CHAPTER 274: CHAPTER 274: I’M LOOKING FOR YOU, DO YOU BELIEVE ME?

As Xia Mian’s Divine Sense fluctuated, the Little Black Cat’s nostrils twitched, and it lazily shifted positions, curling up tightly and falling into a sweet slumber.

This feeling of being fed with Spiritual Energy without any effort was simply wonderful.

The method of refining the Soul Attraction Pill stored by the Wood Clan wasn’t difficult; the only challenge was finding the rare herbs and the high level of control it required from the Alchemist.

Fortunately, these weren’t major issues.

When it comes to herbs, Xia Mian was well-versed in all kinds of plants, and she recognized all the herbs listed in the Wood Clan’s cultivation techniques.

"Tomorrow, I’ll try my luck with Xie Chengming and see if the auction has these herbs," Xia Mian said softly as she opened her eyes.

She didn’t want to drag out the matter with Gu Zhi; quick and decisive action was best. Going to the auction to find herbs was probably the quickest way to gather everything she needed in a short time.

Lu Zechuan murmured in agreement, "It’s late. Let’s rest early!"

Since arriving in the Otherworld, Xia Mian had been constantly on the move and hadn’t had a chance to rest properly.

Xia Mian acknowledged with a hum and lay back on the bed.

The inn’s bed was spacious enough for Xia Mian and Lu Zechuan to sleep on together.

It wasn’t their first time sharing a bed, yet lying together again, Xia Mian still felt a bit uneasy.

Underneath the bed, the black cat slept soundly, gently snoring. Xia Mian casually set up a Barrier at the bedside.

This black cat was crafty; even though she had tried every means to keep it, she couldn’t be too trusting of it.

Everyone had fallen asleep, and the Jufang Pavilion became thoroughly quiet, so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.

In the first-floor staff room, the Jufang Pavilion’s attendant lay on a recliner, casually crossing his legs, his gaze idly resting on the man opposite him.

"Did they find out?" The attendant’s voice was laid-back, tinged with a sense of careless disregard.

The man opposite looked glum, sighing in dejection, "It’s all because of that darn cat, dragging us down."

The man was somewhat dispirited, "After all these years, it’s the only cat I’ve found that’s worth a second glance."

The attendant lightly lowered his gaze, "But unfortunately, the cat didn’t choose you."

Beast Clan’s contracted Exotic Beasts are always consensual; with an emotional bond, the beast is willing to risk life and limb for its master.

If the Exotic Beast doesn’t wish to contract with you, no matter how exceptional it is, it will never be yours.

The man pressed his lips together, "Those two, they’re both quite extraordinary."

The attendant gave a slight nod, "I know."

It’s one thing for the woman to be remarkable, but he couldn’t even fathom the man.

"Did you find out what they’re doing in Gubei Town?" The attendant slightly raised his eyelid and asked again.

The man stammered in response, "I didn’t have a chance to look around before they returned..."

The attendant frowned, looking disgusted, "Useless!"

The man, upon being scolded, dared not get angry. He simply approached the attendant, squatted down, and started massaging his legs, "Bro, please help me! If I can’t ever contract with an Exotic Beast, the Beast Clan will kick me out!"

The attendant rolled his eyes; if the man wasn’t his younger brother, he would have long since kicked this useless thing out!

Such a big waste, never accomplished a single thing!

"Tonight, those two had a scuffle with a Corpse Refiner, seems they’ve run into some trouble." The attendant contemplated before speaking, "If you could lend them a small hand, perhaps you could gain some opportunity from that woman."

He could sense that the woman carried great fortune, and whether it was people, animals, or plants, by being near her, one’s fate would magically change for the better.

Thus, he planned to have his useless brother try his luck, yet ended up with a loss instead!

"Okay, I’ll listen to you, brother!" The man gratefully nodded at the attendant, then promptly sprawled on a soft couch behind him.

The attendant glanced at him but didn’t chase him away.

***

The next day, at dawn, Xia Mian and Lu Zechuan headed out to try their luck at the auction.

As they descended the stairs, they saw the owner of yesterday’s black cat eagerly waiting for them in the lobby downstairs.

Seeing them approach, he immediately stood up to greet them, "Miss, did my cat give you any trouble?"

His attentive manner was as if the cat were his parent.

Xia Mian narrowed her eyes slightly, "Trouble, certainly not. But your cat was a bit naughty!"

In the middle of the night, it tried to leap onto her bed, only to be kicked down by Lu Zechuan again.

Though she found the cat a bit cute, it was at odds with Lu Zechuan, and Xia Mian was somewhat inclined to let it go.

"Miss, I’m Song Ke, a local of Gubei Town. I see you’re heading out; whether you’re looking for people or things, I can help!" The man’s face immediately lit up with a smile, eagerly offering assistance.

Without considering himself an outsider, Song Ke chatted with Xia Mian while accompanying her and Lu Zechuan through the door.

Xia Mian glanced back at Song Ke, "Why are you following us?"

"More friends mean more pathways!" Song Ke chuckled awkwardly. Though he didn’t want to stick to Xia Mian like glue, years had passed without him finding a solution; staying close to Xia Mian seemed like his only option.

"I need these things, can you find them?" Xia Mian said as she handed a list to Song Ke.

The list contained the herbs she needed.

Song Ke glanced at the list, showing a troubled expression, "Miss, to be honest, these herbs are expensive; some are even priceless."

Hearing Song Ke’s words, Xia Mian furrowed her brows slightly.

Thinking about her own purse, it didn’t seem too heavy. If she bought them at the auction, could she afford them?

"How expensive?" Xia Mian tentatively asked.

"Take Xie Huangzi, for example; you can’t get it for less than a hundred Earth Spirit Stones. Then there’s the Canglang Inner Core, starting at a hundred Spirit Stones..." Song Ke answered earnestly, while Xia Mian’s face gradually darkened.

A miscalculation, forgetting she was essentially broke!

Otherwise... she might as well forget about it!

Let Xia Weizhang replace Gu Zhi in the Xuanmen Gu Family; it might be just as well.

Thinking this over, Xia Mian decided to step back.

Just as she lifted her foot, she saw Xie Chengming walking from the other end of the street, a bright smile on his face.

"Miss Xia!" Xie Chengming greeted enthusiastically, "You’re up early!"

Xia Mian nodded slightly towards Xie Chengming.

"Miss Xia, where are you headed this early?" Xie Chengming didn’t perceive her attitude as neglecting him and continued amiably trying to make conversation.

Xia Mian: Would you believe me if I said I was originally planning to look for you?