Alchemist Gu Ni

Clang!

Clang! Clang! Clang!

After quickly practicing the sword-style Dou Technique he had obtained from the Family Dou Technique Hall from beginning to end, Xiao Han finally finished his training for the day.

With his comprehension, it had taken him only half an hour to learn this Yellow Rank High sword-style Dou Technique. Now that he had memorized all the sword moves and the paths his Dou Qi followed, all he had to do was keep practicing until he reached Great Accomplishment.

With Kai Dad's talent in Sword Dao boosting him, Xiao Han's progress in sword-style Dou Techniques would be twice as fast!

"Ding! The host is practicing a Dou Technique. Would you like to activate the Cultivation System?"

Just as Xiao Han was about to take a drink of water and rest for a while, the system's voice suddenly sounded in his mind.

"Activate it."

He didn't know what this function did, but its name made it sound related to practicing Dou Techniques.

"Ding! The Cultivation System has been activated. Please check it yourself, host."

Xiao Han walked over and sat down, then raised a hand to summon the system panel.

Dou Technique Training:

Extreme Shadow Steps [Yellow Rank High] (Peak of Perfection)

Fierce Tiger Fist [Yellow Rank High] (Peak of Perfection)

Crushing Stone Palm [Yellow Rank Medium] (Peak of Perfection)

Raging Wind Leg [Yellow Rank Medium] (Peak of Perfection)

Cloud Crushing Swordplay [Yellow Rank High] (Beginner)

Progress: Dou Technique training has five levels: Beginner, Minor Achievement, Great Accomplishment, Perfection, and Peak of Perfection.

Energy Value: 0

Lowering his head in thought, Xiao Han examined the data on the panel. Two of the Yellow Rank Cultivation Techniques listed above had appeared in his mind when he first transmigrated. They must have been practiced by the original owner of this body, so Xiao Han had taken them up as well.

The two Dou Techniques listed below them had been added later.

Xiao Han had his own understanding of why he'd only practiced these four Dou Techniques over the past four years. With Yellow Rank Dou Techniques, quality mattered more than quantity. A battle was decided by just one or two moves, so rather than practice more techniques, he was better off focusing on improving the few he already had.

The fact that all four Dou Techniques on the panel had reached Peak of Perfection was the result of four years of hard work.

"Ding! The host can spend Energy Value to improve Dou Technique proficiency and Dou Qi cultivation."

The system's prompt sounded again. Xiao Han looked at the Energy Value field on the panel, where a big fat zero was clearly displayed.

"How do I get Energy Value?"

"You can obtain Energy Value by killing. The stronger the target you kill, the more Energy Value you'll receive."

Xiao Han frowned. As a young man who had grown up under the Red Flag, he had never even considered murder or arson. But now that he had transmigrated to this world of survival of the fittest and endless schemes, it was either kill or be killed.

Xiao Han wasn't the sort to go around looking for trouble, but if anyone tried to harm him, he wouldn't just let them slaughter him!

"Can I obtain Energy Value by killing Magical Beasts?"

"You can obtain Energy Value by defeating any enemy."

The system's voice was cold and emotionless.

"I see."

Having gotten the answer he wanted, Xiao Han fell silent and tried to remember where Xiao Yan had found that cave in the Magical Beast Mountain Range in the original story.

If he remembered correctly, Xiao Yan had followed a Mercenary Group from Green Mountain Town up the mountain to gather herbs. He had accidentally discovered that Xiao Yi Xian was planning to explore the cave where the treasure was hidden, then the members of the Mercenary Group had caught them and tried to kill them for the treasure.

The cave was at the bottom of a cliff, not far from where they first entered the Magical Beast Mountain Range to gather herbs!

Xiao Han's eyes lit up as soon as he remembered.

The cave contained several valuable items, including the Seven Colored Poison Scripture and the Purple Cloud Wings. Of course, the Purple Cloud Wings were what Xiao Han valued most, because they would greatly aid any cultivator who hadn't yet reached Dou Wang!

Soaring through the sky was a dream everyone had entertained, but for most ordinary cultivators on this continent, Dou Wang was an unreachable peak.

Without the strength of a Dou Wang, what could one use to fly?

Flying Dou Techniques were precisely what made the impossible possible.

Even an ordinary Heaven Stage Flying Dou Technique was worth more than a ground-combat Dou Technique of the Earth Stage!

Besides, the cave held a large number of precious medicinal herbs. It was a shame he wasn't an Alchemist. Wouldn't it be a waste to leave all those herbs unused?

But his attributes were identical to Xiao Yan's, and his Soul Power was no weaker than Xiao Yan's, so he ought to have the qualifications to become an Alchemist... What's more, he had the system. The bottlenecks that other people might struggle their entire lives to overcome were a joke to him.

With that in mind, Xiao Han left Qinglin, who was doing laundry in the courtyard, and headed out alone.

He walked into the Mittel Auction House, a place he knew well, only to find that Ya Fei wasn't there today. That didn't matter, though. The other managers at the Auction House could do what she could.

