Ten days later.

Li An quietly moved from the mountain forest to a hideout by the roadside on Beiyang Dao.

He stayed there for another three days and roughly understood the current situation through people's conversations —

Thirteen days ago, the Treasure Pavilion's team escorting the Spirit Medicine was indeed ambushed at the Three-pronged Mountain pass.

A True Core powerhouse appeared!

However, the Treasure Pavilion had somehow received advance notice and turned the tables on the ambushers unexpectedly.

Currently, the Spirit Medicine has been safely delivered to White Tiger City and is about to be auctioned.

This surprised him quite a bit.

To counterattack so precisely, it couldn't have been done through Li An's advance predictions or guesses.

They must have received accurate information.

"They knew someone would ambush, so they took this opportunity to kill me. If I died, it could be blamed on the ambushers. After all, I also had some sealed treasures on me, so becoming a target was quite normal..."

Li An roughly understood Qin Xuan's plan.

He returned to the cave he had previously chosen, and sure enough, the Foundation Establishment cultivator and the two Qi Refining ninth stage cultivators who had been protecting him outside were dead.

The Protective Array of the cave had also collapsed.

Gu Cai'Er definitely made a move!

Li An sneered, then forcibly opened the treasure boxes given to him by Gu Cai'Er.

A Third Grade Spirit Medicine — Green Light Herbs!

A Rank Three Heavenly Spirit Jade!

And in one box, there were three Tier Two artifact refining materials!

The other two boxes were empty.

"So many good things..."

Li An was a bit surprised, but upon thinking it over, he fully understood.

According to Qin Xuan's plan, Li An was to be killed by unknown ambushers, and the treasures on him would naturally be taken by the ambushers.

Thus, these items would naturally end up in Qin Xuan's hands.

No one could say anything about it.

And now Li An's logic was actually the same as hers.

In the eyes of outsiders, Li An was attacked by ambushers, so losing those treasures was reasonable, wasn't it?

As long as Li An didn't mention Gu Cai'Er's attempt to kill him, Qin Xuan wouldn't dare pursue the matter. Otherwise, Li An would expose everything, and she couldn't bear the consequences.

Besides, Li An still had the Third Princess behind him.

Qin Xuan and Gu Cai'Er could only swallow this loss in silence!

"Thank you."

Li An smiled, put the items into his storage bag, and headed towards White Tiger City.

On the way, he visited the Crocodile Pool where he had once hidden, buried the storage bag deep in the mud, preparing to retrieve it in ten or twenty years.

He casually caught and roasted two mating crocodiles, feeling quite satisfied as he set off again.

He placed such valuable things here, and indeed someone could find them — the Demon Sect!

Because the Demon Sect could track him.

But he did it intentionally.

Firstly, the Demon Sect lacked these resources, so knowing about the treasures here wouldn't prompt them to act, ensuring safety.

Secondly, leaving them here would mislead the Demon Sect into thinking — Li An wasn't aware of the Demonic Qi within him, nor did he know he was being tracked.

This could momentarily lull the Demon Sect.

Then, he disguised himself and entered White Tiger City.

Upon reaching White Tiger City, he headed straight for the Treasure Pavilion without hiding his presence.

"Zuo Wen, Deputy Artifact Evaluator of the Treasure Pavilion, is here, hurry up and come out to greet me —"

Li An announced loudly.

Immediately, the entire branch of the Treasure Pavilion was shaken.

People rushed out to welcome him.

"Deputy Zuo!"

"You're actually alive?!"

"That's great!"

Many exclaimed in surprise.

But Gu Cai'Er's face changed, a hint of terror flashing in her eyes.

"I was ambushed by attackers whose identities I didn't know. I barely escaped and have been hiding ever since. Finally, I'm back today..."

Li An spoke proactively.

Gu Cai'Er was stunned for a moment.

She clearly went to kill Li An that day, and he escaped before...

But she quickly calmed down.

As long as Li An didn't reveal the truth... it would be fine.

Otherwise, not only she, but the Pavilion Master would also be implicated.

"Deputy Zuo, are you sure you didn't see the attackers? We're investigating within the Pavilion."

She asked without revealing any emotion.

Li An shook his head: "No, they were too strong. To save my life, I lost those treasure boxes you gave me... I ask Miss Cai'Er for punishment!"

Gu Cai'Er: "..."

She instantly understood Li An's meaning.

This guy... is too cunning, right??

He's planning to keep their treasures.

Moreover, both sides now know the truth; if she pursues the treasure, Li An will reveal everything.

"Lost is lost. It's most important that Deputy Zuo could return safely. Regarding the treasures, I will report to the Pavilion Master. The Pavilion Master certainly won't pursue this, so please rest assured and continue working hard for the Pavilion."

She was hinting.

Accepting Li An's terms.

Qin Xuan would remain silent, but Li An must also keep quiet.

That night, everyone in the Treasure Pavilion held a banquet for Li An.

"Since Deputy Zuo is here, I'll immediately send word to the Pavilion Master that there's no need to assign another Artifact Evaluator..."

At the banquet, Gu Cai'Er spoke.

Li An also handed her a letter, smiling, "Please, Miss Cai'Er, give this letter to the Pavilion Master."

"Hmm?" Gu Cai'Er was puzzled.

"I truly like White Tiger City, so I want to request the Pavilion Master to let me stay in White Tiger City and not return to Celestial Yang City. I hope Miss Cai'Er can put in a good word for me."

Li An said with a smile.

He was showing Qin Xuan and Gu Cai'Er his stance.

He was willing to stay away from the center of power and not interfere with Qin Xuan's affairs.

Because, after thinking it over, it was the only possible solution.

His presence affected Qin Xuan's certain plans and intentions to the point she had to consider killing him.

Now, he was willing to distance himself, seeking fewer troubles.

Moreover, staying in White Tiger City, he could still collect the venomous medicines over here, albeit with a slower pace, but he wasn't short on time.

Gu Cai'Er was momentarily dazed, understanding Li An's intention, with a complicated look in her beautiful eyes.

Li An, this person...

Truly a shrewd individual.

Pity he couldn't be used for her own ends.

"I will talk to the Pavilion Master."

She agreed.

...

After Li An's arrival, the auction finally began its preparations.

The news about the incomplete Fourth Grade Spirit Medicine had already shocked the entire White Tiger City, surprising all sides.

It was said that White Tiger Mountain had already announced that the White Tiger Master would personally attend this auction.

His intentions were undisguised!

Ten days later, the auction finally commenced.

Li An personally took the stage, hosting this grand auction as the Deputy Artifact Evaluator.

Various treasures emerged one after the other, and when the finale, the incomplete Fourth Grade Spirit Medicine, appeared, it caused waves of excitement, attracting even three True Core powerhouses to bid!

But ultimately, the White Tiger Master acquired it with an astronomical price.

After the auction ended, Li An personally carried the incomplete Fourth Grade Spirit Medicine to the door of a VIP room, waiting.

From inside the VIP room, a gentle and elegant voice called out: "Please come in —"

...

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