Battle Through the Heavens: Emperor Yan, please restrain yourself; your elder brother is truly hones

Zhang Yuan seemed oblivious and continued, "Then what else can Master Gu Ni offer?"

"What do you need?" Gu Ni pondered for a moment and said, "Anything I can provide can be used for the transaction."

At his current age, he is only a second-grade alchemist. Apart from his relatively ordinary mentor, his talent in alchemy is also quite poor.

A third-grade alchemist was a height he might never reach in his lifetime, but the scroll in Zhang Yuan's hand gave him a glimmer of hope.

He could give up most of his possessions for this hope.

“What I need is easy for you to do, Master,” Zhang Yuan said with a smile. “We need the Mittel Auction House to share most of its intelligence with the Xiao family, and at the same time, to provide the Xiao family with some medicinal herbs on a long-term basis.”

It's certainly not worth exchanging the third-grade alchemist's insights written by the old alchemist for a fourth-grade magic core, and even trying to win over Gu Ni would be a waste.

However, if the Mittel family of Utan City could also be brought in, the situation would be different.

“This matter cannot be decided by me alone,” Gu Ni said, turning to look at Ya Fei.

The Mittel family's method of controlling auction houses in various regions involves appointing two or three key figures, depending on the circumstances.

For example, at the Utan City Auction House, Yafei is a direct descendant of the Mittel family. Although she is not powerful, she has a business mind and can contact the family and manage the auction house's daily and commercial affairs.

Gu Ni is an outsider who, as a second-grade alchemist and a Grand Master, oversees the auction house, responsible for appraisal and security.

The two have a cooperative yet mutually supportive relationship.

“This won’t do!” Zhang Yuan released his control over Ya Fei, who stood up and said, “The foundation of my Mittel Auction House is neutrality. We will not interfere in family feuds in any city.”

“We can provide the funds, or the resources the Xiao family needs, to purchase this scroll for Master Gu Ni.”

Gu Ni's expression remained unchanged as he looked at Zhang Yuan without saying a word.

Zhang Yuan laughed and said, "Sister Yafei has misunderstood two things. The Xiao family is not cooperating with the Mittel Auction House, but with the two of you. Moreover, you don't need to participate in the power struggle in Wutan City."

"You're just deceiving yourself." Ya Fei's aura changed, and she said sharply, "Master Gu Ni and I are in charge here. If we cooperate with you, it means the auction house is cooperating with you, and we're indirectly getting involved in the fight."

Is it really impossible to change one's stance?

This situation doesn't exist as long as the money is sufficient.

Zhang Yuan's smile became more playful as he said, "Sister Yafei, you yourself said you want to make a name for yourself in Wutan City so that you can gain the family's attention and control your own destiny. Do you think neutrality is acceptable?"

Ya Fei smiled noncommittally and asked, "Could it be that cooperating with the Xiao family is possible?"

“Of course.” Zhang Yuan nodded and said, “In fact, the scroll that Master Gu Ni just looked at was written by my brother Yan’s master’s master.”

Xiao Yan and the others: "."

Yao Chen: I not only became a fourth-grade alchemist, but also my own teacher?

"Is Young Master Xiao's master an alchemist?" Ya Fei's eyes flashed.

“That’s right.” Zhang Yuan nodded and said, “I believe you two are aware that my brother Yan was unable to cultivate. That was actually a test from his teacher. Now he has passed the test and has become an apprentice of a fourth-grade alchemist.”

“That fourth-grade alchemist came from the Black Corner Region and had an even stronger teacher. That scroll was written by my brother Yan’s grandmaster.”

hiss!

Gu Ni and Ya Fei exchanged glances, both inwardly gasping for breath.

If Zhang Yuan hadn't been talking nonsense, wouldn't the Xiao family have become rich by attaching themselves to a fourth-grade alchemist?

If that's the case, cooperating with the Xiao family is indeed not a problem, but what if Zhang Yuan is lying to them?

