Chapter 22: Perfume

Not only the younger generation like Xiao Ning, but even Xiao Zhan himself was utterly confused. Spreading rumors only to clear them up later?

Everyone exchanged puzzled glances. They were unable to comprehend the Little Clan Leader's intentions.

"Yan Er, you specifically asked me to go to the Miteer Auction House to clear up the rumors and encourage them to boldly cooperate with the other two major clans and supply those low-grade medicinal ingredients. Are you worried that Miteer Ya Fei might have reservations?" Xiao Zhan looked at Xiao Yan who was having breakfast and asked the question in his heart.

"One of the reasons, yes. Father, rest assured. I'll accompany you to the auction in a few days. I happen to have something I want to purchase," Xiao Yan said with a slight smile. That confident smile had never disappeared from him since he was a child.

…

In front of the specialized medicinal pill sales window in the Ao Jia Market, the crowd was already buzzing with the sounds of mercenaries yelling, cursing, and fighting, all of which merged into a deafening cacophony that reverberated throughout the market.

Behind the counter of the medicinal pill sales window, members of the Jia Lie Clan responsible for selling the pills were looking outside with faces full of amusement, watching the mercenaries fighting fiercely over the healing pills. There was a sense of pride in their smiles. It was as if their status had been elevated by the pills they sold.

The person in charge, Jia Lie Ke, narrowed his already small eyes into slits as he smugly chuckled, "Heh, they rant about not buying if the prices go up again, yet they still obediently purchase in the end."

"How shameless."

Once people got used to a certain level of comfort, it was difficult for them to return to their previous way of life. The sense of security that came from purchasing a dose of healing pills was what all mercenaries needed most.

The mercenaries of Wu Tan City had to venture into the outskirts of the forest almost every day to hunt magical beasts and extract their demon cores to earn money. Fighting these magical beasts could be a matter of life and death. A bottle of Rejuvenation Powder could quickly stop the bleeding and ensure that even if a major artery was cut, one wouldn't die from excessive blood loss.

Suddenly, a different kind of murmur began to ripple through the crowd.

"Have you heard? The Xiao Clan posted notices in various districts and industries this morning, announcing they will be selling medicinal pills in a few days. They claim their prices will be lower and their effects better."

"That's unlikely, isn't it?"

"Well, it might be true. I've heard through the grapevine that the Xiao Clan somehow got their hands on the pill recipes for the Rejuvenation Powder and the Minor Dou Qi Pill. It's said that they used those pill recipes to make a deal with an alchemist from the Nalan Clan."

"I knew it! The merchants have been steadily raising the prices of medicinal ingredients lately. It turns out that they were actually bidding against each other. So it was the Xiao Clan that acquired the pill recipes."

"But I heard that the Ao Ba Clan and the Jia Lie Clan have joined forces to buy up the medicinal ingredients from the merchants. Where will the Xiao Clan get their ingredients from?"

"Don't forget about the Miteer Auction House. The quarterly auction is only three days away."

As the discussions among the neighbors grew more heated, all the mercenaries and merchants understood one thing: the Xiao Clan was preparing to counterattack!

The auction in three days would be the beginning of a bloody storm!

…

Three days flew by in the blink of an eye.

In the afternoon, not only Xiao Zhan but also several elders were present at the gate of the Xiao Clan. Meanwhile, a lively atmosphere was created by several outstanding young members of the clan who had dressed up for the occasion.

Even Xiao Yan himself was dressed quite elegantly this time, giving the impression that the entire Xiao Clan was gearing up for something significant.

"Xun Er, aren't you coming with us today?" Xiao Yan gently stroked Xun Er's hair and asked softly.

Xun Er shook her head with a gloomy expression and said, "Not today, Xiao Yan ge-ge. Xun Er has some things to take care of."

Xiao Yan leaned closer to her ear and whispered, "Is Xun Er going on a date?"

Xun Er gave Xiao Yan a blank look and denied, "Is it only Xiao Yan ge-ge who's allowed to cultivate in seclusion and not Xun Er? Xun Er needs to practice a new Dou Technique in the next few days."

Xiao Yan smiled and didn't inquire further. Everyone had their own secrets, and there was no need to dig deeper.

