YA FEI

"This matter is beyond your capabilities. Go and fetch Ya Fei," Xie Tianxiao commanded calmly.

The middle-aged steward was momentarily taken aback by the request, then offered a wry smile. "Sir, you may not be aware, but Miss Ya Fei is currently very busy preparing for the upcoming auction. I'm afraid she won't have time to meet you."

Despite not knowing Xie Tianxiao's exact identity, the steward could tell that he wasn't an ordinary person from his demeanoUr alone. Otherwise, he wouldn't have dared to request an audience with Ya Fei directly. However, since Ya Fei was in charge of the auction, the steward, being merely an ordinary staff member, couldn't risk disturbing her. Thus, he regretfully informed Xie Tianxiao of the situation.

"You're quite confident, aren't you?" Xie Tianxiao remarked, seemingly unfazed by the response. With a flip of his hand, a pill with a vibrant green hue, emitting a tantalizing aroma, appeared in his palm.

"A pill…!" The steward's eyes widened in surprise as he gazed at the pill in Xie Tianxiao's hand.

"Do you have time now?" Xie Tianxiao didn't bother to address the steward's words, instead speaking directly.

"My apologies, sir, but if you wish to auction off a pill, I'll need to summon Master Gu Ni to appraise it. Please wait here while I fetch him," the steward said, quickly bowing to Xie Tianxiao before hurrying out of the appraisal room without waiting for a response.

"…" Xie Tianxiao watched the steward's swift departure, his lips twitching in mild irritation.

If he had to sum up his thoughts at that moment, it would certainly be with a series of question marks.

Not long after, the steward returned, accompanied by an elderly man with white hair dressed in green robes. Upon seeing Xie Tianxiao, the old man looked slightly surprised. He had expected someone older, perhaps a family elder, to be selling a pill in Wutan City, but instead found a young man in his twenties.

"Sir, this is Master Gu Ni," the steward introduced, bowing.

"Get out," Xie Tianxiao waved the steward away impatiently.

The steward hesitated, puzzled by Xie Tianxiao's abruptness, but didn't dare to argue. He quickly retreated from the room.

"And what kind of pill would you like to be appraised?" the old man, known as Master Gu Ni, asked respectfully after approaching Xie Tianxiao.

Despite his calm demeanour, there was an unmistakable air of pride about him. His seemingly plain green robes shimmered faintly, indicating they were enchanted with protective properties, something common for alchemists.

"No need to appraise it, Gu Ni. This is a fourth-tier 'Gathering Qi pill.' It should be enough to open your eyes," Xie Tianxiao said indifferently, releasing the green pill from his hand, which floated gently toward Gu Ni.

"Gathering Qi pill?" Gu Ni raised an eyebrow, initially displeased with Xie Tianxiao's tone. However, as he caught the pill and examined it, a look of joy spread across his face. He quickly realized the pill was indeed a genuine fourth-tier Gathering Qi pill.

"Sir… no, my lord! This is…"

Gathering Qi pill was a fourth-tier pill. Though its primary function was to guarantee a Dou Qi cultivator at the ninth stage successfully

condensed a Dou Qi cyclone, it required a fourth-tier alchemist to create it.

There wasn't anyone in Wutan City capable of producing such a pill, and while Gu Ni couldn't determine whether Xie Tianxiao was an alchemist himself, he knew that anyone who could casually produce a Gathering Qi pill was no ordinary figure.

Do you really think you can handle this? Go get Ya Fei," Xie Tianxiao said, casting a dismissive glance at Gu Ni before sitting down again.

"Ya Fei?" Gu Ni was momentarily stunned but quickly understood the situation. Bowing deeply, he said, "My lord, please wait a moment. I will go fetch Ya Fei immediately."

With that, Gu Ni turned and left the appraisal room, heading straight for Ya Fei's quarters.

---

In one of the private rooms of the auction house, Gu Ni opened the door and hurriedly spoke to the woman inside, dressed in a vibrant red dress. "Niece Ya Fei, quickly, come with me to meet an esteemed guest."

"Oh? Uncle Gu Ni, what's going on? What's gotten you so flustered?" Ya Fei looked up, her charming face showing a hint of confusion.

As a second-tier alchemist, Gu Ni held a prestigious position, and there weren't many in Wutan City whom he would consider a "great person."

"Sigh, an important guest has arrived at the appraisal pavilion. He presented a fourth-tier Gathering Qi pill and specifically requested your presence. I didn't dare delay, so I rushed over to find you," Gu Ni explained with a wry smile.

"A fourth-tier Gathering Qi pill?" Ya Fei was taken aback, her delicate brows knitting together as she asked, "But Wutan City doesn't have anyone capable of that. Uncle Gu Ni, are you sure you weren't mistaken?"

"I found it strange too, but while I don't know where this person came from, I'm certain the pill is genuine," Gu Ni replied firmly, shaking his head.

After a moment of contemplation, Ya Fei stood up and said, "If that's the case, Uncle Gu Ni, let's go quickly. We wouldn't want to offend such a person and bring unnecessary trouble to the family."

"Agreed," Gu Ni nodded, leading Ya Fei toward the appraisal pavilion without further delay.

---

At the appraisal pavilion, Xie Tianxiao watched as Gu Ni returned, this time accompanied by a woman in a red dress. He set down his teacup and looked up.

The woman's delicate face was adorned with a subtle, bewitching smile. She was dressed in a finely crafted red gown, perfectly accentuating her stunning curves. Her snow-white, eye-catching legs beneath the dress sparked a fiery impulse within, and the silver belt around her slender waist only emphasized her graceful figure.

"Hehe, you must be the esteemed guest who presented the Gathering Qi pill. I presume you are not from Wutan City?" a gentle, teasing voice full of charm reached Xie Tianxiao's ears as the fragrance of her perfume filled the air.

"So, this is Ya Fei… In some ways, she truly is exceptional…" Xie Tianxiao thought to himself, silently admiring her, but outwardly, he maintained a calm demeanour as he replied, "Indeed, the Gathering Qi pill is mine."

"But I recall that this auction house doesn't make it a habit to inquire about the identities of its clients."

As alluring as she was, Xie Tianxiao wasn't about to let himself lose face in front of this woman. He maintained his composure, ensuring his tone and attitude were befitting of his status.

"Hehe… judging by your tone, have I done something to offend you? If so, I sincerely apologize," Ya Fei responded, her smile turning apologetic, her voice laced with an innocent charm.

---

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END