms, Ye Yi slowly rose and offered Ye Ling a slight bow, "Then I shall wait for you outside, Mr. Kong."
With that, she walked towards the exit of the venue.
Feng Ke, watching Ye Yi's retreating figure, stepped forward and quietly asked Ye Ling, "Are you sure you want to go to the Red Dust Pavilion now? What about the matters we need to attend to in Shanghai?"
Ye Ling replied, "This won't interfere. There won't be a conflict in timing, but I may be quite busy for the next few days and won't be able to attend to you!"
"During this time, you should stay by Du Yameng's side and help ensure her safety, guarding against any potential retaliation from the Sun family."
Although this auction seemed quite successful, with the Sun family earning a substantial commission, the actual profits were insufficient to cover the deficit in the Sun family's manor!
The Sun family was now in a precarious state, liable to collapse at any moment.
Sun Zheng's subsequent demise would be the final straw that broke the camel's back.
Ye Ling wouldn't be surprised by what those people might do when the Sun family crumbled.
Du Yameng would not have true peace until the Sun family was completely ruined.
Therefore, as a precaution, having Feng Ke protect Du Yameng would be much safer.
On the other hand, leaving Feng Ke alone in Shanghai might lead to unforeseen trouble. Having Du Yameng around could also serve to slightly rein her in.
Feng Ke felt a bit dejected that Ye Ling didn't intend to bring her to the Red Dust Pavilion.
However, she didn't press the issue with Ye Ling, saying, "I understand. I won't cause you any trouble this time."
"But don't forget, finding my master is the main priority. Other matters can be put aside for now."
"Of course."
Ye Ling smiled. After giving instructions to Feng Ke and Du Yameng, he went to the backstage to collect the proceeds from the Physician's Heart Pill and Elixir of Immortality auctions. He then had Deng Changyu contact the Dragon Department before heading outside the Golden Wind Hotel.
There, Ye Yi, having changed into casual attire, had been waiting by a jeep for a long time.
"Mr. Kong, over here!"
Seeing Ye Ling emerge alone, Ye Yi looked behind him and then asked the approaching Ye Ling, "Why don't I see Mr. Kong's two attendants?"
Ye Ling replied, "I have some urgent tasks to assign them. It will just be you and me this time."
Ye Yi remarked, "That's a pity."
She didn't think much of it, offered a polite remark, then opened the car door for Ye Ling, inviting him to get in.
Ye Yi took the driver's seat and said while driving, "Mr. Kong, first, I'll take you to visit our Red Dust Pavilion's research branch in Shanghai."
"Research branch?" Ye Ling raised an eyebrow.
Ye Yi nodded, "Yes, our Red Dust Pavilion has specialized research branches for alchemy all over the world."
"And the Shanghai research branch is our largest in China. I am its director."
"It seems I'll have to rely on Miss Ye from now on," Ye Ling said flatteringly.
"Mr. Kong is too kind."
The two chatted for a while in the car, then fell silent.
Ye Yi still harbored some reservations about Ye Ling, and Ye Ling saw no need to force conversation. The atmosphere in the car gradually became awkward.
During this period of silence, Ye Ling was not idle. He took out the Physician's Heart Pill he had acquired at the auction and proceeded to crush it.
"Mr. Kong?"
Ye Yi, seeing Ye Ling crush the Physician's Heart Pill through the rearview mirror, was startled and asked in surprise, "What are you doing crushing the Physician's Heart Pill?"
However, as soon as Ye Yi finished speaking, she saw a translucent蛊虫 emerge from the powder in Ye Ling's hand. It was covered in a black shell, had a white beard, and eight blood-red legs.
After crawling out, the蛊虫 lay motionless in Ye Ling's palm.
Seeing the蛊虫 in Ye Ling's hand, Ye Yi's pupils contracted sharply, and she exclaimed involuntarily, "Black shell, white beard, eight blood-red legs... Could this be the legendary Heavenly Heart Gu Worm?"
Ye Ling asked curiously, "Oh? Do you recognize this蛊虫?"
This so-called Physician's Heart Pill, apart from the蛊虫 within, was merely an outer shell crafted from ordinary medicinal ingredients, serving little purpose. Crushing it was inconsequential.
However, the moment Ye Ling touched the Physician's Heart Pill, he sensed an extraordinary aura emanating from the蛊虫.
Although he didn't recognize the蛊虫, he could tell it was no ordinary creature.
Ye Yi swallowed slightly and said solemnly, "The Heavenly Heart Gu Worm is rumored to be the natal蛊虫 of an Ancestral Witch from six thousand years ago. According to ancient texts, the Heavenly Heart Gu Worm can not only record a person's entire life but even the workings of the Great Dao of heaven and earth throughout an era."
"The workings of the Great Dao of heaven and earth?" Ye Ling's heart stirred.
Ye Yi continued, "That's right. In mythological legends, that Ancestral Witch used the Heavenly Heart Gu Worm to record the Great Dao of heaven and earth, thereby comprehending the rules of cosmic operation and achieving sainthood."
"However, the ancient texts I've read are incomplete, and the records from six thousand years ago are quite vague. I only know the general appearance of the Heavenly Heart Gu Worm, not its specific functions."
"I never imagined that the Ancestral Witch's natal蛊虫 from that era would have passed into the hands of the Medicine King a thousand years ago, and then through the Sun family to the present day..."
Ye Yi stared at the Heavenly Heart Gu Worm in the rearview mirror, sighing, completely oblivious to the large truck hurtling towards them!