Battle Through the Heavens: Flame Emperor, Please Restrain Yourself—Your Elder Brother Is Truly Quite Simple

Alchemists held an exalted status, but not just anyone could build a connection with them.

Yet things like the insights of a high-grade alchemist or some particularly rare pill formulas could move an alchemist.

"Mm~" Ya Fei's peach-blossom eyes widened.

She had realized the same thing Xun Er had mentioned, and had been thinking that Zhang Yuan was ultimately too young.

She had kept talking to Zhang Yuan because she wanted to disrupt his train of thought, but Xun Er had unexpectedly ruined her plan.

"Of course I understand that." Zhang Yuan glanced at Ya Fei and smiled. "I wasn't lying earlier. Master Gu Ni is the person I truly came here to see. The Fourth-tier Wind Elemental Core was only incidental."

Hearing this, Xun Er said nothing more. Her reminder had been out of concern, but she would not interfere with Zhang Yuan's decision.

Ya Fei also stopped struggling and instead lowered her head to ponder Zhang Yuan's true intentions.

Before long, Master Gu Ni returned. He placed a jade box on the table beside Zhang Yuan, then rubbed his hands together again.

Zhang Yuan released his soul power and swept it over the contents. After confirming that there was nothing wrong with the items in the two jade boxes, he stored them in his Storage Ring and said, "Master Gu Ni, do you think a mere Fourth-tier Wind Elemental Core can compare to that Third-grade Alchemist insight written by a high-grade alchemist?"

"It can't." Gu Ni honestly shook his head.

Just one-tenth of the contents in that scroll had already benefited him immensely. There was no need to mention the complete version.

"Mm~" Ya Fei wanted to say something, but she could not break free from the control of Dou Qi.

As though he had noticed nothing, Zhang Yuan continued, "Then what else can Master Gu Ni offer?"

"What do you need?" Gu Ni considered it briefly. "As long as I can provide it, I can use it for this trade."

At his age, he was still only a Second-grade Alchemist. Aside from having a rather ordinary inheritance, his talent for alchemy was also quite poor.

Becoming a Third-grade Alchemist might be a height he could never reach in his lifetime, yet the scroll in Zhang Yuan's hand had allowed him to see a glimmer of hope.

For that hope, he could give up most of what he possessed.

"What I need is very easy for you to provide, Master." Zhang Yuan smiled. "We need the Mittel Auction House to share most of its intelligence with the Xiao Clan, while also supplying the Xiao Clan with certain medicinal ingredients over the long term."

The Third-grade Alchemist insights written by Old Yao were naturally not worth just a Fourth-tier Elemental Core. Even using them to win over Gu Ni was somewhat wasteful.

But if they could also bring the Mite'er Family of Wutan City into the arrangement, it would become a different matter.

"This is not something I can decide on alone." Gu Ni turned to look at Ya Fei.

The Mite'er Family's method of controlling its auction houses in various locations was to assign two or three decision-makers according to circumstances.

For example, at the Wutan City auction house, Ya Fei was a direct descendant of the Mite'er Family. Though her strength was low, she possessed business acumen. She could contact the family and managed the auction house's daily operations and commercial affairs.

Gu Ni was an outsider. As a Second-grade Alchemist and a Da Dou Shi, he oversaw the auction house, handling appraisals and security.

The two were partners who also kept each other in check.

"This is impossible!" Zhang Yuan released his control over Ya Fei, and she immediately stood up. "The foundation of the Mittel Auction House is neutrality. We will not interfere in the conflicts between any families within a city."

"We can pay money, or provide the resources the Xiao Clan needs, in exchange for Master Gu Ni's scroll."

Gu Ni's expression did not change. He simply looked at Zhang Yuan without speaking.

Zhang Yuan smiled. "Sister Ya Fei, you have misunderstood two things. The Xiao Clan is not seeking cooperation with the Mittel Auction House—we are seeking cooperation with the two of you. And we do not need you to involve yourselves in the power struggles of Wutan City."

"You're only deceiving yourself." Ya Fei's aura shifted, and she spoke sharply. "Master Gu Ni and I are the people in charge here. If we cooperate with you, then the auction house is cooperating with you, and we would be indirectly involving ourselves in the conflict."

Could one's stance truly not be changed?

As long as the price was high enough, no such thing existed.

A trace of amusement appeared in Zhang Yuan's smile as he said, "Sister Ya Fei, you said yourself that you wanted to achieve something in Wutan City, earn your family's recognition, and gain control over your own fate. Do you think remaining neutral can accomplish that?"

