Behind Jia Nan Academy:
A luan bird formed from the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame circled her fingertips.
Xiao Xun'er stroked the recording stone:
The image was frozen on the instant Crimson Flame had set Yan City ablaze.
The green-clad man had already shattered space and departed, replaced by a dark shadow beneath the stage.
Ling Ying, kneeling beneath the jade steps, broke out in a cold sweat:
"Three months, from Dou Qi to Dou Wang."
"Elder Ling."
Xun'er suddenly chuckled, faint ripples stirring in her pale golden eyes:
"With Brother Xiao Yan's talent, where do you think he would rank in the Ancient Realm?"
Ling Ying swallowed:
"According to the clan records, even those Young Masters possessing direct bloodlines..."
"Would not be able to compare to even a fraction of Young Master Xiao Yan's talent."
"Moreover, Young Master Xiao Yan does not have a Dou Di Bloodline to support him."
"Yet relying solely on himself, he has reached such a level. His future achievements are simply unimaginable."
His shocked voice carried a complicated undertone.
Even now, Ling Ying was still dumbfounded:
Back when Young Master Xiao Yan's strength had regressed, he had even tried to persuade the young lady.
A young master from a minor clan with such mediocre talent was not worth it at all.
Yet it had only been a short while, and Xiao Yan had soared straight from Dou Qi to Dou Wang.
Give him another half year, and he would probably be able to hang Ling Ying up and beat him!
Was he not worthy of her?
He was absolutely worthy!
His young lady and Young Master Xiao Yan were a match made in heaven!
A sharp glint flashed in Ling Yun's eyes as he spoke softly:
"Young Lady, Young Master Xiao Yan possesses such heaven-defying talent."
"If we could recruit him into the Ancient Clan, he would surely..."
"Shut up!"
Before he could finish, the golden flames abruptly surged.
The hem of Ling Ying's robe instantly turned to ash, and Xiao Xun'er's icy voice reached his ears:
"Brother Xiao Yan said he disdained joining any faction."
"Do not bring this matter up again!"
Ling Ying hurriedly acknowledged her order and lowered his head.
Xiao Xun'er clenched her small hand, longing filling her eyes as she gazed toward the rising sun on the horizon:
"Brother Xiao Yan, when we meet again..."
"When will that be?"
Her murmured words drifted far away, carried gently by the wind through the clouds to an unknown place.
Imperial Capital, Miter Auction House:
A soft breeze swept past the entrance.
Xiao Yan, Hai Bodong, and Xiao Yi Xian stopped before it:
"Elder Hai, are you sure I can take whatever medicinal ingredients I want from this Miter Auction House?"
Hai Bodong smiled lightly:
"Take whatever you need!"
Xiao Yan gave him a thumbs-up:
"Elder Hai, generous."
Hearing Xiao Yan's praise, Hai Bodong's lips unconsciously curled into a smile.
The three headed toward the entrance, but just as they drew close—
The two guards at the door stepped forward and glanced at Hai Bodong's unkempt appearance.
He wore nothing but a worn old robe.
"Stop! This is the Miter Auction House of the Imperial Capital!"
"Without an invitation, idle outsiders are not permitted inside!"
As soon as the shout rang out, Hai Bodong's face darkened.
Xiao Yan's amused, half-smiling gaze beside him—
Only made Hai Bodong lose more face.
I just finished showing off, and now you're making me stand outside?
"This auction house has become more and more unruly over the years!"
"Heh, old man, who are you trying to fool?"
"A place like this is not somewhere a person of your status should—"
Before the guard could finish mocking him, he lost the right to speak again.
Bang! Bang!
A freezing aura suddenly spread, and the guards at the entrance instantly became two ice sculptures.
Then they abruptly shattered!
Hai Bodong stepped over the ice fragments scattered across the ground and entered the auction house.
Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian followed close behind.
In the main hall, the crystal chandelier suddenly frosted over.
Ya Fei's red dress trailed across the floor as she hurried out:
"My lord, wait—"
The moment she stepped out, she froze at the threshold.
The gray-haired old man stood in the hall with his hands clasped behind his back, an icy Dragon Pattern flickering between his brows!
