Faced with this heaven-defying Supreme-Grade Pill Formula, Gu Ni had only one thought.
I must learn this formula, whatever the cost!
If I can master it, even if I throw away every other formula, this Supreme-Grade Pill Formula alone will give me the confidence to call myself a Second-Rank Advanced Alchemist!
The formula was simply that outrageous!
Not only were its medicinal effects powerful, its cost was astonishingly low!
Just think-which family in Wutan City would not need medicine that could repair the body, wash the marrow, and restore the meridians?
They would not merely need it-the demand would be enormous!
Under normal circumstances, medicine like this would surely be extremely expensive.
Among the major families, only a handful of core disciples would be qualified to use it!
But with the cost of this Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid so low, even allowing for ample profit, it would still be enough to drive every family in Wutan City mad!
And once he mastered this formula, he would inevitably become a figure whose every move carried weight in Wutan City!
Gu Ni rubbed his hands together, looking at Xiao Yan with barely contained excitement.
He wanted to ask Xiao Yan whether this Supreme-Grade Pill Formula was for sale.
Yet he feared that asking such a question would offend Master Li!
While he was still hesitating, Xiao Yan smiled and said, "Mr. Gu Ni, would you like to learn this formula?"
At those words, Gu Ni immediately nodded as hard as he could.
"Yes, yes! Master Li, I want to learn!"
Xiao Yan smiled.
Teaching Gu Ni this formula was an idea that had come to him in a flash of inspiration.
He had originally revealed it only to repay a favor and, along the way, use it to earn money at the auction house to buy medicinal ingredients in the future.
But seeing how deeply Gu Ni respected him, and how desperately he coveted the formula, Xiao Yan suddenly wondered whether he could seek something more.
Perhaps a source of support for the Xiao Clan after he left?
In a year, he would leave home to train and gain experience.
Before departing, he wanted to do one more thing for his clan.
By teaching Gu Ni the formula, he could ask him to look after the Xiao Clan in the future and make things easier for them when refining medicine and buying or selling materials.
That would certainly be a tremendous help to the Xiao Clan!
Looking at Gu Ni, Xiao Yan smiled. "Mr. Gu Ni, my disciple Xiao Yan is a member of the Xiao Clan here in Wutan City.
"In a year, once I have laid a solid foundation for him, I will take him away from Wutan City to train elsewhere.
"But my disciple cares deeply about his family. To let him leave with me without worries, I hope you will look after the Xiao Clan once we are gone.
"Would you agree to that condition, Mr. Gu Ni?"
Hearing this, Gu Ni immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
That counts as a condition?
Isn't that as easy as lifting a hand?
He was just about to nod in agreement when a thought suddenly struck him.
How could a favor earned by lifting a hand compare to one earned by giving my all?
He had a better idea!
"Master Li, the Mittel Auction House has always maintained a neutral position in Wutan City.
"Openly favoring the Xiao Clan would probably be inappropriate."
Seeing Xiao Yan's brow furrow, Gu Ni hurriedly said, "Please, Master Li, hear me out. It would be difficult to favor the Xiao Clan as a representative of the Mittel Auction House, but with a different identity, it would naturally be appropriate."
Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? In what capacity would you like to help the Xiao Clan, Mr. Gu Ni?"
Gu Ni smiled. "If you do not find me unworthy, Master Li, I would like to become your disciple!
"That way, you would have every justification for teaching me the formula. And once Xiao Yan and I become fellow disciples, the other families will have nothing to say about my favoring the Xiao Clan."
Xiao Yan looked at Gu Ni in surprise.
This old fellow really is a talent!
He even came up with an idea like that!
The difficult part was not thinking of the idea, but being willing, at Gu Ni's age, to swallow his pride and take Xiao Yan as his master!
Although Gu Ni saw him as something of a genius, he was still only a Third-Rank Alchemist in his eyes.
A Third-Rank Alchemist could certainly take disciples, but accepting an apprentice was one thing; accepting a Second-Rank Alchemist was rather presumptuous!
Xiao Yan had no idea how desperately Gu Ni wanted this formula!
Gu Ni was already so old!
He had long since given up hope of advancing to the third rank in alchemy!
His only remaining wish in life was to advance from a Second-Rank Beginner Alchemist to a Second-Rank Advanced Alchemist!
Now, not only was the opportunity right before his eyes, it came in the form of such an exceptional formula!
He was terrified that Xiao Yan would merely go through the motions, give him a rough outline, and never teach him anything deeper.
At his age, dignity could be precious if one called it precious, but if one called it worthless, it was not worth a single coin!
If he could exchange his dignity for Master Li teaching him the formula without holding anything back...
Then it would undoubtedly be an excellent bargain!
After considering it, Xiao Yan realized that this truly was an idea that benefited them both!
It was far more reliable than the simple transaction he had proposed!
He had always been practical and driven by tangible benefits; empty titles meant little to him.
Taking this elderly disciple might seem somewhat presumptuous, but if there were benefits to be had, why not do it?
Still, a few polite words were in order.
With a faint smile, Xiao Yan said, "Mr. Gu Ni, I can establish a master-disciple relationship between us, but let me make this clear beforehand: it will be a relationship in name. There is no need to stand on ceremony in everyday matters.
"I will do everything I can to teach you this formula, Mr. Gu Ni. Please do not forget the promise you made today."
Overjoyed, Gu Ni immediately had a maid pour tea and set up an incense table, then formally acknowledged his master on the spot.
Once the ceremony was over, Xiao Yan wasted no time and began instructing Gu Ni in the techniques for refining Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid.
He continued teaching for over two hours. Only when he saw that it was about time did Xiao Yan gather his medicinal ingredients and depart with an effortless air.
Before leaving, Xiao Yan told Gu Ni to practice diligently and said he would return in a month.
When Xiao Yan's black robe finally vanished from sight, Gu Ni let out a satisfied sigh.
"To think that good fortune would come to me in my old age.
"My long-cherished wish finally has a chance of coming true.
"I must be sure to attend to Master Li properly, so he will devote himself to teaching me this Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid Formula."
After pondering for a moment longer, Gu Ni said to Ya Fei, "Master Li is not staying with the Xiao Clan, and who knows when they will learn that Xiao Yan and I have become fellow disciples?
"Why don't I visit them first and formally establish this connection? It will also let Master Li see that I am putting my whole heart into this!
"Miss Ya Fei, would you care to come along?"
Ya Fei was rather dazed at that moment.
She considered herself someone who had seen plenty of the world.
Yet the scenes that had unfolded one after another today had left her dazzled!
First came a genius Alchemist, then godlike alchemy, then a Supreme-Grade Pill Formula.
Finally, there had been a brilliant exchange of interests, called an apprenticeship in name but a transaction in substance.
Ya Fei had worked alongside Gu Ni for years. She understood how he felt: once he had caught hold of a lifeline, he could not bear to let go and would risk everything to keep his grip.
Besides, according to Gu Ni, this formula truly was exceptional, worth fighting for regardless of the cost.
Thus, she did not consider his actions particularly undignified.
But after everything that had happened, she had developed a keen interest in this extraordinarily gifted and unconventional Master Li.
Coming back to her senses, Ya Fei smiled. "With such an astonishing master, surely the disciple he praised cannot be far behind!
"This is a good opportunity to meet him and build a friendly relationship."
And so, the two prepared another generous gift and headed to the Xiao Clan.
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