After passing through the Soul Diaphragm set up by Yao Lao, Xiao Yan stared dumbfounded at Yao Lao, whose eyes were faintly flickering with pale white flames.
In front of him, Liu Panlong's face was bitter, and his expression was as helpless as a primary school student.
Seemingly sensing Xiao Yan's arrival, Yao Lao took a deep breath, then regained his calm expression, glanced at Xiao Yan, and then at Liu Panlong, his disdain almost unconcealed.
"So stupid. I explained it in such detail, and he still doesn't understand. No wonder he's still only a Tier 3 Alchemist at such an old age."
Looking at Yao Lao's helpless expression, Xiao Yan suddenly shrugged and shook his head somewhat sheepishly.
In his previous life, he only thought he had good Cultivation talent and even better Comprehension Ability.
However, it wasn't until he later reached the Major Thousand Worlds, and even after Breaking Through to Dominator and traveling to worlds beyond the Major Thousand Worlds, that he realized he truly was a Genius.
Cultivation talent has its limits, but Comprehension Ability has no limits.
For example, when he learned alchemy in his previous life, although he was occasionally scolded by Yao Lao, it wasn't very often. He even created a Heaven-Defying Dou Technique like Buddha Angry Fire Lotus during the Dou Master period.
And this was the first time Xiao Yan had seen someone like Liu Panlong make Yao Lao so angry that he cursed. This was the difference in Comprehension Ability.
At the beginning of Cultivation, perhaps those with good Cultivation talent have an advantage, and their Cultivation speed will be very fast. However, in the Late Stage of Cultivation, Comprehension Ability becomes increasingly important.
Cultivation, Soul, Physical Body – these can all be improved with Medicinal Pills, Cultivation Techniques, and Heaven And Earth Treasure. However, Comprehension Ability is almost impossible to improve, perhaps only a peerless Spiritual Root like the Bodhi Ancient Tree, which is rarely seen even in an entire plane, could offer such an Opportunity.
Starting from the Dou Saint, Comprehension Ability will truly surpass all other talents and become the core of the Cultivation Dao. Especially after reaching Heavenly Sovereign and even Dominator, Comprehension Ability is even more crucial for comprehending the rules of Heaven and Earth and advancing further in Cultivation.
Just like Liu Panlong in front of him, his Comprehension Ability was simply too poor. For the same alchemy principle, Yao Lao only needed to explain it once, and Xiao Yan could easily understand it, even drawing inferences.
But Liu Panlong, even if Yao Lao taught him three times, he was still completely confused. This was the difference in Comprehension Ability.
It was precisely because of this that Xiao Yan felt that a Tier 6 Alchemist was probably Liu Panlong's limit.
Even with the guidance of Yao Lao and himself, it would be very difficult for him to become a Tier 7 Alchemist.
Effort leads to reward, which is already a very fortunate thing for a person. Xiao Yan also only understood how lucky he was after living for a long time and seeing countless beings struggle to the point of death without being able to Break Through their Bottleneck.
"Teacher, you don't need to be so angry. This guy's Comprehension Ability is just like this; you can't change it. Don't ruin your Soul."
Xiao Yan comforted Yao Lao, then nodded with gratitude in Liu Panlong's eyes.
"Master, this month's Medicinal Pills have all been refined. I've already put them all in the na ring."
Liu Panlong, with a grateful expression, obediently handed a na ring to Xiao Yan.
Although every time Yao Lao's guidance rapidly improved his alchemy skills, the feeling of being scolded so harshly was indeed unpleasant.
"Mm."
Xiao Yan gripped the na ring in his hand and nodded slightly.
"You two continue!"
Xiao Yan waved his hand and walked out of Liu Panlong's small courtyard. Not long after, Yao Lao's sigh was heard again in the courtyard: "Oh, why are you so stupid!"
Playing with the na ring in his hand, Xiao Yan walked leisurely down the street. The setting sun shone, casting his shadow long on the slightly golden street.
Perhaps it was due to his continuous hard Cultivation and the use of various Spirit Medicines to stimulate his body's potential, but Xiao Yan's height had developed about a year earlier than in his previous life.
Boys of this age often grow taller by a head like lightning in just half a year, at a speed that is difficult for ordinary people to notice.
And Xiao Yan, in these short two or three months, had also unconsciously grown taller by half a head.
Of course, it wasn't just his height that was increasing so rapidly; his Cultivation had also progressed quickly in these two months. He was now a genuine Seven-Star Dou Zhe, and even reaching Eight-Star was not far off.
"Last month, Ya Fei already sold the surplus Medicinal Pills to the Imperial Capital and other large cities. I wonder what the effect will be."
Humming a little tune leisurely, Xiao Yan walked to Ya Fei's office, under the respectful gazes of several Mittel Auction House guards, only to see that the two guards' expressions were a bit off.
Before Xiao Yan could ask, subtle sounds of argument already came from the office.
Although the soundproofing of the large door was very good and the sounds were extremely faint, with Xiao Yan's terrifying Soul perception, he could hear the voices inside very clearly.
"Lei Le, this Utan City auction house is a place I painstakingly built over the past year. Do you think that just because you have a few Elders supporting you, you can get this auction house?
You, Lei Le, have Elders supporting you, do you think I, Ya Fei, don't have Elders supporting me?"
Ya Fei's voice was filled with anger, but if one listened carefully, one could still detect a hint of unease.
Xiao Yan easily heard that she seemed to not have much confidence.
"Hahaha, Ya Fei, what's the use of telling me these things? If you're really unconvinced, then let those old fogeys behind you come out and speak for you."
A rampant laugh with a hint of lewdness echoed from across Ya Fei. Without much delay, Xiao Yan directly pushed open the office door.
The two guards at the door did not try to stop him, apparently, they were already very familiar with and even revered this Young Clan Leader of the Xiao Family.
In Utan City, who didn't know the reputation of this Young Clan Leader of the Xiao Family? The turbulent changes in Utan City over the past few months were stirred up by this Young Clan Leader of the Xiao Family.
The moment Xiao Yan pushed open the door, three different pairs of eyes simultaneously looked in Xiao Yan's direction.
And Xiao Yan was quietly observing the three people in front of him.
Ya Fei, who originally carried a charming and mature aura, now had a rare look of annoyance and disgust on her alluring face. Only when she saw Xiao Yan did her beautiful eyes reveal a hint of surprise, and a deeply hidden trace of worry.
Across from Ya Fei sat a pale-faced young man in white. His appearance was almost indistinguishable from that of Liu Xi back then, to the point where one could tell at a glance that he was a lecherous fiend.
Looking at the young man's face, which seemed to have been hollowed out by wine and women, Xiao Yan struggled to recall his identity.
In his previous life, this guy named Lei Le, along with his grandfather, seemed to have been miserably dealt with by Hai Bodong. He didn't expect that in this life, he would come knocking on the door early, just like Liu Xi.
Beside Lei Le, there was also a slightly burly man standing, clearly in the manner of a guard.
Although this strong man didn't have lust written all over his face like Lei Le, his eyes, when looking at Ya Fei, couldn't help but reveal a hint of fervor.
Ya Fei was accustomed to such gazes, and even Xiao Yan was used to them.
There was nothing to be done; who could blame this woman for being so charming and alluring, practically a natural aphrodisiac for men.
However, familiarity aside, for Xiao Yan, who had already claimed Ya Fei, he would not allow any other man to dare covet his woman.
His gaze lingered on the strong man for a moment. After confirming that the opponent's strength was roughly at the Dou Master level, Xiao Yan then turned his gaze to Ya Fei, and asked with a gentle smile.
"What's wrong?"