Another Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill?

"So this is the Imperial Capital? This is my first time seeing such a magnificent city," Xiao Yi Xian said with heartfelt admiration.

Having grown up in a remote town, she had never visited the Jia Ma Empire's Imperial Capital before, and curiosity sparkled in her eyes.

Xiao Yan sighed softly as well. "Yes. Jia Ma Holy City is only the capital of the Jia Ma Empire, yet it's already this spectacular. It's hard to imagine what sights await in the even more prosperous Central Plains."

Although he had read the original Battle Through the Heavens in his previous life, there were many things a book simply could not convey.

Xiao Yi Xian tilted her head slightly, looking at Xiao Yan's youthful yet gallant profile, and a tender smile spread across her lovely face.

"No matter what magnificent sights the outside world holds, if you want to see them, I'll go with you someday."

Xiao Yan froze for a moment and turned to look at her.

"Sure!"

Their eyes met for only a moment before her pretty face flushed and she turned her head away again.

After a while, Xiao Yan said, "Have Little Lan land. Magical Beasts aren't allowed into the Imperial Capital without a permit, especially flying Magical Beasts like Little Lan."

"Mm!"

Soon, the two settled Little Lan somewhere suitable and entered the Imperial Capital.

The Imperial Capital bustled with activity, its broad streets flowing with an endless stream of carriages and people.

But Xiao Yan's destination was clear: the Mittel Auction House.

He and Xiao Yi Xian had each donned a black robe, concealing themselves completely.

After all, besides buying the ingredients for a Blood Lotus Pill and some ice spirit cold spring from the Mittel Family, he had also come to the Imperial Capital to strike a deal with Nalan Jie.

He concealed his face for two reasons: first, to avoid an awkward encounter with Nalan Jie, and second, because he would need to use heavenly flames to purge Nalan Jie's poison.

To avoid unnecessary trouble, he would keep complications to a minimum wherever possible.

As a business owned by the Mittel Family, the Mittel Auction House was also extremely well-known in the Imperial Capital.

Following directions from passersby, Xiao Yan soon found the Mittel Auction House.

Looking at the vast, luxurious complex at the end of the street, Xiao Yi Xian could not help remarking, "They say the Mittel Family is the wealthiest family in the Jia Ma Empire. Seeing this today, they certainly live up to their reputation."

Xiao Yan smiled. "The Mittel Family may possess immense wealth, but ever since their supreme elder, Hai Bodong, mysteriously disappeared, a clan leader with only Dou Wang cultivation hasn't been enough to hold the fort."

At the mention of Hai Bodong, the corners of Xiao Yan's mouth lifted slightly.

Honestly, he was quite interested in Ice Emperor Hai Bodong, that angel investor from the original story.

Although, aside from providing him with the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame Fragment Map, Hai Bodong could no longer offer him much help.

Xiao Yi Xian nodded in agreement.

Wealth without the strength to protect it was merely a delicious cake in other people's eyes, ready for anyone to take a bite at any moment.

The Mittel Family had remained unharmed not merely because a Dou Wang guarded it, but more importantly because the other factions still could not determine whether Ice Emperor Hai Bodong was dead.

The two soon entered the Mittel Auction House's main hall.

The auction hall was lavishly decorated, and dozens of guards with strength at least equal to a Dou Shi patrolled back and forth.

Xiao Yi Xian stuck out her tongue.

"Security really is tight here."

Xiao Yan laughed. "Isn't that obvious? Look at the items displayed in this hall. Which one isn't worth tens of thousands of gold coins? If they didn't guard them closely, who would take responsibility if someone stole or robbed them?"

"Mm... you have a point!"

"Let's keep going. This is only the outer section of the Mittel Auction House."

As he spoke, Xiao Yan led Xiao Yi Xian deeper into the hall.

Soon, they reached a large door, where two guards blocked their way.

With a brief probe, Xiao Yan immediately gauged their approximate strength.

