Chapter 44: The Xiao Family

Xian'er frowned, "Do we have to move to the imperial capital or live in a big city like Black Rock City?"

Second-grade medicinal herbs are manageable.

A second-grade magic core requires hunting second-tier magical beasts, which can only be obtained by chance. Second-tier magical beasts are equivalent to the strength of a Dou Shi-level expert.

A third-grade magic core requires hunting third-tier magical beasts, equivalent to the strength of an Advanced Dou Shi.

Moreover, third-grade medicinal herbs are not common commodities.

In Wu Tan City, to be honest, it is definitely impossible to supply them in large quantities for their practice.

"There is a place that might meet our needs." Wei Yang contemplated, touching his chin.

He recalled the small valley in the original story, overgrown with low-priced medicinal herbs and exceptionally rich in spiritual energy.

It was discovered by Little Doctor Fairy who took Xiao Yan there.

Later, Xiao Yan and Zi Yan both broke through in that small valley during their advancement to Dou Huang.

Medicinal herbs were everywhere there, and the spiritual energy was unusually dense.

Located in the Magic Beast Mountain Range, they could retreat there to refine alchemy, and if magic cores were needed, they could go out to hunt magical beasts themselves.

Thinking of this, Wei Yang smiled and said to Xian'er, "I thought of a good place that should meet our needs."

"Oh, really? Where is it?" Xian'er blinked.

"The Magic Beast Mountain Range," Wei Yang replied.

Upon hearing this, Xian'er rolled her eyes adorably and teased, "You mean we should find medicinal herbs ourselves and hunt magical beasts ourselves?"

"The magical beasts are manageable, but finding medicinal herbs would take a lot of time. It would be more convenient to let the Xiao family and Mittel Auction House collect them for us."

Xian'er continued, "After all, the pills we refine can also be sold by them, so there's no need to worry about money just going out with none coming in."

"No, we only need to hunt magical beasts ourselves, and there's no need to worry about the low-priced medicinal herbs."

Wei Yang explained with a smile, "The good place I'm talking about is a hidden valley where low-grade medicinal herbs are everywhere, and there are quite a few common second or third-grade medicinal herbs too."

"Is there really such a good place?" Xian'er's eyes lit up, "Then let's go now."

"Let's rest for two days first."

Wei Yang stood up, stretched lazily, and waved as he collected the many jade bottles on the table in front of him. "I'll go out for a while and hand these first-grade pills to the Xiao family for sale. We'll set off in two days."

"Alright." Xian'er nodded.

Over the past month and a half, they had been either studying or refining pills, and they were indeed a bit mentally exhausted, so resting for two days was good.

"Brother Yang, I feel I can already break through to the Dou Ling stage." Xian'er smiled as she saw Wei Yang about to leave.

Wei Yang didn't stop but waved his hand, "Your breakthrough creates a big commotion, with poisonous gas leaking out. It's better to break through in that valley in two days."

"Oh." Xian'er shrugged.

She had originally intended to take the opportunity during these two days of rest to break through to the Dou Ling stage.

But Wei Yang was right.

Breaking through to Dou Ling naturally causes a big commotion, with heaven and earth energy surging and an astonishing momentum.

The whole Wu Tan City would probably be alarmed.

When Wei Yang broke through to Dou Ling, he ran off to the Magic Beast Mountain Range to complete it before returning.

Moreover, she possessed the Woeful Poison Body. During her breakthrough, her poisonous gas couldn't be perfectly controlled and would leak out.

That would cause an even bigger commotion.

...

Xiao Family Market.

Wei Yang took a stroll inside, casually wandering around the market.

It was a way to relax his mind, while also waiting for someone from the Xiao family to come find him.

As expected.

Soon, several guards from the Xiao family, along with a steward, found him.

The steward, named Xiao Feng, held a four-star Dou Shi strength and was one of the stewards managing the daily affairs of the market for the Xiao family.

He came to Wei Yang and spoke in a slightly respectful tone, "Physician Wei, you're here. Are you planning to purchase medicinal herbs at our market this time?"

Previously, this gentleman had made a large purchase of low-grade medicinal herbs at the market, spending no less than fifty thousand gold coins in one go.

The head of the family and several elders were alarmed.

The Xiao family earned a huge profit as a result.

For the three major families in Wu Tan City, a business deal worth over fifty thousand gold coins was considered a large transaction, one they might not even have once a year.

It was an unexpected windfall.

They usually emphasized gradual, steady growth.

Wei Yang nodded, "I do have needs, but it's not purchasing, it's selling. The deal is somewhat large, have your head of the family come over."

"Selling? A large deal?" Xiao Feng's eyes lit up.

He recalled Wei Yang purchasing a massive amount of herbs from their market, could it be? 

Medicinal pills!

Thinking of this, Xiao Feng's expression turned serious, his demeanor becoming even more respectful, "Would it be convenient for Physician Wei to personally visit our Xiao family? I believe our head and the elders will make your visit worthwhile."

As he spoke, Xiao Feng cautiously glanced around, then said in a low voice, "It's quite crowded here, it would be quieter to discuss matters at our Xiao family, avoiding disturbances from those with less honorable intentions."

Xiao Feng was very cautious, aware there were likely spies from the other two major families in their market.

If news got out, it could be troublesome.

Though Physician Wei came directly to their Xiao family, physically was in their market, it still wasn't guaranteed unexpected developments wouldn't entice him with conditions from the other two families.

Wei Yang found his caution amusing.

He understood Xiao Feng's concerns quite well.

Simply put, they were worried about competitors from the other families.

For such small transactions, Wei Yang didn't mind whoever he partnered with; specifically choosing the Xiao family was merely convenient.

After all, it's a fellow hometown family, might as well do them a favor.

"The Xiao family?" 

Wei Yang thought for a moment, then smiled and nodded, "Alright then, let's go."

"Please follow me, Physician Wei." Xiao Feng was overjoyed, personally leading the way.

At the same time, he instructed a Xiao family guard to swiftly return to the family to notify the head and elders to prepare for receiving an important visitor.

On the way, Xiao Feng led the way while several guards followed solemnly, surrounding Wei Yang, their eyes occasionally and vigilantly sweeping their surroundings.

This scene drew curious stares from onlookers.

They speculated about the identity of the young man, dressed in black brocade embroidered with gold patterns, his appearance young and handsome, and his aura extraordinary, to garner such regard from the Xiao family.

Throughout the journey, Xiao Feng wisely avoided saying any flattering or obsequious words that might bother Wei Yang, merely guiding respectfully from the front.

Wei Yang was quite pleased with this.

As a result, his impression of the Xiao family grew a bit more favorable.

What he detested most were people who mindlessly buzzed around like annoying flies, constantly chattering in one's ear.

...

Before long, they reached the Xiao family residence.

From a distance, one could see the head of the Xiao family, Xiao Yan's father Xiao Zhan, leading three elders and some significant clan members, standing at the gate waiting.

Clearly, the Xiao family had prepared a grand reception for Wei Yang's visit.

Among them, a young man aged around fifteen or sixteen, and a beautiful girl with an aura as pure as a lotus caught Wei Yang's attention.

"Xiao Yan and Gu Xun Er!" Wei Yang's gaze lingered briefly on the two of them before casually moving away.

Finally, the official meeting was about to take place!

Greetings, fellow town folks, pleased to make your acquaintance, my name is Wei Yang.