Dou Ling Pill Completed, Nalan Yanran Volunteered to Become a Maid

Inside the hall.

Xiao Yan sat before the Black Demon Cauldron, pouring the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame into it and burning the medicinal ingredients within.

The Myriad Beast Spirit Flame moved as easily as an extension of his arm. As it burned the ingredients, it incinerated only their most essential parts while avoiding every stray leaf and branch.

This terrifying degree of flame control left everyone present dumbfounded.

What shocked them even more was that, while maintaining such precise flame control, Xiao Yan was simultaneously processing multiple medicinal ingredients.

This meant that not only was Xiao Yan's flame control formidable, but his soul perception was also exceptionally terrifying.

In the hall, unlike the other Alchemists.

Frank and Otto, the two Fourth-Rank Alchemists, saw things more deeply. They noticed the details in Xiao Yan's handling of medicinal ingredients and his alchemical techniques—they were simply peerless.

Every wisp of herb he burned was a useful portion, and every drop of medicinal liquid he extracted was the purest essence.

The two Fourth-Rank Alchemists watched Xiao Yan refine pills while gesturing through the air themselves, utterly absorbed.

"This is simply art!"

"What beautiful alchemical technique. It surpasses mine by far."

"Heavens, so this is how he purifies medicinal liquid. It's simply unheard of."

"I don't even need to learn the essence of it. Just seeing these surface-level techniques has already made me feel that my alchemy has improved considerably," one Third-Rank Alchemist said excitedly.

"Exactly. As expected of a Sixth-Rank Alchemist. If I could study under a master alchemist like this every day, perhaps I wouldn't have been stuck at the Second Rank for so many years."

The refinement neared its end, with only the final step of pill formation remaining. The many Alchemists gradually came back to their senses, still wanting more.

By then, a full five days had passed since Xiao Yan had begun refining the pill!

For five days, no one complained of fatigue, no one complained of hunger, and no one lost focus.

Even Nalan Yanran and Elder Yun Jing, who knew little about alchemy, had been captivated by Xiao Yan's elegant and beautiful techniques, as though watching art, and had remained fully engrossed.

Inside the Medicine Cauldron.

The crystalline, lustrous medicinal liquid was gathered together by Xiao Yan through an extremely ingenious method, condensing into a pill.

At the very instant the pill took shape, the natural energy throughout the hall suddenly became restless.

This was the defining characteristic of a Sixth-Rank pill: the ability to stir the power of heaven and earth.

Before everyone's eyes, a pillar of light shot skyward from within the Medicine Cauldron.

When the pillar of light dispersed, it signified that this round of pill refinement had officially ended.

Xiao Yan used his soul force to retrieve the Dou Ling Pill. It was the size of a dragon's eye, emanating an ancient medicinal fragrance. Its surface was incomparably smooth, and a single glance showed that it was a top-grade Dou Ling Pill.

All the Alchemists present fixed their eyes on it. Looking at this naturally flawless Dou Ling Pill, they nearly drooled with envy.

A Sixth-Rank pill that could raise a Dou Wang expert by one star after being consumed, sparing them years of arduous cultivation—the Dou Ling Pill!

This pill alone was enough to make a Dou Wang expert serve its owner with all their strength.

However, everyone present understood that Xiao Yan, who could refine such a pill, was likely not weak in cultivation either.

A Sixth-Rank Alchemist, at the very least, was someone even Dou Zong experts had to show respect to.

They did not dare harbor any improper thoughts toward such a figure.

"Master Yan, your pill stirred the natural energy. Your Sixth-Rank status is fully deserved! Please wait a few days. We will immediately report the matter truthfully to the higher-level Alchemist Guild and prepare an Alchemist robe representing your status!" Frank said with extreme respect.

"That is fine. I do not mind staying a while longer," Xiao Yan said, having expected this already.

The time he had set aside was enough for him to wait until the Alchemist robe arrived.

