Alchemist Gu Ni

Clang!

Clang! Clang! Clang!

After rapidly running through the sword technique Dou Skill he had obtained from the Family Dou Technique Hall from start to finish, Xiao Han finally ended today's training.

With his comprehension, cultivating a Yellow Rank High level sword technique Dou Skill took him only half an hour to reach the entry level. After memorizing all the sword stances and the flow of Dou Qi, what Xiao Han needed to do next was continuously refine this skill until he achieved Great Accomplishment.

With Kai Dad's Sword Dao talent boosting him, Xiao Han would get twice the result with half the effort when cultivating sword-type Dou Skills!

"Ding! Detected host cultivating a Dou Skill. Would you like to activate the Cultivation System?"

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

"Activate."

Although he didn't know what this function did, judging by the name, it should be related to cultivating Dou Skills.

"Ding! Cultivation System has been activated. Host may check it yourself."

Xiao Han walked to the side and sat down, raising his hand to summon the system panel.

"Dou Skill Cultivation:

Extreme Shadow Steps [Yellow Rank High] (Reach the Pinnacle)

Fierce Tiger Fist [Yellow Rank High] (Reach the Pinnacle)

Crushing Stone Palm [Yellow Rank Medium] (Reach the Pinnacle)

Raging Wind Leg [Yellow Rank Medium] (Reach the Pinnacle)

Cloud Crushing Swordplay [Yellow Rank High] (Entry)

Improvement: Dou Skill cultivation is divided into five levels: Entry, Minor Achievement, Great Accomplishment, Perfection, Reach the Pinnacle.

Energy Value: 0"

Lowering his head in thought, Xiao Han looked at the data on the panel. The first few Yellow Rank techniques had appeared in his mind the moment he transmigrated, presumably cultivated by the original owner of this body, so Xiao Han had taken them over as well.

The latter two were Dou Skills added later on.

As for why he had only cultivated these four Dou Skills over the past four years, Xiao Han had his own reasoning. Yellow Rank Dou Skills were about quality over quantity; in battle, victory was decided by just one or two moves. Rather than cultivating multiple skills, it was better to focus on improving the few he already had.

Thus, the four Dou Skills on the panel now showing Reach the Pinnacle proficiency were the result of four years of hard training.

"Ding! Host can consume Energy Value to improve Dou Skill proficiency and Dou Qi cultivation."

The system's prompt sounded again. Xiao Han glanced at the Energy Value column on the system panel, which clearly displayed a big fat zero.

"How do I obtain Energy Value?"

"Energy Value can be obtained through killing. The stronger the target killed, the more Energy Value gained."

Xiao Han frowned. As a youth raised under the Red Flag, he had never even considered murder and arson. But now that he had transmigrated into this world of the strong preying on the weak and deceitful schemes, it was either kill or be killed.

Xiao Han wasn't the type to go around picking fights, but if someone tried to harm him, he wouldn't just sit there and wait to be slaughtered!

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

"Defeating any enemy can yield Energy Value."

The system replied coldly.

"I understand."

Having gotten the answer he wanted, Xiao Han didn't say anything more. Instead, he thought about where in the Original Work Xiao Yan had encountered that cave in the Magical Beast Mountain Range.

If he remembered correctly, in the original story, Xiao Yan had followed a Mercenary Group from Green Mountain Town up the mountain to gather herbs, accidentally stumbled upon Xiao Yi Xian's plan to explore the treasure cave, and was then discovered by the mercenaries, who tried to kill him for the treasure.

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

After figuring this out, Xiao Han's eyes lit up.

Inside that cave were several good items, among which the Seven Colored Poison Scripture and the Purple Cloud Wings were no small treasures. Of course, Xiao Han valued the Purple Cloud Wings more, as they were a tremendous help to any cultivator who hadn't yet reached Dou King!

Soaring through the skies was a dream everyone had once harbored, but for most ordinary cultivators on this continent, reaching Dou King was an unattainable peak.

Without the strength of a Dou King, what could one use as capital for flight?

Flying Dou Techniques were the existence that broke this convention.

An ordinary Heaven Stage Flying Dou Technique was even more valuable than an Earth Stage combat Dou Technique!

And speaking of which, that cave also contained a large pile of precious medicinal herbs. It was a pity he wasn't an alchemist—wouldn't all those herbs go to waste?

But his attributes were exactly the same as Xiao Yan's, and even his Soul Power wasn't weaker than Xiao Yan's. He should qualify to become an alchemist... Besides, he had the system now. What might take others a lifetime to break through might just be a joke to him.

Thinking this, Xiao Han left Qinglin behind in the courtyard doing laundry and went out alone.

He made his way to the Mittel Auction House with ease, but as luck would have it, Ya Fei wasn't there today. No matter—anything that woman could do, the other stewards in the auction house could handle too.

