Heading to the Imperial Capital, Xun'er!

"Bam!"

"What are you doing?!"

The plate of pastries in Xiao Yi Xian's hands crashed to the floor, shattering.

Purple mist surged out uncontrollably.

At that moment, the fire pattern on Medusa's neck suddenly flared, seven-colored light wrapping around her seductive figure.

In Xiao Yan's arms, she shrank back into her snake form.

"Xiao Yan!"

A flush of shame and anger spread across Xiao Yi Xian's face.

She rushed toward Xiao Yan, raising her little fist.

But then a force seized her waist.

The warmth of the Queen's waist still lingered on the youth's palm.

He turned, yet his arm precisely caught the purple-clad girl's slender waist.

Xiao Yi Xian, who had just charged over ready to strike, froze stiff.

Xiao Yan's gaze wavered, but he still spoke with a light laugh:

"Wait, Xiao Yi Xian, listen to my explanation!"

"Actually, I was just fighting with Medusa!"

"Definitely not flirting or anything—do you believe me?"

Feeling the warmth at her waist, Xiao Yi Xian's face reddened slightly.

But by now, she was starting to get a little used to it.

He immediately put on a stern face, his small features frosting over:

"Do you think I believe that? And besides..."

"In this situation, you still dare to touch me?"

"You heartless man! You're just—"

The moment her cherry lips were sealed, a wet sensation spread between them.

Abruptly, the damp feeling soaked into her mouth.

In Xiao Yi Xian's wide, beautiful eyes, the mischievous glint dancing in the youth's gaze was reflected.

Until the Seven-Colored Snake, curiosity flickering in its pupils, coiled around both their heads again.

Only then did Xiao Yan part his lips, smiling:

"Isn't it just one more?"

"You're number two, you know, my fiancée?"

"Whenever you want, I'm yours."

"But you're both my wings."

"I'm selflessly devoted, belonging to the gre—"

"Slap!"

His arm dropped!

Xiao Yi Xian pushed Xiao Yan away, her flushed face radiating wisps of heat.

Her eyes shimmered with mist:

"You... you're so sudden again!"

"Hmph, I'll settle this with you later!"

With those shy words, Xiao Yi Xian fled the room in a fluster.

Xiao Yan gently touched his left cheek, then suddenly laughed:

"She didn't even put much force into it."

"Bam!"

Just as Xiao Yan was feeling relieved, a heavy blow struck the back of his head.

Old Yao raised his hand and smacked him there:

"You little brat, back in my day, I never dared to be this reckless!"

Xiao Yan rubbed the back of his head, then suddenly turned to Old Yao:

"Teacher, that just proves..."

"You weren't up to it!"

"Good lad! Stop right there!"

The morning sun pierced through the clouds.

At the Desert Iron Mercenary Group's encampment in the dawn mist, Xiao Ding was wiping dew off his longspear.

Suddenly, a familiar, clear laugh rang out from the air:

"Big brother, that spear of yours is way too old. Time for an enchanted upgrade!"

On the bluestone-paved square.

Dozens, even hundreds of pill bottles were neatly arranged.

A rich Pill Fragrance seeped through the gaps in the bottle caps.

The very air of the square made one feel refreshed and at ease.

Xiao Li picked up a bottle of Fourth-grade Ice Heart Pill. The flame patterns on the pill's surface had actually solidified into something tangible:

"Xiao Yanzi, I really can't figure this out."

"You couldn't even roast a wild chicken properly—how the hell did you learn to refine medicine?"

"Did you learn your alchemy from the Kitchen God?"

Hai Bodong leaned against the wall, gnawing on a watermelon.

Cold air radiated from his hand, instantly chilling the melon to a crisp, refreshing bite:

"This kid, even roasting scorpions in the desert gives off Pill Fragrance."

Xiao Ding cradled a pile of unknown pills in his arms.

His face was still dazed.

He was only a Dou Master, after all.

Yet here came your brother, the one everyone used to look down on.

He waltzes over and hands you a stack of pills that let you breeze through to Dou Ling, or even a low-level Dou King.

Wouldn't you be stunned?

