Chapter 20: Raising the Price

Xiao Yan picked up an iron rod and swung it directly at Liu Xi's pale face with a strong whistling sound.

Given his physical strength, even without utilizing any Dou Techniques, this strike would turn Liu Xi's head into something resembling a smashed watermelon.

Xiao Yu and Xiao Ning stood rigidly as they felt the deadly intent behind the swing. Xiao Yan's decisive, ruthless action was in stark contrast to the gentle image they had of him in their hearts.

Xiao Yu could never have imagined that the young man who used to playfully tease and take advantage of her could be so ruthless when truly angered.

Absolutely no mercy was shown!

Just as the rod was about to hit Liu Xi, a mere half-inch away from him, Xiao Yan sensed an incoming danger with his Spiritual Strength. He immediately abandoned his attack and dodged to the side. In the next instant, a green lightning flashed in front of his forehead. Two strands of hair were cut off and slowly fell to the ground.

"Xiao Yan ge-ge!" Xun Er's heart was in her throat, but she breathed a sigh of relief when she saw him dodge the attack.

After dodging the attack, Xiao Yan pushed off the ground with his left hand and forcefully performed a one-handed push-up. When his feet hit the ground, he twisted his body and hurled the rod in his right hand toward Jia Lie Ao, who was standing there in a daze.

Since he couldn't kill Liu Xi, he might as well eliminate the stupid Young Master of the Jia Lie Clan.

With a snap, a ruthless, iron-like hand reached out from behind Jia Lie Ao and firmly grasped the flying rod. When Jia Lie Ao saw that the iron rod almost pierced his eyeball, he was so scared that his legs gave out and he collapsed to the ground trembling.

The rod was still caught by that hand, even though he used the Octane Blast.

There was not much that could be done, the cultivation gap between them was too great. Not even a fully mastered High Xuan Dou Technique could bridge such a massive gap in cultivation.

"So young, yet harboring such a vicious heart!"

After crushing the iron rod, two figures emerged from behind Liu Xi and Jia Lie Ao with a cold laugh.

The head of the Jia Lie Clan, Jia Lie Bi, and the head of the Ao Ba Clan, Ao Ba Pa. They were both Dou Grandmasters!

"Whether my son is vicious or not is none of your business. This old man likes his boy to take after him. So just butt out." Xiao Zhan, accompanied by the three elders and a group of guards, came up from behind Xiao Yan.

Xiao Zhan patted Xiao Yan's shoulder and gave him a thumbs up, "Well done."

Xiao Yan shrugged his shoulders with an unsatisfied expression, "Too bad I didn't turn those two's heads into watermelon juice."

Jia Lie Bi's face darkened to the extreme when he heard the father and son's banter. After all, his own son had just narrowly escaped death!

Xiao Zhan glanced at the dark-faced Jia Lie Bi and said, "What, itching for a fight? My Xiao Clan is ready to accompany you anytime, anywhere.'"

"You-!"

Ao Ba Pa held back Jia Lie Bi and shook his head. Although their two clans had formed an alliance, it was merely an economic partnership. Even though their combined strength surpassed that of the Xiao Clan, with more Dou Grandmasters on their side, they couldn't afford to wage a war against the Xiao Clan.

After all, if they truly fought to the death, the alliance would inevitably fall apart due to mutual scheming. More importantly, Nalan Jie would surely seek revenge if they killed Xiao Zhan or destroyed the Xiao Clan. Neither of their two clans would be able to withstand the wrath of a Dou King.

The matter of Nalan Yanran breaking off the engagement had been kept secret from outsiders.

"Fine, fine, just wait, Xiao Zhan!" Jia Lie Bi, furious to the point of laughter, left a harsh word and turned to leave.

When he passed by Liu Xi and saw the frightened look on his face, he was left speechless to the extreme. How did this person ever become an alchemist, such a revered profession!

He took a deep breath to suppress his anger and said in a low voice, "Mr. Liu Xi, let's go."

