Chapter 61

Walking out of the auction house's main gate alongside the two other families, the three patriarchs exchanged glances and let out unpleasant, forced laughs. However, once they averted their gazes, sneers and hostility appeared on their faces.

The three groups of people strutted through the hall, and as they passed, everyone else hurriedly made way. In U坦 City, basically no other forces would dare to provoke the three major families.

After exchanging a few more words with Obapa, Xiao Zhan's gaze suddenly froze, and he stopped in his tracks.

Seeing Xiao Zhan's reaction, everyone followed his gaze, their bodies trembling slightly. Galebi and Obapa's expressions also changed slightly.

From another entrance of the hall, three figures slowly emerged. The one leading the way was actually the chief auctioneer of the Miter Auction House, Yafei. As regular patrons of the auction house, Xiao Zhan and the others knew very well that although this woman usually had a smiling face, everyone knew she was extremely proud. Once, Obapa had tried to invite her for a meal, but she had politely yet firmly refused. This showed that she was not as easy to approach as she appeared on the surface.

However, today, this proud woman was unusually respectful, leading the way with a deferential attitude, which was indeed surprising to Xiao Zhan and the others.

Blinking slightly, Xiao Zhan and the others shifted their gazes further back, and their expressions changed again.

At the end of the three figures, Master Guni of the auction house was smiling and whispering something into the ear of the mysterious black-cloaked figure. His smiling face even had a hint of flattery.

If Yafei's respect had surprised Xiao Zhan and the others, then the respect shown by Master Guni was truly shocking.

As the highest-ranking alchemist in U坦 City, even the three patriarchs, including Xiao Zhan, would show great respect when meeting him, not daring to be the slightest bit impolite.

As a second-rank alchemist, Master Guni often maintained the unique pride of an alchemist. His indifferent tone when speaking to others made everyone respect him even more.

Yet, such a person was now showing such respect and flattery to someone, so who was this person who could make him want to please?

With a shocked gaze, they finally slowly moved their eyes to the figure in the large black cloak in the middle.

Scanning the bulky figure of the black-cloaked person, Xiao Zhan's thoughts raced: "Who is this person? How could they make the two main figures of the Miter Auction House see them off? What is such a person doing in U坦 City?"

Licking his dry lips, Xiao Zhan looked around and saw that Galebi and Obapa also had curious and shocked expressions.

Lifting his gaze to the approaching three figures, Xiao Zhan forced a smile and took a few quick steps forward, saying, "Miss Yafei, Master Guni, hehe, it's quite rare to see both of you at the same time."

Yafei and Guni had already seen them when they came out. Seeing Xiao Zhan speak, they slowed their steps but shifted their gazes to the black-cloaked figure in the middle. Only after seeing the black-cloaked figure stop did they relax.

"Hehe, just seeing off a distinguished guest," Yafei smiled.

"Oh, hehe..." Galebi also smiled and approached, casting his gaze at the black-cloaked figure behind Yafei. He asked casually, "Hehe, I wonder if this gentleman... is from U坦 City? Hehe, I don't recognize him."

"Cough... Patriarch Galebi, the old gentleman is a distinguished guest of the Miter Auction House..." Master Guni frowned slightly and coughed, reminding Galebi not to ask too many questions.

Hearing Master Guni's warning, Galebi's face changed slightly, and he muttered to himself, "Even Guni is so wary of this person? What kind of identity does he have?"

Seeing Galebi hit a soft wall, Xiao Zhan also swallowed his words. Given Guni's wary attitude, the black-cloaked figure was clearly not on the same level as them. He could only force a smile and prepare to tactfully lead his people away.

"You... are Xiao Zhan of the Xiao family, right?" Just as Xiao Zhan was about to step back, the black-cloaked figure, who had been silent, suddenly spoke in a calm voice.

Hearing the elderly voice, Xiao Zhan was slightly stunned and then nodded hesitantly.

"I heard that the young master relied on the Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid to advance several levels of combat qi within a year? Hehe, that's quite surprising," the black-cloaked figure said with a faint smile.

Being treated so politely, Xiao Zhan felt a bit pleased and smiled, "My son was just lucky."

Waving his hand casually, the black-cloaked figure smiled, "Luck is also a skill. If there's an opportunity in the future, I would like to meet him. Perhaps he could become an alchemist."

Xiao Zhan was somewhat taken aback by these words and seemed not to understand.

"Um... If there's an opportunity in the future, I'll seek cooperation with your Xiao family," the black-cloaked figure said with a smile, then turned to Yafei and Guni, "No need to see me off. I have some matters to attend to, so I'll be going."

With that, without waiting for their reactions, he strode out of the auction house.

Feeling somewhat bewildered, Xiao Zhan touched his face and turned to see Yafei and Guni staring at him enviously. He couldn't help but ask, "What are you two doing?"

"Patriarch Xiao, do you know the old gentleman from earlier?" Yafei asked tentatively.

"First time I've seen him," Xiao Zhan smiled bitterly and shook his head. Seeing the strange expressions on Yafei and Guni's faces, he couldn't help but feel uneasy, "What kind of identity does he have?"

"Ah, the Xiao family is blessed," Guni sighed, glanced at the Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid that Galebi was holding like a treasure, and said indifferently, "These things were all refined by him."

Hearing this, Xiao Zhan and the others' faces changed dramatically.

After a moment, Xiao Zhan's face lit up with joy. He hadn't expected the black-cloaked old man to be an alchemist, and from Guni's earlier attitude, he was clearly a much higher-ranking alchemist than Guni!

A second-rank alchemist could make them all polite and respectful, so what about a third-rank or fourth-rank alchemist?

Heaven, they didn't have the qualifications to associate with such a high-ranking figure.

"This is a big win..." Recalling the black-cloaked figure's words about potential cooperation, Xiao Zhan's eyes lit up, and he muttered in a daze.

On the side, after the shock, Galebi and Obapa's eyes turned red with envy.

(There will be another update tonight. Do you still have votes?)