How About You Touch It a Couple More Times?

Seeing the three elders' puzzled yet delighted gazes, Xiao Zhan's eyes flashed with a barely perceptible hint of mischief. In the end, he cleared his throat.

"Speaking of which, it's quite a coincidence. This alchemy master can be considered one of our own—his surname is Xiao as well."

"His name is... Xiao Yan!"

"Xiao is a good surname, Xiao is good. In that case, we can—"

Upon hearing that the mysterious alchemist was surnamed Xiao, the three elders exchanged glances and prepared to respond with broad smiles. Yet when they heard Xiao Zhan's final words, the smiles on their faces abruptly froze.

"X-Xiao Yan?"

The three elders looked at one another again. Finally, the Grand Elder could not help opening his mouth. His throat felt dry as he looked at Xiao Zhan and said, "Clan Leader, are you referring to your youngest son, Xiao Yan—the most gifted youth of our Xiao Family?"

"That is indeed my son."

Xiao Zhan nodded, trying his utmost to suppress his smile, yet he failed to notice that the corners of his mouth had nearly reached his ears.

"Not long ago, when Yan'er was breaking through to become a Dou Zhe, he happened to encounter a high-ranking alchemist on our Xiao Family's Back Mountain. Seeing that Yan'er possessed good talent, that alchemist directly accepted him as a Personal Disciple."

Xiao Zhan recited the explanation he had prepared in advance.

"My heavens!"

The three elders revealed horrified expressions, and they even felt their minds grow faintly dizzy.

If Xiao Yan becoming a Dou Zhe at eleven could only be considered extraordinarily rare in the Jia Ma Empire—something that might produce only one or two people in an entire generation—then becoming an alchemist at twelve was utterly unheard of.

Even Pill King Gu He had only truly become an alchemist at the age of nineteen.

"Our Xiao Family is truly going to prosper this time!"

The Grand Elder suddenly dropped onto the ground, tears faintly welling in his old eyes.

Though these three elders had their own selfish motives, their loyalty to the family was genuine. Hearing that the family was about to produce an unparalleled genius, they were naturally overwhelmed with excitement.

Moreover, once Xiao Yan rose to prominence, old fellows like them would get to share in the benefits as well.

Gu He had become an alchemist at nineteen and was now a Sixth Grade Alchemist. Xiao Yan had become an alchemist at twelve—what kind of achievements would he attain in the future?

Seventh Grade?

As for the even higher Eighth and Ninth Grades, these old fellows did not even dare imagine them. To them, such figures existed only in legends.

Hehe, if you old fellows knew that Yan'er had also received the inheritance of my Xiao Tribe's ancestors, you'd probably faint on the spot.

Watching the three old men's excited appearances, Xiao Zhan could not help laughing inwardly, completely forgetting that he had not been much better than them the previous night.

As for the Xiao Tribe, someone as steady as him naturally would not reveal even half a word to others.

Even so, after learning that Xiao Yan possessed alchemist talent, the three elders, who had already attached great importance to him, raised that importance to the utmost extreme.

That very day, the family's highest-ranking members swiftly scraped together a full five hundred thousand Gold Coins and directly purchased a Third Grade Cauldron worth three hundred thousand Gold Coins through Ya Fei.

In their eyes, given Xiao Yan's talent, he might become a Third Grade Alchemist within a few years. This money was not merely invested in Xiao Yan, but in the family's future.

If the Xiao Family truly produced another Pill King, what did this little money amount to?

"Clan Leader, you only said that alchemist was of a high grade at the time, but what grade exactly is he?"

After the Cauldron had been bought and three hundred thousand spent, the Grand Elder suddenly remembered to ask about this matter.

"Uh, at least Fourth Grade or above, I suppose. That old gentleman is far too mysterious and refuses to see anyone except Yan'er. The only reason I know any of this is because Yan'er told me."

Xiao Zhan spread his hands helplessly, then casually added, "Oh, and that Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid that caused such a commotion when it was sold some time ago was also that old gentleman's work."

"Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid!"

A Fourth Grade Alchemist, Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid!

The elders' eyes widened once more. A Fourth Grade Alchemist was already a true big shot even in the entire Jia Ma Empire.

