The Jade Was Old, But...

"I'll take this."

Xuan Jin placed the Black Iron Lump beside him.

Upon hearing those words, Ao Ba Pa felt as though an enormous surprise had struck him. Even his fat body trembled.

He spoke excitedly, "Thank you, Master! This junior dares to ask that you refine three Qi Gathering Powders for my son!"

The moment the words left his mouth, he regretted them.

Was I being too greedy?

Looking at Xuan Jin's utterly impassive face, his heart pounded. He hurriedly changed his request.

"No! No! This junior misspoke! One! One is enough! I beg Master to refine one Qi Gathering Powder!"

Only after he finished did Xuan Jin slowly speak.

"This item of yours is somewhat interesting."

"Bring out three sets of ingredients, and I will refine three for you."

The room fell silent for a moment.

Ao Ba Pa froze, suspecting he had misheard.

"M-Master, you mean three?"

"Yes."

It felt as though something had exploded in Ao Ba Pa's mind. The overwhelming joy nearly made him leap up on the spot.

A piece of scrap iron whose use even he did not know, in exchange for three Fourth Grade Qi Gathering Powders!

This was practically a pie falling from the sky!

"Thank you, Master! Thank you, Master!"

Ao Ba Pa was so excited that he could barely speak coherently. He repeatedly bowed and cupped his hands toward Xuan Jin.

He removed a Storage Ring from his finger and respectfully handed it to Ya Fei.

"Master, the ingredients for three Qi Gathering Powders are all inside!"

Xuan Jin did not even look at the Storage Ring. He merely waved a hand at Ya Fei.

"Tell him to collect the pills from you tomorrow."

"Yes, Young Master Xuan."

Ya Fei's heart was equally turbulent. She looked toward Ao Ba Pa, signaling that he could leave.

As if granted amnesty, Ao Ba Pa thanked Xuan Jin profusely once more before backing out with a flushed face and unsteady steps.

Only Xiao Zhan remained in the room.

Watching Ao Ba Pa's departing figure, Xiao Zhan's palms were already drenched in cold sweat.

Even that worthless piece of iron from the Ao Ba Family had caught the master's eye and earned three Qi Gathering Powders.

As for this inherited Ancient Jade of his...

He felt a wave of despair.

He knew that this Ancient Jade was an heirloom of the Xiao Family, but aside from its symbolic value, no one knew what it was actually used for.

Compared to that Black Iron Lump that was "impervious to water and fire," it seemed even less impressive.

Xuan Jin's attention settled on the old wooden box.

He said nothing. He merely extended a finger and lightly tapped the lid.

Knock, knock, knock.

Each tap felt like a heavy hammer striking Xiao Zhan's heart.

He was so nervous that he could barely breathe.

Xuan Jin stopped tapping and lifted the lid.

A piece of warm, lustrous Ancient Jade, carved with strange patterns, lay quietly atop the faded velvet cloth.

The Ancient Jade itself emitted no energy fluctuations. It looked like nothing more than an old ornament.

Xuan Jin picked up the Ancient Jade and idly turned it over in his fingers for a moment.

His movements were casual, as though he were examining a little trinket bought from a roadside stall.

Xiao Zhan's heart sank completely.

It's over.

Even that lump of scrap iron from the Ao Ba Family had been chosen, yet his inherited treasure could not stir even the slightest interest in the master.

"This Ancient Jade is indeed old," Xuan Jin's voice suddenly sounded.

Xiao Zhan abruptly raised his head, a sliver of hope bursting from his eyes.

"But as for what use it has... even I do not know."

Xuan Jin's next words cast him back into the abyss.

The color instantly drained from Xiao Zhan's face. His lips trembled as he was about to say something.

"Clan Leader Xiao Zhan, what do you wish to ask for in exchange for this Ancient Jade?" Xuan Jin placed the jade back into the box and pushed it to the center of the table.

Those words stunned Xiao Zhan again.

