Fang Qian Qian's sudden arrival startled Xiao Yan slightly, but upon hearing the words from the latter, the expression on Xiao Yan's face instantly froze.
In the blink of an eye, what followed was boundless surprise and excitement.
Xiao Yan had thought he might stay here for ten days or half a month, but to his surprise, the Fire Plume Flower had already been located in just a few days. This was truly a pleasant surprise.
Fang Qian landed in the courtyard, first smiling and cupping his hands in greeting to Jin Yao, whose face darkened upon seeing him. Then he approached Xiao Yan, cupped his hands in greeting, and said with a smile:
"Hehe, sir, I've already sent someone to find out where the Fire Plume Flower you're looking for is."
Although he had already heard it clearly once before, hearing Fang Qian confirm it again made Xiao Yan even more excited.
"Thank you for your help, Steward Fang!"
Xiao Yan cupped his hands in a fist salute to Fang Qian in front of him and said with a joyful expression.
"Hehe, you're too kind, sir. It was nothing at all, no need to thank me. Besides, if it really helps you, it would be our good fortune. There's no need for thanks."
Fang Qian respectfully cupped his hands to Xiao Yan and smiled gently.
Hearing this, Xiao Yan smiled, but he didn't notice Jin Yao standing to the side. At this moment, her pretty face was gloomy. She thought that after she had finished dealing with the affairs of the Thousand Medicine Pavilion, she would be able to relax and spend a few days with Xiao Yan. But from the moment she finished dealing with the affairs of the Thousand Medicine Pavilion, Xiao Yan was about to leave in the blink of an eye.
While feeling regretful, Jin Yao was also overjoyed for Xiao Yan. From their conversation a few days ago, Jin Yao knew that Xiao Yan valued the Fire Plume Flower highly. Now that she had received news, she was naturally overjoyed. Unfortunately, Xiao Yan's departure left Jin Yao with sadness and disappointment.
"Well..."
With a helpless sigh, Jin Yao stood silently to the side, while Xiao Yan, after chatting and laughing with Fang Qian for a few moments, finally looked at the latter.
"Hehe, Sister Jin Yao, thank you for taking me in these past few days. Now that I know where the Fire Plume Flower is, it's time for me to leave."
Seeing the look of disappointment on Jin Yao's pretty face, Xiao Yan's eyes flickered slightly, but in the end, he still sighed helplessly in his heart.
Are you leaving soon?
Jin Yao raised her beautiful eyes, looking at Xiao Yan with a melancholy gaze, and said in a slightly lonely tone.
Seeing this, Fang Qian frowned slightly. He could naturally see that the relationship between Xiao Yan and Jin Yao was extraordinary. Although they had only met twice and were relatively new acquaintances, Xiao Yan's actions had deeply impressed Jin Yao, a Two-Star Dou Di. In particular, Xiao Yan's act of fighting for her, using his Half-Emperor strength to challenge Dou Di powerhouse, was an astonishing act that was undoubtedly the best way to win a woman's heart. Although it seemed a bit old-fashioned, it was certainly the most effective method, and this was being proven in Jin Yao's case.
"I'll go to the auction house first to find out more about the Fire Plume Flower, and I should be leaving today."
After a pause, Xiao Yan slowly spoke.
"Hehe, sir, why don't you chat with Master Jin for a while? There are still some matters to be resolved at the auction house, so I'll head back now."
Fang Qian's old eyes flickered slightly as he scanned the two people in front of him. After a moment, he smiled and spoke, then turned to leave.
"Etc!"
Jin Yao, who was facing Xiao Yan, suddenly turned around and quickly called out to Fang Qian, who was also turning around. At the same time, Xiao Yan also slowly turned around, a look of embarrassment flashing across his face, mixed with a sense of helplessness.
"Is there anything else, Master Jin?"
Fang Qian raised an eyebrow slightly, his old eyes looking at Jin Yao, then glancing at Xiao Yan beside her, and asked in a puzzled voice.
" Xiao Yan, you should go with him. I just remembered that there are still some things to take care of at the Thousand Medicine Pavilion, so I'm afraid I can't stay with you any longer."
Jin Yao turned her head and looked at Xiao Yan, forcing a smile.
All the affairs at the Thousand Medicine Pavilion had been settled, which was why Jin Yao had returned to the courtyard. Xiao Yan was aware of this. Jin Yao's words were merely an excuse; she didn't know what to say or how to say it to Xiao Yan after Fang Qian left.
