Taking a Master

The Jia Ma Empire's Top Ten Experts, ranked third, a Dou Emperor Expert, and a Rank 6 Alchemist.

Xiao Li was somewhat stunned. This was a major figure. Although Rank 6 Alchemists had the nickname "fart," that was Venerable Yao's opinion. In the Jia Ma Empire, and even across the Northwest Continent, Rank 6 Alchemists were honored guests.

(In the original, Old Man Yao said: "A Rank 6 Alchemist is nothing but a fart in my eyes.")

"Master Wang, President Wang, this junior has been discourteous."

Xiao Li immediately bowed to Wang Ming. After all, he was just a nobody. Though he had some talent and his family had some standing, he could not be disrespectful before a Dou Emperor, much less a Rank 6 Alchemist.

With a single word, the other party could erase the Xiao Clan. Xiao Li had even been planning to lie low once Xiao Yan emerged.

Cultivation? No way. He would never cultivate in this lifetime. He would just wait for the Dou God Bloodline to awaken, then rocket all the way to Dou Sheng and live off that.

Of course, that was merely Xiao Li mocking himself. The Xiao Clan would face countless disasters in the future. He needed to do his best to prevent his clansmen from dying.

The Xiao Clan had raised Xiao Li for nine years. Ever since his talent had revealed itself, the clan had spared no effort in nurturing him. He was not some beast who did not know gratitude. The Xiao Clan was his home now! He would protect this home!

Wang Ming coughed. "Ahem, don't scare the little fellow. Perhaps this old man's way of expressing himself just now was not quite right. Little fellow, your name is Xiao Li, correct? Just call this old man Old Wang. I do not really like being called President Wang."

"Alright, Old Wang. May I ask how you plan to examine my body?" Xiao Li asked.

Wang Ming said with a chuckle, "Hehe, come stand beside this old man and let me place my hand atop your head."

Xiao Li walked straight up to Wang Ming, watching him with an expectant expression.

He had some idea what Wang Ming wanted to do. Perhaps he was checking whether Xiao Li had the talent to become an Alchemist. As a Transmigrator, having a powerful soul was only natural.

Xiao Li had been able to speak when he was one, and could read and study books by the age of two. Those were all benefits of having a powerful soul.

An Alchemist needed more than a powerful soul; there were also requirements for one's attributes. First, one's innate attribute had to be fire. Second, within that fire attribute, there had to be a trace of Wood Qi to serve as a catalyst during alchemy!

Xiao Li knew he possessed Fire Attribute Dou Qi. He simply did not know whether he had that trace of Wood Qi.

Alchemists were the most sought-after and wealthiest profession on the Dou Qi Continent. Once one became an Alchemist, one would either become rich and renowned throughout the land, or become brothers in Soul Hall.

Wang Ming extended a hand and placed it on Xiao Li's head, then closed his eyes.

Before long, Wang Ming opened his eyes, which shone with delight and madness.

"Hahahaha! Heaven has eyes!" Wang Ming threw back his head and laughed.

Xiao Ting, the Dou Spirit Elders, and even Xiao Li were all startled by Old Wang's reaction.

"Hahahaha, my apologies, my apologies. This old man is simply too happy." Wang Ming was extremely agitated. His eyes burned as he looked at Xiao Li.

"Little fellow, do you wish to become an Alchemist? You were born with strong Soul Perception, and your Fire Attribute Dou Qi contains a trace of Wood Qi. You have excellent potential to become an Alchemist.

"So? If you wish to become an Alchemist, then take this old man as your master."

The moment Wang Ming spoke, the expressions on Xiao Ting and the Elders' faces could no longer be described with words. Excitement, shock, foolish grins—they looked as though several old men had gone mad.

Xiao Li was also quite excited, grinning from ear to ear. No matter how mature he was inside, he could not help getting carried away after having his wish fulfilled.

"This disciple, Xiao Li, pays respects to Master."

Xiao Li respectfully performed the master-disciple ceremony before Wang Ming. There was no other reason—this was a powerful backer.

