Chapter 375: Xiao Yan Won

Upon hearing Xiao Yan produce a Seventh-Grade Pill capable of temporarily boosting a Dou Zong's strength, those who had been determined to win it instantly deflated.

"Imperial Power Purple Pill!" Xiao Yan's words triggered a wave of uproar; everyone stared at Xiao Yan.

Even some Black Horn Region elites and faction lords were stunned—this was a Seventh-Grade Pill; some had never seen a pill of this rank in their entire lives.

Although Puti Huati Yan was extremely precious, it was ultimately just a Seventh-Rank Peak Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure, merely scraps from the Bodhi Tree.

Generally, a Seventh-Grade Pill could be exchanged for Eighth-Grade Medicinal Materials, Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, or even Earth-Class Mid-Level Cultivation Methods.

But this was only in principle; in reality, if you had an Eighth-Grade main ingredient, unless the Alchemist truly needed it, you usually couldn't exchange it—yet a Seventh-Grade Pill could be swapped for anything you wanted at any time, unless you offered one for two or an astronomical price.

For example, trading a Six-Grade Peak Pill for a Seventh-Rank Peak Transformation Grass would draw countless takers—even non-Alchemists walking into the Alchemist Guild would be treated as fools and swapped with.

But if you tried to trade Transformation Grass for any random Six-Grade Peak Pill, sorry—even at market price, no one would agree, unless you offered two Transformation Grasses for one Six-Grade Peak Pill.

Thus, the market value of Puti Huati Yan should actually be a Six-Grade Peak Pill, such as Po-Zong Pill, and Ya Fei had originally estimated it as such.

However, if one factors in the possibility that Puti Huati Yan might conceal information related to the Bodhi Tree, its value might rise slightly—but never too much, since everyone knew this was just deception.

Everyone stared at Xiao Yan, thinking him utterly insane—how could he pay so much just to save time! What could be more insane or wasteful than this!

Those who had prepared several Imperial Ultimate Pills, or even Earth-Class Mid-Level Cultivation Methods and Secret Techniques for trade, instantly fell silent and deflated, for they knew that unless Mo Tian Xing was a fool, he would demand the Imperial Power Purple Pill.

At this moment, Mo Tian Xing's visibly delighted expression confirmed everything—he was very satisfied with the Imperial Power Purple Pill.

Of course, if he knew Xiao Yan had once given Ling Ying an Imperial Power Purple Pill for free, he'd have a very different reaction.

"Will anyone else bid?" Xiao Yan lazily scanned the other VIPs in the surrounding seats, and at this moment, several Peak Dou Huang and Dou Zong experts had faces dark as thunder.

Although they could scrape together a Seventh-Grade Pill even if they sold everything they owned, spending such a fortune on Puti Huati Yan—a body-refining Heavenly Material—was clearly not worth it.

"Alright, if no one bids higher, then it's settled," Xiao Yan said, lounging lazily on the long sofa.

Hearing this, Ya Fei smiled faintly, closed the Brocade Box, and sat down slowly.

Xiao Yan's arrogant attitude was exasperating; although many present, including numerous Alchemists, wanted Puti Huati Yan, buying it with a Seventh-Grade Pill—or higher—was utterly insane!

Not worth it!

Just as the Seventh-Grade Pill was sealed, Mo Tian Xing beamed—but before he could speak, a withered voice rang out: "Young man, don't be so arrogant. This Puti Huati Yan is mine to claim."

"I also have a Seventh-Grade Pill."

At that moment, from the VIP seat opposite Xiao Yan, an old man with a hawk-like nose and gray hair slowly rose, also producing a Jade Box.

Xiao Yan glanced at him—Ya Fei had told him this man was a Hidden World Strong Expert from the Black Horn Region; during the auction, he had just acquired a scroll of Earth-Class Mid-Level Dark Attribute Dou Qi Cultivation Method, known as the Hawk Mountain Elder.

Slowly opening the Jade Box, a rich, colored Pill Fragrance surged forth, revealing a perfectly round Pill before everyone's eyes.

"This is the Return-Life Pill, suitable for Dou Zong below Star Five. It can save a life—so long as your head isn't severed or your heart shattered, you'll still live." As he spoke, the Hawk Mountain Elder's gaze held a trace of reluctance—this Pill was something he could use himself, a true lifeline.

"No, no, no," Xiao Yan smiled faintly. "You must understand—my Pills aren't the kind concocted by some random amateurs. My Seventh-Grade Pills are refined with Mystic Flame Cultivation Technique, their quality perfected. If you offer an ordinary-grade Pill, you'll be disappointed."

