Yao Lao

Xiao Han was thrilled. He had never expected to be fortunate enough to become sworn brothers with Flame Emperor Xiao Yan.

With that, he suddenly felt that his days of cultivation on the Dou Qi Continent no longer seemed so dull.

He would join hands with the future Flame Emperor and create a glorious era that belonged to them!

"Xiao Yan, believe me. In the near future, we brothers will create an indelible legend on this Dou Qi Continent. We will shake this Dou Qi World!" Xiao Han said resolutely, heavily patting Xiao Han on the shoulder. As he looked at Xiao Yan, his gaze was incomparably firm! Hearing Xiao Han's words, Xiao Yan felt his blood begin to boil furiously.

To create a legend and become famous across the Dou Qi Continent—what young man would not wish for such a thing? A true man born between heaven and earth could not be content with mediocrity. Since he had come into this world, he was destined to live a magnificent life! "Good! You and I, brothers together, will create a legend and leave our names for eternity!" Xiao Han said firmly, heavily patting Xiao Han on the shoulder. He, too, was not someone willing to settle for mediocrity!

"Ha ha, well said! Young men should possess such lofty ambitions. Even this old man's blood is beginning to boil just listening to you. Though trapped in adversity, you still hold lofty aspirations. You two little fellows are quite good—very much to this old man's liking!"

At that moment, an aged laugh suddenly rang out from atop the cliff.

Xiao Yan's pupils contracted in surprise, while a delighted expression appeared on Xiao Han's face. Yao Lao had finally revealed himself.

"Who's speaking?" Xiao Yan swept his gaze across the cliff.

"There!" Xiao Han gave Xiao Yan a pat, then pointed at the ancient Ring on his hand.

Xiao Yan lowered his head and saw a phantom-like elderly figure sitting cross-legged atop the ancient Ring. That Old Man was naturally Yao Lao.

At the sight, Xiao Yan's pupils unconsciously shrank in surprise. Before long, however, he calmed down and asked in a deep voice, "Who are you?"

Hearing this, Xiao Han hurriedly stepped aside. He knew that what Yao Lao was about to say would send Xiao Yan into a furious rage.

"Little fellow, you have decent composure." Yao Lao chuckled, then said, "My name is Yao Lao. As for my true identity, you need not know it for now. In any case, once I reveal myself, it means your talent has returned. Thank you for offering up your Dou Qi for the past three years."

"You mean the mysterious disappearance of my Dou Qi over the past three years was all your doing?" Xiao Yan asked, fury already burning deep in his dark eyes.

"It did not mysteriously disappear. It was an offering," Yao Lao said as he stroked his beard.

"Old bastard, fuck your mother!"

Xiao Yan finally exploded. Without another word, he tore the Ring from his hand and hurled it off the cliff. This old bastard had devoured his Dou Qi for three years, yet he had the nerve to call it an offering. It was utterly infuriating! Beside him, Xiao Han could not help laughing and shaking his head. Watching the famed Flame Emperor fly into such a rage was quite entertaining.

"Ah, that was impulsive." Before long, Xiao Yan calmed down. He slapped his forehead, feeling somewhat regretful. He had acted too rashly. That old man clearly was not ordinary, yet he had simply thrown him away? "Xiao Yan." At that moment, Xiao Han called out to him and pointed behind him.

Xiao Yan paused, his brow lifting slightly before he turned around. There, seated cross-legged atop a huge boulder, was an aged figure. Who else could it be but Yao Lao?

"Little fellow, do not be so impulsive. I merely had you offer up Dou Qi for three years. Besides, everything has two sides. Though you were Trash for three years, your temperament was tempered in the process. That is indispensable for becoming strong," Yao Lao said with a smile, stroking his beard.

Xiao Yan's gaze flickered. It did seem to make some sense. His temperament had indeed been tempered, but this world spoke through strength. He was now merely Trash at Dou Qi Stage Three. What the hell use was a strong temperament by itself?

"Old man, stop trying to fool me. I'm only at Dou Qi Stage Three right now. My temperament can't make me strong immediately." Xiao Yan curled his lip and glared at Yao Lao.

"Little fellow, you want to become stronger? Heh heh, that is simple. Kneel and take me as your master. I guarantee that you will become a Peerless Expert on the Dou Qi Continent in the future. As for that Nalan Yanran, three years from now, you will absolutely be able to beat her while hanging her upside down!" Yao Lao said, looking every bit like an unfathomable master.

Xiao Yan eyed Yao Lao suspiciously before asking, "May I ask, sir, what is your current level of strength?"

"Heh heh, what level of strength? You would not understand even if I told you. All you need to know is that I can walk sideways through the Jia Ma Empire!" Yao Lao said.

"So strong?" Xiao Yan was somewhat astonished, though he still did not quite believe him. "Sir, you need to show some real skill. Otherwise, how can I believe you?"

"You're quite shrewd, little fellow. Very well, I'll broaden your horizons!" Yao Lao laughed. He spread his hands flat, and with a thought, two clusters of strange white flames appeared in his palms. Clearly they were flames, yet the moment they appeared, the temperature of the entire world abruptly plummeted. There was an indescribable sense of strangeness to those flames.

"Is that... the Bone Chilling Flame?" Xiao Han's eyes flickered from the side. Naturally, he recognized these flames. They ranked eleventh on the Heavenly Flame Ranking of the Dou Qi Continent, a peculiar flame combining extreme cold and extreme heat. They could only be encountered once every hundred years, when the sun and moon alternated, in lands of extreme cold and extreme yin. They were extraordinarily precious.

"What kind of flame is that?" Xiao Yan asked in astonishment, naturally sensing how extraordinary it was.

"Little fellow, this is a Heavenly Flame, possessing the power to destroy heaven and earth. In truth, Dou Qi is not my specialty. Alchemy is. This old man is an alchemist!" Yao Lao declared proudly. Alchemists were the most sacred profession on the Dou Qi Continent, a profession countless people dreamed of attaining. However, the requirements for becoming an alchemist were far too harsh, making alchemists as rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns on the Dou Qi Continent.

"Sir, you are an alchemist?" Xiao Yan blinked, greatly astonished. Naturally, he had heard of alchemists. They were terrifying existences, people everyone on the Dou Qi Continent wished to befriend. They possessed the ability to summon friends and allies, like a hornet's nest that no one dared provoke lightly.

"That's right, little fellow. Do you wish to take me as your master now?" Yao Lao asked smugly.

"Yes!" Xiao Yan agreed without hesitation. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Then he asked curiously, "Sir, what rank of alchemist are you?"

"What rank? Heh heh, all you need to know is that this so-called Pill King Gu He of your Jia Ma Empire is not worth a fart before me!" Yao Lao said.

Xiao Yan's mouth twitched. Pill King Gu He was not worth a fart? If this old man was not insane, then he was definitely a terrifying existence with truly outrageous strength.

Xiao Han curled his lip from the side. This old man really knew how to boast. It seemed that his current strength was not actually that great, was it?