"Uh? Ah? What about that girl?" Liu Xi looked at Xun Er with a lecherous expression.

Jia Lie Bi and Ao Ba Pa's eyelids twitched violently. Both almost felt the impulse to slap the stupidity out of this bug-brained buffoon on the spot. Jia Lie Bi clenched his fists tightly, and after a moment, forced himself to wear an ugly smile, "Let's discuss this matter further when we return. It's not wise to stay here any longer."

"Oh, oh, alright then." With reluctance, Liu Xi nodded and finally followed Jia Lie Bi to leave the market.

At this moment, Liu Xi did not notice the subtle murderous intent hidden deep within Xiao Yan's eyes.

Xiao Yan watched Liu Xi and the others leave, then asked, "Father, how did things go?"

Xiao Zhan and the three elders turned somber when they heard his question.

All four of them shook their heads in puzzlement. Xiao Zhan sighed, "Alas, it was a failure. We only received a small amount of medicinal ingredients from the Miteer Auction House. The other major medicinal merchants all said they needed time to think it over before giving us an answer."

The Grand Elder added, "The same goes for the several herb gathering teams in Wu Tan City. I suspect the Ao Ba and Jia Lie Clans might have played some tricks.'"

But contrary to everyone's expectations, Xiao Yan's reaction to the news was not one of discouragement. Instead, his eyes lit up as he exuded a confident air.

"Did you anticipate this, Yan Er?"

"Not exactly an anticipation. Let's head back. It shouldn't take long for the major medicinal merchants and herb gathering teams from Wu Tan City to come to us. We just have to wait."

...

As expected, the largest medicinal merchants and herb gathering teams in Wu Tan City arrived at the Xiao Clan meeting hall that very night, as if by prior arrangement, to discuss the matter of medicinal ingredients with Xiao Zhan.

"Brother Xiao Zhan, we're really sorry this time. I'm afraid we won't be able to sell you the medicinal ingredients."

Xiao Zhan frowned upon hearing this and said in a deep voice, "These medicinal ingredients aren't rare or precious; they are the lowest grade. Our Xiao Clan not only requires them in large quantities but also offers a price that is 20% higher than the market price. I really don't understand why you refuse to sell to us?"

Everyone looked at each other. Needless to say, none of them wanted to offend Xiao Zhan in their hearts. After all, the Xiao Clan was the strongest clan in Wu Tan City, and no one wanted to make an enemy of them.

"Is it because you went to Jia Lie Clan and Ao Ba Clan at noon and told them about our intention to purchase the medicinal ingredients, and they offered a higher price, right?" Xiao Yan, who was fiddling with the lid of his teacup and scraping the tea leaves, spoke softly without looking up.

The several major merchants present swallowed hard. While this behavior was not exactly wrong, saying it out loud could potentially offend others.

Bang! Xiao Zhan slammed the table as the aura of a Dou Grandmaster filled the entire hall. At the same time, the majestic figure of a green-colored lion head appeared faintly behind him.

"No wonder you came to us in the evening after we visited you in the morning. It turns out you had visited the Jia Lie and Ao Ba Clans in between."

One of the merchants gave a bitter smile, "Brother Xiao Zhan, doing business isn't easy for us either. Half a year ago, Clan Head Jia Lie Bi and Clan Head Ao Ba Pa approached us. We've been supplying them with medicinal ingredients every month, and they're willing to pay 30% above the market price. That's why we—"

Xiao Yan interrupted his father just as he was about to burst out in a rage, "There is no need for you guys to panic. Our Xiao Clan is also in business, so we naturally understand your difficulties. Buying and selling has always been about the highest bidder winning."

"Let's put it this way, our Xiao Clan will make another offer, 50% above the market price, and we'll make a deal with all of you. For the next three years, no matter how many of these four types of medicinal ingredients you have, we'll take them all, and we can even give you a 10% deposit upfront."