"Sister, I have a question." Ya Fei stared intently at Zhang Yuan and asked, "If Young Master Xiao has taken a fourth-grade alchemist as his apprentice, why doesn't the Xiao family announce this to the outside world?"

If the Xiao family had a fourth-grade alchemist as their backer, even a Dou Ling expert would treat them with utmost respect.

"Because I am only a nominal disciple." Xiao Yan took the initiative to answer: "According to the sect's rules, one must become a second-grade alchemist before being formally accepted as a disciple. Before that, one cannot mention the master's name."

Master Gu Ni: ?

I suspect you are belittling me, and I have evidence.

"So, we won't be able to see that fourth-grade alchemist either?" Ya Fei asked again.

"It's not possible until Brother Yan becomes a second-grade alchemist," Zhang Yuan nodded.

After a moment's thought, Ya Fei smiled charmingly and said, "Isn't this just making me gamble?"

"You want to change your destiny, why not seize this chance to gamble?" Zhang Yuan retorted, then took out a scroll and tossed it to Gu Ni.

"Master Gu Ni, I'm giving you my insights as a token of my Xiao family's sincerity in our cooperation."

"If you're willing to cooperate, then cooperate; if not, then consider it a favor you owe the Xiao family."

After saying that, Zhang Yuan gave Xiao Yan and Xun'er a look, and the three of them turned and left.

Xiao Zhan got up, but he didn't plan to go home. He still wanted to attend tonight's auction and bid on some valuable items.

Ya Fei did not try to stop them, but waited until the four had left before asking Gu Ni, "Master Gu Ni, do you think what he said is credible?"

“I find it credible.” Gu Ni said, holding the scroll. “I have had the privilege of listening to lectures from fourth-grade and fifth-grade alchemists in the Alchemist Guild, but they are far less detailed and easy to understand than this book of insights.”

"Even if those two alchemists held back a bit during their lectures, the difference was still quite obvious."

"This insight should have been written by an alchemist of rank five or above."

"Moreover, the Xiao family's desire to purchase medicinal herbs through auction houses is likely because they do not want to be discovered or obstructed by the Jia Lie family and the Aoba family. They intend to refine pills for sale, which indicates that the Xiao family does indeed have alchemists behind them."

Ya Fei nodded solemnly; she was also inclined to believe what Zhang Yuan said.

Cooperation is a long-term endeavor; lies may deceive for a time, but they cannot deceive forever.

"Are you planning to gamble?" Gu Ni asked.

“Of course.” Ya Fei’s peach blossom eyes showed an unprecedented seriousness.

"Putting everything else aside, Zhang Yuan's strength and talent as a nine-star Dou Shi at the age of sixteen are enough to make me risk everything and take a gamble."

"Tomorrow, I will personally visit the Xiao family to discuss the details of the cooperation."

Gu Ni nodded and said, "I fully support you."

Meanwhile, outside the auction venue.

Xiao Yan subtly observed Xun'er, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back.

Xun'er seemed to sense something, glanced at him indifferently, and asked, "Cousin, is it alright to reveal the existence of Cousin Xiao Yan's master?"

Xiao Yan: "."

These are my lines!!!

Chapter 15 Xiao Yan felt he should be under the car

"What does it matter?"

Faced with Xun'er's question, Zhang Yuan's smile remained unchanged as he explained, "I've often heard of people who like to exaggerate and boast, using grandiose titles to intimidate, deceive, and bully others. Why is it that Brother Yan truly has an alchemist master, yet our Xiao family keeps it a secret?"

"Although that person will not publicly support the Xiao family before Brother Yan becomes a second-grade alchemist, what harm is there in letting outsiders know of his existence?"

It's just bringing up a non-existent fourth-grade alchemist; it won't attract much attention.

Would someone who would pay attention to this matter risk offending a fourth-grade alchemist to test the truth?

