"For heaven's sake, I'm never getting on this thing again. The sluggish pace—it's absolutely unbearable." As he stepped out of the crowded transportation hub, Hai Bo Dong took several deep breaths of fresh air and muttered under his breath. Observing Hai Bo Dong's less-than-enthusiastic expression, Xiao Yan smiled, raised his head, and scanned the magnificent capital city with admiration. The sheer scale was impressive—among the cities Xiao Yan had seen, none matched the grandeur and size of Jia Ma's Sacred City. "No wonder it's the capital of the Jia Ma Empire. Truly magnificent." Xiao Yan praised, murmuring his awe. Hai Bo Dong had no interest in the dull buildings around him; instead, he scanned the surroundings and suddenly asked, "When are you going to Yun Lan Sect?" "About fifteen days from now," Xiao Yan mused, calculating the time since their three-year agreement. "That's still quite a while away. Then where shall we go now?" "Heard that, Hai Bo Dong furrowed his brows slightly, then sighed and said, 'Hmm... let's go check out the imperial auction hall first. It's the largest trading venue in the Jia Ma Empire—there should be some supplies we need. Then, perhaps, we should make a trip to the headquarters of the Alchemist's Guild as well.'" Xiao Yan stroked his chin, smiling. "The current Alchemist's Grand Gathering will be held there. I'd like to take a look. Besides, alchemists are always keen on collecting rare herbs and medicinal materials—perhaps there, you'll find the ingredients needed for the Fuling Purple Pill." "Hehe, well, that's good indeed. The Alchemy Conclave is a rare event in the Gamma Empire—missing it would truly be a pity..." Sea Bo Dong didn't express any objection to Xiao Yan's arrangement. With a touch of his snowy white beard, he smiled with genuine interest. "Still, the Alchemy Conclave is quite worth your while. For an alchemist, beyond the opportunity to exchange ideas with peers, it holds significance that's truly extraordinary. Anyone who makes a strong impression there stands to have an absolutely unimaginable future. Hearing Hai Bo Dong's slightly exaggerated words, Xiao Yan smiled slightly but shook his head gently, saying, "By nature, a medicinal alchemist is always a sought-after figure wherever they go. Though perhaps when absorbed by large power groups, they receive excellent benefits, there are still certain limitations on freedom—so it's not particularly worthwhile." "Unworthy? How could that be? Do you know of Gu He?" Hearing Xiao Yan's remark, Hai Bo Dong rolled his eyes and remarked with a frown. "Gu He, the King of Pills—well, I'm certain no one in the Jima Empire has ever heard of him," Xiao Yan shrugged, smiling lightly. He not only knew of him, but had actually crossed paths with him indirectly. "He was the biggest surprise star of the previous Herbalist Grand Assembly. Before that, few people even knew the name Guo He. After making a strong impression at the assembly, he was noticed and hired as a senior elder by the then-above-acting Master of Yunlan Sect. At the time, Guo He held only a Fourth-Rank Herbalist, yet under the extensive financial support from Yunlan Sect over the years, he has steadily advanced two ranks—rising from virtually unknown to now being revered as the 'Herbal King' throughout the sect." Hai Bo Dong chuckled, "So, without Yunlan Sect's backing, he would have needed at least another twenty years to reach his current level." Xiao Yan's eyebrows slightly raised in surprise, never expecting Guo He to have made such a significant impact. "Indeed, pharmacists are a rare profession, though equally, they are one that demands substantial financial investment. Although potion-making is highly dependent on innate talent, even the most talented practitioners struggle to advance quickly without a continuous supply of medicinal herbs and materials. However, if they are backed by a powerful force capable of providing an uninterrupted flow of such resources, they can settle in, eliminating the need to constantly travel and search for ingredients. With such focus, their achievements naturally surpass those of independent pharmacists. That's why many pharmacists seek, at the Pharmacist's Assembly, a wealthy patron willing to support their endeavors." The two walked slowly through the bustling streets. Hai Bo Dong kept his hands in his sleeves, speaking lazily. "Perhaps that's true, but I don't particularly care for that." Xiao Yan shrugged. With the experienced Master Yao standing beside him, guiding and offering advice, the detours Xiao Yan had taken were certainly few and far between. That was why, within just three years, he had progressed from a young boy who barely knew the names of medicinal herbs to a promising second-rank alchemist. Precisely because of this, he hadn't fully grasped just how difficult it was for ordinary free alchemists to rapidly enhance their