"Yes, of course I want it. Many thanks, Yao Lao."
Regardless of what "plans" Yao Lao had in mind, there was no reason for Xiao Ting to refuse Eight Trigrams Lightning Steps.
On the Battle Qi Continent, most Battle Qi attributes followed the five elements—metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. Wind, lightning, ice, and similar attributes were comparatively rare, so corresponding methods and battle skills were rarer as well.
Movement techniques were already considered quite precious among battle skills. A mid-tier Black-rank movement technique whose full power surpassed that of high-tier Black-rank and rivaled Earth-rank, especially one so suited to a lightning-attribute cultivator, was of extremely high value.
Seeing Xiao Ting stretch out his hands to take the scroll, Yao Lao smiled faintly. "To quickly master a movement technique and turn it into real combat power, the key is practice."
"Since you've decided to cultivate this technique, starting tomorrow you'll head to the back mountain to train with Xiao Yan. I'll guide you both."
Xiao Ting immediately understood. Yao Lao probably wanted to use the training as a justified way to "teach him a lesson."
"Many thanks, Yao Lao. I'll be in your care starting tomorrow, then." Having figured out the little scheme, Xiao Ting didn't turn him down.
If he could accept an Earth-rank method and Black-rank movement technique from the old man, he could hardly deny him a little "venting," could he?
Guidance from a peak Dou Venerate was something even Dou Ancestors would have a hard time obtaining. You couldn't find such fortune even with a lantern in hand, and he had no reason to refuse.
"When the time comes, remember to have a suit of iron armor custom-made." Leaving that final sentence behind, Yao Lao returned to the Bone-Flame Ring.
"I'll go get it ordered right now." Xiao Ting cupped his fists to the ring, then turned to Xiao Yan. "Brother Yan, I'll just write off the money you owe me."
Xiao Yan's lips twitched as he waved irritably. "Get lost. Scram."
First he'd fed him dog food, and now he was rubbing it in on purpose. This lousy little brother really was asking to be beaten.
Xiao Ting chuckled and signaled Xun'er to leave with him, but after only two steps, he turned back and held out his hand to Xiao Yan.
"What do you want now?" Xiao Yan asked in puzzlement.
Didn't he just say I didn't have to pay him back?
A few thousand gold coins wouldn't even buy a peek at a high-tier Black-rank method scroll.
"Let me borrow your purple gold VIP card for the Miteer Auction House." Xiao Ting flexed his fingers.
"How do you know I have that?" Xiao Yan took the card from his ring and placed it in Xiao Ting's hand.
"Miss Ya Fei of Miteer is a clever woman. Of course she'd want to curry favor with a wild alchemist." Xiao Ting gave a simple explanation, then turned away to walk back to Xun'er. "Let's go, Xun'er. We'll have breakfast first, then head to Miteer Auction House to pick out some items. Today's expenses are on Young Master Xiao Yan."
The corner of Xiao Yan's eye twitched. "I must have owed him in a previous life, and now he's come to collect the debt."
"You're not going to ask how he advanced to Dou Master?" Yao Lao's voice reappeared, tinged with surprise. "When I handed him the scrolls, I examined him. His foundation isn't just stable—it's even stronger than…"
"…than what I'd planned to build for you. At his level, to break through to Dou Master and still possess such a foundation… there might be a method in there that suits you."
Initially, he'd wanted to say, stronger than the foundation I built for that ungrateful disciple Han Feng. But thinking of that traitor angered him, so he corrected himself midway.
Xiao Yan hadn't noticed anything off and just shrugged. "If it's something he can share, Xiao Ting would tell me without being asked. Why waste the effort? It's probably related to Xun'er anyway."
"Let's go cultivate. I need to work doubly hard. I can't let Xiao Ting protect me in the future, can I?"
Though it did feel pretty good to be protected, when Xiao Yan remembered those three years and his three-year agreement with Nalan Yanran, he only wanted to move forward.
…
On the other side, with her hands clasped behind her back, Xun'er walked with light steps beside Xiao Ting, occasionally turning her head to glance and smile at him. When he was about to lose his composure, she finally spoke gently.
