CHAPTER 280: CHAPTER 280: THE HIGHEST REALM OF GETTING SOMETHING FOR NOTHING

Xia Mian obviously liked it. This magical cauldron is just like Sun Wukong’s Ruyi Jingu Bang; it can grow larger or smaller at will, making it convenient for her to carry around. It’s so smart and user-friendly.

"Mr. Ming, don’t worry, I definitely won’t freeload from you!" Xia Mian promised confidently, handing Xie Chengming a bottle of Soul Attraction Pills. "Consider this my deposit for Mr. Ming. Once I craft other elixirs, I’ll repay Mr. Ming for the furnace as soon as possible!"

Looking at the bottle of Soul Attraction Pills in Xia Mian’s hand, Xie Chengming hesitated for a moment but still accepted it with gritted teeth, "Miss Xia, this bottle of Soul Attraction Pills will count as your payment for the furnace. Henceforth, you owe nothing to our auction house!"

Xie Chengming didn’t want to sell the furnace so cheaply either!

However, Xia Mian had already showcased her extraordinary alchemy skills and effortlessly got the Treasure Cauldron to acknowledge her as its master!

What else could he do?

Might as well do her a favor, and hope to cooperate with Xia Mian more in the future!

Xia Mian saw Xie Chengming accept her second bottle of Soul Attraction Pills and smiled, "Mr. Ming, straightforward as always! I hope we have pleasant collaborations in the future!"

Xie Chengming smiled, but how genuine that smile was remained unknown.

When Xia Mian entered the auction house, she worried about not being able to afford the materials.

When she left the auction house, her pockets were filled with the elixirs she crafted, with a miniature Treasure Cauldron hanging from her wrist.

Her entrance and exit could be described as the epitome of getting something for nothing.

Yet, Xia Mian did not feel particularly impressive; rather, she felt a bit embarrassed. It was the first time in her life she had managed such a feat.

Song Ke cheerfully followed behind Xia Mian back to the Jufang Pavilion.

"Miss Xia, do you think I have any chance of unearthing my potential with my poor aptitude?" Song Ke asked pitifully, "Miss Xia, you’re so amazing, surely you can craft an elixir to improve aptitude, right?"

Xia Mian glanced at Song Ke. His indirect help was part of why she succeeded in getting something for nothing at the auction house.

Besides, while his talent seemed average, he didn’t appear to be short on money.

"I can." Xia Mian narrowed her eyes, "Whatever elixir you want, provide the materials yourself. Once crafted, I’ll take two-thirds of the elixirs. If you can accept this condition, then come to me; if not, seek someone more suitable elsewhere."

Song Ke immediately agreed, "Yes! Of course! I absolutely trust Miss Xia!"

Considering she’d even share one-third with him, even if she just gave him one elixir, he’d still seek out Xia Mian!

After all, other alchemists often produce just one elixir from the same amount of materials, but Xia Mian produces them by the bottle!

Looking across the entire Mystical World, this output rate is simply explosive!

Using other alchemists, one portion of materials might yield one elixir if successful, while with Xia Mian, one portion of materials yields a whole furnace, and he could get one-third!

Even a fool would know the smart choice.

Xia Mian smiled, "Alright, then go prepare the materials for the elixir you want. I will be in Gubei Town for the next day or two. After that, you’ll have to find me at the Divine Clan."

Song Ke nodded immediately, "Alright, I’ll go gather materials now!"

Song Ke hurriedly turned and left.

Xia Mian and Lu Zechuan returned to the Jufang Pavilion together.

For three days and nights, Xia Mian hadn’t returned while crafting Soul Attraction Pills, and Lu Zechuan had been waiting outside the top-grade Alchemy Room the entire time.

During those three days and nights, neither Gu Zhi nor Xia Weizhang had stepped out.

Although Xia Mian and her friends stayed indoors nearly the entire time during those three days and nights, trouble still came knocking.

Previously, Xia Mian had wiped out the Corpse Refiners who kidnapped Gu Zhi and Xia Weizhang. During her absence from the Jufang Pavilion, their comrades turned Gubei Town upside down to seek the murderer of their peers.

And the moment Xia Mian and Lu Zechuan left the auction, they were already being watched.

In a tavern across from the Jufang Pavilion, a group of men and women sat with their heads covered by straw hats.

The leader was a woman with a shapely figure.

Her gaze was locked onto Xia Mian and Lu Zechuan’s backs, her eyes filled with poison.

"Are they the ones who killed Chi Ba?" the woman’s voice was as cold as coming from hell itself.

One of the men, head bowed, replied, "Big sister, that day, big brother clashed with them. Later that night, he left with others, saying he was going to turn both of them into Corpse Puppets, but he never returned."

"We later searched Gubei Town and only found big brother’s head in an abandoned courtyard with residual energy—that woman’s!"

As the man’s words reached the woman’s ears, her gaze darkened once more, "To kill my Corpse Refiner, these two have some nerve!"

The man hesitated before speaking softly, "Big sister, this woman has an unusual background. She’s the recently recognized eldest daughter of the Divine Clan; the Divine Master Xia Liang is quite protective of her!"

After recognizing Xia Mian, Xia Liang had issued a message in the Mystical World: ’Offend Xia Liang and survive; offend Xia Mian and die.’

After this announcement, the Mystical Sects were all astonished, rushing to find out who Xia Mian was.

Most people approached Xia Mian with respectful distance, but these Corpse Refiners were clearly not like most.

"An eldest daughter of the Divine Clan?" the woman sneered, "Does being the Divine Clan’s eldest daughter mean she can kill my people?"

What does she amount to!

The woman’s eyes sparkled with cold intent, murder in full display.

"Big sister, she just came from the auction house," the man replied, "Xie Chengming from the auction personally escorted her out!"

Upon hearing this, the woman squinted her eyes again. She knew very well who Xie Chengming was—a man who never engaged in unprofitable deals.

For him to show such courtesy to Xia Mian, there must definitely be profit involved!

"First, have someone from Jufang Pavilion like Song Yi look into the situation," the woman said softly, her red lips parting slowly, "Attack our people, and there must be a price to pay. However, let’s not act too hastily."

The man made a sound of acknowledgment, then removed his hat and cloak before discreetly entering the Jufang Pavilion opposite.

During the clash with Xia Mian and others, they were present and made an impression on their attire. If he wore the same outfit to the Jufang Pavilion, Xia Mian and others would certainly be alerted.

The man went to inquire from Song Yi, but this time, Song Yi’s attitude was somewhat lukewarm, quite different from before.

"She’s the Divine Clan’s lady; opposing her means you must be tired of living," Song Yi said lazily while sipping his tea.

Song Ke went out with Xia Mian once, and upon return, glorified Xia Mian as peerless both in celestial and terrestrial worlds.

Especially when Song Ke hinted at the importance of maintaining good relations with Xia Mian, particularly ensuring Xia Mian never learns of Jufang Pavilion’s covert facilitation in the previous kidnapping of her friends by the Corpse Refiners.