As Xiao Yan said, Pills weren't all the same once made—quality mattered greatly.

For instance, this Return-Life Pill can restore injuries, but the medicinal power required differs depending on the user's strength. A Star Nine Dou Zong's severe injury and a Star One Dou Zong's severe injury cannot be healed with the same dosage.

The higher the Pill's quality, the stronger and faster its recovery effect. If Xiao Yan had crafted this Return-Life Pill, it could restore even a Dou Zong below Star Seven; for a Star One Dou Zong, it might even revive someone with shattered internal organs.

When Xiao Yan first reached Seventh Rank, he had crafted Return-Life Pills himself—he instantly recognized that the Hawk Mountain Elder's Return-Life Pill was only average, far from superior.

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, everyone agreed—it made sense, since Seventh-Grade Pill Lightning varied in intensity.

Mo Tian Xing looked at the Hawk Mountain Elder, his gaze asking: Will you raise your bid?

Mo Tian Xing, of course, hoped for as much competition as possible.

But! Before the Hawk Mountain Elder could speak, Xiao Yan sighed softly: "I'm too lazy to haggle with you. Return-Life Pill, right? I'll add another one."

"It's just a Seventh-Grade Pill—why treat it like a treasure?"

Xiao Yan sat there calmly, relaxed and unruffled, making it impossible to believe such a staggering sum came from his mouth.

Who ever raises their own bid!

Xiao Yan pulled another Brocade Box from his storage ring and handed it to Ya Fei, who gave him a withering look—after all my hard work saving every bit of coin, you just say "I'm too lazy to haggle" and waste it all!

But Ya Fei said nothing, slowly opening the Brocade Box to reveal a Return-Life Pill identical to the Hawk Mountain Elder's—yet its shape and Pill Fragrance were even more perfect.

The Hawk Mountain Elder was so enraged he nearly spat blood—he had struggled for years to obtain just one Return-Life Pill, and he hadn't even dared to use it!

Now a sudden rival appeared—and even worse, this rival had doubled the price himself!

"This—this is insane!" Everyone was stunned; countless people sucked in sharp breaths—this price was utterly mad, completely unworthy!

"Being a Seventh-Rank Alchemist is that impressive?"

"Seems like it really is."

Countless people smiled bitterly—Alchemists truly were the noblest profession on the Dou Qi Continent.

At this moment, every buyer in the hall—whether the VIPs in private booths or Hidden World Strong Experts lurking in shadows—stared at Xiao Yan. Even if they didn't know he was a Seventh-Rank Alchemist, they understood: anyone who could casually produce two Seventh-Grade Pills was no ordinary person.

"Hmph, you're generous buying things for Xiao Yixian, but when you make Pills for me, you demand my Medicinal Materials!" Zi Yan muttered quietly beside him, suddenly feeling sour—what kind of person was this? Earlier, she'd been denied her Medicinal Materials, yet now he casually produced two Seventh-Grade Pills.

Xiao Yixian blushed instantly, glancing at Xiao Yan beside her. Undeniably, the way Xiao Yan spent for her was undeniably handsome.

After meeting Xiao Yixian's gaze, Xiao Yan cleared his throat: "Zi Yan, you ungrateful brat—I've given you several Seventh-Rank Peak Pills already. One Seventh-Rank Peak Pill equals over ten low-grade ones."

In the end, the Hawk Mountain Elder's face turned ashen, teeth clenched, yet he had no choice—he emptied every possession he had and still couldn't match the price, so he slumped back into his chair.

He could only abandon his bid—he simply couldn't afford this price. What else could he do? He could only watch helplessly as Xiao Yan won Puti Huati Yan.

Without question, and without needing to ask further, Mo Tian Xing knew no one else would bid—this far exceeded his expectations.

Yet he wasn't truly happy; his eyes held suspicion. Not just him—several others in the hall also harbored doubts.

Because Xiao Yan's bid was too high—it triggered suspicion.

Namely: why was Xiao Yan willing to pay such a colossal price for Puti Huati Yan?

"Dad, does Xiao Yan know something about Puti Huati Yan that we don't?" Behind the scenes, Mo Tian Xing and Mo Ya stared at the Puti Huati Yan before them—they hadn't yet transacted with Xiao Yan.

"I don't know. Maybe he's just extravagant—he is a Seventh-Rank Alchemist himself," Mo Tian Xing couldn't be sure; some Alchemists did act extravagantly.

But this made him suspicious—after all, Puti Huati Yan wasn't just an ordinary body-refining material.

