The second floor of Qi Yao Fang was not as luxurious as Xiao Yan had imagined. Instead, its slightly rustic decorations exuded a refined, unassuming grandeur, suggesting that the owner of Qi Yao Fang possessed a certain sense of taste. In the current hall on the second floor, several crystal cabinets stood arranged, each housing jade boxes. Within these boxes, a faint, subtle glow shimmered, clearly indicating that the contents were no ordinary items. Numerous figures were scattered throughout the hall, most of whom wore robes typical of alchemical practitioners—indicating that they too had come seeking rare and precious herbs to exchange for on this floor. The ascent of Xiao Yan and his two companions also drew several sets of eyes. However, once it became evident that they were not wearing the robes of a medicinal artisan, the attention gradually faded. Indeed, without personally stepping forward, a medicinal artisan’s true standing—especially among peers—was often hard to discern. Thus, Xiao Yan’s lack of the traditional robe went largely unnoticed. In contrast, the gaze lingered more noticeably on the young physician behind him. "Qing'an wood... Xueling juice... Pei髓 root..." Gazing at these rare herbs, which would surely draw the envy of many alchemists outside, now gathered together here, even with Xiao Yan's extensive experience, he couldn't help but emit a series of appreciative murmurs. It was clearly worth the climb to the second floor. "This Black Horn Domain... truly is no ordinary place..." beside him, the young physician also displayed a look of amazement, softly remarking. Zi Yan’s small face was pressed against the crystal cabinet, her large, gem-like eyes fixed intently on the herbs within, gazing with such hunger that it seemed only a matter of time before she’d drop her saliva. Watching her like this, Xiao Yan couldn’t help but roll his eyes, and immediately pulled the reluctant Zi Yan up, tapping her forehead sharply with his fingertips, and murmured, “You’re not eating herbs that are any lower in grade than these—don’t let me down!” “Hmph! Most of the herbs you’ve found have been forcibly taken from me by you—I haven’t even eaten a single one!” Zi Yan snapped, her eyes filled with deep resentment as she stared at Xiao Yan. Xiao Yan cleared his throat and said, “Of course, the herbs are safest when stored here—your way of consuming them is truly a waste.” By now, having heard this excuse countless times, Zi Yan was completely unimpressed, and her gaze grew even more resentful. By the side, the young physician watched the two engaged in fierce debate over the herbs, and could not help but smile gently. Her graceful, warm smile drew several sets of eyes from the hall. Now, her attire remained unchanged from when she first arrived in Qingshan Town—simple white robe and gown—elevating her presence with a touch of ethereal elegance. Yet perhaps those enchanted by her quiet grace might never imagine that, when this seemingly gentle woman grew angry, she would instantly transform from a celestial maiden into a death-dealing specter. Hearing the voice, Xiao Yan turned his head and saw a woman in a crimson imperial robe standing gracefully. Her appearance was particularly striking—her well-proportioned figure, beautifully accentuated by the robe, exuded a mature elegance that was both alluring and refined. Most captivating, however, were her eyes, which seemed to always hold a subtle hint of allure, like a painted brow curved like a crescent moon, radiating a gentle charm. "Hmm..." Glancing at the woman's back, Xiao Yan noticed, besides the elder who had previously delivered the message, there was another elderly man dressed in a simple, ancient robe. He was slightly lowering his gaze, appearing as though he were dozing off. Yet, thanks to his soul perception—outstanding even beyond that of a Sixth-Rank Alchemist—Xiao Yan knew this man was also an alchemist, one of considerable strength, at least as formidable as Fahu. "It seems this Black Angle Region truly does harbor talented individuals. Within just one pharmacy, there stands a pharmacist of no ordinary rank..." A sense of profound respect stirred within Xiao Yan, raising his estimation of the Thousand Medicine Pharmacy's capabilities even further. To attract a pharmacist of such caliber was no mere ordinary feat—it required far beyond ordinary costs. Feeling Xiao Yan's gaze, the white-haired elder suddenly opened his eyes, locking his gaze with Xiao Yan's. Gazing into those deep, seemingly bottomless black eyes, the white-haired elder unexpectedly sensed a vibrant, intense warmth emanating from within. He couldn't help but softly exclaim in surprise. "What is it? Master Yan?" Hearing the elder's soft exclamation, the dressed-in-imperial-clothes woman paused, expressing her curiosity. "Nothing at all..." The white-haired elder, known as Master Yan, his eyes flickering slightly, then shook his head. Though Master Yan said nothing, the lady in court attire seemed to sense something as well, her gaze thoughtful and gently shifting toward Xiao Yan, her smile on her cheeks becoming even more captivating. This graceful woman appeared to have considerable standing and popularity within the hall, so as soon as she entered, numerous eyes turned toward her, and she responded to each with a warm, polite smile—her etiquette impeccable. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am the head of this Thousand-Medicine Pharmacy. You may call me Yao Fengzhu. Might I ask your name?" With a delicate smile, she gently parted her invitingly red lips, her soft, melodic voice causing a subtle stirring within the hearts of those present. "Call me Yan Xiao." Xiao Yan smiled faintly, yet his mind remained slightly alert. There was an unusual allure in the woman's words—something that subtly influenced one's mindset, especially if one's resolve was not strong. Should this effect occur during negotiations or when setting conditions, the person might end up with nothing but bones left. It was clear that this woman, despite being merely a woman, had risen to become the master of such a prominent pharmaceutical house—her striking appearance alone was not enough. Observing Xiao Yan's composed demeanor, a subtle surprise flickered in the lady's eyes. She had not expected someone of his age to be completely unaffected by her unique, seductive techniques cultivated through her special cultivation methods. Indeed, this person was no ordinary individual. "Hehe, the three herbs Mr. Xiao needs—though even on our second floor at Qian Yao Pharmacy, they are among the top-tier—Mr. Xiao should be aware of our second floor's customary practices, shouldn't he?" Master Yao smiled gracefully. "Ah, I'd like to know which prescription or formula would be required to exchange for these herbs," Xiao nodded slightly, pondering. "Hehe, no need to rush just yet. All the alchemy practitioners gathered in this hall have come specifically for our rare herbs—these are not commonly available, and even we at Qian Yao Pharmacy have to go through considerable effort to locate them each time..." Master Yao said with a warm smile. "Every time we find such herbs, several alchemists come to exchange with us. Today, quite coincidentally, Mr. Yan Xiao has arrived at the perfect time." "So it seems we'll have to compete with other alchemists for these herbs as well?" Xiao furrowed his brows, remarking. "This is also a bidding process—whichever bidder offers the highest price wins. However, here, we're not simply seeking gold coins; we're evaluating whether the bidders can produce a medicine that satisfies us. Of course, generally speaking, unless both parties are urgently in need of this herb, some bidders will typically settle for something less." Yao Fengzhu smiled and then turned to the elderly man with white hair beside him, saying, "Yan, the time has come. Let's begin the gathering of the medicine batches." "Yes." The elderly man nodded slightly and then quickly ascended a raised platform in the hall, gently tapping a bronze bell beside him. At once, a clear, resonant chime echoed throughout the hall. "Present the herbs." The elderly man spoke calmly, and then several graceful young maids, each carrying silver trays, stepped forward with solemn dignity. On each tray, neatly arranged were closed jade boxes. As the silhouettes moved back and forth, one after another, the jade boxes were neatly arranged upon the stone platform. When the boxes were fully opened, a rich aroma of herbs surged forth. Many alchemists gently inhaled, their faces lighting up with delight—clearly, the rare ingredients from Qi Yao Pharmacy had exceeded their expectations. "Master Yao waved her hands, pointing at the herbs arranged on the stone platform, and smiled warmly. As the gathering began, many alchemists immediately gathered around, their eyes eagerly scanning the platform for the herbs they needed. The second-floor hall soon became bustling and lively. "Haha, Master Yao, how come you didn't wait for me? Didn't you think I might not be able to pay the price?" A thunderous laugh suddenly burst from the staircase, surprising everyone. The sudden burst of laughter momentarily quieted the lively atmosphere in the hall, and people turned their eyes in astonishment toward the stairs. Then, steadily approaching, the sound of heavy footsteps, a middle-aged man with a pale yellow robe and a red face finally came into view, under the collective gaze of all present. With a slightly narrowed gaze, Xiao Yan's eyes flickered with a touch of astonishment. He realized that this red-faced elder was also a pharmacist, and surprisingly, even stronger in prowess than the white-haired elder he had encountered earlier. "Indeed, the Black Angular Region deserves its reputation—such accomplished pharmacists appearing within a single day. It seems today won't be a wasted visit after all."