To avoid an awkward situation between them, Jin Yao chose to leave, which would slightly lessen Xiao Yan's Xiao Yan of guilt and allow him to focus more on his own affairs.
After all, the Fire Plume Flower was extremely important to Xiao Yan.
Before Xiao Yan could speak, Jin Yao had already stepped into the air, a forced smile on her pretty face. With a swift movement, she quickly disappeared from the scene, leaving only Xiao Yan and Fang Qian in the courtyard in the blink of an eye.
"Well..."
He sighed helplessly, thinking that he had clearly told Jin Yao that he would tell her in advance when he left, but he did not expect that all of this would happen so suddenly.
The sun was high in the sky, and Xiao Yan would likely be able to leave Yan City soon after his trip to the Heavenly Cloud Auction House. But could this be considered leaving without saying goodbye? Although Jin Yao had learned of this in person, Xiao Yan still felt a sense of guilt.
"Mr. Xiao Yan, let's go."
Fang Qian saw the concerns and hesitation in Xiao Yan's heart, but for the sake of the important matter, Fang Qian had to wake Xiao Yan from this state.
Coming to his senses, Xiao Yan paused slightly, his gaze involuntarily turning towards the direction Jin Yao had left in. Because he was preoccupied with Xiao Yan, Jin Yao's departure was not in the direction of the Thousand Medicine Pavilion.
"Mr. Xiao Yan..."
"Let's go."
Fang Qian seemed to be getting impatient, but his voice remained calm, though it sounded like a slight tremor in a harp string, indicating that he was not at peace inside.
Xiao Yan interrupted Fang Qian, and with a swift movement, led the way, while Fang Qian followed beside him.
After he and Dong Chuan learned of Xiao Yan's identity, they no longer dared to treat him as superiors. Moreover, Xiao Yan himself was extraordinary. Now, when they faced Xiao Yan, it was as if he were a head above them without them realizing it. However, Xiao Yan didn't care about such things.
As Xiao Yan soared into the void, he flew forward, feeling the gazes cast upon him from the city below. Almost every person's eyes were filled with awe.
"Hehe, Mr. Xiao Yan is indeed quite powerful. After his last encounter with Lu Cheng, no one in Yan City would dare to be disrespectful to him now."
Fang Qian spoke with a smile, but his words inevitably carried a hint of flattery.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan smiled noncommittally. He still clearly remembered the disdainful and pitying looks these people had given him back then. It wasn't that Xiao Yan Xiao Yan a grudge; it was just that he had seen too much of this and no longer trusted anyone.
This kind of person is like a fox; one moment it might be smiling at you, but who knows if it will bite you the next?
The so-called "fence-sitters" are far more insidious than the rest.
Shortly after the scam, Xiao Yan and Fang Qian returned to the Heavenly Cloud Auction House. It was the same small courtyard, and Xiao Yan saw a figure standing there from afar. Needless to say, it was Dong Chuan.
As Xiao Yan and Fang Qian landed in the courtyard, Dong Chuan turned around, quickly exchanging a glance with Fang Qian before turning to Xiao Yan and laughing loudly:
"Haha, Mr. Xiao Yan, it's only been a few days, but you look so much better than you did a few days ago!"
Xiao Yan smiled. He really couldn't stand Dong Chuan's constant flattery right from the start.
"I've come here simply to inquire about the Fire Plume Flower. Chairman Dong, please speak frankly."
Following Dong Chuan's footsteps, Xiao Yan sat down at the stone table that had been prepared beforehand and slowly began to speak.
Seeing Xiao Yan get straight to the point, Dong Chuan and the other man exchanged bewildered glances. Their prepared explanations crumbled instantly at that one sentence.
"Well..."
"That's fine then. I know Mr. Xiao Yan has been waiting for a long time, so I won't waste any more words. We've confirmed the information about the Fire Plume Flower. Two months ago, a Fire Plume Flower did indeed appear, but it was already picked. Now, the owner of that Fire Plume Flower Fire Plume Flower wants to auction it off, and there's less than a month left until the auction."
After a slight pause, Dong Chuan decided to cut to the chase and spoke directly.
"An auction? A month later? Does Chairman Dong know where the auction will be held?"
Suppressing his excitement, Xiao Yan highlighted the key points in Dong Chuan's words.
"Yes, as far as I know, the auction will be held in a city called Xuan City, and unfortunately, Xuan City is located within the territory of the Heavenly Sword Sect."
Upon hearing Xiao Yan's words, Dong Chuan couldn't help but show a hint of surprise. However, he continued to speak, but what he said next made Xiao Yan frown.
