Otto stepped forward, opened the door, but before anyone had fully entered, a powerful surge of energy carried a thick wave of black powder erupted from within the room. The sudden development startled Xiao Yan slightly, who stepped back cautiously, quickly grasping his Xuanzhong Chi-Staff against his back and slightly bowing his body. As the black powder was about to spill out, Otto frowned, then swept his sleeve with a strong motion, generating an even more forceful energy that sent the powder flying back into the room. Once the black powder had dispersed, the cluttered and dusty interior of the room came into view. Wiping his hands, Otto turned to Xiao Yan, who remained cautious, and smiled gently. "This old fellow always likes to play tricks on people. The black powder wasn't strong enough to cause poisoning, but if it lands on your skin, it'll itch terribly." Gently loosening his grip on the ruler's handle, Xiao Yan shook his head with a wry smile, realizing that this old man truly was a bit eccentric. "Come on, follow me. Don't touch anything." With a smile, Otto stepped into the room first, and after a brief hesitation, Xiao Yan followed closely behind. Otto nodded, glanced down at the robe that had been melted into several small holes by a corrosive liquid earlier at the staircase, and with a slight twitch at the corners of his mouth, gritted his teeth: "That old fool—doesn't even know how to properly prepare potions. He's always playing these behind-the-scenes games..." Hearing his complaints, Xiao Yan's lips curled into a smile, and he could only silently chuckle within himself. "What's proper potion-making? Where's the properness in all the things I've got? You old rogue—don't think because you're the vice president of the Herbalist's Guild that I'll let you go without a fight!" As Xiao Yan silently chuckled, a sharp, elderly voice of anger suddenly erupted from the room at the far end of the corridor. "You're the real rogue!" With a roll of his eyes, Otto sighed, waved his robe, and led Xiao Yan down the corridor, finally stepping outside the room and then forcefully kicked the wooden door. "Clang!" The sole of his foot struck the door, and a clear, resonant sound of steel suddenly echoed from the door. Seeing this, Xiao Yan's eyes twitched slightly, turned his head, and, with good judgment, stepped back a few paces, observing Otto, whose face had nearly twisted into a contortion. "Hah! Old guy! After you kicked out a door last time, I had it specially replaced with a reinforced steel one! Hah! Isn't that something?" The room once again rang with Otto's elderly, booming laughter—this time, laced with a touch of envy and amusement. "Old fool!" gasping for breath, Otto's face gradually turned ashen, and strong ki began to rise steadily from his body, eventually enveloping him like a blazing flame. "Such powerful ki... his strength must be at least at the Spirit Soul level!" Observing the deep yellow ki swirling around Otto's form, Xiao Yan hurried to step back another two paces, marveling inwardly. His body enveloped in ki, Otto once again drove a powerful kick at the sturdy iron door. "Boom!" A deep resonant sound echoed down the corridor, and the door was launched straight into the room. "Ah, old fool! You actually meant it!" A startled cry came from inside as the door flew in. "Hmph." With a stern expression, Otto stepped into the room with slightly uncoordinated movements, scanning the space before his gaze settled on an elderly man dressed in disheveled garments. He scoffed, "Gut, do you think I'll one day write down everything you've hidden in your treasure room and publish it all?" "Hehe, don't be so serious, please," the gray-robed elder quickly waved his hands, stepping forward with a polite smile. "Hmph." With a sweeping motion of his sleeve, Otto turned to the door and said, "Xiao Yan, come in." "Uh, you brought someone else? What do you want now?" Seeing Otto's actions, Güt's eyes widened, and he spoke with cautious deliberation. With a dismissive grunt, Otto paid no mind to this overly nervous fellow. Slowly approaching the house, Xiao Yan habitually scanned the room. As his gaze passed over the various crystal stands on the desk, a look of astonishment quickly settled on his face. "Fireheart Seven-leaf Flower? Blood Crystal Grass? Blue Rock Heart Stone?..." Gazing at these rare treasures—each one already uncommon—gathered all in one place, Xiao Yan found himself gradually opening his mouth in wonder. The collection here was truly exceptional. "Huh, huh... Young man, what are you staring at? Planning on making a move on my treasures?" Seeing