Master, Little Martial Uncle

"Look at you, like the living dead."

Seeing Liu Panlong's utterly despondent state, before Xiao Yan could speak, Yao Lao let out a scornful laugh.

Now that Yao Lao completely believed Xiao Yan's words, he naturally knew just how terrifying a height Xiao Yan would reach in the future.

Precisely because of this, he knew that becoming Xiao Yan's servant was already a blessing Liu Panlong had cultivated for eight lifetimes.

It was only because Xiao Yan had yet to fully develop. Otherwise, with this fellow's grade, at most he would be a servant's servant's servant.

"You're only a mere Third Grade Alchemist right now. You still don't know what great fortune you've received. Once you become a Sixth Grade Alchemist in the future, perhaps then you'll understand just how lucky you were today."

A strange smile appeared on Yao Lao's lips. At Xiao Yan's nod, he once again pressed a finger to Liu Panlong's brow.

In an instant, scraps of knowledge that no longer held any value to Yao Lao were crammed wholesale into Liu Panlong's mind.

That vast amount of information was nothing to Yao Lao, but it was incomparably immense to Liu Panlong. For a moment, he clutched his head and let out a low, agonized groan.

Yet only moments later, once he had roughly sensed that enormous amount of information, Liu Panlong's face erupted with ecstatic joy.

"Th-this is..."

Feeling the incomparably precious information that had appeared in his mind, Liu Panlong was trembling with excitement.

Those scraps that were practically worthless to Yao Lao were enough to make any Sixth Grade Alchemist green with envy.

For such precious knowledge to fall upon a mere Third Grade Alchemist like Liu Panlong was like a poor man suddenly obtaining a treasure wealthier than a nation.

"Since you've now become a Medicine Slave of my Xiao Family, I naturally need to help improve your alchemy."

Xiao Yan's face was somewhat pale. Using the Soul Clan's Secret Art, Soul Seal, was still rather taxing on his soul, which was barely comparable to that of a Fourth Grade Alchemist.

"As long as you serve my Xiao Family wholeheartedly, I guarantee that within ten years, you'll at least become a Fifth Grade or even Sixth Grade Alchemist."

After giving him a slap, Xiao Yan tossed him a sweet date.

Although the Soul Seal meant he could squeeze Liu Panlong dry without restraint, Xiao Yan still intended to give him some motivation.

After all, only with a taste of sweetness could someone's efficiency truly be brought out.

Besides, a Third Grade Alchemist was simply too weak. At that grade, even being his servant was somewhat beneath him.

"Thank you, Master. From now on, this servant will surely devote everything to Master."

Though he was still roughly digesting the vast information Yao Lao had passed on to him, the gloom had vanished from Liu Panlong's face. His eyes shone, and his face was filled with excitement.

The resistance he had initially felt actually began turning into initiative at that moment.

"If you'd taken out this stuff earlier, this old man wouldn't have resisted."

"Mm."

Xiao Yan looked at Liu Panlong, whose attitude had changed so quickly, with mild surprise and nodded lightly.

With this old fellow around, he and Yao Lao would finally have their hands freed.

With the things Yao Lao had given him, this old fellow would likely reach the Fourth Grade before long. Having a Fourth Grade Alchemist work for the Xiao Family was temporarily enough for Xiao Yan.

"Master, this servant has an important matter to report. The reason this servant came to the Xiao Family was entirely due to the Jia Lie Clan stirring things up in secret.

"It was Jia Liebi, the Clan Leader of the Jia Lie Clan, who told me that Liu Xi had met Master. In my opinion, that bastard clearly wanted to use me to deal with Master."

Perhaps Xiao Yan's methods had frightened Liu Panlong too deeply, or perhaps Yao Lao had given too much. In just a few minutes, this formerly proud alchemist's attitude had undergone a dramatic change.

The more respectful his expression became, the more thorough his courtesy was.

"That old bastard Jia Liebi was behind this?"

Upon hearing the news, Xiao Yan could not help but pause slightly, before a helpless smile appeared on his lips.

"I never thought that after being reborn, the Jia Lie Clan would still be the first target I had to deal with."