Zhang Yuan turned to Xiao Yan and said, "Our Xiao family needs to regularly purchase certain medicinal herbs in order to refine Foundation Establishment Elixir and various pills that you will practice with in the future. Some of these pills will also be sold for profit."

"This kind of thing might be able to be kept secret from the Gallie and Oba families in the early stages, but it's hard to keep it from the Mittel Auction House. It's better to just propose a cooperation directly."

"Originally, I wanted to delay for a while and let the Mittel Auction House come to us for cooperation. Ideally, you would become a first-grade alchemist, which would make your story of becoming an apprentice more convincing. Then, I would have my uncle come to discuss cooperation with Ya Fei. Now, we are just bringing the plan forward."

"Next, you need to cultivate even harder and strive to become an alchemist as soon as possible."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan nodded solemnly, finally understanding why Yao Chen had said Zhang Yuan was almost demonically intelligent.

Zhang Yuan's initial plan was to directly purchase two fourth-tier wind-type magic cores with money.

If things go wrong, then use the matter of the wood war to subtly threaten Mittel Yafi.

If things can be resolved at this point, Zhang Yuan will not rush to bring up cooperation. Instead, he will wait until the Mittel Auction House discovers the matter of the Xiao family's Foundation Establishment Elixir, or until Xiao Yan becomes an alchemist, before discussing cooperation, so as to take the initiative in the cooperation as much as possible.

However, if Ya Fei is not threatened, then they should bring up the cooperation in advance and use the third-grade alchemist's experience written by Yao Lao to win over Gu Ni, and also make Ya Fei more convinced of their Xiao family's claim that they have a fourth-grade alchemist as a backer.

In Zhang Yuan's plan, the fourth-order wind-type magic core was actually the most basic thing.

Xiao Yan even felt that Zhang Yuan had a plan for the future. If Ya Fei was unwilling to cooperate, or wanted to take the initiative in the cooperation, she would be sold out and help count the money.

“Brother Yuan, Xun’er thinks you don’t need to go through all this trouble to find Ya Fei,” Xun’er suddenly said.

"How so?" Zhang Yuan looked at the girl with a gentle smile.

"A honey trap?" Xiao Yan guessed from the side.

boom!

Zhang Yuan punched Xiao Yan hard on the head.

"If you don't discipline someone for three days, they'll be climbing on the roof and tearing off the tiles." Zhang Yuan rubbed his fists together.

Xiao Yan hissed and clutched his head, saying, "Cousin, you'd better always be stronger than me, otherwise..."

"What else?" Zhang Yuan raised his fist.

“Otherwise, you won’t be able to protect me; I’ll have to protect you,” Xiao Yan said sincerely.

Zhang Yuan chuckled and said, "Let's not talk about me for now. You should try to be better than Xun'er first."

Before becoming a Dou Sheng, Xiao Yan's strength and realm were always inferior to Xun'er's.

With Zhang Yuan around, they might never surpass him in their lifetime.

"Is there a reward for exceeding the limit?" Xiao Yan's heart warmed.

Many people have given him gifts since he was a child, but the ones that truly touched his heart always came from Zhang Yuan.

"Yes, ask me for it when you surpass Xun'er, and I'll make sure you're satisfied," Zhang Yuan said with a smile.

"If Xun'er is never surpassed, will she receive a reward?" Xun'er suddenly asked.

“That’s possible.” Zhang Yuan nodded and said, “Let’s start with a Dou Huang (Battle Emperor) title. You can compete once for each realm after that. Whoever arrives first wins, and I will prepare a surprise gift for each of you.”

"Alright!" Xiao Yan and Xun'er looked at each other, their eyes filled with a competitive spirit.

Zhang Yuan's gift must belong to him/her.

Neither of them felt that they would be unable to break through to the Dou Zun level in the future, after all, one was the disciple of the number one alchemist on the continent and a peak Dou Zun, and the other was the daughter of an imperial family.