"And you're quite bold at such a young age, daring to threaten someone from the Miteer Clan. Don't tell me you think that just because you joined the Black Armored Guards and latched onto the Mu Clan, you can look down on everyone?"
Gu Ni's gaze was cold and arrogant as he stared at Zhang Yuan, making cold sweat seep into Xiao Zhan's palms.
That the Dou Qi Continent revered strength above all was true, but there was still an underlying system and an unspoken set of rules. Between factions, exterminating clans, or destroying sects rarely happened lightly, especially when a powerful faction dealt with a weaker one. Today, you might rely on your strength to wipe someone out and harvest their resources, but tomorrow, someone stronger could casually wipe you out as well. If that were the case, would there still be any peace left in the world? The only place on the Dou Qi Continent where such things could be done without restraint was the Black-Corner Region.
Thus, whether it was the Yunlan Sect, the Nalan Clan, or the Miteer Clan, none of them could casually strike heavily at the Xiao Clan. Otherwise, once someone branded them as heretical and rallied others against them, the losses would outweigh the gains. However, given the sheer scale of the Miteer Clan, dealing with the Xiao Clan didn't require them to act personally. They had hundreds, even thousands, of methods, such as providing commercial intelligence and support to the Jia Lie Clan and the Ao Ba Clan.
That was why Xiao Zhan feared Zhang Yuan offending Gu Ni too deeply.
"Master Gu Ni—"
Xiao Zhan was about to step in to smooth things over, but before he could finish, Zhang Yuan rose and said calmly, "As for threatening anyone, I was merely joking with Ya Fei. I'm not so tasteless as to truly do such a thing."
Ya Fei immediately let out a silver-bell laugh, her eyes clearly saying, 'Go on, keep making it up.'
She had been startled earlier and lost her composure, but only now did she remember that she also had backing. Mu Zhan was indeed annoying, but the Mu Clan had already punished him, and the Miteer Clan was willing to give her a chance to prove her worth. She truly didn't need to be that afraid. And out of a desire to avoid trouble, she was willing to sell the Miteer Clan's 4th Rank wind-attribute Monster Core at a low price.
"In fact, from the very beginning, I came here for you, Master Gu Ni," Zhang Yuan said with a smile.
Ya Fei's narrow, peach-blossom eyes narrowed slightly, unable to see through him. She crossed her arms over her chest, her slender waist appearing even more delicate, her curves enough to stir heat in the hearts of onlookers. Xun'er frowned faintly, thinking to herself, 'Seductress.'
Zhang Yuan did not spare her a glance, his eyes fixed solely on Gu Ni.
Gu Ni could not help but ask, puzzled, "For me? Don't tell me you think I'd step in for you and help you secure that 4th Rank wind-attribute Monster Core?"
A 4th Rank wind-attribute Monster Core had a market price of 200,000 gold coins, but once it entered a Miteer auction, it was usually bought by the Jia Lie Clan for around 300,000. If Xiao Zhan joined the bidding, 400,000 would only be the starting point. That was nearly double the price. And if Ya Fei added a bit of rhetoric and stirred the bidders further, the final price would be anyone's guess.
"Why not?" Zhang Yuan asked in return.
"Young man, you're ignorant," Gu Ni said arrogantly. "If it were Xiao Zhan, I might consider speaking up for him. But asking me to expend a favor owed by the Miteer Clan for you is absolutely impossible."
"What if I take out something that moves you, Master?" Zhang Yuan countered again.
"You're not only ignorant, but you're also conceited," Gu Ni shook his head. "If you truly had something that could move me, why not auction it directly for money and then compete for that Monster Core yourself? Why would you make me go through the trouble?"
"Besides, I don't believe you can produce anything that would move me."
Zhang Yuan smiled. He said nothing more, instead retrieving a scroll from his storage ring and handing it to Gu Ni.
Everyone around looked confused. Only Xiao Yan heard Yao Chen's voice at his ear, suddenly enlightened: "So that's it. This kid truly is cunning to the point of being monstrous."
Xiao Yan badly wanted to ask what that meant, but this was not the time.
Gu Ni didn't know what Zhang Yuan was up to, but he still took the scroll and opened it.
At first glance, he instinctively frowned.
At the second glance, his pupils shrank.
By the third glance, his eyes burned with heat, his expression turning solemn.
He unfurled the scroll further and continued reading.
About the time it took to drink a cup of tea, later, he was completely engrossed, muttering things like "So that's how it is," "It can be done this way," "I understand," and "A stroke of genius."
When the scroll had been opened to nearly a tenth of its length, a hand suddenly reached out.
"How dare you!"
The scroll was snatched away. Gu Ni, who had been reading with rapt attention, let out a furious shout, his Dou Qi instantly forming armor as he lunged to snatch it back.
Boom!
