"Yes. I need to take Ya Fei with me, considering she was also raised and nurtured by your family."
"I could simply take Ya Fei directly, but out of humanitarian consideration, and to compensate your family, I can offer two Dou Spirit Pills, one Imperial Pole Pill, and two Three-Pattern Azure Spirit Pills."
The reason for such generous compensation was to effectively buy out Ya Fei and prevent them from exploiting her as an excuse to extract benefits in the future.
Besides, pills were the least valuable resource to him. Mere sixth-grade pills—not to mention himself, but even Xiao Yan, as the designated alchemist workhorse, would be able to mass-produce them later on. Heheheh.
Miteer Tengshan stared blankly at the five jade bottles on the table, swallowing hard. He had managed the Mitel Auction House for many years, yet never before had he faced so many highly sought-after pills at once.
A man accustomed to high station, he quickly composed himself and said with a chuckle, "This is far too generous. It is Ya Fei's good fortune to follow you. There is no need for such lavish gifts."
Even as he spoke, he swept the pills off the table and discreetly deposited them into his storage ring.
He understood Xiao Tian's intentions perfectly. *I did not want to accept, but he simply gave too much.*
Moreover, the situation brooked no refusal. Not only did Xiao Tian have a Dou Ancestor backing him, but his own family's Dou Emperor had already sided with Xiao Tian. Furthermore, Xiao Tian alone was more than capable of eradicating his entire clan.
"Xiao Tian, since you are here, there is a matter I wished to discuss with you."
Miteer Tengshan, stroking his storage ring, beamed like a blooming chrysanthemum as he spoke cheerfully.
They had originally groomed Ya Fei to secure benefits for the family, and the present returns had already far surpassed their expectations.
"What is it?"
Xiao Tian lifted his teacup and regarded him with an inquiring look.
"It concerns our family. After unanimous deliberation, we hope to join your Heaven Suppressing Hall. What do you think?"
Tengshan reined in his smile and fixed Xiao Tian with a serious gaze.
He had learned from Hai Bodong that Xiao Tian had a Dou Ancestor—and possibly an even greater power—standing behind him. Such backing would undoubtedly allow him to dominate this entire Northwest Region. He also understood that the auction house had reached its limits and was entering its twilight years, particularly with the imperial family refusing to permit further expansion.
To revive the family and achieve greater glory, sacrifices had to be made. After Xiao Tian claimed victory at the Alchemist Convention, every elder of the family had immediately voiced their agreement.
"Join under my command? I could not ask for more. However, I must state plainly that joining means you must relinquish your claim as a distinct family. Everything must revolve around the Heaven Suppressing Hall."
Xiao Tian studied the two men with keen interest, a smile playing at his lips.
"That is only natural. We can accept those terms."
After a prolonged discussion, the three finally settled upon a series of details.
The specifics were as follows: Hai Bodong would serve as Grand Elder of the Heaven Suppressing Hall, coordinating with various Vice Hall Masters to oversee its administration.
Miteer Tengshan would serve as an Elder of the Elder Hall. Both would be recognized as founding members of the Heaven Suppressing Hall. The auction house would be fully integrated into the Heaven Suppressing Hall, while the Mitel family would retain a measure of autonomy and continue managing the auction house, with all operations centered upon the Heaven Suppressing Hall.
The Heaven Suppressing Hall, as envisioned by Xiao Tian, would later be divided into inner and outer halls. The inner hall would form the core, and the Mitel family would possess the right to recommend outstanding younger members of their bloodline to enter the inner hall for more comprehensive training.
"Welcome into our ranks. I guarantee here and now that the distribution of profits shall be fair and reasonable."
"You will not come to regret this decision."
The three men concluded all matters of cooperation in high spirits. One such matter, naturally, was the relocation of the entire auction house and the Mitel family, along with the majority of their core personnel, to the Black-Corner Region.
As for the method of transporting them, Xiao Tian intended to place them within the Eternal Dream Realm.
Ever since acquiring the fixed teleportation gate, Xiao Tian had already planned to employ the Eternal Dream Realm as the inner hall of the Heaven Suppressing Hall.