Ya Fei smiled noncommittally and asked, "And cooperating with the Xiao Clan can?"

"Of course." Zhang Yuan nodded. "In fact, the scroll Master Gu Ni just read was written by my brother Yan's master's master."

Xiao Yan and the others: "..."

Yao Chen: So not only had I become a Fourth-grade Alchemist, I was also my own master?

"Third Young Master Xiao's master is an alchemist?" Ya Fei's gaze flickered.

"Correct." Zhang Yuan nodded. "I believe you two also know that my brother Yan was unable to cultivate. That was actually a test from his teacher. He has now passed the test and become the disciple of a Fourth-grade Alchemist."

"That Fourth-grade Alchemist came from the Black Corner Region and has an even more powerful master. That scroll was written by my brother Yan's grandmaster."

Hiss!

Gu Ni and Ya Fei looked at each other, both drawing a cold breath inward.

If Zhang Yuan was not spouting nonsense, then wouldn't the Xiao Clan prosper after gaining the support of a Fourth-grade Alchemist?

If that was true, then cooperating with the Xiao Clan would indeed be no problem. But what if Zhang Yuan was deceiving them?

"This big sister has a question." Ya Fei stared intently at Zhang Yuan. "If Third Young Master Xiao has become the disciple of a Fourth-grade Alchemist, why hasn't the Xiao Clan publicized it?"

If the Xiao Clan had a Fourth-grade Alchemist behind them, even a Dou Ling would have to treat them with courtesy.

"Because I am only a nominal disciple for now." Xiao Yan answered on his own initiative. "By the rules of my master's sect, I must become a Second-grade Alchemist before I can be formally accepted as his disciple. Before then, I cannot mention my master's name."

Master Gu Ni:?

I suspect you're looking down on me, and I have proof.

"So, does that mean we won't get to meet that esteemed Fourth-grade Alchemist either?" Ya Fei asked again.

"Not until Brother Yan becomes a Second-grade Alchemist," Zhang Yuan said with a nod.

Ya Fei pondered for a moment, then smiled seductively. "Wouldn't that be asking me to gamble?"

"If you want to change your fate, and you have a chance to gamble, why wouldn't you seize it?" Zhang Yuan countered. He then took out a scroll and tossed it to Gu Ni.

"Master Gu Ni, this insight is for you. Consider it the Xiao Clan's sincerity in seeking cooperation."

"If you're willing to cooperate, then cooperate. If not, consider it a personal favor you owe the Xiao Clan."

After saying that, Zhang Yuan signaled to Xiao Yan and Xun Er with his eyes. The three turned and left.

Xiao Zhan rose as well, but he had no intention of going home. He still had to attend tonight's auction and bid on some valuable items.

Ya Fei did not try to stop them. Only after the four had left did she ask Gu Ni, "Master Gu Ni, do you think what he said is credible?"

"I believe it is." Gu Ni held the scroll in his hand and said, "I was once fortunate enough to attend lectures by Fourth-grade and Fifth-grade Alchemists from the Alchemist Guild, but neither came close to the detail and clarity of this insight."

"Even if those two esteemed alchemists had held something back during their lectures, the difference is still obvious."

"This insight was likely written by an alchemist above the fifth grade."

"Furthermore, the Xiao Clan wants to purchase medicinal ingredients through the auction house's channels, likely because they do not want the Jia Lie Family and Ao Ba Family to notice and obstruct them. They must be preparing to refine pills for sale. This proves that the Xiao Clan truly has an alchemist backing them."

Ya Fei nodded solemnly. She, too, was inclined to believe Zhang Yuan.

Cooperation was a long-term matter. Lies could deceive someone for a while, but not forever.

"Are you going to gamble?" Gu Ni asked.

"Of course." An unprecedented seriousness appeared in Ya Fei's peach-blossom eyes.

"Setting everything else aside, Zhang Yuan's strength and talent as a sixteen-year-old nine-star Dou Master are enough for me to stake everything on this gamble."

"Tomorrow, I will personally visit the Xiao Clan to discuss the details of our cooperation."

Gu Ni nodded. "I fully support you."

Meanwhile, outside the auction house.

Xiao Yan covertly glanced at Xun Er, seeming to want to speak but hesitating.

Xun Er seemed to sense it. She glanced at him indifferently and asked, "Cousin, is it really alright to reveal the existence of Cousin Xiao Yan's master?"

Xiao Yan: "..."

That was supposed to be my line!!!