Yao Lao's Shock!

Just then.

Xiao Yan had already discovered Yao Lao—and the reason his Dou Qi had vanished.

He planned to sell the Foundation Building Spirit Liquid Yao Lao had refined, then use the money to buy materials.

So, he came to the auction house.

Treasure Appraisal Room.

A subordinate looked at the figure completely wrapped in a black robe, his brows knitting almost imperceptibly before a professional smile quickly spread across his face. "Sir, are you here to have an item appraised?"

"Yes." From beneath the black robe came a somewhat dry, elderly voice. It was actually Yao Lao's voice.

Xiao Yan stepped forward two paces, casually took out a White Jade Bottle from his robes, and gently placed it on the table.

"This is..." The middle-aged man blinked in confusion. He carefully picked up the White Jade Bottle and sniffed lightly at its mouth. A moment later, his expression changed slightly, and when he looked at Xiao Yan again, there was an additional trace of reverence in his eyes. "My lord, are you an alchemist?"

"Yes." The elderly voice sounded again.

"May I ask what kind of medicinal pill is in this bottle, and what effect does it have?" Hearing this, the middle-aged man respectfully inquired again.

"Foundation Building Spirit Liquid. It can increase the cultivation speed of Dou Qi, but it is only effective for those below the Dou Zhe level."

"Oh? It can increase the cultivation speed of Dou Qi?" The middle-aged man was somewhat moved. Dou Qi could only be cultivated steadily and conventionally—this had practically become common knowledge to everyone. Moreover, cultivators at this stage had extremely fragile meridians. If the medicinal potency was too fierce, the result would be the miserable fate of shattered meridians and death. "My spirit liquid has no side effects, and its medicinal potency is extremely mild. It will not cause such a result, so you may rest assured." Seeming to understand what the middle-aged man was thinking, the elderly voice slowly explained.

His expression changing again, the middle-aged man carefully placed the White Jade Bottle back on the table and respectfully said, "My lord, could you please wait a moment? I need to invite Master Gu Ni from our auction house to appraise the spirit liquid."

"Yes, make it quick." Xiao Yan waved his hand and, without standing on ceremony, sat down in a nearby chair and closed his eyes to rest.

In the reception room.

Gu Ni and Ya Fei were talking.

"Although our family's power now far surpasses that of the Qie Ke Family back then, it would still be best not to casually offend mysterious alchemists.

You must know that alchemists are practically hornets' nests. Once you provoke one, he can immediately summon countless friends. Furthermore, many powerful experts would be more than happy to have an alchemist owe them a favor."

Watching Gu Ni's somewhat alarmed expression, Ya Fei helplessly rubbed her smooth forehead and said with a bitter smile, "Uncle Gu Ni, what are you talking about? When did I ever set my sights on him? Do you really think all these years of my Training were for nothing?"

"I was only reminding you." Hearing Ya Fei's words, Gu Ni also let out a sigh of relief. He had truly been afraid that this girl would do something foolish.

Pouting, Ya Fei propped her fragrant cheek on her jade-like hand and sighed softly. Alchemists really were a terrifying group of people. But why didn't she have such talent?

At this moment, Gu Ni smiled and said, "But from what I can see, Miss, are you interested in him?"

Ya Fei hurriedly gave a charming laugh. "Uncle Gu Ni, you're talking nonsense again. Still, he is quite a generous person. It wouldn't hurt to make friends with him."

Gu Ni smiled. "To become a Second Grade Alchemist at such a young age, his future prospects are surely limitless. And he can casually give away a Second Grade medicinal pill—someone like that must possess a certain background and strength. If you wish, it would not be a bad idea to get acquainted with him."

"If only we could draw him to our side," Gu Ni sighed.

"How could someone like him be recruited by us?" Ya Fei replied.

Gu Ni quickly said, "Even if we cannot recruit him, we must still remain on good terms with him and must not offend him. Oh, right. Pay closer attention to Frost Flower Dew. It may be a good opportunity for us to become acquainted with him."

"Yes, Uncle Gu Ni," Ya Fei said.

Just then, someone hurriedly entered.

"Master Gu Ni, another alchemist has come here. He has also brought Foundation Building Spirit Liquid?" the subordinate immediately reported.

Both Gu Ni and Ya Fei were greatly shocked upon hearing this.

"What?" Gu Ni asked.

"An elderly man who is also an alchemist has come for an appraisal. What he brought is also Foundation Building Spirit Liquid."

"Good, I'll go take a look!" Gu Ni said.

Gu Ni walked out.

There, an elderly man in a black cloak sat opposite him.

Gu Ni hurriedly said, "Senior, are you here to have medicinal items appraised?"

"Yes." Yao Lao's voice sounded from within the cloak.

With immense pride, he took out the Foundation Building Spirit Liquid he had refined.

Given Yao Lao's pride, he naturally did not think much of this tiny auction house. His Foundation Building Spirit Liquid was surely among the better items in this auction house.

"Senior, may I take a look?"

Xiao Yan pushed the medicine in front of Gu Ni.

Gu Ni looked at the Foundation Building Spirit Liquid and shook his head. "It is indeed a very good Second Grade medicinal pill, but..."

"But what?"

"This Foundation Building Spirit Liquid—we already have a great deal of it in our auction house. Moreover, its quality is better than yours, so we no longer need it."

The moment these words were spoken.

Both Xiao Yan and Yao Lao were utterly shocked.

Yao Lao hurriedly asked, "You say you already have Foundation Building Spirit Liquid? How is that possible? This is my exclusive pill formula!"

"Could you tell me who refined it?" Yao Lao hurriedly asked.

At that moment, Gu Ni gave Yao Lao a somewhat disdainful glance.

An exclusive pill formula?

Then how had that young brother Ning Luo refined it before?

Besides, Ning Luo's quality was far better than this old man's. Ning Luo was young and would surely have great prospects in the future. This old fellow was already so old—how could he compare to Ning Luo?

Gu Ni smiled and said, "Sorry, we won't disclose our clients' information."

"Then could you let me take a look at that Foundation Building Spirit Liquid?"

At that moment, Gu Ni took out the Foundation Building Spirit Liquid from his Ring of Holding.

The moment Yao Lao saw it—

His eyes widened in utter shock.

"How is that possible?"

"How could there be such pure Foundation Building Spirit Liquid in this world?"

"It seems that the person who refined this Foundation Building Spirit Liquid is definitely no ordinary Alchemist!"

Gu Ni smiled and said, "Do you two have anything else to auction? If not, please leave."

Yao Lao shook his head and could only return with Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan returned home.

"Teacher, what's going on? How can someone else refine Foundation Building Spirit Liquid too?" Xiao Yan asked in shock.

Yao Lao said calmly, "I don't know either, but one thing is certain: this Alchemist is definitely not simple."

Just then, Xiao Yan's door suddenly sounded.

"Yan'er!"

Xiao Yan opened the door and saw Xiao Zhan walk in.

Xiao Yan then opened the door, looked at Xiao Zhan standing outside, scratched his head, and asked with an awkward smile, "Father, is something the matter?"