Mittel Family.
Alchemy Room.
Yao Chen brought Xiao Yan here.
"This alchemy room of the Mittel family doesn't look bad."
The walls were engraved with formation patterns that calmed the mind, and a third-grade medicine cauldron was hidden in a secret compartment for emergencies.
On the small table, there were some food and drinks that replenished energy and Dou Qi.
Alchemists sometimes spent two or three days refining pills, solving eating, drinking, and toileting problems in the alchemy room to save unnecessary time consumption.
Xiao Yan looked around, checked a few small rooms in the alchemy room, and nodded in agreement.
"As expected of the Mittel family. The alchemy room I used in Jia Nan Academy can't compare to this place."
Although the Mittel family didn't have any powerful alchemists, the infrastructure was very complete.
"Come, let Master see how your alchemy level is now."
Yao Chen waved his sleeve, and the door of the alchemy room closed with a bang.
The mechanism was triggered, and the lights in the room lit up automatically.
"Teacher, aren't you going to refine?"
Xiao Yan also wanted to take this opportunity to observe his teacher's alchemy skills again.
"No hurry, let's see yours first."
Yao Chen said.
Xiao Yan scratched the back of his head, suddenly feeling a little nervous.
This is going to be tested by Teacher.
In the past two years, Xiao Yan spent most of his time cultivating alone, and Han Feng occasionally came forward for guidance.
Being personally taught by Yao Chen, he hadn't experienced it for a long time.
Xiao Yan came to the center of the room and sat down. With a flash of light from the storage ring, a medicine cauldron of superior quality landed steadily in front of him.
This was the sixth-grade medicine cauldron Han Feng gave to Xiao Yan.
Although in the top alchemy field, a sixth-grade medicine cauldron was very ordinary, it was enough for Xiao Yan at present.
Xiao Yan skillfully flicked a purple flame and placed it under the medicine cauldron to slowly preheat it.
Then he took the medicine, classified it, and arranged it. Xiao Yan carried out the preparatory work before the formal start of alchemy methodically.
Yao Chen on the side did not speak, quietly watching his little disciple's alchemy process.
Time passed slowly, and Xiao Yan's alchemy entered the final stage.
What he refined this time was a fourth-grade Profound Origin Pill.
This pill's medicinal power was neutral and peaceful, very suitable for his cultivation of the "Profound Yang Art."
Previously in Jia Nan Academy, Xiao Yan had refined the Profound Origin Pill many times, which could be said to be the most handy fourth-grade pill.
Teacher should be satisfied, right?
Xiao Yan thought to himself.
A moment later, a powerful impact spread from inside the medicine cauldron. Xiao Yan quickly formed seals with his hands, and a large amount of soul power poured out of his sea of consciousness.
"Condense!"
Soul power firmly sealed the surroundings of the medicine cauldron to prevent the medicinal power from overflowing at the last moment.
With a soft hum of airflow, the medicine cauldron shook slightly, and the alchemy officially ended.
Xiao Yan opened the lid, and a rich pill fragrance wafted out.
He took out the Profound Origin Pill from the medicine cauldron and handed it to Yao Chen.
"Teacher, I'm done."
Yao Chen took the pill, looked at it a few times, and nodded: "Very good. The appearance of the pill is top-grade, and your basic skills are very solid."
Xiao Yan smiled shyly, happy inside.
It seems that he passed Teacher's test smoothly this time.
"Are you interested in participating in the Alchemy Competition?"
Yao Chen asked with a smile.
"Ah?"
Xiao Yan was stunned.
"What Alchemy Competition?"
Yao Chen explained: "It's the Alchemy Competition currently being held in this Jia Ma Sacred City. I went to have a look just now, and the organizers are still registering."
"But I'm going up to the Misty Cloud Sect soon."
"The itinerary won't be delayed, and the competition only lasts for three days in total. You still have at least five days to rest after it ends."
Yao Chen laughed: "How about it? Want to give it a try?"
Xiao Yan frowned and thought.
"Teacher, do I need to participate in this competition?"
Xiao Yan still wanted to keep a low profile.
Yao Chen thought for a while and said seriously: "Everything must have a beginning. You haven't experienced the tense atmosphere of everyone refining pills together at an alchemy competition. If you participate in a more authoritative Pill Tower event in the future, it will be easy to make mistakes."
"And Little Yan, don't underestimate this kind of competition. Even if you think you will definitely win the championship, you have to practice. Maybe you will meet interesting opponents?"
Xiao Yan took a deep breath and nodded heavily.
"Okay, then I'll give it a try."
"But... I still have to disguise my identity."
Xiao Yan looked at himself in the mirror.
He still wanted to keep some mystery and shock Nalan Yanran at the Three-Year Agreement.