By then, that Sixth-Rank Alchemist robe alone would save him much effort and persuasion in his subsequent plans.

"Master Yan, have you arranged lodging? If you do not mind, may I find you a place to stay?" Otto also stepped forward, eager to make his presence known.

Xiao Yan waved a hand directly. "I already have lodging. Senior, there is no need to trouble yourself."

Otto immediately withdrew in disappointment. He did not dare force the matter, fearing that he would provoke Xiao Yan's dislike.

After observing Xiao Yan's alchemy over the past few days, he desperately wanted Xiao Yan to offer him a few pointers. That would greatly increase his chances of becoming a Fifth-Rank Alchemist in the future.

Unfortunately, Xiao Yan did not seem to intend to stay for long.

Xiao Yan stored everything in his Storage Ring, did not spare anyone present another glance, and left directly.

Seeing this, Nalan Yanran immediately stepped forward and raised a hand to stop Xiao Yan.

"Senior, please wait. This junior wishes to say a few words to you!"

Xiao Yan knew Nalan Yanran's purpose. He knew she must be speaking up because of Nalan Jie's Brand Poison.

However, dealing with the Brand Poison was not part of his current plans and would likely disrupt his arrangements.

Nalan Jie had held on for quite a long time in the original story. Why should he be in such a hurry?

"I have neither the time nor the interest to listen. Do not disturb me. The Misty Cloud Sect's status is not as useful as you think." Xiao Yan casually brushed aside Nalan Yanran's arm and left the Alchemist Guild without looking back.

Nalan Yanran pressed her lips together, worry settling between her brows.

That was right. A Sixth-Rank Alchemist truly had no need to give the Misty Cloud Sect face.

Nalan Yanran, you cannot give up just like this. Grandfather's life is still hanging by a thread. You must find a way to persuade him! Nalan Yanran resolved inwardly.

Having made up her mind, Nalan Yanran looked at Yun Jing and said, "Elder Yun Jing, I will have to trouble you to handle the matter of exchanging with Master Gute for the Ice Spirit Cold Spring on your own. Afterward, you may return to the sect by yourself."

Yun Jing frowned. "Young Sect Master, what do you mean by this...?"

Nalan Yanran looked somewhat apologetic. "I am sorry for placing everything on you."

"I wish to ask this Alchemist to help me save someone."

"Even if I have to pester him without shame, I must convince him!"

Yun Jing thought of something, and his expression changed. He lowered his voice. "Is it because of Elder Nalan?"

The matter of Nalan Jie being afflicted with Brand Poison was known to most of the Jia Ma Empire's upper circles.

It was said that even Pill King Gu He had been completely helpless.

So this Sixth-Rank Alchemist, whose name had never been heard before, might have hope of curing Nalan Jie?

Since this involved such a matter, Yun Jing could not say much. He could only advise, "Mind your boundaries. A Sixth-Rank Alchemist will not tolerate much, even if you, Young Sect Master, have the sect backing you."

"Once you notice that this Alchemist is growing annoyed, you must know when to stop."

Nalan Yanran nodded. "Thank you for the reminder, Elder Yun Jing."

After Xiao Yan returned to the inn, he removed his mask.

This time, by refining a pill in public, he had achieved all his objectives.

The evaluation of his Sixth-Rank Alchemist status would likely be ready very soon.

After putting on such an impressive display before everyone, his mood had improved considerably.

Moreover, the completed Dou Ling Pill could be consumed later to save cultivation time.

Next, he only needed to wait for the Alchemist robe to be issued before setting off for the Tagor Desert.

Obtain the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame Map Fragment, meet his two brothers, head to the Snake-People Tribe...

Just as Xiao Yan was planning his future actions, a knock suddenly sounded at the door.

Knock, knock, knock~

"Master Yan, may I ask whether you need a maid to help handle your daily affairs?" Nalan Yanran asked through the door.

"If you do not mind, I am willing to become your maid."

(Nalan Yanran will not be taken in; this plot serves the later storyline.)