Yao Lao Appears

In the Xiao family's back mountain.

Xiao Yan stared angrily at the ring floating in the air, or rather, at the ancient, transparent figure hovering above the ring.

"Is it you, you old fool, who stole my fighting energy over the past three years and made me suffer so much mockery and humiliation?" Xiao Yan asked coldly.

"Heh, little guy, haven't your experiences over the past three years taught you patience and mental fortitude?" Elder Yao said with a grin.

Hearing Elder Yao's words, Xiao Yan twitched his mouth in irritation. Was he supposed to thank him for this?

Xiao Yan suddenly had a realization and asked, "So, my talent hasn't disappeared, but rather, you've been absorbing it all this time? Now that you're awakened, I can continue my cultivation, right?"

Elder Yao gave a non-committal smile and said, "That's right. Now that I'm awakened, as long as there are no major issues, I will only absorb your fighting energy with your permission."

Xiao Yan sneered, "I will never allow you to absorb my Dou Qi again!"

Elder Yao didn't dwell on the issue and instead tempted Xiao Yan, "Little guy, do you want to become stronger? Do you want to earn the respect of others and reclaim your lost glory?"

Xiao Yan became cautious and replied, "What are you planning? I'm telling you, I won't believe a word you say!"

"Oh? Is that so? But I heard that you only have one year before you undergo the coming-of-age ceremony. In one year, do you think your talent can reach the seventh stage of Dou disciple? Furthermore, with your three-year agreement with that girl, her talent isn't inferior to yours. Do you think you can surpass her in three years?" Elder Yao smiled like a cunning old fox.

Xiao Yan cursed furiously, "You old bastard! If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been so humiliated, and I wouldn't still be stuck at the third stage of Dou disciple!"

After venting his anger, Xiao Yan gradually calmed down and looked at Elder Yao with a cold smile. "Don't talk about how it's impossible to advance in a year. My younger brother, Xiao Yu, advanced from a one-star dou practitioner to a four-star dou practitioner in just one year. If he can do it, so can I!"

However, Elder Yao mysteriously said, "Heh, I've naturally observed your younger brother, Xiao Yu. Both of your souls are very powerful. Back then, I hesitated between the two of you, but I ultimately chose you. Can you guess why?"

Xiao Yan glanced at Elder Yao and said with a dismissive tone, "Why?"

Elder Yao grinned and said, "It's because your talent is better! Think about it, how could someone with worse talent possibly advance to the third stage of dou disciple in just one year?"

Xiao Yan furrowed his brows and said, "Are you suggesting that Brother Yu was hiding his true abilities and might have actually been cultivating for two or three years?"

Elder Yao looked at Xiao Yan with a "child who can be taught" gaze. After stroking his beard, he spoke again, "Do you still think you can advance four stages of dou disciple in one year?"

Xiao Yan fell silent. He had indeed not considered this issue. After a moment of contemplation, Xiao Yan looked at Elder Yao and said, "Seeing your confident demeanor, you must have a solution, right?"

Elder Yao proudly lifted his chin and said, "Naturally!"

"What's the solution?" Xiao Yan's eyes lit up as he asked eagerly.

"I can't tell you the solution right now!" Elder Yao shook his head with a smirk.

Xiao Yan's face darkened as he looked at Elder Yao, trying to suppress his anger and asked, "What conditions do I need to meet for you to tell me?"

Elder Yao sized Xiao Yan up and said, "I might tell you, but only if you become my disciple!"

"Become your disciple? What kind of teacher are you?" Xiao Yan asked, puzzled.

Elder Yao, who had been somewhat stooped, straightened up a bit and said with a touch of pride, "Of course, an Alchemist!"

Xiao Yan was taken aback and then mocked Elder Yao, "You? An Alchemist? Which Alchemist is as downtrodden as you?"

Elder Yao's expression turned slightly awkward, with a hint of pain and regret in his eyes, but Xiao Yan didn't notice it at the time.

