Ya Fei still wanted to say something, but suddenly realized that her mouth had been wrapped tightly by Dou Qi, leaving her unable to make a sound.
She tried to stand up, yet a wave of numbness spread through her body, rendering her completely unable to move.
All she could do was glare at Zhang Yuan with an expression filled with humiliation and anger, but he completely ignored her gaze.
At this moment, Zhang Yuan's level of "annoyance" in her heart had nearly caught up to that of the infuriating fellow Mu Zhan.
Xun'er revealed a faint smile, holding her teacup as she curiously asked, "Brother Yuan, although a 3rd Tier Alchemist's insights are only useful to alchemists, if it were put up for auction, its price would surpass many 4th Tier pills. Using it to exchange for a 4th Rank Wind-attribute Monster Core seems far too wasteful."
Alchemists held an exalted status, but forming connections with them was no easy task.
Items like high-level alchemist insights or special pill recipes were precisely the things that could move an alchemist's heart.
"Mm~" Ya Fei's peach-blossom eyes widened.
She had also realized this point and was inwardly thinking that Zhang Yuan was ultimately still too young.
She had kept talking to Zhang Yuan earlier precisely to disrupt his thinking, yet she hadn't expected Xun'er to step in and disrupt her instead.
"This, I naturally understand." Zhang Yuan glanced at Ya Fei and smiled lightly. "I didn't lie earlier. The person I truly came here to find was Master Gu Ni. The 4th Rank Wind-attribute Monster Core was merely incidental."
Hearing this, Xun'er said no more. Her reminder came from concern, but she would not interfere with Zhang Yuan's decisions.
Ya Fei also stopped struggling and instead lowered her head, pondering Zhang Yuan's true intentions.
Before long, Master Gu Ni returned and placed a jade box on the table beside Zhang Yuan, then rubbed his hands together.
Zhang Yuan released his Spiritual Perception to sweep over the boxes. After confirming that there were no issues with the contents, he stored them in his Storage Ring and said, "Master Gu Ni, do you think a mere 4th Rank Wind-attribute Monster Core is worthy of that 3rd Tier Alchemist's insights written by a high-level alchemist?"
"It can't compare." Gu Ni shook his head honestly.
Just a tenth of the contents had already benefited him immensely. There was no need to even mention the complete version.
"Mm~" Ya Fei wanted to say something, but she still could not break free from the Dou Qi restraint.
Zhang Yuan paid no attention and continued, "Then what else can Master Gu Ni offer?"
"What do you need?" Gu Ni pondered briefly. "As long as it's something I can provide, I'm willing to use it in exchange."
At his current age, he was still only a 2nd Tier Alchemist. Aside from an average inheritance, his alchemy talent was also rather lacking.
Becoming a 3rd Tier Alchemist might very well be a height he could never reach in his lifetime, yet the scroll in Zhang Yuan's hands had allowed him to see a sliver of hope.
For that hope, he was willing to pay almost everything he had.
"What I need is something very easy for you to accomplish, Master." Zhang Yuan smiled. "We need the Miteer Auction House to share most of its intelligence with the Xiao Clan, and to provide certain medicinal ingredients to the Xiao Clan on a long-term basis."
Using Yao Chen's 3rd Tier Alchemist's insights in exchange for a 4th Rank Monster Core was indeed not worth it. Even using it to recruit Gu Ni alone would be somewhat wasteful.
But if he could also bring the Wu Tan branch of the Miteer Clan into the fold, the situation would be entirely different.
"This matter cannot be decided by me alone." Gu Ni turned his gaze toward Ya Fei.
The Miteer Clan's method of controlling its auction houses involved assigning two to three decision-makers, depending on the situation.
In Wu Tan, Ya Fei was a direct descendant of the Miteer Clan. Though her cultivation was low, she possessed strong business acumen. She handled daily operations and commercial matters while maintaining contact with the clan.
Gu Ni, on the other hand, was an outsider. As a 2nd Tier Alchemist and a Da Dou Shi, he was stationed there to oversee appraisal work and maintain order.
The two cooperated while also supervising one another.
"This is unacceptable!" Zhang Yuan released his control over Ya Fei, who immediately stood up and said, "The foundation of the Miteer Auction House lies in neutrality. We will not intervene in any clan conflicts within a city."
"We can offer gold, or the resources the Xiao Clan requires, to purchase that scroll for Master Gu Ni."
Gu Ni's expression remained unchanged as he looked at Zhang Yuan without speaking.
Zhang Yuan smiled. "Sister Ya Fei has misunderstood two things. First, the Xiao Clan is not seeking cooperation with the Miteer Auction House. We are cooperating with the two of you. Second, we do not require you to participate in Wu Tan's power struggles."
