boyutpedia 466. A Relaxing Trip
466. A Relaxing Trip
Xiao Yan leaned against the gilded and carved railing, watching the crowds coming and going below. In the distance, the glazed dome of the Pill Tower shimmered like flowing clouds in the setting sun. He flicked his finger at the white jade wine cup in his hand, and the amber-colored medicinal wine rippled in circles within.
"The Three Thousand Stars Brew from Shengzui Tower is a top-quality product that cannot be found or replaced anywhere else in the entire Holy Pill City. Are you all satisfied?" A scantily clad maid, holding a wine pot, respectfully introduced the wine.
"The wine is good." Xiao Yan took a sip, letting the mellow aroma spread down his throat. Of course, he deliberately suppressed the strange fire within his body. Otherwise, with the power of the Red Lotus Heart Flame, the wine would probably have evaporated completely in an instant.
"However, one pot of this is equivalent to a sixth-grade pill, but it's only because of the reputation of the Three Thousand Burning Flames."
"Young Master Xiao Yan, what are you saying? How could someone like you possibly care about a mere sixth-grade pill?" The maid skillfully deflected Xiao Yan's criticism.
Xiao Yan's attempt to break through the Nine Dragons Trial of Fire caused such a huge commotion that almost everyone in Saint Pill City knows about him now. Countless people regard Xiao Yan as their dream lover, including the maid of Shengzui Tower in front of them.
If Xiao Yan had come alone, she would have risked being kicked out to let him know her feelings. But at this moment, she didn't overstep any boundaries and dutifully acted as a maid responsible for accompanying him.
The reason is simple: after Xiao Yan's companions, Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin, removed their veils, the maid felt utterly ashamed of her appearance. In truth, as the maids specially chosen by Sheng Zui Lou to accompany a top guest like Xiao Yan, they were already the best they could find. However, upon first seeing the three women, each with their own unique beauty, the maid was overwhelmed by a deep sense of inferiority.
Xiao Yan wanted to say something more, but Little Fairy Doctor stopped him: "It's a promise, no more arguing today!"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan smiled and drank another cup of Three Thousand Stars Brew. He was well aware of Little Fairy Doctor's kindness and care for him, so he decided that he couldn't be a spoilsport today.
Even though Xiao Yan knew nothing about wine, he could sense the advantages of high prices. The fact that a pot of sixth-grade pills could be priced so high and still be so popular was certainly understandable. Deep down, Xiao Yan certainly didn't dislike this relaxed and enjoyable life.
Just like back in Wutan City, when his fighting spirit hadn't faded and he was the center of attention as the young master, he was now deliberately distancing himself from that kind of life in order to continuously grow stronger, gain a foothold in Zhongzhou, and protect his family and clan so they could enjoy such a carefree life.
Thinking of his family, Xiao Yan realized that he hadn't seen his father and two elder brothers for several years since their parting in the Black Corner Region. Once the matter in Saint Pill City was resolved, Xiao Yan was determined to bring his clansmen back from the ancient clan.
"Senior brother, look what I bought!"
Mu Qingluan proudly showed off her acquisition to Xiao Yan. A luminous jade hairpin was tucked into her hair, and strangely, the hairpin's tip emitted an unusual glow that changed slightly with Mu Qingluan's movements.
Seeing this, Qinglin and Xiaoyixian were both somewhat tempted.
"The new Illusory Light Hairpin from the Wanbao Pavilion in Saint Pill City can reflect the soul fluctuations of the wearer."
Xiao Yan found this amusing and took one from Mu Qingluan. A brilliant light shone forth, filling the entire room with dazzling brilliance. This was the power of an eighth-grade alchemist's soul; the core of the jade hairpin was even struggling to withstand the impact of Xiao Yan's soul power.
The others, intrigued, picked up the hairpins one by one to test them. The light emanating from Qinglin was almost stronger than Xiao Yan's. However, seeing this, a hint of regret appeared in Qinglin's eyes; in such a grand setting, she was destined not to be able to use the hairpin.
Lei Jingxiao's projection was slightly weaker than Xiao Yan's and Qing Lin's. Mu Qingluan and Xiao Yixian's soul fluctuations were still within a controllable range, but even so, they still shocked the maids, who covered their mouths repeatedly.
Xiao Yan is the most prominent person in Saint Pill City, so it's perfectly normal for his soul power to be extraordinary. But how come his companions are all stronger than each other? Could it be that Xiao Yan's group actually includes three eighth-grade alchemists?
"Senior brother, I haven't paid for this hairpin yet~" Mu Qingluan said to Xiao Yan in a coquettish tone.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan, who was drinking, choked on his drink: "They're only letting you take it if you don't pay?"
"That's right!" Mu Qingluan said proudly, "Who told me to be the junior sister of the young master of the Starfall Pavilion? They don't worry about us running away at all."
As the original heir of the Starfall Pavilion, Mu Qingluan was naturally not some nobody. Making Xiao Yan pay for it was more for fun. Mu Qingluan was also a genuine Dou Zong powerhouse, so it was impossible for her not to be able to afford a hairpin that was just a trinket.
"Alright, alright, everyone, feel free to buy whatever you want today, I'll pay for it," Xiao Yan said cheerfully.
He then took out a jade bottle and handed it to a maid beside him: "Give me two more jugs of this Three Thousand Stars Wine to take away."
The maid's eyes also flashed with interest, and she immediately said solicitously, "Please wait a moment, everyone, we will go and fetch it right away."
Xiao Yan then glanced back at Little Fairy Doctor, whose face finally wore a satisfied smile. Just as the group descended the stairs, they heard a cacophony of conversation emanating from the first floor of Shengzui Tower. The topic of discussion remained Xiao Yan and Ling Zhuo, the Pill Tower and the Spirit Clan—it was, after all, the most important event attracting the attention of the entire Holy Pill City.
"Have you heard? Young Master Ling is going to try to break the 450 mark tomorrow. I wonder if he can get a perfect score."
"So what if he breaks through? He can only hold the number one spot for a few more days. Xiao Yan will eventually surpass him!"
"I doubt it. Hasn't Xiao Yan already faded into obscurity?"
"You're really stubborn. You'll shut up once Xiao Yan gets a perfect score next time."
"The Dragon Pattern Pillar originally belonged to the Pill Tower. I think Xiao Yan's perfect score was a bit inflated. Who knows if the Pill Tower tampered with it? Xuan Kongzi even came in person that day."
Upon hearing this, everyone except Lei Jingxiao remained remarkably calm, knowing full well the complexities of human nature. The more astonishing Xiao Yan's achievements, the more people would misunderstand, question, and speculate that his accomplishments were untrue. But Xiao Yan had a clear conscience and didn't let these concerns bother him.
However, he still obtained important information: Ling Zhuo was indeed not sitting idly by waiting for him to surpass him; it seemed that the Ling Clan's counterattack would begin tomorrow.