The Supreme Dan? . . .
"This egg... Could it possibly belong to some mythical creature?" Cha Eun Xiao's eyes gleamed with a newfound desire, his curiosity piqued.
His excitement was palpable. "Hahahahahaha... How could I have ever expected anything ordinary in this peculiar place? Only a truly mythical creature could boldly leave its egg here, right? Look at the table... It's evident that all the qi in this space is converging here to nourish this egg. Only a fraction of the qi entering the egg is being rejected and expelled..."
Cha Eun Xiao continued to muse, his fascination growing. "It seems that all the purple qi I've been using for cultivation is actually the inferior qi that this egg doesn't need."
With wonder in his voice, he pondered, "I wonder when this egg will hatch..." His eyes scanned the area around the purple table, searching for more hidden surprises.
To his delight, another unexpected discovery awaited him. Beneath the table, he found a small, delicate purple box. Inside were about a dozen round, bead-like pills, each the size of a soybean. They emitted a faint white halo.
"This is Pei-Yuan Dan," Cha Eun Xiao exclaimed, recognizing the contents of the box. He was no stranger to such items, having knowledge from his past life. However, these Pei-Yuan Dan were of an unusually high quality, potentially the finest of their kind. They had been created without any loss of efficacy due to spiritual energy constraints, nearly reaching the pinnacle of dan refinement.
Intriguingly, while they were Pei-Yuan Dan, the most common type of dan, these were far from ordinary.
"And this is the only reward I receive?" Cha Eun Xiao couldn't help but express his mild disappointment as he carefully stored the Pei-Yuan Dan in a jade bottle. Exiting the space, he sighed audibly and grumbled, "So, the qi I obtain is the discarded qi from that mysterious egg, and the additional rewards are a handful of these modest dan beads. It leaves me at a loss for words!"
Outside, he approached the steward, questioning their family's financial situation. "Steward, how much money do we have? What can I use?"
The steward appeared somewhat uncomfortable as he responded, "Well... The family's funds naturally belong to you, my lord. However, the general's salary and the war spoils are allocated for specific purposes. The funds allocated for your personal use are... are all in your own closet."
The unspoken message was clear: Cha Eun Xiao could freely utilize the funds given to him by the general, but those not designated for his use were off-limits.
Cha Eun Xiao sighed softly, accepting the reality of their financial constraints. He was well aware of his father's benevolence. General Cha had dedicated most of his earnings to support the families of soldiers who had perished in battle, as well as those left disabled by war. As a result, there was limited money available for personal expenditures.
He did recall that the previous Lord Cha-Eun Xiao had saved some gold and silver by acting recklessly, amassing a total of about 500 gold bars. However, he had already used 250 gold bars when lending some to Zuo Wu Ji. Additionally, he had obtained another 500 gold bars from Lan Lang-Lang through blackmail.
"Poor! Truly impoverished!" Cha Eun Xiao couldn't help but lament the family's financial situation.
"Never mind. Carry on with your duties. Just leave me be," Cha Eun Xiao waved dismissively, signaling the steward to give him some space.
After pondering for a considerable time, Cha Eun Xiao decided it was prudent to alter his appearance. For someone who had once been the renowned Xiao Monarch, changing his looks was as effortless as transferring his spiritual power. Moreover, he had now reached the level of an expert in the Grade of Diyuan.
Though he considered the Pei-Yuan Dan of little value, it was still a type of tonic highly sought after in this mortal realm. To avoid attracting undue attention as the source of these valuable items, he decided it was wise to maintain his anonymity. Exposing himself as the benefactor might lead to complications and endless troubles.
With this in mind, Cha Eun Xiao transformed his appearance. He now sported a rugged, weathered countenance, with a well-grown beard that appeared to have seen over three decades of existence. His body exuded a robust, muscular aura.
After checking his new visage in the mirror, Cha Eun Xiao nodded with satisfaction. As an extra precaution, he donned a bamboo hat to further obscure his true identity.
"The Ling-Bao Hall Salesroom!" Cha Eun Xiao stood before the town's largest salesroom, which was bustling with activity as preparations for the upcoming auction were in full swing.
Tomorrow's auction would feature the very item Zuo Wu-Ji sought.
"Well, the name of this salesroom is rather fitting," he mused, observing the busy staff. "I wonder if these salesrooms are interconnected, perhaps just branches of a larger network."
Setting aside these thoughts for the moment, Cha Eun Xiao entered the salesroom.
"Please wait, warrior," a goateed man from the salesroom approached him with a fawning smile. "The auction won't commence until tomorrow..."
It was a clear message: return tomorrow.
"I'm here with business," Cha Eun Xiao replied with a gruff tone. "I'm well aware that the auction is scheduled for tomorrow, which is precisely why I'm here today. Fetch your boss for me. Ask if he's interested in featuring a supreme dan in his auction. If you don't do it promptly, I'll turn and leave!"
