Chapter 203: "No, You Came at the Perfect Time"
"Your elder brother is here?" Ya Fei froze for a moment before hurriedly climbing off Xiao Yan and adjusting her clothing.
"You don't need to go. My brother is just here to deliver something. I'll go greet him myself," Xiao Yan said as he pulled up his pants and disappeared from the room.
The sudden presence of a Dou Zong level aura in Jia Ma Imperial City no longer caused alarm. The capital's experts had grown accustomed to such occurrences.
Most simply looked up briefly before returning to their own affairs. Since Xiao Yan's arrival, countless powerful figures had visited the city.
But when Xiao Ding's aura spread across the city, both Xiao Yan and Xiao Li quickly appeared to greet him.
"Big Brother! Big Brother!" The two grinned as they spotted Xiao Ding's composed figure. True to his name, Xiao Ding was steady and calm, a reliable presence.
Not yet thirty, Xiao Ding was already on the verge of becoming a Dou Zun. His immense talent and temperament made him a prime candidate to inherit the mantle of family leader.
"Xiao Yan, you've reached the level of a five star Dou Zong?" Xiao Ding's expression betrayed his shock as he sensed Xiao Yan's strength.
In just over a year since Xiao Yan had left the Xiao Clan, his cultivation had soared to five star Dou Zong. Such rapid progress surpassed even Xiao Ding's expectations. After all, advancing even a single star in the Dou Zong realm required immense energy.
"I am the reincarnation of a Dou Emperor! This is just a minor accomplishment!" Xiao Yan boasted shamelessly.
"Haha, even as a Dou Zong, you haven't lost your penchant for bragging," Xiao Ding chuckled.
Hearing this, Xiao Yan couldn't help but laugh.
"I've brought everything you requested. The clan has pressing matters that require my attention, so I won't be staying long," Xiao Ding said, tossing a storage ring to Xiao Yan.
"You won't even stay for a drink?" Xiao Yan asked regretfully, glancing at his brother.
"Not this time. At your current cultivation speed, I'd wager it'll take you no more than three years to reach Dou Zun. I, too, am on the cusp of breaking through, so let's see which of us achieves it first." Xiao Ding smiled before disappearing into the space tunnel.
As they watched Xiao Ding's figure vanish, both Xiao Yan and Xiao Li wore faintly regretful expressions.
As the future family head, Xiao Ding bore significant responsibilities. Most of the Xiao family's current affairs fell under his management.
"Xiao Yan, it seems you and Big Brother will both surpass me and reach Dou Zun first," Xiao Li sighed, his tone a mix of helplessness and admiration.
Currently at the level of an eight star Dou Zong, Xiao Li couldn't help but marvel at Xiao Yan's meteoric rise. When Xiao Yan had left the Xiao Clan, Xiao Li had only just stepped into the eight star realm. But now, Xiao Yan had already reached five star Dou Zong.
The idea of competing with Xiao Yan or Xiao Ding to see who reached Dou Zun first was out of the question for him. His only hope now was to race to nine star Dou Zong before his younger brothers left him in the dust.
Still, as he considered Xiao Yan's extraordinary progress, a smile tugged at Xiao Li's lips.
"One day, when Xiao Yan becomes a nine star Dou Sheng, I'll finally have the chance to puff out my chest and proclaim: 'My younger brother is Xiao Yan!'"
He could already picture the day when even Dou Sheng experts would offer him cigarettes out of respect.
Once Xiao Li had departed, Xiao Yan turned his attention to the storage ring in his hand. A quick sweep of his soul power revealed its contents, and a satisfied smile spread across his face.
Within the ring was not only a Sky Scorpion Dragon Beast's eighth tier magic core but also various other rare medicinal ingredients Xiao Yan had requested for alchemy.
"Second Brother, inform the clan's juniors. Three days from now, I'll be opening my furnace to refine pills. This time, I'll be making several seventh tier pills. Anyone interested can come watch."
Xiao Yan smiled at Xiao Li, who nodded in agreement.
With his soul strength already at the peak of the seventh tier upon reaching Dou Zong, and with three types of Heavenly Flames at his disposal, Xiao Yan was eager to see if he could successfully refine a high grade seventh tier pill.
He even contemplated beginning his journey into the eighth tier.
If the elders of the Pill Tower learned of his rapid progression, they would likely lose their composure in disbelief.
While Xiao Yan possessed the necessary tools soul strength, flames, and experience his practical skills with eighth tier alchemy remained underdeveloped. The most advanced pill he had successfully refined so far was only a low grade seventh tier pill.
