The next day.
Early in the morning, the entire imperial palace was bustling.
After all, the Old Ancestor's birthday banquet was a top priority and could not be neglected!
Guests offering congratulations also arrived one after another.
Besides the civil and military officials, there were also representatives from several major forces.
However, these had nothing to do with Ye Fan.
Early in the morning, he rushed to the auction house.
Seeing Ye Fan arrive, Wood rushed to greet him warmly.
"I was wondering why magpies were chirping so early this morning. It turns out a distinguished guest has arrived!"
"Mr. Wood is too kind." Ye Fan smiled kindly, "I'm here today to purchase some materials."
"May I ask what grade of materials Young Master is looking for?" Wood said somewhat awkwardly, "If they are too high-grade, we may not have much available."
In his opinion, Ye Fan was someone who could produce sixth or seventh-grade items at any moment.
The materials Ye Fan wanted must also start from the sixth or seventh grade.
Even for their auction house, the inventory of such sixth and seventh-grade materials was not abundant.
After all, most people simply didn't need these items, and the auction house didn't specifically stock them.
Speaking of which, this matter was rather amusing.
Everyone knew that sixth and seventh-grade materials were high-level goods, yet their position in the market was somewhat awkward.
After all, very few people could truly utilize these items.
Sixth-grade materials were more manageable.
For instance, the few sixth-grade alchemists and formation masters in the major sects.
But seventh-grade materials...
There wasn't a single person in the entire Empire of Yade who could truly utilize them.
These seventh-grade materials mostly ended up serving a purpose similar to spirit stones.
For example, a seventh-grade fire-attribute ore was typically used by fire-attribute cultivators to directly absorb energy.
However, this method was somewhat crude, causing significant energy waste in the process.
Compared to refining them into various products, the utilization rate was reduced by a full seven or eight tenths.
This resulted in a new seventh-grade material often performing at a value less than even fourth or fifth-grade materials.
This was the most awkward part.
If the price was set too high, no one would be willing to pay the unnecessary expense.
If the price was too low, it was better to use it oneself.
Unless a cultivator found a seventh-grade material that did not match their own attribute, they would then sell it for money.
"Starting from fifth grade," Ye Fan replied, "with no upper limit."
He estimated that after he broke through to the Golden Core realm, fourth-grade ores would likely be phased out.
It wasn't that they would become ineffective, but rather the quantity required would be immense.
Simply consuming them one by one would be troublesome...
"Then what about the quantity?" Hearing Ye Fan's request, Wood breathed a sigh of relief.
If Ye Fan had asked for sixth or seventh-grade materials right away, he truly wouldn't have been able to produce much.
"The more the better!"
After instructing his subordinates to serve Ye Fan well, Wood went to retrieve the goods.
A quarter of an hour later, Wood returned with a ring.
"Young Master, there are a total of..."
"No need to introduce them one by one," Ye Fan interrupted grandly, "just tell me the total price."
This wasn't because Ye Fan was truly foolish and rich.
It was because he knew Wood wouldn't try to cheat him on this matter.
If they lacked such a perspective, their auction house wouldn't have lasted this long.
Besides, let's not forget that Wood was still eyeing the items in his possession.
"A total of two million five hundred thousand high-grade spirit stones."
Wood didn't dawdle and gave the total price.
As he hadn't registered for a card, counting the money also took considerable time.
If he hadn't intended to leave soon, Ye Fan would have genuinely considered getting a card on the spot...
After completing the transaction, Ye Fan took out a few more items from his ring.
Two sixth-grade pills, one seventh-grade pill.
And the seventh-grade sword he had used earlier to cut himself.
"I've been refining these little trinkets in my spare time recently," Ye Fan handed the items over, "and I'll have to trouble Mr. Wood again."
"No trouble, no trouble!" Wood was so delighted that he was almost blowing bubbles, "If this is considered trouble, then I'd rather be bothered to death by Young Master, hehe."
Why had he been cautiously fawning over him before?
Wasn't it for these very things!
"Alright, I'll take my leave then," Ye Fan said, bidding farewell after the matter was settled, "Have someone send the money to me after the auction."
"Rest assured, Young Master, we will definitely auction them at a price that satisfies you!"
Watching Ye Fan's departing back, Wood was filled with emotion.
The materials he had just sold amounted to only two million high-grade spirit stones.
And these two million worth of materials, after being processed by Ye Fan, could become countless times two million!
It could only be said...
Professions like alchemists and artifact refiners were even faster than robbing a bank!
By the time Ye Fan returned to the imperial palace, it was almost noon.
Fortunately, the birthday banquet was scheduled to start at noon, so he wouldn't be absent.
Ye Fan had already made his plans.
After the banquet, he would return to the Qingxin Sect to continue his upgrade journey.
The materials he had acquired this time were enough for him to use for a while.
Furthermore, in the ring given by Old Ancestor Yade last night, there were still many seventh-grade materials.
There were even over a dozen types of eighth-grade materials!
He estimated that after consuming all of these, he would be able to aim for the Void Shattering or Return to Void stages.
Absolutely perfect!
At noon, the birthday banquet officially commenced.
Old Ancestor Yade sat at the head of the table.
Beside him were Ye Fan and the two elders.
Even Da Fei, who had the least presence, received a good seat by association.
Even the Emperor and his many princes had to sit to the side!
It could be said that Ye Fan was given ample respect.
Originally, Ye Fan didn't want to be so high-profile.
He had wanted to get to know various forces before because he couldn't cultivate at that time.
So he thought about developing his connections by getting to know these influential figures.
But since he could cultivate now, there was no longer any need for that.
As long as he continued to progress, becoming a powerful figure was only a matter of time.
However, he couldn't resist the overwhelming enthusiasm of Old Ancestor Yade...
Such a conspicuous position naturally attracted everyone's attention.
However, the representatives of various forces knew that it was not appropriate to ask too many questions at this moment, and could only speculate about the identities of Ye Fan and the others in their hearts.
Old Ancestor Yade delivered some customary remarks to go through the formalities, and the banquet officially began.
Music began to play.
The dancers' graceful figures swayed and danced.
The guests took turns toasting Old Ancestor Yade, offering their blessings.
Ye Fan ignored these and focused on enjoying the delicacies.
Suddenly, an unusual feeling washed over him.
Or rather...
Hostility!
Ye Fan followed the sensation and saw a somewhat familiar face.
The Second Elder of the Myriad Phenomena Sect!
The one who had killed him before!
At this moment, Ye Fan was also quite displeased.
If his body hadn't undergone mutation, he would have truly died that time!
The vengeance for being killed was irreconcilable!
Their eyes met.
Sparks flew!
The Second Elder of the Myriad Phenomena Sect needed no further explanation.
Ye Fan had killed his son, so naturally, he wished he could kill Ye Fan on the spot!
However, besides his rage, he was also quite shocked.
After all, he had personally killed Ye Fan not too long ago.
At that time, he had repeatedly confirmed that Ye Fan was indeed dead beyond any hope of recovery.
But why had a person who was clearly dead reappeared alive and kicking?
However, he quickly stopped thinking about these matters!
The mortal enemy who had killed his son was right in front of him!
Since I could kill you once, I can kill you again!
However, acting directly was somewhat inappropriate.
Although the Myriad Phenomena Sect was powerful, it still couldn't compare to the royal family.
No matter how justified he was in this matter, he wouldn't dare to cause trouble at the birthday banquet of the Royal Old Ancestor!
He would definitely have to speak up.
However, he needed to organize his words.