Chapter 132: Encounter with Xiao Yan!

Not only was it because of the upcoming Alchemist Conference that happens once every eight years, but also because the three-year agreement between Nalan Yanran, the young sect master of Yun Lan Sect, and the third young master of the Xiao family was approaching.

Three years ago, Nalan Yanran, the young sect master of Yun Lan Sect, caused a huge public outcry when she went to Wu Tan City to break off her engagement with the Xiao family. This incident had become the talk of the entire Jia Ma Empire!

Originally, this matter shouldn't have had such a big impact. After all, the Xiao family was hardly comparable to the Nalan family. Moreover, Nalan Yanran was not only the princess of the Nalan family but also the young sect master of Yun Lan Sect. How could the Xiao family resist the two top forces of the Jia Ma Empire?

However, Xiao Yan's three-year agreement completely pushed the plot to its climax. Moreover, news spread that Xiao Yan had regained his talent, making the drama even more compelling – who doesn't love to watch a tale of a waste turning the tide!

The story of a young genius girl and a boy who rediscovered his talent, the love and hatred between them naturally became the talk of the town.

Now that the three-year agreement was about to arrive, coupled with the Alchemist Conference, Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran had become a walking source of trending topics. Everyone had been eagerly anticipating these two grand events for a long time!

Outside the city, a young man dressed in black, with a giant black ruler-like sword the height of a door on his back, walked towards Jia Ma Holy City.

The young man wasn't tall, his appearance was unremarkable, but his expression was resolute and cold. Staring at the distant Yun Lan Mountain, a violent red gleam flashed deep within his eyes.

"Yun Lan Sect... Nalan Yanran, the waste from those years has come as promised. Are you prepared?"

Staring intently at the majestic mountain peaks concealed by thin clouds, Xiao Yan's body began to tremble violently in this moment.

"Xiao Yan, calm down!" A deep voice soothed as another aged voice appeared out of thin air.

Xiao Yan's body shook, and he snapped out of his trance, sheepishly saying, "Teacher, I'm sorry, I lost my composure."

The aged voice carried a hint of helplessness, "The Dou Qi Continent is vast and boundless, and Yun Lan Sect is nothing in comparison."

"My disciple is destined not to stay in a small place like Jia Ma Empire. Once you leave here, you'll see countless mountains higher than Yun Lan Sect. This place is destined to be just a minor obstacle on your path forward!"

"Our trip to Yun Lan Sect this time has been meticulously planned. You can proceed without worry; I will take care of everything."

Hearing this, the young man's eyes flashed with a fiery determination. Indeed, with his teacher by his side, Xiao Yan was destined to stand at the peak of the Dou Qi Continent. How else could he revive his teacher and live up to Xun'er's expectations?

Yun Lan Sect... Nalan Yanran, I will make you regret it!

With these thoughts, Xiao Yan's eyes reflected a trace of emotion. Looking down at the black ring on his finger, he whispered, "I will not disappoint you, Teacher."

"Haha!" Looking at his spirited disciple, Yao Chen's eyes showed a trace of relief, "Let's enter the city. This Alchemist Conference should be interesting. With your current alchemy skills, even among the fourth-grade alchemists you wouldn't be low. My disciple should aim for nothing less than first place!"

"I will not fail my mission!"

With that, Xiao Yan quickened his pace towards the bustling city gate. Every step he took left a shallow mark on the ground, showing the hefty weight of the giant black ruler on his back.

Though burdened with the giant ruler, Xiao Yan moved effortlessly through the crowded stream of people, like a fish swimming nimbly.

Walking expressionlessly through the crowd, occasionally his Dou Qi would surge, and the soft sleeve robe coated thinly with Dou Qi would strike sharply at the hands reaching stealthily towards the ring on his finger.

After disciplining the pickpocket, Xiao Yan, still expressionless, headed towards the Alchemist Association.

Meanwhile, inside the Alchemist Association, four people of distinguished temperament, three women and one man with unremarkable looks, were waiting quietly.

After a while, a woman in a white robe approached them with an excited smile on her face.

"Did you succeed?" Yun Xian, who had been waiting, asked with a smile seeing the excited Xiao Yi Xian.

