The manager’s expression changed slightly.
But before he could reply, Long Feng continued "I happened to hear some rumors that a Soul Enchanting Violet might have appeared somewhere around this area."
Long Feng know that such flowers were not only extremely rare, but also difficult to hide. Because of its unique nature, anyone who would be in close area, can found them.
The Silver Moon Pavilion has a vast network throughout the city. As the manager of this auction house, if there was any such news, he should have some information in first hand.
The manager immediately shook his head.
"Alchemist Long, I’m afraid you’ve heard some unreliable rumors."
His expression were quite serious as he spoke.
"The Soul Enchanting Violet is an evil flower. Most righteous forces strictly prohibit its cultivation. Why would such a thing appear in a city like this?"
Long Feng wasn’t surprised by his answer.
He had already expected the manager to deny knowing anything.
After all, even if the Soul Enchanting Violet really existed here, it was clearly not something that could be casually mentioned.
Long Feng remained silent for a moment. Then, he reached into his storage ring and took out a jade bottle.
He opened its mouth and placed it gently on the table.
The manager’s eyes immediately narrowed. With its open mouth, he could tell at a glance that this was a pill, a Third Rank Pill.
Although he was the manager of an auction house, a Third-Rank Pill was still a valuable item.
Long Feng didn’t say anything. He simply pushed the jade bottle slightly toward him.
The manager looked at the jade bottle, then at Long Feng. His expression became slightly awkward.
"Alchemist Long, what are you..."
"Just a small gift." Long Feng smiled faintly. "I only want to satisfy my curiosity."
The manager’s eyes flickered.
After a moment of hesitation, he finally reached out and picked up the jade bottle.
"Well... now that I think about it, I may have heard a few things."
He lowered his voice, as reply. "These are only rumors, Alchemist Long. I can’t guarantee that they’re true."
"Just tell me what you’ve heard."
The manager nodded.
"Some time ago, I heard some flying rumors that indicates about Soul Enchanting Violet somewhere in the city."
Long Feng’s expression became slightly serious.
"Where?"
The manager hesitated before finally answering.
"If the rumors are true, then it should be somewhere in the southwestern part of the city."
"Southwest?"
"That area is controlled by the Wang Family." The manager nodded.
"Wang Family?"
Long Feng immediately became interested.
The manager understood his reaction and quickly explained.
"The Wang Family is one of the strongest forces in this city. Their influence is considerable, and they control a large portion of the southwestern area. As for their strength..."
"The current head of the Wang Family is a powerful Nascent Soul Realm cultivator, besides they had several Golden Core Realm experts. Their foundation is quite deep, and they have been in this city for many years."
The manager carefully observed Long Feng’s expression. He was an experienced businessman. Naturally, he could tell that Long Feng was already considering going to the southwestern area.
After thinking for a moment, he suddenly spoke.
"Actually, Alchemist Long, if you really want to go there, I might be able to help."
Long Feng looked at him.
"Oh?"
"Our Silver Moon Pavilion has some business dealings with the Wang Family. We happen to have some things that need to be delivered to the Wang Family today."
The manager looked at Long Feng meaningfully.
"If Alchemist Long wishes to visit the southwestern area, you could travel with our people."
Long Feng immediately understood his meaning.
The manager was offering him a convenient way to enter the Wang Family’s territory.
At the same time, the manager would also benefit from maintaining a good relationship with a young Third-Rank Alchemist.
It was clearly a mutually beneficial arrangement.
Thinking about it, Long Feng didn’t hesitate anymore.
"Then I’ll have to trouble Manager."
The manager’s smile immediately became brighter.
"Alchemist Long is too polite. It’s only a small matter."
Long Feng also smiled at him. However, both of them were secretly laughing in their hearts.
/
Some time later, Long Feng arrived in the southwestern part of the city. He had come here together with several people from the Silver Moon Pavilion.
The journey was quite peaceful.
After all, the Silver Moon Pavilion had dealings with the Wang Family, so the people accompanying him were already familiar with the route.
Soon, a large estate appeared before them.
The Wang Family’s residence was far more impressive than the ordinary houses in the city. A tall wall surrounded the entire estate, while several guards stood at the main entrance.
When Long Feng and the others approached, the guards immediately stepped forward.
Some of them gazes landed on the azure-colored alchemist badge on Long Feng’s chest, their expressions changed.
The symbol of the Azura Heaven Sect was clearly visible on it.
"Greetings, Senior."
The leading guard immediately bowed.
Although Long Feng was young, the guard didn’t dare to underestimate him.
A Third-Rank Alchemist from the Azura Heaven Sect was someone the Wang Family couldn’t afford to offend casually.
"Is there something we can help Senior with?"
"We’re here on behalf of the Silver Moon Pavilion," one of the people accompanying Long Feng explained. "We have some items to deliver to the Wang Family."
The guard nodded immediately.
"Please wait a moment."
He quickly sent someone inside to inform the higher-ups. It didn’t take long before a middle-aged man came personally to welcome them.
"Everyone, please come inside."
Long Feng and the others followed him through the main entrance. After passing through several courtyards, they finally arrived at the Wang Family’s main hall.
There, Long Feng finally met the current head of the Wang Family.
The man was middle-aged, with a calm and dignified appearance. However, beneath his seemingly ordinary appearance was an extremely powerful aura.
Nascent Soul Realm!
Long Feng immediately sensed his cultivation.
The middle-aged man also looked at him with considerable interest.
"You must be fellow disciple from Azura Heaven Sect."
His gaze fell upon the badge on Long Feng’s chest.
"A Third-Rank Alchemist at such a young age... Truly impressive."
Long Feng smiled politely.
"Patriarch Wang is too kind."
"Hahaha! There’s no need to be so polite."
The middle-aged man waved his hand.
"The Wang Family’s territory is also under the protection of the sect. Naturally, you are a distinguished guest of our family."
Long Feng’s expression remained calm.
The Azura Heaven Sect’s influence extended for thousands of miles around its main sect. Many cities and forces within this vast region were protected by the sect.
The Wang Family was naturally one of them.
The two sides exchanged some polite words before sitting down.
The people from the Silver Moon Pavilion soon delivered the items they had brought. After that, they remained in the hall for a while.
Long Feng and Patriarch Wang talked about some ordinary matters.
The atmosphere was quite relaxed.
However, Long Feng hadn’t come here merely to chat. As soon as he remain alone with Patriarch Wang, he finally brought up the subject he wanted to discuss.
"By the way, Patriarch Wang, I wonder if you’ve heard any rumors about the Soul Enchanting Violet?"
The moment those words left his mouth, a subtle change appeared in the middle-aged man’s expression.
It lasted for only an instant. His eyes narrowed slightly before quickly returning to normal.
"Spirit Enchanting Violet?"
He shook his head lightly, his tone remained calm.
"Alchemist Long, this is an evil spiritual flower. How could such a thing possibly appear here?"
However, hearing the same excuse from another party, Long Feng remained silent. His expression didn’t change much outside, but his mind became even more certain.
’He definitely knows something.’
The man’s reaction had been too subtle.
If he truly knew nothing, there would have been no reason for his expression to change when he heard the name.
However, Long Feng didn’t expose him, just smiled lightly.
"Perhaps I really did hear an unreliable rumor."
He paused for a few moment before speaking. "However, I do have some interest in this spiritual flower."
"And what are they?" The middle-aged man’s eyes flickered.
"If Patriarch Wang really happened to possess some Soul Enchanting Violets, I wouldn’t mind purchasing them."
Long Feng smiled casually, like it’s just a fleeting matter.
"If the price is reasonable, I believe we can come to an agreement."
The man’s expression remained calm. However, his mind was already turning rapidly.
He hadn’t expected this young Third-Rank Alchemist to actually admit that he wanted the flower.
After a brief silence, he asked casually.
"And what price would Alchemist Long be willing to pay?"
Long Feng immediately understood that this man was testing him.
"That would depend on what the buyer wants. However, I believe I can offer something that would be far more valuable than ordinary spirit stones."
"Oh?"
Patriarch Wang’s interest increased.
Looking at his gloating interest, Long Feng smiled lightly. The fish has taken the bait!
"As an alchemist, I can naturally help cultivators improve their cultivation. Even if the other party is a Nascent Soul Realm expert."
The hall immediately became quiet.
Patriarch Wang stared at him, he couldn’t hid his expressions now.
"Alchemist Long, I don’t mean to underestimate you." His voice became slightly serious. "But this matter isn’t as simple as you think."
Long Feng raised an eyebrow.
"Why do you say that?"
Patriarch Wang looked directly at Long Feng and replied in a direct words.
"As a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator like myself... one would need at least a Fifth-Rank Pill."
Long Feng wasn’t surprised.
He had already expected such a reaction.
A Third-Rank Alchemist helping a Nascent Soul Realm expert improve their cultivation?
Alchemists and cultivators have always had a corresponding relationship between their ranks.
A First-Rank Alchemist can refine First Rank pills, suitable for cultivators in the Qi Refining Realm. While Second-Rank Alchemist can refine pills capable of assisting cultivators in the Spirit Condensing Realm.
At the Third Rank, an alchemist can at most refine pills that are useful to cultivators in the True Spirit Realm.
Only a Fifth Rank Alchemist could help refine such pills to increase a Nascent Soul Realm expert’s cultivation.
His words to help a Nascent Soul Expert to increase his cultivation, sounded absurd.
His pills at the most could assist in that rank expert, like increasing energy refining speed or heal minor injuries so on.