At the same time, the two great clans also emerged from the main gate. The three clan leaders met each other's gazes, each letting out an unpleasant laugh, their faces openly displaying cold smiles and animosity.
The three groups of people swaggered through the main hall. Everyone quickly made way; in Wutan City, there was basically no power that dared to provoke the three great clans.
While chatting and laughing with Ao Bama at his side, Xiao Zhan's eyes suddenly narrowed, and his footsteps halted.
Seeing Xiao Zhan's actions, everyone else followed his gaze, their bodies trembling slightly. Jia Lieti and Ao Bama's expressions also changed subtly.
From another main gate, three figures slowly emerged. Leading the way was none other than Ya Fei, the chief auctioneer of the auction house. As frequent visitors to the auction house, Xiao Zhan and the others knew very well that despite this woman's usual giggling demeanor, few knew that she was actually very arrogant at heart. There was a time when Ao Bama had invited her to dinner, only to be "politely" refused. From this, it could be seen that this woman was not as approachable as she appeared.
But this arrogant woman was now respectfully leading the way, which truly surprised Xiao Zhan and the others.
Their eyes flickered, and Xiao Zhan and the others looked again, their expressions continuing to change.
Behind the three, Master Gu Ni of the auction house was smiling and whispering to the mysterious black-robed man beside him, his face full of smiles, even with a hint of flattery.
If Ya Fei's respect surprised Xiao Zhan and the others, then Master Gu Ni's presence was enough to shock them.
As the highest-ranked alchemist in Wutan City, even Xiao Zhan and the other two clan leaders had to show three parts of respect when meeting him, not daring to be even slightly impolite.
And Gu Ni, as a second-grade alchemist, often maintained the arrogance of an alchemist, always speaking in a cold tone, which made everyone revere him even more.
Yet such a figure was now respectfully by someone else's side, not even minding to show a flattering smile. Then... who exactly was this mysterious black-robed man?
With a look of shock, their gazes finally slowly shifted to the mysterious black-robed man.
Sweeping over the figure completely hidden within the cloak, Xiao Zhan's thoughts raced: "Who exactly is this person? To be able to make the two masters of the auction house respectfully see him off? What is such a figure doing in Wutan City?"
Licking his somewhat dry lips, Xiao Zhan looked to both sides and saw Jia Lieti and Ao Bama's expressions of extreme shock.
Looking up at the three approaching figures, Xiao Zhan also forced a smile, quickly stepped forward two paces, and said with a laugh: "Miss Ya Fei, Master Gu Ni, ah, ah, it's truly rare to see you two appear at the same time."
Ya Fei and Gu Ni had already seen them when they came out. Seeing Xiao Zhan greet them, they stopped their footsteps, but their gazes were also directed towards the black-robed man. Only when they saw the black-robed man also stop did they breathe a sigh of relief.
"Ah, ah, just seeing off a distinguished guest," Ya Fei said with a smile.
"Oh, ah, ah..." Jia Lieti, from the side, also walked up with a fawning smile, his gaze directed towards the black-robed man behind them, as if casually asking politely: "Ah, ah, I wonder if this gentleman... is also from Wutan City? Ah, ah, I don't recognize him."
"Ahem... Patriarch Jia Lie, this old gentleman is a distinguished guest of the auction house..." Grandmaster Gu Ni frowned, coughed once, and reminded Jia Lie Bi not to ask random questions.
Hearing Grandmaster Gu Ni's reminder, Jia Lie Bi's expression changed slightly, and he thought to himself, "Why is this old master Gu Ni so wary? What is this person's identity?"
Seeing Jia Lie Bi like this, Xiao Zhan, who was about to speak, swallowed his words. Seeing how wary Gu Ni was, the black-robed man was clearly not on the same level as them. He immediately just echoed with a smile, preparing to retreat with his people.
"You... are Xiao Zhan of the Xiao family?" Just as Xiao Zhan was about to retreat, the black-robed man, who had remained silent, suddenly spoke in a faint questioning tone.
Hearing the aged voice, Xiao Zhan shivered slightly and nodded without hesitation.
"I heard that your young master used the Foundation Establishment Elixir and increased his Dou Qi by several segments in just one year? Ah, ah, it truly makes one astonished." The black-robed man said with a calm smile.
Treated with such courtesy, Xiao Zhan was pleasantly surprised and said with a smile, "My son was just lucky."
Waving his sleeve casually, the black-robed man smiled and said, "Being lucky is also a skill. If there's an opportunity in the future, I'd very much like to meet him. Who knows, he might even become an Alchemist."
Hearing this, Xiao Zhan was a little surprised, as if he hadn't quite understood.
"En... If there's an opportunity in the future, I'll look for your Xiao family to cooperate." Smiling, the black-robed man turned to Ya Fei and the other person and said, "No need to see me off, I still have things to do, I'll go ahead."
After speaking, without waiting for the two to react, he stepped out of the auction house.
Xiao Zhan touched his face in surprise, then turned his head and saw Ya Fei and Gu Ni looking at him with admiring expressions. He couldn't help but ask in surprise, "What are you two doing?"
"Patriarch Xiao, do you know that old gentleman?" Ya Fei asked tentatively.
"It's the first time I've seen him." Xiao Zhan smiled bitterly and shook his head, looking at the strange expressions on Ya Fei and the other person's faces. He couldn't help but wonder, "What is his identity?"
"Ai, the Xiao family is truly blessed."
Gu Ni gently shook his head, glanced at the Foundation Establishment Elixir that Jia Lie Bi was holding in his arms like a treasure, and said faintly, "These things were refined by him."
Hearing this, the expressions of Xiao Zhan and the other two simultaneously changed drastically.
A moment later, Xiao Zhan recovered, overjoyed. He hadn't expected that black-robed old man to be an Alchemist. Judging by Gu Ni's previous attitude, his rank was clearly quite a bit higher than his!
A Rank Two Alchemist could make them treat him with such courtesy. What about a Rank Three or even Rank Four Alchemist?
Heavens, their family, of this caliber, couldn't possibly associate with such a high-level figure.
"This time, we've hit the jackpot..." Recalling the black-robed man's words about an opportunity for cooperation, Xiao Zhan's eyes immediately lit up, and he muttered in a low voice.
Beside him, after the shock, Jia Lie Bi and Ao Ba Mo looked at each other, their eyes red with envy like rabbits.