Distinct Camps

The middle-aged man seemed quite surprised to receive the reward. He immediately opened the Jade Bottle, took a sniff of the Medicinal Fragrance, and then discovered that the Pills seemed to be High-Grade Pill he had never seen before.

Suppressing his excitement, the middle-aged man's impression of Xiao Yan instantly improved, and after putting away the Pills, his smile became even more genuine.

Xiao Yan played with the Warm Jade in his hand, and strands of his Soul Power seeped into the crack.

In Xiao Yan's perception, no matter how much Soul Power seeped into it, the area he could sense was always a void.

However, the Warm Jade was very small; it could be held in the palm of one hand, and Soul Power could fully perceive the energy within it that nourished the body.

The crack was even smaller, shorter than a little finger, and could not even be noticed without careful inspection.

Obviously, there shouldn't be such a large "space" inside the crack.

It should be noted that when Xiao Yan first broke through to the Spirit Realm Soul, he could see the entire Jia Ma Empire in an instant. Now, Xiao Yan is already in the Late Spirit Realm, yet he cannot see through such a small crack.

Based on the analysis of realms, this is either related to the Heaven Realm Soul or to Dou Sheng Expert, in order to achieve this level.

Xiao Yan put away the Warm Jade, intending to take it back to Old Yao to examine it—with Xiao Yan's level of expertise, he wouldn't be able to see any hidden dangers or find any treasures hidden within Xiao Yan.

Having made such a gain right after entering the Trading Fair, it was quite a good start. Xiao Yan packed up his things and continued to stroll around the First Layer.

Although this group of people probably couldn't tell the material of Xiao Yan's clothes, the medal on Xiao Yan's chest was still conspicuous enough. Wherever he went, everyone focused their gazes on Xiao Yan with emotions such as shock, doubt, and flattery, making it impossible for Xiao Yan to continue to keep a low profile.

"Am I conspicuous? Why are they all staring at me?" Xiao Yan asked Gu Xing, turning his head to the side.

"Young Master, although you have tried your best to keep a low profile, these people have never seen much of the world, so it is normal for them to behave this way," Gu Xing explained in a low voice.

"I see, that makes sense..." Xiao Yan clicked his tongue, slightly bored. Without alerting anyone, he scanned everyone and everything on this floor again with his Soul Power. After confirming that nothing was missed, he said, "Let's go to the next floor."

"Yes, young master!" Gu Xing replied.

After the two figures disappeared at the end of the stairs, a murmur of discussion arose on the First Layer.

Is that Eighth Grade Alchemist really real?

"Whether it's true or not, his guard is someone we can't afford to mess with!"

"Hmm... that's true, but speaking of which, did any of you sense what level of power that guard possessed?"

"I am Five Star Dou Huang. I can see that guard as an ordinary person. I can't sense any aura at all. But every time I want to question him, my heart is frantically warning me."

"I'm an eight-star player, I feel like he could slap me to death."

"That Eighth Grade Alchemist seemed to have bought something from someone's stall?"

"I know him. That's Old Luo, a veteran Dou Huang expert. He was all smiles the whole time, fawning over him like a thief. In the end, he received a reward from that lord and ran away like a thief."

"Old Luo's stuff isn't cheap, is it? All together, it's probably not much less than a single Imperial Pill, is it?"

"Hey, maybe that lord just bestowed a Sect Breaking Pill upon him? Sixth Grade Pill in the hands of Eighth Grade Alchemist is like candy, isn't it?"

Although Gu Xing followed Xiao Yan, he left one of his ears on the first floor.

The attic was naturally made of special materials, but it could not block the perception of the Seven Star Dou Zong of Gu Xing.

After confirming that no fool was gossiping and that there was no need to send anyone to block the door, Gu Xing withdrew his senses.

The second floor of the pavilion was basically the same as the First Layer, except that the group of Dou Huang expert had been replaced by a group of Dou Zong powerhouses, and the number of people who could set foot on the second floor was much smaller.

Similarly, because of their greater strength, the group on the second floor could better sense Gu Xing's power. After seeing Gu Xing acting like a follower, they naturally had no doubts about Xiao Yan's identity as Eighth Grade Alchemist, and their attitude became exceptionally respectful.

Xiao Yan glanced around this floor. There were vendors selling Dou Technique, Medicinal Herbs, and some items whose significance was unclear, which seemed to have just been unearthed from Ancient Ruins.

However, there's not much to say about the Medicinal Herbs Dou Technique. As for those items, each one of them doesn't have a strong energy fluctuation, and these Dou Zong of Battle) all have a general idea of their value.

