Valerie scoffed dismissively. "Andrew, cut the act. You need to at least make your lies believable. Do you really expect me to believe you're a ninth-grade supreme alchemist? I know every single person in this country who holds that title. Your story is too transparent and poorly constructed."

Andrew simply shrugged. "Believe it or don't. Either way, it doesn't matter to me. If your fancy auction house can't impress me, then fine. I'll just pay for the cultivation manual myself."

Valerie cr