The claim that it was linked to the Bodhi Tree was pure bluff by the Black Emperor Sect—it had no truth to it, or else he'd have gone to find the Bodhi Tree himself.

But what if there's something they don't know at all!

In fact, they overthought it—Xiao Yan's Puti Huati Yan has nothing to do with the Bodhi Tree.

Mo Ya's eyes instantly sharpened, a cold glint flashing as he said lowly, "Father, shouldn't we swap this Puti Huati Yan?"

After a moment of thought, Mo Tian Xing shook his head and said, "Do you think you can deceive a Seventh-Rank Alchemist?"

"If he finds out later, the wrath of a Seventh-Rank Alchemist is something the Black Emperor Sect cannot bear."

Mo Ya immediately felt resentful and said, "So we really just trade with him like this?"

About half an hour later, Mo Tian Xing, Mo Ya, and an Elder of the Black Emperor Sect arrived at Xiao Yan's VIP seat.

Mo Tian Xing held the Puti Huati Yan with both hands and smiled, "Hehe, sorry, Xiao City Master, we were delayed by some matters."

Xiao Yan swept it with his Soul Force, smiled faintly—this was indeed Puti Huati Yan; the Black Emperor Sect dared not swap it or cut corners.

Xiao Yan nodded to Ya Fei, and two brocade boxes were handed to a Sixth-Rank Alchemist of the Black Emperor Sect. After checking, the Alchemist nodded—Xiao Yan's Elixir had no issues.

After securing the Puti Huati Yan, Xiao Yan was about to leave when Mo Tian Xing said, "Wait, Xiao City Master—could you possibly refine a Po Zong Pill? I can provide five sets of Medicinal Material for a Po Zong Pill. No matter the success rate, I only want one."

"Not interested." Xiao Yan waved his hand boredly and left without looking back, accompanied by Xiao Yixian and others—how could he possibly refine a Pill for such a trivial price?

Seeing Xiao Yan show such disrespect, Mo Tian Xing's expression darkened.

"The Black Emperor Sect truly cannot bear the wrath of a Seventh-Rank Alchemist… but…" Mo Tian Xing suddenly revealed a meaningful smile.

"What does the Sect Master mean?" Qi Shan, the Black Emperor Sect's Alchemist beside him, whispered.

"Let's wait and see. Xiao Yan has many strong allies nearby—especially that white-robed girl. Though her strength is unclear, she's certainly no weakling."

"With so many eyes on him now, perhaps we can wait until they're both weakened, then strike." Mo Tian Xing's pupils flickered with cold malice as he spoke slowly: "Since this brat refuses to drink the wine, don't blame the old man for being ruthless."

Hearing this, Mo Ya finally exhaled in relief, raised his head, and gazed at the spot where Xiao Yan and the others had vanished—his eyes flashing with cold malice and envy.

Not long after, Xiao Yan and the others returned to the inn and immediately sealed the entire space with Soul Force.

At that moment, Ya Fei noticed Xiao Yan smirking at the box containing the Puti Huati Yan and asked curiously, "Is there something wrong with this Puti Huati Yan?"

Xiao Yan smiled and shook his head. "No, the Puti Huati Yan is fine—the problem is the box."

"The box?"

"Mo Tian Xing left a very subtle tracking mark on this box." Xiao Yan sneered—the mark was indeed faint; even a typical Seven Rank Low Grade Alchemist might not detect it.

But Xiao Yan's Soul Force had reached the Spirit Realm!

"Then what should we do? Can we remove it?" Ya Fei asked.

"Why remove it? Ya Fei, you know—I never like to disappoint people. If they think there's hope, I should generously give them hope, not crush it." Xiao Yan wore a meaningful smile.

If they were smart and didn't provoke him, Xiao Yan would let it slide. But if they thought he was an easy target, the Yan Zun would teach them what cruelty truly meant!

Hearing this, Ya Fei rolled her eyes at him.

Zi Yan, idly chewing on Medicinal Material, swung her feet in her chair and asked, "So what do we do now?"

"Let's be merciful—give them some time to think. First, deal with that pile of flesh." Xiao Yan, seeing Zi Yan, decided to handle the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan's corpse first.

Hearing Xiao Yan was going to deal with the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan's corpse, Zi Yan immediately perked up and laughed, "Hurry up, hurry up—I'm curious too!"

Zi Yan had never eaten a Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan member before—she only had faint ancestral memories and sensations in her Bloodline.

Thud! Xiao Yan pulled out the massive corpse from his storage ring—immediately, a foul stench spread, drawing disgusted looks from everyone.

The Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan really was ugly and stinking.

(End of Chapter)