Seeking Help

"Why does the Nalan Family keep sending people over to the Alchemist Guild? Did something happen?"

"Huh? Brother, have you not been in the Imperial Capital lately? News of Nalan Old Master's Brand Poison flaring up has already spread everywhere! I heard even Pill King Gu He could only ease it when he personally stepped in. He couldn't remove it at all."

"Hiss... This Brand Poison really is vicious. No wonder it's an evil thing that can even poison a Dou Huang Expert to death. This time, the Nalan Family is probably finished~"

"Shh! Aren't you afraid they'll hear you? You'll suffer for it when the time comes!"

Nalan Su lowered his gaze as he stepped through the guild's doors. How could the surrounding discussions escape his ears? It was just that right now, he had no intention of arguing over them.

His own father was still wandering at the Gates of Hell.

But the moment he steadied himself and looked toward the guild's Main Hall, Nalan Su's steps suddenly stopped.

The alchemists the Alchemist Guild had promised to gather were nowhere to be seen. The Main Hall was empty and deserted, while a few faint movements instead came from the passageway.

"What is going on?"

Nalan Su frowned and looked at the receptionist.

"This..."

The receptionist broke into a sweat under his stare and hurriedly pointed toward the depths of the passageway. "A strange senior came to the guild today to borrow a furnace and refine pills. Judging from the materials, the pills being refined are at least Fourth Grade. All the alchemists went to watch!"

He was only an ordinary Dou Master. How would he dare block the way of those big shots?

"Oh?"

A little light appeared in Nalan Su's eyes.

Pill King Gu He had long since stated plainly that none of the alchemists he knew could resolve the Brand Poison. This unfamiliar senior today might perhaps bring some hope.

"Go. Take me to have a look, quickly!"

The alchemy room.

The alchemists, who usually held their gazes higher than the heavens, were crowded together. Some who had been blocked outside were even standing on tiptoe, straining to look in.

Although dozens, even close to a hundred people, were packed into one place, they could still be considered orderly. Even their occasional quiet discussions were kept as low as possible.

"Although this Four-Ingredient Clear Soul Pill has numerous ingredients and is difficult to refine, its grade is not high. It is merely Fourth Grade."

The black-robed figure sitting cross-legged in the center of the room casually spread out his hand. Dark Green Flame swayed in his palm, and just his casual words made the crowd break into a low uproar.

Merely Fourth Grade...

Just how high a grade was this person to dare say such a thing?

"This pill is a classic example of 'increasing the excess and reducing the deficit.' When the materials on hand cannot be combined into the medicinal effect you want no matter what, you directly reduce the missing part or increase the extra portion of the medicinal properties, then add more types of materials and balance it again."

A lesson was being given inside the room.

Nalan Su listened quietly by the door, his gaze sweeping back and forth, taking in the expressions of the various alchemists. The joy in his heart grew even stronger.

Even Fourth Grade Alchemists were honestly listening to the lesson. This person's ability was obvious. If he could be invited to make an attempt...

"This method can also be used to handle some materials of poorer quality. It can be considered a small money-saving trick, I suppose. For a carefree wanderer like me, it is quite useful."

The black-robed figure mocked himself as if joking, and the crowd could only smile bitterly as they listened.

This trick sounded easy.

But how many people could stuff the medicinal properties of thousands upon thousands of ingredients, or even more, into their minds? Just changing the amount of a single ingredient required them to consider it carefully. Sometimes they would even miscalculate and ruin the pill. How could they possibly do it as casually as this person?

"Because four main ingredients and around twenty auxiliary medicines have been added to the Fourth Grade Clear Soul Pill, their refinement must be carried out at the same time so as not to ruin the rhythm of pill condensation."

As the black-robed figure spoke to this point, the flame in his hand shot out and split into three, wrapping around the medicinal ingredients as they entered three cauldrons and began refining at the same time.

The alchemists stared fixedly at the movements of his hands. Some even summoned flames in public and held them in their palms, imitating the process.

Outside the door.