This time, however, he aimed to produce a high grade seventh tier pill and push his limits.
That night, beneath the autumn moonlight, the main hall of the Yunlan Sect was bathed in a tranquil glow. The air had grown colder as the season deepened, and many disciples donned fur lined robes to keep warm during their nightly training.
Inside the grand hall of the palace, the air remained warm despite the chill of the autumn night outside.
Golden candlelight flickered across the walls, casting shadows of two figures intertwined in a primal, almost artistic dance etched into the surface like ancient carvings.
As a restrained cry of release echoed through the room, the two figures finally concluded their battle.
"Will this truly revive our ancestor?"
After a brief wash and a change into fresh clothes, Yun Yun still exuded her usual dignified and elegant demeanor. However, there was now a distinct allure of a mature woman, adding a new layer to her charm.
Her refined temperament, combined with her gentle compliance, created an intoxicating aura that most men would find irresistible.
After dressing herself, Yun Yun dutifully helped Xiao Yan adjust his robes. Her virtuous and obedient gestures nearly reignited the flames Xiao Yan had just suppressed.
Although Yun Yun carried herself with the grace of the Yunlan Sect's leader, at heart, she was a traditional woman. Once she chose someone, she devoted herself entirely, embodying gentleness and submission.
"It's true. Tomorrow or the day after, I will set up a platform in the imperial plaza to refine pills," Xiao Yan replied, smiling. "If any alchemists in Yunlan Sect are interested, invite them to come and observe.
The best way to improve alchemy, aside from practice, is to learn from others' experience."
"Understood," Yun Yun replied with a warm, elegant smile.
Seeing her in such a considerate and virtuous state, Xiao Yan's lips curled into a mischievous grin.
"Ah, if Gu He saw you being this gentle, it would probably hurt him more than killing him outright."
"You're awful!" Yun Yun rolled her eyes at him, but a faint smile lingered on her lips. "Gu He is a good man. He's done a lot for Yunlan Sect over the years."
Then, her gaze softened as she spoke earnestly, "But I've already drawn a clear line with him. Moving forward, I'll only discuss work related matters with him."
"Don't worry, I'm not that petty," Xiao Yan chuckled.
If Gu He had truly been a threat, he would've been long gone from this world. Even if Xiao Yan spared him, Yun Shan would have dealt with him swiftly to ensure the sect's interests.
Ever since Yun Yun and Xiao Yan had become a couple, Yun Shan's face had been perpetually filled with glee. Securing such a powerful ally meant Yunlan Sect's rise was inevitable.
Suddenly, a series of knocks echoed through the hall.
"Teacher, are you in there?" A familiar voice called from outside it was Nalan Yanran.
"Oh no, it's Yanran!" Yun Yun's face turned pale as she instinctively tried to find a place to hide.
However, Xiao Yan held her slender waist firmly, refusing to let go.
"This day was bound to come. For the sake of this teacher student meal, there's no way I'm letting go now," Xiao Yan quipped with a sly grin.
"What are you talking about? How am I supposed to face her like this?" Yun Yun whispered in panic, her cheeks flushed.
Ever since Yun Yun returned from the Magical Beast Mountain Range, both Yun Shan and Nalan Yanran had learned of her relationship with Xiao Yan. While Yun Shan was overjoyed, Nalan Yanran had only offered a tacit smile.
The two women had maintained an unspoken understanding, never openly discussing the matter. Yet, Xiao Yan's return shattered that delicate equilibrium.
"Yanran, come in. Your teacher is here," Xiao Yan called out.
His voice carried through the room, and his powerful soul sensed Nalan Yanran pause briefly outside.
"You're making this so much worse for me!" Yun Yun's face grew redder, a mix of embarrassment and irritation.
The door creaked open, and a graceful figure stepped inside.
Nalan Yanran's slim frame and delicate features had matured further. Once a youthful girl, she now carried the poised beauty of a young woman in transition, hinting at her future radiance.
Her eyes flickered with complex emotions as she saw her former fiancé holding her teacher in his arms.
"Yanran!" Yun Yun attempted to wriggle free to explain herself, but her struggle only deepened the awkwardness.
"Am I interrupting?" Nalan Yanran asked softly, her face slightly flushed as her gaze dropped.
Although she and Yun Yun had silently acknowledged the relationship, seeing it displayed so plainly left her flustered.
Xiao Yan, however, showed no such hesitation.
His long held dream of a teacher student feast wasn't something he intended to let slip away. Stretching out his hand, he made an inviting gesture.
"No, you came at just the right time."
(Chapter End)
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