Helpless, Yet Envious

Looking at his slightly disheveled old father, Xiao Yan tilted his head in confusion.

"Father, what are you talking about?"

"The Xiao Family Disciples you supervised in training! Their combat ability is utterly outrageous!"

Xiao Zhan gripped Xiao Yan's shoulders and shook him back and forth, his eyes filled with shock.

Everyone in Wutan City knew that Gale Bi's son, Gale Ao, had been defeated by Xiao Yan. Naturally, Xiao Zhan had heard of it as well.

At the time, he had even laughed about it with the Three Elders. Regardless of Gale Ao's character, he was still a Dou Zhe, yet he could not even defeat his own son, who only had Three-stage Dou Zhi Li. What a complete waste.

Yet just now, after Xiao Zhan had accompanied the Xiao Family Disciples through their combat training, he had been utterly dumbfounded.

What the hell were these little brats???

None of them had even become Dou Zhes. With Xiao Zhan, a Da Dou Shi, acting as their sparring partner, it should have been effortless.

Yet in actual combat against the Xiao Family Disciples, Xiao Zhan had felt unimaginable pressure.

Their Dou Qi had indeed not reached the level of a Dou Zhe. There was no doubt about that.

But that speed! That strength! They were already comparable to high-level Dou Zhes! Xiao Mei, Xiao Xun'er, and several of the Clan's top-ranked members were even more terrifying. They made Xiao Zhan feel as though he were facing Dou Masters!

It was too terrifying!

When had the Xiao Family Disciples become this terrifying?!

"Outrageous?"

Hearing Xiao Zhan's words, Xiao Yan pinched his chin, a trace of confusion appearing in his eyes.

"I think it's pretty normal."

Hearing Xiao Yan speak so obliviously, Yao Chen in the Ring could not help but complain.

Not outrageous? He even thought it was normal?

You, with Three-stage Dou Zhi Li, knocked a One-star Dou Zhe flat in two moves, and you still thought that was normal?

And none of the girls and boys you trained were easy to deal with either. They went through that life-threatening training every day. If their combat ability were not strong, there would be no justice in the world.

"Forget it, I won't talk to you about it anymore. I need to go back and supervise their training."

Xiao Yan waved a hand dismissively, assuming his father was still groggy from sleep. He left Xiao Zhan standing there blankly. Remembering what Xiao Yan had just said, Xiao Zhan could not help falling into self-doubt.

Could it be that I, a Da Dou Shi, was actually just too weak?

Lost in thought, Xiao Zhan slowly left.

By evening, Xiao Yan dismissed the Xiao Family Disciples. Just as Xiao Mei and Xiao Xun'er were about to approach him, Xiao Yan vanished In a Flash, leaving the two little girls pouting in dissatisfaction.

After returning to his room, Xiao Yan tightly locked the door. Sitting at the table, he took out the Storage Ring Ya Fei had given him and poured out the medicinal ingredients one by one. Yao Chen also emerged from the Ring and inspected them.

"They are indeed the ingredients needed for Qi Gathering Powder, and all of them are of the highest quality."

Compared to Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid, Qi Gathering Powder was a relatively common formula. It was only natural that the corresponding ingredients could be prepared in advance.

"Hm?"

Xiao Yan raised a brow and Looked Towards some very familiar medicinal ingredients placed in a corner. He reached out and picked them up.

"These are the ingredients for Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid?"

"Ah~~~ So that's how it is." Yao Chen seemed to understand something. She lightly nodded while holding her beautiful chin. "That girl named Ya Fei must have guessed that bottle of Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid was originally meant for you to use yourself, but you had no choice but to sell it. Now she has proactively prepared all the ingredients for you, treating it as payment for asking us to refine Qi Gathering Powder, while also doing you a favor."

"But that day, the only thing I asked Sister Ya Fei for was the Wood Element Magic Core?" Xiao Yan was full of question marks.

"Wutan City is only so big, and you are the young master of the Xiao Family. You are somewhat famous here. A little inquiry at the market would reveal what you bought. Is that so difficult?"

Yao Chen glanced at her Disciple and sighed faintly inwardly.

Although Xiao Yan was indeed quite a good person, his brain sometimes did not work all that well.

"Uh..."

Xiao Yan awkwardly scratched his cheek. Gazing At the ingredients for Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid, a trace of warmth flowed through his heart.

If she did not truly value him, Ya Fei would never have gone this far for him.

"That girl is quite thoughtful. These ingredients can produce five bottles of Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid. That will be enough for you."

Yet Xiao Yan frowned slightly and spoke softly after a moment.

"It's still not enough."

"Not enough?! Do you plan to drink it?" Yao Chen shot Xiao Yan a look. "I told you, this stuff only works on those below the Dou Zhe level. With your talent, even three bottles would be excessive. How could it not be enough?"

"If it were only for myself, then it would indeed be enough."

Xiao Yan spoke slowly, and Yao Chen's brows began twitching wildly.

This Kid... he really thought about his family at every moment.

Although Yao Chen felt quite helpless, deep down, she was also so envious.

If someone like this had existed in her Clan back then, she would not have been driven out...

Yet although Xiao Yan wanted the Xiao Family Disciples to share in the benefits, Yao Chen was ultimately the one refining the medicine. Even as Yao Chen's Disciple, he should not have asked for too much.

But...

"Elder Yao, could you..."

