Xiao Yan: What Little Brother? He's a Debt Collector

"Of course I do. Thank you, Yao Lao."

No matter what Yao Lao was "plotting," Xiao Ting had no reason to refuse the Bagua Lightning Chasing Steps.

On the Dou Qi Continent, most cultivated Dou Qi belonged to the five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. Cultivators with wind, lightning, or ice attribute Dou Qi were far fewer, and the corresponding attribute cultivation methods were naturally the same.

Movement Dou Techniques were also a relatively rare and precious category among Dou Techniques. A Xuan Tier Mid-Level lightning-attribute movement Dou Technique could produce the effect of a Xuan Tier High-Level technique when cultivated by a lightning-attribute cultivator, nearly reaching the Earth Tier. Its value was extremely high.

Seeing Xiao Ting reach out with both hands to receive the scroll, Yao Lao smiled and said, "If you want to master a movement Dou Technique quickly and turn it into combat power, the key lies in practice."

"Since you've decided to train in this Dou Technique, starting tomorrow, go to the back mountain with Xiao Yanzi to cultivate. I'll guide you."

Xiao Ting immediately understood. Yao Lao wanted to "teach him a lesson" openly and reasonably during training.

"Thank you, Yao Lao. Then I'll be relying on you from tomorrow onward." Having seen through the trick, Xiao Ting did not refuse.

He was taking an Earth Tier Low-Level cultivation method and a Xuan Tier High-Level cultivation method from the man. Could he really deny him a chance to "vent his anger"?

Guidance from a peak Dou Zun expert was something even Dou Zongs could only dream of finding. It was an opportunity one could not find even with a lantern. He had no reason to refuse.

"When the time comes, remember to have a set of iron armor made." Leaving behind that final sentence, Yao Lao returned to the Bone Flame Ring.

"I'll find someone to make it for me right now." Xiao Ting clasped his fists toward the ring, then looked at Xiao Yan. "Brother Yan, you don't have to repay the money you owe me."

Xiao Yan's mouth twitched as he waved him off irritably. "Scram. Get lost!"

First he had force-fed him lovey-dovey nonsense, and now he was deliberately trying to annoy him. He really owed this rotten little brother.

Xiao Ting chuckled and called Xun'er to leave, but after taking only two steps, he turned back and held out his hand to Xiao Yan.

"What do you want?" Xiao Yan looked baffled.

Hadn't he just said Xiao Yan did not need to repay him?

It was only a few thousand gold coins. That was not even enough to earn the right to touch a scroll recording a Xuan Tier High-Level cultivation method.

"Lend me your Purple-Gold Card from the Mittal Auction House." Xiao Ting flexed his fingers.

"How did you know I had that?" Xiao Yan took the card from his Storage Ring and placed it in Xiao Ting's hand.

"Ya Fei of the Mittal Auction House is a smart woman. She would definitely seek to befriend a wild alchemist." Xiao Ting gave a brief explanation, then walked over to Xun'er's side. "Come on, Xun'er. Let's have breakfast first, then go pick out some things at the Miteer Auction House. Young Master Xiao Yan will be paying for everything today."

Xiao Yan's lips twitched. "I must have owed him in my past life. He's come to collect the debt in this one."

"Aren't you going to ask him about advancing to Dou Shi?" Yao Lao's voice appeared, carrying a trace of surprise. "When I gave him the scroll, I sensed him. His foundation is exceptionally stable—far steadier than... the one I wanted to build for you."

"At his age, he has advanced to Dou Shi while maintaining such a foundation. Perhaps he has a method that would suit you."

What Yao Lao had initially wanted to say was that Xiao Ting's foundation and talent were even more perfect than the ones he had built for Han Feng.

But thinking of that traitorous disciple made him angry, so he changed his words at the last moment.

Xiao Yan did not notice anything amiss. He merely shrugged indifferently. "If it's something he can share, Little Ting will give it to me without me asking. Why ask such a pointless question? It's probably related to Xun'er."

"Let's go cultivate. I need to work twice as hard. I can't let Little Ting protect me in the future, can I?"

Although the feeling of being protected really was quite nice, when Xiao Yan thought of the suffering he had endured over the past three years, as well as his Three Year Agreement with Nalan Yanran, all he wanted was to improve.

Meanwhile, Xun'er walked lightly with her hands behind her back. From time to time, she turned her head to study Xiao Ting with a smile. Just as he was about to lose his composure, she spoke gently, "Brother Xiao Ting, are you really not interested in that elder's identity?"

