Alchemy Failure

The next morning, Xiao Tian woke up, went out for a stroll, then made a trip to the Miter Auction House. Ya Fei had obtained a Third Grade Pill formula for him: the Qi Recovery Pill. "Qi Recovery Pill: After consumption, it can rapidly restore Dou Qi."

Xiao Tian said, "Thanks. Just deduct the gold coins yourself," and handed the card to Ya Fei.

Ya Fei said, "No need. Consider it an investment from your big sister."

Xiao Tian said, "A dowry? That's way too little. Your family is so rich—how about getting me a few Fourth or Fifth Grade Pill formulas?" Ya Fei flushed with embarrassment and anger at his words. "Go die!!"

Xiao Tian smiled. "I'm heading back to learn alchemy. Bye!"

Xiao Tian returned home and began learning to refine Third Grade Pills. He prepared ten sets of ingredients, then shut himself away to focus on alchemy.

Two days later, he still could not successfully refine one. "Lazy system. Crappy System. Er Gou Zi! Get out here! Damn it, what's going on?!"

"Stupid host, did you think becoming an Alchemist was that easy? You're not even a Dou Master yet, and you're already trying to refine a Third Grade Pill?" the system's icy voice rang out.

"Damn it, why didn't you say so earlier?! You made me waste so much time!" Xiao Tian said awkwardly. "Did you ask me? So stupid! Stupid host, you're beyond saving. This system is going offline. You'll lower my IQ!"

Xiao Tian looked helplessly at the pile of medicinal dregs he had refined. After two days, his confidence had been crushed beyond measure. Sigh... screw it. I should just go cultivate!

Meanwhile, Xiao Yan endured Old Yao's hellish training, cultivating tirelessly every day to improve himself. (When Xiao Tian passed by, he saw Xiao Yan cultivating diligently. Xiao Tian had to admit that he admired Xiao Yan's ability to endure hardship. Unfortunately, some things were destined. They could not become brothers, because they both needed Heavenly Flames. If it could not be avoided, then battle was only a matter of time. Shaking his head, Xiao Tian felt it was too early to think about such things, and headed toward the place where he usually cultivated.)

Xiao Tian did not dwell on it any longer. It seemed Xiao Yan had been mocked too severely, which was why he had begun cultivating with such determination. He was probably hoping to rise to a higher level at the coming-of-age ceremony.

But none of that had anything to do with Xiao Tian. He could not even say what his relationship with Xiao Yan was now. At most, they were merely two clan members who rarely spoke.

That was right. Xiao Tian did not want to become enemies with Xiao Yan yet, because he was still weak. Xiao Yan had an old grandpa and Xiao Zhan behind him! Xiao Tian only had a fake system! How could they compare?!

Thus, Xiao Tian decided to keep his head down and develop quietly. He could not act recklessly. Right now, he needed to be a good boy!! Cultivating peacefully was what truly mattered.

That evening, when he returned home, he found Xiao Xun'er waiting outside his door. He walked over with a smile. "Do you need something? You were waiting here for me?"

Xiao Xun'er said, "Can't I see you if there's nothing wrong?"

Xiao Tian laughed. "Don't you know that being too clingy with a man lowers your value?" Xiao Xun'er blushed at once. "Hmph! Who's being clingy with you? Shameless!"

"You should just tell me what you need," Xiao Tian said. Xun'er said, "Can you go shopping with me tomorrow?" Xiao Tian said, "I can consider it if you kiss me." Xiao Xun'er said, "Ah! Why are you so annoying?" As she spoke, she walked over and was about to give Xiao Tian a quick kiss on the cheek.

Xiao Tian turned his face, reached out, and pulled the still undeveloped little Xun'er into his arms. Their lips met. Xun'er felt Xiao Tian's tongue sweeping through her mouth, and her entire body went soft as she obediently responded in his embrace.

Before a house beneath the moonlight, a young man and woman kissed passionately without any attempt to hide. After a while, Xiao Tian finally released Xiao Xun'er. If this continued, he feared he would no longer be able to control his desire. After Xiao Xun'er was released—

Her little face was burning hot. Covering it with her hands, she ran away, calling out as she fled, "Bad guy, you big bad guy! And don't forget what you promised Xun'er!" Then she quickly vanished from Xiao Tian's sight.

At first, Xiao Tian had not found Xiao Xun'er particularly alluring. But when he kissed her today and saw her tender, flushed little face and shy expression, she was truly breathtaking. He had originally only wanted to leave Xiao Yan with one fewer powerful supporter in the future, but now things had gotten out of hand!

Forget it. The more debts you have, the less you worry. What's there to fear about having more women? I just can't take her completely. If I sleep with her, forget Gu Yuan—even Ling Ying won't let me off. Hiss... time to sleep. After all, I promised to go shopping with the young lady tomorrow. I'm really busy!

