"Facing an alluring beauty, 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 know in the future."
"Hehe, it seems Little Brother Xiao Zhitian has quite the lustful heart. This sister isn't so easily obtained, you know." Ya Fei covered her mouth and chuckled softly.
"Now that you know my identity, let's discuss our future cooperation."
"What kind of cooperation does Little Brother Xiao Zhitian wish to discuss with me?"
Xiao Zhitian waved his hand, and three jade bottles appeared on the table. "Two Rank 4 and one Rank 5 pills. How's this for a start?"
Ya Fei's face registered surprise. She stood up and quickly stepped forward, her ample bosom swaying subtly. She reached out her jade hand, picking up each bottle to examine it carefully.
"Is this a Rank 4 Qi Gathering Powder? And what kind of Rank 5 pill is this?"
"Two Rank 4 Qi Gathering Powders, and one Rank 5 Youth Preservation Pill," Xiao Zhitian replied.
"Youth Preservation Pill? How is it different from the Youth-Preserving Pill from before?"
"This Youth Preservation Pill is a Rank 5 pill that allows the user's appearance to remain at their most beautiful age, preserving eternal youth," Xiao Zhitian explained.
Ya Fei, having previously taken the Youth-Preserving Pill, could not help but stare at this new pill. Her eyes gleamed with desire as she listened to its powerful effects.
"Is it really that miraculous?" she asked, her voice betraying both curiosity and longing.
"Of course. Sister Ya Fei, if you don't believe me, you can take this pill and see the effect for yourself," Xiao Zhitian said, his tone teasing, as if he were a devil tempting her.
Ya Fei hesitated, struggling internally, yet she continuously raised the pill to her mouth. Finally, she swallowed it. Immediately, her body radiated a soft light. When it faded, her exposed skin was smooth as jade, her features refined and youthful, rendering her even more beautiful than before.
Returning to her senses, Ya Fei realized she had been outwitted by Xiao Zhitian. Yet, the temptation was irresistible; she had never seen or heard of such a miraculous pill.
"It seems I've been outsmarted by you. You had ill intentions from the moment you brought out this pill, didn't you?" she asked reluctantly.
Xiao Zhitian smiled mischievously. "This Youth Preservation Pill is only available from me on the entire continent. Tell me, Sister Ya Fei, what do you think this pill is worth?"
"Then how should this sister compensate you?" Ya Fei leaned lightly on the table, her gaze charming and calculating.
"How about Sister Ya Fei offers herself in marriage as compensation?" Xiao Zhitian stood, reaching out to embrace her slender waist. Ya Fei's body stiffened instantly. Leaning close, he whispered in her ear with a smile.
"You certainly dream beautifully. This sister is curious—what rank of Alchemist is Little Brother Xiao Zhitian now? Rank 2 or above?"
"Curiosity is the beginning of falling, Sister Ya Fei," Xiao Zhitian replied, evading her question.
Ya Fei did not press further. She subtly freed her waist from his hands and said seriously, "Then how 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 your auction house to prioritize supplying all medicinal ingredients to the Xiao Family, and provide me four sets of Qi Recovery Pill ingredients, three sets of Qi Gathering Powder ingredients, and other medicinal ingredients. I'll give you the list later. Also, you must keep my identity a secret," Xiao Zhitian explained, writing the list of required ingredients on a piece of paper.
Ya Fei glanced at the list, then at Xiao Zhitian, her eyes widening slightly. "Are these really the only conditions? I can agree to them on behalf of the auction house."
"Good. Happy cooperation. I know you came to Wutan City for experience, and you'll return to Jia Ma Holy City after meeting your performance targets. These conditions should be enough for you to complete a large part of your objectives. We'll have more cooperation in the future, and by then, these achievements will allow you to be transferred back to Jia Ma Holy City."
"It seems Little Brother Xiao Zhitian is not as simple as just being a young master from Wutan City. Otherwise, how would he know Sister Ya Fei's background?" Ya Fei said with a hint of intrigue.
"Haha, as for my identity, Sister Ya Fei, don't guess wildly. The more you know, the deeper you'll fall," Xiao Zhitian said, watching her closely. Seeing Ya Fei take the bait, he added another hook: "I know you've always worried about your cultivation talent. Perhaps in the future, I'll have the strength to change your aptitude and help you escape your family's manipulation."
Ya Fei's heart pounded. The light in her beautiful eyes brightened. She knew the immense value of a teenage Rank 2—or higher—Alchemist, as well as a cultivation genius.
A pill formula in the alchemy book—a Rank 7 high-grade pill, the Marrow Cleansing Pill—could transform one's physique and reshape bones and meridians. It was clear that Xiao Zhitian's talent guaranteed he would become a powerful expert, one who could not remain confined to Wutan City. Naturally, a powerful expert would attract many admirers.
"Are you planning to have me all to yourself? It seems Little Brother Xiao Zhitian had ill intentions toward this sister from the very beginning," Ya Fei said, half-playful, half-serious.
Xiao Zhitian said nothing. He stepped forward, gently embracing her alluring waist. "A fair lady deserves a gentleman's pursuit, especially one as beautiful as you."
Ya Fei leaned forward, lightly pecking Xiao Zhitian's lips like a dragonfly brushing water, then immediately stepped back.
"A fair lady deserves a gentleman's pursuit. It seems your literary talent is quite good. You are the first person to embrace me, and perhaps the last. Once you change my destiny, perhaps I truly will give myself to you," she murmured.
"I need time to prepare the medicinal ingredients. Once they're ready, I'll have someone deliver them," Xiao Zhitian replied calmly.
Watching Ya Fei's hurried, enchanting figure leave, Xiao Zhitian smiled in satisfaction. His plan had succeeded.
After closing the door, Ya Fei leaned against it, took a deep breath, and covered her flushed face. "My first kiss… given away like that… how embarrassing," she muttered softly.
Within ten minutes, a maid knocked and brought the medicinal ingredients Xiao Zhitian required. Ya Fei was nowhere to be seen. "It seems Sister Ya Fei is both inexperienced and playful," he mused, collecting the ingredients before leaving the auction house.
On the top floor of the auction house, a figure stood by an open window, murmuring as she watched Xiao Zhitian's departing figure. "I will always wait for you to change my destiny."
Xiao Zhitian returned to the Xiao Family and, after informing Xun'er that he would be going into seclusion, ascended to the stone cave in the back mountain where he had previously cultivated.
Time passed like a white colt glimpsed through a crack. Inside the cave, Xiao Zhitian opened his eyes and exhaled a breath of turbid air. "I've finally broken through to Seven-Star Dou Zhe."
Over the next two months, Xiao Zhitian spent one to two hours each morning practicing Dou Techniques, followed by alchemy, and then meditated at night. His days were packed. His Dou Techniques became well-practiced, and he could now refine Rank 3 Qi Recovery Pills.
Stretching, Xiao Zhitian descended the mountain. Returning to his room, he took a quick bath and was about to go look for Xun'er when he saw Xiao Yan also stepping out of her courtyard.
He smiled and said, "Congratulations, Xiao Yan Zi."