"That's self-deception." Ya Fei's aura shifted as her tone sharpened. "Master Gu Ni and I are the ones in charge here. If we cooperate with you, it means the auction house cooperates with you, which is indirect participation in conflict."
Could neutrality truly not be changed?
As long as enough profit was involved, such things did not exist.
Zhang Yuan's smile gained a hint of amusement as he said, "Sister Ya Fei, didn't you yourself say that you wanted to achieve something in Wu Tan, to gain your clan's recognition and seize control of your own fate? Do you really think neutrality alone can accomplish that?"
Ya Fei smiled noncommittally and asked, "And cooperating with the Xiao Clan can?"
"Of course." Zhang Yuan nodded. "In fact, the scroll Master Gu Ni read earlier was written by my Brother Yan's master's master."
Xiao Yan and the others: "…"
Yao Chen: "So I've become both a 4th Tier Alchemist and my own teacher now?"
"Young Master Xiao's master is an alchemist?" Ya Fei's eyes flickered.
"Correct." Zhang Yuan nodded. "As for Brother Yan's inability to cultivate, I'm sure the two of you are aware. That was actually a trial set by his teacher. Now that he has passed it, he has formally taken a 4th Tier Alchemist as his master."
"That 4th Tier Alchemist hails from the Black Corner Region and has an even stronger master. That scroll was written by Brother Yan's grandmaster."
Hiss!
Gu Ni and Ya Fei exchanged looks, both drawing a sharp breath inward.
If Zhang Yuan wasn't speaking nonsense, then with a 4th Tier Alchemist backing them, the Xiao Clan was truly about to rise.
If that were the case, cooperating with the Xiao Clan would indeed pose no problem. But what if Zhang Yuan was deceiving them?
"Sister has a question." Ya Fei stared intently at Zhang Yuan and asked, "If Xiao Yan has taken a 4th Tier Alchemist as his master, why hasn't the Xiao Clan publicized this?"
If the Xiao Clan had a 4th Tier Alchemist behind them, even Dou Ling experts would have to treat them with respect.
"Because I am only a nominal disciple for now," Xiao Yan replied proactively. "According to my sect's rules, I must become a 2nd Tier Alchemist before I can be formally accepted. Before that, I'm not allowed to mention my master's name."
Gu Ni: 'I suspect you're belittling me, and I have evidence.'
"So that means we won't be able to meet that 4th Tier Alchemist either?" Ya Fei asked again.
"Not until Brother Yan becomes a 2nd Tier Alchemist." Zhang Yuan nodded.
Ya Fei pondered for a moment, then smiled alluringly. "Isn't that asking me to gamble?"
"You want to change your fate, yet when given a chance to gamble, you hesitate?" Zhang Yuan countered, then tossed the scroll to Gu Ni.
"Master Gu Ni, the scroll is yours. Consider it the Xiao Clan's sincerity in cooperation."
"Whether you choose to cooperate or not is up to you. If you refuse, then consider it a personal favor you owe the Xiao Clan."
After speaking, Zhang Yuan gave Xiao Yan and Xun'er a look, and the three of them turned and left.
Xiao Zhan stood up as well, though he did not plan to return home. He still needed to participate in the night's auction and bid on some valuable items.
Ya Fei did not try to stop them. Only after the four had left did she ask Gu Ni, "Master Gu Ni, do you think what he said is credible?"
"I believe it is." Gu Ni gripped the scroll and said, "I once had the fortune to attend lectures by 4th Tier and 5th Tier Alchemists from the Alchemist Association. None of them explained things as thoroughly or as clearly as what's written here."
"Even if those alchemists deliberately held back during their lectures, the gap is still obvious."
"This insight was likely written by an alchemist of at least 5th Tier."
"Moreover, the Xiao Clan's desire to acquire medicinal ingredients through the auction house likely means they wish to avoid interference from the Jia Lie Clan and the Ao Ba Clan, preparing to refine pills for sale. That alone proves an alchemist stands behind them."
Ya Fei nodded solemnly. She also leaned toward believing in Zhang Yuan.
Cooperation was a long-term matter. Lies could deceive for a moment, but not forever.
"Do you intend to gamble?" Gu Ni asked.
"Of course." A seriousness never before seen surfaced in Ya Fei's peach-blossom eyes.
"Putting everything else aside, Zhang Yuan's strength and talent alone, at sixteen years old and already a 9-Star Dou Shi, are enough for me to bet everything on him."
"Tomorrow, I'll personally visit the Xiao Clan to discuss the details of cooperation."
Gu Ni nodded. "I fully support you."
At the same time, outside the auction hall.
Xiao Yan covertly glanced at Xun'er, hesitating to speak.
Sensing it, Xun'er cast him a calm glance and asked, "Brother Yuan, was it really fine to reveal the existence of Xiao Yan's master?"
Xiao Yan: "…"
'That was supposed to be my line!!!'
(End of Chapter)
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