————————————
"Oh? Little Junior Brother is going to participate in the Alchemy Competition?"
Han Feng looked at Xiao Yan, who was ready to sign up, and said in surprise.
Yao Chen smiled and nodded.
"It's good for young people to experience more, not to mention a mere Alchemy Competition."
"Then I wish Little Junior Brother to win the laurel in advance."
Han Feng laughed.
Xiao Yan waved his hand modestly.
"No, no, still have to see the level of others."
"By the way, Senior Brother, do you have anything that can conceal a person's appearance and aura?"
Xiao Yan asked.
Actually, Xiao Yan asked Yao Chen at first, but Yao Chen told him to ask Han Feng directly.
"Your Senior Brother is a weapon refiner. There are plenty of such things."
Han Feng nodded and took out a mask from his storage ring.
"Wear it on your face. Cultivators below Dou Ancestor can't see through your background."
Xiao Yan took it as if he had obtained a treasure.
This is good stuff. Going out for experience in the future, wearing it is equivalent to having an identity to cover people's eyes and ears.
"Feng'er, then I'll take Little Yan to sign up first."
Yao Chen said.
Han Feng smiled and nodded.
Before going out, Xiao Yan put the mask on his face, and his temperament changed instantly.
The two walked on the path, and Yao Chen suddenly pressed Xiao Yan's shoulder.
"Teacher?"
"Let's go out another way."
"Ah? Why?"
Yao Chen pointed to the sky.
"Someone is watching outside."
Yao Chen took Xiao Yan and left the Mittel family unknowingly.
The imperial spies waiting outside didn't notice the two entering and leaving at all.
However, the other Xiao family disciples, including Xiao Zhan, were recognized by the spies because they didn't cover up when entering and leaving.
They reported this discovery to the imperial family.
"So it's the people from the Xiao family."
Jia Xingtian realized.
The Xiao family was once a big family in the empire, but it has declined now.
"When did the Xiao family have such a good relationship with the Mittel family?"
Jia Xingtian frowned again.
As the actual leader of this country, he didn't want to see forces rising in the empire that could threaten the imperial family.
The current Mittel family has actually touched Jia Xingtian's red line.
It's just that the time is not yet ripe, and above the Mittel family, there is still a Misty Cloud Sect that gives the imperial family more headache.
Therefore, Jia Xingtian didn't do anything to the Mittel family.
But any disturbance in the Mittel family is actually sensitive in Jia Xingtian's eyes.
"Someone, go to Wu Tan City to investigate the situation of the Xiao family and see what happened recently."
Jia Xingtian shouted out the door.
"Yes!"
A low response came from outside the door.
————————————
Alchemist Guild.
Yao Chen and Xiao Yan arrived here.
At this time, there was a sea of people outside. Alchemists from all over the empire and neighboring countries came to the Imperial Capital to sign up for the Alchemy Competition.
For most ordinary alchemists, this was a rare opportunity to become famous throughout the country.
Reputation is very important to alchemists.
How to distinguish high and low among alchemists of the same grade depends on reputation.
The higher the reputation, the more brilliant the alchemy skills, and the higher the remuneration for refining medicine for others.
Yao Chen won the championship in the Pill Tower Pill Gathering back then, gaining the qualification to be noticed by the entire Dou Qi Continent. In the process of accumulating alchemy for mighty figures, his reputation and strength were further consolidated, and the name of Venerate Yao spread all over the world.
The title of the number one alchemist on the continent was also set by word of mouth.
Perhaps there are still some alchemists on the continent whose alchemy skills are not necessarily worse than Yao Chen's, but due to the gap in reputation, they can only be suppressed by Venerate Yao.
"Teacher, aren't there too many people?"
Xiao Yan said helplessly.
Waiting like this, it won't be his turn until evening.
Alchemists, who are usually extremely scarce, suddenly appeared in piles as if they were worthless.
"Let me see."
Yao Chen looked around.
"These are alchemists without guild recommendations. Most of them are not graded and need to pass various assessments, so it's relatively slow. That is a special passage."
"Not graded, no wonder there are so many people."
Xiao Yan realized.
"Really fighting to participate..."
Xiao Yan shook his head and went to the special passage with Yao Chen.
"Please show your alchemist badge or a recommendation letter from the Alchemist Guild."
The guard at the door stopped the two.
Xiao Yan looked at Yao Chen, and Yao Chen also looked at Xiao Yan.
"Where is your alchemist badge?"
"I don't have that thing!"
Xiao Yan said righteously.
He had never been to the Alchemist Guild for assessment.
The atmosphere was silent for a while.
The master and disciple looked at each other.
The guard frowned, ready to drive the two away.
"Wait!"
Xiao Yan stepped forward and stretched out his hand under the guard's scrutinizing gaze.
