Trash is still trash

Seeing Ya Fei fall silent, Xiao Yan was about to speak, but Jia Lie Ao beat him to it, his face full of disdain.

"Miss Ya Fei, you mustn't listen to this brat's nonsense. How could he possibly refine a Third-tier Pill?"

"I bet he can't come up with the two hundred thousand gold coins, so he's deliberately boasting to bluff his way out of it."

Hearing Jia Lie Ao's words, Xiao Yan couldn't be bothered to argue with him. He simply watched Ya Fei quietly. After all, no amount of talk could prove whether he could refine a Third-tier Pill. What mattered was whether Ya Fei believed him.

Ya Fei ignored Jia Lie Ao and instead studied Xiao Yan carefully for a moment.

After all, the status of a Third-Rank Alchemist carried tremendous weight in Wutan City. If Xiao Yan really was a Third-Rank Alchemist, then he was absolutely someone the Mittel Auction House needed to take seriously.

This Xiao Yan doesn't look like someone who makes wild claims. And when he bid at the auction earlier, his confidence didn't seem like an act.

More importantly, as a young master of the Xiao Clan, he broke through to Dou Zhe at eleven. That talent puts him among the very best of Wutan City's younger generation.

If he really can refine a Third-tier Pill, then the Mittel Auction House should make an effort to build a good relationship with him.

With those thoughts, Ya Fei made up her mind.

She looked at Xiao Yan and smiled faintly. "All right, Xiao Yan. I'll trust you this once."

Xiao Yan was momentarily taken aback. He hadn't expected Ya Fei to agree so readily.

"Take this clearheart grass and use it first. As for that Third-tier Pill, just bring it whenever it's convenient. There's no hurry. Your Sister Ya Fei trusts you."

After saying that, Ya Fei had someone wrap up the clearheart grass, then handed it straight to Xiao Yan.

Seeing this, Xiao Yan couldn't help feeling impressed. She truly deserved to be the Mittel Auction House's chief auctioneer. Such boldness was beyond most people.

It seems Ya Fei really is someone capable of great things. She knows I have nothing but my word as proof, yet she still dares to give me the clearheart grass first. I won't forget this favor.

This works out well, though. I can use this opportunity to establish a good relationship with the Mittel Auction House. After all, I'll inevitably have dealings with them when I refine pills in the future.

He accepted the clearheart grass, then looked at Ya Fei and said,

"Don't worry, Sister Ya Fei. I'll honor my promise of a Third-tier Pill. Just prepare the ingredients needed to refine it, and I can do it for you anytime."

Hearing this, Ya Fei nodded, then escorted Xiao Yan out of the auction house.

Meanwhile, Jia Lie Ao's expression turned exceedingly ugly as he watched Xiao Yan actually take the clearheart grass away.

This Xiao Yan actually got to take the clearheart grass? Ya Fei really believed him?

Hmph, a piece of trash from the Xiao Clan dares to put on airs in front of me. He really doesn't know how to value his life.

With that thought, Jia Lie Ao gave a cold snort and followed him out of the auction house.

Just as Xiao Yan stepped through the Mittel Auction House's front doors, Jia Lie Ao caught up and blocked his path, speaking with a mocking expression.

"Xiao Yan, you really have the nerve to boast! Third-tier Pills? I bet you don't even know what a First-tier Pill looks like!"

"Here's some advice: hand over the clearheart grass, or I'll make you suffer today."

Xiao Yan was rather speechless at his words. He had only come for this clearheart grass today and hadn't intended to stoop to Jia Lie Ao's level, but he hadn't expected the fellow to chase him outside.

This Jia Lie Ao really clings like a haunting ghost. Still, this works out nicely. I can test the Forbidden Character Art I comprehended yesterday on him.

He looked at Jia Lie Ao and said flatly,

"Jia Lie Ao, I advise you to stop pestering me, or I won't be polite."

Jia Lie Ao immediately laughed in anger.

"You won't be polite? You, a mere One-Star Dou Zhe?"

"Xiao Yan, you really don't know how high the heavens are or how deep the earth runs. Today, I'll show you what a gap between Dou Zhe looks like."

With that, Jia Lie Ao unleashed his Dou Qi, and a powerful aura immediately surged from his body.

Judging by the strength of that aura, Jia Lie Ao was only a One-Star Dou Zhe.

Feeling Jia Lie Ao's aura, Xiao Yan remained completely unruffled.

After all, although he was only a Three-Star Dou Practitioner, he had comprehended the Forbidden Character Art just yesterday. Combined with his talent for heaven-defying comprehension, that was more than enough to deal with Jia Lie Ao.

We're both One-Star Dou Practitioners. In the past, he might have made me wary, but now...

Xiao Yan thought to himself, then stood where he was and quietly watched Jia Lie Ao.

Jia Lie Ao wasted no more words and hurled a punch straight at Xiao Yan. The wind howled around his fist; he was clearly striking to kill.

As Jia Lie Ao's punch came hurtling toward him, Xiao Yan didn't panic in the slightest. He merely shifted sideways and dodged it with ease.

Immediately afterward, Xiao Yan silently recited,

Forbidden Character Art.

In the next instant, an invisible force spread from Xiao Yan's body and enveloped Jia Lie Ao.

Jia Lie Ao felt the Dou Qi circulating inside him suddenly stall, as though something had sealed it.

What's going on? My Dou Qi...

Jia Lie Ao thought in shock, but before he could react, Xiao Yan's fist was already in front of him.

Although Xiao Yan's punch was a simple one, backed by his Three-Star Dou Practitioner Dou Qi, its power was astonishing. With a bang, Jia Lie Ao was sent flying backward by the blow and slammed straight into the nearby wall.

Immediately afterward, Jia Lie Ao spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed limply to the ground, his face deathly pale.

Xiao Yan walked over, glanced down at Jia Lie Ao sprawled on the ground, and said flatly,

"Trash is still trash."

With that, Xiao Yan couldn't be bothered to pay Jia Lie Ao any further attention and turned to leave. Lying on the ground, Jia Lie Ao watched his retreating figure with a heart full of hatred.

"Xiao Yan, you bastard from the Xiao Clan! You actually dared to attack me, and you even broke my arm..."

"This isn't over! I, Jia Lie Ao, swear I'll make you pay!"

Jia Lie Ao spoke through gritted teeth, his eyes brimming with venom.