After making an excuse to part ways with Xun'er, Xiao Yan slipped quietly out of the household. He paused briefly in thought, then headed toward the nearest Jie Lie family market stall — a modest affair tucked away on the eastern side of Utan City.
He had no particular interest in helping the elders resolve their problems. But if there was something within his power he could do to ease the burden on his father, he would do it. And to help, he first needed to understand what they were up against.
The Jie Lie family's market stall was situated in a relatively remote area, one that normally saw sparse foot traffic. But when Xiao Yan arrived, the sight that greeted him made him stop short. The narrow street was packed shoulder to shoulder with people — burly men stripped to the waist, shouting and jostling as they fought their way through the crowd. The metallic tang of blood clung to many of them. These were mercenaries, men who lived on the edge of death and had developed an almost fanatical devotion to healing medicine. A small vial of the right potion could mean the difference between life and death when venturing into dangerous territory.
Xiao Yan stood at the entrance to the market and watched as mercenaries emerged from the throng clutching small wooden boxes, their faces bright with satisfaction. They hurried past him, heading back toward the city.
"Those boxes must contain the Rejuvenation Powder," he murmured to himself. Then he plunged into the crowd, pushing and squeezing until he reached one of the stalls selling the medicine. He paid a hundred gold coins for a single box.
With the box tucked under his arm, he fought his way free of the crowd and finally drew a deep breath of relief. The smug, impatient expression on the seller's face still rankled. The man's arrogance was plainly borrowed — all power, no substance.
Xiao Yan stepped away from the market and lifted the lid of the box. Inside sat ten small vials of roughly carved jade — the cheapest grade available. Storing medicine in such crude containers meant that much of its potency would dissipate over time. He uncorked one vial, revealing a pale green liquid inside. A faint medicinal scent wafted upward.
"Master, is this really a healing medicine?" He asked the question silently, directing it toward Yao Lao.
"Of a sort. The lowest grade of healing medicine — it can treat minor wounds, at least. Preparations like this are not difficult to produce, but since healing medicines are common and sell cheaply, only first-tier alchemists bother with them."
"Indeed cheap. A hundred gold coins for ten vials — ten apiece. For an alchemist, that's rather insulting." Xiao Yan nodded thoughtfully, then asked, "Master, do you have a formula for something better?"
"Plenty. But those pills are so far beneath me that I rarely bother making them." Yao Lao paused, then added casually, "If you want to produce some for the Xiao family, go ahead. You've broken through to the Dou Warrior stage — it's time you tried your hand at alchemy."
"Me? I'm going to make them?" Xiao Yan blinked in surprise.
"Did you think I'd do it for you?" Yao Lao's tone was acid. "First, go to the auction house and find a decent alchemy cauldron. You'll also need to purchase a large quantity of basic ingredients. A young alchemist gains experience through trial and error — and the occasional burnt herb."
Xiao Yan's eyes brightened with anticipation. He tossed the box of Rejuvenation Powder into a nearby drain, then strode briskly toward the Mittel Auction House at the center of the city.
As he neared the auction house, he ducked into an alley and changed into the bulky black robe that had become his familiar disguise. Only then did he approach the entrance at a leisurely pace.
His appearance was well known to the Mittel Auction House staff. The moment a figure in a black robe was spotted ambling toward the entrance, someone darted inside to alert Ya Fei and Gu Ni.
Abandoning their tasks immediately, both Ya Fei and Gu Ni appeared at the entrance within moments, greeting him with warm smiles as they ushered him into the reception hall.
"I've come to request your help in procuring a better alchemy cauldron." The voice that emerged from beneath the black robe was aged and deliberate, carrying the weight of quiet authority. Xiao Yan — or rather, the persona Yao Lao projected through him — took a measured sip of tea.
Ya Fei, who had long since deduced his identity, showed no surprise at the request. She nodded with a smile, beckoned a servant girl over, and whispered a few instructions before dismissing her.
"You've come at just the right time, honored sir. Only this morning, we received a cauldron forged from Flame Spirit Essence. It was crafted by Master Huo Er, a renowned artificer of the Jia Ma Empire. Not only does it amplify Dou Qi-based flames, but certain rare metals incorporated into its composition improve the success rate of alchemy. Cauldrons of this type are highly sought after by alchemists throughout the empire." Ya Fei's voice was musical, her dark eyes glinting with practiced charm.
"Mm." The aged voice carried a note of satisfaction. After a brief hesitation, it continued: "Also prepare a low-grade Spatial Ring. Additionally — five hundred stalks of Blood-Staunching Herb, six hundred Bone-Rejuvenation Flowers, five hundred Poppy Blossoms, five hundred Vitality Fruits..."
As the list of requirements rolled on, Gu Ni's eyelids twitched. A Spatial Ring, even the lowest grade, cost seventy or eighty thousand gold coins. The ingredients, while not rare, were needed in quantities that would easily run to a hundred thousand. And the Flame Spirit Essence cauldron would fetch at least a hundred and fifty thousand at auction. Combined, the total came to no less than three hundred thousand gold coins.
Ya Fei was similarly stunned into momentary silence. The auction house was not hers alone — the bulk of profits went to headquarters. Mobilizing three hundred thousand on her own initiative was possible, but it would certainly draw scrutiny from above.
She bit her red lip lightly. Then, after weighing the value of having a fourth-tier alchemist as an ally, she smiled. "One hour, honored sir. Everything will be ready."
"Very good." For the first time, a satisfied laugh drifted from beneath the black robe.
A pale hand emerged from within and placed a blue jade card on the table. "I know the funds here won't cover everything. But for the additional ingredients, add a set of Qi-Gathering Powder materials as well."
Gu Ni's face twitched again. Another set of Qi-Gathering Powder materials? That would add another fifty thousand or more.
Ya Fei's lips parted in slight indignation. The man was a fourth-tier alchemist, true, but asking for so much was pushing the boundaries of generosity.
Yet her beautiful face betrayed nothing of her displeasure. After a moment's hesitation, she recalled the old saying — you must spend the calf to catch the wolf — and nodded with a resigned smile.
"Ah, I believe there's been a misunderstanding," the aged voice continued smoothly. "The additional materials aren't for me. I'm offering to refine a set of Qi-Gathering Powder for you — free of charge. You provide only the ingredients. Surely that's not too much to ask?"
Ya Fei's expression froze, then bloomed into genuine joy. The sudden reversal left her momentarily speechless. After a few heartbeats, she composed herself, exchanged a look with Gu Ni — who was equally elated — and said, slightly breathlessly, "Then we are deeply grateful, honored sir."