Inside the small courtyard surrounded by high walls, three figures stood in the center: Xiao Yan, Fang Qian, and Dong Chuan.
At this moment, in the courtyard, Xiao Yan's face was calm, his eyes were as serene as ever, and he stretched out one hand in front of him, palm facing up. In his palm, a pure white jade fan stood gracefully.
At this moment, Dong Chuan and Fang Qian stared wide-eyed at the jade fan in Xiao Yan Xiao Yan's hand. Their cloudy old eyes were fixed on the fan. Both of them were surprised. They never expected that this fan would be in the hands of this black-robed youth.
It wasn't until much later, when the two gradually recovered from their shock, that they slowly raised their heads. They first looked at each other, both seeing a hint of surprise in each other's eyes, and then they both turned their gaze to Xiao Yan was holding a jade fan at the moment.
The expressions on the two old men's faces gradually became solemn, their eyes fixed on the person in front of them, and their Dou Qi began to circulate silently within them.
"May I ask, sir, where did you obtain this fan?"
Suddenly, Dong Chuan, the president of the association, clasped his hands in a deep fist salute to Xiao Yan, even changing the tone and form of his address.
As he finished speaking, Fang Qian, standing beside him, also fixed his gaze on the black-robed youth before him, his withered hands slowly clenching and clenching beneath his sleeves.
As Third-Tier Alchemist, Xiao Yan naturally noticed the unusual movements of the two old men before him. However, he also knew that this matter concerned the owner of the fan, so they had to be extra careful.
A gift from a friend.
Xiao Yan calmly put the jade fan into his pocket, and at the same time, he stared at Dong Chuan and said in a flat tone.
"Yes, that's what we'd like to hear... But how can you prove, sir, that this fan was indeed a gift from someone else?"
Dong Chuan nodded in agreement, but then spoke again, his words still filled with doubt.
As he said this, Dong Chuan's gaze at Xiao Yan became even more solemn and profound. If the person in front of him couldn't answer even the slightest question, no matter how talented he was in cultivation, he wouldn't be able to leave this place today!
"My proof is my identity."
Xiao Yan remained calm, but the words he uttered caused the two people in front of him to frown slightly. What kind of proof was this?
"Then please prove your identity. If you cannot, then my brother and I will have to ask you to stay here for the time being."
Dong Chuan spoke in a slightly sinister tone, and as he uttered the other words, a faint aura of Dou Qi qi gradually rose from the surface of his body.
Fang Qian, standing to the side, also unleashed his own Dou Qi. If the situation changed, the two of them would immediately capture Xiao Yan.
"My name is Xiao Yan."
Xiao Yan smiled faintly, his lips parted slightly, and as he uttered those four words, a thought flashed through his mind. The instant his words fell, a dazzling flame suddenly rose into the air in front of him with a soft "Xiao Yan." Along with the flame's rise, the temperature in the small courtyard where the three of them stood suddenly increased significantly, and even many of the plants planted in the courtyard quickly turned yellow and withered.
"This... you are..."
"You're Xiao Yan?!"
Looking at the magnificent flames rising before them and hearing Xiao Yan's words, the two elders had no doubt that the person before them was indeed Xiao Yan, who was now famous throughout the Western Region!
"Do you believe me now?"
Xiao Yan smiled and nodded. This Brushing Jade Fan was a gift from Luo Jin Xiao Yan he left Lengcui City, intended so that Xiao Yan could find help in time if he encountered trouble in the future. It was also at that time that Xiao Yan learned that the so-called Heavenly Cloud Auction House was actually in cahoots with the Cloud-Hidden Pavilion. On the surface, the two were unrelated, but in reality, they were both forces under Luo Jin's command. When he first learned this, Xiao Yan was extremely surprised, but after thinking of Elder Luo, he felt relieved.
Elder Luo is an incredibly powerful figure. With him backing him up, it wouldn't be difficult for Luo Jin to establish a force.