Around the level of a five-star Da Dou Shi!

In some remote cities, they could practically rule the roost.

"Teacher, lend me a little of your power," Xiao Yan secretly communicated to Yao Lao.

The next instant, a surge of power erupted from within Xiao Yan.

Countless gazes in the hall instantly swung toward them, faces filled with shock.

"That power... could this senior be a Dou Huang expert?"

"Hard to say. But you can count the Jia Ma Empire's Dou Huang experts on one hand, so it's unlikely. This senior is probably a high-rank Dou Wang."

"That's still remarkable. Even at the Mittel Auction House, Dou Wang experts aren't a common sight!"

Throughout the hall, people watched from a distance and whispered among themselves.

The two Da Dou Shi guarding the door also paled and respectfully bowed to Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian.

"Please forgive us for offending you just now!"

"Beyond this door are the offices of the Mittel Family's senior members. May we ask what brings you here?"

Xiao Yan said evenly, "I have a deal I'd like to discuss with the person in charge of the Mittel Auction House. Please inform them."

In a place like the Mittel Auction House, revealing an appropriate amount of strength could save a great deal of unnecessary trouble.

Sure enough, before the guards could act, the door behind them suddenly opened.

An old man in white robes, with the Mittel Family emblem pinned to his chest, pushed open the door and stepped out.

The old man glanced at Xiao Yan, his manner respectful.

"I am the person in charge of the Mittel Auction House. Senior, whatever business you have, you may discuss it with me."

As he spoke, the white-robed old man raised a hand and respectfully ushered Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian into the room beyond the door.

Once they entered, the white-robed old man observed proper etiquette and did not ask about their identities.

With one of his guests at least a high-rank Dou Wang by a conservative estimate, he dared not show the slightest neglect, even as an elder of the Mittel Family's Elder Council.

"Seniors, what would you like to trade?" the white-robed old man asked respectfully.

Xiao Yan remained composed and said in a low voice, "I'd like to obtain some medicinal ingredients from your auction house."

As he spoke, he handed over a list.

The white-robed old man took it and read it, his gaze sharpening.

Good heavens!

Two stalks of blood lotus essence and one jin of ice spirit cold spring!

These were all exceedingly rare materials, especially the ice spirit cold spring, a treasure whose worth could not even be measured in gold coins!

Yet, faced with the ingredients on the list, the white-robed old man was even more concerned about the identity of the mysterious black-robed figure before him.

He asked softly and respectfully, "Senior, might you be an alchemist?"

Xiao Yan gave a noncommittal nod.

Sometimes, an alchemist's identity could be very useful.

Sure enough, once the white-robed old man received confirmation, his manner visibly grew even more respectful.

"To be frank, Senior, although these ingredients are rare, the Mittel Family still has a little in stock. May I ask what treasure you intend to offer in exchange?"

He could already guess that, since this mysterious figure was an alchemist, he would most likely offer pills in exchange for the materials.

Xiao Yan smiled faintly and turned his hand over, producing a white jade pill bottle.

Since he had known he would come to the Imperial Capital to trade for blood lotus essence and ice spirit cold spring, how could he have come unprepared?

For this transaction, while still in Wutan City, he had purchased a set of ingredients for a Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill through Ya Fei's connections and specially refined one.

"Would a peak fourth-grade pill suffice?"

The white-robed old man's pupils contracted slightly.

It seemed this senior was at least a peak fourth-grade alchemist.

He might even be fifth-grade.

As for whether a peak fourth-grade pill was enough to exchange for these ingredients, it certainly was.

Blood lotus essence was merely a principal ingredient used in certain fourth- and fifth-grade pills. Although ice spirit cold spring was more precious than blood lotus essence, a single jin was only worth about as much as a fourth-grade pill.

All things considered, exchanging those two materials for a peak fourth-grade pill would still leave the Mittel Auction House with a sizable profit.

Yet when he took the jade bottle and examined it, he froze.

Another Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill?