A Chance Encounter

Beneath the black robe was a resolute face. In the past two years, with the help of Yao Lao, Xiao Yan had made great progress and his strength had now reached the level of Nine-star Dou Shi.

No one knows what Xiao Yan went through in the past two years. Although he stayed at the Jia Nan Academy, he spent most of his time training in the Black Corner Region outside the Jia Nan Academy.

At this moment, Xiao Yan still carried traces of blood and a murderous aura, which was the result of his long-term battles in the Black Corner Region.

After entering the Imperial Capital, Xiao Yan was somewhat impressed by Imperial Capital prosperity. The surrounding noise made Xiao Yan feel a little uncomfortable for a moment. He went to an inn and said to the receptionist, "One room!"

Sensing the chilling aura emanating from the man in black robes, the maid quickly opened a room for him. Xiao Yan took the room key and headed upstairs. The maid patted her chest and exclaimed, "This man's aura is terrifying!"

"Teacher, do we have to take the alchemist exam tomorrow?" Xiao Yan asked casually after entering the room, taking off the giant ruler from his back.

At this moment, the Yao Lao, now in his soul form, floated in the air and said, "Alright, it's time to take the alchemist's rank assessment. After the assessment, we can ask about the Seven Illusory Azure Spirit Saliva. If the Alchemist Guild in the Imperial Capital doesn't have it, then we can go to the Mittel Auction House!"

Xiao Yan nodded and said, "Then I'll listen to my teacher!" With that, he comfortably lay down on the bed and exclaimed, "How long has it been since I've slept in such a comfortable bed!"

The Yao Lao chuckled and said, "What, are you blaming your master for being too strict with you?"

Xiao Yan quickly sat up and said to Yao Lao, "My teacher naturally knows that's not what I meant."

"Once things are settled here, it's time for you to go out and explore the world!" the Yao Lao said softly.

Xiao Yan's interest was immediately piqued, and he looked at Yao Lao with bright eyes, asking, "Teacher, are you planning to take me to Central Plains?"

Yao Lao glanced at Xiao Yan and said, "Central Plains? Before you become Dou Emperor, you should stay here. Central Plains is not like your Northwest. There are countless geniuses there. Even Dou Emperor has to be careful in Central Plains. Originally, I planned to go there when you reached the Dou Zong, but I'm afraid that would take too long."

"After you go back, you will still need to train in the Black Corner Region. Improving your strength is the most important thing!" Yao Lao said earnestly to Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan said with some distress, "That Heavenly Flames from the academy was really too difficult to accept, but thankfully, my teacher helped me find quite a few Beast Flame, which significantly improved the grade of my Flame Mantra!"

The Yao Lao wasn't in such a hurry. He looked at Xiao Yan and comforted him, "Don't be too hasty about this. After all, the Fallen Heart Flame is ranked fourteenth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking, so its refining difficulty is naturally not small. However, you now have some control over the Child Flame of the Fallen Heart Flame. Although it can't advance your Flame Mantra, it's enough for refining medicine!"

Xiao Yan nodded and said, "I understand, teacher."

Yao Lao nodded to himself as he looked at Xiao Yan. Over the years, he had come to understand Xiao Yan's character very well, which was why he had been so dedicated to helping Xiao Yan!

The next day.

Xiao Yan woke up from his sleep. It had been a long time since he had had a good night's sleep. The morning sunlight shone into the room. After a quick wash, Xiao Yan opened the door and went outside.

With a soft creak, the door opposite Xiao Yan opened. He exchanged a glance with the person who came out of the room, and exclaimed in surprise, "Big Brother?"

"Little Yan?" Xiao Li exclaimed in surprise.

The two brothers embraced excitedly. Xiao Li looked at his brother, who was about the same height as him, and said with a look of satisfaction, "Good lad, it seems you're very confident about this trip to the Misty Cloud Sect!"

Upon hearing his elder brother mention the Misty Cloud Sect, a shadow of gloom flashed across Xiao Yan's eyes. He smiled and said, "If I wasn't confident, I wouldn't have come here!"

"By the way, what are you doing in the Imperial Capital, Big Brother? Where's Second Brother? Did he come too?" Xiao Yan asked several questions in a row.

Xiao Li chuckled and waved his hand, saying, "Listen to me slowly. Your second brother, Xiao Li, is next door. I'll go call him. Let's talk when we brothers meet!"

Xiao Yan nodded and said, "Okay!"

Xiao Li Xiao Li on the door next door, yawning as he said, "Big brother, why are you calling me so early!"

Xiao Li glared at him and said, "What time is it and you're still sleeping? Look who this is!" Xiao Li turned to the side to make way for Xiao Yan behind him.

Upon seeing Xiao Yan, Xiao Li quickly rubbed his eyes and exclaimed in surprise, "Holy crap, no way, this is Little Yan?"

"Second Brother!" Only after Xiao Yan called out "Second Brother" did Xiao Li realize it was Little Yan. He hugged him tightly and laughed loudly, "You little rascal, I almost didn't recognize you after so long!"

Xiao Li released Xiao Yan, slammed his fist on the shoulder, and complained, "All these years you haven't even mentioned going to the desert to see us. If it weren't for Little Yu bringing us to the Imperial Capital, it would probably have been a long time before we saw each other again!"

Upon hearing Xiao Li's words, Xiao Yan immediately smiled wryly and said, "No, it's just that I haven't had time since I went to the Jia Nan Academy. Let's go inside and talk!"

Xiao Li quickly pulled Xiao Yan into the room, squeezed Xiao Yan's arm, and exclaimed in amazement, "I really didn't expect that your aura is stronger than mine and your older brother's! You're a monster, two monsters!"

"Two?" Xiao Yan suddenly remembered Xiao Yu and asked, "Big brother, second brother, have you seen Brother Yu?"

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li nodded and said, "Of course, Little Yu went to the desert, and it was Little Yu's idea for us to come to the Imperial Capital this time!"

Xiao Yan asked with some surprise, "Brother Yu's idea? He sent you Imperial Capital?"

Xiao Ding chuckled and said, "Little Yu thinks we brothers should go out and explore more. He brought us to the Imperial Capital this time so we could give you some support. After things are settled here, we'll go to the Black Corner Region together and have some fun!"

"You're going to the Black Corner Region?" Xiao Yan was even more surprised, but he quickly understood Xiao Yu's intentions.

Xiao Yan agreed somewhat, saying, "Brother Yu's idea is not bad. The Black Corner Region is the best place to train people. It's good that we're both at the Jia Nan Academy, so we can look after each other. But, didn't Father say that you established a mercenary group in Shi Mo City?"

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li exchanged a glance and then said, "Disband. We only took a few who were willing to come with us; the rest have been dismissed!"

Xiao Yan stared at Xiao Ding and Xiao Li in shock, then slowly exhaled and said admiringly, "You two truly have great courage!"

To disband a mercenary group that has been painstakingly built up over several years is not something an ordinary person can do with the courage to do!

"By the way, where's Brother Yu? Isn't he with you?" Xiao Yan asked.

Xiao Ding said, "Little Yu sent a message; it seems he has some business to attend to at the Mittel Family, and he has friends there!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan nodded without asking further questions. He then looked at Xiao Ding and Xiao Li and said, "Big brother, second brother, I'm going to the Alchemist Guild in the Imperial Capital now. I'll come back later to catch up with you!"