My Ares Son-in-Law

You must know that in today's China, and even in the vast world, true alchemists are like the most brilliant yet rarest stars in the night sky. They are probably already extremely rare, and it is even very likely that their lineage has been completely severed!
The art of alchemy is inherently mysterious and requires exceptional talent, profound knowledge, and years of dedicated study and practice.

However, with the changing times, many ancient skills were gradually lost, and the mysterious and noble profession of alchemist gradually disappeared into the long river of history.

Even those places regarded by the world as sacred sites of martial arts, those places with a long history and strong foundation, cannot refine real elixirs.

The things they refine may resemble real elixirs in appearance, being round and full, and emitting a faint medicinal fragrance.

However, upon closer examination of its medicinal effects, it falls far short; it merely resembles the appearance but cannot exert the magical and powerful effects of a true elixir.

Only in mysterious and special places like the Ancient Sea and the Spirit Realm, where spiritual energy is abundant and contains the purest and most refined power of heaven and earth, is it possible to produce genuine elixirs.

Alternatively, it could be excavated from ancient ruins.

Those ancient ruins buried deep underground are like mysterious treasure boxes, from which precious elixirs are occasionally unearthed.

However, the number of pills produced through these channels is extremely limited, and each appearance of them causes a huge uproar in the martial arts world, with various forces fighting tooth and nail for them.

Things are rare and valuable!

The true value of elixirs is beyond imagination!
It is not only a magical item that can enhance strength and heal injuries, but also a symbol of status and position.

Possessing genuine elixirs means having a powerful trump card in the martial arts world.

Although Xiao Chen felt reluctant to part with the few failed pills in his hand, he had spent a lot of effort and energy refining them, and each one was the culmination of his sweat and expectations.

However, using these inferior pills to gain a chance to enter the auction, which might be of great significance to him, is not a bad idea.

Perhaps he can discover some treasures at this auction that will greatly help his cultivation.

Before long, following the signs inside the club, Xiao Chen arrived at the temporary auction item appraisal center located on the top floor of the Qinren Club.

The top floor is very elegant, with some precious antiques and calligraphy and paintings displayed around it. Soft lights hang on the walls, creating a tranquil and mysterious atmosphere.

The door to the testing center was ajar, and some noise could be faintly heard through the crack.

Xiao Chen was a little puzzled. In his imagination, the appraisal center should be a solemn, quiet and peaceful place, but it was rather... noisy inside.

He gently pushed open the door and saw that there were not many people in the room, only a middle-aged woman who was still charming and graceful, wearing a cheongsam. Her figure was graceful, and the cheongsam clung tightly to her body, outlining her perfect curves.

She was sitting in an elegant chair, holding a small fan in her hand, gently fanning herself, her eyes revealing a sense of languor and sophistication.

There were also two elderly men with gray hair but a vigorous spirit, sitting behind a long table with some identification tools and documents on it.

"Knock Knock Knock-"

Xiao Chen stood at the door and gently knocked.

A crisp knock on the door instantly broke the noise inside the room and attracted the attention of the three people inside.

Three pairs of eyes simultaneously fell on Xiao Chen at the door.

In that gaze, there was scrutiny, curiosity, and a hint of disdain.

"Young man, what's the matter?"

"Do you have something to be appraised and submitted for auction?" The middle-aged woman spoke first. Her voice was melodious and pleasant, yet it carried a hint of languor and impatience.

Her gaze swept over Xiao Chen's ordinary suit, and she thought to herself: This kid looks so ordinary, what good stuff could he possibly have?

She didn't pay too much attention, simply leaning back in her chair and waiting for Xiao Chen's reply.

Xiao Chen nodded slightly, his expression calm and confident, and walked in steadily.

He has always been a straightforward person and is too lazy to beat around the bush or be insincere at this time.

Without hesitation, he pulled a delicate jade bottle from his pocket. The bottle was smooth and warm to the touch, radiating a soft luster, clearly not an ordinary item.

He tilted the jade bottle slightly and poured out a round, brown pill the size of a longan.

The elixir faintly emitted a strange fragrance, a delicate and elegant aroma that carried an indescribable mysterious charm, as if it contained endless mysteries.

Xiao Chen held the pill steadily in his palm, looked straight ahead, and asked, "Excuse me, can this be included in tonight's auction?"

The beautiful woman was sitting to the side, idly fiddling with the cards in her hand. When she heard Xiao Chen's words, she casually glanced at the pills in his hand.

This glance made the corners of her mouth involuntarily turn up slightly. She curled her lip, let out a cold snort, and said in a voice full of disdain and mockery, "What is this thing?"

"Look at this! You think you can fool your old lady with just some random mud ball?"

"Do you think this place is a charity or a junkyard?"

"Go away, go play somewhere else, don't disturb our card game."

She clearly regarded Xiao Chen as the kind of whimsical young man who tried to get away with something by chance. In her opinion, there were plenty of people like Xiao Chen who came to the auction with some strange things every day, and she was already used to it.

Xiao Chen's face darkened instantly, and a hint of anger flashed in his eyes.

He kindly brought his self-made pills to the auction, but unexpectedly suffered such unwarranted humiliation.

He was about to speak, ready to give a proper argument, when one of the elderly men, dressed in a black robe, seemed to sense something amiss.

He had been sitting quietly, but suddenly stood up with a swift movement, as fast as a nimble cheetah.

He strode up to Xiao Chen in a few steps, his steps steady and powerful, each one seemingly striking a chord in one's heart.

He ruthlessly pulled the middle-aged woman away, completely disregarding her feelings.

Caught off guard, the beautiful woman stumbled from his sudden movement, her body swaying uncontrollably, nearly falling to the ground.

She finally managed to steady herself, her face full of anger and dissatisfaction, and shouted, "Ouch!"

"Old Bai! What's wrong with you?!"

"Why did you pull me like that? Can't you see I'm playing cards?"

The old man, referred to as Old White-Haired, ignored the beautiful woman's complaints, as if everything around him was irrelevant. (End of Chapter)