Xiao Yan wasn't surprised that Ya Fei knew about the internal test results. Judging from the gazes of the people in the hall, news of him taking first place, refining an ultra-high purity medicinal essence, and possessing a Heavenly Flame had likely already spread throughout the entire Jia Ma Sacred City.
Taking a glass of red wine from a nearby servant's tray, Xiao Yan slowly walked into the hall and said with a smile, "Sister Ya Fei is teasing me. My skills—who knows them better than you?"
A collective 'ooh' echoed through the hall as soon as he said this. Some innocent young ladies even blushed, involuntarily thinking of certain 'skills'.
Ya Fei's pretty face turned a rosy red when she heard Xiao Yan deliberately say this, even the tips of her ears reddened slightly. It was unclear whether it was due to the red wine or some other reason.
She cast a charming sidelong glance at Xiao Yan and said softly, "Mr. Xiao Yan is joking. Back then, the young genius Xiao Yan publicly refined pills with astonishing skill in the Miteer Auction House of Wu Tan City, dazzling everyone and making his name echo throughout the city. This humble girl was fortunate enough to witness it. I really didn't expect Mr. Xiao Yan's skills to be just as impressive here in Jia Ma Sacred City."
Many men present listened to Ya Fei's explanation and breathed a sigh of relief, their shattered hearts slowly mending.
Of course, if they knew what Hai Bodong had said at the auction house not long ago, those young men's hearts might be crushed even more thoroughly than the Black Iron Spiritual Leaf.
Xiao Yan smiled and looked at Ya Fei's flushed cheeks. With a soft clink, he lightly tapped her wine glass with his own and downed his drink in one gulp. Ya Fei smiled and also finished her glass of red wine in a graceful and bold manner.
"Is Old Hai doing well?" Xiao Yan handed his empty glass to the servant beside him, took a fresh one, and asked.
"In the past few days, apart from searching everywhere for medicinal ingredients, Elder Hai has been handling some matters. After all, he disappeared for over twenty years, so there are many things to attend to," Ya Fei whispered softly near Xiao Yan's ear.
"That's good. Please help me convey a message to Old Hai. After the Alchemist Grand Meeting ends, with the authority of an Honorary Elder, I should be able to request those medicinal ingredients from the Alchemist Associations of other empires," Xiao Yan said leisurely.
Ya Fei slightly raised her willow-like eyebrows and looked at Xiao Yan with a hint of reproach. "You little rascal, the competition hasn't even started, and you're already thinking about winning the championship."
Xiao Yan shrugged noncommittally.
"Clan Head Miteer Tengshan is also here. He wishes to meet you. Come with me to see him," Ya Fei said with an enchanting smile.
Xiao Yan turned his head and said, "Not interested. I just came out for some fresh air. I'll go back to continue cultivating in a bit."
"Please, I'm begging you, great genius. Just go meet him, okay?" Ya Fei's eyes showed a hint of grievance and pleading, her voice so soft and pitiful it could melt anyone's heart.
Xiao Yan got goosebumps all over upon hearing this. With a look of defeat, he said, "Alright, alright! You win. Let's go meet him then."
A joyful smile immediately appeared on Ya Fei's pretty face. The girlish look on her cheeks vanished in an instant as she gracefully led the way with elegant poise.
Xiao Yan's appearance naturally attracted much attention. Undoubtedly, he had now become the hottest candidate favored to win the championship, surpassing Liu Ling and Little Princess Yue Er.
As if afraid Xiao Yan would run away, Ya Fei grasped his wrist with her jade-like hand, pulling the extremely reluctant Xiao Yan toward the crowd.
With Ya Fei's beauty and temperament, there were quite a few admirers of hers in the hall. These people looked at Xiao Yan with eyes full of jealousy and anger.
The various gazes around him did not cause any change in Xiao Yan's expression. He calmly enjoyed those angry and envious looks.
When he saw Miteer Tengshan from afar, Xiao Yan put away his casual demeanor and instantly transformed into the Little Clan Leader of the Xiao Clan!
