Chapter 131: Encountering Xiao Yan!
During this period, the Holy City of Jia Ma was exceptionally lively.
Not only because the Alchemist Grand Meeting, held once every eight years, was about to begin, but also because the three-year agreement between the Young Sect Master of the Yun Lan Sect, Nalan Yanran, and the third young master of the Xiao Clan was also about to arrive.
Three years ago, the matter of the Yun Lan Sect's Young Sect Master, Nalan Yanran, going to the Xiao Clan in Wu Tan City to annul the engagement had stirred up a huge uproar. Who in the Jia Ma Empire didn't know of it? Who hadn't heard of it?
This matter originally shouldn't have had such a great impact. After all, the Xiao Clan and the Nalan Clan simply couldn't be compared. Moreover, Nalan Yanran was not only the princess of the Nalan Clan, but also the Young Sect Master of the Yun Lan Sect.
How could the Xiao Clan resist the two top forces of the Jia Ma Empire?
Yet Xiao Yan's three-year agreement had completely pushed the drama to its climax. What's more, news later spread that Xiao Yan had recovered his talent. This dramatic storyline had absolutely captured everyone's attention.
After all, who didn't enjoy a story of a waste rising up against the odds!
The genius girl and the youth who had reclaimed his talent—the love, hate, passion, and enmity within were naturally the after-meal conversation topics of the masses.
Now, with the three-year agreement about to arrive, coupled with the backdrop of the Alchemist Grand Meeting, Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran were practically the walking traffic generators of the moment.
Everyone had been eagerly awaiting these two great spectacles for a long time!
Outside the city at this moment.
A young man dressed in black, with a pitch-black giant ruler as tall as himself—like a door panel—strapped to his back, walked toward the Holy City of Jia Ma.
The youth's build wasn't particularly tall, and his features were utterly ordinary. Yet his expression was resolute and cold. Gazing at the distant Yun Lan Mountain, deep within his eyes, a trace of violent red flashed past.
"Yun Lan Sect... Nalan Yanran. The waste from back then has come as promised. I wonder if you're ready?"
His eyes fixed deathly upon the majestic mountain peak half-hidden within faint clouds and mist—Xiao Yan's body, at this moment, trembled violently.
"Little Yan Zi, calm down!" As the youth's low voice fell, an aged voice appeared out of thin air.
Xiao Yan's body jolted, snapping back to his senses. Ashamed, he said, "Teacher, I'm sorry. I lost my composure."
The aged voice carried a hint of helplessness as it spoke: "The Dou Qi Continent is vast and boundless. Within it, what is the Yun Lan Sect?"
"My disciple is destined not to remain in a tiny Jia Ma Empire. Once you leave this place, you'll discover that outside, mountain peaks even loftier than the Yun Lan Sect abound everywhere. This place is destined to be but a small obstacle on your path forward!"
"For this trip to the Yun Lan Sect, with the preparations we've already made, we'll certainly be able to retreat unscathed. You just go and do what you need to do without restraint. Your teacher will back you up for everything."
Hearing this, a flash of fiery fervor suddenly surged into the youth's eyes.
Indeed—with his teacher here, he, Xiao Yan, was destined to ascend to the pinnacle of the Dou Qi Continent. Otherwise, how could he revive his teacher? How could he live up to Xun Er's expectations?!
Yun Lan Sect... Nalan Yanran—I will definitely make you regret this!
Having thought it through, a trace of being deeply moved surfaced in Xiao Yan's eyes. Lowering his head to look at the black ring on his finger, he said, "I definitely won't disappoint Teacher."
"Heh heh!" Watching his spirited, high-spirited disciple, a look of gratified comfort appeared in Yao Chen's eyes. He said, "Enter the city. This Alchemist Grand Meeting is rather interesting. I reckon your current alchemy skill is no lower than the middle of the fourth tier. My disciple—Yao Chen's disciple—no matter what, should bring back first place!"
"I won't fail this mission!"
Having spoken, Xiao Yan immediately quickened his pace toward the congested city gate. With every step he took, a shallow footprint was left in the ground, showing that the weight of the giant ruler on his back was absolutely not light.
Though burdened with the giant ruler, Xiao Yan's body still moved like a swimming fish, easily weaving through the crowded flow of people.
Expressionlessly navigating the crowd, occasionally, Dou Qi surged. That soft sleeve would be covered by a thin layer of Dou Qi and directly, viciously, lash out at the hands that furtively stretched from the crowd, reaching for the ring on his finger.
Having taught a lesson to the pickpocket trying to steal, Xiao Yan headed expressionlessly toward the Alchemist Guild.
Meanwhile.
Within the Alchemist Guild, one man and three women—extraordinary in aura, yet utterly plain in appearance—were quietly waiting.
Before long, a woman dressed in white approached the four, her face brimming with an excited smile.
"Succeeded?" Looking at the excited Xiao Yi Xian, Jiang Yun asked with a beaming smile.