"We've been hearing that Mr. Xiao Yan dealt a heavy blow to the Four Great Clans at the Ancient Ruins a few months ago. My brother and I have long hoped to meet you, and we never expected to actually do so now. As for what happened before, it was our disrespect that led to this; we hope Mr. Xiao Yan will forgive us!"
Upon confirming the identity of the person before him, Dong Chuan's aged face immediately revealed an excited expression. He had received a report that if Xiao Yan were to arrive one day and needed help, no matter how much manpower and resources were required, everyone in the Cloud-Hidden Pavilion and Heavenly Cloud Auction House must cooperate fully. The person who gave this order was none other than Luo Jin, the Pavilion Master of the Cloud-Hidden Pavilion!
Initially, he only hoped to meet Xiao Yan someday. After all, both the latter's talent and his relationship with Luo Jin made Dong Chuan value him highly. But now, the opportunity has come, and it seems that the latter has come with a specific purpose.
However, upon recalling what had happened earlier, Dong Chuan couldn't help but feel ashamed. He then bowed to Xiao Yan, his aged face filled with apology.
"Hehe, Chairman Dong, there's no need to take it to heart. What happened just now was merely a precaution, which is only human nature. I admire your continued suspicion of me under those circumstances. If it were me, I would have dispelled all my doubts upon seeing the Buddha Jade Fan. If the other party turned out to be an imposter, I would have been in danger. Chairman Dong's approach is indeed the safest way to ensure safety."
Upon seeing Dong Chuan bow, Xiao Yan quickly helped him up, while his eyes darted around and he smiled, his words laced with flattery.
Upon hearing this, Dong Chuan and Fang Qian. Although they both knew that Xiao Yan's words were meant to comfort them, then again, who would mind being praised by others?
The three chatted and laughed, flattering each other, and the atmosphere in the courtyard quickly became warm and friendly again.
"We had heard that Mr. Xiao Yan had contacted us about something, but we don't know if there's anything we can help you with. We will do our best to assist you in any way we can."
Suddenly, Dong Chuan changed the subject and asked Xiao Yan again.
Now that he has revealed his identity, Dong Chuan will naturally do his best to help Xiao Yan. Unlike before, this time, he is not only doing so because Luo Jin gave the order, but also because he hopes to get closer to the latter.
Just like what he said to Fang Qian before he knew Xiao Yan's true identity, it would be such a pity if such a cultivation genius could not be recruited.
Upon hearing this, Fang Qian, who was standing to the side, also looked at Xiao Yan. If they could get closer to Xiao Yan, it would undoubtedly be of great benefit to their future, and they would naturally not miss such an opportunity.
Getting to the point, Xiao Yan's expression quickly returned to normal. After a moment's hesitation, he raised his head, looked at Dong Chuan, and said:
"Indeed, I came to Heavenly Cloud Auction House hoping to find a medicinal herb with your help."
Upon hearing Xiao Yan's words, the two people in front of him immediately smiled. Clearly, Xiao Yan's words were exactly what they had expected.
As an alchemist, the only other purpose of coming to the auction house besides searching for pill formulas is probably to find medicinal herbs.
"Hehe, Mr. Xiao Yan, please feel free to ask what medicinal herbs you require. As long as my Heavenly Cloud Auction House has them, I will not hesitate to provide them. Even if I don't have them, I guarantee I will find information about them for you within a month!"
Dong Chuan grinned, patting his still-strong chest with his withered hand, looking as if he could handle everything. This scene made Xiao Yan feel very comfortable, and his goodwill towards the two of them increased significantly.
The Ice Spirit Pill is extremely important to Xiao Yan now, and the Fire Plume Flower is one of the key ingredients for refining the Ice Spirit Pill. He probably can't find any clues about the Fire Plume Flower on his own right now, but if he can get help from the Heavenly Cloud Auction House, then things will be different.
"In that case, thank you very much, Chairman Dong!"
