...Today's gathering was held at the Nalan Family's residence, just like in the original story. While it was said to be a gathering for Alchemists, it was actually just a social event for the major families of the capital to brag to each other.
However, compared to the original plot where the most important person was only Teng Shan, this time the Clan Chiefs of the major families in the capital, the royal ancestor Jia Xingtian, the current Emperor of the Jia Ma Empire, and the Alchemist Guild's President Fa Ma were all present.
Because they had all heard that this time, the young Dou Zong and Sixth-Rank Alchemist, Chen Yang, would appear at the gathering.
At sunset in the afternoon, Chen Yang and the others maintained the same arrangement as yesterday, four people and two lions, heading towards the Nalan Family.
At the entrance of the Nalan Family, Nalan Yanran, who had returned to the Cloud Mist Sect to Cultivate hard for several months, took over the task of welcoming guests from her father. As for whether she wanted to share her father's burdens or to be the first to see a certain someone, that remained unknown.
When Chen Yang and the others arrived at the door, they saw Nalan Yanran standing there in a moon-white dress. A slight smile was on her somewhat thin face as she guided the servants to lead one Alchemist after another inside.
Many Alchemists came today; after all, it was nominally a gathering held for outstanding Alchemists!
Nalan Yanran turned her head and saw Chen Yang's group. She gave an instruction to the butler beside her, then walked up quickly and bowed elegantly before Chen Yang. "Master's Husband, you've arrived."
Chen Yang nodded. "Niece Yanran, you've worked hard. Has your teacher not come out of seclusion yet?"
Nalan Yanran shook her head. "After Teacher returned to the Sect, she suddenly had an insight. She originally planned to consume the Huangji Pill gifted by Master's Husband, but ended up going back into seclusion. I expect that after she emerges, Teacher's cultivation will have reached a higher level."
Chen Yang nodded again. Seeing this, Nalan Yanran prepared to lead Chen Yang and the others inside. Compared to the person she wanted to see, Chen Yang was undoubtedly more important.
Just then, two people suddenly walked up from the end of the street. Seeing this, both Chen Yang and Nalan Yanran stopped in their tracks.
In the distance, Xiao Yan and Xiao Zhan had both come to attend the gathering by invitation. From quite a distance, the two of them saw Chen Yang and Nalan Yanran.
Xiao Zhan looked into the distance with a complex expression, then spoke to Xiao Yan without turning his head. "Yan'er, with your current self, dealing with this Three-Year Agreement shouldn't be much of a problem, right?"
Xiao Yan reached out to rub his nose. He didn't really want to show off in front of his father, but since it was the truth, he said, "Unless Nalan Yanran cheats, she is no match for me."
Xiao Zhan was used to Xiao Yan occasionally saying things he didn't understand. He reached out and patted Xiao Yan's shoulder. "Back then, it was your father's incompetence that caused you to waste three years. However, in these three years, you have grown more and gained more than you did in your childhood."
Xiao Yan smiled. "Father doesn't need to say that. On this continent, there are only a few people who are truly good to me. When I was at my lowest, only you and Xun'er stayed by my side. How could I blame you?"
Xiao Zhan smiled with relief. "You've grown up!"
As they spoke, the two reached Chen Yang. Xiao Zhan and Xiao Yan first paid their respects to Chen Yang and his group, and Nalan Yanran also paid her respects to Xiao Zhan, calling him Uncle Xiao.
Xiao Zhan looked at Nalan Yanran with a complex gaze, remembering the scene a few months ago when Nalan Su personally went to Wutan City to talk with him. All the thoughts in his heart eventually turned into a long sigh. "Niece Nalan, take us to see your father and the others!"
Nalan Yanran looked at Xiao Yan, only to find that he wasn't looking at her at all. Her gaze suddenly became lonely. Taking a deep breath, she said "Yes" with a smile and led Chen Yang and the others toward the Nalan Family residence.
On the way, Xiao Yan and Chen Yang trailed behind. Xiao Zhan looked around on his own, while Nalan Yanran walked with Xiao Yi Xian and the others. Regarding how to address Xiao Yi Xian and the others, Nalan Yanran hesitated for a moment but decided to follow the relationship through Chen Yang and called them Junior Martial Uncles.
"Brother Yang, yesterday I found a great treasure at the Alchemist Guild. After cultivating it, I found that both you and I could use it. I inscribed a copy overnight, here..." Xiao Yan looked at Chen Yang, took out the scroll of the Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Transformations he had inscribed from his storage ring, and handed it to Chen Yang.
As soon as Chen Yang heard it, he knew Xiao Yan had brought out the Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Transformations. He was already used to Xiao Yan's generosity. Reaching out to put his arm around Xiao Yan's shoulder, Chen Yang took the scroll and tucked it into his storage ring. "Thanks, Little Yan Zi. Cultivate well. When your strength breaks through to Dou Sheng, I'll give you a big gift!"
Hearing this, Xiao Yan nodded happily. To him now, Dou Sheng was no longer an unattainable Realm!
Meanwhile, Yao Lao inside Xiao Yan's ring shook his head. Dou Sheng... although he had always been encouraging Xiao Yan, that Realm was no longer something that could be solved by Cultivation Techniques, hard work, or Medicinal Pills. Becoming a Dou Sheng relied more on luck.
How many people were stuck at the level of Peak Ninth-Turn Dou Zun, unable to even take that half-step into the Half-Saint Realm, let alone Dou Sheng?
"So, has your Alchemy Skill improved lately?" Chen Yang looked at the women ahead and asked Xiao Yan with a smile.
"The day before yesterday, I tried refining a fifth-grade pill once and luckily succeeded!" Xiao Yan chuckled, feeling he was one step closer to catching up with Brother Yang.
"Not bad. It seems focusing on Alchemy Skill during this time has been very effective!" Chen Yang said with a smile.
"Teacher said that after I consumed the seven star soul casting pill, my Soul Realm reached a level capable of refining seventh-grade pills. A mere fifth-grade pill is a piece of cake!" Xiao Yan felt a small sense of pride. He felt that in another year or so, he could become a Sixth-Rank Alchemist. Wouldn't he be able to catch up to Brother Yang then?
"Keep it up. I've also felt the Bottleneck for the seventh rank recently. I estimate that in about half a month, I'll be able to successfully Breakthrough to a Seventh-Rank Alchemist!" Chen Yang looked at Xiao Yan, patting his shoulder with a beaming smile. Then he took a step forward and appeared beside Xiao Yi Xian and the others in the next second.
Xiao Yan: "???..."
"No..."
"You're cheating, aren't you?"
Xiao Yan watched the departing Chen Yang and chased after him, grumbling.
"Oh, right!"
"Since you can already refine fifth-grade pills, stop bullying those kids. Come and be a judge with me!"
By the time Xiao Yan caught up, Chen Yang's voice appeared in his ear again.
"Uh..."
"Judge?"
Xiao Yan scratched his head, feeling as if he had lost an opportunity to show off...
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