As luck would have it, I'm free today

"Tsk, I really am such a good person..."

Had someone else been in her shoes, wouldn't they have bowed their head and admitted defeat when the engagement was broken, then declared it grounds for death once they rose to power?

Xiao Yan wrote Nalan Jie a reply, saying she did not care about the broken engagement, only the Xiao Clan's dignity. (Though she left the latter half unsaid.)

She also said in the letter that she would certainly pay him a visit when she had time.

Of course, whether she had time was entirely up to her.

After dealing with those three gift lists, Xiao Yan picked up the last one and found, written in plain sight-a sixth-rank beast flame from the Misty Cloud Sect.

"..."

"Sigh... send it back to the Misty Cloud Sect!"

Xiao Yan rubbed her fingers together. Ganlan water flame appeared at her fingertips and burned the final gift list to ashes.

She had already sided with the Imperial Family. The Nalan Family was itself one of the Jia Ma Empire's three great families, and it had no Dou Emperor.

Thus, making peace with the Nalan Family was perfectly understandable. Even Nalan Yan being the Misty Cloud Sect Chief Disciple did not change that.

But the Misty Cloud Sect and the Imperial Family were natural enemies. Having accepted the Imperial Family's investment, Xiao Yan could no longer have any dealings with the sect.

Well... at least none that anyone discovered.

Sure enough, when the old woman beside her saw Xiao Yan specifically burn the Misty Cloud Sect's gift list, a sincere smile spread across her face.

Once everything here was settled, Xiao Yan asked the old woman where the capital's largest Mittel Auction House was.

"Would you like to visit the auction house, my lady?"

Xiao Yan: "..."

What kind of question is that? Why would I ask if I weren't going?

Some of these "courtesies" really were unnecessary.

"Yes. Make the arrangements for me."

"Of course. Please wait a moment, my lady..."

The old woman immediately arranged a carriage for Xiao Yan and accompanied her as a "guide."

Xiao Yan did not refuse. She could communicate with Apothecary through her thoughts whenever necessary, so having someone beside her posed no obstacle.

Upon arriving at the auction house, Xiao Yan was immediately welcomed inside as an honored guest.

The person receiving her was not Ya Fei. After all, Ya Fei was still on her "assignment" in Wutan City to gain experience, and probably would not return for another year or two.

Instead, the person receiving Xiao Yan this time was a middle-aged man who "looked honest and dependable."

And since this manager was unimportant, his introduction... would be skipped.

Xiao Yan got straight to the point, asking whether they had any special items that could strengthen or restore soul power.

It was perfectly normal for an alchemist to want such things. Even if she came in person without using an "alternate identity," her inquiry would not arouse suspicion.

"My lady," the manager said, "wondrous items capable of restoring soul power are exceedingly rare. Even our Mittel Auct-"

"Do you have any or not? I don't want to hear anything else."

"Well... my lady, our Mittel Auction House indeed has none. However, to my knowledge, the Nalan Family possesses a peculiar plant called seven illusory azure spirit saliva."

"An extremely mysterious liquid can be refined from this plant's roots and stem, and that substance is the finest medicine for restoring soul power..."

Since this was hardly a "secret" in the capital, the manager divulged it without any misgivings.

"The Nalan Family... tsk, troublesome-tell me more."

"Certainly, my lady. To explain this, we must begin with the story of Old Master Nalan and a fifth-tier magical beast, a Branding Iron Poison Seal Python..."

The corner of Xiao Yan's mouth twitched. He really did not need to go into that much detail.

Still, she did not interrupt, listening as the manager recounted the story.

"...As an esteemed alchemist, my lady, you must know how formidable this poison is. Records contain no shortage of sixth-rank magical beasts poisoned to death by Branding Iron Poison Seal Pythons despite their difference in rank..."

"...Get to the point..."

"Yes, yes... the Nalan Family has offered a handsome sum, seeking alchemists with heavenly flames far and wide... and that seven illusory azure spirit saliva is among the rewards offered."