"Ta-da!" Facing the gazes of the others, Xiao Yi Xian excitedly brought out the robes and badge symbolizing a third-tier alchemist. Agitated, she said, "From today onward, I am officially a third-tier alchemist!"
"Wow! Sister Xiao Yi Xian, you're so amazing!"
"Quick, Xiao Yi Xian, refine a few pill candies for me. Let's see if the taste is better than Xiao Yun's!"
"Congratulations!"
Watching the thrilled Xiao Yi Xian, Jiang Yun and the others also smiled and congratulated her, all feeling happy for this girl who had endured so many twists of fate. She had finally become the alchemist she had always dreamed of being.
"Let's go, Grandmaster Xiao Yi Xian. Whether our sect can become famous across the continent now rests on you!"
After the congratulations, Jiang Yun rose and headed outside. His light, teasing words echoed by their ears.
"I guarantee I'll complete the mission!" Hearing Jiang Yun's words, Xiao Yi Xian said with utmost seriousness.
"Then I'll be waiting!" Jiang Yun chuckled upon seeing this.
Xiao Yi Xian's alchemy skill was naturally beyond the third tier. She was now at the Dou Huang level. Even without cultivating a soul cultivation art, as her cultivation grew, her soul power had also risen in tandem, reaching roughly the fourth or fifth tier.
Coupled with Jiang Yun's guidance over these past few days, she could already successfully refine most fourth-tier pills.
In previous sessions, such alchemy skill would naturally be enough to seize the crown. But for this session, that was harder to say!
The five chatted and laughed as they walked out of the Alchemist Guild—mainly Jiang Yun talking with Zi Yan and Qing Lin. Xiao Yi Xian had a rather serene disposition and preferred quietly listening.
As for Medusa—that needed no further elaboration!
Suddenly, the five turned their gazes toward a single spot. There, a cold-faced youth carrying a giant black ruler on his back was slowly walking over.
"Boom—"
Abruptly fixed by the stares of the five, Xiao Yan felt a bone-chilling cold spread through his entire body even though they clearly had no aura to speak of. His breathing became ragged, as if some terrifying existence had locked onto him.
"Teacher... Teacher..."
Frantically, Xiao Yan called out loudly to Yao Chen in his mind. But Yao Chen, who was usually omnipotent, seemed to have completely vanished at that moment. No matter how Xiao Yan called, not a single sound came.
His calls to Yao Chen fruitless, Xiao Yan could only force himself to show the five a smile uglier than crying.
Jiang Yun glanced at the Bone Flame Ring on the other's hand, revealing a meaningful smile. To the four women, he said, "Let's go."
Having spoken, he took the lead and walked toward the main street. The four women each cast a strange glance at Xiao Yan in turn, then closely followed Jiang Yun's steps.
Only after the group had left did Xiao Yan belatedly realize that his entire body was drenched through, as if he'd just been fished out of water.
Not far away, chattering voices drifted over.
"Xiao Yun, that guy was so strange!"
"Yeah, like he was carrying a coffin board on his back!"
"Brother Jiang Yun, why would he carry a coffin board?"
"Maybe... to attract attention," Jiang Yun lightly teased about Xiao Yan.
"Jiang Yun..." Medusa looked at Jiang Yun, hesitating to speak.
Jiang Yun saw at a glance what she wanted to say. He said softly, "I know. But what does that have to do with us?"
Medusa's expression froze, then she grasped the meaning!
Indeed—she was already a Dou Zun. A soul body with the strength of a Dou Zong—there was no need to worry about it. Besides, they and the other party had neither grievances nor enmity. Why borrow trouble?
Just as they were about to vanish from the end of Xiao Yan's line of sight, Jiang Yun turned his head back to look at the other. Within his eyes, black-and-white flames flickered.
At this moment, in Jiang Yun's eyes, Xiao Yan's figure slowly faded, replaced by a cluster of burning red flames. The flames constantly shifted, taking the forms of various magical beasts.
Truly wondrous beyond compare!
"Myriad Beast Spirit Flame, is it?" Retracting his gaze, Jiang Yun murmured in his heart, "Is this a coincidence?"
"Or..." Lifting his head to glance at the cloudless sky, Jiang Yun speculated inwardly, "...is this your guidance?"
Watching the five walk far away, Yao Chen's somewhat gleeful voice sounded out: "Little Yan Zi, how was that? Now you know there are always people beyond people, heavens beyond heavens, right?"
Hearing that utterly unsympathetic voice, Xiao Yan said irritably, "Then Teacher, why did you hide so quickly just now?"
"And you call yourself the continent's number one alchemist?"
"Cough, cough..." Choked by Xiao Yan, Yao Chen chose to disguise his embarrassment with coughing. Wasn't it because he'd been scared out of his wits?!
Walking along this main street where Da Dou Shi were the mainstream, suddenly a few Dou Wangs and Dou Huangs popped out. What was even more outrageous was that among them, several were suspected to be Dou... Zuns!
