Nalan Yanran Sensed Something Was Wrong! The Conference Begins!

Nalan Yanran felt that her master was a bit strange.

After Xiao Yan removed the Brand Poison from her grandfather's body, she returned to the Misty Cloud Sect without any excuse.

But after returning to the sect, she discovered that something was wrong with her master.

Her teacher, who usually taught her diligently, seemed to be intentionally or unintentionally avoiding meeting her.

She thought that her neglect of cultivation had caused Yun Yun's dissatisfaction.

But when she nervously inquired, she received not only no affirmation, but also Three-Pattern Green Spirit Pill from her master Yun Yun, which offered a chance to increase her strength by Three-Star.

This left her completely bewildered.

Even today, as the alchemy conference is about to begin, an even more unbelievable scene has unfolded.

When she woke up early in the morning, she was surprised to see her master standing by the pond, using the water's surface as a mirror to groom himself.

Even her usual long dress was changed to a more exquisite and beautiful one.

This was no less impactful on her than the alchemy master she admired, who was actually her fiancé with whom she had broken off their engagement.

That's simply impossible!

Nalan Yanran was conflicted the whole way, and her mood only improved somewhat when she arrived at the Imperial Plaza.

"I'll be able to see Master Yan Xiao soon," Nalan Yanran thought to herself, a joyful smile spreading across her face.

Then, her joyful smile froze on her face.

"Yan Xiao!" Yun Yun couldn't suppress a hint of joy in her voice, and subconsciously reached out to smooth her hair.

Xiao Yan's tone was also more intimate than when he was facing Nalan Yanran: "What brings you here? You didn't come here just to watch me refine medicine, did you?"

Yun Yun's eyes showed a slight panic, and she hurriedly said, "The Alchemist Conference is held every eight years, so of course I have to come and watch."

Of course they were supposed to come see it? Then why didn't they come see it in the original story? Where did the unexpected turn happen?

Xiao Yan found this a bit hard to guess.

"Oh, by the way, what you asked for is here."

The scene seemed familiar, and just like Jia Xingtian, Yun Yun took out a Storage Ring as she spoke.

Xiao Yan took it, opened it, and saw that several seeds of Beast Flame were contained in a special container.

"Good." Xiao Yan nodded in satisfaction, thinking to himself, "With the energy from Jia Xingtian and these few Beast Flame, breaking through to the Dou Emperor shouldn't be a problem."

After carefully putting away the Storage Ring, Xiao Yan smiled at Yun Yun and said, "Thank you."

Yun Yun smiled and replied, "I'm glad you don't mind."

Not far away.

Hai Bodong nudged Jia Xingtian and Fama, whispering, "Master Yan Xiao seems to have a close relationship with this Sect Master Yun Yun."

"Indeed, the tone of voice and the atmosphere when they were together were just like...someone close to you," Fama nodded.

Jia Xingtian frowned, unable to smile at all, and didn't even want to start a conversation.

The fact that this mysterious, Peak Sixth-Grade Alchemist is on good terms with Yun Yun, the Misty Cloud Sect Master, is not a friendly signal to the Imperial Family.

Jia Xingtian paused for two seconds, realizing that even if he couldn't win Xiao Yan over to the Imperial Family's camp, he absolutely couldn't let Xiao Yan's relationship with the Misty Cloud Sect surpass his relationship with the Imperial Family.

"We have to invest heavily," Jia Xingtian thought to himself.

Xiao Yan, unaware that his simple conversation with Yun Yun had successfully caused Xiao Yan great worry, was completely Jia Xingtian.

He was with Yun Yun, looking for a seat.

"The conference is about to begin, please take your seats," Xiao Yan said.

"Okay." Yun Yun nodded in agreement, and just as she was about to get up, she felt a hand tug at the hem of her clothes from behind.

She turned around, puzzled, and asked, "Yanran, what's wrong?"

Nalan Yanran glanced at Xiao Yan, then whispered urgently to Yun Yun, "Master, how do you know Master Yan Xiao?!"