He instructed a steward he was familiar with to fetch what he wanted, then sat down on a bench to rest with his eyes closed.

About five minutes later, the person who returned wasn't the familiar steward, but someone he hadn't expected.

This person was the Guardian of the Mittel Auction House, the Second Grade Alchemist Gu Ni.

Although high-grade alchemists were a dime a dozen in the Late Stage, in a small place like Wutan City, Gu Ni, a Second Grade Alchemist, could already throw his weight around.

After all, the value of a Second Grade Alchemist was not something even a Dou Ling-level expert would dare to underestimate.

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

"In front of Master Guni, I dare not claim the title of Young Master. Please just call me by my name." Faced with Guni's friendly smile, Xiao Han returned the courtesy without hesitation, rising to his feet.

The two exchanged pleasantries for a moment, then Guni waved his hand, and a large pile of alchemist-related items appeared on the table.

A low-grade Medicine Cauldron, an introductory book for beginner alchemists, dozens of books on various medicinal herbs, and four First Grade Pill formulas.

"I have personally gathered all the items Young Master Xiao Han requested." Guni smiled, pointing at the items on the table. "Is Young Master Xiao Han planning to learn alchemy?"

"As expected, nothing escapes Master's notice."

After checking the items on the table, Xiao Han noticed two extra pill formulas, far exceeding the assets in his gold card.

Two of the formulas were clearly aged, having been stored for some time, while the other two, written on brand-new, expensive paper, were obviously freshly penned.

The two old ones belonged to the Mittel Auction House, and it was easy to guess who the new ones came from. Acknowledging Guni's goodwill, Xiao Han gave a subtle nod.

"I just heard someone was purchasing beginner alchemist supplies and thought it might be a fellow master with a disciple. I came to make their acquaintance, but I never expected it to be Young Master Xiao Han." Guni stroked his beard lightly, chuckling.

"You flatter me, Master. This is merely a sudden whim of mine." Xiao Han smiled, casually releasing his Dou Qi, which carried both Fire and Wood Attributes.

"Oh?"

Master Guni narrowed his eyes. "Congratulations, Young Master Xiao Han. Your Dou Qi attributes indeed meet the basic requirements for an alchemist."

"Alas, that may be so, but this is my first time stepping into the profession of alchemy. I am quite unfamiliar with its taboos. If only I could one day visit the Alchemist Guild and gain some knowledge of alchemy."

Sighing, Xiao Han replied politely to Guni.

But to his surprise, after he finished speaking, Guni took a small, thin notebook from his Storage Ring and handed it to him.

"This is?"

Xiao Han's heart stirred. He took the notebook and flipped through it, his breath catching as an indescribable joy spread across his face.

"Just some of my personal alchemy insights."

Master Guni chuckled. "You need not thank me. My knowledge is limited, so this is all I can offer. A small gesture like this is merely my way of forging a good connection with you."

"No."

Xiao Han shook his head and stood up to bow to Guni. "That's not right. This insight of yours is like coal in the snow to me. I am deeply grateful. This kindness, I, Xiao Han, will remember. Since I have what I need, I'll take my leave now."

"Go on, then."

After another round of pleasantries, Xiao Han bid farewell and left with all his items.

Guni smiled as he watched Xiao Han depart the VIP Room. Once he was gone, a cute little Loli ran out from behind the door and nestled beside Guni.

"Father, you are a Second Grade Alchemist. Even the heads of Wutan City's three great clans bow to you. Why treat a mere Young Master of the Xiao Clan with such courtesy? Not only did you give him two pill formulas, but you also handed over your alchemy insights?" The puzzled little Loli tugged at Guni's arm and asked.

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

Guni patted his daughter's little head and smiled. "A mere Young Master of the Xiao Clan is nothing in my eyes. But do you know he's a renowned prodigy in these parts? A 14-year-old Dou Practitioner—how rare is that?

Today, I happened to learn he has alchemy talent, on top of his already extraordinary cultivation talent. Someone like him is a hot commodity rarely found in any sect.

If this boy Xiao Han one day rises to greatness, then this small favor I've done today will count as a good connection, tying him to me. If he falls along the way, I lose nothing. After all, pill formulas and insights are stored in the mind—I can write as many as I want. It's a costless venture."

"I see. Ling'er understands now."

Hearing her father's words, the little Loli's eyes lit up. "Yesterday, Big Sister Ya Fei sold goods to him at a discount. Was she also eyeing that Young Master Xiao's talent, trying to win him over?"

"Mm, to grasp that so quickly, you're a teachable child."

Guni smiled, gently stroking his daughter's silky hair, and nodded. He gazed in the direction Xiao Han had left. No matter what the future held, today's good connection had been forged.