Top floor of the Alchemist Guild:
Xiao Yan toyed with the Rank 5 Badge at his fingertips.
Two mere Rank 4 Alchemists did not have the authority to grant Rank 5 Alchemist qualifications.
This Rank 5 Badge had only been issued after Otto and Flank urgently sent word to Fama, the president of the Alchemist Guild.
It was proof of his newly granted qualifications.
Fama had even invited him in the letter to serve as a judge for the next Alchemist Convention.
But by then, he would probably already be in the Central Continent.
The gilded patterns on the badge flowed with dark golden light beneath the morning sun.
Otto's hands trembled as he held the pill box. The energy fluctuations emitted by the Ice Flame Meridian Opening Pill within:
Actually stirred the Dou Qi in his body.
With this pill, he dared guarantee that taking it would raise his cultivation by at least two minor realms!
"Master Xiao, are you truly unwilling to consider becoming a Guest Elder of our Alchemist Guild?"
"It would only be a title. You would not need to do anything."
Xiao Yan waved a hand.
"No need. I have no plans to join any faction."
Flank and Otto's hearts sank. Though they had expected this outcome.
A trace of disappointment still flashed through their eyes.
"Since that is the case, we will not force you."
"If you do not mind, Master."
Flank respectfully offered him a Black Crystal Card.
"The private room on the guild's top floor will always be reserved for you."
He looked at the Rank 5 Alchemist robe Xiao Yan wore.
The four silver lines embroidered on his sleeves now seemed so dim.
"If you have any need of us in the future—"
Xiao Yan casually tossed the badge to Xiao Yi Xian. She caught it and admired it in her palm.
"Forget about taking orders. I do need some information, though."
"Of course, Xiao will prepare sufficient compensation as well."
He lightly tapped the tabletop with a finger. The crisp sound made the hearts of the two Rank 4 Alchemists tremble.
"I wonder whether the Alchemist Guild—"
"Has any news of the Flame Spirit Fire Crystal?"
"The Flame Spirit Fire Crystal?"
The moment Xiao Yan spoke, Otto and Flank frowned at the same time.
They had heard of this material. It was a Heaven and Earth Treasure naturally nurtured by the world.
But its uses were limited, while the conditions for its birth were extraordinarily harsh.
As a result, its numbers were pitifully scarce.
Even their Alchemist Guild had no information about such a material.
Xiao Yi Xian suddenly tugged at Xiao Yan's sleeve. Her purple eyes reflected Otto's hesitant expression.
The old man was using Secret Sound Transmission to speak to Flank.
But to Xiao Yan and Old Yao's senses.
It was no different from loudly plotting in front of them.
"That madman... perhaps—"
Flank shot him a glare in response.
"Are you insane? With that old fossil's vile personality, aren't we just offending the Master?"
Before the two could reach a conclusion, Xiao Yan chuckled.
"If either of you has any leads, please do tell Xiao."
"I am determined to obtain this material, and I will reward you handsomely."
"I could even offer guidance through some alchemy bottlenecks, no ques—"
"Master, I know!"
Before Xiao Yan could finish, the two interrupted him eagerly.
What was the most precious thing to an alchemist?
Wealth meant nothing to them.
What mattered was the path to greater advancement!
If Xiao Yan was willing to guide them through their confusion and bottlenecks.
They might have a chance to advance further. They absolutely could not let this opportunity slip away!
"Fine. Lead the way."
The four hurried away. Within Black Rock City:
Everyone on the streets saw the alchemist badges on them and quickly kept their distance.
Xiao Yan split his attention in two, instructing the two alchemists beside him while simultaneously.
Communicating with Old Yao inside the ring.
"Teacher, what do you need me to find the Flame Spirit Fire Crystal for?"
Old Yao's voice carried solemnity in his mind.
"Kid, you are different from those who risk their lives absorbing Heavenly Flames."
"You do not need Spirit Absorption, nor do you need pills to protect your heart meridians."
"So I thought of another Rank 5 Spirit Pill, the Flame Devouring Spirit Pill."
"This pill can greatly stimulate the Heavenly Flame, and you will gain even greater benefits after merging with it."
"But when ordinary people merge with Heavenly Flames, they desperately try to weaken their power."
"Yet in your case, you are strengthening it instead."
