Chapter 255: Gathering

"Old Man Hai! It's been decades; I thought you were long dead! I didn't expect you to still be alive!" Fama said to Hai Bodong with a smile.

"Heh, I don't die that easily! I just felt bored and lived in seclusion for a few decades," Hai Bodong replied with a faint smile.

"It's rare for us three old fellows to gather. Why don't you all come to my place to reminisce?" Jia Xingtian invited them warmly.

Hearing this, Hai Bodong and Fama exchanged a look. They naturally knew that Jia Xingtian had no good intentions.

"Old Man Jia, you're too kind! But I still have to prepare for some matters regarding the Alchemist Grand Meeting, so I don't have time for now," Fama politely declined.

"I haven't returned to the clan to take a look in so long, so I must head back to the Mittel Clan first. However, I've grown accustomed to leisure and will no longer interfere in clan affairs," Hai Bodong also spoke up to decline.

"Very well then! We shall gather again in the future! But young friend Bu Jingyun, I wonder if you have time to come to my place for a sit-down?" Jia Xingtian looked at Xiao Yan and asked with a smile.

Xiao Yan and Hai Bodong ignored the three clan heads who held high positions of power in the Imperial Capital and flew directly toward the Mittel Auction House on their own.

Only Mu Chen was left alone, disheveled in the wind, as the Mu Clan was currently the weakest.

"It seems Princess Yao Ye is quite dissatisfied with you! Have you done something to her?" Ya Fei looked at Yao Ye, then at Xiao Yan, a meaningful expression appearing on her face.

Since the Mittel Auction House and the Nalan Clan were not far apart, the two soon arrived at the Nalan Clan's villa.

"Apologies! I have to practice alchemy diligently recently to prepare for the upcoming competition!" Xiao Yan knew what was inside this imperial palace, so why would he go looking for trouble?

"Such a powerful physical body!" Jia Xingtian clutched his chest; clearly, Xiao Yan's strike just now was not so easy to take.

"It seems that even with the help of the Hall of Souls, reaching the Dou Zong realm is not that simple!" Xiao Yan thought to himself.

"No! I'd rather accompany Bu Jingyun to where he is staying," Hai Bodong shook his head and said, looking at Xiao Yan.

Mu Clan Head Mu Chen and Mittel Clan Great Elder Miteer Tengshan, who were sitting on both sides of Nalan Jie, also stood up to welcome them with smiles.

Xiao Yan rubbed his nose awkwardly, picked up the wine cup on the table, gestured with his hand, and drank it in one gulp.

"Perhaps my whereabouts were exposed! Jia Xingtian lured me to the Imperial Mausoleum. I originally thought he was just trying to give me a show of force and that there was no danger to my life, so I followed him. At first, it was fine; both sides were just sparring normally. Who would have thought that old thing Jia Xingtian would suddenly attack, every move fierce and vicious? If you hadn't arrived quickly, I fear I really would have died at his hands," Hai Bodong sighed, not knowing why his old friend had become like this.

"Then how is his strength? Has he reached the Dou Zong realm?" Xiao Yan had only exchanged one blow with Jia Xingtian, so he could not judge his true strength.

"Heh, my place is a bit inconvenient. After we finish discussing matters later, Old Hai, you should return to the clan to stay," Xiao Yan said with a faint smile.

"Of course he hasn't reached the Dou Zong realm, otherwise how would I still be alive? However, although he hasn't reached the Dou Zong realm, he is already at the peak of the Dou Huang realm, just one step away from breaking through to the Dou Zong realm!" Hai Bodong said as if it were a matter of course.

Night fell, and a man and a woman walked on the street. The woman happily held the man's arm, talking and laughing along the way, looking very sweet.

"Everyone! I have matters to attend to, so I will head back first. We shall gather again in the future," Jia Xingtian smiled and cupped his hands at the crowd.

In the courtyard, there was singing and dancing, and the seats on both sides were filled with noble descendants from various clans in the Imperial Capital.

