"Please wait, sir!" Seeing this, a flicker of unusual light flashed across Yun Yuqing's eyes. "Since I invited you here today, I have an important matter to discuss with you. Would you be so kind to grant me the honor?"

"I'm not interested," Du Fei replied coldly.

"Hehe, you shouldn't be so hasty in your decision! What if the matter I wish to discuss has something to do with the object you're currently holding?" Yun Yuqing inhaled slightly, and her words clearly stirred Du Fei's interest.

Here it came!

Du Fei's eyes twitched slightly, but fortunately, his lowered veil concealed his expression very well. He just chuckled coldly and said, "If I didn't know the origin of this item, how could I have put it up for auction... That said, if you were interested, you could have simply outbid everyone and acquired it earlier. Why wait until now and waste so much time talking?"

"Hehe, you should know, sir, that if this endeavor is to be pursued, an alchemist will be needed. Perhaps you might be capable, but I'm not an alchemist and certainly don't claim to have such skills... However, to be clear, I have half of that item, and you have the other half. If we wish to proceed with this venture, then you'd have no choice but to collaborate with me, correct?" Yun Yuqing smiled faintly, gently rubbing her exquisite ring. A box identical to the one in Du Fei's possession materialized, and with a flick of her wrist, it disappeared once more.

"Storage ring... She is indeed wealthy!" Du Fei silently scoffed in his mind, maintaining his mysterious demeanor.

Regarding the so-called venture, he naturally had no clue what it was about. But right now, even if he didn't know, he had to pretend that he did.

After a moment of feigning deep contemplation, Du Fei sat down again and said indifferently, "Miss Yun, if you have something to say, please be direct. Beating around the bush benefits neither of us."

Seeing Du Fei sit down again, a hint of joy appeared on Yun Yuqing's charming face. After a brief pause, she took a deep breath and gracefully said, "Sir, since you come from an alchemist's background, you should naturally understand that the path of an alchemist demands extremely high talent. Therefore, very few in the world manage to become alchemists. Many alchemists go through life without finding a suitable successor and, with no other options, they take their lifetime of knowledge with them to the grave. However, some exceptions exist, where they safeguard their life's learnings and scatter clues to them throughout the world... For example, our target this time, the Elixir King Ruins."

"Elixir King Ruins!" Upon hearing these words, Du Fei's breathing became noticeably heavier. He hadn't expected that what Yun Yuqing wanted to discuss with him was related to this matter.

Du Fei had indeed heard a bit about the Elixir King Ruins.

Roughly a century ago, within the Da'an Dynasty, there emerged a rare alchemy prodigy. It was said that he reached the level of a fifth-grade alchemy master. At that time, within the martial world of the Da'an Dynasty, he was revered as a king and named himself the Elixir King.

However, throughout the Elixir King's life, he never found a suitable successor. At the time of his passing, he sealed away all his life's knowledge and the pills he crafted in a certain location, letting clues about it spread throughout the world.

Yet, most believed this to be merely a legend. However, now, hearing Eldest Miss Yun speak of it so seriously, Du Fei took a deep breath and realized that perhaps the legend wasn't just a legend anymore!

"The rumored location of the Elixir King Ruins is incredibly mysterious. Miss Yun, surely you don't think that just the two of us can achieve anything significant, do you?... Even if we both possess the necessary items, it might not necessarily lead to success..." Du Fei inhaled slightly, continuing, "In my opinion, it would be better if you visit my master. If you really do have the other half, I believe my master would be willing to exchange it for many things."

"Hehe, sir, you must be joking! Even if I am willing to part with it... would you?" Yun Yuqing's slender eyes curved into a captivating arc. "If you were truly willing to hand it over to your teacher, why would you auction it? And why be so secretive, fearing that others might find out your identity..."

Regarding Yun Yuqing's "clever" speculation, Du Fei felt immense relief. He was truly afraid that Yun Yuqing might mindlessly agree. If she did, where would he conjure a teacher from then?

Having heard this, Du Fei snorted coldly and did not say another word.

Seeing Du Fei's demeanor, Yun Yuqing didn't seem to mind. Instead, she spoke calmly, "It is said in legends that there are three realms of alchemy... The lower realm involves refining pills with fire, the middle realm uses qi, and the legendary upper realm, is refining pills with pills themselves... I presume you're aware of this, right?"

At her words, Du Fei's expression twitched slightly. He was somewhat familiar with these tales.

Legend has it that within the vast heavens and earth, there were naturally formed pill cores that existed. Perhaps they've been around since the creation of the world, or perhaps they were the condensed essence of millennia-old volcanoes, or perhaps they were the culmination of the life's work of a legendary first-grade alchemist...

Regardless of their origin, it was said that these Heaven and Earth Primordial Cores contain nearly limitless energy. For martial artists, if they could consume and assimilate one, they could achieve sainthood instantly. And for an alchemist, if they could acquire it, using the Heaven and Earth Primordial Core as a catalyst during pill refinement, there would be no need for any flames. Crafting pills would not only be quicker, but also have a higher success rate and increased potency.