"Ta-da!" Under their expectant gazes, Xiao Yi Xian enthusiastically took out the attire and badge symbolizing a third-grade alchemist, excitedly saying, "From today on, I am officially a third-grade alchemist!"

"Wow, Sister Xiao Yi Xian, you're amazing!"

"Hurry, Xiao Yi Xian, make us some pills to compare the taste with those made by Xiao Yun!"

"Congratulations!"

Seeing the excited Xiao Yi Xian, Yun Xian and the others smiled and congratulated her heartily, feeling happy for this girl who had a difficult fate and had finally realized her dream of becoming an alchemist.

"Let's go, Master Xiao Yi Xian, whether our sect will become famous on the continent depends on you now!"

After the congratulations, Yun Xian stood up and walked outside, his casual teasing voice lingering in the air.

"I'll complete the mission!" Xiao Yi Xian replied with a serious face upon hearing his words.

"I'll be waiting then!" Yun Xian said with a light laugh, seeing her earnest expression.

Xiao Yi Xian's alchemy skills were not limited to the third grade. She had already reached the realm of a Dou Huang. Even without special soul training techniques, her soul power was equivalent to that of a fourth or fifth-grade alchemist due to her cultivation growth.

Moreover, with the teachings of Yun Xian these past days, she could already make most fourth-grade pills.

In previous Alchemist Conferences, such skills could definitely win the championship, but this year, it was hard to say!

The five of them left the Alchemist Association, laughing and chatting, mainly Xiao Yun talking to Zi Yan and Qing Lin while Xiao Yi Xian enjoyed listening quietly.

Queen Medusa, of course, needed no mention!

Suddenly, their eyes focused on a young man with a giant black ruler on his back, approaching with a cold expression.

"Boom——"

Being stared at by the five of them, Xiao Yan felt a chill all over, finding it hard to breathe, as if he was being watched by a terrifying existence, even though they had no imposing aura.

"Teacher, Teacher," Xiao Yan anxiously called out for Yao Chen in his mind, but the usually omnipotent Yao Chen seemed to have vanished, no matter how Xiao Yan called, there was no response.

Receiving no reply from Yao Chen, Xiao Yan could only force a smile that was uglier than crying.

Seeing the Bone Flame Ring in Xiao Yan's hand, Yun Xian smiled meaningfully and said to the four women, "Let's go!"

After speaking, he led the way down the street, the four women casting strange glances at Xiao Yan before following closely behind Yun Xian.

After they left, Xiao Yan felt as if he'd been dragged out of water, soaked to the bone.

"Xiao Yun, that guy was so weird!"

"Yes, looks like he's carrying a coffin board!"

"Brother Yun Xian, why is he carrying a coffin board?"

"Perhaps... it's to attract attention!" Yun Xian teased Xiao Yan lightly.

"Yun Xian..." Medusa hesitated as she looked at Yun Xian.

Yun Xian understood immediately what she wanted to say, softly responding, "I know, but what does it have to do with us?"

Medusa was stunned, then understood. Yes, she had already reached Dou Zun, a sovereign level. A soul form with Dou Zong's strength was nothing to worry about. Besides, they had no grudge against each other, so why worry unnecessarily?

As they disappeared from Xiao Yan's sight, Yun Xian glanced back, his eyes flaring with black and white flames.

In this moment, in Yun Xian's eyes, Xiao Yan's figure slowly disappeared, replaced by a group of blazing red flames, changing into various magical beast forms.

It was truly a marvelous sight!

"A Ten Thousand Beast Flame?" Retracting his gaze, Yun Xian whispered to himself, "Is it coincidence?"

"Or..." He looked up at the clear sky, guessing, "Or is it your guidance?"

Seeing the distant five people, Yao Chen's schadenfreuded voice emerged, "Xiao Yan, how was it? Now do you realize there's always someone better?"

Hearing this devious voice, Xiao Yan grumpily replied, "Then why did you hide so fast, Teacher?"

"First Alchemist of the Continent, huh?"

"Ah-hem..." Being choked by Xiao Yan's words, Yao Chen covered his awkwardness with a cough, avoiding saying he was scared stiff!