How could that not frighten someone to death?!
Right now, he was merely a soul body. In the eyes of some people, he was a delicious morsel. A single raise of their hand and they could scatter him to the winds—of course he'd hide as far away as possible!
But hearing what Jiang Yun had just said, and the reactions of the group, he instantly understood: he'd been discovered, but the group simply didn't care about him at all.
"It was to let you gain more experience, of course!" Giving a reason he couldn't even convince himself of, Yao Chen chose to change the subject. "Let's go, hurry inside and gather the medicinal ingredients needed for the competition's pill refinement. Right now, you don't need to focus on anything else!"
Rolling his eyes, Xiao Yan could only head toward the Alchemist Guild. In the process, he still couldn't resist asking curiously, "Teacher, what level were those people at? I felt like they were even more terrifying than that Crimson Cloud Tiger King!"
"Don't ask. Knowing now does you no good. In short—a few formidable little fellows!" Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Yao Chen was silent for a moment before speaking meaningfully.
"Oh!" Hearing this, Xiao Yan immediately felt a chill and nodded solemnly. Just as he was stepping through the entrance of the Alchemist Guild, a murmur escaped him, "Compared to that guy from back then, how are they?"
"Much stronger than that guy from three years ago. But, Little Yan Zi, you have to understand—people grow!"
This time, Yao Chen was silent for even longer. Three years ago was, aside from being backstabbed by Han Feng, the most painful time for him!
It was a memory he had always been unwilling to revisit!
After listening, Xiao Yan fell silent and clenched his fists. Feeling his strength as a nine-star Dou Shi within him, he murmured in his heart:
"Strength... strength!"
The Mite'er clan's estate.
The five returned soundlessly to the place Jiang Yun had once stayed.
Looking at the spotlessly clean rooms, under Jiang Yun's perception, Hai Bo Dong and Mite'er Tengshan were inside the council chamber.
A soul sound transmission was sent out.
In the next instant, an ice-blue figure came rushing toward them madly. Seeing Jiang Yun's figure from afar, his face immediately filled with excitement.
"Master Jiang..." Hai Bo Dong, who had come sprinting, swept his gaze across the group. He immediately spotted a perfectly proportioned face that combined icy allure, bewitching charm, and seductive enchantment. Reflexively halting his steps, he stared dully at that familiar figure.
In the next moment, a horrified voice rang out, "Medusa!"
Shuddering violently, Hai Bo Dong leapt up and darted frantically away from Medusa. Toward Medusa, he felt a terror that came from the depths of his soul.
Before her, he could never hide the fear he held inside. That battle in the desert all those years ago still made his heart palpitate with lingering fear to this day.
And that seal, which had condemned him to decades of secluded, reclusive life, made Hai Bo Dong fear Medusa like serpents and scorpions.
"It's you." Medusa studied Hai Bo Dong carefully before suddenly realizing. "What, you've recovered your strength?"
Hearing Medusa's words, Hai Bo Dong said tremulously, "All thanks to Master Jiang's aid—that's the only reason I could recover!"
Noticing the look Medusa cast his way, Jiang Yun sighed and said gently, "For my sake, stop frightening him."
"Mm." Hearing Jiang Yun's soft, gentle tone, Medusa's heart trembled fiercely. Her expression immediately softened, and she answered quietly. Then, casting a glance at Hai Bo Dong, she ignored him and lazily sat down right by Jiang Yun's side.
Seeing Medusa's attitude toward Jiang Yun, Hai Bo Dong looked as if he'd seen a ghost. This woman could actually speak so politely?!
But after glancing at Jiang Yun, it suddenly seemed only natural!
"Xiao Yi Xian is preparing to participate in the Alchemist Grand Meeting. We'll be troubling the Mite'er clan again these few days." Looking at Hai Bo Dong, who was still furtively observing him and Medusa, Jiang Yun shook his head in amusement and said softly.
Hearing Jiang Yun's voice, Hai Bo Dong snapped back to his senses. Overjoyed, he said, "This is Mite'er's honor! Master Jiang may stay as long as he likes!"
"Not for free." Jiang Yun smiled and tossed a jade bottle. Watching Hai Bo Dong hurriedly catch it, he chuckled lightly, "This is a sixth-tier Ice Spirit Pill. After consuming it, it can increase an ice-attribute cultivator's cultivation speed by threefold. With luck, perhaps it could even break through your current bottleneck."
"Many thanks, Master Jiang!" Hai Bo Dong accepted the pill exuberantly. At this moment, he truly felt the benefits of clinging to the thigh of a high-level alchemist. He just wanted to say—this was truly fragrant!
"During the time I was away, has there been any major news?" Looking at Hai Bo Dong, who had put away the pill, Jiang Yun asked lightly.
"Quite a few things have indeed happened on the Northwest Continent during this period!"
Jiang Yun's inquiry made the just-elated Hai Bo Dong freeze for a moment. Then his expression turned solemn as he spoke.