Meanwhile, the Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid had stirred up quite a storm in Wu Tan City over the past few months.

Most importantly, Xiao Zhan had said that the alchemist was at least Fourth Grade.

What they did not know was that even Xiao Zhan did not dare speculate about that alchemist's true level.

Someone capable of casually tossing out several sets of Earth Rank Cultivation Methods and Dou Skills had already surpassed the limits of Xiao Zhan's imagination. The only force he could possibly compare him to was likely the one behind Xun'er.

But no matter what, he could not let even the slightest word of this leak out.

Following the Third Grade Cauldron to the Xiao Family was Ya Fei herself.

She was not responsible for escorting the goods. Still, through the Xiao Family's actions, she quickly sensed that something was amiss. Thus, using a visit as an excuse, she came directly to Xiao Yan.

After receiving Xiao Yan's confirmation, even Ya Fei, who had grown up in the Imperial Capital and could be considered well-traveled and knowledgeable, could not help drawing in a sharp breath.

She had long suspected that Xiao Yan possessed alchemist talent, but she had never expected that this twelve-year-old boy before her was already an alchemist.

At once, the importance she placed on Xiao Yan reached an unparalleled level. Her beautiful eyes seemed as though they wanted to swallow him whole.

"In a few days, I'll refine a batch of medicinal materials for the family to improve its finances."

"After the new year, I may even refine some more Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid, so make sure to properly prepare a stockpile of medicinal ingredients during this time."

Ignoring the strange look in Ya Fei's beautiful eyes, Xiao Yan spoke to her with rare seriousness.

"Don't worry. You're already the most important promising prospect in your big sister's eyes. Whatever you ask for, I'll do my best to fulfill."

Ya Fei lightly pursed her red lips and replied with a beaming smile.

"Just a promising prospect?"

Xiao Yan merely smiled at her words.

"Hehe, if you want to become something else, you should at least grow up first. Besides, do you think you can persuade that Childhood Sweetheart of yours?"

Covering her red lips, Ya Fei's beautiful eyes teasingly glanced toward a certain part of Xiao Yan's body.

Mocked like that, Xiao Yan immediately lost his mood and could not help waving his hand lightly.

"Get out, get out. What a killjoy."

"Giggle, giggle."

Seeing Xiao Yan like this, Ya Fei laughed even more happily. After teasing him a few more times, she finally swayed away with her willow-like waist, looking utterly enchanting.

Two days later, Ya Fei delivered a large batch of medicinal ingredients to the Xiao Family.

After more than ten days of hard cultivation, Xiao Yan was not far from becoming a Four Star Dou Zhe. He could take this opportunity to refine medicine and further temper his Dou Qi.

However, just as Xiao Yan was preparing to begin refining, Xiao Yu nervously knocked on his door.

"Do you need something?"

Seeing Xiao Yu's conflicted expression, Xiao Yan could not help asking in confusion.

"D-didn't you tell me to come find you?"

Xiao Yu's originally conflicted expression instantly turned annoyed. Could this little bastard be toying with her?

"Oh, right. I completely forgot about that."

Seeing Xiao Yu like this, Xiao Yan could not help patting his forehead. With a flick of his finger, a jade box sprang from his Storage Ring and flew before Xiao Yu.

"Here. With this, your breakthrough to Dou Zhe is guaranteed."

"My breakthrough to Dou Zhe... is guaranteed?"

Xiao Yu froze briefly, then her heart began beating faster. She nervously opened the jade box, and the medicinal fragrance that rushed toward her made the Dou Qi within her circulate several times faster.

"Qi Gathering Pill!"

Looking at the longan-sized pill lying in the box, Xiao Yu cried out in disbelief.

"Mm. Just take this pill secretly yourself. Don't spread the word, or everyone in the family will come asking me for one. I don't have time to prepare more for them."

Xiao Yan nodded lightly and was about to close the door when he saw Xiao Yu's pretty face suddenly flush.

"I don't feel at ease taking such a precious pill."

Her pretty face reddening, Xiao Yu fidgeted with rare shyness. "How about... how about you touch it a couple more times?"

As she spoke, Xiao Yu had already extended her long, jade-like leg toward him.