Chapter 44: The Xiao Family

«If it's just second-grade medicinal herbs and magic cores, it's manageable. But for third-grade items, it's unlikely that Wu Tan City can supply us in large quantities.»

Xian'er frowned, «Does that mean we have to move to the Imperial Capital or live in a big city like Black Rock City?»

Second-grade medicinal herbs are one thing.

Second-grade magic cores require hunting second-tier magical beasts, which are equivalent to a Dou Shi level fighter.

Third-grade magic cores require hunting third-tier magical beasts, equivalent to a Da Dou Shi level fighter.

Moreover, third-grade medicinal herbs aren't common commodities either.

In Wu Tan City, honestly speaking, it's impossible to supply them in large quantities for their practice.

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

He thought of a small valley mentioned in the original story, filled with inexpensive herbs and unusually dense spiritual energy.

That place was discovered by Xiao Yi Xian, who later took Xiao Yan there.

Later on, Xiao Yan and Zi Yan also broke through to the Dou Huang level in that small valley.

That valley was teeming with low-grade medicinal herbs and had an exceptionally dense spiritual energy.

Located within the Magic Beast Mountain Range, they could seclude themselves there for alchemy practice. If they needed magic cores, they could hunt magical beasts themselves.

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

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

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

Hearing this, Xian'er rolled her eyes adorably and retorted, "You mean we go out and find the herbs ourselves and hunt the magical beasts on our own?"

"Hunting magical beasts is one thing, but finding herbs would take a lot of time. It's easier to leave that to the Xiao family and the Mittel Auction House to gather for us, saving a lot of trouble."

Xian'er added, "After all, we can also sell the pills we make through them, so we don't have to worry about money just flowing out."

"No, we just need to hunt magical beasts ourselves. As for low-grade herbs, there's no need to worry."

Wei Yang explained with a smile, "The place I'm talking about is a hidden valley, where low-grade herbs are everywhere. There are even many common second and third-grade herbs."

"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, and put away the many jade bottles on the table in front of him, "I'm going out for a bit, and I'll hand these first-grade pills over to the Xiao family for sale. We'll set off in two days."

"Alright," Xian'er nodded.

For the past month and a half, they had either been studying or practicing alchemy, and were indeed mentally exhausted. Resting for two days would be good.

"Brother Yang, I feel I can break through to the Dou Ling level already," Xian'er said with a smile as she saw Wei Yang preparing to leave.

Wei Yang didn't stop his steps, waving his hand, "Your breakthrough will cause quite a commotion, and the poison gas will leak. It's better to break through in that valley in two days."

"Oh," Xian'er shrugged.

She had been thinking of using the two days of rest to break through to the Dou Ling level.

But Wei Yang was right.

Breaking through to Dou Ling naturally causes a big commotion, with heaven and earth energy surging and a remarkable display.

It might alarm the entire Wu Tan City.

When Wei Yang broke through to Dou Ling, he had run to the Magic Beast Mountain Range to break through and then returned.

Moreover, she had the Woeful Poison Body, and during the breakthrough, the poison gas couldn't be perfectly controlled and would leak out.

The commotion would be even bigger.

…

The Xiao Family Market.

Wei Yang stepped in, strolling casually around the market.

He was relaxing his mind and waiting for someone from the Xiao family to come find him.

Sure enough.

After a while, a few Xiao family guards brought a manager to him.

The manager, named Xiao Feng, was a four-star Dou Shi, one of the managers handling daily affairs at the market for the Xiao family.

He approached Wei Yang with a slightly respectful tone and smiled, "Doctor Wei, you've come. Are you here to purchase medicinal herbs from our market this time?"

For this significant customer, Xiao Feng naturally didn't dare to neglect him.

Previously, this lord had purchased a large batch of low-grade medicinal herbs from the market, spending no less than fifty thousand gold coins in a single transaction.

Even the family head and several elders were alarmed by it.

The Xiao family made a substantial profit from that.

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

It was purely an unexpected gain.

Usually, they valued a steady and continuous flow of business more.

Wei Yang nodded, "Indeed, I have needs, but not for purchasing, but for selling. The transaction is rather large, so I need your family head to come over."

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

He remembered Wei Yang had purchased a large amount of herbs from their market before. Could it be?!

Pills!

Thinking of this, Xiao Feng's expression became serious, and his demeanor grew even more respectful, "Would Doctor Wei be willing to come to our Xiao family? Our family head and elders would certainly make sure you are satisfied."

He glanced around cautiously and whispered, "There are too many people and too much chatter here… It would be quieter at our Xiao family, avoiding any trouble from prying eyes."

Xiao Feng was very cautious. He knew their market must have spies from the other two major families.

If the news leaked, it could be problematic.

Although Doctor Wei came directly to their Xiao family and was currently in their market, there was still a chance he might be swayed by offers from the other two families.

Wei Yang found Xiao Feng's thoughts amusing.

Naturally, he understood Xiao Feng's concerns.

It was nothing more than fearing competition from the other families.

For such small business matters, Wei Yang didn't care who he cooperated with. He specifically chose the Xiao family just as a favor.

After all, they were from the same hometown, so it was a goodwill gesture.

"Going to the Xiao family?"

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

"Doctor Wei, please follow me," Xiao Feng was overjoyed and quickly led the way personally.

At the same time, he instructed a Xiao family guard to quickly rush back to the Xiao family and notify the family head and elders to prepare for the reception.

Along the way, Xiao Feng led the way, while the guards followed solemnly, surrounding Wei Yang. They vigilantly scanned the surroundings.

This scene drew the curious attention of passersby.

They speculated about the identity of this young man, dressed in black with gold embroidery, handsome and distinguished, who was being treated with such respect by the Xiao family.

Xiao Feng was sensible enough not to bother Wei Yang with flattering and fawning words, merely leading the way respectfully.

Wei Yang was very satisfied with this.

It also made him feel more favorable toward the Xiao family.

He was most annoyed by those who incessantly chattered in his ear, like annoying flies.

…

Before long, they arrived at the Xiao family's residence.

From afar, they could see Xiao Zhan, the head of the Xiao family and Xiao Yan's father, standing at the entrance with three elders and several important family members, waiting for Wei Yang.

It was clear that the Xiao family was giving Wei Yang a grand reception.

Among them, a boy around fifteen or sixteen years old and a beautiful girl with a graceful and pure demeanor particularly caught Wei Yang's attention.

"Xiao Yan, Gu Xun Er!" Wei Yang's gaze lingered on them for a moment before he looked away nonchalantly.

Finally, they would officially meet!

Hello, old friends, my name is Wei Yang.

(End of Chapter)