"And why are you so..." Nalan Yanran hesitated for a moment, but still managed to say, "Being so close to him is almost like being with him..."

Yun Yun's pupils widened, and she quickly covered Nalan Yanran's mouth with her hand. She turned her head to look at Xiao Yan, who was looking for a seat, and said seriously to Nalan Yanran, "Yanran, don't talk nonsense!"

Nalan Yanran broke free from Yun Yun's hand, pursed her lips, and asked unwillingly, "Forgive my rudeness, but may I ask how Master came to know Master Yan Xiao?"

Yun Yun naturally wouldn't reveal her encounter with Xiao Yan in the Magical Beast Mountain Range. After thinking for a moment, she said, "We only met recently, and your Three-Pattern Green Spirit Pill was made by him."

"The Storage Ring I just gave him contains Beast Flame used for trading pills. The sense of closeness you felt... was just an illusion."

"An illusion?" Nalan Yanran's eyes were somewhat confused.

"Young Sect Master, it is true that you only met Master Yan Xiao recently, and he helped you pass on messages and guide you," Yun Jing said at this moment.

He didn't say a word of nonsense, he just went along with Yun Yun.

Nalan Yanran's eyes regained their light. "Elder Yun Jing is also present?"

With Yun Jing as a witness, she immediately convinced herself, thinking, "It seems Master was right; she and Yan Xiao have only known each other for a short time."

The feeling of closeness likely stems from Yan Xiao's attitude. But really, isn't it just the natural joy of getting what you wanted?

I'm so obsessed... I actually questioned my master about this."

Nalan Yanran said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Master, I was rude just now."

Yun Yun smiled kindly, "It's alright, just don't overthink it."

"... After the conference concludes, we will depart for Wutan City to fulfill our Three-Year Agreement. You need to calm yourself down in the coming days, understand?"

"Yes, disciple understands," Nalan Yanran replied.

Seeing this, Yun Yun breathed a sigh of relief and didn't think too much about why her good disciple would be so aggressive when faced with her and Yan Xiao's intimate relationship.

"Yan Xiao..." Gu He, who had watched the whole thing, repeated the name, hoping, "I wonder if observing his alchemy will improve my skills a little."

Yes, he didn't notice anything amiss at all; his mind was completely focused on alchemy.

He liked Yun Yun, but if it came down to alchemy, alchemy was more important.

On the other side, Xiao Yan was looking for a seat when Fama called him back.

"Master Yan Xiao, sit here!" Fama suddenly spoke up.

Xiao Yan looked over and found that the position Fama mentioned was the very center of the VIP seating area.

He didn't feel unworthy and nodded to sit down.

Yun Yun sat in the second row, directly behind him, according to his assigned seat.

Xiao Yan said to Fama, "Thank you, Master Fama."

"No, no, no, you should sit here," Fama, his tone remaining respectful.

Immediately, a hint of surprise appeared in the eyes of everyone around.

Vice President Qie Mi'er frowned even more.

Normally, the most central seat in the VIP section is reserved for either Fama or Jia Xingtian.

Both are Dou Emperor Alchemist Guild, and the other is the host of the Imperial Plaza; both have their reasons.

What about Xiao Yan? Although he is Peak Sixth-Grade Alchemist, it felt a bit off that he was sitting in the main seat without any status or recognition at this time.

Everyone was puzzled, but not wanting to offend Xiao Yan, a Sixth-Rank Alchemist, they kept quiet.

No one objected.

In a little while, the Alchemist Conference will officially begin.

Liu Ling, Yao Yue, and other contestants also left the VIP seats and went to the Square below the VIP platform.

Once all the contestants had arrived, Fama announced, "In my capacity as the president of the Alchemist Guild of the Jia Ma Empire, I hereby declare the Seventh Alchemist Conference open!"

"Next, please welcome Master Yan Xiao, to set a good example for this conference by coming up on stage to demonstrate an elixir!"