Gu Ni

After leaving Ya Fei's office, Xiao Yan found that Gu Ni, who had left earlier, was still standing outside the door and had not yet departed.

"Master Gu Ni, you're still here!" Xiao Yan greeted him.

"Ah, Young Master Xiao Yan, you're out already? So soon!" Gu Ni was somewhat surprised. Though he was not Ya Fei's secretary, he knew roughly how long she usually spent speaking with distinguished guests. Young men as vigorous as Xiao Yan usually tried desperately to prolong their time with her. This was the first time he had seen someone come out as quickly as Xiao Yan had.

However, Xiao Yan's early exit was a good thing for him, so he did not dwell on it.

"Young Master Xiao Yan, it is fortunate that you came out now. I was just looking for you about something," Gu Ni said, his tone rising slightly with excitement.

Something to discuss with me? Xiao Yan was briefly taken aback, but when he saw Gu Ni's clearly excited expression, he quickly guessed what it was about. After all, there had only ever been one thing that could make an alchemist display such an attitude...

"Young Master Xiao Yan, I examined this Qi-Recovery Pill carefully just now. If I am not mistaken, it was refined no more than three days ago, and it was refined flawlessly. This level of alchemy must be at the peak of the third tier... No, it must be fourth-tier! May I ask if you know where the alchemist who refined this pill is? If you can tell me, I will repay you generously in the future!" Gu Ni said excitedly.

What a sharp guess. But he apparently had not guessed that the person who had refined this pill was standing right in front of him. Still, that was only natural. Gu Ni had lived for most of his life and was only a second-tier alchemist. How could he possibly imagine that this boy, not even sixteen years old, was a fourth-tier master alchemist with a place in the entire Jia Ma Empire?

Seeing the look of yearning in Gu Ni's eyes, Xiao Yan's lips curled upward. He could not help looking forward to Gu Ni's expression when he learned the truth someday.

"As for that, I do indeed know him. However, the Xiao Clan intends to venture into the pill business during this period, and we lack alchemists who can serve as retainers. I wonder if Master Gu Ni could help us make contact with some?"

"This..." Gu Ni revealed a troubled expression. Alchemists were all proud people, and under normal circumstances, they would not be willing to come to a small town like Wutan City. He himself was only here because the Mitel headquarters had forcibly assigned him here. Otherwise, he would never have come. Thus, upon hearing Xiao Yan's request, he did not even ask what treatment the Xiao Clan could offer, because this was not a matter of compensation at all!

"By the way, Master Gu Ni, do you know that Canaan Academy's recruitment team will be coming to Wutan City in a few months?"

"Of course I know. They come every year. I do not pay much attention to it, but I am aware of it." At first, Gu Ni did not understand why Xiao Yan had suddenly brought this up. But he quickly realized that Xiao Yan was also of an age to enroll, and he would most likely be going to study at Canaan Academy this time. Once he left, no one knew when he would return. At that point, Xiao Yan's meaning had become perfectly clear.

"Young Master Xiao, rest assured. Within a month, I will definitely bring you good news!" Gu Ni promised on the spot.

"Mm, then I'll leave it to you, Master Gu Ni," Xiao Yan said.

"Yes, Young Master Xiao, rest assured." Gu Ni promised again, his attitude as respectful as if he were facing some extraordinary great figure.

If the people of Wutan City had seen the renowned Master Gu Ni acting like this, their jaws would surely have dropped.

In fact, the guards of the Mitel Auction House who witnessed this scene had already begun whispering among themselves in private.

However, Xiao Yan obviously did not care about such things. He turned to leave, but then suddenly remembered there was another matter yet to be resolved. He turned back to Gu Ni and continued, "Oh, right. I am still short on some pill cauldrons. Could you get some for me? They do not need to be particularly good. As long as they can refine first-tier pills, that will do."

Gu Ni froze for a moment before replying, "Young Master Xiao, do you mean pill cauldrons? That will not be a problem. How many does Young Master Xiao Yan need?"

It will take at least a month before the alchemists we recruit can start working. During that time, I'll have to refine all the pills needed by the Xiao Clan's marketplaces myself. It would be a waste, but it is necessary to prepare several pill cauldrons so I can refine multiple batches at once. Mm... ten, then. I can take the chance to challenge myself with ten cauldrons at once. Come to think of it, I've never tried refining with ten cauldrons simultaneously before. I wonder if they'll explode. Should I buy a few more instead?

"Mm, how about this? Get me fifteen. I'll pay you one hundred thousand gold coins for each. How does that sound?" Xiao Yan said. Having just plundered the Mo Clan, Xiao Yan was now swimming in money.

"Fifteen!" Gu Ni exclaimed in surprise. Although the quality Xiao Yan wanted was not high, in Wutan City, where there were hardly any alchemists, pill cauldrons were by no means common goods. The ones Xiao Yan wanted were practically the Mitel Auction House's entire stock!

Gu Ni very much wanted to ask what Xiao Yan needed so many pill cauldrons for. Surely they could not be intended for the alchemists they would recruit later? If that were the case, it would be better not to give them at all. After all, poor quality might instead make people feel insulted.

But this was someone else's business. Since Xiao Yan was willing to pay, Gu Ni did not intend to pry.

After rummaging through the Mitel treasury and gathering the pill cauldrons Xiao Yan wanted, Gu Ni saw Xiao Yan out of the auction house.

Watching Xiao Yan's gradually retreating figure, Gu Ni suddenly thought of something.

Huh? Since Young Master Xiao wants to buy pill cauldrons, does that mean the Xiao Clan already has an alchemist? Or is the alchemist who refined the Qi-Recovery Pill currently in the Xiao Clan? Otherwise, where would the Xiao Clan get the confidence to form an alchemist team?

Gu Ni's intelligence was indeed not low, but he still did not connect the identity of that alchemist to Xiao Yan.

The clever Gu Ni had once again brushed past the truth.