The Mighty Mage-Chapter 435: Recipe

The moment Elder Han announced the reward, a wave of excitement swept through the crowd.

"The reward for this round," Elder Han said, holding up a delicate jade scroll, "is an ancient alchemy recipe believed to have been lost for centuries."

Gasps echoed through the arena. Even the most powerful families in the alchemy world had long been searching for this recipe. It was said that mastering it could take an alchemist to an entirely new level.

Gu Jin stepped forward as the scroll was handed to her. Her expression was calm as she unfolded the scroll, her eyes scanning the ancient characters with practiced ease.

But after just a few seconds...

This recipe?

Gu Jin blinked and then resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

Seriously? This again?

The recipe was indeed ancient, but Gu Jin recognized it immediately.

I already have this.

She had obtained a complete and more refined version of this recipe years ago. It was practically useless to her now.

Gu Jin glanced at the scroll again, then raised an eyebrow. Since it was of no use to her...

She suddenly turned toward Wei Lin, who stood nearby, watching her with a sharp gaze.

"Wei Lin," Gu Jin said casually, her lips curling into a mischievous smile. "Are you interested in buying this recipe?"

Wei Lin’s eyes widened. "What?"

The audience went dead silent.

"Buying the reward?" someone whispered.

"Can she even do that?"

Wei Lin was clearly stunned, but before he could say a word—

"I’ll buy it."

A smooth, confident voice cut through the tension.

Shen Yue had stepped forward, his ever-present smile on his face. His eyes gleamed with interest as he looked at the scroll.

"I’ll buy it, Gu Jin," Shen Yue said with a grin.

Gu Jin raised an eyebrow, amused. "Oh? And how much are you offering?"

Shen Yue lifted one finger.

"One."

Gu Jin’s lips twitched. "One billion yuan?"

Shen Yue nodded without hesitation.

The crowd gasped.

"One billion?!"

"For an ancient recipe?!"

Gu Jin, however, shook her head slowly. "One billion is too little."

She raised three fingers, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "I’ll need at least three."

Shen Yue narrowed his eyes, thinking it over. After a moment, he smiled.

"Alright. Three billion yuan."

The audience erupted.

"Three billion?! For a recipe?!"

"That’s insane!"

Just as Gu Jin was about to agree, a cold voice interrupted.

"I’ll give five billion."

Wei Lin had finally spoken, his tone filled with determination.

The crowd fell silent again, all eyes turning to Wei Lin.

Shen Yue’s smile faded slightly, but he didn’t back down.

"Five and a half billion," Shen Yue said smoothly, his expression calm but his eyes sharp.

Wei Lin’s jaw clenched. "Six billion."

Shen Yue’s smile was gone now. His jaw tightened as he spoke.

"Six and a half billion."

The tension was thick. The crowd watched, holding their breath.

Gu Jin stood there, looking between the two of them, clearly enjoying the show.

She was just about to close the deal when Wei Lin’s voice rang out once again.

"Seven billion."

Silence.

Everyone froze.

Shen Yue’s eyes darkened, but he didn’t say anything. He clenched his fists but knew when to stop.

"Deal."

Gu Jin handed the scroll to Wei Lin, who took it with a triumphant smile.

"Congratulations," Gu Jin said softly, her eyes glinting with amusement.

Wei Lin looked proud of himself, as though he had just secured a great treasure. He turned and walked away, satisfied.

But Shen Yue...

Shen Yue was calm. Too calm.

He glanced at Gu Jin with an unreadable expression.

"You knew, didn’t you?" Shen Yue said softly, watching Wei Lin’s back.

"Knew what?" Gu Jin asked, her tone playful.

Shen Yue turned to her, his gaze sharp. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

"That Wei Lin... was the one who tried to assassinate you. Again and again."

The air grew cold.

Gu Jin didn’t deny it. She simply smiled, her eyes glinting with dangerous amusement.

"Of course, I knew."

Shen Yue’s jaw clenched. "Then why did you sell the recipe to him?"

Gu Jin tilted her head and... chuckled.

"Because," she said softly, pulling out another piece of paper from her sleeve.

Shen Yue’s eyes narrowed as he glanced at it.

When he saw the content, his eyes widened in shock.

It was the same recipe.

"Another copy?" Shen Yue whispered, his voice barely above a breath.

Gu Jin’s smile deepened.

"Interested?" she asked, her tone light but her eyes sharp.

Shen Yue blinked, then let out a low chuckle.

"How much?" he asked, already knowing the answer wouldn’t be cheap.

