Yaoye's Gift

Alchemists were undoubtedly the most sought-after profession on the Dou Qi Continent today, their status exalted to an almost absurd degree.

A high-tier alchemist possessed terrifying influence and was an honored guest in any faction.

Take Pill King Gu He of the Jia Ma Empire, for example. He was only a sixth-tier alchemist, yet the Misty Cloud Sect valued him immensely. His status was extraordinary; even Great Elder Yun Leng and Yun Yun, who possessed Dou Huang strength, treated him with great courtesy.

Then there was Xiao Huohuo, the Son of Destiny. If he had not taken Yao Chen as his master and raced all the way down the Path of Alchemy, his growth would never have been so rapid.

In short, Chen Guan was tempted.

More skills never hurt. Who would mind having another sought-after ability?

But tempted as he was, there were quite a few problems before him. He did not even know whether he possessed the Wood Attribute or whether his Soul Strength met the requirements.

Then there was the fact that becoming an alchemist required no small investment in the early stages, demanding countless resources.

Given his relationship with Yaoye, the royal family might be willing to support him if he met the standards. But if that happened, the favor he owed would truly be difficult to repay.

Having recognized his true thoughts, Chen Guan temporarily suppressed the urge to immediately get into alchemy. He could wait for another opportunity. He had to keep his priorities straight; for now, improving his strength remained the most important thing.

His exceptional talent was his advantage. If he failed to raise his strength, then as someone without a background, it would be difficult for him to compete with Xiao Yan in the future. All those opportunities he knew about in advance would become nothing but empty dreams.

They were both transmigrators. Who would willingly become someone else's backdrop?

"Hey, what are you spacing out for? Were you even listening to me?"

Yaoyue's dissatisfied voice rang out. She did not realize that ever since she had voiced the reason, more than half the gloom in her heart had already dissipated.

Chen Guan came back to his senses and transformed into a considerate big brother, a warm smile on his face. "Of course I was listening. Actually, I think your problem is very simple. Failing today's assessment wasn't because you lacked ability. On the contrary, I believe you're absolutely a little alchemy genius in the Jia Ma Empire. You just performed poorly. Maybe you were nervous during the assessment."

"If you don't know how to tell your sister and grandfather, then don't tell them for now. Your sister is so busy that there's no telling whether she'll even remember. In a couple of days, you can take the assessment again and pass it. Wouldn't that solve everything?"

It seemed like he was leading a child astray, but Yaoyue believed him. No one knew better than her how busy Yaoye was every day. Though she was only a few years older, she always acted like an adult.

If Yaoyue did not say anything, Yaoye might really forget.

Chen Guan thought she was such an innocent child. The imperial capital was only so big; by the time she walked out of the Alchemist Guild, Yaoye had probably already received a report. Still, he did not shatter her illusion.

"But can I really pass the assessment next time?"

"You definitely can. You need to have confidence in yourself. You're the Little Princess of the royal family, so you should be even more confident. Failing once or twice isn't frightening, nor is it shameful. Refusing to face failure and fearing it—that is true failure!"

"I really like a saying I once heard, and I'll give it to you today. Life is like a starfruit, full of sharp edges, but we shouldn't only look at its imperfect side. Look at it from another angle, and you'll see that shining star. Do you understand?"

Being a few years older, Chen Guan felt it was necessary to guide Little Pufferfish toward a proper outlook on life. He promptly fed her two huge bowls of motivational soup.

The effect was remarkable. Yaoyue had completely lost her earlier dejection. Her Big Eyes shone with spirit, and she clenched her little fists with boundless enthusiasm. If she were put in a screw factory, she could probably work furiously for twenty-four hours without catching her breath.

"I understand. Thank you, Chu Yuxun! I'm going to make pills now. I'll come play with you next time."

Yaoyue became very happy and ran out through the gates Without Looking Back, full of energy.

Chen Guan found it rather amusing. He stood up, just about to return, when Yaoyue's little head suddenly poked back in through the doorway.

"I have one more question."

"Oh?"

"What is a starfruit?"

"..."

The night passed without incident.

The Next Day, Chen Guan emerged from his cultivation state. He went out early and headed straight for the entrance to the training area. After taking a token from his storage ring and showing it, he made his way toward Yaoye's palace.

