Doubt and disbelief were everyone's first reactions.
Xiao Zhan's body, however, was trembling slightly.
Unlike the Elders' skepticism, his heart felt as if a bolt of lightning had pierced the darkness, and a surge of hope wildly welled up within him!
Yan'er!
My Yan'er might be saved!
For three years, his son's decadence and despair had pierced his heart like a knife.
He had tried countless methods, consulted numerous physicians, and even went to Black Rock City at all costs to seek a Second-Grade Alchemist, but the result was always helplessness.
Now, a mysterious Great Master who claimed to be able to refine sixth-grade pills was right here in Wutan City!
"Whether it's true or not, I have to try!"
Xiao Zhan slammed his hand on the table, stood up, his voice hoarse with excitement.
"That's right! Clan Chief! What if it's true?" An Elder who supported Xiao Zhan also reacted.
"But what if it's false? Our Xiao Family's current situation cannot withstand any more turmoil."
Another Elder poured cold water on the idea,
"It might be some conspiracy from the Jia Lie Family or the Oba Family!"
"Conspiracy?" Xiao Zhan sneered,
"The Mitter Auction House personally released the information, and Steward Ya Fei personally vouched for it! Do you think the Jia Lie Family and the Oba Family have that much Face?"
One sentence silenced everyone.
Yes, the Mittel Family, that was a behemoth that even the imperial Family had to give some Face to.
Xiao Zhan ignored them and strode out.
Exotic flowers and strange objects, and among the things the Xiao Family could call strange objects, it seemed there was only the jade passed down by generations of Clan Chiefs.
He took a deep breath, having made up his mind.
If a Sixth-Grade Alchemist could truly cure Yan'er, then offering this jade was not out of the question.
However, what Xiao Zhan was worried about was that he didn't even know what use this jade in his hand actually had.
Xiao Zhan vaguely knew that the Xiao Family's ancestors had been prominent, but regarding this jade, he was completely in the dark.
This jade was, of course,
the tuoshe ancient emperor's jade.
But, even if there was only a one in ten thousand chance, he had to fight for his son!
This was a father's responsibility... In the Xiao Family's back mountain, a secluded small bamboo grove courtyard.
The young girl, dressed in a light green dress, sat quietly on a bluestone, resting her chin in her hands, gazing blankly at the distant sky.
Her temperament was as elegant as a lotus, untouched by worldly affairs, completely out of place with the hustle and bustle of Wutan City.
A gentle breeze blew, and the bamboo leaves rustled.
A black shadow appeared behind the young girl without warning, kneeling on one knee.
"Young Miss." The voice was old, but full of reverence.
The young girl did not turn her head, merely giving a faint "Mm."
"Something has happened in the city." The black shadow, who was Ling Ying, reported in a low voice,
"The Mitter Auction House has released information that a mysterious Alchemist claims to be able to refine sixth-grade pills."
"Oh?" The young girl, who was Xiao Xun'er, finally reacted.
She turned her head, revealing a beautiful and peerless Face, and a ripple flashed in her clear eyes.
"Sixth-Grade Alchemist? In Wutan City?"
Her voice was clear and melodious, yet carried a composure unbefitting her age.
"Yes, Young Miss. According to our investigation, this person is named Xuan Jin. He arrived in Wutan City today and immediately displayed his strength at the Mitter Auction House, refining several fourth-grade Medicinal Pills and one fifth-rank pill on the spot, earning him the highest esteem from Ya Fei and Gu Ni."
Ling Ying relayed the information he had gathered in detail.
"Not only that, he also announced that if anyone can produce a rare item that moves him, he can take action and refine a sixth-grade pill."
Xiao Xun'er's delicate brows furrowed slightly.
This matter was strange in every way.
Why would an Alchemist with such terrifying strength come to a remote corner like Wutan City?
And he acted so high-profile, as if he was afraid others wouldn't know of his existence.
What was his motive?
An Alchemist capable of refining sixth-grade pills, although unremarkable in the central regions of the Central Plains, was still a distinguished guest of many large Families in remote areas.
Such a person actually came to a small city in a small Empire in the Northwest Continent... Was he on an outing?
"Has his background been thoroughly investigated?" Xun'er asked.
Ling Ying shook his head:
"Untraceable. It's as if he appeared out of thin air. However, since he has this name, Young Miss, could it be related to the Pill Tower..."
"That Disciple of Xuan Yi from the Pill Tower?" Xun'er immediately thought of someone.
The Genius of the Pill Tower, a Disciple of Xuan Yi, one of the three giants, Xuan Jin.
His information, in the Face of major powers, was naturally not a secret.
However, wasn't it rumored that that person had a hidden illness and found it difficult to make further progress?
"Young Miss, the most important thing is that Clan Chief Xiao Zhan has already gone to Tianxiang Tower, preparing to seek an audience with this person."
Ling Ying continued, "He wants that Alchemist to examine Xiao Yan's body."
Upon hearing the words "Brother Xiao Yan," a hint of tension and concern finally appeared on Xun'er's Face.
How could she not want to find a high-grade Alchemist to treat Xiao Yan?
But she couldn't.
Her identity was too sensitive. She had been in the Xiao Family for many years and still hadn't found any information about the tuoshe ancient emperor's jade. There were already quite a few complaints within the Family. If Family resources were used on Xiao Yan, she would undoubtedly be attacked by the Family Elders.
She could only watch as Xiao Yan suffered countless snubs, powerless to do anything.
And now, a powerful, unknown Alchemist had suddenly appeared before her.
This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
"Elder Ling, do you think this person is trustworthy?" Xun'er asked.
Ling Ying was silent for a moment, then replied:
"Young Miss, this person's strength is unfathomable. His purpose is unclear, but... he might be the only one who can help Young Master Xiao Yan without alarming anyone."
How could Xun'er not understand this principle?
She quickly calculated in her mind.
To gamble, or not to gamble?
"If he can cure Brother Xiao Yan..."
Xun'er murmured to herself, a look of determination flashing in her clear eyes,
"Resources are never an issue."
As long as Brother Xiao Yan could be restored to his former self, she was willing to pay any price.
"Elder Ling."
"This old servant is here."
"You personally go to Tianxiang Tower and keep an eye on things." Xun'er's voice returned to its usual coolness,
"Don't let anyone discover you. I want to know every person he meets and every word he says."
"In addition, closely monitor the movements of the Xiao Family Clan Chief.
If... if that Young Master Xuan can really cure Brother Xiao Yan, we must present him with a thank-you gift he cannot refuse at the first opportunity."
"This old servant understands." Ling Ying's figure once again merged into the shadows and disappeared.
Xun'er sat back on the bluestone, but her heart could no longer be at peace.
She looked in the direction of Tianxiang Tower, muttering, "Xuan Jin... you had better truly possess that ability."
At the same time, outside Tianxiang Tower.
As the Clan Chief of one of Wutan City's three major Families, Xiao Zhan now resembled a Junior about to meet a Great Master, adjusting his robes, fine beads of sweat seeping from his forehead.
For Yan'er, it was worth it!
He no longer hesitated, took a step, and ascended the steps of Tianxiang Tower.