Chapter 120: Collecting Medicinal Materials
To thrive, a family must nurture new vitality, and the source of this vitality lies in its fresh talent. Only with a steady stream of capable individuals can a family endure through generations.
In the Dou Qi Continent, every family places immense importance on its coming-of-age ceremony, and the Xiao Clan is no exception. As a prominent family in Wutan City, the Xiao Clan's ceremony draws attention from many local forces, with allied factions invited to observe.
Fresh from the Magical Beast Mountains, Xiao Bai arrived to find the Xiao Clan's gates bustling with activity.
"Xiao Bai?" A hesitant female voice called out.
Turning, he saw a pair of long legs and a dust-streaked face.
"Xiao Yu!"
"It's really you!" Xiao Yu gaped, stunned by his transformation over two years. Once clad in white, he now wore a black robe, his hair gray, his demeanor calm yet commanding, with a strange rune on his forehead amplifying his imposing aura. Was this still the gentle Xiao Bai she knew?
Xiao Bai gave a curt nod and strode through the gate. He wasn't in the mood for pleasantries, especially not leg-gazing. Lately, he'd grown uneasy, suspecting Yao Lao's jinx about a "backyard fire" was coming true.
For the past ten days, he'd been shuttling between the Magical Beast Mountains and the Xiao Clan—two days in the mountains, two days back home. Lingering too long in the mountains left him worried, but staying away from the clan felt unfair to Xiao Xun'er.
He'd braced for her questions about his absences, but her reaction was oddly detached. She ignored his two-day disappearances, yet her warmth upon his return dispelled any suspicion that she knew about Xiao Yixian.
Xiao Yixian, ever gentle, never pried into his schedule. She greeted him with joy and bid him farewell with soft reminders to stay safe.
At the clan's square, a massive platform dominated the space, built for the coming-of-age ceremony. Xiao Bai's gaze swept over the crowd of Wutan City's dignitaries, landing on a striking woman in a red dress. Her sweet smile and curvaceous figure, subtly revealed by the tight dress, were captivating as she chatted with someone.
A sudden snort broke his focus. "Brother Xiao Bai, enjoying the view?"
"Ahem!" Xiao Bai averted his eyes, inwardly groaning. He hadn't meant to stare; his gaze had just landed there when Xiao Xun'er appeared.
Glancing at him, Xiao Xun'er said coolly, "That woman's no simple charm. Many young lords, dazzled by her beauty, have spent fortunes on her, only to gain nothing. If Brother Xiao Bai has ideas, he'd best be cautious."
Xiao Bai nearly choked. Xiao Xun'er's recent mood was perplexing, and he couldn't pinpoint why. He forced a dry laugh. "I'm no young lord. I don't have that kind of money."
"Oh? Just a matter of money, then?" Xiao Xun'er's lips curved, a chill flickering in her eyes. "Shall Xun'er fund you?"
Xiao Bai clammed up. She was in a fiery mood today—every word a trap. Best not to poke the hornet's nest.
Seeing him back off, Xiao Xun'er's gaze softened briefly before she glared and huffed, dropping the subject.
"Brother Bai! Brother Bai!" An excited shout cut through the tension.
Xiao Bai turned to see Xiao Yan jogging over, brimming with enthusiasm.
Raising an eyebrow, Xiao Bai grinned. "Not bad! You've reached Dou Zhe!"
"Hehe, broke through last night. Impressive, right?" Xiao Yan puffed up proudly. A year from third-stage Dou Qi to Dou Zhe was no small feat.
"Not bad," Xiao Bai nodded, a month ahead of the original timeline.
"Just 'not bad'?" Xiao Yan frowned, expecting to stun Xiao Bai. Gritting his teeth, he said, "Brother Bai, I'll give you one chance to rephrase that!"
Xiao Bai smirked dangerously. "Haha, I'll give you a chance to rephrase how you talk to me!"
Was this kid getting cocky, or did he think Xiao Bai had gone soft?
"Haha, kidding, kidding!" Xiao Yan shivered, recalling past thrashings. Getting beaten publicly today would be mortifying.
"Xiao Yan, you've bounced back? Quite the surprise," Xiao Yu sauntered over, her long legs striding, her tone mocking.
"Mind your own business!" Xiao Yan snapped, bristling at her.
"Still got that foul mouth," Xiao Yu sneered, then turned to Xiao Bai, her eyes complex. "Xiao Bai, Canaan Academy's recruiters will soon visit Wutan City. Sign up this time—it might help with your issue."
"Thanks for the heads-up," Xiao Bai smiled faintly, nodding.
Xiao Yu nodded back, then smiled at Xiao Xun'er. "Cousin Xun'er, long time no see!"
"Cousin Xiao Yu!" Xiao Xun'er pursed her lips, calmly linking arms with Xiao Bai, returning the greeting with a smile.
Glancing at the pair, Xiao Yu smiled, turned to leave, and shot Xiao Yan a sharp look as she passed.
Xiao Bai chuckled at the small hand on his arm, earning an eye-roll from Xiao Xun'er. "Feeling smug, are you?" she huffed.
"Nope, just happy," Xiao Bai teased, tweaking her nose.
"Yan'er, you alright?" Xiao Zhan approached, having spotted Xiao Yu and Xiao Yan together.
"Fine. That woman's got issues," Xiao Yan shrugged dismissively.