Nalan Su lowered his aura and withdrew from the passageway. He waved away the receptionist who came forward to ask questions, found a seat in the Main Hall, and sat down to wait quietly.

Only his clenched fists exposed the excitement in his heart.

It was as though he had seen the first glimmer of dawn for his father's recovery.

Green fire surged inside the room.

In less than three quarters of an hour, the cauldrons opened and the pills were complete.

A purple pill with Four-Colored Pill Veins drifted into Xiao Yan's hand. Of course, at this moment, he should be called Yao Lao.

"Clap..."

Sparse applause rang out first. The alchemists who were still staring blankly were startled awake and hurriedly joined the people beside them in clapping, bringing this performance to a close.

"That senior's techniques are truly superb!"

"His accumulated experience is also extraordinary. To be able to add in so many materials, his understanding of medicinal ingredients has already reached a divine level."

"In my view, that Soul Power is also unparalleled..."

The crowd poured outward like students leaving class, their voices rising and falling in a noisy clamor.

Only when they saw Nalan Su waiting in the hall did they remember why they had come today, and they hurried forward one after another to converse with him.

"Master Nalan, it isn't that we're unwilling to treat him. It's just that, first, even Mister Gu He was helpless, so we likely have even less hope! Second..."

The Fourth Grade Alchemist who spoke glanced toward the passage just as Xiao Yan, draped in a black robe, walked out.

"That senior's ability could truly be called world-shocking. Even this old man was left dumbstruck." As he spoke, he stroked his beard. "Why don't you go and beg him?"

"Many thanks for your guidance, sir."

Nalan Su, who had planned on doing just that, cupped his hands in thanks. This also gave him a reason to dismiss this group of alchemists, lest resentment grow in their hearts.

"Heh..."

The old man smiled and nodded. Clearly, he had long since seen through Nalan Su's thoughts and had taken the initiative to give him a way out.

"Senior! I beg you, please lend us your aid and save my father!"

Nalan Su hurried over and dropped to his knees with a thud, bowing low. "All manner of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures in the Nalan Residence's storehouse are yours to choose from, Senior!"

"I won't save him."

Yao Lao replied calmly and made to walk around him.

Jia Xingtian is only one pill away from reaching Dou Zong. If he successfully breaks through, he'll be able to suppress the petty villains both within and without. He'll also be less hostile toward the rise of local powers, and might even take the initiative to support local confidants for the next emperor.

Those were Xiao Yan's exact words, and also the reason he and Xiao Yan had rushed over overnight.

Yao Lao had seen everything Xiao Yan had done over these years. He knew that unless the Xiao Clan was properly settled, Xiao Yan would never wholeheartedly follow him on a long journey to train.

That brat really had a fine scheme! And this old man actually went along with his wishes so easily...

Though he said that to himself, Yao Lao still supported him with both hands.

After seeing a monstrous ingrate like Han Feng, he now felt that even a normal person had decent character, let alone someone like Xiao Yan, who was willing to pour out his heart and soul for friends and family.

But the feeling of being assigned a task was truly unpleasant.

Yao Lao's mood was at its worst right now. For a mere Dou Ling like Nalan Su to open his mouth and beg for help, while being unable to offer any reward worth looking at—only a miracle would make Yao Lao pay him any mind.

Alchemists were not philanthropists.

"Sir, please wait!"

Nalan Su called out urgently to stop him. "Within the Nalan Residence's storehouse is also a Seventh Grade material, the Seven Illusory Green Spirit Saliva. As long as you can save my father, this item will also be offered up with both hands!"

Oh? Yao Lao's interest was piqued.

Although the effects of this Seventh Grade treasure were unclear, taking it directly could only restore him to roughly the peak of the Dou Emperor level, and the power that could erupt from using Xiao Yan's body as a vessel would barely reach Dou Zong.

But who was he?

If he spent a few days of thought to work out a new medicinal formula and refine it into a pill, he could double the efficacy of this thing! If Yao Lao ever found out that he had been schemed against by Huo Huo from start to finish, would he chase him down and whip him with a copper-headed belt...