Xiao Yan's expression, Güt hurried over, glaring at him with fierce determination. "Hmm..." With a slightly awkward smile, Xiao Yan shifted his gaze, his eyes fixed on the disheveled elder before him, finding it hard to believe that such a slender, frail old man could be the very brother of Guo He, the renowned Dan King of the Jima Empire. "Excuse me, Master Guo," Xiao Yan said with a warm smile, "I've never seen so many rare treasures in all my life. Looking at the vast collection here, I'd say there's hardly anyone in the Jima Empire who could match you in this regard." Otto rolled his eyes, glanced at the dusty chair beside him, and shook his head helplessly, standing up and speaking. "Oh? I don't even know him. What could he possibly want from me? Does he have some rare treasure he'd like to sell to me? Hehe, fine, fine—as long as it's something I'm satisfied with, I'll give him a price that satisfies him!" Gute's eyes sparkled, and he fixed his gaze intently on the Naji ring on Xiao Yan's fingers, smiling. "Er, no, Master Gute. I'm not here to sell you any treasures. I'm actually here to ask you something..." Xiao Yan shook his head, his eyes locked firmly on Gute's face, speaking softly, "I'd like to know—do you happen to have the Ice Spirit Cold Spring in your collection?" Gute was momentarily stunned, then shook his head vigorously, as if a windmill were turning, "No, no! You've mistaken me for someone else. I don't have that at all!" Watching Gut's stubborn demeanor, Xiao Yan could only shake his head with a sigh. When Gut had first mentioned the Ice Spirit Cold Spring, Xiao Yan had clearly seen a flash of surprise cross Gut's face—perhaps he was surprised at how he had learned of Xiao Yan's possession of the Ice Spirit Cold Spring. "Old man, stop playing games! Didn't you tell me last time that you'd acquired a small bottle of Ice Spirit Cold Spring from someone else? I've got that firmly etched in my memory," Otto chuckled. "Get out! You old rogue! Never come back here again!" Gut, having his deception exposed, blustered angrily. Otto spread his hands and turned to Xiao Yan, saying, "I've already introduced you to him. Whether he'll exchange his Ice Spirit Cold Spring with you now depends entirely on you. I'll be waiting outside." As he spoke, Otto walked toward the door. Just as he stepped out, he gave a light tap on the wall, and instantly, a wooden door rose gently from the doorway, closing the room off within a moment. Seeing Otto walk out, Xiao Yan nodded with a sigh, waved his hand to brush off the dust from the chair, and then sat down across from Gute. Gute glanced at the closed door, then gave Xiao Yan a sideways look, humming, "Kid, stop dreaming—no way am I exchanging my Ice Spirit Cold Spring with you." "Master Gute," Xiao Yan smiled, "I believe there's no transaction in the world that can't be completed. If one hasn't succeeded, it's simply because the right offering hasn't been presented to move the other party." "Oh? If you know that, then what are you still doing here? Don't tell me you need the Ice Spirit Cold Spring to save your life—I don't have much patience for such trivial sympathy." Gute raised a few dark brows, looking at Xiao Yan with a touch of amusement, clearly not convinced that the young man before him could present something truly compelling. Xiao Yan slowly rubbed his chin with his palm, his lips pressed tightly together, as if pondering what would truly captivate Guo. "Heh, it seems the young man actually has something worthwhile. But just a heads-up—don't bring out any cultivation techniques or combat skills, even though they're quite valuable. I'm not particularly interested in those. What I truly love are these rare and extraordinary treasures." Seeing Xiao Yan's demeanor, Guo grew more engaged, pointing at the array of unique treasures filling the room and smiling warmly. Xiao Yan lightly tapped his fingers on the table, remaining silent for a while before gently running his fingers over his storage ring. With a light flick of his fingers, a small jade bottle appeared in his palm. Upon seeing the emerald jade bottle in Xiao Yan's hands, Guo raised an eyebrow, a hint of curiosity gleaming in his eyes. Gently caressing the small jade vial with a sense of lingering affection, Xiao Yan slowly lifted the lid and placed it gently on the table. Instantly, a delicate purple vapor rose gracefully from within, and the temperature of this small space seemed to surge noticeably. Feeling the gradually warming air around him and gazing intently at the streams of gas that shimmered like purple flames, Gu Tu's eyes slightly narrowed.