A faint, fresh fragrance wafted over.

Jiang Chen looked at Murong Xiangming. The woman obviously knew who he was.

He stood up and greeted her politely.

"Please, sit."

Murong Xiangming gestured for Jiang Chen to sit.

She sat down as well, her elegant posture so flawless one couldn’t find a single fault.

"May I have your name, miss?"

Although he could see that Murong Xiangming’s Cultivation was at the Sixth Level of Martial Master, placing her among the top experts in all of Hanwu City, he acted very nonchalantly.

He was only asking for her name out of politeness.

"Hehe, how remiss of me. My name is Murong Xiangming."

Murong Xiangming smiled, revealing two rows of pearly white teeth.

Her attitude, her speech, her every action—it was all as pleasant and comfortable as being in the presence of a goddess.

"Murong Xiangming?"

’That name sounds so familiar.’

Jiang Chen was quite surprised upon hearing her name.

He studied her carefully.

Now that they were sitting face-to-face, he could see Murong Xiangming’s every smile and frown up close.

Having such a beauty sitting before him, even a worldly man like Jiang Chen felt a little dazed.

However, he was more concerned with her identity at the moment.

"Young Master Jiang Chen, you know of me?"

Sensing that Jiang Chen seemed to recognize her, Murong Xiangming was also a little surprised.

Her bright eyes flickered slightly.

She stared intently at Jiang Chen.

In truth, Murong Xiangming was quite famous in Hanwu City.

But right now, she was more curious about the current Jiang Chen.

Because he gave her a different sort of feeling.

Jiang Chen nodded and chuckled. "The number one beauty of Hanwu City. If I didn’t know of you, I would be far too ignorant."

"Isn’t that right, Miss Murong?"

That’s right. Murong Xiangming was indeed the number one beauty of Hanwu City.

Seeing her in person today, Jiang Chen finally understood. It had been rumored that Murong Xiangming was Hanwu City’s greatest beauty, and now, looking at her, he knew it was absolutely true.

Murong Xiangming’s beauty was certainly worthy of the title. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

In Jiang Chen’s memory, there were many beauties in Hanwu City, but compared to the Murong Xiangming before him, they were like fireflies to the bright moon—they couldn’t even hold a candle to her.

The previous Jiang Chen had also been a profligate young master, but he never had the chance to meet this Miss Murong.

He could only dream about it.

But the current Jiang Chen had fulfilled the old Jiang Chen’s wish and met her in person.

"Thank you for the compliment."

Murong Xiangming blushed faintly.

She had been praised by many people before, but receiving a compliment from Jiang Chen made her feel a little shy.

This reaction baffled even her.

Murong Xiangming knew that she never felt stage fright or shyness no matter who she met.

That a single sentence from Jiang Chen could make her heart flutter was a complete surprise.

After collecting her thoughts, Murong Xiangming suddenly asked, "The rumors said something happened to you, Young Master Jiang Chen. But looking at you now, you don’t seem to match those rumors at all."

She studied Jiang Chen with curiosity.

According to the rumors, Jiang Chen’s Martial Vein had been dug out, leaving him a cripple.

Yet the Jiang Chen before her was not only perfectly fine, but his Cultivation had even reached Warrior Third Heaven.

It was all very strange.

Murong Xiangming couldn’t help but ask out of curiosity.

"That’s right. The rumors are true."

Jiang Chen smiled faintly, as if the matter didn’t bother him in the slightest.

"My Martial Vein was indeed dug out. But so what? Look at me now, I’m alive and kicking."

Murong Xiangming was taken aback.

"It really happened?"

"May I ask how you recovered your Martial Vein, Young Master Jiang Chen?"

"Oh, but if it’s inconvenient to say, you don’t have to answer."

She was very respectful toward Jiang Chen.

This legendary cripple was not a cripple at all now. He was shrouded in mystery, giving Murong Xiangming the constant urge to uncover his secrets.

But Jiang Chen shook his head.

He said indifferently, "It’s fine. It’s not some great secret that needs to be hidden."

"I have a great master. It was he who helped me recover."

"I am very grateful to him and respect him deeply."

"I am who I am today all because of him."

At this moment, Jiang Chen was already well-prepared.

In fact, he had long planned to do this—to weave a tale of a fabricated master, one who was both mysterious and powerful.

’No one would be able to meet him anyway.’

This way, with a mysterious and powerful master in the picture, many things about him would become explainable.

Moreover, this mysterious master would be his Protective Talisman.

If anyone wanted to scheme against him, they would have to think twice.

He said it deliberately, intending for the news of his mysterious and powerful master to spread through word of mouth.

Even if someone tried to investigate, they would surely find nothing.

Instead, they would only become more wary of him.

Murong Xiangming’s eyes lit up.

"I see. So, Young Master Jiang Chen has a mysterious master."

"No wonder. In that case, congratulations. You have a good master."

Jiang Chen laughed it off.

"You’re too kind. My master usually doesn’t allow me to speak of him, so I can’t say much more."

As the person in charge of the Treasure Elephant Pavilion, someone with high status and identity, Murong Xiangming was also an extremely intelligent person.

After a moment of thought, she understood just how formidable Jiang Chen’s master must be.

As far as she knew, no one had ever regrown a Martial Vein after it had been dug out.

One could only imagine how terrifying Jiang Chen’s master was.

With such a master, Jiang Chen’s future potential was surely limitless.

She smiled.

"Alright then, let’s talk about the Elixirs you wish to auction, Young Master Jiang Chen."

"May I see the Elixirs?"

Jiang Chen once again took out the porcelain bottle and handed it to Murong Xiangming. She extended a fair, slender hand and gently accepted the bottle from him.

She opened it and took a look.

GASP!

Even though Murong Xiangming had prepared herself, she was still shocked by the Pill inside.

She took a deep breath.

"A Gold Quality Foundation Strengthening Pill... I had only ever heard of such a thing. I never expected to see one with my own eyes."

"This type of Pill is especially rare. The Elixir Recipe was even thought to be lost."

"And yet you, Young Master Jiang Chen, were able to produce one. Incredible."

After seeing it, Murong Xiangming believed this was likely another masterpiece from Jiang Chen’s mysterious master.

’Jiang Chen definitely couldn’t refine a Pill like this himself.’

Jiang Chen just smiled faintly.

His expression was composed.

"Hehe, my master refined these as well. I stole a few to get some spending money."

"I’ve been a bit short on cash lately, you know."

"Giggle...."

As soon as Jiang Chen finished speaking, a laugh like silver bells rang out before him.

It was Murong Xiangming, who had been amused by Jiang Chen.

"Young Master Jiang Chen, you don’t seem like the type to be short on money."

"But aren’t you afraid your master will beat you for stealing his Pills?"

Murong Xiangming found chatting with Jiang Chen to be very interesting.

The two of them soon fell into a pleasant conversation, the atmosphere harmonious.