"Does he bear any ill will toward Cousin Xiao Yan?" Xiao Ting answered with a question.

"Not for now." Xun'er blinked her large eyes and answered softly, "According to the information Xun'er received, given that senior's personality, he should be sincere toward Cousin Xiao Yan. Besides, he now knows that Cousin Xiao Yan has Brother Xiao Ting standing behind him, and that Brother Xiao Ting has me by his side."

"Then there's no need to learn too much unless he wishes to tell us himself." Xiao Ting shook his head lightly. "But Xun'er, do you know what realm allows someone to survive purely in a soul state?"

Xun'er's beautiful eyes blinked lightly, and she smiled faintly. "It has no inevitable connection to a cultivator's realm. Rather, it is related to one's soul realm."

"Souls have realms too?" The right amount of surprise and curiosity appeared on Xiao Ting's face.

If he could reveal it, Xun'er really wanted to slap the Notebook Copy in front of Brother Xiao Ting and see how wonderful his expression would be.

"Yes. Souls are divided into the Mortal Realm, Spirit Realm, Heaven Realm, and the legendary Emperor Realm." Xun'er thoughtfully explained to Xiao Ting. "They respectively..."

"To become an alchemist, one prerequisite is having powerful soul strength. To become an Eighth-Rank Alchemist, one's soul realm must break through to the Spirit Realm. The Heaven Realm corresponds to Ninth Rank."

After listening patiently, Xiao Ting nodded slightly. "Then it seems this Senior Yao Lao was at least an Eighth-Rank Alchemist at his peak."

"With such a teacher, it seems Cousin's Three Year Agreement is as good as won."

At those words, Xun'er's eyes flickered slightly as she murmured inwardly, That may not be so. It depends on whether certain people also obtain an opportunity like the Notebook Copy.

The two chatted and laughed as they headed to a restaurant for breakfast. After eating, they went together to the Miteer Auction House.

After Xiao Ting presented the Purple-Gold Card, Ya Fei personally received them at once.

"I heard that Xiao... Ting?"

Before Ya Fei even arrived, her laughter had already drifted in from outside the guest room. Yet when she pushed open the door and saw Xiao Ting and Xun'er sitting inside, her tone faltered.

But it lasted only an instant. She quickly adjusted herself and walked gracefully to the main seat. "I am Ya Fei of the Mittal Auction House. Welcome, Young Master Xiao Ting and Miss Xun'er. May I ask what the two of you need my help with?"

Xiao Ting looked straight ahead and asked in an ordinary tone, "Hello, Miss Ya Fei. I came here today for two matters."

"The first is to ask whether the Miteer Auction House has been supplying the Jia Lie Clan with large quantities of medicinal ingredients for refining First-Grade Medicinal Pills."

A sharp glint flashed through Ya Fei's eyes, and she covered her mouth as she chuckled. "Young Master Xiao Ting, that is commercial intelligence."

"Don't worry. I do not wish to know much, only whether you are supplying them with medicinal ingredients." Xiao Ting smiled. "The Xiao Clan could learn this merely by sending someone to investigate market trends. I simply feel there is no need to make it so troublesome. What do you think, Miss Ya Fei?"

Ya Fei thought that was indeed true. Xiao Ting was not asking about the types or origins of the medicinal ingredients, so she nodded lightly. "Starting seven days ago, the Jia Lie Clan began purchasing medicinal ingredients from the Miteer Auction House on a large scale."

Xiao Ting now understood. It seemed First-Rank Alchemist Liu Xi would make his appearance soon.

"Thank you for telling me, Miss Ya Fei." Xiao Ting clasped his fists in thanks, then said, "The second matter is that I would like to see the auction list for the next Miteer Auction House auction in advance."

"That is only a small matter." A trace of confusion flashed through Ya Fei's eyes. "If Young Master Xiao Ting wished to know, you could have asked Clan Head Xiao Zhan directly, or simply sent someone to inquire. There was no need to come personally."

For an auction house, the more people capable of making purchases there were, the better price they could sell their goods for.

For ordinary people, learning the list in advance was extremely difficult.

But in Wutan City, the Mittal Auction House would take the initiative to inform the Three Great Clans.

It would be best if they could support the auction with money. If not, they could at least support it with their presence.

"I do not want an ordinary list." Xiao Ting smiled. "I want the list of auction items that can be purchased in advance before the auction begins."