"Let me explain..."
Xiao Yan recounted the entire incident in detail: "That's why I need to find soul-restoring ingredients. In this state, Teacher receives no replenishment and can only continuously dissipate his soul power."
"Soul ingredients? I don't have any on hand. These things are far too rare, and whenever they appear, alchemists scramble for them. You know how tempting soul-nurturing items are to alchemists."
"I'll help you inquire if the auction house has any."
Xiao Jietian frowned. Soul ingredients were among the rarest and most sought-after in the world of medicinal resources.
Xiao Jietian stood up, walked out briefly, and returned holding Ya Fei's hand.
Xiao Yan watched them holding hands, internally astonished: Incredible, Brother!
His brother seemed to have a girlfriend everywhere, and each time they met, it was a different one.
How many was this now?
"Is this my sister-in-law?" Xiao Yan asked uncertainly.
"Exactly, this is your sister-in-law."
Xiao Jietian blinked, a bright smile spreading across his face as he nodded.
Ya Fei, her face flushed, moved behind Xiao Jietian and began massaging his shoulders.
I'm single, but my brother has girlfriends everywhere. Brother, you told me to mature, but is there any justice left?
"Sister-in-law Ya Fei, do you know if your auction house has any ingredients that can restore soul power? I'm willing to pay a high price."
Xiao Yan asked urgently in a low voice.
The reason Xiao Yan addressed her as "Sister-in-law Ya Fei" rather than simply "sister-in-law" was his suspicion that he likely had many sisters-in-law, and distinguishing them by name would be easier if they all gathered.
"Currently, our auction house hasn't acquired any soul-restoring ingredients. Even over a year, we might not obtain a single stalk of such material."
Ya Fei shook her head helplessly.
"However, I do know that a certain family in the Jia Ma Sacred City possesses a peculiar plant called Seven Illusory Azure Spirit Saliva. Its rhizome can restore the soul."
"Which family?" Xiao Yan stood up eagerly, asking urgently.
"It's... it's..." Ya Fei recalled that her lover's younger brother had an unpleasant history with the Nalan Family due to a broken engagement. Her words faltered, and she glanced uncertainly at Xiao Jietian, unsure whether to speak.
"It's the Nalan Family."
Xiao Jietian gently patted Ya Fei's hand, signaling that he would explain, and said.
"The Nalan Family?"
Xiao Yan's brows furrowed slightly at the memory of that unpleasant past.
"That's right, exactly the Nalan Family you're thinking of. Currently, only they possess it."
"If I go to buy it directly, they might not sell it to me. Given my history with them, I might not even get past the door. Stealing is even less feasible—I likely wouldn't even find where it's hidden."
Xiao Yan felt a headache coming on upon confirming the item was with the Nalan Family. The three-year agreement was approaching; why would they aid an enemy by selling him ingredients?
As for theft, it might have been possible before Yao Lao's accident, but in his current weakened state, any failed attempt could lead to greater troubles. Moreover, such treasures were always well-hidden.
Ya Fei glanced at Xiao Yan's alchemist robe and offered: "There is another way to obtain it. The Nalan Family's Old Master once killed a Tier 5 Magical Beast, the Iron-Marked Venomous Python, but was injured by its poison during the battle."
"He used to suppress it with his strength, but now, due to old age and declining health, the poison has erupted completely. Some time ago, the Nalan Family issued a notice seeking alchemists for help, listing the Seven Illusory Azure Spirit Saliva among the rewards."
Hearing this, Xiao Yan's expression shifted slightly. He had heard of the Iron-Marked Venomous Python—a formidable demonic beast capable of even killing Tier 6 Magical Beasts.
"Didn't Gu He intervene? With Nalan Yanran's status, she should be able to seek Gu He's help, right?"
"Teacher, do you have—"
Xiao Yan was about to ask Yao Lao if he had a solution when Xiao Jietian interrupted.
"Xiao Yan, Gu He has no method to remove the poison, but you do."
"Me?" Xiao Yan pointed at himself in confusion.
"The method is to control a Heavenly Flame to enter Nalan Jie's body and use its high temperature to eliminate the toxins. However, the process is extremely dangerous and severely tests one's flame control."
"Heavenly Flame control?"
After hearing Xiao Jietian's words, Xiao Yan lowered his head in silence.
Controlling a Heavenly Flame to enter another's body was perilous, especially concerning someone from the Nalan Family. If Nalan Yanran were present, he might struggle to control his emotions and could accidentally burn the person to death.
Xiao Yan also received no better solution from Yao Lao, as other methods were more difficult and time-consuming—Nalan Jie might not survive the wait.
"You don't need to worry excessively. Just face it directly. This is merely a transaction; your goal is only to obtain the medicinal ingredients. You can disguise yourself so they won't recognize you. The most important thing is whether you can control your emotions."
"Moreover, I inquired about that incident back then. The Nalan Family's Old Master was unaware and even expelled Nalan Yanran from the family several times over it."
Xiao Jietian spoke calmly. Though it carried the sentiment of "don't preach kindness without experiencing suffering," this was currently the only viable path.
"Alright, I'll accept it."
Hearing Xiao Jietian's words, Xiao Yan realized he had been overthinking. Although he held grievances against Nalan Yanran and the Nalan Family, over a year of training had matured him and shifted his perspective. The hatred had lessened, leaving mostly unwillingness.
"Xiao Yan, you've grown up. Then I'll give you something."
Xiao Jietian waved his hand, and an exquisite wooden box appeared on the table beside Xiao Yan.
"Open it."
Xiao Yan took the wooden box and slowly opened it. Inside lay a thin, human-skin-like mask, as delicate as a cicada's wing and cool to the touch.
Xiao Jietian smiled: "This is an Ice Silkworm Mask, crafted from the silk of the Glacier Snow Silkworm. It has already been shaped into a human face. Simply apply it to conceal your original appearance."
This item was precisely what Xiao Jietian had purchased from Ya Fei, originally intended for use when confronting the Soul Palace's forces.
He hadn't expected Yao Lao to still be injured, the Seven Illusory Azure Spirit Saliva to still be needed, and this clichéd storyline to repeat—the "I fall for my disguised ex-fiancé after breaking the engagement" trope.
Xiao Jietian gestured to Ya Fei, who walked to the desk and wrote a letter.
"This is a letter of recommendation. With it, you can bypass many unnecessary inspections and reduce the risk of exposure."
"However, I don't really need this mask. I have my own methods."
Xiao Yan brought the box back to Xiao Jietian, explaining that Yao Lao had given him a method he had used before with good results.
Xiao Jietian shook his head and pushed the box back.
"Though you have your own, a gift given should not be taken back. Keep it; you might need it someday. This is also a token of goodwill from your sister-in-law Ya Fei and me."
Xiao Yan didn't insist further and silently accepted it.
"We're family; no need for formalities. You're my brother—if I don't help you, who will? Speaking so politely is unnecessary."
Seeing Xiao Yan accept it, Xiao Jietian showed a gentle smile and patted his shoulder.
Xiao Yan nodded heavily, his eyes slightly reddened.