The auction concluded. After obtaining all the auction items, upon inquiry, Fan Ling learned that the black-robed individual he was concerned about, as well as the student from Jia Nan Academy, had already left. His expression turned somewhat unpleasant. "Let's not mention the black-robed individual for now, but that person named Lin Xiu must be found."
"Young Sect Master, we mustn't complicate matters unnecessarily!" the elder reminded once again.
"He's just a student, it won't delay much. Elder Luo, arrange for someone to investigate. I'll await your good news," Fan Ling persisted.
His persuasions fell on deaf ears. Today, he wouldn't leave Black Mark City temporarily, as there was ample time to deal with the other party.
The elder hesitated, his expression changing several times before nodding in agreement.
Afterward, the group left the auction house and returned to the hotel to rest.
"Teacher, they didn't rush to leave," a figure in black robes noted. Their gaze followed Fan Ling and the others entering the restaurant before they continued forward with the crowd.
"It's fine, we can wait," Old Yao replied.
Although Fan Ling and the others weren't particularly powerful, there was still a chance they could obtain the fragmentary map through force in Black Mark City. However, he dared not exert his full strength. Currently in the Black-Corner Region, members of the Hall of Souls could be nearby. If his presence was exposed, it would only invite greater danger. Moreover, if Xiao Yan were to take action, it might not be as clean.
Meanwhile, Lin Xiu glanced at the restaurant for two seconds among the crowd but chose not to act. He meandered through the crowd, seizing the opportunity to remove his black robe before heading towards Huo Lan's house.
"At present, neither the Three Thousand Lightning Movements nor the Yin-Yang Mysterious Dragon Pill are on Fan Ling's person. If we act now, it will only alert the enemy," he reasoned.
He was ultimately just one person and couldn't manage to be in two places at once, so he could only wait a little longer.
However, what Lin Xiu didn't expect was that trouble had come knocking earlier than anticipated. Just as he arrived at Huo Lan's house, the elder who had been following Fan Ling happened to be standing at the doorway.
"Lin Xiu, why have you come back? Hurry, leave!"
Just as he explained that Lin Xiu wasn't present, Huo Lan moved forward, using the Eight Gates as his reliance. But to their surprise, they turned their heads to see Lin Xiu calmly walking back.
"Kid, if you don't want to cause trouble for yourself, just obediently come with me," the elder said with a menacing tone, his threatening intent palpable.
"Fine, I'll go with you," Lin Xiu frowned and chose to comply. With Fan Ling and this elder's strength, they posed no threat to him whatsoever.
He just felt that meeting with Fan Ling would undoubtedly result in the latter's death. And once Fan Ling died, in order to obtain the Three Thousand Lightning Movements and Yin-Yang Mysterious Dragon Pill, speed was of the essence. They couldn't afford to give the people from the Black Skeleton's Tomb and the Heavenly Snake Mansion any time to react.
With a hint of surprise on his face, the elder thought Lin Xiu would resist, but unexpectedly, the process went remarkably smoothly.
"Lin Xiu, you... sigh," Huo Lan stood at the doorway, struggling to find words, eventually sighing.
With his strength, he couldn't possibly get involved in such matters.
The elder immediately intended to take Lin Xiu to see Fan Ling.
Suddenly, a middle-aged man with a group of people intercepted them. He looked at the elder. "He can't go with you. Our leader wants to see him."
The middle-aged man wore a maple leaf emblem on his chest, and his aura was strong, compared to the elder's.
"Maple Leaf..." Elder Luo was taken aback. "You're from Feng City, Medicine Emperor Han Feng's people. What does Medicine Emperor want with him?"
"This isn't something you should be asking!" the middle-aged man said sternly.
Seeing this, the elder glanced at Lin Xiu and abandoned the idea of taking him to see Fan Ling. After all, even the Sect Master of the Blood Sect would need to be polite when meeting the Medicine Emperor. Fan Ling couldn't afford to make the Medicine Emperor yield.
The elder left with his men to report to Fan Ling.
Watching himself being handed over with just a few words, Lin Xiu felt a sense of being treated like a commodity.
Most importantly, he was very surprised. Why would Han Feng suddenly want to see him?
