Chapter 170: The Exchange

Waving at Xiao Yan, Aubba took two steps forward and pushed open the door. However, before he could even step inside, a fierce gust of energy mixed with a cloud of black powder surged out from the room. The sudden change startled Xiao Yan, who cautiously retreated a few steps. His right hand gripped the Heavy Xuan Ruler on his back, and his body slightly arched. As the black powder was about to spew out of the room, Aubba sneered, and with a swift wave of his sleeve, an even more powerful burst of energy emerged out of nowhere, forcing the black powder back into the room.

As the black powder gradually dissipated, it revealed the dirty and messy interior of the room. Patting his hands, Aubba turned to Xiao Yan and chuckled, “This old guy always likes to set up these kinds of pranks. Although that black powder wouldn’t poison you, if it gets on your skin, it’ll make you itch like crazy.”

Slowly releasing his grip on the ruler, Xiao Yan shook his head with a wry smile. This old man was indeed a bit of a freak.

“Come on, follow me and don’t touch anything,” Aubba said with a smile, stepping into the room. After a moment’s hesitation, Xiao Yan followed closely behind him.

Entering the dimly lit room, the door slammed shut with a loud thud, causing Xiao Yan to shake his head helplessly again. His gaze swept over the room, which looked like a junkyard. Following Aubba, they climbed up a rickety, decrepit wooden staircase that seemed on the verge of collapse. After enduring a series of chaotic attacks, they finally reached the top of the building.

Reaching the final stair, Xiao Yan let out a sigh of relief. He looked up at the wooden door at the end of the corridor and asked Aubba, “Is this the place?”

Aubba nodded, glancing down at his robe, which had several small holes melted by corrosive liquid. His mouth twitched, and he gritted his teeth, “This old scoundrel, instead of focusing on proper alchemy, he’s always playing with these shady tricks…”

Xiao Yan’s lips curled into a smile, and he could only laugh inwardly.

“Proper alchemy? What’s improper about my stuff? You old scoundrel, don’t think just because you’re the vice president of the Alchemists’ Guild, I won’t kick you out!”

While Xiao Yan was chuckling inwardly, an angry, gruff voice echoed from the room at the end of the corridor.

“You’re the scoundrel,” Aubba rolled his eyes and waved his sleeve sullenly, leading Xiao Yan down the corridor. They stopped in front of the room, and Aubba delivered a fierce kick to what appeared to be a wooden door.

*Clang!*

The sound of metal rang out as Aubba’s foot connected with the door. Seeing this, Xiao Yan’s eye twitched, and he quickly stepped back, looking at Aubba, whose face was nearly twisted in anger.

“Haha, old man, after you kicked one of my doors last time, I specifically replaced it with a reinforced steel door. Haha, fun, right?”

The room filled with the old man’s hearty, almost gleeful laughter, tinged with a hint of schadenfreude.

“Old bastard…” With a distorted expression, Aubba took a deep, chilly breath. His face turned a deep shade of blue, and a powerful aura began to rise around him, enveloping him like a man on fire.

“Such a strong aura… his strength must be at the level of a Dou Ling or higher,” Xiao Yan thought, taking another two steps back in amazement as he watched the deep yellow aura swirling around Aubba.

With his body surrounded by the aura, Aubba once again kicked the reinforced steel door with all his might.

*Bang!*

A dull thud echoed through the corridor, and the door flew into the room.

“Ah, you old scoundrel, you really did it!”

At the sight of the door flying into the room, a strange cry came from inside.

With a cold, steely glare, Aubba stepped into the room, his movements somewhat uncoordinated. His gaze swept over the room and finally landed on a shabby, disheveled old man. He sneered, “Gunny, do you believe me when I say I will write down everything in your treasure room and publish it for all to see?”

“Hehe, no, no… It’s just a joke,” the disheveled old man hurriedly waved his hands and smiled apologetically.

Snorting, Aubba turned to the door and called out, “Xiao Yan, come in.”

“Eh, you brought someone else? What do you want?”

Seeing Aubba’s actions, Gunny’s eyes widened, and he spoke cautiously.

Aubba ignored the old man and entered the room. Xiao Yan followed, his gaze sweeping over the interior. When his eyes landed on some crystal pedestals on the counter, a look of surprise crossed his face.