"Yes, I am an Alchemist!" Elder Yao said confidently, making even the skeptical Xiao Yan start to waver.

Xiao Yan licked his lips and asked with a smile, "Then what grade of Alchemist were you?"

Pharmacists on the Dou Qi Continent are rare, but they are ranked by levels, with distinctions among them. For example, Dan King Gu He is a sixth-grade alchemist and is considered the top in the Alchemy Realm of the Jia Ma Empire!

"I don't remember my exact grade, but are you going to learn or not?" Elder Yao asked impatiently.

"Yes, I will learn!" Xiao Yan quickly agreed.

"Alright, then become my disciple!" Elder Yao sat cross-legged on a piece of green stone, grinning at Xiao Yan.

"Here?" Xiao Yan was surprised.

"Where else? Time is of the essence. Hurry up!" Elder Yao urged.

Hearing this, Xiao Yan performed the disciple ceremony properly. Once Elder Yao confirmed that Xiao Yan had completed the ceremony correctly, he happily said, "Good, good. My name is Elder Yao. As for my background, I won't tell you for now to avoid distracting you. As for my strength, just know that even Dan King Gu He is nothing but a speck of dust in my eyes!"

Hearing Elder Yao's nearly boastful words, Xiao Yan almost withdrew his salute. After rolling his eyes, Xiao Yan said, "Old man, you really know how to brag. Dan King Gu He is a sixth-grade pharmacist!"

*Slap!*

Elder Yao smacked Xiao Yan on the head and said angrily, "After becoming my disciple, you should call me 'Master,' not 'Old Man.' If you call me that again, I'll hit you. Show some respect!"

Xiao Yan covered his head, not saying a word.

Elder Yao ignored Xiao Yan's resentful look and continued, "The first step to becoming a pharmacist is to learn a fire attribute fighting technique. This will give you the support of fire Dou Qi!"

"Fire attribute technique? Are you going to teach me a Heavenly Grade technique, Master?" Xiao Yan said with a grin, extending his hand toward Elder Yao.

Upon hearing Xiao Yan's words, Elder Yao was so angry he nearly hit him again, but Xiao Yan skillfully dodged.

Elder Yao scolded, "Do you think Heavenly Grade techniques are like cabbages?"

However, Elder Yao then said, "I don't have a Heavenly Grade technique, but I have one that's even more unusual. Do you want to learn it?"

Xiao Yan's interest was immediately piqued. An unusual technique that was even more bizarre than Heavenly Grade? He swallowed and asked eagerly, "What kind of technique is it?"

"It's a Yellow Grade Low-Level technique!" Elder Yao whispered in Xiao Yan's ear.

"Old man, you're messing with me!"

The mountain was soon filled with Xiao Yan's roar.

After Xiao Yan calmed down, Elder Yao finally talked about the Yellow Grade Low-Level technique, the Flame Mantra!

In the end, Elder Yao decided to teach Xiao Yan the Flame Mantra only after Xiao Yan became a Dou practitioner.

Xiao Yan looked at Elder Yao and asked, "Then how will you help me advance to Seven-Star Dou disciple within a year?"

"Naturally, through alchemy!" Elder Yao's expression suddenly changed. "Oh no, I've run out of fire energy!"

"What?" Xiao Yan was taken aback.

Elder Yao quickly regained his composure and said, "Forget it if it's gone. Help me gather some materials. I need to refine Foundation Building Liquid!"

Xiao Yan quickly agreed, "Alright, what materials do you need?"

"Three complete Purple Leaf Lan Grass, the older the better; two Bone Cleansing Flowers; and a Level 1 Wood-Type Magic Core!" Elder Yao said, then disappeared into his ring.

"Dammit, these items must cost a fortune! Are you trying to bankrupt me?" Xiao Yan cursed loudly.

"Heh, I don't care. Bring me the materials when you have them ready. Remember, don't let anyone know about my existence, not even your closest ones!" Elder Yao's voice came from within the ring.