Why had the white-robed elder said "again"?
The reason was simple!
A year earlier, Wutan City had sent two Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pills to the Imperial Capital for auction.
Even alchemists who had just reached the fifth grade had a low success rate when refining Peak Fourth-Grade Pills such as the Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill.
And there was only one fifth-grade alchemist in the entire Jia Ma Empire: Fa Ma, president of the Alchemist Guild.
Of course, Gu He was sixth-grade!
At that thought, the white-robed elder drew a deep breath. He had already begun treating the black-robed figure before him as though he were Fa Ma.
Taking another deep breath, the white-robed elder said solemnly, "To be frank, Senior, our Mittel Family has gained quite an advantage in this trade.
"How about this? On behalf of the Mittel Family, I will give you an additional Fourth-Tier Magic Core."
Of course, the white-robed elder's gesture was also intended to sow the seeds of a good relationship.
After all, another friend meant another road open to them. That had always been the Mittel Family's guiding principle.
Naturally, Xiao Yan would not refuse the goodwill the white-robed elder offered.
He was short on magic cores, especially high-tier ones.
Unfortunately, high-tier magic cores were scarce, especially in a remote little city like Wutan City. Otherwise, he could have bought a few more before leaving.
After they left the Mittel Auction House, Xiao Yi Xian remarked, "That old gentleman really knew how to win people over. He even gave us an extra Fourth-Tier Magic Core."
Beneath his black robe, Xiao Yan smiled faintly. "That's the benefit of being powerful. Everyone wants to be your friend."
Having successfully traded for the materials he needed, Xiao Yan was naturally in excellent spirits. This meant he could begin devouring the heavenly flames.
Once he devoured the myriad beast spirit flame and the green lotus core flame, his strength would undergo another tremendous surge.
Just thinking about it made him happy!
"Xiao Yan, where are we going next?" Xiao Yi Xian asked curiously beside him.
Xiao Yan was about to say they would visit the Nalan Family, but when he looked up, the sky had already darkened. Instead, he said:
"Let's find somewhere to stay first. Tomorrow, we'll go to the Nalan Family and purge Old Master Nalan's poison. After that, we can return to Little Mountain Valley."
At his words, the corners of Xiao Yi Xian's lips lifted slightly, and delight appeared on her lovely face.
Little Mountain Valley held an extraordinary significance for her.
If possible, she naturally hoped to return to the valley with Xiao Yan and resume their life there.
Of course, she also knew that was impossible.
Xiao Yan's journey should lead him to the distant Central Plains, to the boundless sea of stars.
Simply being able to stay by Xiao Yan's side was enough for her.
That night, the upper echelons of the entire Imperial Capital lay awake until dawn.
First among them was the Mittel Family.
After seeing Xiao Yan off, the white-robed elder had immediately returned to the family himself and reported everything he knew to the patriarch, Mittel Tengshan.
As a result, the Mittel Family had the most complete information.
They knew that the mysterious black-robed figure who had suddenly appeared was not only immensely powerful, but also very likely a fifth-grade alchemist.
The other factions in the Imperial Capital knew only that the mysterious black-robed figure was suspected to be a High-Rank Dou Wang.
Meanwhile, within the heavily guarded imperial palace.
An old man in plain hemp clothing stood beside a lake shimmering with ripples. Despite his simple attire, he radiated the imposing authority of someone accustomed to standing above others.
Behind him stood a tall, coldly beautiful woman dressed in luxurious brocade robes.
The coldly beautiful woman bowed slightly to the hemp-robed elder, then reported the information that had come from the Mittel Auction House.
After hearing her account, the hemp-robed elder's cloudy eyes, within which a sharp glint lurked, narrowed slightly.
"A High-Rank Dou Wang, or even a Dou Emperor?"
"When did someone like that appear in the Jia Ma Empire?"
"Could it be an old acquaintance?"
The hemp-robed elder murmured to himself.
