Chapter 52: Chapter 52: Gift for the Sect Master
"Come, have a seat in this VIP tea room."
"Sister, it's been a long time since I've seen friends from the Imperial Capital."
With enthusiasm, Ya Fei led the two to a tea room in a corner of the hall separated by a screen, and took the initiative to brew tea for them.
"Thank you."
Although there was a hint of hostility towards each other in their hearts, it was necessary to maintain basic courtesy on the surface. After expressing thanks, Nalan Yanran took the tea cup with both hands.
Yun Tianming, on the other hand, didn't care much about these formalities. Given his relationship with Ya Fei, there was no need for such superficial gestures. He casually lifted the teacup with one hand, took a sip, and the sweet taste lingered on his lips. It felt somewhat similar to the tea he had in his past life but with a unique fragrance of Pill.
"Little Tianming, your chugging style seems a bit extravagant, isn't it?"
"This tea is from the Tager Desert, near the oasis of the Snake People Tribe. It costs a lot every year to collect a small amount of tea leaves, and then it goes through the Alchemist's controlled fire roasting. It's worth a fortune!"
Ya Fei first criticized Yun Tianming harshly, then meticulously explained the origin of the tea she brewed.
"Is it the Snake Spirit Tea?"
"It is said that these tea leaves are soaked in diluted Pills, possessing the effect of refreshing and calming the mind."
"This is Grandpa's favorite; he rarely shares it with us on ordinary days."
After taking a sip, Nalan Yanran's eyes lit up, showing herself to be quite discerning.
"Using Pill to brew tea, truly worthy of the wealthy Miteer Family."
Yun Tianming, not being polite, refilled his cup and savored the tea.
It tasted... well, delicious, and that was the end of it!
The three chatted casually about past amusing experiences in the Imperial Capital, creating a delightful atmosphere for the tea gathering.
"Oh, by the way, Sister Ya Fei, I heard that Mu Zhan, that guy, went to the military fortress on the Empire's border for training. He even declared that after completing three years of military service, he'll come to the Miteer Family to propose to you, Sister Ya Fei."
Nalan Yanran dropped a subtle piece of news.
"That barbaric guy is like chewing gum, no matter how you try to shake him off he keeps sticking on to you!"
Ya Fei, with her jade-like hand supporting her forehead, displayed a hint of disgust on her charming face. With a bit of impatience in her heart, given her understanding of the upper echelons of the Miteer Family, Mu Zhan, the young master of the Mu family, was indeed a suitable candidate for marriage. As for her own opinion, it was highly likely that it would not be given much consideration. This would be a harsh reality she had to face!
Ya Fei's gaze shifted, suddenly focusing on Yun Tianming. Her eyes sparkled, and she leaned forward, taking his hand and adopting a pitiful look. "Little Tianming, how about marrying Sister? This way, that annoying guy Mu Zhan should give up, right?"
Yun Tianming glanced at her but hadn't responded yet. Nalan Yanran, unable to sit still, stood up and shouted, "No! I object to this marriage!"
"Why?"
"Miss Nalan, it seems you don't have a reason to decide for Little Tianming, do you?"
"Unless..."
Ya Fei smirked, revealing a meaningful and playful smile.
"In any case, it's not allowed!"
Nalan Yanran blushed, feeling frustrated but unable to articulate a reason. In the end, she resorted to displaying a bit of a spoiled attitude.
"Alright, alright, Sister Ya Fei, don't bully Yanran junior sister too much. She's still just a child."
Yun Tianming waved his hand casually, showing no interest in the conversation between the two.
"Oh my, Tianming, you really have no sense of humor at all."
Ya Fei squinted, a hint of disappointment flashing between her eyebrows. Although her words were meant as a joke, there was a subtle hint of probing. She had a certain fondness for Yun Tianming, although not enough to make advances. Compared to the unreasonable Mu Zhan, she would prefer to marry Yun Tianming.
However, it seemed that all of this was just Ya Fei's wishful thinking. Yun Tianming didn't have any such thoughts at all!
Annoying! She had grown up so much; could it be that she held no attraction for him?
Ya Fei felt indignant. In reality, there was some attraction, but not enough to captivate Yun Tianming's interest.
"Just a child."
Nalan Yanran was initially surprised, then she gritted her teeth, looking at Yun Tianming with a complex expression on her face.
"In Senior Tianming's eyes, am I just a child?"
That's true; facing a fifteen-year-old girl, who would be interested?
You, perhaps?
Where's the moderation? Arrest him right away!
Yun Tianming stated that in his previous life, he was a law-abiding citizen, and he would never engage in illegal activities or crimes.
"Well, let's end the small talk here."
"Senior Tianming, your visit this time isn't just for catching up with Sister, right?"
Ya Fei changed the topic, lazily leaning back on the sofa, getting straight to the point.
"Yes, I plan to purchase a Black Rank High-Level Qi Method at the auction."
Yun Tianming didn't beat around the bush, directly stating his true goal.
"A Black Rank High-Level Qi Method?"
"At an auction in this small place?"
Nalan Yanran snapped back to reality, asking in astonishment. A Black Rank High-Level Qi Method was considered top-tier even in the Jia Ma Empire. It was a treasure for sects and large families alike. Such a level of Qi Method was rare, even in the Imperial Capital, so how could it appear in Wu Tan City on the outskirts of the empire?
"Oh? Tianming, when did you catch wind that there would be a Black Rank High-Level Qi Method at this auction?"
Ya Fei's eyes flashed with a hint of curiosity.
Yun Tianming sipped from his teacup without explaining.
Seeing his response, Ya Fei tactfully didn't press further and took the initiative to explain, "It's a Wind Attribute Black Rank High-Level Qi Method, named Wind Whirl Mantra. As for the consignor, there are certain conditions, so I can't disclose their identity."
"I see."
Yun Tianming nodded with sudden realization.
The consignor deliberately concealed their identity, and holding the auction in the outskirts of Wu Tan City suggested that the origin of this Qi Method might not be entirely clean. They didn't dare to auction it in a major city to avoid drawing attention and potential trouble. It was similar to the Earth Rank Low-Level Dou Technique in the original work, the Three Thousand Lightning Movements from the Central Plains Wind Lightning Pavilion, unexpectedly appearing in a distant Black-Corner Region auction.
This situation is even better because the unclear origin suggests that the consignor wants to sell quickly, and the final auction price will likely be significantly lowered.
"Wait, this is a Wind Attribute Qi Method?"
Nalan Yanran suddenly cast a puzzled look. Yun Tianming is known for his Wood Attribute Dou Qi.
"I plan to purchase this Qi Method and gift it to Sect Master as a token of gratitude for finding me the Qi Method."
Yun Tianming spoke the truth. Of course, he knew that a Black Rank High-Level Qi Method might not be of great use to Yun Yun, but an Earth Rank was a different story!
"Oh, I see. That makes sense. Teacher has been so good to us; it's only right to repay her."
Nalan Yanran nodded earnestly. However, in her heart, she thought, "Teacher is already cultivating a Black Rank High-Level Qi Method herself; there's no need to switch Qi Methods of the same level. However, using it to expand the Misty Cloud Sect's Qi Method collection would indeed be a significant contribution."
"Tianming, you seem to be particularly attentive to Lady Yun Yun."
Ya Fei raised an eyebrow, recalling for some reason the first time she visited the Misty Cloud Sect. Yun Tianming, ignoring her youthful charm, had cast a fiery gaze towards Yun Yun, who sat gracefully as the sect leader.
Could it be...?
This kid's courage shouldn't be that great, right?
Observing Yun Tianming's expression, Ya Fei's demeanor became peculiar for a moment.
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