As someone special enough to call Yaoye Sister Yaoye, he naturally had certain privileges.

In fact, Yaoye had wanted him to move out and live on his own. She would even arrange for a squad leader who was an Eight-Star Da Dou Shi to guide his cultivation and answer his questions.

Chen Guan did not want to attract too much attention, so he politely declined the arrangement. Yan Hongtao was also a Da Dou Shi, enough to solve minor issues. As for problems Yan Hongtao could not solve, an Eight-Star Da Dou Shi would likely be no help either. There was simply no need.

Besides that, Chen Guan had also asked Yaoye to keep his affairs secret and not spread them around, lest unnecessary trouble arise.

Yaoye readily agreed and even specially exempted him from taking this assessment.

The royal family was happy to see Chen Guan keeping a low profile. That way, other factions had less chance of poaching him, and they had plenty of time to deepen their bond with him.

When Chen Guan arrived before Yaoye's palace, the guards at the entrance recognized him before he could even present his token.

"Young Master Chen, there's no need to trouble yourself. The Eldest Princess has already given orders. If you come, you may enter directly. Treat this place like your own home. This subordinate will inform the Eldest Princess."

Treat it like his own home?

Chen Guan felt somewhat emotional. When he had first arrived on the Dou Qi Continent, he had not even had a place to shelter from the wind and rain. Now, he could treat the Imperial Palace as his own home.

Reborn on the Dou Qi Continent, Living Off a Woman? "Thank you for the trouble."

After politely responding, Chen Guan stepped into the magnificently constructed palace.

To be fair, the royal family was certainly more lavish than the Misty Cloud Sect in this regard. But a sect and a nation could not really be compared like that; their natures were different.

He paused before an artificial mountain to admire the scenery for a moment. Soon, footsteps sounded behind him. Yaoye had arrived.

"Tsk, tsk. Ever since I parted with a certain brat last time, I haven't seen him again. I thought that brat no longer recognized me as his sister."

Seeing the teasing smile on Yaoye's face, Chen Guan looked slightly embarrassed.

"Sister Yaoye, please don't make fun of me. I've been immersed in Bitter Cultivation these past few days. I advanced to Dou Zhe last night, so I came early this morning to share this good news with you."

"Hmph, who knows? Hm? Did you say you've already broken through?"

Yaoye was still teasing him, but once she processed his words, her expression froze. Her eyes widened in shock.

Chen Guan nodded and stirred the dou qi within his body, releasing his aura. "Of course I wouldn't deceive Sister Yaoye."

With the facts laid before her, Yaoye had no choice but to believe him.

Only after taking several deep breaths did Yaoye fully accept it. She could not help sighing. "You really are a Little Monster. You gave me quite a fright."

A nine-year-old Dou Zhe! She truly believed what Jia Xingtian had said back then. She was also glad that he had entered the Imperial Palace and that the two of them had a good relationship.

As she led Chen Guan on a stroll through the palace, Yaoye pondered for a moment and quickly made a decision.

"Now that you've become a Dou Zhe, you can formally begin cultivating techniques and dou skills. The path of the strong begins here. With your talent, it won't do for you to cultivate the Spirit Crossing Art. If others find out in the future, they might think your sister misled a student and buried a talent."

"You have the Fire Attribute, and the royal family has quite a few Fire Attribute techniques and dou skills in its collection. Wait here for your sister a moment. I'll prepare a gift for you."

After arranging Chen Guan in a pavilion, Yaoye hurried away. She returned in less than the time it took to drink a cup of tea, taking out three booklets from her storage ring and handing them to him.

"What these three booklets record is basically ninety-eight percent of the royal family's collection. They all come with brief introductions. One contains techniques, one contains dou skills, and the other contains movement techniques. You may choose one from each."

"It isn't that your sister is being stingy. Cultivating dou skills isn't simple and requires a great deal of effort. If your mind isn't settled, it's easy to learn too many things without mastering any of them. Once you've fully mastered them, your sister will give you others."

The three booklets were not heavy, but they felt weighty in Chen Guan's hands.

"Sister Yaoye."

"Yes?"

"How about... I call you Mother?"

"..."