Listening to the maid’s report, Yaphira was slightly taken aback. She turned her head to see Xiao Yan’s suddenly darkened face and shook her head helplessly, softly inquiring, “Nalan Yanran?”
“Yes,” the maid replied respectfully.
“What does she want from me?” Yaphira murmured with a frown, sighed, and looked at Xiao Yan apologetically, “I’m sorry…”
“Go ahead, it’s your job, I can’t blame you for that.” Smiling, some of the gloom on Xiao Yan’s face dissipated as he waved his hand.
“You might not want to see her right now. Wait here for a moment, let me find out what she wants, then I’ll take you out.” Yaphira’s beautiful eyes swept over Xiao Yan and the silent Hai Bo Dong, suggesting tentatively.
“Alright…” After a brief hesitation, Xiao Yan nodded slightly. He indeed did not want to meet that woman too soon, so he did not refuse Yaphira’s suggestion.
Seeing Xiao Yan’s agreement, Yaphira let out a sigh of relief. She whispered to the maid to take good care of them and then left the room quickly.
“Do you have some grudge with Nalan Yanran?” Looking at the disappearing figure behind the door, Hai Bo Dong, holding the ice-encrusted teacup, asked with a tinge of surprise.
“Mm-hmm,” Xiao Yan nodded, slowly sitting down in the chair, his face not looking too good.
“Is this trip to Yun Luan Sect related to her?” Glancing at Xiao Yan, Hai Bo Dong was startled and asked.
This time, Xiao Yan didn’t answer. He sipped his tea calmly, his half-closed eyes gleaming with a faint coldness.
Seeing Xiao Yan’s expression, knowing the answer, Hai Bo Dong didn’t ask further, slowly shaking his head. It seemed he understood why Xiao Yan was determined to go to Yun Luan Sect. However, he was still puzzled by what exactly Nalan Yanran had done to Xiao Yan, causing him to even prefer to have a falling out with a giant like Yun Luan Sect. Clearly, being at odds with Yun Luan Sect in the Jia Ma Empire was a foolish thing.
“Oh, by the way, what are you looking for something to restore soul power? Is your soul damaged?” Not dwelling on this topic, Hai Bo Dong suddenly remembered Xiao Yan’s earlier request and asked curiously.
Xiao Yan’s eyebrows twitched imperceptibly. He sipped his tea slowly. After a rapid thought, he said calmly, “The aftermath of the Buddha Flame Lotus last time…”
“Oh, that thing is terrifying; it’s understandable to have some aftereffects,” Hai Bo Dong responded without any suspicion. After all, the power of the Buddha Flame Lotus was indeed terrifying. He glanced around Xiao Yan and, with a frown, asked, “Is it serious?”
Trying to keep his heartbeat normal, Xiao Yan cast a sidelong glance at Hai Bo Dong, “Not too serious, but it’s not a common injury. That’s why I need to find a special item to restore my soul power and recover quickly.”
Hearing Xiao Yan’s somewhat vague answer, Hai Bo Dong furrowed his brows, turned his head to look at the calm, unreadable face, and hesitated for a moment. Finally, he nodded and focused on his teacup, falling into silence.
Through the reflection on the surface of the teacup, Xiao Yan clearly saw Hai Bo Dong’s reaction. The grip on the cup loosened slightly. He took a sip of tea, moistening his dry throat, and exhaled deeply.
In the room, as the two fell silent, the atmosphere gradually grew quiet. The maidservant standing by, trembling, dared not disturb them, even when changing their tea, she was extremely cautious, making no sound.
The silence lasted for about half an hour before a quick, crisp sound came from outside the door. Soon, Yaphira’s graceful figure appeared in their sight.
“She left?” Xiao Yan put down his teacup and asked casually.
“Mm-hmm.” Entering the room, Yaphira bowed respectfully to Hai Bo Dong, who was still holding the teacup, and then turned to Xiao Yan. Her slender fingers tapped lightly on the table. After a while, under Xiao Yan’s puzzled gaze, she smiled, “Brother Xiao Yan, do you really need that rare treasure of the world?”
“Mm, very much so,” Xiao Yan nodded, his heart racing slightly. His eyes fixed on Yaphira, he said softly, “Do you have it in the auction house? If you can provide it, I can offer a price that will satisfy you.”
“An item capable of restoring soul power is extremely rare. Even with our vast resources at the Mi Tuoer Auction House, we rarely acquire such items.” Yaphira shook her head, helpless.
“Then what do you mean…?” Xiao Yan frowned.