…

Today's Miteer Auction House was undoubtedly the most bustling one, not because there was anything particularly special about the auction items, but because of the rumors circulating in recent days that attracted attention from all sides.

When the Xiao Clan arrived, the security personnel at the auction house cleared a path for them, allowing the entire Xiao Clan to proceed to the auction house.

"Big Sis, isn't there less than half a year until the Jia Nan Academy's enrollment period?" Xiao Ning asked Xiao Yu with a hint of eagerness.

Xiao Yu nodded slightly, her tone full of pride as she said, "Don't worry, you already meet the enrollment qualifications. Moreover, the person in charge of enrollment in this area of Wu Tan City happens to be my instructor. She's a 5-star Dou Grandmaster. With me backing you up, there should be no problem at all."

"Hehe, that's great!" Xiao Ning's face lit up with joy.

Xiao Yan didn't pay much attention to this. After exchanging a glance with his father, he didn't follow the main group into the auction. Instead, he turned and headed for the auction house's VIP room.

Xiao Yan's every move undoubtedly caught everyone's attention. Not long after he left, several people dressed in Jia Lie Clan attire hurried to the auction house to inform Jia Lie Bi of Xiao Yan's departure.

Jia Lie Bi sneered coldly when he heard the news, "It doesn't matter. It's useless even if he has the pill recipes. The Miteer Auction House won't sell those few medicinal ingredients to the Xiao Clan. I'd like to see what they'll use for alchemy!"

Outside the VIP room, two maids opened the door to reveal none other than Ya Fei. She was stunningly dressed in a red cheongsam that perfectly accentuated her voluptuous figure.

"Little Brother Xiao Yan, I knew you would come to find me," Ya Fei said with a charming smile on her pretty face. Ever since Xiao Zhan brought the news two days ago, she understood that Xiao Yan was 'cooking' something... and it had to be something poisonous!

She was now curious about what kind of 'poison' Xiao Yan was preparing to feed the two major clans.

Xiao Yan walked into the living room with a calm demeanor and sat on the sofa. He cut straight to the chase. "Has Sister Ya Fei already sold all the stocked medicinal ingredients to the other two major clans?"

Running her fingers through her hair, Ya Fei locked eyes with Xiao Yan and uttered, "Isn't this what Little Brother wanted to see?"

She took out a contract and continued, "Not only the existing stock but also the medicinal ingredients held by our Miteer Auction House's herb gathering teams and medicinal gardens. Those four types of medicinal ingredients will all be prioritized for sale to the Ao Jia Market for the next five years."

Normally, business contracts were confidential, but Ya Fei handed the contract signed two days ago directly to Xiao Yan.

This was because she felt that this was entirely Xiao Yan's doing, and hiding it would be pointless.

The contract was straightforward. The two major clans had paid a deposit to secure the four types of medicinal ingredients at the same price offered by the medicinal merchants for the next five years.

Though it might sound complex, simply put, it was a futures contract.

Xiao Yan couldn't contain his smile when he saw the contract. He knew the two major clans were about to be done for!

"Little Brother Xiao Yan, could you tell Elder Sister what kind of medicine you're brewing inside that gourd-like mind of yours? After all, it was Elder Sister who helped you out," Ya Fei softly uttered as she gracefully rose from her seat and approached Xiao Yan. A stray strand of her hair delicately caressed his cheek, carrying with it a subtle hint of roses that enveloped his senses in a soothing embrace.

Xiao Yan couldn't help but curse this fox spirit in his heart.

He calmed down and casually replied, "Although I'd like to have a heart-to-heart talk with Sister Ya Fei, Sister Ya Fei should get ready for the auction as it's about to start. I'm still waiting to make a purchase."

Seeing that Xiao Yan showed little interest in her appearance, Ya Fei couldn't help but raise her eyebrows in surprise. 'I even used my 'Man-Slayer' perfume today! And yet, it didn't work on a fifteen-year-old boy?'

...

It did not take long for Xiao Yan to enter the auction hall. He sat down next to Xiao Zhan and nodded at him.

The auction began shortly after.

Xiao Yan flipped through the auction catalog, and among the items listed, there was something that happened to be perfect for today's spectacle.