The next day, Xiao Tian got up for his appointment with Xun'er and prepared to accompany her shopping. The moment he stepped outside, he saw Xiao Xun'er waiting at the door. Xiao Tian smiled. "Are you afraid you won't be able to get married in the future? Other women make men wait for them, so why is it the other way around with you? You should know that being late is a woman's privilege."

Xiao Xun'er trembled at his words. She remembered that whenever she had invited Xiao Yan out to play in the past, she had always been the one waiting for him, yet she had never heard anything like this from him. Xiao Tian, however, had specifically told her this. Xiao Xun'er smiled. "Thank you."

Xiao Tian looked confused. "What are you thanking me for?"

Xiao Xun'er said, "Nothing. Then from now on, I'll make you wait for me by coming out late!"

Xiao Tian said, "Sure. I don't mind."

Xiao Xun'er snorted. "All right, stop wasting time. Let's go have fun at the market."

"Okay, let's go!" The two headed toward the Xiao Family Market and ran into a Xiao Family guard, Pei En, a Six-Star Dou Zhe.

Pei En said, "Miss Xun'er, Young Master Xiao Tian, are the two of you here to have fun?"

Xiao Xun'er said, "Of course. Why else would we be here? You don't need to follow us. We don't need protection."

Pei En said, "Yes. After all, Xiao Tian is far stronger than I am! He is the Xiao Family's monstrous genius."

After that, the two began wandering around. They bought things here and looked around there in the Xiao Family Market. Naturally, Xiao Tian paid for everything. Xun'er did not lack money, but she was still very happy to have someone pay the bills, carry her things, and accompany her as they shopped.

After wandering around for a while, Xiao Xun'er said, "Let's go get something to eat."

"Sure." Xiao Tian did not mind. Just as the two were about to leave, Jia Lie'ao, the young master of the Jia Lie Family, stepped out and said, "Greetings, Miss Xun'er. Seeing you truly is better than hearing of you! I've long heard that Miss Xun'er is the greatest beauty in Wutan City!"

Just as Xun'er was about to speak, Xiao Tian said, "There's no need to waste saliva on a cockroach. Let's go."

Jia Lie'ao said, "Who are you? Do you know who I am?" Xiao Tian said, "Who the hell are you, and what does that have to do with me?"

"I'm the eldest young master of the Jia Lie Family! Leave Xun'er now, and I won't hold it against you! Otherwise, hmph hmph!" Jia Lie'ao said.

Xiao Tian looked at him as though he were an idiot. "I don't even feel like hitting you. Get lost."

"You... brat, I'm a One-Star Dou Practitioner! How dare you speak to me like that? What's your name?" Jia Lie'ao roared.

"Grandson, listen well. Your grandpa's name is Xiao Tian."

"Xiao Tian??" Jia Lie'ao sucked in a breath. He remembered that this was the legendary monster of the Xiao Family, an Eight-Star Dou Practitioner who was not even fifteen! He immediately cowered and turned to leave, but looked back as he went. "Just you wait!"

Xiao Xun'er glared at Jia Lie'ao in displeasure. You're courting death! If you dare touch Brother Xiao Tian, I'll wipe out your entire family. Xiao Tian took hold of Xun'er's pouting hand. "Why bother with a cockroach? Let's go!" Xiao Xun'er nodded and followed Xiao Tian.

That evening, when Xiao Xun'er and Xiao Tian parted ways, she said, "Brother Xiao Tian, I've decided to go to Jia Nan Academy!" Xiao Tian said, "Hm? Why? Jia Nan Academy probably cannot provide better resources than your clan."

Xiao Xun'er said, "But if I go there, I can be with Brother Tian!"

Xiao Tian said, "I'm going out to gain experience. I'll go to Jia Nan Academy eventually, but I don't know when, so you don't need to wait for me there. Once I become strong, I'll go to the Gu Clan to find you. I more or less understand your situation too. So go back and cultivate peacefully!"

Xiao Xun'er said, "All right. Then work hard, Brother Xiao Tian. Xun'er will wait for you!"

Xiao Tian said, "Mm, I understand."

Xiao Xun'er said, "After the coming-of-age ceremony, I think it will be time for us to part. Brother Xiao Tian, I have a Dou Technique for you." As she spoke, she took out the Gu Clan's Emperor Seal Art. "You can only learn the first skill once you reach the Dou Wang realm. Don't give it to anyone else, and unless you're in danger, don't use it carelessly."

Xiao Tian smiled and did not refuse. He took it and stored it in his storage ring. "Thanks. This little girl really is too extravagant. She's giving me even the Gu Clan's inherited Dou Technique, hehe!" Xun'er said, "Brother Tian doesn't need to thank me!" Xiao Tian said, "All right, then I won't stand on ceremony."

For the following period, the two went shopping and chatted every day. Their days passed happily like that, until the day of the coming-of-age ceremony.