The situation is actually the same as the First Layer. Xiao Yan was able to find a bargain because that piece of Warm Jade was already beyond the standard. However, such beyond the standard is obviously not common. Xiao Yan was already very lucky to find one.

Xiao Yan didn't linger on the second floor. He casually bought a few Medicinal Herbs with strong energy fluctuations and a juicy appearance, ate them like fruit, and then headed to the third floor.

The Entry Requirement for the third floor of the pavilion are even higher. Unless you are Seventh Grade Alchemist or Dou Zun expert, you don't even have the qualifications to enter.

Even Gu Xing didn't actually meet the minimum requirements to enter the third level. However, with Xiao Yan present, the two Peak Dou Zong guards on the third level lowered their standards slightly, turning a blind eye to Gu Xing and tacitly allowing him to enter with Xiao Yan.

The third floor was unusually quiet. Although there were quite a few Seventh Grade Alchemist and Dou Zun, these people were basically influential figures in the Central Continent. It would be a waste of their time for them to come and participate in such a casual Trading Fair.

Xiao Yan casually glanced around and found that there were only a few dozen stalls left on this floor, and everyone was sitting quietly in place, with an attitude of "take it or leave it."

Even though two new people had just arrived, these people didn't bother to look at them.

Xiao Yan smiled slightly, his eyes lit up, and his gaze locked onto a "familiar face." He took three steps in two and stepped forward to greet him, saying, "Oh, isn't this my brother from the Yao Clan? Long time no see!"

The man shuddered and instinctively turned his head away, seemingly trying to cover his face. Then, realizing the voice was familiar, he turned to look at Xiao Yan, but immediately covered his eyes, nearly bursting into tears.

Attracted by the commotion, everyone glanced over, only to be drawn to the Eighth Grade Alchemist Medal on Xiao Yan's chest, their expressions showing great interest.

"I know I'm handsome, but you don't have to be so handsome that you cry, do you?" Xiao Yan asked, quite surprised.

"Pah! You shameless bastard!" The man from the Yao Clan clearly cursed fiercely, then withdrew his Soul Power and said with a sour face, "You actually made clothes out of Illusion Dream Ice Silkworm Silk and wore them? I've never seen anyone as arrogant as you!"

Xiao Yan then revealed a look of sudden realization. He had been wearing the Illusion Dream Ice Silkworm Silk for a long time and had become familiar with the Spiritual Radiance that shimmered on it. However, the Yao Clan man in front of him was obviously not familiar with it. So, he was like someone whose eyes were blinded by sunlight and could not withstand Xiao Yan's aura.

"There's nothing I can do. I didn't want to do this either, but Gu Xing insisted that only by dressing like this could he show his status. I had no choice but to reluctantly comply," Xiao Yan said with a regretful expression.

"..." Gu Xing fell into deep thought.

"But speaking of which, is it really a good idea for your Yao Clan to come here to participate in the Pill Gathering?" Xiao Yan lightly skipped over this topic and began to mock the Yao Clan man.

Although Xiao Yan didn't know the man's name, his surname was Yao and he disliked Old Yao, so Xiao Yan could only tease him.

"Heh, your Gu Clan came to participate, the Soul Clan also got involved, and even the Yan Clan sent people over. Why can't our Yao Clan participate?" the Yao Clan man said defiantly.

If the Pill Tower were to declare that the Yao Clan was bullying the weak, the Yao Clan would not be able to back down, since it would be virtually impossible for Alchemist to subdue the Three Thousand Burning Flame on their own. None of the Pill Tower Three Greats, all at the Peak Dou Zun, were able to subdue the Three Thousand Burning Flame and could only seal it away.

Therefore, everyone brought their own "methods" to ensure that they could subdue the Three Thousand Burning Flame directly after making contact with it, rather than relying solely on their "first impression" of the Three Thousand Burning Flame.

Xiao Yan glanced around and noticed that everyone was already captivated. He smiled slightly, and his Soul Power erupted from between his brows, forming a barrier that blocked their senses. This prevented them from gossiping, leaving them only able to grimace and scratch their heads in frustration before he finally began to chat with the Yao Clan man:

"This Three Thousand Burning Flame is Dragon Shape, and not just any ordinary dragon, but the Ancient Void Dragon, one of the Three Great Beast Races —it is highly likely that it has been Dragon Seal mark by the Ancient Void Dragon Clan."

"Our Gu Clan is not afraid of the Ancient Void Dragon, nor is the Soul Clan, and the Yan Clan is equally powerful. As for your Yao Clan..."

Xiao Yan stopped abruptly after speaking, then looked at the Yao Clan man with a suspicious gaze, the provocation practically overflowing.