Does Master mean... he agrees?

Before Xiao Zhan could think further, the words nearly blurted from his mouth.

"Master Xuan! This junior does not seek pills! I only ask that you examine my son!"

"My son, Xiao Yan, lost all his Dou Qi for some unknown reason three years ago. He fell from a genius into a cripple and has endured nothing but scorn!"

"This junior has sought out countless renowned physicians, yet all were helpless! I beg Master to show mercy!"

As he spoke, Xiao Zhan, this iron-willed man and the Clan Leader of one of Wutan City's families, weakened at the knees and was about to kneel.

A gentle force supported him, making it impossible for him to kneel no matter how he tried.

"Clan Leader Xiao, there is no need for this." Xuan Jin rose to his feet and walked to the window.

"When I first entered the city, I heard people speaking of the Xiao Family's Third Young Master."

"He was once a genius, yet his Dou Qi mysteriously vanished. I do have some interest in such a difficult condition."

Xiao Zhan's breathing stopped as he stared fixedly at Xuan Jin's back.

"However." Xuan Jin changed his tone.

"Let me make this clear first: I cannot guarantee that I will definitely be able to solve his problem."

Hope!

Immense hope filled Xiao Zhan's chest in an instant!

He could examine him!

The master was willing to intervene!

That was enough!

"Thank you, Master! Thank you, Master!" Xiao Zhan was so moved that tears streamed down his aged face as he repeatedly cupped his hands.

For three years, Xiao Zhan had carried far too much pressure, and his son had borne far too much as well.

Now, at last, there was a glimmer of dawn.

Yan'er, if even Master Xuan cannot cure you, then your father... is powerless as well.

When I join your mother in the afterlife, I can at least say I did not fail her last wish.

At the side, Ya Fei had watched silently from beginning to end without saying a word.

Her heart was equally churning.

This Xuan Jin acted entirely outside all common sense.

He had traded three Qi Gathering Powders for a piece of Black Iron with an unknown origin.

Then, for a piece of Ancient Jade that even he himself said he could not see through, he was willing to treat a "cripple."

What exactly was he after?

"Master Xuan, I... I'll have Yan'er come see you right away!" Xiao Zhan said eagerly.

"No need." Xuan Jin waved his hand. "I have not yet properly looked around Wutan City since arriving."

"Today, I shall pay a visit to the Xiao Family residence."

Xiao Zhan was both startled and flattered. "How could that be proper? How can we trouble Master to come in person? No, no, that would not do!"

"It is of no concern."

After speaking, Xuan Jin shifted his gaze to Ya Fei. "Manager Ya Fei, are you interested in coming along?"

Ya Fei paused slightly, then smiled radiantly, her charm overflowing. "It is Ya Fei's honor to travel with Young Master Xuan."

The mysterious alchemy master and Manager Ya Fei of the Miter Auction House were personally visiting the Xiao Family.

The news seemed to grow wings. Almost the instant Xuan Jin and the other two set out, it spread through every street and alley of Wutan City.

Everyone erupted into an uproar.

Jia Lie Bi and Ao Ba Pa were especially furious, beating their chests and stamping their feet as they cursed Xiao Zhan for his absurdly good luck.

Meanwhile, the Xiao Family residence was already bustling with voices.

Led by the Great Elder, the Xiao Family elders had all rushed to the entrance upon hearing the news. Each craned his neck, their faces filled with both excitement and unease.

When Xuan Jin and Ya Fei appeared at the street corner under Xiao Zhan's personal guidance, the entire area before the Xiao Family gates fell silent.

Every gaze focused on the black-robed young man.

He was too young.

That was everyone's first thought.

"Clan Leader, this is..." The Great Elder stepped forward, his voice carrying a trace of uncertainty.

Xiao Zhan had no mood to pay them any attention. He cupped his hands toward the elders, then turned sideways and gestured for Xuan Jin to enter.