capabilities—after all, not everyone enjoyed his level of fortune. "Of course, with your alchemical skills, even Yunlan Sect wouldn't have the qualifications to hire you," Hai Bo Dong shook his head and smiled. An advanced alchemist capable of crafting sixth-rank pills—such talent was not only rare within the Jia Ma Empire, but even on the entire Continent of Qi, it would surely command recognition and success. Xiao Yan smiled slightly and did not immediately respond. Aside from the influence of Yao Lao, his own rank was merely a Second-Class Alchemist. Of course, after nearly a year of rigorous training in the Great Desert, and now possessing the Qinglian Earth-Heart Flame, he was confident that in terms of alchemical skill, he could rival a Third-Class Alchemist. Still, he was aware that even a true Third-Class Alchemist would have only a modest appeal to a powerful Battle Emperor like Hai Bo Dong. Hai Bo Dong had been able to stay close to Xiao Yan and willingly lower himself to serve as a bodyguard, precisely because he believed Xiao Yan could produce Sixth-Class Dan Pills—only then had he been willing to make the sacrifice to ensure Xiao Yan's safety during their time at Yunlan Sect. If, in the future, Haibo Dong learns the truth and the old medicine master has not yet awakened at that time, his departure in anger would be merely minor—should he grow frustrated, he might even forcibly demand that Xiao Yan return the mysterious fragments. After all, cooperation typically arises only when both parties possess comparable strength, and with Xiao Yan being merely a Battle Master and a Second-Rank Alchemist, he clearly lacked the qualifications to collaborate with a Battle Sovereign. If it were ordinary people, relying on the strength of a Battle Master, hoping to have an unfamiliar Battle King-level powerhouse accompany them as a bodyguard—well, that would be nothing short of a dream. Yet with the assistance of the Medicine Elder, Xiao Yan was able to leverage this advantage, making first contact with these elite warriors. Precisely because of this, despite lacking substantial real strength himself, Xiao Yan had to remain ever-vigilant, carefully masking his true condition and projecting composure, never allowing any hint of his vulnerability to show. "Ah, strength... Once I reach the level of Battle King, I'm certain I'll be able to keep pace with the Medicine Elder. Then, I won't have to resort to these acts of playing the part of a superior anymore..." murmuring softly with a sigh of resignation, Sea Bo Dong's laughter suddenly interrupted Xiao Yan's quiet reflection. "Hey, we've arrived at the auction hall..." Hearing this, Xiao Yan gradually slowed his steps, lifting his head to gaze at the massive building and its distinctive emblem appearing at the end of the street. A look of astonishment spread across his face as he shook his head and sighed, "Indeed, it's no surprise that this is the headquarters of the Temeir family. The scale is simply unmatched—far beyond even the branch offices in Wutan City." "Hehe, the Temeir family is one of the three most prominent families in the Gamma Empire, with a long history and deep roots. Even the Mo family of Yancheng, when compared to them, is merely a rising wealthy dynasty." Hai Bo Dong smiled, expressing clear disdain for the Mo family, which aimed to dominate the northeastern provinces of the empire. A family whose strongest member reached only the Du Ling level—such strength, and yet they dared to aspire to empire-wide dominance? Truly, it was beyond measure. Without the backing of Yunlan Sect, the Mo family would have already been quietly eliminated by several powerful figures who didn't appreciate their rise. Smiling and nodding, Xiao Yan gazed at the massive structure, which seemed like an endless abyss, devouring the continuous stream of people flowing into it. He gently inserted his hands into his sleeves, then turned to Hai Bo Dong and said softly, "Let's go. Let's take a look at this so-called Imperial First Auction Hall and see what makes it so special—perhaps we'll find what we're looking for." With that, Xiao Yan took the lead, walking steadily toward the end of the wide stone-paved avenue, followed closely by Hai Bo Dong. As they approached the grand Mitel Auction Hall, Xiao Yan's growing sense of wonder deepened. His movements were smooth and effortless, like a fish gliding through the crowd. Maintaining a composed expression, he moved through the throngs, occasionally brushing his sleeves lightly—immediately, the soft fabric was enveloped by a thin layer of qi, then forcefully flung against the outstretched hands of those who, strangely, had their fingers reaching toward his finger-ring. With every sweep of the sleeve, a sudden crimson flush would spread across the palms. Gazing calmly at those clutching their hands, gasping in pain, Xiao Yan's lips curled into a cold smile—this