"Enough. Whether we refine one bottle or ten bottles of Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid makes no difference to us. It will not take much effort." Yao Chen interrupted Xiao Yan and said grandly, "As long as there are enough ingredients, we will refine however many you want."

"Thank you, Elder Yao!"

Xiao Yan was overjoyed. Yao Chen lightly waved her hand, then raised her Jade Hand and lifted the ingredients for refining Qi Gathering Powder from the table into Mid-air. A wisp of pale white flame flickered at her fingertips.

"Let us help you, Kid, repay that favor first~"

Watching Yao Chen begin refining medicine, her peerlessly beautiful face carrying a focused expression, Xiao Yan could not help staring at her in a daze once again.

Half an hour later, Xiao Yan looked at the five Qi Gathering Powders lined up neatly on the table. Their luster was even more dazzling than the Qi Gathering Powder Nalan Yanran had given him that day. Amid his shock, he also formed a vague suspicion.

His teacher's alchemist rank might be even higher than that of Pill King Gu He, renowned throughout the Jia Ma Empire!

"Trouble grows with time. Such valuable items need to be delivered quickly."

Xiao Yan carefully stored the five Qi Gathering Powders in a bottle, pulled out the cloak from that day from his wardrobe, draped it over himself as before, and quietly left the Xiao Family.

After arriving at the Miter Auction House, he was granted an audience with Ya Fei following the guards' report.

"Little Brother Xiao Yan, what brings you to Sister?"

Ya Fei looked at Xiao Yan curiously. Could she have put the wrong ingredients into the Storage Ring?

"Five Qi Gathering Powders. My teacher has already refined them, so I brought them to Sister Ya Fei."

Xiao Yan handed the bottle containing the five Qi Gathering Powders to Ya Fei. Looking at the five emerald-green pills inside, Ya Fei's eyes were filled with astonishment.

She had seen Qi Gathering Powder before and knew what it looked like.

Thus, she could tell at a glance that these five pills were genuine Qi Gathering Powders, and their quality was unquestionably superb!

Even the Qi Gathering Powder refined by Pill King Gu He could not possibly possess such quality!

It had only been one afternoon, yet five Qi Gathering Powders of such quality had already been refined.

Just what level of alchemist was Little Brother Xiao Yan's teacher?!

Though inwardly shocked beyond measure, Ya Fei quickly composed herself. She reached out to take the bottle and smiled seductively.

"Little Brother truly did not disappoint Sister~"

As she had said before, Ya Fei would not ask a single word about matters she should not ask about, no matter how curious she was in her heart.

"Sister Ya Fei, I have another request."

"Go ahead, Little Brother. As long as Sister can manage it."

"It's... um..." Xiao Yan awkwardly scratched the side of his face. "Could you help me procure sixty more sets of ingredients for Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid?"

"Uh..."

Ya Fei was Stunned for a moment, and Xiao Yan immediately added.

"Of course, I'll pay for them!"

"Money is not the issue. Sister would not mind giving you these things for free." Ya Fei lightly waved her Jade Hand, her red lips moving as she spoke slowly. "The main problem is that supplies are insufficient. Purple Leaf Orchid Grass and Bone Washing Flower are manageable, but even first-tier Wood Element Magic Cores are difficult to find in such large numbers all at once."

"I see..."

Xiao Yan frowned slightly, and Ya Fei continued.

"However, you probably do not need so many all at once. I will first gather some for you from the Auction House, then Sister will find a way to transfer the rest from other Auction Houses."

"Then I'll have to trouble Sister Ya Fei." As Xiao Yan spoke, he took out the Black Gold Card. "Sister Ya Fei can deduct however much is needed directly from it."

Seeing the Black Gold Card Xiao Yan offered, Ya Fei was about to say something when Xiao Yan spoke first, blocking her words.

"Sister Ya Fei, your little brother knows of your kindness and is deeply grateful, but matters that should be kept separate must remain separate. I truly feel bad about continually taking advantage of Sister Ya Fei. At the very least, I should pay the necessary costs. Sister Ya Fei, please do not make things difficult for your little brother."

Xiao Yan spoke sternly with a serious expression. Ya Fei was stunned for a long while before finally smiling helplessly and reaching out to accept the Black Gold Card.

"Alright then. This Time, Sister will follow Little Brother's wishes."

"Mm." Seeing Ya Fei accept the Black Gold Card, Xiao Yan smiled and nodded. He pulled up his cloak again to conceal his face. "Sister Ya Fei, Xiao Yan will take his leave."

"Take care~~~"

Watching Xiao Yan leave, the smile on Ya Fei's face gradually faded. Her eyes remained fixed on the bottle containing Qi Gathering Powder in her hand.

"I should find a chance to give Little Brother a reminder..."

Ya Fei was now almost certain that Xiao Yan's teacher was absolutely an alchemist above Pill King Gu He.

If Xiao Yan's family had sufficient influence, it would have been one thing. Yet he came from nothing more than a tiny Clan in tiny Wutan City.

It would be fine if no one found out. But if word got out, it would likely bring endless trouble to the Xiao Family.

This favor was immense, but the consequences it brought were far beyond what the small Xiao Family could bear.

One careless misstep could bring catastrophic disaster upon the Xiao Family!

Although Ya Fei believed that with Xiao Yan's steady temperament, he had likely considered this as well.

But to be safe, Ya Fei still decided to find time to remind him.

After all, she truly valued Xiao Yan as her little brother.