The two little girls walked up to Xuan Yi and began chattering excitedly as they explained what Sky City was.
Meanwhile, Xiao Jietian took the opportunity to survey the entire top floor.
Although the top floor was only half the size of the second floor, it was still as large as twelve or thirteen basketball courts.
At a glance, there were only forty to fifty people present. However, the lowest-ranked among them were seventh-grade alchemists, and there were even a few eighth-grade alchemists, along with one or two Dou Zun powerhouses.
If these dozens of people were placed outside, each one would be a true powerhouse or grandmaster alchemist capable of causing a stir wherever they went.
The arrival of Xiao Jietian and the other three naturally attracted their attention. But when they vaguely sensed the aura Xiao Jietian deliberately released and noticed the badge on Xuan Yi's chest, a hint of surprise flashed in their eyes.
A Dou Zun and a core elder—together, their combined status was the highest here.
Although everyone present was extremely curious about the identities of Xiao Jietian and Xuan Yi, none of them intended to inquire. Whether by the rules of the trade fair or the customs of the continent, openly probing someone's secrets and background was a major taboo. One wrong move could instantly turn them into mortal enemies.
After a quick glance, everyone present averted their eyes and continued selecting the medicinal ingredients they needed.
"I didn't expect you to spoil these two little girls so much. You even built them a palace using so many special jade stones," Xuan Yi said teasingly after hearing the girls' explanation.
"I have the means, so why not be a little capricious?" Xiao Jietian shrugged, looking completely indifferent.
"You have the means, yet you still want me to be your sugar mommy…" Xuan Yi cast a charming glance at Xiao Jietian, who had thoroughly taken advantage of her.
"That's different. Having the means is one thing; being a kept man is another. The two don't conflict," Xiao Jietian said righteously.
Xiao Ling and Xiao Meng, upon hearing his words, covered their mouths and giggled. Only their daddy could speak such solemn nonsense.
According to the allegorical saying their daddy had taught them, it was like a sow wearing a bra—all show and no substance.
Xuan Yi knew she couldn't win an argument with Xiao Jietian. Having experienced his sharp tongue many times, she simply turned and led the two little girls further inside.
Xiao Jietian followed with light steps, beginning to browse the various stalls.
It had to be said that the items on the top floor were far superior to those on the second floor. Almost everything here—aside from some special treasures that required gambling—was medicinal ingredients.
These ingredients were all rare and difficult to find elsewhere, used primarily for refining seventh-grade and eighth-grade pills.
Of course, the prices were equally outrageous. You get what you pay for—an eternal truth.
As he walked, Xiao Jietian bought many medicinal ingredients. Naturally, the rich woman Xuan Yi paid for everything, making the people around them envious to the point of drooling.
Even the two little girls couldn't resist buying two pretty-looking medicinal ingredients. Yes, just pretty ones—Xiao Ling still couldn't use high-grade ones yet.
Xiao Jietian continued walking, secretly looking for the so-called disheveled old man Elder Yan to see if he could buy that ancient bronze piece.
Although he didn't need the Spirit Nurturing Dust on it himself, he could "give" it to his younger brother. This was almost like gaining a favor for free.
Using someone else's opportunity to earn goodwill while maximizing the value of an item—that was true professionalism.
Xiao Jietian and the others kept walking until they suddenly stopped in front of a particular stall.
On the jade platform, several medicinal ingredients were scattered about. One of them was placed inside a transparent jade box, clearly indicating it was no ordinary item.
After a quick glance, Xiao Jietian looked at the stall owner—a grey-robed old man with a face full of wrinkles but shrewd eyes. The old man was lazily reclining on a stone chair.
On his chest was an alchemist badge with flames swirling around a tower shape. On the tower, seven purplish-gold stars emitted dazzling light.
Xiao Jietian was familiar with this badge. All seven stars were equally brilliant, meaning the owner was a high-level seventh-grade alchemist.
The rank of an alchemist badge was determined by the number of stars and the brightness of the final star: junior was dim, intermediate was faintly glowing, and senior was brilliantly bright.
Xiao Jietian ignored the other items and fixed his eyes only on the medicinal ingredient inside the jade box.
It was a herbaceous plant resembling a small blade of grass, about twenty centimeters tall. Its leaves were slender with tiny serrations along the edges.
The leaves were not green but a beautiful mix of various colors. Their surface was glossy, as if covered by a thin layer of wax. Under the light, they shimmered with an alluring luster, radiant like colored glass.
At the base of the leaves was an inconspicuous thin blue line.
This was precisely the Liuli Grass (Lapis Lazuli Grass) Xiao Jietian had been looking for—a plant with faint spirituality that could connect with the energy of heaven and earth. It was one of the four main ingredients he used to prepare his Holy Liquid.
The old man also sensed someone at his stall. He slightly raised his head and looked at Xiao Jietian.
"Don't bother looking further. My Liuli Grass is genuine, not some fake made from random junk."
Then his eyes fell on the person behind Xiao Jietian. Seeing Xuan Yi's badge, a subtle gleam of shrewdness flashed in the old man's eyes.
"If you want it, it'll cost one eighth-grade pill with four-colored Pill Lightning. You should know this item can even be used with pills that have eight-colored Pill Lightning."
Xiao Jietian raised an eyebrow. What an outrageous demand.
"Are you joking? Your Liuli Grass is indeed real, but it's only a blue-hearted Liuli Grass. Selling it at the price of a purple-hearted one seems a bit excessive, doesn't it?"
"Moreover, when you say it can be used with eight-colored Pill Lightning, it only increases spirituality and helps coordinate other ingredients."
The old man's expression stiffened. He glanced at Xuan Yi behind Xiao Jietian, assuming she was the one providing hints. He chuckled, "Young friend, you have keen eyesight. Since what you said makes sense, I'll take a step back—one eighth-grade pill with two-colored Pill Lightning that satisfies me."
Xiao Jietian didn't rush to hand over the pill. Instead, he observed the other items on the table again, but there was nothing else worthwhile. "Let me examine the item first."
The old man handed over the jade box. "Of course."
After inspecting it, Xiao Jietian found no damage. Once Liuli Grass suffered even the slightest defect, its medicinal properties would continuously diminish over time.
Just as Xiao Jietian was about to take out the pill to complete the transaction, a streak of light suddenly flashed past him.