Commissioning the Purchase of Medicinal Ingredients

Early in the morning, warm sunlight streamed through the gaps in the window, scattering tiny patches of light across the tidy room.

Inside, a young man sat in a wooden tub filled with azure liquid, his eyes closed and his hands forming seals as he absorbed the medicinal effects of the liquid.

Xiao Yao came to Xiao Yan's room and lightly knocked on Little Flame's door. "Little Flame, it's me."

At that moment, Xiao Yan stood up from the wooden tub, dried himself, and casually put on a clean set of clothes. Turning back to see that the azure liquid had faded in color, he sighed inwardly. This Foundation-Building Spiritual Liquid is being used up too quickly. As my cultivation speed increases, perhaps I won't need it anymore in another month or two.

After Xiao Yan opened the door, he asked softly, "Brother Yao, did you need something?"

"Nothing much. I mainly came to see our teacher."

"Little fellow, what important matter brings you to your teacher?" At that moment, a figure flew out of the Storage Ring and hovered above them, looking down at Xiao Yao as he slowly spoke.

Xiao Yao said softly, "Teacher, what kind of Sixth-Grade Pill are you planning to refine during our training? We can prepare several sets of ingredients in advance."

An ancient scroll appeared in Yao Lao's right hand. He handed it to Xiao Yao and said calmly, "This is a Sixth-Grade pill formula called the Emperor's Extreme Pill. It can raise a Dou Emperor who consumes it by one or two stars. However, a Dou Emperor may only take one Emperor's Extreme Pill in their lifetime!"

"Teacher, shall we go to the auction house later and commission them to purchase these medicinal ingredients? I can sell Fifth-Grade Pills and have them buy them throughout the Jia Ma Empire, since gathering these ingredients will take some time." After a brief pause, he added, "Little Flame, you also need to auction off the pills you've refined. We can sell them there while we're at it."

"Brother Yao, that works, but won't the two of us going together attract too much attention? The last time I went, I was dressed in a black robe. That middle-aged receptionist kept glancing at me as though he wanted to see through my identity." Xiao Yan spoke with some concern.

Xiao Yao pondered for a while after hearing this, then slowly said, "Actually, I sold my own pills at the auction house many years ago. When the time comes, we can wear black robes and cover our faces to avoid attracting unnecessary attention. You can simply stand beside me and pretend we're fellow disciples."

Yao Lao nodded slightly. "That's a good idea. You are fellow disciples to begin with, so there won't be any problem. But when the time comes, should this old man speak throughout the entire process, or should you, little fellow?"

Seeing their puzzled expressions, Xiao Yao took out the Disguise Mask from his Storage Ring and slowly put it on. A faint glow appeared over his face.

When the glow faded, an unfamiliar yet handsome face had replaced his originally refined features, making him seem like an entirely different person.

"Th-this... what kind of mask is that? It's so amazing." Little Flame's eyes widened. Filled with surprise and curiosity, he approached Xiao Yao and reached out to touch his face. Then he said in astonishment, "Brother Yao, this mask is incredible. It fits your face perfectly. Even after touching it, I couldn't find the slightest trace of it. It's like you've really become another person."

Xiao Yao spoke in a deep, rich voice, "This is a Disguise Mask. It can alter one's appearance as desired, and it can also change one's voice. As for speaking, Teacher and I can handle that. This way, no one will grow suspicious."

"Gasp—even your voice changed! That's too amazing, Brother Yao. Do you have any similar masks? Give me one too." Xiao Yan's eyes brimmed with envy.

Yao Lao's eyes flashed with approval. "Haha, little fellow, you truly have many treasures. This mask is quite rare. As for where it came from, don't worry, I won't ask."

Xiao Yao smiled helplessly, covering his forehead as he replied blandly, "No, there's only this one. I wish I had a few more myself."

After a while, Xiao Yao and Xiao Yan left the Xiao Clan's gates and stepped onto the bustling streets. Looking up, they saw rows upon rows of intricate shops in the distance, their various signboards swaying in the wind and producing pleasant chimes.

The cries of street vendors rose and fell throughout the alleys, while waves of delicious scents drifted out from the inns.

The two headed toward the auction house. After walking for some distance, they turned onto another street nearby.

Xiao Yao and Xiao Yan looked up at the enormous venue at the end of the street. They then turned into a secluded alley and draped the black cloaks they had prepared beforehand over themselves.

The oversized robes concealed not only Xiao Yan's face, but also his somewhat slender frame, making him look bulky. In his current appearance, even if his father stood before him, he would likely struggle to recognize him at a glance...

Xiao Yao took out the Disguise Mask and placed it over his face, changing into a mature-looking man before using his robe to conceal his features.

The two slowly left the alley and headed toward the auction house at the end of the street.

Under the watchful gazes of several heavily armed guards at the entrance, they continued forward without pause and walked straight inside.

The moment they entered the venue, the scorching heat seemed to be stripped from their bodies, leaving behind a refreshing coolness that seeped into their hearts.

Xiao Yao led Xiao Yan toward a place bearing the three glittering golden words "Treasure Appraisal Room." Pushing open the door, they found a middle-aged man idly playing with two iron balls in his hands. Hearing the door open, he looked at the two figures completely wrapped in black robes and smiled. "Are the two of you here to have treasures appraised?"

Xiao Yao took out a crystal card from his Storage Ring. The Mite'er Family crest was engraved upon it. He placed it on the table, and a deep, mature male voice came from beneath the black robe. "Yes. Go invite Gu Ni, your auction house's Second-Grade Alchemist. I need the Mite'er Family to help me search for some medicinal ingredients."

The middle-aged man's expression changed the moment he saw the crystal card on the table. He respectfully said, "So it is you, sir. Very well, my lord. Please rest here for a moment. I will immediately invite Master Gu Ni from our auction house."

"Mm. Be quick about it." Xiao Yao waved a hand in dismissal, then sat down in a chair nearby.

The middle-aged man hurriedly nodded before rushing out of the room. Xiao Yao and Xiao Yan remained silent and did not speak to each other.

After all, this was someone else's territory. It was best to watch their words and actions. Who could guarantee there were no arrangements for spying or eavesdropping here?

After they had waited in the room for some time, the middle-aged man returned. This time, however, he was accompanied by an elderly man in green robes with slightly graying hair, as well as a beautiful woman dressed in a red gown.

"Honored Alchemist, what kind of medicinal ingredients do you wish to commission the Mite'er Family to purchase?" Gu Ni asked respectfully with a smile on his face.

Xiao Yao took out the medicinal ingredients list he had prepared for the Emperor's Extreme Pill and the Sect-Breaking Pill from his Storage Ring. He had cleverly added several useless herbs to muddle the pill formulas.

He handed the list to Gu Ni. It was densely packed with the names of various medicinal ingredients, and Gu Ni accepted it and examined it carefully.

"Th-this... most of the ingredients listed here are Sixth-Grade medicinal ingredients. If you purchase one set of all of them, the resources required would be utterly staggering. Are you certain you wish to make this purchase?"

"Mm, it doesn't matter. As long as you can obtain the ingredients listed above, I will cover whatever it costs."

Seeing the black-robed man speak so calmly, Gu Ni sighed inwardly. As expected, alchemists were all immensely wealthy and completely unafraid of such expenses.