Unexpectedly, the auction location for the Fire Plume Flower was chosen to be within the territory of the Heavenly Sword Sect. As a result, it is highly likely that we will run into the people of the Heavenly Sword Sect on this trip!
After the events at the Ancient Ruins, the Heavenly Sword Sect must hate him to the bone. With Xiao Yan's final Destruction Fire Lotus, the Heavenly Sword Sect suffered considerable losses, including two Three-Star Dou Di and the heir of the Huo Clan. If Xiao Yan's identity is exposed this time, he will likely attract the Heavenly Sword Sect's siege and killing!
Do you know the exact location of Xuan City?
Xiao Yan's brows were furrowed tightly, his face heavy. Last time, he was only able to leave alive because Leng Bingshuang intervened in time. But this time, without Leng Bingshuang Gu You, the only person Xiao Yan could rely on was himself.
"The location of Xuan City..."
Dong Chuan stopped abruptly as soon as he opened his mouth. He knew that the Fire Plume Flower was very important to Xiao Yan, but at the same time, he also knew that if he told Xiao Yan the exact location of Xuan City, he would likely face a life-or-death situation.
Seemingly anticipating Dong Chuan's concerns, Xiao Yan couldn't help but frown slightly. It was like a couple undressing, only to have the woman suddenly say she couldn't continue, making one feel anxious and uncomfortable.
However, Xiao Yan then smiled slyly, grinning at the latter with a playful expression, and said:
"We've already come this far, you can't just shut up now. Besides, since it's a city within the Heavenly Sword Sect Sect's territory, there must be quite a few people who know about it. Even if you don't tell me, I can find out by asking around."
Upon hearing this, Dong Chuan suddenly understood, and at the same time, he smiled helplessly. He glanced at Fang Qian and found that the latter was also looking at him with a wry smile. Immediately, the two of them sighed inwardly. Then, Dong Chuan looked up at Xiao Yan and said helplessly:
" Xuan City is located at the border between the Huo Clan and Bai Clan, a city jointly managed by both. Because of the Fire Plume Flower at this auction, it has attracted the attention of many powerful figures from both families, therefore..."
"Hehe, thank you for informing me Chairman Dong."
Before Dong Chuan could finish speaking, Xiao Yan smiled slightly, clasped his hands in a fist and bow to Dong Chuan, his smile appearing quite relaxed.
"Mr. Xiao Yan, aren't you worried about those two great families?"
Dong Chuan frowned, his words containing a hint of anger. He hadn't expected that after he said that, Xiao Yan not only didn't show the slightest concern, but instead remained calm and indifferent. Could it be that he wasn't worried about the Huo Clan and Bai Clan at all?
Hearing Dong Chuan's slightly warning words, Xiao Yan chuckled and shook his head. Seeing this, Dong Chuan immediately became anxious and hurriedly said:
"Mr. Xiao Yan, both families will send Dou Di experts to the scene. If that happens..."
"Hehe, Chairman Dong, why worry so much? It's not that time yet. Why be afraid before the battle even begins? That's the beginning of defeat. I don't think I'll be left behind. Since I dare to go, I naturally have my own ways of protecting myself. Donghui doesn't need to worry about that. Besides..."
Xiao Yan chuckled lightly, but suddenly stopped at the end of his sentence. At the same time, a glint of light flashed deep in the depths of Xiao Yan's eyes.
Seeing this, Dong Chuan sighed helplessly, hoping that Xiao Yan really had his own way of protecting himself. Otherwise, the trip to Xuan City would be troublesome. They did not want Xiao Yan, whom Luo Jin had instructed them to help, to lose his life because of them. This was not what Luo Jin wanted to see, nor did they want to see it either.
"Hehe, if there's nothing else of importance, I'll head back now."
After saying this, Xiao Yan turned around and was about to leave.
"Mr. Xiao Yan, are you going back? Going back where?"
As soon as Xiao Yan turned around, Fang Qian and Dong Chuan behind him were stunned for a moment. They looked at each other and then Fang Qian asked curiously.
"Heh, of course it's Thousand Medicine Pavilion."
Xiao Yan smiled faintly, but the two people behind him, whose brows were already furrowed, frowned even more deeply.
"Mr. Xiao Yan, Xuan City is quite a distance from Yan City. With less than a month left, if you continue to waste time like this, I'm afraid..."
"Don't worry, I'm confident in my abilities."
With his back to the two, Xiao Yan chuckled softly and waved his hand behind his back. Then, he leaped into the air and flew off in the opposite direction from the Thousand Medicine Pavilion.