tactic he had seen countless times while managing his market district in Wutan City. Unbothered by these minor disturbances, Xiao Yan slightly shifted his stance and finally wove through the crowded entrance, entering the courtyard with composed grace under the sharp, hawk-like scrutiny of the guards stationed at the gate. Upon entering the auction hall, a gentle light poured down, as if the clamor from outside had been suddenly severed—within just a few meters, the space seemed to have transformed into an entirely different realm. Pausing gently, Xiao Yan scanned the surroundings, his mouth slightly agape, his face filled with astonishment at the vast hall, which appeared like a crystalline city. Inside the hall, armed guards with impassive expressions were随处可见, each bearing the crest of the Miter family, clearly indicating that they were the family's direct forces. As Xiao Yan entered the hall, he clearly sensed no fewer than twenty sharp, piercing glances sweeping over every part of his body. Only after a while did these sharp and incisive gazes gradually soften and retreat. "No wonder it's one of the three most prominent families in the Jiaema Empire—this level of preparation is indeed impressive," Xiao Yan murmured, slightly turning his head to gaze at Hai Bo Dong, who had followed him like a ghost, and then slowly advanced toward the center of the hall. In the hall, countless crystal counters stood arranged, with a steady flow of people passing by. On each counter, an endless array of rare and unusual items were displayed, each bearing a price tag. However, every item's price was at least thirty thousand gold coins—so high that it often made many visitors hesitate and turn away. "Here we only have peripheral sales counters, and the items offered aren't particularly precious... At the Mitel family's headquarters, the auction halls are strictly categorized into four levels—Heaven, Earth, Cloud, and Yellow—much like the ranks of a cultivation technique. The Heaven-level is the highest, though even after one or two years, such a hall might open only once in a while. Once it does open, however, it signifies that the items being auctioned are truly of exceptional significance—enough to draw nearly half of the strongest warriors and leaders from across the Gamma Empire. Ah, I remember attending one such event back then. The item being auctioned was reportedly a six-stage fire-scaled crocodile-jelly egg." "It's said that as soon as that Fire-Scaled Crocodile Dragon is successfully hatched, it will naturally become a born Supreme King-tier powerhouse, and with proper care, it will eventually reach the Supreme Emperor level." Hearing this, Xiao Yan's face flashed with astonishment. A natural five-tier Supreme King strength upon hatching—truly remarkable. Who wouldn't gain a powerhouse capable of rivaling any of the top ten warriors of the Gamma Empire simply by obtaining this? "The Elite Auction Hall rarely opens; Supreme-tier auctions are more common, while Yellow-tier ones are open daily." Noticing Xiao Yan's visibly impressed expression, Hai Bo Dong smiled and continued explaining, clearly a regular visitor to the venue, so well-versed in its customs. "That's quite interesting," Xiao Yan said, with a slightly interested smile. "To enter the auction halls at the Tian, Di, and Xuan levels, one must have a solid financial standing. Aside from any unforeseen circumstances, to gain entry into the Xuan-level hall, one typically needs at least a million. Oh—by the way, do you have that kind of money with you?" As if remembering something, Hai Bo Dong suddenly asked. "Uh... perhaps around twenty to thirty thousand," Xiao Yan sheepishly replied, shifting his head slightly. "...That would only qualify you for the Yellow-level hall," Hai Bo Dong sighed, flipping his eyes. He had assumed that a master alchemist of Xiao Yan's caliber would at least carry a million in liquid assets with him. Unconvinced by Hai Bo Dong's remarks, Xiao Yan only shrugged helplessly. Just as he was about to speak, his gaze shifted toward a corner of the hall. There, a section of the Mid-level auction hall served as a passage for its senior staff. Previously quiet, it now appeared bustling—seemingly as if a prominent figure had just stepped out from there. Gazing at the bustling crowd there, Xiao Yan blinked in confusion, slightly tilting his head. His gaze passed through the suddenly excited men, who surged with the fervor of rutting wolves, and then, faintly, he caught glimpses of vibrant red hues and blurred, graceful forms. Lowering his eyes, he saw a pair of long, red boots—slightly pointed at the heel—tapping steadily upon the smooth, polished stone floor, producing a crisp, pleasant sound, like a series of delicate musical notes. Raising his gaze a little, he then spotted a pair of long, slender, snow-white legs, strikingly alluring and catching his attention. "Her