“Our Mi Tuoer Auction House indeed doesn’t have the item, but I know that in the Holy City of Jia Ma, there is a family that possesses a peculiar plant called the Seven Illusion Blue Spirit Saliva. This plant’s roots can be refined into an extremely mysterious liquid substance, which is the best medicine for restoring soul power,” Yaphira said with a bitter smile.
“Oh? Really?” Hearing this, Xiao Yan’s face lit up with excitement. He asked urgently, “Which family?”
Yaphira’s pretty face showed a hint of a bitter smile, her hesitance evident.
Seeing Yaphira’s expression, Xiao Yan was puzzled. Suddenly, he recalled something, and his face gradually darkened, “You’re not talking about the Nalan family, are you?”
“Mm, it is them.” Yaphira nodded helplessly.
“Such a treasure, anyone would keep it well. Putting aside my dislike for them, do you think the Nalan family would sell the Seven Illusion Blue Spirit Saliva to me?” Xiao Yan rubbed his forehead, muttering, “Do you expect me to steal it? But if it comes to that…”
“Who said anything about stealing? The Nalan family is one of the three most renowned families in the empire, along with us, the Mi Tuoer family. Many of their members hold significant positions in the military, and their defenses are as strong as ours. With the help of Old Master Hai Bo Dong, it would still be challenging to obtain the Seven Illusion Blue Spirit Saliva from their heavily guarded premises.”
Gazing at Xiao Yan, Yaphira scolded, “If you mess up, they might destroy the Seven Illusion Blue Spirit Saliva, and then you’d have wasted your effort.”
“Without stealing and unable to trade normally, how do I get the Seven Illusion Blue Spirit Saliva?” Xiao Yan asked, frowning.
“Years ago, the patriarch of the Nalan family fought a highly venomous fifth-grade magical beast, Lashan Poisonous Stamped Serpent. Although he killed it, he was unfortunately injected with a terrifying poison, the Poison Brand. You, an alchemist, must know the potency of this poison. In records, there are sixth-grade magical beasts that have been poisoned to death by the Lashan Poisonous Stamped Serpent. If it weren’t for its rarity, many powerful figures on the continent would tremble at the mention of this poison.”
Yaphira smiled, suddenly talking about something unrelated to the Seven Illusion Blue Spirit Saliva.
“That poison is indeed deadly… but what does it have to do with the Seven Illusion Blue Spirit Saliva?”
Hearing the name of the Lashan Poisonous Stamped Serpent, Xiao Yan’s face changed slightly, and he shook his head.
“Will you let me finish?” Yaphira gave Xiao Yan a coquettish look and continued, “These years, with his formidable Dou Qi, the patriarch has been suppressing the poison. However, as he aged, the poison’s backlash became stronger. Half a month ago, the Poison Brand in his body finally erupted. Under this eruption, the patriarch, at the level of Dou Wang, collapsed completely. Now, the entire Nalan family is in chaos, searching everywhere for an alchemist to save him.”
“Searching for an alchemist? With Nalan Yanran’s connections, couldn’t she directly seek the aid of Dan King Gu He? With his alchemy skills, what poison can’t he neutralize?” Xiao Yan asked calmly.
“We tried, but even Gu He couldn’t remove the Poison Brand. That poison is deeply embedded in the bones and marrow, and no medicine can remove it.” Yaphira shook her head and smiled bitterly.
“Even Gu He couldn’t handle it?” Xiao Yan was surprised.
“Mm,” Yaphira nodded, pondering, “Though Gu He couldn’t remove the poison, he suggested a method: controlling flames to enter the patriarch’s body and using high temperatures to expel the Poison Brand. Unfortunately, this requires an extraordinary flame, an alien fire…”
“So, the Nalan family is offering a huge sum to hire alchemists with alien fires. Sadly, they’ve had no luck, even with an offer that even our Mi Telo family envies. Among the offered rewards is the Seven Illusion Blue Spirit Saliva.”
Yaphira spread her hands.
“Whoever cures the patriarch will get the Seven Illusion Blue Spirit Saliva. Many alchemists have tried, but none have succeeded.”
“Nalan Yanran came to me earlier to ask our auction house to publicize the search for an alchemist with alien fire.”
“Perhaps you should try. After all, your previous issue wasn’t related to the patriarch. In fact, he was furious and expelled Nalan Yanran from the family several times, though not permanently…” Yaphira gazed at Xiao Yan.
Hearing this, Xiao Yan frowned, his fingers tapping the table, and he fell silent.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage