Chapter Thirty-Eight: It Seems We've Struck It Lucky

After the two uncles left, Xuanxuan climbed out of Wan Qi Lianhao’s embrace, her eyes uncharacteristically complex. She didn’t know whether she should confess, but she was afraid. She feared that all the warmth she felt now was nothing more than stolen moments. When the truth was revealed, everything would disappear, just as she trusted Zhan Yu so much in the Star Net—it was for this reason.

But if she didn’t confess, she felt uneasy. She didn’t want her father to worry about her every day, nor did she want his brows to furrow because of her.

Xuanxuan reached out and smoothed the furrow between Wan Qi Lianhao’s brows. He smiled warmly, “Daddy tires you out, doesn’t he?”

For once, a faint blush appeared on Xuanxuan’s face, but she said nothing, simply burying herself in his arms, feeling lost.

“Is there something you want to tell Daddy?” Wan Qi Lianhao asked, her little face written all over with secrets.

Xuanxuan opened her mouth, but the words were harder to say than she had imagined.

He hefted his daughter, wondering if it was his imagination or if she had gotten heavier again.

“Is my little one going to tell Daddy that she won’t eat meat anymore?” Wan Qi Lianhao teased.

Clearly, he wasn’t a real father. After much deliberation, Xuanxuan swallowed all her words and slumped back into his arms, feeling wounded.

Wan Qi Lianhao carried her back to her bedroom. “Play on your own now, Daddy has things to do.”

His elder and second brother had come, so of course he needed to discuss the next steps with Zhan Yu. If they were to return at full speed, adjustments would be required.

Xuanxuan watched her father leave. She clenched her fist and thumped the soft bed, the courage she had painstakingly gathered now dissipated. She pulled the covers over her head, feeling frustrated.

She tapped her smart brain and entered the Star Net.

After these few days, Xuanxuan’s little room had become a small courtyard, filled with new amenities. Zhan Yu often added things to her room, and with upgrades here and there, the little house had become a cozy courtyard.

Xuanxuan arranged the potions she had made earlier. Money was no issue, and none of her goods had been sold yet. She thought, if the Wan Qi family already knew “Volcano Potion” was connected to her, perhaps she should cement her position as “teacher,” which would also ease Wan Qi Lianhao’s worries.

She packed two bottles of potion and teleported them to the Pearl Tower. Having visited several times with Zhan Yu, she was familiar with the place, heading straight to the last building. If memory served, the annual Gold-level auction was about to begin.

However, for this level of auction, all items had to be inspected in advance. The Pearl Tower had to protect its reputation, and Xuanxuan understood this well.

She entered the third building. Xuanxuan glanced upward; it was bustling with activity. Before she could enter, a beautiful female attendant approached, dressed in a striking dress she hadn’t seen before. Zhan Yu had told her it was called a “cheongsam,” a traditional dress from Huaxia. “Hello, do you need assistance?”

Xuanxuan nodded. “I want to auction something.”

“Which auction level will you be participating in?”

“Gold.”

“Gold-level auctions at Pearl Tower require two inspections. Please follow me.” The staff were highly professional, and Xuanxuan was pleased—it saved her much time.

She nodded and followed the attendant.

Gold and Silver-level items at Pearl Tower underwent two rounds of selection to ensure quality; Diamond-level was even stricter.

“May I ask what items you wish to auction?”

Inside a small room with a counter, a young appraiser awaited.

Xuanxuan took out two bottles of Volcano Potion she had made, then hesitated. If only the Volcano Potion was offered, it might not be enough to prove her connection. So she added a bottle of transparent potion.

This was her newly crafted “Mana Essence,” akin to Mana Essence magic—restoring magic or battle energy. The version she had given Zhan Yu was advanced; even he could instantly recover 30% of his mental and physical strength, with another 20% gradually restored over ten minutes.

She had studied Zhan Yu closely; physical arts and the battle energy of Mata Continent were somewhat similar, both cultivating inner energy, and Mana Essence could also restore physical arts energy.

Such a potion was indispensable for combatants.

The one she brought now was the intermediate version, which should restore 50% of an A-class warrior’s ability, and about 30% for S-class. But she had realized that the world’s potion research was quite shallow, so introducing such items to the Wan Qi family should pose no problem.

The appraiser stared at the three crystal bottles in a daze but quickly asked, “May I ask what effects these three potions have?”

Xuanxuan pointed to the red potion. “This is ‘Volcano Potion.’”

“What?” The appraiser shot upright. As a member of the Pearl Tower, he had been instructed that if another “Volcano Potion” appeared, he must treat it with utmost respect and inform the highest leadership immediately.

“Forgive my rudeness.” Though shocked, the appraiser, a member of the Wan Qi family, was clearly well-trained and apologized instantly.

“You must know that your potion’s effects are extraordinary.”

Xuanxuan nodded, indicating her understanding.

“Please follow me. I am not qualified to inspect your potion.” The appraiser rose, bowing slightly in respect.

Xuanxuan was puzzled. Was the Volcano Potion alone enough to astonish them so? Apparently, she had underestimated the impact of her potions on the Federation.

She put away the three bottles and followed the appraiser to another room. After several days of learning characters, Xuanxuan recognized “S-level Appraisal” on the door.

“Please wait here.” After Xuanxuan nodded, the appraiser entered, presumably to report her arrival.

Within a minute, two people emerged—one was the appraiser, the other exuded an air of authority.

“Greetings, I am Wan Qi Wu, supervisor of Pearl Tower. Please, come this way.”

Xuanxuan arched her brows; it seemed he wasn’t from a branch of the Wan Qi family but a trusted confidant of the patriarch. She nodded and was about to enter, but turned to the appraiser and the stunned attendant. “Thank you for your help.”

Wan Qi Wu paused, then said, “It’s their honor to earn your appreciation.”

Xuanxuan nodded and entered the appraisal room.

Wan Qi Wu turned to the two, “Well done, you both deserve a promotion.”

As their supervisor entered the room, the pair finally processed what had happened.

“Did I mishear?” one murmured.

“I think I did too,” the other replied.

The appraiser patted the attendant’s shoulder. “Looks like we’ve struck it rich.”

She nodded, still dazed.

－－－－－－－－－－－

If you have time, please give Douya some feedback or suggestions.

PS: I recommend a book by Qing Yi. It’s just starting out, but it’s quite good. “bookid 221”