"Mr. Lin Xiu, please come with us. Rest assured, our leader wants to see you. This matter will definitely be a great opportunity for you," the middle-aged man said politely.
"No problem," Lin Xiu replied. He also wanted to unravel the mystery. He wasn't worried about his safety; after all, he was a Dou King.
If he were just a Dou Spirit, then he might really consider it carefully.
Before leaving, Lin Xiu communicated with Huo Lan and suggested that he should consider moving his family away. Even if Fan Ling didn't cause trouble today, it wouldn't be long before Fan Ling's death would bring trouble from Fan Lao.
Huo Lan was already considering this and mentioned that he had arranged for his family to pack up their belongings as soon as they returned from the Auction House.
Finally, he reminded Lin Xiu to be careful.
After circling around, Lin Xiu returned to the auction house and in the reception hall, he saw a man.
The man was dressed in Alchemist attire, with an extremely well-crafted "maple" character on it.
"Lin Xiu, an inner courtyard student?" the man's gaze shifted from the scroll in his hand.
Lin Xiu nodded, saying nothing.
"Han Beng, I told you to go get someone, how did you invite them?" Han Feng suddenly raised his voice slightly, looking at the middle-aged man.
He observed Lin Xiu's reaction and thought that his subordinate's actions had startled him.
The middle-aged man's forehead beaded with cold sweat, hastily insisting that he had been very polite and courteous all along.
"Medicine Emperor, what he said is true. It's just that we have never met before, so I'm not sure why you are seeking me?" Facing Han Feng's gaze, Lin Xiu spoke calmly.
"It's nothing major, I mainly wanted to ask for your help." Han Feng sat back in his chair, gesturing for Lin Xiu to sit down and chat.
"My price is high." Lin Xiu smiled. He hadn't been clear before, but now he understood Han Feng's intentions.
Upon hearing this, a flicker of astonishment crossed Han Feng's face. He hadn't expected this guy in front of him to not immediately refuse.
Suddenly, he felt like his opponent wasn't playing by the rules.
Typically, students of Jia Nan Academy had a high loyalty to the Academy. They might not directly refuse, but they would definitely inquire about the reasons first.
But this person in front of him actually said his price was high?
What a joke. Even if you're expensive, can you really make it difficult for a sixth-rank Alchemist like me?
"As long as you can complete my task, everything regarding compensation can be negotiated," Han Feng came back to his senses, revealing a warm smile.
Not long after, Lin Xiu walked out of the Auction House alone, running his thumb over the Spatial Ring on his hand, a slight smirk forming at the corner of his mouth.
"Wanted to use me, well, I also need your help."
Lin Xiu agreed to help find the place within the inner courtyard with unusual flames, in return for a set of Han Feng's alchemy insights.
In reality, he knew Han Feng's true intention was to find the location of the Fallen Heart Flame.
But Lin Xiu certainly wouldn't reveal it now.
To obtain the Fallen Heart Flame, one must first consider the matter of the Academy elders. Therefore, Han Feng's interference became particularly important.
However, until his strength was sufficient, he would only disclose partial information.
The real information, when his own strength was sufficient, wouldn't need to be disclosed. In a short while, after the passage of the First Stage, the Fallen Heart Flame would erupt on its own, thereby attracting Han Feng's attention.
"Leaching off a set of alchemy insights, now entering the realm of Alchemy won't be a worry," Han Feng agreed to help threaten Fan Ling. Lin Xiu wasn't worried about any problems arising from the Mentor's side either.
In the blink of an eye, it was the next day.
Lin Xiu saw Fan Ling and the others leaving the restaurant but didn't immediately follow. Instead, he waited for a while.
He didn't deliberately conceal himself because Yao Chen's Soul Power was very strong. Trying to hide from him was impossible with Lin Xiu's current strength.
"Kid, the person who sat next to you yesterday is following behind you," Old Yao's voice resonated in Xiao Yan's mind.
"Is he asking for death?" Xiao Yan blurted out, somewhat surprised.
"Perhaps that's the difference between being educated by the Academy and being taught by me personally. People, they need to have self-awareness," Old Yao remarked.
Old Yao's tone carried a hint of pride.
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