The guard slowly grasped the hilt of his knife.
This person in front of him wearing a mask and daring not to show his true face was very suspicious.
Boom!
A ball of purple beast fire ignited suddenly, startling the guard.
"Real fire!"
Real fire is a means possessed only by fourth-grade alchemists.
Of course, refining beast fire can also achieve corresponding effects.
However, among ordinary cultivator groups, the price of beast fire is very expensive.
No matter what, the person in front of him can do this, so he should not be underestimated.
"How about it? Is it okay?"
Xiao Yan smiled confidently.
"Sir, sorry for the offense just now."
The guard bowed, then stepped aside and invited Xiao Yan to enter.
"Uh... this gentleman..."
After hesitating again and again, the guard still stopped Yao Chen.
"Are you also an alchemist here to participate in the assessment?"
"He is my teacher, what do you think?"
Xiao Yan on the side spoke.
"Oh oh!"
The guard bowed repeatedly and stopped blocking.
With some effort, Yao Chen and Xiao Yan finally entered the headquarters of the Alchemist Guild in the Imperial Capital.
Unlike the higher temperature outside, the interior of the Alchemist Guild was refreshing and pleasant.
"Go sign up quickly."
Yao Chen pointed to the queue in front.
Inside the guild, there were still people queuing, but not many.
Xiao Yan walked up and stood at the end of the queue.
A quarter of an hour later, it was Xiao Yan's turn at the registration window.
The service staff of the Alchemist Guild first looked at Xiao Yan, seeing him wearing a mask, and asked: "How should I address you?"
Xiao Yan lowered his voice and said: "Yan Xiao."
At the same time, he ignited the purple fire in his hand.
The service staff looked at each other in surprise, then asked a few simple questions and recorded Xiao Yan's information.
"Mr. Yan Xiao, please keep this safe. This is your registration form."
"The location of the first assessment is at the Royal Plaza. Please go there on time to participate in the assessment."
Xiao Yan took the registration form and joined Yao Chen, who was wandering around the guild.
"Teacher, done."
Xiao Yan waved the form in his hand.
Yao Chen nodded, but his gaze turned to the portrait of President Fa Ma on the guild column.
"Teacher, what's wrong?"
Xiao Yan leaned close to Yao Chen, looking at some announcements on the column.
"Nothing."
Yao Chen shook his head.
He just found it somewhat familiar. The president of this Alchemist Guild, Fa Ma, seemed to be a stubborn kid he met when he traveled the continent back then.
Seeing him obsessed with alchemy, Yao Chen casually gave him a few pointers.
Unexpectedly, he could still see him after many years.
A peak fifth-grade alchemist, in a place like the Jia Ma Empire, is considered a top-tier figure.
If this person is really that kid back then, there is a connection between the two.
However, Yao Chen didn't care much about this.
After so much time, whether the other party still recognized him was another matter.
"Signed up, let's go then."
Yao Chen walked out, and Xiao Yan followed closely.
"Do you want to continue strolling?"
Yao Chen looked at the crowded street.
Xiao Yan shook his head repeatedly.
"Too many people, let's go back."
Yao Chen smiled, put his hand on Xiao Yan's shoulder, and disappeared from the spot.
————————————
On the other side.
Mittel Tengshan personally delivered three sets of medicinal ingredients for the Dou Ancestor Break Pill to Han Feng.
"Mr. Han, please check if the quality of these medicinal ingredients meets the standard?"
Han Feng's soul power penetrated the storage ring and checked quickly.
The quality of the medicinal ingredients was good, and even those rare medicinal ingredients were very fresh. It could be seen that Mittel Tengshan had put effort into selecting medicinal ingredients.
"Good."
Han Feng nodded.
"Then I won't disturb Mr. Han's rest."
Mittel Tengshan retreated with a smile.
In the room, Han Feng put away the medicinal ingredients, took out the Heavenly Phoenix Armor that was halfway refined, and continued refining.
Early the next morning.
As the sun rose in the Imperial Capital, an ice-blue light shadow galloped from the horizon.
Yesterday morning, Hai Bodong received a letter from Mittel Tengshan and immediately set off to return to the Imperial Capital.
Han Feng actually came to the Imperial Capital!
Two years ago, he was in the Extreme North and missed the opportunity to meet him. This time, he must not miss it.
Hai Bodong saw the outline of the Imperial Capital, and his Dou Qi wings shook violently again.
Swish!
The early warning defense of the Imperial Capital couldn't stop a nine-star Dou Emperor at all. In the blink of an eye, Hai Bodong entered the city.
Inside the palace, Jia Xingtian, who was exercising in the courtyard in the morning, frowned and looked at the horizon.
"Why is he back?"