Xiao Yan's Nervousness, and Making a Deal with Yao Lao.

Although Wutan City is merely a small town in the Jia Ma Empire, it is significantly more prosperous and bustling than Snake-Person City. The streets are filled with a constant flow of people and carriages, and while the shops may not be described as dazzling, they are well-stocked with everything one might need.

The autumn breeze blows past, lifting the stray locks at Gu Shenge's temples. Wisps of sunlight fall from the sky, reflecting off his tall, upright figure as if coating him in a layer of golden radiance. He appears extraordinary and divine, as dazzling as the morning sun, drawing the side-glances of nearby pedestrians. Many women cast looks of astonishment and admiration his way.

Xiao Yan follows behind Gu Shenge, watching the otherworldly and transcendent Juan Shoutian, who looks like the very embodiment of dawn, and silently grumbles to himself.

My big brother's friend is truly eye-catching. Dressed entirely in gold, he is so conspicuous wherever he goes; unless one were blind, I doubt anyone could fail to notice him.

"I heard from Xiao Ding that he has a younger brother named Xiao Yan. That would be you, right?"

Gu Shenge's voice rings in Xiao Yan's ears. He nods in acknowledgment: "That's right, Brother Juan has a good memory."

Hearing Xiao Yan's flattery, Gu Shenge smiles slightly and continues: "It's not so much a good memory, but rather that I've heard Xiao Ding mention your situation, so it left a deeper impression. However, looking at you now, that trouble of yours has likely been resolved."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan naturally understands what trouble Gu Shenge is referring to, but the very next sentence makes him tense up.

"Situations like yours, where Dou Qi suddenly regresses, are rare, but not unheard of. It usually boils down to a few possibilities."

"Either the special constitution you possess has reached a critical point and requires a massive supply of Dou Qi to awaken; or there is a powerful expert dormant within your body who needs to absorb your Dou Qi to recover; or, of course, it is possible you obtained some treasure that requires sufficient Dou Qi to activate. Am I right, Xiao Yan?"

In just a few short sentences, Xiao Yan feels as if he has been stripped bare, as if his own secrets have nowhere to hide in front of this man named Juan Shoutian.

Deep within Xiao Yan's eyes, a trace of shock emerges. He clenches his hands into fists, his palms sweating. His throat feels dry, and he doesn't know how to respond. He wants to argue, but finds that every path has been forcibly blocked by Gu Shenge.

Seeing him so nervous that cold sweat is beading on his forehead, Gu Shenge shakes his head and chuckles, telling Xiao Yan not to be so tense.

"Haha, no need to be nervous. I'm not interested in your little secrets. However, I sense a trace of familiarity from your aura. You must be practicing the Burning Mantra, right? You've got quite a lot of nerve. Do you know who the last person to practice this cultivation technique was?"

No way! He can even sense that!

Xiao Yan, having his cultivation technique called out in a single breath, is inwardly shocked. He has never displayed even a shred of Dou Qi in front of Juan Shoutian, yet the man knows his technique just by his aura—this perception is far too monstrous!

Wait! Judging by his tone, he seems quite familiar with the Burning Mantra?

Seeing that all his secrets have been laid bare, Xiao Yan knows that concealment is no longer possible, so he nods in admission.

"Brother Juan's perception is correct. I am indeed practicing the Burning Mantra. As for its origins, I am not entirely sure; it was passed down to me by my teacher."

Hearing this, Gu Shenge points to a restaurant not far away and smiles: "If you don't mind, let's go up and sit for a while. Let me hear your story, and perhaps meet this teacher of yours?"

Since things have reached this point, Xiao Yan has no reason to refuse. He nods and follows Gu Shenge toward the restaurant.

Inside a private room at the restaurant, a golden light emerges from Gu Shenge's fingertip, transforming into layers of ripples that envelop the room, forming a barrier to prevent others from disturbing or eavesdropping.

Xiao Yan pours a cup of clear tea for both Gu Shenge and himself. His youthful yet resolute face shows a look of awe, and his voice carries a faint tone of respect as he begins to recount his story.

A long while later, after hearing Xiao Yan's story, Gu Shenge wears a faint smile. His gaze falls upon the ring that hides the soul of Yao Lao, and he says with a laugh: "If I'm not mistaken, the teacher you speak of must be the once-renowned Yao Zunzhe of the Central Plains."

"Yao Zunzhe?" Xiao Yan is quite puzzled upon hearing this title. He has never heard his teacher mention his past, but judging by the name, his teacher was likely a Dou Zun expert during his lifetime.

Having his identity exposed, Yao Lao no longer pretends to be dead. He drifts out of the ring as a spirit, looking Gu Shenge over while stroking his beard.

"I didn't expect that after so many years since my fall, there would still be someone who remembers my name. It is quite gratifying to me."

Gu Shenge sips his tea and speaks calmly.

"The name of the number one alchemist in the Central Plains, Yao Zunzhe, is known to all. Your disappearance caused quite a stir in the Central Plains. Even now, Feng Zunzhe of the Starfall Pavilion is still searching the entire continent for traces of you, never having given up."

Hearing that Feng Zunzhe is still looking for him after all these years, never having given up since his fall, a complex expression appears on his aged face—gratitude, emotion, and, more than anything, guilt.

He feels guilty for not listening to Feng Zunzhe's warnings back then and for trusting Han Feng too much, which led to him being ambushed and killed by that ungrateful disciple, causing his old brother to travel far and wide across the continent searching for him. He must have suffered greatly over these years.

Yao Lao sighs: "Alas, I have failed him, causing him such worry and toil."

Although Xiao Yan does not know the nature of the relationship between his teacher and this Feng Zunzhe, the fact that he has spent years searching the entire continent for his fallen teacher without knowing the truth shows a depth of loyalty that far exceeds his imagination.

"Little brother, thank you for telling me these things. I owe you a favor. Once I recover, whatever pills you wish to have refined, as long as I am capable of refining them, I will never refuse."

Yao Lao suppresses his emotions and makes a promise to Gu Shenge to thank him for the information.

But Gu Shenge shakes his head; his goal is not this, but the Bone Chilling Flame.

"Yao Zunzhe, how about we make a deal?"

"A deal?"

Xiao Yan and Yao Lao both look puzzled. What kind of deal?

"I wish to trade for your Bone Chilling Flame. As the terms of the deal, I can kill your treacherous disciple Han Feng, who caused your downfall, and assist in your resurrection. How about it?"

Yao Lao's expression shifts slightly as he scrutinizes Gu Shenge. He did not expect the man's goal to be the Bone Chilling Flame, but Yao Lao does not refuse; instead, he falls into deep thought.

It is not that he doesn't want to refuse, but he fears that if he does, the man might simply take it by force. With the strength he can currently exert, he can at most deal with a Dou Ling; he is no match for a Dou Huang, and this particular Dou Huang is no ordinary one.

If a fight were to break out, even if he exhausted his soul strength, he might not be able to take the other down with him.

A moment later, Yao Lao looks at Xiao Yan, his gaze filled with anticipation and kindness, having reached a decision.

"I can trade with you, but the terms must be changed."

Gu Shenge nods: "Please speak, Yao Zunzhe. As long as it is not too outrageous, this junior can agree."

~

PS: Dou Po will be the main world in the early stages, with intermittent travel to other worlds. The first world, Douluo, has the highest demand, so after the Magic Beast Mountain Range arc concludes, a segment of the Douluo world story will begin.