"Facing an alluring beauty like you, no man would be without thoughts. And it just so happens that I'm not a gentleman. Also, don't call me 'little guy'. Whether I'm little or not… you'll find out in the future."
"Hehe~ It seems Xiao Tian, Little Brother, has quite the lustful heart," Ya Fei covered her mouth and chuckled seductively. "But this Sister isn't so easily obtained, you know."
"Now that you know my identity, let's talk about our future cooperation."
"What kind of cooperation does Little Brother want to discuss with me?"
Xiao Tian waved his hand. Three jade bottles appeared on the table with a soft clink.
"Two Rank 4 pills and one Rank 5 pill. How's this business?"
Ya Fei's eyes widened in surprise. She stood up quickly, her ample bosom swaying noticeably as she stepped forward. She picked up each jade bottle one by one, examining them carefully.
"Is this a Rank 4 Qi Gathering Powder? And what is this Rank 5 pill?"
"Two sets of Rank 4 Qi Gathering Powder, and one Youth Preservation Pill."
"Youth Preservation Pill?" Ya Fei's voice carried a trace of doubt. "How is it different from the Ding Yan Dan?"
"This Youth Preservation Pill is a true Rank 5 pill. It can preserve the user's appearance at their most beautiful age… granting eternal youth."
Ya Fei, who had already taken the Ding Yan Dan, stared at the pill with fervent desire. Her throat moved slightly as she swallowed.
"Is it really that miraculous?"
"Of course," Xiao Tian said with a devilish smile, as if tempting her. "Sister Ya Fei, if you don't believe me, you can take it right now and see the effect."
Ya Fei struggled internally for a moment, but the temptation was too strong. She brought the pill to her lips and swallowed it.
The moment the pill entered her body, a gentle glow enveloped her. When the light faded, her exposed skin became as smooth as jade, and her already stunning appearance turned even younger and more refined — breathtakingly beautiful.
Coming back to her senses, Ya Fei realized she had been tricked, yet she couldn't hide the joy in her eyes.
"It seems I've been outsmarted by you," she said with a mix of annoyance and amusement. "You had ill intentions the moment you brought out this pill, didn't you?"
Xiao Tian smiled mischievously. "This Youth Preservation Pill is something only I can provide on the entire continent. What do you think this pill is worth?"
"Then how should this Sister compensate you?" Ya Fei leaned lightly against the table, looking at him with a charming, seductive smile.
"How about Sister Ya Fei offers herself in marriage as compensation?" Xiao Tian stood up, reached out, and gently embraced her slender waist.
Ya Fei's body stiffened for a moment. Xiao Tian leaned close to her ear and whispered with a smile, "What do you think?"
"You certainly dream beautifully," Ya Fei said, though her voice carried a hint of laughter. She subtly pulled away, freeing herself from his arm, and asked seriously, "I'm very curious — what rank of alchemist is Xiao Tian, Little Brother, right now? Second-rank or higher?"
"Curiosity is the beginning of falling, Sister Ya Fei." Xiao Tian did not answer her question directly.
Ya Fei didn't press further. Her expression turned businesslike. "Then how exactly will we cooperate?"
"I can sell these two Qi Gathering Powders and the Youth Preservation Pill to you at a price far below market value. In return, I want the Mitel Auction House to prioritize supplying all medicinal ingredients to the Xiao Family. Also, provide me with four sets of Qi Recovery Pill ingredients, three sets of Qi Gathering Powder ingredients, and some other herbs. I'll give you the detailed list later. Most importantly — you must keep my identity completely secret."
Xiao Tian quickly wrote down the required medicinal ingredients on a piece of paper and handed it over.
Ya Fei glanced at the list and looked at him in surprise. "These are the only conditions? I can agree to them on behalf of the auction house."
"Good. Happy cooperation." Xiao Tian smiled. "I know you came to Wu Tan City for training and will return to Jia Ma Holy City once you meet your performance targets. These pills should be enough to complete a large part of your quota. We'll have more cooperation in the future, and these achievements will help you get transferred back sooner."
"It seems Xiao Tian, Little Brother, is not as simple as just being a young master from Wu Tan City. Otherwise, how would you know so much about Sister Ya Fei's background?" Ya Fei looked at him with deeper meaning in her eyes.
"Haha, as for my identity, Sister Ya Fei, don't guess too wildly. The more you know, the deeper you'll fall."
Xiao Tian watched her sizing him up and decided to throw out another tempting hook:
"I also know that Sister Ya Fei has always been troubled by her poor cultivation talent. Perhaps in the future… I will have the ability to change your aptitude and help you escape your family's control."
Ya Fei's heart trembled. The light in her beautiful eyes grew brighter. She knew exactly how terrifying the value of a teenage second-rank (or possibly higher) alchemist and cultivation genius truly was.
There was even a Rank 7 high-grade Marrow Cleansing Pill recorded in ancient alchemy texts that could reshape one's physique and meridians.
She understood that a young man like Xiao Tian would never remain trapped in a small place like Wu Tan City. And a future powerhouse would never lack women around him.
"Are you planning to have me all to yourself?" Ya Fei asked softly. "It seems Xiao Tian, Little Brother, had ill intentions toward this Sister from the very beginning."
Xiao Tian didn't reply with words. Instead, he took a step forward and gently wrapped his arm around her alluring, serpentine waist once more.
"A fair lady is a gentleman's good pursuit — especially one as beautiful as you."
As his words fell, Ya Fei suddenly leaned forward and lightly pecked his lips like a dragonfly touching water. She immediately slipped out of his embrace.
"A fair lady, a gentleman's good pursuit… Your literary talent is quite good too," she said with a faint blush. "You are the first person to embrace me… and perhaps the last. Once you truly change my destiny… maybe I really will give myself to you."
"I need some time to prepare the medicinal ingredients. Once they're ready, I'll have someone deliver them to you."
Watching Ya Fei's enchanting figure hurry away, Xiao Tian smiled with satisfaction. His plan had succeeded perfectly.
After closing the door, Ya Fei leaned against it, took a deep breath, and covered her flushed face with both hands.
"My first kiss… just given away like that. How embarrassing…"
Less than ten minutes later, a maid knocked on the door and delivered all the medicinal ingredients Xiao Tian needed. Ya Fei herself did not appear again.
"It seems Sister Ya Fei is both inexperienced and loves to play," Xiao Tian thought with amusement as he collected the herbs and left the auction house.
On the top floor of the Mitel Auction House, a graceful figure stood by an open window, watching Xiao Tian's departing back.
"I will wait for you… to change my destiny."
Back at the Xiao Family, Xiao Tian told Xun'er he would be entering seclusion again, then headed straight to the stone cave in the back mountain where he had cultivated before.
Time flew by like a white colt glimpsed through a crack.
Two months later.
Inside the cave, Xiao Tian slowly opened his eyes and exhaled a long breath of turbid air.
"I've finally broken through to Seven-star Dou Practitioner."
Over the past two months, he spent one or two hours every morning practicing Dou Techniques, focused on alchemy during the day, and cultivated in meditation at night. His schedule was packed, but the results were excellent. His Dou Techniques were now well-practiced, and he could already refine third-rank Qi Recovery Pills with ease.
Stretching his body, Xiao Tian walked down the mountain.
After returning to his courtyard, he took a quick bath and was about to go look for Xun'er.
The moment he stepped out of his door, he saw Xiao Yan also emerging from the neighboring courtyard.
Xiao Tian looked at his little brother and smiled.
"Congratulations, Xiao Yan Zi."