Gu Jin raised her fingers again—three this time.

"Six and a half billion," she said with a wink.

Shen Yue stared at her for a moment, then burst out laughing.

"You’re ruthless, Gu Jin."

"But I’m fair," Gu Jin replied smoothly.

After a moment, Shen Yue sighed, shaking his head in amusement.

"Fine. Deal."

Gu Jin handed him the scroll, and Shen Yue took it with a smile.

The crowd was stunned.

"She... sold it twice?!"

"Gu Jin is too smart!"

"She made 13.5 billion yuan in a few minutes!"

As Shen Yue walked away, satisfied but shaking his head at Gu Jin’s cleverness, Gu Jin tapped her chin thoughtfully, her eyes glinting with mischief.

Hmm... I still have a few more copies.

She had prepared multiple versions of the recipe beforehand, each containing slight variations. Though they were all authentic and capable of producing the same results, they were just different enough that no one would question the authenticity.

After all, in the world of alchemy, subtle variations often existed between ancient manuscripts, depending on the region or the master who recorded them.

Gu Jin’s eyes scanned the remaining contestants who had gathered around, clearly intrigued by the previous bidding war. Many of them had been hesitant to step forward before, but now...

They all looked interested.

She gave them a warm, inviting smile.

"Anyone else interested in acquiring this ancient recipe?" she asked, her voice smooth and enticing.

The crowd stirred again. The scent of wealth and opportunity was too tempting to ignore.

"Miss Gu," a calm voice spoke up.

A tall man in deep blue robes stepped forward. His aura was composed and steady, exuding the grace of a scholar.

"Elder Yuan from the Qinghua Alchemy Guild," someone in the audience whispered.

Gu Jin’s eyes gleamed.

"Elder Yuan," she greeted politely, tilting her head slightly. "Are you also interested?"

Elder Yuan’s expression was calm, but there was a clear spark of interest in his eyes.

"This recipe... would greatly benefit the younger generation of my guild," Elder Yuan said thoughtfully. "We are willing to offer eight billion yuan."

Eight billion?

The crowd gasped again.

"Eight billion?! It’s going even higher!"

"She’s going to become richer than a royal family at this rate!"

Gu Jin’s lips curled into a smile, but she didn’t respond immediately. She looked thoughtful, as if weighing her options.

"I appreciate your generosity, Elder Yuan," Gu Jin said softly, her tone polite but firm. "But I’m afraid... I was hoping for a little more."

Elder Yuan’s brows lifted slightly. "More?"

Gu Jin raised her hand and tapped her fingers lightly.

"Nine billion," she said with a playful glint in her eyes.

Elder Yuan’s lips twitched.

This girl...

"Very well," Elder Yuan said after a moment, his voice calm but decisive. "Nine billion."

"Deal."

Gu Jin handed over another carefully prepared version of the recipe, and Elder Yuan accepted it with a satisfied expression.

The audience was stunned once again.

"She sold another one!"

"Is this even legal?"

"At this rate, she’s going to buy an entire alchemy empire!"

Gu Jin barely had time to savor her victory when another figure stepped forward.

"Miss Gu."

A woman in elegant purple robes walked toward her. She had a commanding aura and a cold expression, her eyes sharp and calculating.

"Elder Fang from the Violet Flame Pavilion," someone murmured.

Gu Jin’s eyes flickered with recognition.

"Elder Fang," Gu Jin greeted smoothly, her smile polite but confident.

"I couldn’t help but notice..." Elder Fang began, her tone smooth and deliberate. "That recipe of yours seems to be highly coveted."

Gu Jin raised an eyebrow, her smile deepening.

"Are you interested as well?" she asked sweetly.

Elder Fang’s lips curved into a faint smile. "I am. The Violet Flame Pavilion would be willing to offer... ten billion yuan."

The crowd collectively gasped again.

"Ten billion!"

"She’s not even negotiating anymore!"

"Gu Jin’s making more money in one day than some families do in a generation!"

Gu Jin, however, remained composed, her smile barely changing.

"Hmm..." She tapped her chin, pretending to consider. "Ten billion is quite generous."

But then she gave Elder Fang a knowing look.

"However," Gu Jin said softly, "I have already sold a few copies... and there are only limited variations of this ancient recipe."

Elder Fang’s eyes narrowed slightly, sensing where this was going.

"Fifteen billion," Elder Fang said without hesitation.

Gu Jin smiled.

"Deal."

Another recipe was handed over, and Elder Fang left with a satisfied expression, her steps graceful and composed.

But Gu Jin wasn’t done yet.