Even Gu Xing, who was standing to the side, cast a questioning glance at them. This master and servant did not take the Yao Clan seriously at all.

"... So what if Ancient Void Dragon? They haven't appeared in the world for a thousand years, and their traces are impossible to find. Moreover, if these Three Thousand Burning Flame are truly the Heavenly Flames of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan of the Void, how could they be held by the Pill Tower?"

Although the man from the Yao Clan lacked confidence, he still mustered his courage and retorted.

"Sigh, why are you doing this to yourself?" Xiao Yan sighed and said earnestly, "The Pill Gathering divided into three stages. The Second Grade requires all participants to search for Medicinal Herbs in a Small Space. I'm too lazy to hit you, Yan Clan probably won't bother with you, but the Soul Clan... they will definitely harvest your soul!"

The Yao Clan man's expression darkened slightly. He understood what Xiao Yan had said, but obtaining the Three Thousand Burning Flame was an order personally given by a Dou Sheng- level elder, and he himself wanted to win a Heavenly Flames for the Yao Clan.

"This is none of your business," the Yao Clan man said coldly, then turned to leave.

However, after he turned and took a step, he froze in place—

He couldn't break through the barrier that Xiao Yan had set up with his Soul Power.

The Yao Clan man stood there silently, ignoring Xiao Yan, who was shining brightly behind him. He concentrated his Soul Power on one point, trying to break through the barrier by focusing on that point.

However, this was useless. As long as the Yao Clan man concentrated his Soul Power, Xiao Yan would directly release "that little bit". And that little bit was naturally not enough to pass through. If the Yao Clan man wanted to widen the opening, he would have to use his Soul Power to compete with Xiao Yan.

Veins bulged on the temples of the Yao Clan man, his whole body tensed up, his jaw clenched so tightly that his toes gripped the ground, and his face flushed red.

However, no matter how hard the Yao Clan men tried, they could not defeat Xiao Yan.

The difference in the Soul Realm is more obvious than the difference in Dou Qi realm. In a Dou Qi contest, the weaker party still has a chance to win, but in a battle of Soul Power, the weaker party has almost no chance of winning.

"Xiao Yan!" The man from the Yao Clan roared, turning his head to stare intently at Xiao Yan, his eyes seemingly spitting fire.

"Yao... By the way, what's your name again?" Xiao Yan was about to shout back when he realized he didn't know the Yao Clan man's name at all, so he turned to Gu Xing and asked, "What's his name?"

This is where the advantage of having someone by your side comes into play. The Yao Clan man is truly low-key; he doesn't want to be recognized and only has one Dou Zun elder responsible for his safety, so he won't reveal his whereabouts. Xiao Yan, on the other hand, is "low-key luxury," playing on the contrast.

Gu Xing cooperated well, bowing slightly and saying in a humble voice, "Young Master, you are making things too difficult for me. If you ask me about people from the Gu Clan, I can recognize them. Even if they are enemies of the Soul Clan, I can tell you something. But this person... I don't know him either."

Seeing the two people in front of him, clearly wanting to see him make a fool of himself, the Yao Clan man laughed in anger. He took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "Xiao Yan, fortunes change every thirty years. Don't underestimate a young man's potential! I, Yao Xingji remember this humiliation!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan was slightly taken aback, feeling that the words seemed to possess some kind of mysterious power. Yao Xingji, who uttered these words, underwent a transformation in his entire spirit and energy, as if he had achieved some kind of sublimation.

"Gu Xing, he scared me. How about we secretly kill him?" Xiao Yan whispered to Gu Xing in a voice that seemed very soft, but which Yao Xingji well.

"Young Master is right. I can definitely kill a mere Peak Dou Zong with my team in formation!" Gu Xing was very cooperative, regardless of what Xiao Yan was thinking, he just answered first.

"You... you guys..." Yao Xingji was stunned. He felt that the story should not be like this. It should be that Xiao Yan made Three Year Agreement with him, and then Yao Xingji defeated Xiao Yan in one fell swoop at the Gu Clan Coming-of-Age Ceremony.

How could they resort to underhanded tactics beforehand?!

Where is your pride and confidence?!

"Cough cough, stop teasing him, he's about to cry."

Just then, the Dou Sheng Expert from the Gu Clan who was specifically protecting Xiao Yan also transmitted his voice into the barrier.

Xiao Yan and Yao Xingji both heard this.

Seeing Xiao Yan Yao Xingji's disgusted expression, Xiao Yan said nothing more, waved his hand to remove the barrier, and let Yao Xingji leave.