After considering it for a moment, he instructed gravely, "Regardless of who he is, as long as he doesn't cause trouble in the Imperial Capital, leave him alone."
A powerful figure who might be a Dou Emperor certainly could not be offended lightly.
The Jia Ma Imperial Family was already tossed about by wind and rain. Offending another powerful figure like this would clearly be unwise.
"I understand, Great-Grandfather!" the coldly beautiful woman replied solemnly.
Their identities were now quite clear.
He was Jia Xingtian, the guardian of the Jia Ma Imperial Family and a peak Dou Emperor.
And she was Princess Yao Ye of the Jia Ma Empire!
The next day!
As Xiao Yan stepped out of the restaurant with Xiao Yi Xian, he swept his gaze over their surroundings. The sensation of being watched from the shadows instantly vanished without a trace.
Xiao Yan smiled faintly. It seems what I did at the Mittel Auction House yesterday drew quite a bit of attention!
Seeing this, Xiao Yi Xian paused briefly, then asked curiously, "What is it?"
Xiao Yan shook his head and said softly, "Nothing. Let's go!"
"All right!"
After asking around, the two soon arrived outside the Nalan Family estate.
As one of the Three Great Families of the Jia Ma Empire, the Nalan Family employed high-rank Dou Shi even as guards at its gates.
No sooner had Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian approached than they experienced the same reception they had received at the Mittel Auction House the day before.
Upon noticing that Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian intended to enter, the Nalan Family guards stepped forward and blocked their path.
Although Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian wore black robes and masks, concealing their true appearances.
The two guards remained respectful.
"This is the Nalan Family estate. What business do you two have here?"
Xiao Yan deliberately made his voice sound old and slightly hoarse. "I heard that your former patriarch was injured by a Fifth-Tier Magical Beast, an Iron Poison-Brand Python, and afflicted with brand poison. I fear he has little time left.
"I have come today specifically to cure your former patriarch's poison."
Upon hearing this, the guard immediately dared not delay.
"Please wait a moment, sir. I will report this at once."
With that, he gave the guard beside him a meaningful look, then hurried into the estate.
Before long, an elderly man rushed out.
At the sight of him, the remaining guard immediately bowed.
This man had served as the Nalan Family's steward for decades and was himself a Dou Ling, giving him an extremely high standing within the family.
Upon arriving, the elder looked Xiao Yan up and down, his pupils contracting slightly.
Dressed like this... could he be the mysterious expert who appeared at the Mittel Auction House yesterday?
The thought flashed through the elder's mind, and his manner became even more earnest.
"Sir, you said you could cure our former patriarch's poison. Is that truly so?"
Without the slightest shift in his emotions, Xiao Yan calmly nodded.
Overjoyed, the elder immediately said earnestly, "If you can save our former patriarch, sir, the Nalan Family will never forget your great kindness."
Xiao Yan waved a hand and said calmly, "I am completely confident that I can cure the old gentleman's poison, but I also have a condition."
"Please name it, sir!" the Nalan Family steward said without hesitation.
"I hear the Nalan Family has a treasured portion of seven illusory azure spirit saliva. I wonder whether you would be willing to part with it."
At the mention of seven illusory azure spirit saliva, the Nalan Family steward froze briefly. Hesitation flickered across his face, but in an instant, it gave way to resolve.
"Very well. As long as you can purge our former patriarch's poison, our Nalan Family will present the seven illusory azure spirit saliva to you with both hands."
Beneath his black robe, Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow.
"Can you make that decision?"
The Nalan Family steward replied solemnly, "With our former patriarch's life at stake, even the patriarch would agree.
"For only our former patriarch is the true pillar that steadies the seas for the Nalan Family."
Hearing this, Xiao Yan said no more.
"In that case, take me to your former patriarch."
"This way, please, sir!"
The Nalan Family steward bowed slightly and moved alongside Xiao Yan to lead the way.
Before you continue