"Supreme dan?" The goateed man furrowed his brows in contemplation.
In the Land of Han-Yang, only one in a thousand individuals possessed the skill to craft medicines, and not even one in ten thousand of them reached the level of creating dans. Dans were highly coveted, even by formidable cultivators, and obtaining one was no small feat.
"But sir," the man hesitated, "Could you show me the dan you're referring to?"
Without hesitation, Cha Eun Xiao shook a bottle he held, releasing a rich and enchanting aroma.
The goateed man managed to catch a brief whiff of the scent before Cha Eun Xiao sealed the bottle. Even that fleeting encounter with the fragrance made the man's body relax and filled him with a soothing sensation.
"Please follow me. I will take you to our most knowledgeable expert right away," the goateed man said, addressing Cha Eun Xiao with newfound respect. "Master Guan, our top connoisseur at the Heaven Attaining Salesroom, will determine the authenticity of the dans you wish to sell."
As they proceeded, a white-bearded elderly gentleman emanating vitality awaited them.
"May I have your distinguished name and title, please?" Master Guan, with his white beard, offered a warm and gentle smile.
Cha Eun Xiao responded with a wry smile, "Old sir, are you considering the possibility that a skilled dan-maker exists in this kingdom? Or perhaps you believe that it has been many years since a dan-maker of such caliber has appeared in these lands?"
Master Guan chuckled, his eyes twinkling with wisdom. "I didn't suggest otherwise. In life, there is always someone more knowledgeable, a higher realm to attain. There are always things beyond our imagination but nothing that cannot be achieved. However, I've been residing in Chen-Xing City for two decades. If, sir, you have indeed brought genuine dans, it would only be the third time in these twenty years that I've had the opportunity to auction dans. This is not only a great honor for our salesroom but also for me."
Cha Eun Xiao was taken aback by his words. He had underestimated the value of dans in this mortal world.
In the realm of cultivation, dans were common and unremarkable. In the Qing-Yun Realm, a dan meant little to elite cultivators. However, in the mortal world, a dan was considered a precious elixir.
A dan with the ability to strengthen and rejuvenate the body was a treasure in this world. A single dose could cure numerous ailments, restore vitality, and mend injuries. Moreover, the Pei-Yuan Dan Cha Eun Xiao possessed was of the highest quality – a supreme dan.
"I extend my congratulations to you on experiencing this great fortune today," Cha Eun Xiao said with a hint of flatness. "You can rest assured that this will be your third time auctioning dans. Furthermore, if I strike a favorable deal this time, you may find yourself honored with the fourth and fifth such opportunities."
Master Guan, stroking his white beard, examined Cha Eun Xiao carefully, studying his darkened skin and the bamboo hat he inexplicably wore indoors. Finally, he said with a solemn nod, "I am Guan Wan-Shan. May I inquire as to how I should address you, sir?"
Cha Eun Xiao smiled and replied, "I am Feng Zhi-Ling."
"Greetings, Brother Feng." Guan Wan-Shan nodded with a courteous fist and palm salute.
Cha Eun Xiao returned the gesture with a calm nod, remaining in his previous posture. Little did he know that the alias he had casually chosen would one day become renowned throughout the world, a legend in its own right: the most distinguished, handsome, free-spirited, graceful, and magnanimous dan-maker in the world.
Nonetheless, he chuckled inwardly at his newfound persona, imagining himself as a handsome and free-spirited figure.
"However, I should still examine the dan," Master Guan stated, his polite words concealing his true intentions.
Cha Eun Xiao wasn't surprised. He retrieved the jade bottle from his clothing and casually placed it on the table.
Master Guan, however, looked taken aback. "If these are indeed supreme dans, why would they be kept in such an ordinary bottle?" He briefly doubted the authenticity of the dans. Yet, as soon as he took the bottle and opened it, a dense, life-infused qi emanated from within, causing Master Guan's expression to change instantly.
His hands trembled as he cautiously sealed the bottle, seemingly afraid to let even a trace of the scent escape.
Master Guan took a deep breath to calm his racing heart. When the rich fragrance had barely touched his nostrils and he had sensed the lifeforce, it dawned on him. Any doubt or disdain he may have had for the items displayed by the man before him had turned into a ludicrous notion.
These were the most valuable dans he had ever encountered in his lifetime.
Without wasting a moment, he issued a rapid succession of commands, "Someone, fetch my Purple Crystal Plate, my Purple Jade Bottle... Bring me the Dan-Yang Mirror, hurry! Quick, quick, quick!" He then turned to Cha Eun Xiao with earnest eagerness and a hint of excitement in his eyes. "Brother Feng, how many pieces of these high-quality dans are you looking to sell? Just one? Perhaps two? Or..."
His voice quivered with anticipation. Even a man of fifty or sixty, his face flushed, and his eyes gleamed with a sincere eagerness bordering on obsession.