After asking a familiar manager to fetch what he wanted, Xiao Han sat on a long chair and rested with his eyes closed.

About five minutes later, it wasn't the familiar manager who returned, but someone he never expected to see.

It was Gu Ni, the Mittel Auction House's Guardian and a Second Grade Alchemist.

High-grade Alchemists might be a dime a dozen later in the story, but in a small place like Wutan City, Gu Ni, a Second Grade Alchemist, could throw his weight around.

After all, even a powerful Dou Ling wouldn't dare underestimate the value of a Second Grade Alchemist.

"It's been a while, Young Master Xiao Han."

"I wouldn't dare call myself 'Young Master' in front of Master Gu Ni. Please, just call me by my name." Gu Ni smiled warmly, and Xiao Han, who wasn't one to turn away a friendly face, quickly stood up and returned the greeting.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Gu Ni waved his hand and placed a large assortment of Alchemy-related items on the table.

There was a basic Medicine Cauldron, an introductory book for aspiring Alchemists, dozens of books on various medicinal herbs, and four First Grade Pill recipes.

"I've personally gathered everything Young Master Xiao Han requested." Gu Ni smiled and gestured toward the items on the table. "Does Young Master Xiao Han plan to study Alchemy?"

"It seems I can't hide anything from you, Master."

After checking the items on the table, he saw that there were clearly two extra recipes, and their value far exceeded the funds on his gold card.

Two of the recipes had clearly been kept for some time, while the other two had just been written on fresh, high-quality paper.

The two old recipes belonged to the Mittel Auction House. It was obvious who the two new ones belonged to. Xiao Han gave a subtle nod to show that he appreciated Gu Ni's gesture.

"I heard someone had requested beginner Alchemy materials. I thought it might be a fellow Alchemist bringing a disciple along, so I came to make their acquaintance. I never expected it to be you, Young Master Xiao Han." Gu Ni stroked his beard gently and chuckled.

"I'm sure you'll forgive me, Master. It was just a sudden whim." Xiao Han smiled and, as he spoke, released his Dou Qi, which was a mixture of Fire Attribute and Wood Attribute.

"Oh?"

Master Gu Ni's eyes narrowed slightly. "Congratulations, Young Master Xiao Han. Your Dou Qi attributes do meet the basic requirements for an Alchemist."

"Although that's true, this is my first time exploring the profession of Alchemy, and I don't know much about its taboos. If only I could visit the Alchemist Guild and learn a little about Alchemy firsthand one day."

Xiao Han sighed as he gave Gu Ni a polite reply.

But to his surprise, after he finished speaking, Gu Ni took a small booklet from his Storage Ring and handed it to him.

"What's this?"

Xiao Han's heart stirred. He took the booklet and flipped through it. His breath caught, and his face lit up with indescribable joy.

"Just some notes from my experience with Alchemy."

Master Gu Ni chuckled. "You don't need to thank me. My knowledge is limited, so this is all the help I can offer. It was no trouble at all. I'm only doing it in the hope of making a good connection with you."

"No."

Xiao Han shook his head and stood to bow to Gu Ni. "You're too modest, Master Gu Ni. Your notes are like a lifeline to me. I'm deeply grateful. I, Xiao Han, will remember your kindness today.

"Now that I've got everything, I'll take my leave."

"Go on, then."

After a few more pleasantries, Xiao Han said his goodbyes, gathered everything, and left.

Gu Ni smiled as he watched Xiao Han leave the VIP room. Then a sweet, adorable little girl ran out from behind the door and nestled beside him.

"Daddy, you're a Second Grade Alchemist, and even the clan heads of Wutan City's three great clans have to bow to you. Why are you treating a mere Young Master Xiao Clan with such courtesy? You gave him two recipes and even your own Alchemy notes!" the puzzled little girl asked, tugging on Gu Ni's arm.

"Ling'er, there's something you don't understand."

Gu Ni smiled and patted his daughter's head. "Your father naturally wouldn't think much of a mere Young Master Xiao Clan. But do you know he's a renowned cultivation prodigy in these parts? A fourteen-year-old Dou Zhe is an extraordinary talent.

"I learned by chance today that he has a talent for Alchemy, on top of an already remarkable talent for cultivation. Someone like him would be a rare prize for any sect.

"If Xiao Han manages to rise to the top one day, then the small favor I did for him today will have established a good connection between us.

"If he falls along the way, I won't lose anything. Recipes and notes are all kept in my head. I can write as many copies as I like, so this costs me nothing."

"I see. I understand now."

After hearing her father's explanation, Ling'er's eyes lit up. "Yesterday, Sister Ya Fei sold him goods at a discount. Did she also recognize that Young Master Xiao Clan's talent and want to win him over?"

"Mm. You've figured that out so quickly. You're a quick learner."

Gu Ni smiled and gently stroked his daughter's soft hair, then nodded and looked in the direction Xiao Han had left. Whatever the future held, he had made a good connection today.