"Did you forget that I became your disciple to learn the 'Burning Art'?"
Xiao Yan grumbled silently to himself. If he just wanted to learn alchemy, even a ninth-rank alchemist could be hired.
"I've already started making progress in the Burning Art. I want to go out and find a different flame," Xiao Yan said, trying not to slap the old man's face directly.
"Different flames? No, you should focus on learning alchemy first!" Yao Lao frowned seriously.
"No, I want to find the different flame first!" Xiao Yan shook his head. He was done feeling weak all day—he had to devour a different flame soon to recover.
"No, I won't allow it. You must learn my alchemy technique first," Yao Lao insisted.
"Hmm?" A faint voice came from behind. Two elderly figures appeared quietly and stared at Yao Lao with smiles.
"What did you just say?"
"I said…" Seeing the figures of the Wenwu Two Saints, Yao Lao felt a wave of helplessness rise in his heart.
He was at the pinnacle of Ninth Transformation Dou Zun, just one step away from Half-Saint—yet that one step had trapped him for decades.
That single step meant he was no match for these two.
"I said…" Yao Lao's lips trembled slightly. These days, his pressure had doubled—half from Xiao Yan, half from the Wenwu Two Saints.
Ever since the three of them arrived, the life of the Starfall Pavilion's master had become much harder.
To help his disciple break through to Half-Saint, Xiao Yan had been sending the Wenwu Two Saints to train him rigorously.
"Disciple, you can't leave! Your master needs you! You're a once-in-a-century alchemy prodigy! If you leave, it would be a huge loss for the alchemy world!" Yao Lao gripped Xiao Yan's hand tightly.
"What are you doing~? Hey, ouch~!" Xiao Yan shook his leg hard, but couldn't break free from Yao Lao.
"If you stay here and diligently study alchemy for a year, I'll pass all my years of treasured knowledge to you!" Yao Lao tempted him.
If Xiao Yan could become a seventh-rank alchemist by age sixteen, his name would be immortalized as a prodigy—and his master would be one of the top alchemists on the Dou Qi continent. What a glorious tale!
Just thinking about it was exciting.
"What can you give me?" Xiao Yan glanced at the old man holding him.
"Any alchemy techniques or Dou Skills you want!"
"Heh, your Heavenly rank techniques were given by me."
"Eighth-rank pill formulas, even incomplete ninth-rank pill formulas."
"Our clan holds complete ninth-rank pill formulas."
"I am a Ninth Transformation Dou Zun and can escort you safely."
"Have you seen those two?" Xiao Yan pointed at the two bodyguards beside him.
"I…" Yao Lao thought hard but couldn't come up with a reason strong enough to sway Xiao Yan.
"Once you become a seventh-rank alchemist, I'll give you my Bone Spirit Cold Flame," Yao Lao bit his teeth as if recalling something.
Hearing the name Bone Spirit Cold Flame, Xiao Yan finally paused slightly.
He glanced at Yao Lao and seriously said while supporting himself, "Teacher, since you love me so much, why don't we just take out Senior Brother? Then his Sea Heart Flame would be mine."
"???" Yao Lao was stunned.
"Does your Senior Brother have a grudge against you?"
"Theoretically, no."
"Then why do you dislike him so much?"
Yao Lao stood up, sighed lightly, and said, "I raised him since he was a child. I treated him like a son."
"Unfortunately, he might never see you as a father," Xiao Yan sneered but said no more.
People's hearts are all made of flesh. This old man, although powerful and ruthless to enemies, still had kindness reserved for his own.
It was this kindness that made Xiao Yan think of the original story's Yao Lao. With his own background and strength, he could have replaced the Burning Art and found a ninth-rank alchemist as his master.
Perhaps because of the story recorded in that jade book, Xiao Yan chose to accept him as his master.
It was normal that Yao Lao didn't want to harm a disciple he'd raised for years. But this didn't mean Xiao Yan would go easy.
He hadn't yet found Han Feng's chicken foot, but when he discovered that kid planned to harm him, he would strike first—claiming the Sea Heart Flame for himself.
When it came to ruthlessness, Xiao Yan was no worse than anyone else—just that he had his own set of rules.
"Since you're reluctant, forget it. I'm going out to find a different flame. Don't block my way," Xiao Yan waved his hand.
"Wait!" Yao Lao suddenly grabbed Xiao Yan's arm again.
"Old man, men don't do this kind of hugging between each other. If you keep this up, I'll pull your beard," Xiao Yan glanced at Yao Lao.
"Hehe," Yao Lao rubbed his hands and smiled, "My dear disciple, I want to ask you for a favor."
"What?" Xiao Yan looked suspiciously at the old man's face.
"Hehe, here's the thing. There's going to be a youth alchemist competition in Danta soon. I want you to participate and win some glory for me."
Yao Lao's old face showed a flattering smile.
"No way!" Xiao Yan rejected outright. His mind was set on the beauties of the northwest continent—er, the different flame.
As for competitions? What good would they do? A youth contest, as if it was some kind of Earth youth palace.
Though his body was young, Xiao Yan's soul was that of a mature man. He valued benefit and value over fame and honor, which sometimes helped, but other times were just chains.
From his perspective, the benefits were nearly zero.
"Disciple, come back! If you don't go, who else can handle that girl named Cao Ying?" Yao Lao's anxious voice came from behind, causing Xiao Yan to pause.
"You said a girl named Cao Ying?" Xiao Yan's eyes brightened a little.
"What's wrong? Do you know her?" Yao Lao was surprised.
"No, but you can tell me about her." Xiao Yan smiled.
**"Sigh, that girl was born into the Cao family of the Dan region. From birth, she displayed an astonishing soul power. Her mother was nearly killed by that overwhelming soul power.
At seven, she officially became an alchemist. By fifteen, she had become a fourth-rank alchemist and was personally taken as a disciple by my old friend Xuan Yi.
Since my old friend gained such a disciple, he's been bragging nonstop. You know, your Senior Brother's talent is dull, and he's already too old.
So, disciple, you're my only hope!"**
Yao Lao looked pitifully at Xiao Yan.
"Hehe," Xiao Yan smiled slightly and nodded, instantly brightening Yao Lao's face.
"That Xuan Yi must be your old flame, huh?" The next sentence made Yao Lao's face immediately turn red.
Knowing Yao Lao's carefree nature, he probably didn't bother sending disciples to ordinary competitions. Inviting Xiao Yan was probably because his old flame found a good disciple and the old man wanted to show off.
"Nonsense! We're just old friends," Yao Lao waved his sleeves, face stern.
"If you don't want to help, fine. You already have the Burning Art. With your background, you don't lack a teacher for advanced alchemy."
"Fine, you go."
He waved his hand after speaking.
"Hehe, teacher, that's just a small competition. Leave the reputation to me, Xiao Yan!"
Xiao Yan showed a meaningful smile.
From now on, calling him Yao Lao feels less awkward. The writing control slipped a bit here, hope everyone understands.
Hehe, didn't expect the first harem character to appear is actually Cao Ying. Want to see how Xiao Yan wins over this Cao family demon girl? Then hit that bookmark and recommendation button.
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(End of Chapter)