Xiao Yan secretly scanned the Nalan Family estate and noticed many areas were guarded by hidden sentinels. If anyone dared to cause trouble, they would be attacked instantly.
"The defenses are indeed very strict," he thought.
Just as Xiao Yan was observing the surroundings, the maid led him and Xiao Tian toward the main hall. Through the closed doors, faint sounds of conversation could be heard. The moment the doors opened, the conversations inside ceased at once, and everyone turned their gazes toward the entrance in unison.
Xiao Tian and Xiao Yan swept their eyes across the room. There were about a dozen third-rank alchemists seated inside — most of them middle-aged, with a few elders among them.
While Xiao Tian and Xiao Yan were observing the others, the people in the hall were also scrutinizing them.
When they saw Xiao Tian's young appearance paired with his fourth-rank alchemist badge, shock flashed across their eyes.
When their gazes shifted to Xiao Yan and noticed his second-rank badge, they looked at him with curiosity, wondering why a mere second-rank alchemist had been allowed inside.
Xiao Tian and Xiao Yan ignored the scrutinizing looks from the other alchemists. Instead, their attention turned to a middle-aged man seated majestically in the main seat. With sharp, tiger-like eyes that opened and closed with authority, he was the only person present not wearing an alchemist robe.
Xiao Tian knew this was Nalan Su — the patriarch of the Nalan Family and Nalan Yanran's father, who had nearly become Xiao Yan's father-in-law.
"Two young brothers, I am Nalan Su of the Nalan Family. May I know your esteemed names?" Nalan Su was startled by how young the two newcomers were, but he quickly recovered, stood up, and cupped his hands politely.
Upon hearing that name, Xiao Yan's hands hidden inside his sleeves trembled slightly, and his eyelids twitched involuntarily.
"Yan Xiao. This is my senior brother, Tian Xiao," Xiao Yan replied, suppressing the strange emotions in his heart. At this moment, his appearance had been completely altered by Yao Lao's medicinal pill.
"We were recommended by Miss Ya Fei to try removing the poison from Old Master Nalan."
"Haha, so you were recommended by Niece Ya Fei. Please, have a seat," Nalan Su said with a chuckle after understanding the situation.
Xiao Tian and Xiao Yan sat down in the two empty seats.
Just as they settled, a woman in a moon-white dress walked in from outside. Both Xiao Yan and Xiao Tian were familiar with her — it was Nalan Yanran. The current Nalan Yanran had shed her youthful shyness and grown into a graceful, elegant woman. Her appearance had become even more outstanding.
However, compared to Medusa or Yun Yun, she was still slightly lacking.
Xiao Yan looked at the beautiful woman who entered, his hands clenched tightly inside his sleeves. Although he had mentally prepared himself beforehand, actually seeing her still made it difficult to maintain the composure he had imagined.
Nalan Yanran paused slightly as she passed by Xiao Yan. She gave him a deep, meaningful look before continuing forward.
Although the action was subtle, several people in the hall still noticed it.
Nalan Yanran then shifted her gaze to Xiao Tian beside Xiao Yan. When she saw the fourth-rank alchemist badge on his chest, she was inwardly surprised.
So young, yet already a fourth-rank alchemist. It seems Liu Ling is going to be defeated.
Nalan Yanran walked directly to Nalan Su's side and stood quietly, though her gaze subtly continued to appraise Xiao Yan.
"I always feel that Nalan Yanran's expression just now was a little strange. Did she discover something?" Xiao Yan moved closer to Xiao Tian and asked with a frown.
"Probably not. With your current appearance, even I might not be able to recognize you if I didn't already know. How could she possibly see through it with her strength? It's likely for other reasons," Xiao Tian replied.
He had also noticed Nalan Yanran's odd behavior, but Xiao Yan had Yao Lao's concealment technique. With Nalan Yanran's Great Dou Master strength, she couldn't possibly see through it.
Although Xiao Yan was full of doubts and couldn't figure out the reason, he worried that if she discovered his identity, she might use it as an excuse to renege on their agreement after the treatment.
"No need to overthink it. Your goal is only to obtain the Seven Illusory Azure Spirit Saliva. Nothing else matters. If they try to renege later, I'll help you flatten them and take it directly," Xiao Tian said sharply, knowing exactly what his brother was thinking after living with him for over a decade.
"Yan'er, don't worry. Although Teacher is currently weak, I can still act if needed. A half-crippled Dou Wang and a few Dou Ling experts are nothing to worry about," Yao Lao's voice echoed in Xiao Yan's mind. He thought back to the decades he had dominated the Central Plains — no one had ever dared to renege on a debt owed to him.
Hearing both Xiao Tian and Yao Lao's words, Xiao Yan stopped overthinking.
Yes, his only goal was to obtain the Seven Illusory Azure Spirit Saliva to help his teacher recover. Everything else could be set aside for now.
Nalan Su stood up from the main seat, cupped his hands, and spoke loudly, "Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to accept our invitation. Grandfather's Scorching Poison was once examined by Master Gu He, who said it could only be resolved using an Exotic Flame. However, alchemists who possess Exotic Flames are extremely rare, and my Nalan Family has no other choice but to try other methods."
"All of you are highly ranked alchemists in the Jia Ma Empire and each possess unique abilities."
Nalan Su gestured toward a side door. "Please go in one by one and try. If anyone succeeds in detoxifying him, the promised reward will be presented immediately."
After Nalan Su finished speaking, a white-haired alchemist volunteered to go in first.
About ten minutes later, the old man walked out, shaking his head and sighing, "Patriarch Nalan, I tried over a dozen detoxification methods, but none had any effect. This poison is truly too stubborn."
Subsequently, the other alchemists went in one by one, but all of them came out having failed.
Seeing that more than ten alchemists had failed, Nalan Yanran's beautiful eyes reddened slightly. She bit her lip tightly, looking disheartened.
Nalan Su saw that everyone else had failed, leaving only the two young alchemists. He couldn't help but sigh and forced a smile. "Alas, since none of you can resolve it, it seems my father is destined to suffer this calamity. Although you failed, I will still present all of you with generous compensation."
"May I ask if this young brother would like to try?" Nalan Su looked at Xiao Tian with hope in his eyes. He was their final hope among the remaining alchemists.
"Perhaps my junior brother can try with Old Master Nalan's problem," Xiao Tian replied lazily. He showed no intention of acting himself and simply pointed at Xiao Yan.
"Your junior brother?" Nalan Su was stunned. He hadn't expected Xiao Tian to recommend his junior brother, who was only a second-rank alchemist.
The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became strange and heavy. Everyone followed Xiao Tian's finger and turned their gazes toward Xiao Yan.