He looked at Xiao Yan, a bit at a loss:

"Xiao Yanzi, isn't this too..."

"Oh, right, take this batch back to Father."

"And this pile is for the clan."

Before he could finish, another heap of bottles and jars landed in his arms.

Xiao Ding quickly steadied himself, nearly dropping the pill bottles:

"..."

He shut up now, afraid his little brother might pull out another stack of pills.

The melon-eating Hai Bodong wasn't left out either. He'd just swallowed a mouthful of fruit.

When a dozen bottles of third- and fourth-grade pills landed in his arms:

"Elder Hai, these throat lozenges are for the road."

Hai Bodong: ...

He said nothing, just suddenly tilted his head up at a 45-degree angle, staring at the sky.

He suddenly felt:

Helping Xiao Yan and staying by his side was the best decision he'd ever made in his life!

Absolutely:

Profits through the roof!!!

After resting one night at the Desert Iron Mercenary Group's encampment, the three set off again:

On the back of the Flying Magical Beast, Xiao Yan sat cross-legged at its center.

He unfolded an antique envelope in his hand.

The signature read—Fama of the Alchemist Guild:

Master Xiao, this year's Alchemist Convention will open two years early.

The competition will officially commence soon.

If you can come to serve as a judge, the Alchemist Guild would be deeply honored!

Xiao Yan was toying with the tail of the Seven-Colored Snake.

After reading the letter, he raised an eyebrow lightly:

"This is a Seventh-tier Beast Fire dug up from some relic."

The reason the Alchemist Convention was convened early:

It was precisely because the Alchemist Guild discovered one in a relic.

A Seventh-tier Beast Fire on the verge of dissipating due to improper preservation.

Extremely suitable for low-rank alchemists to absorb—no need for high cultivation.

If one could refine it into their natal flame and slowly temper it over time, It would eventually return to the Seventh-tier level.

In the eyes of every alchemist, this was a supreme treasure.

"Just a mere Seventh-tier Beast Fire, and one about to dissipate at that."

"Holding it up so high, is this all the convention champion amounts to?"

Beside him, Hai Bodong stumbled, his mouth twitching:

"Xiao Yan, are your standards that high?"

"This is a Seventh-tier Beast..."

He stopped mid-sentence, suddenly remembering:

This brat before him was a freakish monster who possessed three entire Strange Fires.

A single Seventh-tier Beast Fire meant nothing to him.

"Sigh, I'm getting old, old!"

"Staying around a monster like you has my worldview crumbling."

Xiao Yi Xian sat beside Xiao Yan, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him:

He truly was too outstanding!

"A Seventh-tier Beast Fire, huh."

Old Yao's phantom appeared, gazing at the Imperial Capital's outline beneath the clouds:

"Your Fen Jue has already advanced to Earth Rank High. This Beast Fire really won't do much."

As the Flying Magical Beast tore through the clouds and descended toward the Imperial Capital, Sunlight at that moment pierced through Jia Nan Academy's sky.

Jia Nan Academy, back mountain:

Xiao Xun'er crushed a Message Jade Slip with her jade-like fingers, pale golden flames swirling in her eyes.

Ripples spread through space:

A man in green robes abruptly appeared before Xiao Xun'er.

Kneeling on one knee, he projected Ling Ying's report into the void:

--The Young Master fought two Emperors alone at Yan City, molten fire scorching the heavens.

--Rode together with a violet-eyed girl, intimate in manner.

--Subjugated Queen Medusa, shared a bed.

"Brother Xiao Yan."

"You really do give Xun'er surprises..."

The usually aloof Imperial Daughter of the Ancient Clan spoke with a hint of gritted teeth in her tone:

Her emerald skirt fluttered without wind, and her cascading black hair shimmered with pale golden light.

The green-robed man kneeling below twitched at the corner of his eye.

The noble Imperial Daughter of the Ancient Clan, moved to such depths for a young master from a minor family:

"Miss, do you need me to act—"

"Shut up. No one is to touch him!"

Her authoritative voice fell, and Xiao Xun'er turned her gaze to the distant sky:

"No matter what Brother Xiao Yan does,"

"He will forever hold the most important place in my heart..."