legs are quite good..." thought Xiang Yan, though his composure was clearly superior to that of several men in the hall who were openly drooling. Maintaining a calm, serene smile, his gaze gradually lifted, passing through the gaps and settling on a beautifully graceful and alluring face. A moment of surprise slowly crept onto his features as he murmured softly, "How could it be her?" This woman exudes a captivating charm and grace. Under the steady gaze of her long, delicate eyes—like blossoming peach blossoms—you might, without realizing it, reach into your pocket and willingly part with your coins to purchase items you never thought you’d need. To many men, she is a true enchantress—a mother cat full of allure, whose presence stirs the hearts of numerous admirers. As she walks gracefully through the crowd, dressed in a rich, crimson silk robe, a gentle smile plays on her face, carrying an air of refined elegance. Her full, mature figure, smooth and lush, resembles a perfectly ripe watermelon peach, causing several men in the hall to subtly lift their heads. Some men, meanwhile, find themselves momentarily embarrassed, gently drawing in their abdomens as if trying to contain their growing admiration. The graceful and beautiful woman seems to have excellent social charm. Since she arrived, people have been constantly smiling and greeting her—some greetings are undoubtedly due to her striking appearance, but many others clearly stem from a sense of reverence for her status. The woman in the brocade robe handles her guests with elegant poise, offering only brief, restrained smiles that gently deflect those who would otherwise insist on making conversation. Her eyes—soft as spring water, delicate as peach blossoms—glide effortlessly across the hall. Whenever anyone comes into contact with that subtle, alluring gaze, their throat involuntarily contracts, as if a warm flame ignites deep within. It seems certain that upon returning home, these guests will find their wives or maids imagining the captivating, seductive woman and treating them with stern reprimands. The gracefully beautiful eyes of the peony-flowered woman slowly swept across the hall. Just as she was about to withdraw her gaze, her vision suddenly stiffened, and her steps halted mid-motion. Her eyes remained fixed, wide and stunned, on a black-robed youth carrying a massive black ruler, standing near a crystal counter. A look of profound disbelief shimmered in her eyes. Gazing at the calm smile, unchanged from three years ago, the woman in the brocade finally believed that the now-mature young man, once so fresh and unrefined in his simple black robe, was indeed the same boy from Wutan who had once pretended to be enigmatic. With crisp footsteps, she slowly approached Xiao Yan, pausing finally before him. Now in close proximity, she realized that the boy who had once only reached her chest could now meet her gaze on equal terms. "Xiao Yan, it's been three years. You've truly grown—so much so that even I am beginning to feel like I'm not quite as familiar with you anymore," she said, smiling warmly at the elegant youth before her. Taking a gentle breath, her full, rounded chest, wrapped in the brocade, appeared particularly lush and inviting. She slightly lifted her graceful face, smiling. "Your grace has grown more graceful and captivating each day. Only regret is that you've left Wutan—how many hearts must have been broken by your departure?" Xiao Yan lightly inhaled the faint, alluring scent drifting from before her, and suddenly recalled, with a gentle smile, the awkward incident from her very first visit to the auction hall—when she had noticed the person in the last row secretly watching her. The beautiful woman in the brocade robe before her was none other than Ya Fei, the head auctioneer of the Mitel Auction Branch in Wutan City. "After completing my family's training, it's only natural that I return to take charge of certain matters. However, I'm able to be back here today—thank you, truly, to you. Over the past three years, you've remained here without returning, so I've never had the chance to properly thank you. Today, meeting you here, I'd like to express my gratitude to you, sister." Ya Fei gazed into the clear, dark eyes that had remained unchanged since three years ago. Having grown accustomed to the eyes of others, often veiled with desire and ambition, she found herself particularly fond of these clear, steady eyes. With a soft smile, she pressed her red-lipped lips together, held her hands behind her back, and slightly inclined her body forward, facing Xiao Yan. From both of their perspectives, the courteous expression of gratitude from Ya Fei caused her silk robe to slightly lift, instantly revealing a deep, captivating groove and a strikingly snowy whiteness that filled Xiao Yan's line of sight. As a result, the person's cheeks gradually flushed.