Liu Bai spoke amicably, without any airs, gradually putting Xiao Yan at ease.
Xiao Yi Xian sat quietly to one side, occasionally refilling Liu Bai's tea, her gaze gentle throughout.
Qing Lin listened with great interest, chiming in with a remark or two from time to time, leaving Xiao Yan torn between laughter and tears.
After chatting for about half an hour, Liu Bai finally set down his teacup and looked directly at Xiao Yan.
"Brother Xiao Yan, could you ask Senior Yao Lao to come out for a meeting?"
Xiao Yan fell silent for a moment.
The next instant, the black ring on his finger flashed faintly, and an illusory elderly figure drifted out, hovering in midair.
He was an old man with white hair and beard. His form was illusory, but his eyes were exceptionally bright as they assessed Liu Bai.
Yao Chen.
Liu Bai rose to his feet and solemnly cupped his hands in greeting.
"Senior Yao Lao, Liu Bai greets you."
Yao Lao waved his hand and smiled.
"No need for such ceremony, young friend. Your Soul Power has already reached the Spirit Realm, and your alchemy has reached the eighth tier. In terms of status, you are no inferior to this old man. We may address each other as equals."
Liu Bai smiled faintly but remained respectful.
"You are a senior figure in the alchemy world, once the continent's foremost Alchemist. This junior has only just entered the eighth tier. How could I show you anything less than respect?"
A complicated look flashed through Yao Lao's eyes at those words.
Once upon a time, he truly had been the continent's number one Alchemist, enjoying boundless glory.
But now, all that remained was this wisp of a soul, dwelling within a ring.
He let out a