Nalan Yanran's heart sank.
She naturally understood.
"I'm not clear about Young Master's origins either," Ya Fei said softly, setting down her teacup.
"But I do know that what we see as the heavens might just be the ground beneath Young Master's feet."
"Today, when Young Master said he was giving me Face, he was guiding me, and also warning the Yunlan Sect."
Ya Fei looked at Nalan Yanran.
"Sister Yanran, you are a smart person; you should understand what I mean."
Nalan Yanran fell silent.
Of course, she understood.
The other party clearly didn't take the Yunlan Sect seriously; the subtext of "giving Ya Fei Face" was "If it weren't for Ya Fei's Face, you wouldn't even be able to leave this door today."
A Sixth-Grade Alchemist so young, the power behind him must be incredibly vast.
And she had actually tried to recruit him; Nalan Yanran's Face alternated between green and white, realizing it was indeed too fantastical.
"I understand," Nalan Yanran stood up and bowed respectfully to Ya Fei, "Thank you, Sister Ya Fei, for your guidance."
On Nalan Yanran's Face, there was no longer any confusion; a new flame ignited in her clear, cold eyes.
"I will return to the Sect now."
Ya Fei escorted her to the door, watching the girl's resolute departing back, a slight smile curving her lips.
Nalan Yanran walked out of the Mittel Auction House and looked up at the sky of Wutan City.
She suddenly felt that this sky was truly very small.
"Three-Year Agreement..."
She murmured to herself.
That Xiao Yan, that phrase "Don't bully a young man for being poor," now stirred no great waves in her heart.
That was merely a stumbling block on her path of Cultivation, one that needed to be honorably removed.
Her true goal was to see the broader world Xuan Jin spoke of... the Xiao Family.
Xiao Yan sat cross-legged on the bed, his previous excitement and passion gradually cooling down.
In its place was a tremendous pressure.
"Three-star Fighter..." Xiao Yan murmured to himself.
He had clearly seen the three shining golden stars on Nalan Yanran's chest today.
A three-star Fighter at fifteen!
Even in the entire Jia Ma Empire, she was absolutely a top-tier Genius.
Moreover, Nalan Yanran was already the Young Sect Master of the Yunlan Sect; resources would naturally be continuous for the next three years.
"What Realm will she reach in three years?"
Xiao Yan's mind raced.
With the Yunlan Sect's resources and her talent, it wasn't impossible for her to Breakthrough to Dou Master, reach a high-tier Dou Master, or even challenge the Great Dou Master Realm in three years.
And what about him?
Fourth Stage of Dou Qi.
This starting point was simply too low.
Xiao Yan spread his palm, feeling the weak Dou Qi within his body; a strong sense of urgency, like a tide, engulfed him.
"Not enough, far from enough!"
He closed his eyes, his mind sinking into his body, frantically circulating all his Dou Qi, greedily absorbing the energy between heaven and earth.
Every bit of Dou Qi growth brought him a sense of peace.
He could not lose.
This battle concerned not only his personal honor and disgrace but also the Face of his father and the entire Xiao Family.
Outside the door, Xiao Xun'er stood quietly.
Looking at the tightly closed door of Xiao Yan's room, a hint of worry appeared on her beautiful Face.
She knew better than anyone how vast the gap was between Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran.
Although Great Master Xuan Jin's Medicinal Pills were extraordinarily effective, catching up to or even surpassing Nalan Yanran within three years was still as difficult as ascending to heaven.
After all, Xiao Yan's starting point was simply... too low.
"Brother Xiao Yan..."
She pushed open the courtyard gate and walked in.
In the room, Xiao Yan was still tirelessly Cultivating, sweat already soaking his clothes.
Xiao Xun'er looked at his tightly furrowed brows and pale Face, a pang of pain in her heart.
She didn't make a sound to disturb him, merely retreated silently and closed the door.
Returning to her own courtyard, Xiao Xun'er sat on a bluestone stool.
"Just relying on arduous Cultivation won't work," Xiao Xun'er murmured to herself.
Xiao Yan needed a more powerful Cultivation Technique, more top-tier Medicinal Pills, and more formidable Dou Techniques.
A moment later, she seemed to have made some kind of decision... Life in Wutan City flowed peacefully amidst Xiao Yan's frantic Cultivation and the undercurrents of various forces.
Xuan Jin stayed at Tianxiang Tower for another half month.
He spent most of his time Cultivating, occasionally refining Medicinal Pills.
And Ya Fei hadn't yet gathered all the medicinal ingredients for the Sixth-Grade Spirit Rhinoceros Meridian-Opening Pill, so Xuan Jin wasn't planning to stay here much longer.
On this day, Xuan Jin called Ya Fei to his room.
Xuan Jin casually tossed a few jade bottles to Ya Fei.
"These contain some Fourth-Grade qi gathering powder and Fifth-Grade healing Medicinal Pills. Take them for your use, whether for yourself or for auction, it's up to you."
"As for the gold coins after the auction, just use them all to purchase high-grade medicinal ingredients."
Ya Fei took the jade bottles, feeling the warmth and rich medicinal fragrance emanating from them, her heart warmed.
Young Master was paving the way for her future.
"Thank you, Young Master."
"I'm leaving Wutan City for a while," Xuan Jin said.
Ya Fei's heart tightened, a hint of reluctance appearing on her Face.
"Where is Young Master going?"
"To the Magical Beast Mountain Range to take a look," Xuan Jin did not hide it.
Ya Fei nodded, not asking any more questions.
She knew what she should do and what she shouldn't.
"Before I leave, take this."
Xuan Jin handed Ya Fei a completely black Jade Slip, intricately carved with complex patterns.
"This seals one of my attacks. If you encounter an unsolvable danger, just crush it."
Ya Fei took the Jade Slip with both hands; its heavy weight gave her an unprecedented sense of security.
She looked up, her charming peach blossom eyes shimmering with moisture.
"Young Master, Ya Fei will be here... waiting for your return."
Xuan Jin hummed in acknowledgment, and his figure flickered, disappearing from the room.
Ya Fei held the cold Jade Slip for a long time before turning to leave.
Xuan Jin had elevated her so much; she naturally had to work hard. Through their interactions during this time, Ya Fei also understood that Xuan Jin would stay in this Northwest Continent for a while longer.
And she, of course, had to serve Xuan Jin diligently during this period, after all, such a person could not personally handle everything... Half a day later, Qingshan Town.
Unlike the prosperity of Wutan City, this small town appeared more rugged.
Because of its proximity to the Magical Beast Mountain Range, there were many Mercenaries in the town, and men with broadswords on their backs and fierce expressions were common on the streets.
Xuan Jin walked slowly along the bluestone road, heading directly towards "Myriad Medicine Pavilion" at the east end of the town.
Myriad Medicine Pavilion's storefront wasn't large, but it was filled with all sorts of medicinal ingredients, and a faint, fresh herbal scent permeated the air.
A girl dressed in a simple linen dress stood behind the counter, carefully bandaging the wound of a middle-aged man with a pale Face.
The girl appeared to be about sixteen or seventeen years old, wearing a light white dress. Although her appearance wasn't absolutely stunning, she could certainly be called a rare beauty.
Her gently smiling Face exuded a fresh and ethereal aura; this unique temperament immediately significantly increased her charm.
It was Little Fairy Doctor.