"Tell that old trash Mittel Tengshan to get out here!"
Hai Bodong flicked aside a guard trying to stop him.
His pressure made the crystal chandelier chime and rattle.
Ya Fei's heart tightened as she inwardly cursed.
But she had only just stepped forward and had yet to calm the old man—
When another furious roar rang out from the corridor on the other side!
Elder Leo charged out, his beard and hair bristling:
"Where did this old—"
Ice-blue Dou Qi formed into a dragon claw and clamped around his throat!
Pinning him to a gilded pillar!
He was finished the moment he appeared!
Terror flickered in Elder Leo's eyes as he looked up at Hai Bodong:
"A... a Dou Emperor expert!?"
The aura of a seven-star Dou Huang came crashing down like an avalanche from a snowy mountain!
Hiss! Hiss! Hiss!
The entire auction house was instantly frozen:
"After several decades apart, even the dogs of the Mittel Family dare bark at their master now?"
Crack!
The ceiling of the top floor burst open.
Mittel Tengshan hovered in the air with Fighting Wings spread behind him.
His eyes were filled with shock, his beard and hair trembling as he looked at that figure's back:
"E-Elder Hai?"
The icy dragon phantom that had once stormed the Misty Cloud Sect gradually overlapped with the figure before him.
Mittel Tengshan withdrew his Fighting Wings, landed on the ground, and respectfully bowed to Hai Bodong.
His voice was filled with excitement and agitation:
"Elder Hai, welcome back to the Imperial Capital!"
"With you here, the Mittel Family will surely rise to its peak once more!"
Hai Bodong sneered:
"I didn't expect you old bastard to still be alive."
Mittel Tengshan paid no heed to Hai Bodong's teasing tone.
He hurriedly bent over and led the way:
"Elder Hai, this is not a convenient place to talk. Let us go to the top floor."
On the top floor, Xiao Yan had Xiao Yi Xian choose some jewelry she liked.
Meanwhile, he and Hai Bodong followed Mittel Tengshan into the top-floor VIP room.
Mittel Tengshan excitedly spoke to Hai Bodong for a long while.
Only then did he turn his gaze toward Xiao Yan:
"Could this young friend be your newly accepted disciple?"
Tengshan turned to the black-robed youth, only to hear Hai Bodong sneer beside him:
"Disciple? You think too highly of me."
"I am not worthy of being his master."
As soon as Hai Bodong said this, Mittel Tengshan was startled.
Xiao Yan smiled faintly and removed his mask.
Revealing the young, even somewhat childish face beneath it.
The aura of a four-star Dou King, mixed with Spiritual Realm Soul Power, swept through the room.
That surging pressure even made Mittel Tengshan feel a fatal threat!
One had to know that he himself was also a Dou Wang!
"This junior is Yan Xiao, a Rank 5 Alchemist."
Those casual words exploded like thunder, and Tengshan's old face flushed red.
Overwhelmed with excitement, he hurriedly bowed:
"Master Xiao, I actually failed to notice your presence earlier."
"It was truly unforgivable!"
As he spoke, he suddenly tore off his elder's badge and presented it with both hands:
"If Master Xiao does not mind, the position of Chief Supporter of the Mittel Family—"
Hai Bodong kicked Mittel Tengshan away, badge and all:
"Cut that nonsense!"
"Your tiny little place cannot contain a true dragon!"
"Go and bring out the catalog of medicinal ingredients in the storeroom."
In the quiet room, Xiao Yan took a light sip of tea.
Setting down the cup, he fell into thought.
Although the Miter Auction House had many medicinal ingredients—
It did not have any substitute for the main ingredient of the Soul Merging Spirit Pill.
Setting down the catalog, Xiao Yan rose to his feet, and Hai Bodong immediately followed him.
Mittel Tengshan hurriedly said:
"Master Xiao, you have only recently arrived in the Imperial Capital and may not be familiar with it."
"If there is anything you need, I can handle it for you."
Xiao Yan waved a hand, his tone casual:
"It's nothing. I'm only going to take the Sixth-grade Alchemist Certificate exam."
"What!?"
Before you continue