“Seven-leaf Fire Heart Flower? Blood Crystal Grass? Blue Rock Heart Stone?…”

Looking at these rare treasures gathered here, Xiao Yan couldn’t help but gape. The collection here was unbelievably rich.

“Hehe, what are you looking at, boy? Want to take something from my treasures?” Gunny leaped over, glaring fiercely at Xiao Yan.

Awkwardly, Xiao Yan laughed and retracted his gaze, staring at the disheveled old man. It was hard to imagine that such a frail old man could be the brother of the famous Dan King Gu He of the Jia Ma Empire.

“Cough, sorry, Master Gunny, I’ve never seen so many treasures in my life. Looking at this collection, I doubt there’s anyone in the Jia Ma Empire who can match you,” Xiao Yan said with a smile.

“… Boy, you sure have a sweet tongue, but your words are true,” Gunny’s stern expression softened a bit, nodding and accepting the compliment without any modesty.

“What do you need from me? Spit it out, I’m busy,” Gunny said, sitting down at a table piled with junk, crossing his legs.

“It’s this young man who needs something from you,” Aubba rolled his eyes, glancing at a dusty chair and shaking his head, standing as he spoke.

“Oh? I don’t know him, what does he want? Do you have some rare treasure to sell me? Hehe, that’s fine, as long as it pleases me, I’ll give you a good price!”

Gunny’s eyes gleamed, fixating on the Storage Ring on Xiao Yan’s finger.

“Cough… No, Master Gunny, I’m not here to sell treasures. I came to ask if you have the Ice Spirit Cold Spring,” Xiao Yan said, shaking his head and locking his gaze on Gunny’s face.

Hearing this, Gunny was taken aback, then vigorously shook his head. “No, no, you’ve got the wrong person. I don’t have that thing!”

Seeing Gunny’s shameless behavior, Xiao Yan shook his head with a wry smile. He had clearly seen the look of surprise on Gunny’s face when he mentioned the Ice Spirit Cold Spring. Perhaps, he was shocked at how Xiao Yan knew he had it.

“Old man, stop fooling around. Last time, didn’t you tell me you traded a small bottle of Ice Spirit Cold Spring with someone? I remember it well,” Aubba said, smiling.

“Get lost, you old scoundrel. Don’t come here again,” Gunny snapped, his embarrassment turning to anger.

Aubba shrugged and said to Xiao Yan, “I’ve brought you to him. How to get the Ice Spirit Cold Spring from him is up to you. I’ll wait outside.”

With that, Aubba walked towards the door. As he exited, he patted a spot on the wall, and a wooden door slowly rose, covering the room.

Seeing Aubba leave, Xiao Yan nodded helplessly, waving his hand to blow off the dust from a chair and sitting opposite Gunny.

Gunny glanced at the closed door, then looked at Xiao Yan, sneering, “Forget it, kid. I won’t trade the Ice Spirit Cold Spring with you.”

“Master Gunny, I believe there’s no deal that can’t be done. If a deal isn’t successful, it’s because the offer wasn’t enticing enough,” Xiao Yan said with a smile.

“Oh? If you know that, then why are you still here? Don’t tell me you need the Ice Spirit Cold Spring to save your life. I don’t have any unnecessary sympathy.”

Raising an eyebrow, Gunny looked at Xiao Yan, his smile tinged with mockery. He doubted that Xiao Yan had anything that could tempt him.

Xiao Yan rubbed his chin, his mouth pursed, seemingly thinking of what could convince Gunny.

“Hehe, do you really have something to offer? But let’s get this straight, don’t bring out any techniques or battle skills. Though they are valuable, I’m not interested. My favorite… are these rare treasures.”

Seeing Xiao Yan’s expression, Gunny’s interest was piqued. He pointed to the treasures in the room, smiling.

Xiao Yan lightly tapped his fingers on the table, pondering for a while. Then, he gently rubbed the Storage Ring, and a small jade bottle appeared in his palm.

Looking at the jade bottle, Gunny raised an eyebrow, his eyes showing a hint of curiosity.

Fondly stroking the small jade bottle, Xiao Yan slowly opened it and placed it on the table. Immediately, a wisp of purple mist rose from it, and the temperature in the small space seemed to rise sharply.

Feeling the air grow increasingly hot and staring at the purple, flame-like gas, Gunny’s pupils contracted.