I'll take them all

Jinling Antique Street.

Located in the heart of Jinling's old city district, this street was over two hundred meters long, lined on both sides with old-fashioned shops built of blue bricks and gray tiles.

They sold antiques, calligraphy and paintings, jade, and assorted items—they had everything.

There were few genuine goods and many fakes.

But occasionally, one could find a truly valuable item or two.

In the circle, this was called finding a hidden gem.

At 2:00 PM, a black Mercedes G-Class parked at the entrance of the antique street.

Shen Fei got out of the car, with Ling Shuang and Ling Xue following behind him.

The moment the three of them walked into the antique street, they drew the gaze of the entire street.

It couldn't be helped; they were too eye-catching.

Shen Fei went without saying. Standing at 1.85 meters tall, dressed in a low-key but high-quality black casual outfit, with a face more handsome than a celebrity's, his aura made people afraid to look directly at him.

The two women behind him were even more exaggerated.

Ling Shuang was as cold as frost, while Ling Xue had a striking heroic spirit. Standing side by side with identical, breathtakingly beautiful faces, their visual impact was maxed out.

The shop bosses on the antique street craned their necks to look, forgetting to even put down the teacups in their hands.

Who is that? A big shot?

Are those twins behind him bodyguards? Such beautiful bodyguards?

Stop looking, stop looking. We can't afford to offend them.

Shen Fei ignored those gazes and walked directly toward the depths of the street.

His goal was very clear.

The system panel had marked it clearly.

[Current location of the Black Yellow Cauldron: Shop No. 137 on Antique Street, Jubao Pavilion antique shop, on the third shelf of a dusty wooden rack in the corner of the shop, covered by a pile of sundries.]

Jubao Pavilion.

The most inconspicuous shop on the antique street.

The storefront was narrow, the signboard was faded, and the shop was piled high with all kinds of genuine and fake assorted goods, covered in a thick layer of dust.

The boss was a skinny old man in his fifties surnamed Wu. Boss Wu was bald, wore a pair of reading glasses, and was currently nestled behind the counter drinking tea and reading a newspaper.

There wasn't a single customer in the shop.

Ding-a-ling.

The wind chime on the door rang.

Boss Wu looked up and saw three people walk in. He was taken aback at first, and then his eyes lit up.

Having been in this line of work for thirty years, he could tell at a glance whether someone had money or not.

The young man in front of him did not have a single luxury brand logo on him, but that temperament and that demeanor absolutely belonged to the super-rich.

Boss Wu immediately put down his teacup, plastered a smile all over his face, and went up to greet them.

Oh my, distinguished guests, please come in, come in! Feel free to look around! Although my little shop doesn't have many items, every single piece is authentic!

Shen Fei ignored him.

His gaze swept around the shop.

The Eye of Fortune automatically locked onto the target.

In the farthest corner of the shop, on the third shelf of a dust-covered wooden rack, nestled among a pile of scrap metal and broken porcelain shards, a dusty bronze cauldron about half the size of a palm lay quietly.

If one didn't look carefully, they wouldn't notice it at all.

Because it was truly too inconspicuous.

It was grayish-brown all over, with a pitted surface and several cracks.

Compared to those bright and beautiful fine antiques on the shelf next to it, it looked like a piece of scrap metal picked up at random.

But the information on the system panel told Shen Fei that the true value of this item far exceeded the total sum of all the merchandise in this shop combined.

[Black Yellow Cauldron (Ancient Alchemy Treasure)]

[Grade: S-Class]

[Function: Increases alchemy success rate by ten times, capable of refining all pills below the Innate level.]

[Additional Effect: The cauldron comes with thirty-six pill recipes, including precious pill formulas such as the Essence Cultivation Pill, Bone Forging Pill, and Qi Condensation Pill.]

[Current Status: Dormant, requires the injection of true qi to activate.]

Shen Fei withdrew his gaze.

He did not walk directly toward that corner.

It would be too deliberate.

He just casually strolled around the shop, looking here and touching there, pretending to be browsing idly.

Ling Shuang and Ling Xue stood at the door, one on the left and one on the right, like two door gods.

Boss Wu followed behind Shen Fei, attentively introducing every piece of merchandise.

This blue and white porcelain vase is from the Ming Dynasty, absolutely authentic! Look at this glaze color...

This calligraphy and painting is the work of a Qing Dynasty master, leaked from an auction by a friend of mine...

And this piece of Hetian jade, feel the texture, it's superb!

Shen Fei didn't give a second glance to any of them.

He knew very well in his heart that nine out of ten of these so-called authentic pieces were fakes.

That was how the antique street operated—thirty percent real and seventy percent fake, relying on information asymmetry to make money.

After walking around, Shen Fei stopped in his tracks.

He stood in the center of the shop, looking around as if making a decision.

Boss Wu watched him nervously, deeply afraid that this big client would leave without buying anything.

Then Shen Fei spoke.

I want everything in this shop.

Boss Wu thought he had misheard.

You... what did you say?

I said, I want everything in this shop.

Shen Fei repeated it, his tone as flat as if he were saying he wanted a cup of coffee.

Name a price.

Boss Wu was completely stunned.

He had worked on the antique street for thirty years and had seen all kinds of customers.

There were those who came to pick up hidden gems, those who came to treasure hunt, those who came to show off their wealth, and those who came to pretend they were experts.

But he had never met someone who walked in and said to pack everything up.

There were at least three to four hundred items, big and small, in this shop.

Calculated according to his usual listed prices, the total price would be around two million.

Of course, these were inflated prices with a lot of padding. The actual cost might not even be half a million.

But if the customer wanted to buy everything, it naturally had to be calculated according to the listed prices.

Boss Wu's brain spun rapidly, his throat bobbed, and he quoted a number.

For... for everything, I'll give you a discount, 1.8 million.

Shen Fei didn't even bat an eyelid.

Two million, no discount needed.

Boss Wu's eyes almost popped out of his head!

The customer was voluntarily increasing the price?

What kind of heavenly customer was this!

Plus one condition.

Shen Fei looked at Boss Wu.

Do not mention today's transaction to anyone. Especially if someone comes asking about a specific item in your shop, just tell them it was sold a long time ago.

Boss Wu was taken aback for a moment, but quickly realized the situation.

Two million!

Even if someone came asking, what did it matter to him? Getting the money in hand was the only real thing!

Deal! Absolutely confidential! Rest assured!

Boss Wu was so excited that his hands were trembling, almost throwing his reading glasses off.

Shen Fei took out his phone and transferred the money on the spot.

Ding.

Two million arrived in the account.

Boss Wu looked at the balance on his phone and pinched his thigh hard.

It hurt.

It wasn't a dream.

I'll have people come move the stuff, just close the shop and wait.

After Shen Fei finished speaking, he turned and walked toward the door.

As he passed by that dusty wooden rack, he casually picked up that grayish little bronze cauldron, weighed it in his hand, and stuffed it into his jacket pocket.

His movements were as natural as if he had just picked up a stone in passing.

Boss Wu saw this from behind, but didn't pay it any mind at all.

He had spent ten yuan acquiring that broken bronze cauldron, and it had been sitting in the corner for over half a year without anyone asking about it even once.

It was a ten-yuan item; let him take it if he wanted.

Shen Fei walked out of Jubao Pavilion.

Sunlight spilled over him as he reached into his pocket and touched the bronze cauldron.

The moment his fingertips touched the body of the cauldron, a warm sensation transmitted from the bronze vessel.

It was as if something had awakened deep within the cauldron.

Shen Fei's lips twitched slightly.

"Let's go. We're heading back."

Ling Shuang and Ling Xue followed.

The three of them got into the G-Wagon and drove away from the antique street.

...

Shen family villa, underground secret chamber.

Shen Fei had this secret room specially prepared. It was soundproof, heat-insulated, and anti-surveillance. Even the Shen family's servants didn't know of its existence.

Shen Fei placed the bronze cauldron on the table.

It was dusty and incredibly ugly.

But Shen Fei knew its true face.

He raised his right hand, placed his palm against the cauldron's body, and slowly injected a trace of true qi.

Hum!

The bronze cauldron vibrated violently!

A blinding golden light shot out from the cracks on the cauldron!

The grayish-brown outer layer peeled off piece by piece like a snake shedding its skin, revealing its true body inside!

It was bronze all over, its body covered with dense ancient patterns. With three legs and two ears, its design was simple, ancient, and heavy.

A faint wisp of green smoke rose from the cauldron's mouth, emitting a refreshing medicinal fragrance.

The Xuanhuang Cauldron!

An ancient alchemy treasure!

The system panel simultaneously popped up a notification.

[Ding! The Xuanhuang Cauldron has been activated!]

[Releasing the pill recipes sealed within the cauldron...]

