"How about it? Are you satisfied?" Luo Xiaowen chuckled, seeing Shen Haoran’s stunned expression.

"Satisfied? Of course, I’m satisfied!" Shen Haoran nodded. ’This Fire Gemstone, Gathering Fire Array, and the Concentration Incense are the best support tools in the entire Alchemy Realm!’

The Fire Gemstone could keep the external temperature constant. During Alchemy, one would no longer have to worry about a large temperature difference between the outside world and the inside of the Pill Furnace ruining the Elixir. The Gathering Fire Array, in turn, maximized the Fire Gemstone’s effects. As for the Concentration Incense, that was something every Alchemist coveted. This incense could calm the spirit and clear the mind, and the greatest taboo in Alchemy was impatience and agitation. With the help of the Concentration Incense, one could say half the work of refining an Elixir was already done!

"Then I’ll leave this place to you. Remember, the auction is in three days, so please refine a batch as quickly as you can," Luo Xiaowen told Shen Haoran, preparing to turn and leave.

Hearing this, Shen Haoran nodded. He then rubbed his hands together, ready to show off his skills in this grand Alchemy Room.

However, just as Shen Haoran was about to step into the Alchemy Room, a hoarse, aged voice stopped him.

"Stop! Who let you into my Alchemy Room? Don’t you know this is a restricted area of the Celestial Martial Auction House?" Hearing the voice, both Shen Haoran and Luo Xiaowen turned to look at the old man running toward them.

The old man wore an alchemist’s robes. On his chest was a badge, the symbol of his status as an Alchemist, upon which five stars shone with a dazzling light. ’A Fifth Grade Alchemist! This old man is actually a Fifth Grade Alchemist.’

"Master Xing," Luo Xiaowen said, looking at the old man and introducing him to Shen Haoran. "He is the chief Alchemist of our Celestial Martial Auction House’s Divine Martial City branch."

’Chief Alchemist?’ Shen Haoran’s eyes narrowed. Looking at Master Xing’s expression, he knew at once. ’This guy is probably looking for trouble.’

"Miss Luo, don’t you know this is my exclusive area? How could you bring an outsider here!" Master Xing strode over, speaking angrily.

Hearing Master Xing’s rebuke, Luo Xiaowen frowned. "I asked Manager Luo just now. He said you wouldn’t be performing any Alchemy in the near future. I’m merely borrowing the Celestial Martial Auction House’s Alchemy Room for a moment. Is there a problem?"

"Hmph! Unacceptable! As the chief Alchemist of the Celestial Martial Auction House, this is my private domain. No one enters without my permission! If Young Master Luo Cheng hadn’t informed me in time, this place would have been defiled by this snot-nosed brat!" Master Xing snapped, his gaze toward Shen Haoran filled with loathing.

"Master Xing, I suggest you watch your words! Little Brother Haoran is my friend. Insulting him is the same as insulting me. Furthermore, this Alchemy Room belongs to the Celestial Martial Auction House; it is not your private property. I have every right to use it!" Hearing Master Xing’s insults toward Shen Haoran, Luo Xiaowen’s tone turned frigid. A faint aura of authority emanated from her, creating an irresistible urge in others to submit.

Seeing Luo Xiaowen’s firm stance, Master Xing’s expression darkened. He glanced at Shen Haoran twice before speaking in a cold voice, "Miss Luo, don’t forget, this is Divine Martial City, not the Imperial City! The profits I’ve earned for your Celestial Martial Auction House have long surpassed the value of this Alchemy Room. Without me, could this branch of the Celestial Martial Auction House even stay in business? Even if I were to ask Manager Luo for this Alchemy Room right now, I doubt he’d dare refuse! And this brat—what right does he have to enter *my* Alchemy Room?"

Both Luo Xiaowen and Shen Haoran were stunned by Master Xing’s words. The Celestial Martial Auction House had been established on the continent for hundreds of years. It was a household name, its reputation spreading across every region. Its background was immensely powerful and its resources were unfathomably deep. For this Master Xing to shamelessly claim that the Celestial Martial Auction House was entirely propped up by him was utterly laughable!

"I say, old man, you’ve lived this long, how did your face get so thick? I really don’t know how the Celestial Martial Auction House found you. An Alchemy Master? What a joke! Sister Xiaowen, if you ask me, you could grab any random Alchemist off the street, and they’d still be better than whatever this bullshit ’Master’ is!" Shen Haoran stepped forward, his voice dripping with sarcasm. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Hearing Shen Haoran’s words, Master Xing’s face went dark. He pointed a finger at Shen Haoran’s nose and roared, "You damn brat, what right do you have to speak to me like that? A measly Fourth Grade Alchemist like you isn’t even fit to carry my shoes!"

At this, Shen Haoran let out a soft chuckle. He took a step forward, standing right in front of Master Xing, and looked down at him with an arrogant laugh. "What right do I have? The right of being stronger than you, that’s what!"

Shen Haoran’s sheer arrogance forced Master Xing to take two steps back, his face turning the color of beet root in his fury.

"You... you brat! You dare say you’re stronger than me! Fine! We’ll have a competition. I’ll make you accept your defeat, utterly and completely!" After a long moment, Master Xing finally managed to choke out the words.

"A competition? No thanks. Why should I compete just because you say so? Where’s the honor in that for me?" Shen Haoran tossed his head back and refused flatly.

"What? Are you scared?" Seeing that Shen Haoran wouldn’t agree, Master Xing let out a sinister laugh.

At his words, Shen Haoran stared at Master Xing, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "Trying to provoke me? Fine. We’ll have our competition, but let’s add some stakes. If you lose, you get out of the Celestial Martial Auction House. From now on, if you even see one of our buildings, you take the long way around. If I lose... well, I’ll be at your mercy. How about it?"

"A joke! Me, lose?" Master Xing snorted coldly.

"Oh, so you agree? Good. Then I won’t bully you. We’ll compete by refining a Fourth Grade Elixir: the Calm Spirit Pill. As a Fifth Grade Alchemist, a Fourth Grade Elixir should be child’s play for you, right?" Shen Haoran said with a soft laugh.

Hearing this, Master Xing was left speechless. ’What does he mean, he won’t bully *me*? That should be *my* line! How did he end up saying it?’ But he couldn’t be bothered with that now. Today, he would make this brat understand that his reputation as Master Xing wasn’t just for show!

"The Calm Spirit Pill it is! Miss Luo, you will act as our witness, to prevent a certain someone from backing out when he loses!" Master Xing finished, shooting a cold glare at Shen Haoran.

Shen Haoran merely shrugged nonchalantly, walked into the Alchemy Room, and shut the door behind him.

"You..." Seeing Shen Haoran occupy *his* Alchemy Room, Master Xing’s face went dark. He had no choice but to turn and enter the adjacent stone room to begin his own refinement.

Watching the two men enter their respective Alchemy Rooms, Luo Xiaowen’s expression suddenly darkened. ’I never expected there were so many parasites within the Celestial Martial Auction House. It seems a proper house cleaning is in order!’

At this thought, Luo Xiaowen took out a piece of exquisite jade. She inscribed something on it for a moment, then formed a Seal Technique with her hands. The jade slowly dissipated before her eyes.

After she was done, Luo Xiaowen’s expression finally softened. She turned her gaze toward the two Alchemy Rooms, waiting for them to emerge...