"Still, no matter what, this remains extremely dangerous. In other people's eyes, it could even be considered suicide."
"In the end, the decision is yours."
Xiao Yan did not hesitate at all.
"Teacher, if I want to grow stronger, I have to pay something."
Old Yao did not reply from within the ring. He merely smiled with a trace of gratification.
Two incense sticks' worth of time later:
After passing through three dark alleys filled with Soul Bewildering Arrays, the three stopped before a three-story building covered in withered vines.
Otto took out a bronze token and pressed it against the door knocker. The wooden door slowly opened.
The four went straight up to the third floor.
"Otto! Flank! You two old bastards came uninvited again!"
"And you even brought two little brats?"
Otto stiffened.
"Old Drunkard!"
"This Master is a Rank 5 Alchemist."
"He has come to trade for something. Show some respect!"
Before Otto could finish, the pungent stench of alcohol cut him off.
Gute swept his gaze over Xiao Yan's youthful face, sneered, and waved a hand.
"Get lost. Go back wherever you came from!"
"Do not come here to amuse yourselves when you have nothing better to do."
Xiao Yan glanced at him and calmly took out a bottle of Companion Purple Crystal Source.
He gently opened it, and an unusual fragrance instantly filled the entire wooden building.
A sharp light instantly burst from Gute's eyes, and his voice immediately lost its composure.
"This... this is..."
"Companion Purple Crystal Source!?"
He abruptly rushed forward and reached for the bottle in Xiao Yan's hand.
But Xiao Yan merely raised his hand slightly and evaded him.
"Twenty drops of Companion Purple Crystal Source for one Flame Spirit Fire Crystal."
"Do you have one here?"
Gute retreated to the counter, his eyes full of desire as they stared at the Companion Purple Crystal Source.
"You want a Flame Spirit Fire Crystal?"
"I do have one!"
"But twenty drops? Do you take me for a beggar?"
He spat out a mouthful of wine froth and held up three fingers.
"At least thirty drops."
"Heh, you—"
"Deal."
Xiao Yan could not be bothered to haggle with him.
They were merely resources he did not have much use for anyway.
Yet Gute was stunned. When he recovered, he immediately waved his hands.
"No, no, no. Thirty drops is too little. Too little."
"At least thirty-five drops!"
Flank and Otto frowned. Even Xiao Yi Xian looked at him with displeasure.
Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes, his voice carrying a strange note.
"Fine."
"No, no, no. Forty! Forty drops!"
Greed filled Gute's eyes. He had seen through it as well.
Xiao Yan desperately needed the Flame Spirit Fire Crystal, so he had to fleece him properly!
"Enough, you old bastard!"
"Know when to stop!"
The moment Gute said that, Flank, Otto, and Xiao Yi Xian were completely enraged.
Xiao Yan was the person they had brought here, yet Gute was making such outrageous demands right in front of them.
How could the two of them show their faces before the Master after this?
Even Xiao Yi Xian's gaze turned icy, poison mist slowly rising in her hand.
"The way you do business is a little too unscrupulous, isn't it?"
But Gute sneered, looking utterly fearless.
"Scrupulous? Heh!"
"These are my rules!"
"You had better understand the situation. You are the ones asking me for something!"
"Trade or don't trade. If you won't, then get lost!"
"Let me tell you this: in the several cities around here—"
"I am the only one with Flame Spirit Fire Crystals in stock!"
The moment Gute said this, anger surged through the three.
Xiao Yi Xian could barely stop herself from attacking.
But Xiao Yan gently took her hand at that moment.
Xiao Yi Xian turned her head in astonishment and saw the brilliant smile on Xiao Yan's face.
Heh, looks like my luck is pretty good today.
Not only did I get a Flame Spirit Fire Crystal for free, I even got a batch of Heaven and Earth Treasures thrown in.
The Dark Gold Flame exploded with a roar!
With a BOOM, the Heavy Black Ruler embedded itself in the floor.
"You do not actually think I would follow a robber's rules, do you?"
"Or do you think I am some easygoing fool to be taken advantage of?"
The four wings behind Xiao Yan spread like blades, while a vortex formed from Heavenly Flames swirled around his body.
"I understand your rules now."
"Then listen to mine. The third time someone tries to haggle—"
"I cut off their hand!"
Before you continue