[Obtained Pill Recipe: Essence Cultivation Pill (Can significantly increase martial arts cultivation, breaking through the bottleneck of the Innate Realm)]

[Obtained Pill Recipe: Bone Forging Pill (Can strengthen bones and meridians, improving physical fitness)]

[Obtained Pill Recipe: Beauty Pill (Can maintain eternal youth, healing hidden injuries)]

[...A total of thirty-six pill recipes have all been entered into the system.]

Shen Fei looked at the Xuanhuang Cauldron emitting a green light in front of him, his eyes full of satisfaction.

Thirty-six pill recipes.

Every single one was a heaven-defying item that money couldn't buy outside.

And the one he cared about the most was the Essence Cultivation Pill.

This pill could significantly increase martial arts cultivation and help break through the bottleneck of the Innate Realm.

Shen Fei's current martial arts strength was still very weak, not even reaching the Innate Realm. Although he had hidden guards and the twins protecting him, he didn't like pinning his safety on others.

Being strong oneself was true strength.

"System, what materials are needed to refine the Essence Cultivation Pill?"

[Ingredients required for the Essence Cultivation Pill: Century-Old Ginseng x1, Snow Lotus x1, Dragon Saliva Grass x1, Vermilion Fruit x1. With the host's current luck points, all ingredients can be directly purchased from the mall. Total cost: 200 luck points.]

Current luck points: 1100.

Spending 200 leaves 900.

Enough.

"Buy."

[Ding! Ingredients purchased successfully! They have been placed in the system space and can be taken out at any time.]

Four spiritual herbs appeared out of thin air on the table.

The century-old ginseng was golden all over, its human-like roots incredibly lifelike.

The snow lotus was crystal clear, with a thin layer of ice condensed on its petals.

The dragon saliva grass was jade-green, emitting a clear, woody fragrance.

The vermilion fruit was blood-red, the size of a fist, with a faint luster flowing over its surface.

Taking any of these out would trigger a frenzy in the traditional Chinese medicine market.

Shen Fei didn't look closely, directly placing the four ingredients into the Xuanhuang Cauldron in the order specified by the recipe.

Then he pressed both hands against the cauldron's wall and injected his true qi.

The Xuanhuang Cauldron buzzed and vibrated, and the temperature inside soared rapidly!

Green flames rose from the bottom of the cauldron, enveloping the four herbs.

The ingredients quickly dissolved, merged, and purified in the flames.

An extremely rich medicinal fragrance overflowed from the cauldron's mouth, filling the entire secret room.

Shen Fei concentrated entirely on controlling the heat.

The Xuanhuang Cauldron's ten-fold increase in alchemy success rate wasn't just talk. The patterns on the cauldron seemed to have their own will, automatically guiding the fusion of the medicinal properties, requiring almost no effort from Shen Fei.

Ten minutes later.

Ding!

A crisp sound rang out from inside the cauldron.

A puff of golden smoke emerged from the cauldron's mouth. After the smoke dissipated, three golden pills the size of longans lay quietly at the bottom of the cauldron.

They were round and smooth, with a faint golden luster flowing over their surfaces, emitting a medicinal fragrance that made one feel comfortable all over with just one sniff.

Essence Cultivation Pills!

Three pills from one batch!

Shen Fei took out the pills and placed them in his palm.

The system's appraisal results popped up simultaneously.

[Essence Cultivation Pill (High-grade) x3]

[Effect: Significantly increases martial arts cultivation upon consumption. With the host's current strength (Martial Arts Beginner Level), taking one pill will allow a breakthrough to the Innate Realm!]

The Innate Realm!

It should be known that Ye Chen had trained bitterly for twenty years just to reach the Grandmaster Realm.

Although the Innate Realm was one major level lower than the Grandmaster Realm, for someone who had only transmigrated half a month ago, stepping into the Innate Realm in one go was the ultimate cheat.

Not to mention he had three pills.

One for himself, and the remaining two could be given to Ling Shuang and Ling Xue.

The twins were currently at the peak of the Innate Realm. After taking the Essence Cultivation Pills, there was a high probability they would break through to the Grandmaster Realm!

At that time, with two stunningly beautiful Grandmaster Realm assassins as bodyguards, no one would be able to touch him.

Shen Fei didn't hesitate. He picked up an Essence Cultivation Pill and tossed it directly into his mouth.

The pill melted in his mouth instantly!

A majestic medicinal power poured down his throat into his dantian, washing through his entire body's meridians like a boiling river!

Shen Fei's body suddenly tensed up!

A severe swelling pain came from his meridians, as if something was about to break out of its shell from within his body!

