Alchemist Manual

"Xiao Yan, greetings, Master Xuan!"

Xiao Yan kept his posture low, showing the utmost respect.

Xuan Jin raised a hand, indicating that he need not stand on ceremony.

"Sit."

Xiao Yi Xian perceptively rose to her feet and poured Xiao Yan a cup of tea, her movements practiced and natural.

"Thank you."

Xiao Yan thanked her, accepting the teacup with both hands, yet he did not drink immediately.

He fell silent for a moment, seemingly weighing his words.

Xuan Jin gestured toward Xiao Yi Xian, and she quietly left the courtyard.

Only then did Xuan Jin shift his gaze to Xiao Yan. He did not urge him, merely watched him quietly and waited for him to continue.

At last, Xiao Yan drew a deep breath. As if exhausting all the strength in his body, he voiced the thought in his heart.

"Master Xuan."

Xiao Yan's voice was somewhat hoarse.

"May I ask whether you are still interested in this ring?"

As he spoke, he slowly removed the ancient black ring from his right hand and gently placed it on the stone table.

Xuan Jin looked at the black ring on the table, his expression unchanged.

He nodded, his tone calm.

"Of course."

"Your ring is very unusual. It is somewhat similar to the black stone Clan Leader Ao Ba Pa brought out before. I am indeed quite interested in such strange objects."

Xuan Jin's explanation was perfectly reasonable.

He attributed his interest in the Bone Flame Ring to research into peculiar materials, flawlessly concealing his true purpose.

Hearing this, the huge stone hanging over Xiao Yan's heart finally fell.

He had feared that Xuan Jin had lost interest. If that were the case, he would have lost his final bargaining chip as well.

A surge of immense joy and hope instantly swept away all his hesitation.

As long as Xuan Jin was willing to take it, everything could be discussed!

Xiao Yan abruptly rose to his feet, solemnly cupped his hands toward Xuan Jin, and bent at the waist.

His movement was broad, filled with the resolve of one staking everything on a single gamble.

"This junior, Xiao Yan, dares to ask that you accept me as your disciple!"

He practically roared those words.

His voice echoed through the quiet courtyard, carrying a hint of tremor, but also the stubbornness of someone who would not turn back until he hit a wall.

To become the disciple of a Sixth Grade Alchemist!

That was the true and greatest purpose of his visit today!

Resources would one day run out.

But a powerful master could guide him onto the path of becoming a true expert!

Xuan Jin looked at him, shook his head, and sighed softly.

"Young Master Xiao Yan, I cannot agree to this."

At those words, the flame of hope that had just ignited in Xiao Yan's heart was instantly extinguished by a bucket of cold water.

He froze where he stood, the color rapidly draining from his face.

Then Xuan Jin continued in that even tone:

"You should know that I am not from the Jia Ma Empire."

"I can barely attend to my own cultivation. In the future, I will travel throughout the continent to gain experience, and I truly do not have the time or energy to teach a disciple."

The refusal was tactful, yet direct.

Xiao Yan's body swayed, and bitterness filled his heart.

Yes.

What qualifications did he have?

Why would a Sixth Grade Alchemist capable of stirring heavenly phenomena, a lofty Dou Zong expert, accept a piece of trash at the Eighth Stage Dou Qi as his disciple?

He had been too fanciful.

A deep sense of loss engulfed him.

He slowly straightened, revealing a miserable smile as he prepared to retrieve the ring.

Since he could not become his disciple, he should keep this final hope for himself.

Just as he was about to give up, Xuan Jin's voice rang out again.

"However..."

Those two simple words exploded in Xiao Yan's mind like a thunderclap.

His hand, reaching for the ring, abruptly stopped in midair.

Xiao Yan suddenly raised his head. A faint glimmer returned to his eyes, which had already dimmed.

Xuan Jin continued:

"I have a certain affinity with the Xiao Family."

"Clan Leader Xiao Zhan is a decent man, and Miss Xun Er is quite interesting as well."

These words attributed his next action to a favor.

They gave the Xiao Family face while also giving him a proper reason to act.

Xiao Yan listened and nodded. He knew that Xun Er had also visited Master Xuan.

Xuan Jin lightly brushed a finger over his Storage Ring, and an ancient manual made from some unknown beast hide appeared on the stone table.

"I truly cannot help you with taking you as a disciple."

Xuan Jin pushed the manual toward Xiao Yan.

"But take this Alchemist Manual."

Xiao Yan froze.

An Alchemist Manual?

He looked at Xuan Jin in confusion.

"This manual was gifted to me by an elder. It contains detailed methods for refining every pill formula from the first through sixth grade, as well as all manner of medicinal principles and fire-control insights."

In truth, Xuan Jin had compiled it himself.

Xuan Jin's voice was not loud, but every word struck Xiao Yan's heart like a heavy hammer.

First through sixth grade!

An Alchemist Manual!

Xiao Yan's mind buzzed, instantly going blank.

He stared fixedly at the unremarkable Beast Skin Manual on the table, his breathing stopping altogether.

This... what did this even mean?

It was equivalent to an encyclopedia capable of cultivating a Sixth Grade Alchemist!

If this item were exposed, not just tiny Wutan City, but even the entire Jia Ma Empire would go mad over it!

Even Pill King Gu He, if he learned of its existence, would likely come to seize it at any cost!

And now, this supreme treasure capable of stirring up a storm of bloodshed had been placed before him so casually.

"Master... Master Xuan... This... this is far too precious!"

Xiao Yan's voice trembled. He extended a hand, wanting to touch the manual, yet not daring to do so.

"As they say, a master opens the door, but cultivation depends on the individual."

Xuan Jin leaned back in his chair and lifted his teacup, looking entirely at ease.

"I do not have time to teach you, but if you truly have talent, then with this manual, you may yet achieve something in the future."

Those words flowed into Xiao Yan's heart like a warm current.

He hesitated no longer. With trembling hands, he gathered the weighty manual into his arms.

It felt warm and smooth to the touch, as though it still retained a trace of warmth.

This was the weight of hope!

"Thank you, Master Xuan! Thank you, Master Xuan!"

Xiao Yan was so excited that his words became incoherent. Other than gratitude, he did not know what else to say.

"Do not celebrate too soon."

Xuan Jin's voice cooled Xiao Yan's heated mind.

"To become an alchemist, you must possess Fire and Wood Dual Attributes Dou Qi, as well as Soul Perception far beyond that of ordinary people."

"Your Dou Qi attribute cannot be tested until you break through to the Dou Zhe realm.

At that time, if you possess only the wood attribute, or if your Soul Perception does not meet the standard, this manual will be nothing more than waste paper to you."

The bucket of cold water was poured at exactly the right moment.

Xiao Yan instantly calmed down.

That was right.

He still did not know whether he possessed that talent.

Still, this was already enough!