Xiao Yan Xiao Yan his hands in a deep fist salute to Dong Chuan, a smile appearing on his face. However, his eyes quickly lit up with anticipation as he fixed his dark gaze on Dong Chuan and asked expectantly:
"I wonder if the auction house carries the medicinal herb Fire Plume Flower?"
As Xiao Yan finished speaking, the two old men in front of him couldn't help but frown slightly. Clearly, they had also heard of this Fire Plume Flower.
Despite this, the two still frowned and fell into deep thought, hoping to provide the greatest possible assistance to Xiao Yan as needed.
Unfortunately, after a moment, Dong Chuan shook his head with a furrowed brow, expressing his helplessness, while Fang Qian beside him remained deep in thought with a furrowed brow.
"No, this Fire Plume Flower is extremely valuable. In our memory, we haven't heard of it for over a decade, and our Heavenly Cloud Auction House seems to have never handled such a medicinal herb before."
Upon hearing this, a hint of disappointment flashed across Xiao Yan Xiao Yan's face. However, he quickly raised his head again and asked with a puzzled look in his eyes.
"Since you don't have it here, he doesn't know if Heavenly Cloud Auction House branches exist in other cities..."
"No, Heavenly Cloud Auction House has specific rules. Any auctioned item with an excessively high value will be recorded. We, the presidents who share the profits, will all see those lists. And as far as I can remember, Fire Plume Flower is not on any of those lists I've seen."
Before Xiao Yan could finish speaking, Dong Chuan interrupted him with a helpless expression. Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan's expression turned somewhat ugly. He hadn't expected that even the Heavenly Cloud Auction House couldn't find the Fire Plume Flower. Didn't that mean that finding the Fire Plume Flower was hopeless?
The Heavenly Cloud Auction House has influence throughout the Western Region. If even they can't find it, then other ordinary forces probably can't either.
Thinking of this, Xiao Yan couldn't help but feel a little unwilling. He had gone through a lot of hardships to gather the ingredients for refining the Ice Spirit Pill. Now that he was about to gather the ingredients, he was missing the Fire Plume Flower at this crucial moment. What should he do?
"Damn it! Is it really impossible to find it?!"
With a low growl of resentment, Xiao Yan steeled his resolve, his hand clenching tightly beneath his sleeve, a fierce look appearing on his face.
"If all else fails, let's try our luck in the Western Wilderness Region. Although it's treacherous there, there are many powerful individuals. Perhaps that's where we can hope to find the Fire Plume Flower."
"Mr. Xiao Yan, please don't be anxious. The Fire Plume Flower is, after all, a rare and precious medicinal herb with considerable value. I heard someone mention it not long ago, that it was indeed discovered in a certain mountain range. However, it seems that someone else has already obtained it. As for the exact details, I don't know. But please stay in Yan City for a few more days, and my Xiao Yan Heavenly Cloud Auction House will do its utmost to help you find it. Is that alright?"
Just as Xiao Yan was feeling utterly dejected, Fang Qian, who had been silent, suddenly seemed to have thought of something and spoke solemnly to Xiao Yan.
Fang Qian's words were undoubtedly like a lifeline, falling into Xiao Yan's hands just when he was about to sink deeper into the mire, rekindling Xiao Yan's almost desperate heart.
" Steward Fang really telling the truth?!"
Xiao Yan suddenly looked up, his eyes wide open, staring intently at Fang Qian in front of him, his words filled with boundless excitement.
"Mr. Xiao Yan, please rest assured, Heavenly Cloud Auction House will do everything in its power to find the Fire Plume Flower for Xiao Yan!"
"Then I'll leave it to you!"
Fang Qian chuckled softly, while Xiao Yan's expression grew even more excited. He hadn't expected that Fang Qian's words at this crucial moment would give him hope again.
"If you two can help me find the Fire Plume Flower, I promise I will repay you with two fourth-grade pills in the future!"
Xiao Yan clasped his hands in a deep fist salute to the two people in front of him and said in a firm tone.
Upon hearing this, a look of surprise flashed across the faces of Dong Chuan and the other man. What kind of pill could Xiao Yan be making to earn such a promise?