Crack!

His bones were cracking!

His meridians were expanding!

The trace of true qi originally in his dantian multiplied madly under the catalyst of the medicinal power, growing bigger and bigger like a rolling snowball!

Shen Fei sat cross-legged and closed his eyes to circulate his energy.

The medicinal power rampaged wildly through his body for a full half hour before finally settling down.

Shen Fei opened his eyes.

At that moment, the air in the entire secret room seemed to freeze for a second.

His eyes were as clear as water, but deep down there was an extremely restrained sharpness.

The feeling inside his body was completely different.

Strength, speed, perception, and reaction—an all-around improvement.

He lightly clenched his fist.

The moment his fist tightened, the air let out a faint pop!

The Innate Realm!

The data on the system panel updated simultaneously.

[Host's martial arts cultivation has broken through to the Innate Realm! Comprehensive enhancement of physical fitness!]

[Strength: 15 times that of an ordinary person]

[Speed: 12 times that of an ordinary person]

[Perception Range: 50 meters]

[Constitution Rating: C+ (Normal Human Limit) -> A- (Transcendent)]

Shen Fei stood up and stretched his limbs.

Every muscle and bone in his body let out a sigh of satisfaction.

Reborn.

This word was not an exaggeration at all.

He picked up the remaining two Essence Cultivation Pills and walked out of the secret room.

Ling Shuang and Ling Xue were already waiting in the corridor.

The moment the two saw Shen Fei come out, they both froze for a second.

They felt the change in Shen Fei.

His aura was completely different.

Although the previous Shen Fei had a strong presence, that strength came more from his status and temperament; his own martial arts strength was not outstanding.

But now, there was something more about him that instinctively made people feel oppressed.

Like a sword hidden in its sheath, quiet, but sharp.

"Young Master, did you break through?"

Ling Shuang's voice carried a trace of disbelief.

She was an expert at the peak of the Innate Realm and was extremely sensitive to auras.

The aura fluctuations on Shen Fei told her unmistakably—the Innate Realm!

Shen Fei, who was just an ordinary person half a month ago, had broken through to the Innate Realm!

How is this possible!

It takes others at least ten years to cultivate to the Innate Realm!

Ling Xue's reaction was even more direct. Her mouth formed an "O" shape, and she couldn't close it for a long time.

Shen Fei didn't explain.

He handed over the two Peiyuan Pills.

"One for each of you. Find a quiet place to take it. Whether you can break through to the Grandmaster Realm depends on your own fortune."

Ling Shuang and Ling Xue took the pills, looking down at the golden pills in their palms.

The medicinal fragrance hit their noses, and just smelling it made the true qi in their bodies stir.

What kind of pill was this!

They had been in the assassination organization for more than ten years and had seen all kinds of rare drugs and poisons, but they had never seen a pill that could cause a reaction just by smelling it!

Ling Shuang took a deep breath and looked up at Shen Fei.

Her eyes no longer held their initial wariness and scrutiny.

There was only pure awe and loyalty.

This man's background was too deep.

So deep she couldn't see the bottom.

"Thank you, Young Master."

Ling Shuang nodded solemnly.

Ling Xue, holding the pill tightly beside her, felt her eyes redden again. Her mouth moved as if she wanted to say something, but she only managed to squeeze out three words.

"I won't cry."

And then the tears fell.

Shen Fei didn't even look at her, turning and walking toward the study.

Behind him came Ling Shuang's low voice reprimanding Ling Xue.

"Stop embarrassing yourself. Wipe your face and go cultivate."

"I'm not crying! It's sweat! My eyes are sweating!"

Shen Fei walked into the study and closed the door.

Shutting the noise out.

He sat in the chair and looked at the system panel.

[Ding! The host has successfully intercepted the S-rank opportunity of the Son of Fortune—the ancient alchemy treasure "Xuanhuang Cauldron"!]

[Fortune Plunder takes effect!]

[Son of Fortune Ye Chen's Fortune Value: -1500!]

[Current Fortune Value of Ye Chen: 4270 -> 2770]

From the initial 8888 to the current 2770.

It was already less than a third.

Shen Fei leaned back in his chair, watching the sun gradually setting outside the window.

Ye Chen was still counting the days in the detention center.

He didn't know his fortune was draining away at an avalanche-like speed.

He didn't know his most important chance for a comeback had already been taken by someone else.

He didn't know his former woman had already begun to get used to the presence of another man.

He didn't know anything at all.

When he came out, he would know everything.

But by then, it would be too late.