This would also allow him to better control the entire organization. Within his current world, everything lay under his absolute dominion. Even a Dou Saint would be forced to kneel.
This was no small world forged by a Dou Saint. It was a reward bestowed by the system. Did they comprehend the value of the system?
After a brief exchange, Xiao Tian handed Hai Bodong a jade bottle and departed from Tengshan's study.
"Tengshan, your decision is exceptionally wise. Xiao Tian's future is absolutely limitless. Now, while he has yet to fully develop, is the optimal moment to invest. I believe we shall witness even more glorious advancement in the days ahead."
Hai Bodong looked at Miteer Tengshan with approval gleaming in his eyes.
"In this world where strength reigns supreme, at times, choice matters more than effort."
"Indeed. I perceive the light of hope radiating from him. Our Mitel family must also step beyond the Gama Empire and set our sights upon grander horizons."
A shrewd glint flashed through Miteer Tengshan's eyes as he smiled.
"Elder Hai, I shall go below and arrange the subsequent transfer. We have only two days to make all necessary preparations."
"Mm. I shall also seize the opportunity to refine this Imperial Pole Pill."
The Imperial Pole Pill Xiao Tian had given him just before leaving was precisely the pill that could elevate his cultivation by a single star.
*Here, it shall be assumed that Elder Hai has never before consumed an Imperial Pole Pill, as sixth-grade alchemists were even rarer in the Northwest Region decades ago.*
Leaving the study, Xiao Tian sought out Ya Fei and Cai Li.
They were currently in Ya Fei's former office.
Xiao Tian pushed open the door and entered, finding both of them examining documents in their hands. The papers contained information on recently acquired items and inventory records from the Mitel Auction House.
Regrettably, however, they had not located the medicinal ingredients required for the Soul Fusion Pill.
Queen Medusa's face was etched with distress.
The medicinal ingredients needed for a sixth-grade pill were still far too scarce within the Gama Empire—virtually impossible to find.
Xiao Tian gently patted Queen Medusa's shoulder and spoke in a soft voice, "There is still time. Let us go to the Alchemist Guild first. If that proves fruitless, we can always search in the Black-Corner Region. Far more things exist there than in the Gama Empire."
"Do you wish to take some time to return to the Snake-People Tribe?"
Queen Medusa shook her head gently and looked directly into Xiao Tian's smiling face. Then she lowered her head and resumed staring at the documents in her hands. "No. The leaders of the various tribes and the Elders will manage affairs well in my absence. I also swore to remain at your side, and Queen Medusa keeps her word."
"Is everything settled?"
Ya Fei drew Xiao Tian down into her chair and began gently massaging his shoulders as she inquired.
"Mm. Everything is done."
Xiao Tian briefly recounted everything that had transpired earlier in the study.
Ya Fei had not anticipated suddenly becoming the supreme boss of the Mitel family.
A flicker of emotion stirred in Queen Medusa's eyes upon hearing this, but she swiftly suppressed it. Her relationship with him was not like Ya Fei's.
Xiao Tian noted the shift in Queen Medusa's expression and smiled faintly, saying nothing. Instead, he turned his attention to the documents on the table and discovered several ingredients for the Youth Preservation Pill, which he immediately claimed.
Although the Youth Preservation Pill was only a fifth-grade pill, it was a devastating weapon when deployed against women.
He now possessed multiple sets of medicinal ingredients for refining Youth Preservation Pills, which meant he could practice refining them himself later.
"Let us go. We shall head to the Alchemist Guild."
Xiao Tian rose to his feet, clasped his hands behind his back, and strode toward the door.
Ya Fei and Queen Medusa followed closely behind.
The three passed through the dense crowds and arrived before the Alchemist Guild.
During this journey, Xiao Tian and the two women stirred considerable commotion. The champion of the Alchemist Convention, accompanied by Ya Fei and the other woman—though veiled, their figures were utterly bewitching. One was alluring and fiery, like a siren. The other was noble, aloof, and dangerously elegant. They drew countless stares from every passerby.