Hearing this, Ya Fei curled her lips; she didn't believe a single word of Xiao Yan's.

The people attending the banquet were all shocked to see this. These three were figures who could cause a massive stir in the Imperial Capital just by stomping their feet!

"Certainly!" Everyone nodded and returned the gesture.

Nalan Jie and Mu Chen naturally wouldn't say anything more upon seeing this. After all, strength determines everything; Xiao Yan's strength was powerful, so naturally, there was no need to be polite to them.

However, just as Xiao Yan looked up, he saw a beautiful woman in a white brocade robe opposite him, staring at him through gritted teeth.

After Xiao Yan nodded with a smile to acknowledge her, he took Ya Fei to the table on the right to sit down.

"Uh... Hahaha! Alright then!" Hai Bodong seemed to have remembered something at this moment and said with a loud laugh.

Xiao Yan and Ya Fei were invited to the Nalan Clan to attend Old Master Nalan's banquet. Although they were far away, they could still feel the liveliness of the Nalan Clan at this moment.

"Old Man Hai, why did you end up fighting with Jia Xingtian?" As soon as Xiao Yan returned to the Mittel Auction House, he asked impatiently.

Hearing this, Miteer Tengshan looked slightly embarrassed.

To treat a person with such a peculiar appearance with such respect—it was truly mind-boggling.

Although Hai Bodong said he wouldn't interfere in clan affairs, there was no need to interfere at all. A Dou Huang relies on their reputation; there is no need to do anything to deter other clans.

Miteer Tengshan was happy to see Old Hai return and went back to the clan to make preparations.

"Of course it's true! After all, I can earn seventy million gold coins!" Xiao Yan said as if it were a matter of course.

Old Master Nalan was not only gradually recovering this time, but his strength had also advanced further. Smart people would not miss this good opportunity to come and curry favor.

Although Nalan Jie was wary of Hai Bodong's return, thinking that he might also become a Dou Huang, he naturally prepared the evening banquet with a smile.

"Heh, that is true! If you are missing any medicinal materials, you can come and find me!" Jia Xingtian said to Xiao Yan with a faint smile.

As soon as Jia Xingtian returned to the Imperial Palace, he could no longer suppress the injuries on his body and spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Sister, do you know Bu Jingyun?" Yao Yue, who was beside Yao Ye, looked Xiao Yan up and down, then frowned. Aside from seeing that Xiao Yan was dressed in a flashy way, she really didn't see anything else.

"I don't know him! I just find his attire a bit flashy and can't bear to look at it!" Yao Ye looked at Xiao Yan, who was laughing and talking with Ya Fei opposite her, and an unknown anger ignited in her heart, wanting to burn Xiao Yan to death directly.

"Did you really cure Old Master Nalan?" Ya Fei looked at Xiao Yan, somewhat incredulous. Based on her understanding of Xiao Yan, he would never be so kind-hearted.

"Then many thanks for Old Jia's kindness!" Xiao Yan cupped his hands in thanks.

"Mr. Bu Jingyun and Miss Ya Fei have arrived! Please, take a seat!" Seeing Xiao Yan and Ya Fei arrive, Nalan Jie hurriedly stood up to greet them warmly.

"Old Hai, your room has always been kept tidy for you! Would you like to go back and stay there?" Miteer Tengshan looked at Hai Bodong and asked respectfully.

Unexpectedly, the beauty turned her face away directly and stopped looking at Xiao Yan.

After Jia Xingtian left, Fama glanced at Xiao Yan. Seeing that Xiao Yan was fine, he used the excuse of preparing for the Alchemist Grand Meeting and left directly.

"Not only does sister find him an eyesore, but I also find him an eyesore! However... hehe! Ya Fei is someone's heart's desire!" Yao Yue said with some schadenfreude.

Hearing this, Yao Ye shook her head helplessly. She naturally knew who Yao Yue was talking about, but that person wasn't even fit to carry Xiao Yan's shoes, let alone make things difficult for him.

(End of Chapter) ===== CHAPTER 256 =====