Chapter 55: Inexplicably Courting Death

Sensing someone entering from outside, the alchemists who had been conversing stopped in tacit agreement; even Bai Ye, who had been resting with his eyes closed in his chair, opened them slightly, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes when he saw Xiao Yan walking at the very front.

At this moment, Xiao Yan was also looking at him; he was somewhat curious about this third-grade alchemist who had visited for no apparent reason, though he didn't know why, the Bai Ye before him always gave him an inexplicable feeling—it looked somewhat awkward.

However, this was clearly not the time to delve into it; Xiao Yan walked straight to a high platform at the front of the conference room, and just as he was about to speak, he heard someone below shout out first.

"Hey, Gu Ni, who is this brat? Why let him go up there? Tell him to get down immediately," said a middle-aged man with a thin build but slightly narrow, long eyes. Xiao Yan glanced at the emblem with two medicine cauldrons on the man's chest, which indicated that this person should be one of the two second-grade alchemists Gu Ni had found.

Although he was somewhat dissatisfied that a mere second-grade alchemist would dare interrupt him, Xiao Yan could understand it by putting himself in the other's shoes, so he didn't take it too seriously. After all, Xiao Yan was counting on these people to work well for the Xiao Clan after he left. He turned his head to look at Gu Ni, signaling him to explain.

In fact, there was no need for Xiao Yan to signal; after the thin middle-aged man spoke, Gu Ni stepped forward and said, "Brother Wang, this is the main person who brought you all here today; he is the Young Clan Head of the Wutan City Xiao Clan, Xiao Yan."

"The Xiao Clan? Oh, you mean that Xiao Clan which somehow had the good luck to finish off the City Lord's Mansion during this period?" The man addressed as Brother Wang sneered: "So what if it's the Xiao Clan? Don't they still have to beg us alchemists when they have matters? Look at this kid, he hasn't even paid us the proper respects since he walked in; he really doesn't know the rules."

Hearing this, Xiao Yan frowned deeply; he really didn't know how someone with such an arrogant tone hadn't been beaten to death yet. No matter how pathetic the Xiao Clan might be, the Clan Head Xiao Zhan was still at the Great Dou Shi level of cultivation; even if he didn't know Xiao Yan's strength, he should at least show the most basic respect to a Great Dou Shi's son. He turned to look at Gu Ni, the meaning in his eyes extremely clear, and Gu Ni knew it without even looking—how could you have found such a piece of trash?

Although Gu Ni really wanted to answer, "Could anyone willing to come to such a small city as Wutan City be a normal person?", he swallowed those words back as soon as he thought of Xiao Yan's strength.

"Ahem, Brother Wang, actually, this Young Clan Head of the Xiao Clan is already at the peak of the Great Dou Shi cultivation level, and just two days ago he defeated a six-star Dou Ling in a duel, so—" Gu Ni stopped there, but anyone with a discerning eye could understand the meaning left unsaid.

A second-grade alchemist like you can only put on airs in front of a Dou Shi; you have to lower your head when meeting a Great Dou Shi, let alone Young Master Xiao Yan, who can defeat a Dou Ling. Why don't you quickly put away your death-seeking behavior and come apologize to Young Master Xiao Yan!

However, it was unclear whether this second-grade alchemist had left his brain at home today or simply never had one; he didn't take Gu Ni's advice to heart at all, but instead mocked in return: "No, Gu Ni, do you want to listen to what you're saying? Him? A little brat who hasn't even grown all his hair yet can be a Great Dou Shi? And defeated a Dou Ling?"

"Hahaha! You're killing me!"

Hearing this from Brother Wang, not only Xiao Yan and Gu Ni, but even the other alchemists who had come with him looked over; especially the few first-grade alchemists who had arrived earlier, their expressions were even more peculiar, looking at Brother Wang as if they were looking at a dead man. Like Gu Ni, they were present at the duel two days ago and had witnessed the whole thing.

However, regarding everyone's gazes, our Brother Wang thought everyone was admiring his wisdom. In his view, although he couldn't make it in the Imperial Capital, he should at least be the best of the best after coming to a small city like Wutan City; if he couldn't be the tail of a phoenix, couldn't he be the head of a chicken? Thinking this way, the Young Clan Head of the number one family in Wutan City was a good stepping stone; after all, he wasn't stupid enough to take a knife to the head of a city's number one family. Incidentally, he truly did not believe in those deeds of Xiao Yan.

"Heh, hehe, hehehe!" Facing this idiot, Xiao Yan was directly laughed into anger! The series of opening remarks he had prepared no longer held any desire to be spoken.

Walking straight down from the high platform, Xiao Yan reached the front of the alchemist surnamed Wang in a few steps, and under the other's provocative gaze, he pressed one hand down.

"Kneel," Xiao Yan said indifferently.

Subsequently, a massive pressure followed Xiao Yan's palm and was applied directly to the alchemist surnamed Wang; the powerful aura made even the people around feel somewhat stifled.

With a thud, the middle-aged man surnamed Wang had his legs bent and knelt on the ground; his previous arrogance quickly faded, and a panicked expression immediately crawled onto his face.

"This, this." The middle-aged man surnamed Wang trembled his lips in disbelief; only then did he realize that those rumors were all true! Feelings of regret immediately filled his heart, and he opened his mouth, wanting to salvage the situation.

However, Xiao Yan clearly didn't want to continue listening to this person's nonsense and directly sealed his mouth.

"To be honest, although I anticipated that the alchemists who could be found for Wutan City might have some problems, I didn't expect to get such a top-tier specimen like you." In the middle-aged man's terrified gaze, Xiao Yan said with some emotion: "But don't worry, I, Xiao Yan, am not a bloodthirsty person; I won't kill you just because you said a few unpleasant things."

After speaking, Xiao Yan no longer paid attention to the person kneeling before him and turned to look at the other alchemists who had been found.

"Apologies everyone, I had prepared quite a bit of a script for today, but since things have come to this, I think you have no heart to listen anymore, so let's get straight to the point." Xiao Yan's voice was bright as he continued: "I brought everyone here mainly to form an alchemist team for our Xiao Clan. Of course, I also know that Wutan City is a small city, and with your abilities as first and second-grade alchemists, you certainly wouldn't want to stay here forever."

I won't paint any big pictures for you about how the Xiao Clan will be in the future. Just trouble yourselves to come to my Xiao Clan once; I believe you will have a decision after you have seen it.

After speaking, Xiao Yan threw the person who had already collapsed into a pile of mush to the servants of the Mittel Auction House who were serving nearby and walked toward the high platform again.

Perhaps because Xiao Yan had displayed his strength once before, the others' reactions were significantly faster.

"Young Clan Head Xiao is too polite; since you have invited us, we will naturally give you face."

"Yes, yes!"

Soon, all the first-grade alchemists and the other second-grade alchemist all expressed their stance.

Xiao Yan turned his head again to look at the last one, the third-grade alchemist.

Seeing Xiao Yan look over, Bai Ye smiled slightly and said: "Since Young Master Xiao has invited me, I will naturally go; it just so happens that I also want to see what kind of family could cultivate a genius like Young Master Xiao."

Xiao Yan nodded and said: "That's good. Since everyone has agreed, then I will lead the way. This way."

After speaking, Xiao Yan walked out of the conference room first, followed by Ya Fei, Gu Ni, and the alchemists in turn.

Bai Ye also followed behind Xiao Yan, looking at the thin figure walking with head held high in front, a trace of curiosity appearing in his eyes.