However, these Heaven and Earth Primordial Cores were true rarities, only ever seen once in a century. Even if one were to find them, those who were not fated couldn't claim them as their own!

As for consumption, if an average person took it, they might get refined by its power before they could refine the core's medicinal properties!

Nevertheless, despite the risks, the Heaven and Earth Primordial Core was something many alchemists dreamed of obtaining in their lifetime. Because possessing this item, even if they couldn't refine it, by harnessing the method of refining pills with pills, they could reach the pinnacle of the alchemical path!

However, to truly acquire the Heaven and Earth Primordial Core, immense luck and fate was required. Without enough fate, one might get devoured by the pill instantly and perish forever. Yet, occasionally, a few fortunate individuals can obtain it for themselves. And these people all stand at the peak of power on the Xuanwu Continent.

Because of this, the Heaven and Earth Primordial Core was extremely intriguing to everyone. For alchemists, the allure was even greater! And on the Xuanwu Continent, after tens of thousands of years of accumulation, some even ranked and named these Heaven and Earth Primordial Cores, resulting in the so-called "Registry of Heaven and Earth Primordial Cores."

It is said that within the "Registry of Heaven and Earth Primordial Cores," there are thirty-three types of Heaven and Earth Primordial Cores, ranked based on their contained energy and power. Yet, even if the lowest-ranked Heaven and Earth Primordial Core appeared, it would most likely cause countless people to fight over it relentlessly.

Du Fei naturally had some knowledge about this. However, he took a slight breath and calmly said, "I am aware. What of it?"

"What if I told you..." Yun Yuqing licked her lips slightly, "that the Elixir King once acquired one of those Thirty-Three Heaven and Earth Primordial Cores, which led to his legendary achievements back then. Would you still give the item you have to your teacher?"

*Snap—*

The armrest of the chair was crushed by Du Fei's grip. Moments later, with a slightly trembling voice, he said, "Are you implying... that within the Elixir King Ruins, there exists a Heaven and Earth Primordial Core?"

"You are indeed a smart person... Collaborating with smart individuals is something I, Yun Yuqing, enjoy the most!" Yun Yuqing said with a gentle smile.

*Whew—*

After taking a deep breath, Du Fei managed to completely calm himself. If he could obtain the Heaven and Earth Primordial Core, even if he couldn't refine it and only kept it for himself, there would be countless benefits!

Possessing this item could also set him on the path to the pinnacle of power!

Therefore, no matter what, he had to acquire it!

However, even with such thoughts, Du Fei remained somewhat composed. After a moment, he coldly said, "Since you know so much, why collaborate with a stranger like me... The Yun Family is vast and prosperous, can't you just find any alchemist to hrlp?"

"That won't work!" Yun Yuqing replied calmly, "If that were the case... then I wouldn't gain anything... If my family was only interested in the Heaven and Earth Primordial Core, I'd accept it... but sadly..."

"What do you mean?" Du Fei asked with a slight frown.

"Perhaps you don't know about this, but the Elixir King was not only a Fifth-grade Pill Master but also a Fourth-grade Martial Master..." Yun Yuqing said with a look of admiration. "I can't create pills, and I'm not particularly interested in the path of alchemy. As for the Heaven and Earth Primordial Core, although I know of its excellence, I'm also self-aware enough to know it's out of my reach... So, I'm only interested in the Elixir King's cultivation methods and martial techniques skills... Do you understand what I mean, sir?"

"A Fourth-grade Martial Master!" Du Fei gasped, then said in a low voice, "You mean... items related to alchemy are all mine, and those related to martial cultivation are all yours..."

"You are indeed astute!" Yun Yuqing smiled beautifully, her face full of delight.

"That arrangement does sound good... But, like I said before, why choose me over others? What benefits do you get?" Du Fei said after regaining a bit of his composure.

"Hehe, it seems that unless I spell it out, you won't cooperate..." Yun Yuqing chuckled softly. "In that case, I'll be frank with you... In my eyes, you possess the strength of an Eighth-grade alchemist at best. Even if you're somewhat stronger, you might have the prowess of an Eighth-grade Martial Artist... And I possess similar strength! When two people collaborate, it's best if neither is much too stronger or weaker than the other. Since our strengths are comparable, there's no fear of betrayal or one trying to swallow the other whole, right?... Are you satisfied with this explanation, Sir?"

After a moment of silence, Du Fei calmly said, "So, if we combine our resources, we can locate the Elixir King Ruins?"

"Yes!"

"It'll just be the two of us going?"

"Correct!"

"Alright, I'll agree to your terms," Du Fei spoke calmly. "But when do we set out?"

"Hehe, you are truly a straightforward person," Yun Yuqing clapped softly. "In that case, let's meet here again in half a year. Does that sound good?"