Given Xiao Yan's realm and status in his Previous life, after being reborn, he truly could not be bothered to argue with such people again. How could ants be qualified to become a giant dragon's enemies?

But not wanting to bother with them was one thing. If they took the initiative to come knocking, then they could only blame their own bad luck.

"Still, since you knew the Jia Lie Clan was using you as a weapon, why did you dare come to my Xiao Family?"

As Xiao Yan pondered this, a small doubt arose in his heart.

"Reporting to Master, ever since this servant arrived in Wu Tan City, I heard that Master's talent was unmatched.

"Thus, this servant came to the Xiao Family not to avenge Liu Xi, but to use this chance to establish my authority, then find a way to make Master join my school.

"If Master rose to greatness in the future, I could share in the glory too, couldn't I?"

At Xiao Yan's question, Liu Panlong revealed an embarrassed, awkward smile.

Hearing Liu Panlong's words, even Xiao Yan could not help rolling his eyes.

"This old fellow really knows how to dream."

If not for Liu Xi and the bad impression from his Previous life, Xiao Yan might have smilingly brushed the old fellow off.

Unfortunately, after seeing Xiao Yan's secret, Liu Panlong would not be free until Xiao Yan became a Dou Sheng.

At that moment, Yao Lao curled his lips speechlessly, a rare hint of mockery appearing at the corner of his mouth.

"What kind of trash thinks he can take the same disciple as me?

"Why do all sorts of rotten fish and shrimp dare come out and try to take a genius as their disciple?"

Hearing Yao Lao's ridicule, Liu Panlong did not feel the slightest humiliation. Instead, he smiled awkwardly in agreement.

He did not have many virtues. His only ones were that he was thick-skinned and practical.

In his heart, the two casual displays Yao Lao had shown proved that before someone like him, he truly was nothing more than a rotten fish or shrimp.

"Hehe, Master, the Jia Lie Clan actually dared harbor ill intentions toward Master. They're truly digging at the head of the Grand Duke.

"With a single order from Master, this servant will gather men and deal with the Jia Lie Clan at once."

Perhaps he wanted to show Xiao Yan his loyalty, or perhaps he wanted to retaliate against the Jia Lie Clan, but Liu Panlong hurriedly offered his services.

"Mm, since that is the case, I'll give you a chance to prove yourself."

After pondering for a moment, Xiao Yan nodded lightly as well. Since the Jia Lie Clan had made the first move, he did not mind making this clan get out of Wu Tan City once again.

"Make the Jia Lie Clan leave Wu Tan City. There's no need for a massacre."

Xiao Yan stood with his hands behind his back, yet his delicate young face carried a maturity that left even Liu Panlong slightly dazed.

While this made Liu Panlong feel somewhat strange, it also added another measure of awe toward Xiao Yan in his heart.

"Oh, and when you see me in front of others in the future, don't call me Master. It would draw far too much attention."

After thinking for a moment, Xiao Yan could not help adding this.

Anyone who saw a Third or Fourth Grade Alchemist calling a twelve- or thirteen-year-old boy Master would likely be shocked.

Still, he could not make himself seem too insignificant.

After thinking for a moment, Xiao Yan looked at Liu Panlong and asked, "Are any members of your lineage still alive?"

"Reporting to Master, this servant only had one teacher. He was a Second Grade Alchemist in life, and he passed away twenty years ago."

Liu Panlong answered respectfully.

"That works out rather well."

Xiao Yan nodded in satisfaction and said with a soft smile, "Then from now on, call me Little Martial Uncle when we're outside.

"That will make it seem as if an expert stands behind me, leaving others unable to discern my background while also avoiding excessive attention."

If a Third or Fourth Grade Alchemist called him Little Martial Uncle, others would certainly speculate how powerful Xiao Yan's martial brothers and teacher must be.

With that, this fabricated background would already be enough to intimidate a mere Jia Ma Empire.

"Yes, Master!"

Liu Panlong hurriedly nodded, but Xiao Yan's soft snort startled him. He immediately changed his form of address.

"Yes, Little Martial Uncle!"