In the northwest continent, stretching for countless miles, the Monster Mountain Range, seemingly capable of obscuring the entire world, is a nameless cave where a master and disciple are studying the art of alchemy.
"Zzzzzzz..."
Before four enormous cauldrons, a black-clad youth sits cross-legged, his hand seals constantly shifting. Within the cauldrons, a multicolored flame changes accordingly, burning the herbs inside.
Yao Chen, suspended in mid-air beside him, remains silent—this is his teaching method. Unless it's a very important elixir, he never speaks during the refining process, even if it fails.
After completion, he waits for Xiao Yan to summarize before offering his own opinions. Perhaps this method is the most important reason why Xiao Yan in the original story, after Yao Lao's capture, relied on his inheritance to reach the pinnacle of alchemy.
Meanwhile, far away on Cloud Mist Mountain, another master and disciple are also exchanging ideas.
"Yanran, do you still remember the three-year promise?"
Atop the mountain range where the Yunlan Sect Master resided, a noble and elegant figure spoke slowly, her voice gentle and captivating.
"Master, are you going to blame Yanran for this?"
"Since it has already happened, blaming you is useless," the noble and elegant figure turned slightly, revealing a face of unparalleled beauty and refined elegance. "Today, our spy reported that Xiao Yan, with whom you made the promise, has regained his talent, and is even more outstanding than before."
"Even," Yun Yun paused, looking at her disciple whose face had calmed down, "the spy suspects that he has a master guiding him. It is said that he has already gone to the Demon Beast Mountain Range to experience life-or-death battles. If you were to cultivate normally within the sect, I'm afraid you wouldn't be his match."
"What!" The girl with pigtails exclaimed in disbelief. "Teacher, even if Xiao Yan's talent was originally higher than mine, after years of training in the sect, and after three years of stagnation, and starting from the third level of Dou Qi again, how could he possibly surpass me?"
"Yanran, no matter what, you must not be careless. Originally, I planned to personally go to the Monster Beast Mountain Range to find a treasure for you, but since the Empire has ceded the area around the Monster Beast Mountain Range to the Snake-People, it is not appropriate for a powerhouse of my level to approach rashly."
Yun Yun looked at her young disciple and an idea arose in her mind.
"Since Xiao Yan is also training in the Monster Beast Mountain Range to increase his combat experience, why don't you go too, Yanran?"
"Yes!" Nalan Yanran's lips twitched slightly. She knew that her master's decision was not something she could object to.
"Don't worry, I will send a Douling Elder to protect you."
Xiao Yan was naturally unaware of what had happened at the Yunlan Sect. At this moment, he was full of joy and slightly stopped his cultivation.
"Hoo,"
he exhaled a breath of turbid air, and with a slight gesture, a crystal-clear pill came from the medicine cauldron into his hand.
"Master, look! A top-grade first-rank recovery pill, and of superior quality, its body covered in pill patterns."
Xiao Yan gently wiped the sweat from his face, not paying much attention, his face beaming with joy. After many days of practice, he had finally reached the pinnacle of a first-rank alchemist, and now he could try to advance to the second-rank alchemist realm.
"Hmm, little Yan, you do indeed have some talent in alchemy." Yao Chen stood with his hands behind his back, his voice ethereal, a slight glance in his eyes noticing a hint of pride in his young disciple, his tone shifting again.
"However, this is far inferior to what I was like back then. When I was your age, I was already a top-grade third-rank alchemist, and even advanced to the fourth-rank alchemist realm in the same year."
After a slight rebuke, seeing his disciple regain his senses, Yao Chen encouraged him again.
"Of course, if you study diligently, I'm confident I can help you reach Lin Feng's level."
"Really, Master?" Hearing this, Xiao Yan's eyes lit up. The alchemist Lin Feng was now a household name in the Jia Ma Empire, Xiao Yan's idol, or rather, his goal.
"Hmph, when have I ever lied to you? Take the Burning Flame Technique, for example; hasn't it evolved to the point of being comparable to a peak Yellow Rank technique?"
"Hehehe, Master is right."
Xiao Yan chuckled, proud of his choice of this technique. Since becoming a disciple of Canaan Academy, Xiao Yan had been in the Magical Beast Mountain Range for over half a year. During this time, he would refine the beast fire from any fire-attribute magical beasts he killed and consume it.
This was why, although the Burning Flame Technique was still only mid-Yellow Rank, it was comparable to a peak Yellow Rank technique.
Of course, the most important factor was that during one of his trips to exchange survival supplies, Yao Chen personally refined a high-grade pill. He exchanged this for two high-level beast flames, which is the real reason for the evolution of the Burning Blade's power. Otherwise, how could Xiao Yan have further enhanced the Burning Blade with just the first and second-tier demonic beast flames he absorbed?
This guy has been terrified of the alchemist's lack of endurance; he'll absorb any beast flame he encounters, regardless of whether it's effective or not—this is different from the original story. Of course, this also makes him much stronger than in the original work.
"Little Yanzi, now that you've advanced to the Dou Shi realm, the Magical Beast Mountain Range will still be useful to you, but it's time for us to set off and search for the legendary wonder of heaven and earth—the Strange Flame!"
"Yes, Master, let's set off now."
"Bang!"
"Old man, why did you hit me?"
"Let's set off, why are you so excited? Are you afraid others won't notice?" Yao Chen slapped Xiao Yan on the head, his tone becoming subtle, "And what did you call me, you rebellious disciple, just now?"
"Master, disciple knows he was wrong."
"Do you really know you were wrong? I think you're itching for a beating, Little Yanzi. Let your respected master examine you, hehehe."
"Ah!"
The next morning, a young man dressed in black, carrying a huge black ruler on his back, glanced back at the towering, boundless Magical Beast Mountain Range behind him, then resolutely turned around and embarked on his journey once more.
Meanwhile, atop Cloud Mist Mountain, a smartly dressed woman with pigtails, having already made her preparations, bid farewell to her master and, accompanied by a female Douling Elder, left the Cloud Mist Sect. Riding a flying magical beast tamed by the sect, she sped towards the distant Magical Beast Mountain Range.
"Xiao Yan, just you wait. I will definitely make rapid progress in the Magical Beast Mountain Range and defeat you at the three-year agreement, proving that everything I did that day was right."
The woman on the flying magical beast gazed towards the Magical Beast Mountain Range, her eyes filled with uncertainty.
(End of Chapter)