First Meeting with Ya Fei

Yan Li had brought Ning Su an unexpected surprise.

Both of them were alchemists, and after Ning Su devoured them, he had actually successfully devoured their alchemy skills as well!

Devouring Magical Beasts gave him a chance to obtain their cultivation techniques and Dou Skills.

Devouring certain rare natural treasures allowed him to gain some of their corresponding traits.

But Ning Su had never imagined that he could obtain alchemy skills from alchemists!

His "Infinite Devour" seemed even more badass than he had imagined.

"If I get the chance to devour a Seventh-grade Alchemist, would that mean I could become a Seventh-grade Alchemist directly?"

A bold thought flashed through Ning Su's mind.

But at present, the highest-ranking alchemist in the Jia Ma Empire was only a Sixth Grade alchemist.

And that was the renowned Pill King, Gu He!

Devour Gu He... Forget it. Better to just think about it.

"Still, now that I've unexpectedly acquired alchemy skills—and alchemy skills at the peak of the fourth grade—I can try competing for the Champion title in the Alchemist Competition."

In the original story, Yan Li had nearly claimed the Champion title, only to be suppressed by Xiao Yan, the protagonist, in the end.

But that was enough to show just how formidable Yan Li's alchemy skills were.

Now, Ning Su had obtained not only Yan Li's alchemy skills, but also those of his disciple.

The combined alchemy skills of the early third grade and peak fourth grade had not reached the fifth grade, but they were close enough.

Winning the Champion title through alchemy, then obtaining the Spirit Fusion Pill formula—this was the safest approach.

Although there was no absolute certainty, Ning Su had no better option for the moment.

"I'll use this method for now."

Ning Su quietly left and returned to his room.

No one knew what had happened in that room.

Early the next morning.

Gama Holy Capital had already begun to bustle with activity.

With the Alchemist Competition drawing near, Gama Holy Capital grew livelier by the day.

But not everyone was preparing for the competition.

The Nalan Family.

The Nalan Family was currently overwhelmed with work, posting notices outside their gates and openly seeking alchemists from all directions to lend their aid.

This was because the old patriarch of the Nalan Family, Nalan Jie, had suffered from Scorching Poison for many years. Now the poison had flared up, leaving him unconscious and on the brink of death.

Even Pill King Gu He had personally examined him, yet he was helpless. He had said that only Heavenly Flames could save Nalan Jie.

But the world was vast. Where could they possibly find someone who possessed Heavenly Flames?

Still, even without Heavenly Flames, the Nalan Family did not want to give up just like that.

They could only take advantage of this time, when alchemists from all over were gathering in Gama Holy Capital, and hope that someone might be able to help.

Perhaps someone would have a solution.

But so far, no one had been able to resolve the problem.

Nalan Yanran and Na Lan Su were both receiving alchemists at the entrance, though the smiles on their faces were somewhat forced.

Outside the gates.

A young man in a black robe passed by the Nalan Family residence and saw the notices they had posted, as well as Nalan Yanran and Na Lan Su.

"They're looking for an alchemist with Heavenly Flames to treat Nalan Jie?" Xiao Yan murmured softly, his gaze falling on Nalan Yanran, who stood nearby.

"What, are you going in to help?" Yao Lao teased.

"No. Why should I help? I still haven't gotten over the anger from when Nalan Yanran came to my Xiao Family to break off the engagement." Xiao Yan refused outright.

He was not that magnanimous.

Knowing full well that he had a grudge against the Nalan Family, why would he voluntarily help them? What was in it for him?

"I'd better prepare for the Alchemist Competition. After the competition ends, it'll be the Three-Year Pact."

Xiao Yan gave Nalan Yanran one last silent look before turning and leaving.

Not long after he left.

Another man and woman passed by.

"The Nalan Family?"

Ning Su glanced at the posted notice and quickly understood.

"They want someone to help Nalan Jie remove the Scorching Poison? Looks like no one has been able to help yet."

Of course, he would not help.

What benefit would he gain from helping Nalan Jie remove the Scorching Poison?

The Nalan Family was a force of the Jia Ma Empire, and the Jia Ma Empire was hostile to the Snake-People Race.

Helping Nalan Jie would be no different from helping his own enemy.

Ning Su was not that foolish.

"Let's go."

He took Qing Lin toward the Mitel Auction House.

He had unexpectedly become an alchemist and had already decided to participate in the Alchemist Competition.

Naturally, he needed to prepare for it.

He had neither a Medicinal Cauldron nor medicinal ingredients.

He had obtained pill formulas from Yan Li.

But he still had to prepare everything else himself.

Mitel Auction House.

This was the liveliest place in the entire Gama Holy Capital.

Alchemists participating in the competition naturally needed to buy all kinds of medicinal ingredients.

Under normal circumstances, the best medicinal ingredients were all found at the Alchemist Guild.

But now, most of the Alchemist Guild's manpower and attention had gone toward preparing for the competition, leaving only a small number of people to maintain the medicinal ingredient trade.

Yet with the flood of alchemists pouring in, the entire medicinal ingredient market of the Gama Holy Capital was now unable to meet demand.

The Mitel Auction House could not compare to the Alchemist Guild in terms of high-grade medicinal ingredients.

But for common ingredients or mid-to-high-grade materials, the auction house still had plenty, with a wide variety as well.

Thus, many people chose to come here to purchase medicinal ingredients.

"So many people!"

When they arrived outside the auction house, Qing Lin was stunned by the densely packed crowd.

As expected of the Gama Holy Capital. It really was incredible!

There had also been many people back in Stone Desert City.

But it was nowhere near as crowded as this!

"Let's go."

The two entered the auction house.

Several additional counters had even been set up specifically for selling medicinal ingredients.

Ning Su decided to buy a Medicinal Cauldron first—without one, his pill refining would be severely affected.

The area selling Medicinal Cauldrons had relatively few people.

One excellent cauldron after another stood displayed inside glass cases.

Some were imposing and domineering, suitable for male alchemists.

Others were small and exquisite, suitable for female alchemists.

Most were Second- or Third-Rank Medicinal Cauldrons, suited for Second-, Third-, and Fourth-Rank Alchemists.

The highest-grade one was a Fourth-Rank Medicinal Cauldron. Naturally, its price was not low—it cost a hundred thousand Gold Coins!

"This thing is really expensive!"

Ning Su felt the sting.

He still had money. When he left the Snake-People Race, he had taken quite a bit with him.

He could afford it, but he was reluctant to spend it.

Still, for the Spirit Fusion Pill, he had to part with it no matter how reluctant he was.

"Hello, are you looking to purchase a Medicinal Cauldron?"

At that moment, a soft and seductive voice sounded.

Ning Su looked up. A fragrant breeze wafted over him, and he saw a beautiful woman in a red qipao approaching.

Her graceful, alluring figure and lovely face were enough to make one's heart stir at first sight.

"I'm Ya Fei, an auctioneer here. Would you like me to introduce them to you?" The woman smiled charmingly, her perfectly measured allure inspiring endless fantasies.

There were many people in the auction house now, and everyone was running about in a frenzy.

Ya Fei had no choice but to come out and help as well.

"I'd like to take a look at that Medicinal Cauldron." Ning Su pointed at a Fourth-Rank Medicinal Cauldron.

Ya Fei was slightly surprised.

That was a Fourth-Rank Medicinal Cauldron, something only Fourth-Rank Alchemists generally had use for.

Could this young man be a Fourth-Rank Alchemist?