"Steer clear of her. She's a three-star Dou Zhe now—you'd lose in a fight," Xiao Zhan sighed, then turned to Xiao Bai. "Xiao Bai, you've been hard to pin down lately. I've looked for you several times."
"Clan Leader, something up?" Xiao Bai asked, puzzled. He'd kept a low profile in the clan.
Xiao Zhan adjusted his robe and bowed deeply.
"What's this, Clan Leader?" Xiao Bai stepped aside, startled.
"A father's gratitude," Xiao Zhan said, eyes brimming with thanks. "Yan'er told me his recovery was all thanks to you. I tried to find you after hearing, but you were gone."
Xiao Yan's inability to cultivate had been a knot in Xiao Zhan's heart. Xiao Bai's help had untied it.
"No need for this, Clan Leader. It was nothing," Xiao Bai shook his head, smiling.
Xiao Yan, watching his father's gesture, felt his eyes mist. He hadn't expected this.
"What's nothing to you is monumental to us," Xiao Zhan laughed heartily. "Come, Xiao Bai, Yan'er, meet Miss Ya Fei, chief auctioneer of the Miter Auction House!"
He stepped aside, revealing the captivating woman in red.
"Hi, Sister Ya Fei!" Xiao Yan grinned shyly.
"Miss Ya Fei," Xiao Bai said evenly, feeling a small hand poised to pinch his back.
Ya Fei, having overheard their talk, was surprised. Rumors of the Xiao Clan's two "geniuses" were true—one had recovered, thanks to the other's aid. Her sharp eyes assessed them, noting Xiao Yan's calm beneath his shy facade and Xiao Bai's commanding presence, unmatched even by her family's elders.
"I'll need to cozy up to the Xiao Clan," she decided. "Greetings, young masters! I've long heard of the Xiao Clan's prodigies. Today, I see they're truly exceptional!"
"You're too kind," they replied in unison.
Ya Fei recalled a past misunderstanding from seeing them distantly. Now, she realized it wasn't a misunderstanding at all.
"Alright, the ceremony's starting soon. Behave, Yan'er—don't embarrass me," Xiao Zhan patted Xiao Yan's shoulder, then glanced at Xiao Bai.
"Clan Leader, you're not making me join the ceremony, are you?" Xiao Bai frowned. The ritual was tedious, and he'd rather skip it.
"Forget it. If you're not keen, don't bother," Xiao Zhan chuckled wryly. Xiao Bai's mystique rivaled Xiao Xun'er's—no wonder they'd been inseparable since childhood.
As Xiao Zhan and Xiao Yan turned to leave, Xiao Bai called out, "Miss Ya Fei, a moment?"
Xiao Yan's eyes widened, darting between Xiao Bai, Xiao Xun'er, and Ya Fei. Brother Bai's dropping the act? He'd been all business at the Miter Auction House, but now… bold move with Cousin Xun'er right there!
Xiao Xun'er remained unfazed, certain Xiao Bai wouldn't flirt in her presence.
Ya Fei's eyes lingered on Xiao Bai before she smiled. "Of course."
They stepped to a quiet corner of the square.
"What does Master Xiao Bai wish to discuss?" Ya Fei asked.
"I need large quantities of poisonous herbs and magical cores. Can the Miter Auction House supply them?" Xiao Bai got straight to the point.
"Poisonous herbs and magical cores?" Ya Fei's brow furrowed. "We have some, but not much. Such items typically flow to the Izumo Empire—demand's low in the Jia Ma Empire."
"Then gather what you can. Going forward, keep collecting them. For rare poisonous herbs, I can pay with elixirs."
Xiao Yixian had depleted the valley's herbs. Though she hadn't mentioned it, Xiao Bai knew they wouldn't sustain her cultivation. Meeting Ya Fei now was perfect—the Miter Auction House's network could supply enough for Xiao Yixian's needs.
"Oh? What grade of elixirs can you offer?" Ya Fei's eyes gleamed. Raw materials yielded slim profits, but elixirs were lucrative, especially high-grade ones, which could elevate her standing in the family.
"Up to fifth-grade, depending on the quality of your herbs," Xiao Bai said casually. With his soul power past the mortal realm, refining sixth-grade elixirs was feasible, but he hadn't practiced due to suppressing the Golden Annihilation Thunder with Jing Water Fire. Once resolved, he'd hone his alchemy.
"Fifth-grade…" Ya Fei gasped, hand covering her lips in disbelief. "Forgive me, Master Xiao, it's not doubt, but at your age…"
"Who said I'm the alchemist?" Xiao Bai scoffed. Did owning a fifth-grade elixir make him a fifth-grade alchemist? That'd be too easy.
Ya Fei nodded, catching on. She'd seen him buy herbs at the auction house and assumed he was the alchemist, but now it seemed a fifth-grade alchemist backed him. Her interest piqued—such a figure was a titan in the Jia Ma Empire, someone her family needed to court carefully.
"My apologies for the misunderstanding," Ya Fei said, bowing slightly. "Rest assured, I'll compile your herbs today and deliver a batch within three days. Additional stock from other branches may take longer."
Sending a batch first would test Xiao Bai's promise of elixir payment.
"Excellent," Xiao Bai smiled. Having someone handle logistics was convenient—one word, and his needs were met, saving him the hassle of searching.
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(End of this chapter)