Thunder roared as Zhang Yuan transformed into a silver-purple afterimage.
Gu Ni's vision blurred. He immediately released his Spiritual Power and chased after him.
Sounds rang out continuously within the private room, but Ya Fei and Xiao Yan could only see two streaks of light darting about.
"This kid's movement Dou Technique is quite good. His speed should surpass most Da Dou Shi," Yao Chen commented casually.
Xiao Yan was immensely envious. He knew his cousin was formidable, but he wanted to be that formidable too.
"Senior, you should calm down now. You wouldn't actually plan to seize it by force, would you?" Zhang Yuan's voice sounded as he reappeared in his original spot, calmly lifting his teacup. The scroll was already gone.
Two breaths later, Gu Ni appeared beside Ya Fei. Looking at Zhang Yuan, he said, "Good kid. Your speed surpasses that of ordinary Da Dou Shi. Worthy of a Black Armored Guard Squad Leader. Truly outstanding."
Everyone: "..."
'Master Gu Ni, that's not what you were saying just now.'
'Could that proud demeanor of a 2nd Tier Alchemist please come back a bit?'
"Do I now have the qualifications for you to help me, Master?" Zhang Yuan blew gently on his teacup.
"Yes, certainly," Gu Ni rubbed his hands eagerly. "As long as you're willing to give me that scroll, I'll immediately help you secure that wind-attribute Monster Core. I'll even cover the difference myself if needed."
Ya Fei stood there utterly dumbfounded.
That was definitely not what Master Gu Ni had said when he arrived.
Zhang Yuan smiled. "I told you Master Gu Ni was someone warm-hearted and willing to help. My judgment of people really is accurate."
"Indeed, you have an excellent eye for people," Gu Ni nodded in agreement.
Zhang Yuan subtly glanced at Xiao Yan and saw that his expression remained normal. Clearly, this cousin of his had transmigrated quite early and didn't know the 'you really have a good eye for people' meme, otherwise he would have laughed out loud.
"Master Gu Ni, I think it would be more appropriate for you to first secure the 4th Rank wind-attribute Monster Core before we talk further. Don't you agree?" Zhang Yuan said, staring at him.
"My mistake, my mistake," Gu Ni nodded repeatedly. "I'll go right now."
Without greeting anyone, he hurried out, as if afraid that even a moment's delay would cost him his life.
"..."
Ya Fei bit her lip. After Gu Ni left the room, she asked in confusion, "Good brother, what exactly is written in that scroll?"
Anything capable of making a 2nd Tier Alchemist behave like that was certainly no ordinary item.
Xiao Zhan and the others were also curious, but none of them asked. They were, after all, outsiders here.
"It's nothing particularly precious. To you, Elder Sister, it might not even compare to a nice outfit," Zhang Yuan raised his teacup, the meaning obvious.
Ya Fei picked up the teapot and, feigning reproach, poured him tea. Her peach-blossom eyes seemed capable of ensnaring souls.
"It's merely the notes of a high-level alchemist on becoming a 3rd Tier Alchemist," Zhang Yuan said.
Ya Fei's pupils contracted sharply.
Xiao Yan suddenly understood, recalling that before dinner, Zhang Yuan had asked Yao Chen for a small favor. It must have been about these notes.
Xiao Zhan's eyes lit up, while Xun'er remained the calmest of all.
'What a lavish move,' Ya Fei thought in shock.
Indeed, these so-called 3rd Tier Alchemist notes were useless to her and truly not worth as much as a fine dress. But to alchemists, such notes were priceless. Using them to befriend an alchemist was worth more than countless beautiful outfits.
"Brother, you're teasing Sister," Ya Fei leaned closer, breathing out a fragrant scent. "If you had taken this out earlier, I would have handed you the Monster Core with both hands."
"But then, Master Gu Ni's favor wouldn't belong to me, would it?" Zhang Yuan ignored her small gestures completely.
Why use the notes when money sufficed? But using Yao Chen's perfected 3rd Tier Alchemist notes to make Master Gu Ni owe a massive favor was far better.
Ya Fei feigned sadness. "Must you draw such clear lines between us?"
Truly worthy of being a temptress. She knew how to act.
But Zhang Yuan had already had enough. With a casual flick of his hand, a strand of Dou Qi surged out. Ya Fei was pushed back by the force, stumbling before landing on a chair.
"Sister Ya Fei should sit quietly for a while. We can discuss things properly once Master Gu Ni returns," Zhang Yuan said expressionlessly, then picked up the teapot and smiled as he poured tea for Xun'er.
Ya Fei felt the urge to bite something again.
Why was it that when she poured tea for him, he poured tea for another woman?
What exactly was she lacking!?
Ya Fei herself didn't realize that someone who usually toyed with men's hearts was now being thoroughly 'played' by Zhang Yuan.
(End of Chapter)
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