Do not underestimate a Rank 6 Alchemist just because the rank was not particularly high, or because it even had the elegant nickname of "fart." One had to remember that not everyone could speak like Old Man Yao. Old Man Yao was a Dou Venerate Peak, perhaps even a Nine Revolutions Dou Venerate Peak, as well as a Rank 8 Alchemist Peak.

If someone from an ordinary Dou Wang family could cling to the thigh of a Rank 6 Alchemist, they should be secretly overjoyed. With a Rank 6 Alchemist personally teaching you alchemy, what more could you ask for?

"Good, good, good. This old man's legacy can finally be passed on. Old Xiao, prepare a room for this old man. I shall stay for a few days and teach my newly accepted disciple."

Wang Ming took Xiao Li's hand and instructed Xiao Ting.

"Yes. I guarantee Old Wang will be satisfied." Xiao Ting cupped his hands and agreed.

Wang Ming said with a smile, "Li'er, come walk with this old man. Show this old man around your Xiao Clan."

"Yes, Master."

One old and one young figure gradually walked away.

The Great Elder was somewhat dazed. "Hiss—am I dreaming? Li'er has taken President Wang as his master? Second Elder, pinch me. Am I dreaming?"

Smack—

The Second Elder directly slapped the Great Elder across the face, and it was quite loud. The Great Elder's face turned red.

"Damn it! You slapped my face! Are you looking to die?!" The Great Elder was stunned by the blow, then snapped back to his senses and grabbed the Second Elder by the throat.

"Didn't you tell me to do it?"

"I told you to pinch me, not slap me!"

"Hahahahaha! Alright, alright, it's real. The rise of our Xiao Clan is just around the corner! In the future, the Xiao Clan will produce a Dou Emperor and a Rank 6 Alchemist. Hahahaha, I don't even dare imagine it."

"Exactly, exactly."

"Li'er, tell this old man: what do you think the process of alchemy is?"

Wang Ming stroked his beard and smiled.

Xiao Li was somewhat puzzled. "The process of alchemy? Do you mean the process of refining medicinal ingredients into pills, or whether there is some meaning behind the refining process?"

Wang Ming became increasingly satisfied with Xiao Li. He had asked this question of many people. Either they stammered and hesitated, or they spouted a pile of nonsense. Yet the process of alchemy was simply the process of purifying medicinal ingredients into pills.

However, Wang Ming was curious about the significance of refinement itself, and what Xiao Li thought of it.

Wang Ming said kindly, "Then, little fellow, what do you think is the meaning of the alchemical process?"

Xiao Li fell into thought. The concept of meaning covered quite a broad range.

Xiao Li said awkwardly, "Master, this disciple cannot really put it into words."

Wang Ming shook his head and patted Xiao Li's head. "It is fine. Just speak as your heart wishes."

Xiao Li nodded. "I think the meaning of alchemy depends on the person. Some focus on the power, fame, and status that alchemy can bring them, while others simply love alchemy itself.

"There is no need to speak of those who chase fame and profit. Those who love alchemy treat the process as a form of enjoyment. They do not pursue the result of alchemy, but enjoy the process itself."

Wang Ming nodded approvingly. "Hehe, teachable, truly teachable. Li'er, this master of yours is one who loves the process of alchemy. Just as you said, this master enjoys the pleasures found within the process of alchemy."

On the other side of the Jia Ma Imperial Capital, atop a majestic mountain range barely ten miles from the imperial capital, the mountain had come to be called Misty Cloud Mountain because of the Misty Cloud Sect.

Misty Cloud Mountain was steep, with cliffs on three sides and only one path leading to its summit. It was an easily defended, difficult-to-attack stronghold. Moreover, disciples of the Misty Cloud Sect patrolled the entire mountain closely, making the whole range resemble a small fortress.

Today, the Sect Leader of the Misty Cloud Sect, Yun Shan, returned from outside with a little girl.

"Sect Leader, who is this?" An Elder in the Sect Master Hall looked at the timid young girl behind Yun Shan in confusion.

"Elders, this child is fated to be with me. I have accepted her as my disciple and bestowed upon her the name Yun Yun. She will become the next Sect Leader of our Misty Cloud Sect.

"Come, Yun'er. Greet the Elders."

The little girl named Yun Yun was somewhat frightened, but she still gathered her courage and said softly, "Greetings, Elders."