Finally obtaining the information she wanted, Xiao Yan thanked the manager out of courtesy, then stood up and left.

Although she had bought nothing and had merely come in, looked around, and asked a few questions, the manager still respectfully escorted Xiao Yan out.

"Where shall we go next, my lady?" asked the old woman serving as her "guide" once they were aboard the carriage.

"Let's pay the Nalan Family a visit."

Then Xiao Yan said nothing more, closing her eyes to feign sleep.

Wisely, the old woman asked no further questions and instructed the driver to head for the Nalan Mansion. Meanwhile, Xiao Yan communicated with Apothecary in her mind:

"Teacher, would that seven illusory azure spirit saliva be useful to you?"

"Yes, but it's quite valuable. The Nalan Family won't hand it over lightly-girl, do you have a way?"

This concerned Apothecary's own strength and, on a larger scale, both her and Xiao Yan's safety-at present, she was probably only strong enough to wrestle with a Dou Emperor.

(Early in the original story, Yao Lao and Hai Bodong together failed to stop the Heavenly Snake Mansion's two Dou Emperors from leaving. Though Hai Bodong had not fully recovered his strength at the time, this still showed that Yao Lao definitely lacked Dou Zong-level strength. The same reasoning applied here.)

But if she obtained that seven illusory azure spirit saliva, she might recover directly to the Dou Zong level.

Then, even in the worst-case scenario, if she encountered the Soul Hall Protector here, she would be able to protect herself.

Thus, Apothecary abandoned her usual casual manner and asked seriously.

Although the Nalan Family had no Dou Emperor, and she could simply "possess" Xiao Yan to steal... ahem, "borrow" it, successfully "borrowing" it that way would be... beneath her dignity as a soul.

Besides, to avoid exposure as much as possible, she was better off taking action as little as she could-Xiao Yan was already dazzling enough.

Perhaps the Soul Hall had yet to notice Xiao Yan, or perhaps it had noticed but intended to "fatten her up before the slaughter."

In short, they were currently in a delicate balance. If Apothecary exposed herself, it could bring endless trouble.

Having already died once, she ought to be more "mature."

Better to play it safe.

"I have a few ideas," Xiao Yan replied in her mind. "Teacher, that brand poison-is it..."

"..."

After some discussion, Xiao Yan had a plan.

"That makes things easy. Teacher, just watch me work when the time comes..."

"What's your plan? Let's hear it."

"I can't say. It won't work if I say it out loud."

"Tch, still trying to be mysterious..."

Apothecary genuinely could not imagine what "clever shortcut" Xiao Yan had in mind, so she simply "muted herself" and "awaited good news."

This girl had no shortage of crafty ideas.

Soon, the carriage arrived outside the Nalan Mansion.

Stepping down from the carriage and approaching the imposing residence, Xiao Yan could not help marveling at the Nalan Family's considerable wealth.

With such riches and influence, they left the present Xiao Clan so far behind it could not even glimpse their dust.

Although Wutan City could be considered a "medium-to-large city" in the Jia Ma Empire, it still fell considerably short of the capital.

But now that she had secured the Imperial Family's investment, it probably would not be difficult for the Xiao Clan to put down roots in the capital again.

In Xiao Yan's view, she did not need to reach the seventh rank. Once she became a Sixth-Rank Alchemist, the Jia Ma Imperial Family would have to start watching her expression before acting.

Xiao Yan believed that with her talent, becoming a Sixth-Rank Alchemist would not be difficult. Until then, it would not matter if they imposed a few restrictions on her.

In any case, she would not declare that the Jia Ma Imperial Family had "courted death." Besides, beyond "investing," the Imperial Family might not impose many restrictions on her-or dare to.

Putting those thoughts aside, Xiao Yan took a few steps forward and arrived at the Nalan Mansion's main entrance.

Hadn't she just replied to the Nalan Family, saying she would visit when she had time?

As luck would have it, your girl was free today!