"Brother Xiao Ting, you truly aren't curious about that old senior's identity?"
"Does he harbor any ill intent toward Cousin Xiao Yan?" Xiao Ting countered instead of answering directly.
"Not at the moment." Xun'er blinked, replying softly, "According to the information Xun'er has, that senior's character should be genuinely sincere toward Cousin Xiao Yan. Moreover, he already knows that Cousin has you behind him—and that you, Brother Xiao Ting, have me by your side."
"Then there's no need to pry further, unless he chooses to say more himself." Xiao Ting shook his head faintly. "But Xun'er, do you know at what realm one can exist purely in the form of a soul?"
Xun'er's eyes flickered and she smiled lightly. "That's not strictly related to cultivation realm, but rather to the state of the soul."
"The soul… has states?" The right amount of surprise and curiosity appeared on Xiao Ting's face.
Xun'er: If I could, I'd really like to smack the Journal copy in front of Brother Xiao Ting and see just how wonderful his expression would be.
"Yes. The soul is divided into four states—Mortal, Spirit, Heavenly, and the Di State." Xun'er kindly explained, "They roughly correspond to…"
"…To become an alchemist, one prerequisite is a powerful soul. To become an eighth-rank alchemist, your Soul State must break through to Spirit; Heavenly State corresponds to ninth-rank."
After listening patiently, Xiao Ting nodded slightly. "In that case, that Senior Yao Lao must have at least been an eighth-rank alchemist at his peak."
"With such a teacher, Cousin's three-year agreement is as good as won."
Hearing this, Xun'er's eyes flickered as she murmured inwardly, That's not necessarily true—it'll depend on whether certain people also get their hands on the Journal copy and similar opportunities.
The two chatted and laughed as they headed to a restaurant for breakfast. After they'd eaten, they went together to the Miteer Auction House.
Once Xiao Ting produced the purple gold card, they were immediately greeted personally by Ya Fei.
"I heard Young Master Xiao—Ting?" Ya Fei's laughter had drifted into the VIP reception room before she stepped inside. But as soon as she entered and saw Xiao Ting and Xun'er seated within, her words caught for a moment.
In the next instant, she'd already adjusted her state of mind. With graceful bearing, she made her way to the main seat and sat down. "I am Miteer's head auctioneer Ya Fei. Welcome, Young Master Xiao Ting and Miss Xun'er. How can I be of service to you both today?"
Xiao Ting kept his gaze properly forward and asked in a straightforward tone, "Greetings, Miss Ya Fei. I came here today for two things."
"First, I'd like to ask whether Miteer Auction is currently providing large quantities of first-rank pill ingredients to the Jia Lie Family."
A glint of sharpness flashed in Ya Fei's eyes before she covered her lips and laughed. "Young Master Xiao Ting, that would be commercial intelligence."
"Don't worry. I don't need the details. I just want to know if they're supplying or not." Xiao Ting smiled. "The Xiao Family can figure that out easily by sending someone to sound out the market. I just thought it unnecessary to make it that troublesome. Don't you agree, Miss Ya Fei?"
Ya Fei thought to herself that he was right. Xiao Ting wasn't asking about specific herbs or their sources. After a brief thought, she nodded lightly. "Starting seven days ago, the Jia Lie Family has been purchasing large quantities of herbs from the Miteer Auction House."
That was all Xiao Ting needed to know. It meant the first-rank alchemist Liu Xi was about to make his grand entrance.
"Thank you for telling me, Miss Ya Fei." He cupped his fists in thanks, then continued, "The second matter is that I'd like to see the item list for the next Miteer auction in advance."
"That's a small matter." A hint of confusion flickered in Ya Fei's eyes. "If Young Master wants to know, you could simply ask Clan Master Xiao Zhan, or send someone here to ask. There's no need for you to personally come."
For the average person, getting the auction list in advance was very difficult.
But in Wu Tan City, Miteer would take the initiative to inform the three great families.
If they could bring their money, wonderful; if not, their presence alone improved the scene.
"I don't want the regular list." Xiao Ting smiled. "I want the one for lots that can be purchased from the auction house before the auction begins."