Chapter 153: Not Giving Face (Part 1)

Xiao Yan wasn't surprised that Ya Fei knew the internal test results; judging by the glances of those in the hall, news of Xiao Yan's top rank in the internal test, his extraction of ultra-high-purity medicinal substances, and his possession of a strange flame had already spread throughout Jia Ma Sheng Cheng.

He took a glass of red wine from a maid's tray, walked slowly into the hall, and smiled: "Ya Fei, you're joking—aren't you the one who knows my abilities best?"

At Xiao Yan's words, a collective "Ooh" rose through the hall. Some inexperienced girls blushed, their minds drifting to certain "abilities."

Hearing Xiao Yan say it deliberately, Ya Fei's face flushed crimson, even her earlobes tinged red—whether from the wine or something else, no one could tell.

Ya Fei gave Xiao Yan a sultry glance and whispered: "Mr. Xiao Yan, you tease. Back then, in the Miter Auction House in Wutan City, you performed spirit refining in public and stunned everyone—your name echoed across the entire city. I was fortunate enough to witness it, yet I never imagined you'd still be just as remarkable in Jia Ma Sheng Cheng."

Hearing Ya Fei's explanation, many men present exhaled in relief, their shattered hearts slowly healing.

Of course, if they'd known what Hai Bodong had said at the auction house recently, those young hearts would've shattered even more than black iron spirit leaves.

Xiao Yan smiled as he gazed at Ya Fei's rosy cheeks, tapped his glass lightly against hers with a "clink," and drained it in one gulp. Ya Fei smiled too, downing her wine in one go, looking every bit the bold one.

"How is Hai Lao?" Xiao Yan handed his glass to a maid, took a new one, and asked.

"These past few days, Hai Lao has been busy searching for medicinal materials and handling affairs—he's been gone over twenty years, so much needs sorting," Ya Fei whispered close to Xiao Yan's ear.

"Good. Tell Hai Lao for me—once the Alchemist Convention ends, with the honor of Elder status, you should be able to request those materials from other nations' Alchemist Guilds," Xiao Yan said calmly.

Ya Fei furrowed her brows playfully and scolded: "You brat—you haven't even started the competition yet and you're already dreaming of the Champion title."

Xiao Yan shrugged, unconcerned.

"Young Clan Leader Miter is here—he wants to meet you. Come with me," Ya Fei said with a charming smile.

Xiao Yan turned his head: "Not interested. I just came out for some air—I'll head back to cultivation soon."

"Oh, please, Great Talent! Just go meet him, okay?" Ya Fei's eyes pleaded, her voice heartbreakingly sweet.

Xiao Yan shuddered at the sound, his face twisted in disgust: "Stop! Fine, I give in—I'll meet him."

Seeing Xiao Yan agree, Ya Fei's face lit up with joy; the girl-like expression vanished instantly, replaced by elegant poise as she led the way.

Xiao Yan's appearance naturally drew intense attention—undoubtedly, he had now surpassed Liu Ling and Xiao Princess Yue to become the hottest contender for the Champion title.

As if afraid he'd escape, Ya Fei seized Xiao Yan's wrist with her jade hand and dragged the reluctant man toward the crowd.

Among the hall's guests, many admired Ya Fei's beauty and grace—and their gazes at Xiao Yan brimmed with bitterness and fury.

The myriad stares around him didn't alter Xiao Yan's expression; he calmly enjoyed those looks of anger and envy.

When he spotted Miter Tengshan from afar, Xiao Yan shed his usual demeanor and instantly transformed into the Young Clan Leader of the Xiao Clan.

Xiao Yan held his wineglass elegantly, extended his hand politely, and said: "Greetings, Young Clan Leader Miter. It's been many days, yet you still radiate vitality."

Ya Fei stared at Xiao Yan with a strange expression—how could this man change faces faster than turning a page? Just moments ago, he refused to come.

Dressed in lavish robes, Miter Tengshan smiled warmly, as if looking at a junior: "At the guild, I never had the chance to properly host you, yet today you've already claimed first place in the Alchemist Convention's internal test—truly, talent blooms early!"

Xiao Yan smiled slightly: "I owe this result largely to the precious medicinal materials your guild gifted me days ago—I practiced diligently because of them. Otherwise, I doubt I'd have achieved such results today."

At Xiao Yan's words, the nobles and high officials beside Miter Tengshan exchanged glances, their eyes flickering with surprise as they looked at him.

No one expected Xiao Yan had already known someone from the Miter Clan—and that their connection ran this deep!

If Xiao Yan truly won the Alchemist Convention Champion title, he'd naturally elevate the Miter Guild—and possibly even help it expand beyond the empire's borders.

Miter Tengshan smiled inwardly. He'd once doubted Hai Bodong's decision—but now he'd gladly give half his fortune to Xiao Yan just to ride this great ship.

This was precisely what Xiao Yan intended—to give the Miter Clan face.

Hai Bodong had left the Miter Clan over twenty years ago; no one would willingly hand over half their wealth just because he said so.

As Young Clan Leader, Xiao Yan understood: business thrives on mutual benefit. You can't expect others to lose—otherwise, they might just play petty tricks.

To conquer a city is inferior; to conquer the heart is superior.

Now that Xiao Yan had status, the Miter Clan would willingly supply him with medicinal materials—he truly needed vast quantities of Five-Grade Pill ingredients to practice; he was only one breath away from reaching Five-Grade!

Miter Tengshan smiled warmly: "If you ever need any medicinal materials, just ask Ya Fei—she'll help you. After all, you two have known each other a long time, haven't you?"

His tone and gaze implied more than mere familiarity between Xiao Yan and Ya Fei—they subtly echoed Hai Bodong's earlier words.

Ya Fei recalled Hai Bodong's mention of a "mediator," and her face flushed as if drunk, tinged with shy charm. Xiao Yan merely smiled faintly, saying nothing.

Thanks to his powerful Spiritual Soul, Xiao Yan knew Ling Ying was hiding somewhere in the hall's corner.

Xun Er wasn't here—but eyes were.

After exchanging a few polite pleasantries, Xiao Yan and Ya Fei left the spot and walked aside.

Nalan Su, watching from afar, had been observing Xiao Yan closely. Seeing Xiao Yan laugh and chat with Ya Fei, he turned to Nalan Yanran and said: "Ya Fei may lack your cultivation talent, but her methods are certainly plentiful."

Nalan Yanran glanced at her irreverent father and said coolly: "Father, just say what you mean."

"Ahem—what I mean is, Liu Ling is nowhere near Xiao Yan."

Nalan Yanran looked toward Liu Ling's position—he was chatting casually with a group of young Alchemists preparing for tomorrow's Alchemist Convention, clearly the center of attention.

Had Liu Ling's master not been Dantian Alchemist Gu He, Liu Ling—despite some talent—could never have led the young generation of Alchemists in the Jia Ma Empire.

But Xiao Yan rose from a small town, seized first place in the internal test, and possesses a strange flame.

Compared to Liu Ling, Xiao Yan clearly leads by a wide margin.

(End of Chapter)