Why Did You Help Me?

Although Xue Lingyun said nothing, the longing in his eyes said it all.

For a moment, everyone's gaze converged on Ya Fei.

Ya Fei lifted her teacup, using the motion of lowering her head to drink to conceal the fleeting slyness in her eyes.

She found it secretly amusing.

If these important figures knew that the "highly respected" and "elusive" alchemy master they spoke of was merely a teenager, their expressions would surely be fascinating.

"Esteemed seniors, I truly apologize."

Ya Fei set down her teacup, putting on an exceptionally troubled expression. Her acting was worthy of an award-winning actress.

She let out a soft sigh and spread her hands helplessly.

"It is not that Ya Fei wishes to keep anything hidden. It is simply that the master's personality is far too eccentric.

The old gentleman merely happened to pass through Wutan City during his travels. His contact with our auction house has always been one-way."

"One-way contact?" Otto frowned.

"That is correct."

Ya Fei lied with a perfectly straight face.

"Every time, the master contacted me of his own accord, left behind the pills, and departed without lingering for even a moment.

As for his whereabouts and method of contact, he never breathed a word.

How could a mere auctioneer like me dare ask about the master's private affairs?

What if I angered the old gentleman and cut off our supply of pills? The Miteer Auction House could not afford such a loss."

Upon hearing this, Frank and Otto exchanged a glance. The disappointment in their eyes was difficult to hide, but they believed her to some extent.

After all, skilled alchemists were mostly eccentric by nature, and it was hardly unusual for them to dislike being constrained.

Standing behind Lin Ang, Lin Fei curled her lips and muttered softly.

"What's with the airs? He just knows how to refine pills, acting all mysterious..."

"Lin Fei! Do not be rude!" Lin Ang turned around and shot his daughter a glare.

Lin Fei snorted and turned her head away, though her large eyes continued darting around the VIP room as if she were trying to spot some flaw.

Xue Mei, who had remained silent all along, gave Ya Fei a few more looks. Her cool gaze held a trace of contemplation.

"As for the pills..."

Ya Fei smiled bitterly and shook her head, her tone so sincere it was almost heartbreaking.

"You have all seen it yourselves. For this auction, the master practically brought out every finished product he had refined during this period.

There is not even a speck of medicinal residue left in the storeroom. If you still want more, I am afraid you can only wait until the master is in a good mood and visits Wutan City again."

This was what people commonly called "hunger marketing."

Only after whetting people's appetites would the goods become more valuable.

Although Lin Ang and Xue Lingyun had been mentally prepared, hearing the definite answer still made their hearts ache. Aside from what they had managed to seize at the auction, it seemed they would have no chance to make a private deal.

"Then we shall not disturb Miss Ya Fei any longer."

Frank stood up. Though he had not met the person himself, this trip had still yielded quite a lot. At the very least, he had confirmed the existence of these pills.

"If the master appears again in the future, I hope Miss Ya Fei will be sure to introduce us on his behalf. Even passing along a message would be enough."

"Certainly, certainly." Ya Fei rose with a smile to see them out.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the adjacent VIP Room No. 2 was entirely different.

The heads of Wutan City's three great families—Xiao Zhan, Jia Lie Bi, and Ao Ba Pa—three old rivals who had fought one another for half their lives, were now seated together, glaring at each other.

The tea on the table had long since gone cold, yet no one had the mood to take a sip.

They had heard every bit of commotion from the important figures entering and leaving VIP Room No. 1.

That sense of helplessness and crisis weighed on each of their hearts like a massive stone.

Xiao Zhan's face was gloomy as he gripped an empty teacup, his knuckles turning white.

At this auction, although he had obtained some Spirit-Nurturing Powder, the Xiao Family had only bid on one of the crucial Yuan-Gathering Pills and Yuan-Coagulating Pills. The rest had basically been divided among the outside forces.

This was absolutely not good news for the Xiao Family.

Jia Lie Bi still did not know that his son had already been beaten into a cripple. His mind was now filled with the effects of the Yuan-Coagulating Pill.

If either of the other two families obtained that kind of pill and produced one or two Da Dou Shi, the balance in Wutan City would be shattered instantly. The Jia Lie Family might even face utter destruction.

Ao Ba Pa's eyes darted about, making him appear the most anxious. His financial strength had always been somewhat weaker than that of the other two families, and this time, he had returned almost empty-handed.

Though the three said nothing, they were all calculating the same thing.

They had to find that alchemist!

They had to win him over at any cost!

And even if they could not win him over, they absolutely could not allow him to side with either of the other two families!

At that moment, by the river west of the city, far from the center of the conflict.

The afterglow of the setting sun spilled across the river's surface, casting ripples of shimmering light. Beneath a willow tree on the bank, Lu Heng released Xiao Yi Xian's hand.

Xiao Yi Xian took half a step back somewhat awkwardly, a blush that had yet to fade still lingering on her cheeks.

She lowered her head and looked at the wrist that still retained the warmth of his palm, then secretly glanced at Lu Heng, who leaned lazily against the willow tree before her.

"Um..."

Xiao Yi Xian tucked back the loose strands of hair by her ear, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz.

"Earlier... thank you for saving me."

Though she carried poisonous powder and would not have been entirely incapable of resisting if forced to fight for her life, the Jia Lie Family had so many people, including a three-star Dou Master. If Lu Heng had not been there, the outcome for a helpless girl like her today would likely have been unimaginable.

"There is no need to thank me."

Lu Heng folded his arms across his chest, the corner of his lips lifting as his gaze swept boldly over Xiao Yi Xian.

"I can see that you have extraordinary bones and an exceptional appearance. You are bound to achieve great things in the future."

Lu Heng spouted nonsense with a solemn expression.

"Those types earlier were only relying on the little filthy money their family has. If you do not mind, how about I serve as your bodyguard while you are in Wutan City these next few days?"

Xiao Yi Xian froze for a moment, then burst into laughter.

That smile was like a hundred flowers blooming. Her innocent yet playful appearance made the surrounding scenery pale in comparison.

"You are joking, young master."

Xiao Yi Xian had relaxed by now, and the liveliness unique to a young girl had returned.

"You even dared to beat up an elder of the Jia Lie Family, and you beat their young master into that state. By now, I am afraid all of Wutan City is looking for you.

You want to be my bodyguard?

I think I would be the one getting dragged into trouble by you."

Though she said so, Xiao Yi Xian showed no intention of leaving.

In this unfamiliar city, after narrowly escaping such a terrifying crisis, the handsome youth before her had become Xiao Yi Xian's only source of support.

"What is there to fear?"

Lu Heng's lips curved upward.

"The Jia Lie Family only has some influence within Wutan City. What can they do once they leave the city?"

Lu Heng suddenly stepped forward, instantly closing the distance between them.

Xiao Yi Xian held her breath instinctively. In her clear, large eyes was reflected Lu Heng's face, so close at hand.

"Then why did you help me?" Xiao Yi Xian suddenly asked.