Holding his wine glass elegantly, Xiao Yan extended his hand politely and said, "Greetings, Clan Head Miteer. Long time no see. You still look as vigorous and spirited as ever."
Ya Fei looked at Xiao Yan with a strange expression. This guy changes faces faster than flipping through a book. He was just unwilling to come a moment ago.
Dressed in luxurious attire, Miteer Tengshan smiled kindly like an elder looking at a junior. "I didn't have the chance to properly host you at the auction house the other day. I didn't expect that today, you've already become the number one in the internal test of the Alchemist Grand Meeting. Truly, heroes emerge from the youth!"
Xiao Yan smiled slightly and said, "It's all thanks to the precious medicinal ingredients the Miteer Auction House gifted me a few days ago, allowing me to practice diligently. Otherwise, I'm afraid I wouldn't have achieved such results today."
As soon as he said this, the eyes of various prominent figures and high-ranking officials beside Miteer Tengshan flashed with a hint of surprise as they looked at Miteer Tengshan.
They hadn't expected that Xiao Yan was already acquainted with people from the Miteer Clan and had such a relationship!
If Xiao Yan really won the championship of the Alchemist Grand Meeting, it would naturally bring prestige to the Miteer Auction House and could even allow it to expand beyond the empire's borders.
Miteer Tengshan smiled inwardly. He had initially harbored some doubts about Hai Bodong's decision, but now he wished he could give half of everything to Xiao Yan just to hitch a ride on this rising star!
This was precisely what Xiao Yan intended. He deliberately mentioned this to give the Miteer Clan some face.
Hai Bodong had left the Miteer Clan over twenty years ago. It was impossible for the clan members to wholeheartedly agree to give Xiao Yan half of everything just because he said so.
As a Little Clan Leader, Xiao Yan naturally understood that in business, it's all about mutual benefit. Expecting others to take a loss was unrealistic, and they might even resort to some petty tricks.
Conquering the heart is better than conquering the city.
Now that he had status, the Miteer Clan would naturally be more willing to provide him with medicinal ingredients. He indeed needed a large quantity of tier 5 medicinal ingredients to practice with right now. He was only a breath away from reaching tier 5!
Miteer Tengshan said with a smiling face, "In the future, if you need any medicinal ingredients, just find Ya Fei. She will assist you. After all, you two have known each other for quite a long time, haven't you?"
His words and gaze not only hinted at an ambiguous relationship between Xiao Yan and Ya Fei but also subtly reminded Xiao Yan of what Hai Bodong had said before.
Ya Fei recalled Hai Bodong mentioning the "intermediary" role. Her pretty face instantly flushed as if she were drunk, even appearing a bit shy. Xiao Yan merely smiled faintly and didn't say anything.
With his powerful Spiritual Strength, Xiao Yan knew that Ling Ying was hiding in a corner of the hall.
Xun Er wasn't here, but there were eyes present.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Xiao Yan and Ya Fei left and walked to the side.
Not far away, Nalan Su had been keeping an eye on Xiao Yan all along. Seeing Xiao Yan chatting and laughing with Ya Fei, he turned his head to look at Nalan Yanran and said, "That girl Ya Fei may not have cultivation talent as good as yours, but she certainly has quite a few tricks up her sleeve."
Nalan Yanran shot a sideways glance at her father, who was acting so undignified for his age, and said calmly, "Father, if you have something to say, please speak directly."
"Ahem, what your father means is that Liu Ling is far inferior to Xiao Yan."
Nalan Yanran looked toward Liu Ling's direction. At this moment, Liu Ling was chatting idly with a group of alchemists who were preparing to participate in the Alchemist Grand Meeting tomorrow, clearly acting as the center of attention.
If it weren't for the fact that Liu Ling's Master was Pill King Gu He, even though Liu Ling had some talent in alchemy, he wouldn't be able to act as the leader of the younger generation of alchemists in the Jia Ma Empire.
On the other hand, Xiao Yan had fought his way up from a small city and even won first place in the internal test, not to mention possessing a Heavenly Flame.
Comparing the two, Xiao Yan was indeed far ahead of Liu Ling.