"You've come at an unfortunate time, nephew. Lord Lin Dong just went into seclusion, and he specifically instructed us not to disturb him unless he came out on his own."
Hearing his words, Xiao Zhan shook his head helplessly.
Seclusion?
How could there be such a coincidence?
Jia Lie Ao sneered inwardly, growing even more certain of his suspicions.
"Uncle Xiao, I have something important to discuss with Brother Lin. Why don't you tell me where he's cultivating? I'll go find him myself."
"If he truly gets angry, I'll take full responsibility."
With that thought in mind, Jia Lie Ao spoke again.
"No!"
"I already promised Lord Lin Dong that I would never let anyone disturb him."
"You should come back after Lord Lin Dong leaves seclusion, nephew!"
After a moment's consideration, Xiao Zhan shook his head.
Seeing this, Jia Lie Ao eavesdropped on Xiao Zhan's thoughts.
[I can't disobey Lord Lin Dong's instructions just for Jia Lie Ao.]
[As long as I can win Lord Lin Dong's favor, the Xiao Clan will still come out ahead, even without those Market Districts belonging to the Jia Lie Family.]
As Xiao Zhan thought this, he knew his refusal would most likely displease Jia Lie Ao.
That could cause the Xiao Clan's acquisition of the Jia Lie Family's Market Districts to fall through.
However, weighing the importance of the Market Districts against Lin Dong, Xiao Zhan decisively chose the latter.
Jia Lie Ao was speechless.
It seemed he would have no chance to confirm his suspicions.
But just as that thought settled in his mind, Xiao Yan, disguised as Lin Dong, suddenly arrived.
"Xiao Clan Leader, there was something I forgot to tell you earlier."
"That young lady named Xiao Mei from yesterday has quite good talent. I intend to take her as my 'personal disciple'!"
"What do you think?"
The moment he entered, Xiao Yan casually offered an excuse.
In truth, he had come mainly because of Jia Lie Ao, not to make Xiao Mei his "personal disciple."
Lin Dong?
He's actually still here?
Jia Lie Ao's pupils instantly contracted when he saw Xiao Yan.
Then he tried eavesdropping on his thoughts again, but still failed.
That completely convinced Jia Lie Ao of his identity.
There's no mistake!
This man is Lin Dong!
"Well... if Lord Lin Dong is willing to take Xiao Mei as his disciple, that would naturally be her honor!"
Shocked, Xiao Zhan hurriedly rose to his feet.
At the same time, he felt a little regret.
If only this opportunity had fallen into Yan'er's lap!
Could they really be two different people?
Or has Xiao Yan deceived even his own father?
At that moment, Jia Lie Ao happened to overhear Xiao Zhan's thoughts again.
After all, it wasn't as though Xiao Yan had never deceived his father in the original story.
"Mm, since you have no objections, Xiao Clan Leader, then it's settled!"
"When I leave, I'll take Xiao Mei with me."
Having said that, Xiao Yan prepared to leave.
But just as he turned around, Jia Lie Ao called out to stop him.
"Brother Lin, please wait!"
After calling out to Xiao Yan, Jia Lie Ao stood and walked toward him.
"Isn't this Brother Jia Lie?"
"What brings you here?"
Xiao Yan glanced back at Jia Lie Ao, feigning surprise.
"Hehe, I came to discuss business with the Xiao Clan Leader."
"Since you've happened to come out, Brother Lin, why not serve as our witness?"
Jia Lie Ao spoke with a smile.
"All right!"
"Make it as quick as you can. I still need to return to seclusion."
After considering it briefly, Xiao Yan nodded.
"Hehe, we won't take up too much of your time, Brother Lin."
With that, under Xiao Yan's witness, Jia Lie Ao transferred the Jia Lie Family's remaining Market Districts to the Xiao Clan.
He also agreed with Xiao Zhan that once the Xiao Clan had more funds available, they would pay off the outstanding amount in three installments.
"Since everything has been settled, I'll take my leave, Uncle."
Once the matter was finalized, Jia Lie Ao stood and addressed Xiao Zhan.
"Forgive me for not seeing you out!"
Xiao Zhan was still immersed in the news that Lin Dong would take Xiao Mei as his "personal disciple."
Thus, he did not even see Jia Lie Ao off.
"Brother Lin, could we speak in private?"
Jia Lie Ao did not mind. He merely wanted to speak with Xiao Yan alone.
"Of course!"
Xiao Yan nodded lightly. He also wanted to see what Jia Lie Ao had to say to him.
"Brother Lin, might you be interested in heavenly flames?"
Jia Lie Ao spoke to Xiao Yan with an air of mystery.
"Heavenly flames?"
"Though I'm not an alchemist, I wouldn't mind taming a heavenly flame to give myself another means of attack."
"Could it be that you know something about a heavenly flame, Brother Jia Lie?"
Xiao Yan's eyes flickered slightly before he put on an interested expression and asked.
"Hehe, I know a thing or two."
"Brother Lin, if I were to tell you what I know..."
Jia Lie Ao paused briefly. His meaning was obvious: he wanted to exchange information about a heavenly flame for some benefits.
"Information about a heavenly flame is indeed valuable. Whatever your request is, Brother Jia Lie, feel free to name it."
"Once I verify the information, I'll certainly fulfill your request."
Considering that Jia Lie Ao had only a few days left to live, Xiao Yan did not mind writing him a few empty checks.
"That's exactly what I was waiting to hear, Brother Lin."
"Brother Lin, could you recommend me so that I can join the Dao Sect and become one of its disciples?"
Jia Lie Ao revealed his aim.
The Dao Sect!
As long as he dares to let me join the Dao Sect, the truth will come to light.
After all, you can't possibly conjure an entire sect out of thin air, can you?
Even if you really could conjure up a sect, where would you get its disciples, sect master, and elders?
"That's a small matter!"
"Brother Jia Lie, you're already a Dou Ling at such a young age, and you're about to break through to Dou Wang. That talent is more than enough to become a disciple of our Dao Sect."
Naturally, Xiao Yan would not refuse such a minor request.
There was no harm in giving a dying man a few fantasies before his death.
That way, he would not die with his eyes open, unable to rest in peace.
"Since you're so obliging, Brother Lin, I naturally won't withhold the information about the heavenly flame."
"As far as I know, the Green Lotus Core Flame, ranked nineteenth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking, is in the Tagor Desert!"
"If you're interested, Brother Lin, you can go there and take a look."
"However, the Snake-People Tribe there is quite powerful, especially Queen Medusa, who is a Peak Dou Emperor."
"If you truly decide to go, Brother Lin, you must be careful!"
Naturally, Jia Lie Ao had no good intentions in telling him about the Green Lotus Core Flame.
He was thinking that he currently lacked the strength to steal Xiao Yan's opportunity.
But this mysterious Lin Dong can!
As long as he takes the Green Lotus Core Flame, Xiao Yan's path to advancement will become much more difficult.
Just as he was thinking this, the shadow clone Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun'er returned outside the Xiao Clan's residence.
Seeing Lin Dong and Xiao Yan appear at the same time, Jia Lie Ao completely abandoned the idea that Xiao Yan was Lin Dong.
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