In such a bustling street dominated by Great Masters, a few Dou Wang and Dou Huang suddenly sprang out – and more absurdly, some seemed to be Dou Zuns!

Wasn't that terrifying!

At this moment, he was just a soul form; in some people's eyes, he was a delicacy. They could easily wipe him out, so of course, he hid far away!

However, hearing what Yun Xian said and seeing their reactions, he instantly realized he had been discovered. But they didn't care about him.

"It's for your training!" Coming up with a flimsy excuse, Yao Chen quickly changed the topic, "Let's gather medicinal materials for the conference now. Don't focus on anything else!"

Rolling his eyes, Xiao Yan had no choice but to comply, walking towards the Alchemist Association hall. Along the way, he couldn't help but curiously ask, "Teacher, what were those people's strengths? Why did I feel they were more powerful than the Crimson Flame Tiger King?"

"Stop asking, knowing now won't benefit you. They are indeed powerful youths!" After a long pause, Yao Chen replied faintly.

"Oh!" Hearing this, Xiao Yan nodded solemnly. Entering the Alchemist Association, he murmured, "How about that guy compared to them?"

"Stronger than that guy three years ago, but remember, people grow!" This time, Yao Chen was silent for longer. Three years ago, besides being backstabbed by Han Feng, was his most painful moment.

He never wanted to recall it.

After hearing this, Xiao Yan fell silent, clenching his fists, feeling his nine-star Dou Shi strength, he murmured to himself:

"Strength... strength!"

Mitchell Family Manor.

The five of them returned quietly to Yun Xian's previous residence.

Seeing the meticulous cleanliness, with Yun Xian's perception, he knew Hai Bodong and Mitchell Tengshan were in the council chamber.

A soul transmission was sent out.

In the next moment, an ice-blue figure rushed over excitedly at the sight of Yun Xian.

"Master Yun," the excited Hai Bodong's eyes swept over the group, instantly noticing a familiar yet stunningly perfect face, a combination of cold, enchanting allure that made him freeze on the spot.

The next moment, a terrified voice sounded, "Queen Medusa!"

Trembling violently, Hai Bodong leaped back, frantically distancing himself from Queen Medusa. She instilled a primal fear in him.

In front of her, he could never conceal his fear. That battle in the desert years ago still haunted him.

And the seal that had caused him to live in seclusion for decades made him dread Queen Medusa like a plague.

"It's you!" Medusa examined Hai Bodong carefully and then said, "So, has your strength recovered?"

Hearing Medusa's question, Hai Bodong fearfully responded, "Thanks to Master Yun's help, I've recovered!"

Noticing the look Medusa gave him, Yun Xian sighed and softly said, "Just do it as a favor for me, don't frighten him!"

"Hmm!" Hearing Yun Xian's gentle words, Medusa's heart trembled, her expression softened, and she nodded, casting a glance at Hai Bodong before ignoring him and lazily settling beside Yun Xian.

Observing Medusa's demeanor towards Yun Xian, Hai Bodong wore a look of disbelief. Was this woman capable of such gentle speech?

But seeing Yun Xian, he found it all reasonable!

"Xiao Yi Xian is preparing for the Alchemist Conference; we'll be troubling the Mitchell family for a few days!" Seeing Hai Bodong discreetly observing him and Medusa, Yun Xian chuckled softly and said.

Hai Bodong, delighted, responded, "It's the Mitchell family's honor! Master Yun can stay as long as you wish!"

"Won't stay for free!" Yun Xian tossed a jade bottle at the surprised Hai Bodong, saying with a smile, "Here's a six-grade Ice Spirit Pill. Consuming it boosts an ice attribute practitioner's training speed threefold. If you're lucky, it might also break your current bottleneck!"

"Thank you, Master Yun!" Hai Bodong accepted the pill joyfully. Embracing a high-level alchemist's thigh, this was indeed superb!

Continuing with seriousness, Yun Xian asked, "Anything major happened during my absence?"

His question prompted a momentary daze in Hai Bodong, who then gravely said, "The northwest continent indeed saw quite a few events during this time!"