Deep within the Mittel Auction House, there was a spacious, exceptionally quiet alchemy room. Stepping inside felt like entering a mysterious world cut off from the rest of the world.
At the earth-fire vent, a precise array controlled everything like a stern guardian. Its steady, pale-blue flames burned quietly beneath the cauldron, like ethereal blue sprites twinkling in the night sky. They gave off a gentle, constant heat, as if draping the entire room in a warm, mysterious veil. A faint medicinal fragrance drifted through the air, like a lilting melody played softly all around them. Moonlight Stones were embedded in the walls, casting a gentle, clear glow like stars scattered across the world below. Their light illuminated the neatly arranged medicinal ingredients and tools. Compared with the makeshift alchemy site at the Xiao Family, this place was a hundred times more professional, like a refined hall of art.
Xiao Zhan stood quietly before the half-man-high red copper cauldron at the center of the room, so focused that it seemed the world held only him and the cauldron before him. He did not rush to refine a high-grade pill. Instead, he carefully selected several basic ingredients—Blood-Coagulating Grass, Bone-Growing Flower, and Vitality Fruit—to prepare the most basic Rejuvenation Powder, a first-grade healing medicine. It was like a master craftsman beginning with the simplest strokes to sketch out a magnificent painting.
Ya Fei sat quietly in a soft chair nearby, her graceful posture like that of a lazy cat. Yet her beautiful eyes stayed fixed on Xiao Zhan, as if she feared missing even the slightest detail, like a devout believer listening intently to a saint's teachings. Today, she had deliberately chosen a more form-fitting, plain-colored dress. It clung to her figure like a second skin. It lacked the bold allure she usually exuded, but gave her a tranquil elegance instead, like a lily blooming in a secluded valley. Her natural beauty seemed all the more striking, transcendent and refined.
"The first priority in alchemy is controlling the flame. It's like taming a wild steed—you need skill and a steady mind. Next comes concentration, like finding a quiet harbor in a noisy world and letting your mind sink fully into the task. Only then comes the melding of medicinal properties, which is like an exquisite dance. The ingredients must work together to produce the most beautiful melody." As Xiao Zhan methodically prepared the ingredients, he explained in a calm, resonant voice. Each word was like a brilliant pearl falling into Ya Fei's heart.
"If the flame is too strong, the medicine burns, like food scorched by excessive heat. If it's too weak, the medicinal power remains impure, like rice left uncooked and impossible to eat. Soul power is the hand that guides the flame. You must sense every subtle change in the medicine within the cauldron, like a caring mother watching over her child's every need." As he spoke, his fingers flicked lightly, and a wisp of Dou Qi flowed precisely into the earth-fire array like a nimble sprite.
The gentle blue flames instantly sprang to life, as if they had been given a soul. Under the guidance of his will, they rose like soaring flood dragons, charging straight into the sky, then drew inward like spirit serpents slinking into hiding. They wrapped around the cauldron with perfect precision, as if carefully protecting a precious treasure.
Ya Fei unconsciously held her breath, afraid she might disturb the dreamlike scene before her. Her beautiful eyes stayed fixed on Xiao Zhan as soul power flowed slowly from his fingertips. It was like a series of invisible yet incredibly nimble threads, slipping gently and precisely into the cauldron. That soul power seemed alive as it sensed every detail of the ingredients melting in the intense heat and the wondrous changes as their medicinal properties gradually emerged.
Xiao Zhan's face remained composed, as if he could lift a thousand pounds with ease. Every gesture revealed his exquisite control over power. His steady bearing was like the deep ocean: tranquil on the surface, yet concealing boundless energy. Ripples stirred in Ya Fei's heart. She knew this was far beyond what someone who merely "knew a little" could do. This was the bearing of a master who had immersed himself in alchemy for many years!
Now, under heat controlled down to the slightest degree, the ingredients quickly melted and were purified, as if performing a magnificent, orderly dance. The medicinal liquid swirled and blended in the cauldron like a group of lively sprites playing together. The whole process flowed as smoothly as drifting clouds and running water, without the slightest delay or pause. It held an indescribable beauty, like a breathtaking painting slowly unfolding before their eyes.
In less than the time it took to drink a cup of tea, the medicinal fragrance inside the cauldron suddenly grew stronger. It filled the air as tangibly as a solid thing, leaving anyone who breathed it in refreshed and clearheaded. Just then, Xiao Zhan slapped the cauldron with his palm, producing a crisp, ringing sound.
"Condense!"
At his low command, the lid lifted gently, as if raised by an invisible hand. Then three smooth, evenly colored, pale-green pills emerged, held aloft by invisible soul power. Like three brilliant pearls, they traced graceful arcs through the air before settling neatly into the jade bottle in his hand. Their surfaces were as smooth as mirrors, and they gleamed with a warm luster, as if carefully polished by time itself. They were the finest quality among first-grade pills, enough to inspire admiration.
"How impressive..." Ya Fei murmured, her voice tinged with wonder and admiration. Her beautiful eyes sparkled as if filled with countless tiny stars. She had seen the family's Second-Rank Alchemist refine first-grade pills, but the process had been nowhere near as effortless and graceful as Xiao Zhan's. The quality of the finished pills had been far inferior, too.
Xiao Zhan smiled faintly and handed her the jade bottle. "Miss Ya Fei, take a look. This is the most basic control of fire and condensing."
Ya Fei gently accepted the exquisite jade bottle. Her fingertips brushed against Xiao Zhan's warm palm by accident. In an instant, a warm current ran from her fingertips through her whole body, making her heart flutter as though a little deer were bounding inside her chest. She cradled the bottle carefully and examined the smooth pills inside, her eyes full of admiration. "Patriarch Xiao's alchemy has truly opened my eyes, and left me in awe. The medicinal power in this Rejuvenation Powder is exceptionally pure. I doubt even an ordinary Second-Rank Alchemist could refine it so perfectly."
"It's nothing but practice makes perfect." Xiao Zhan smiled calmly, his smile like the warm sunshine of spring. His gaze passed over Ya Fei's exquisite face, so close at hand. Her skin was as fair as snow, her features as lovely as a painting, as if Heaven had carved her with meticulous care. Her unique fragrance lingered beneath his nose, fresh and beguiling as spring blossoms. In the enclosed space, their focused atmosphere seemed like an invisible net, drawing them close. And that accidental touch just now had been like a tiny spark, quietly kindling a hint of tenderness between them—like stars faintly glittering in the night sky, elusive yet stirring.
"Ding! Ya Fei's favorability +5. Current favorability: 60/100." The system prompt rang in Xiao Zhan's mind, stirring him slightly. Sixty points of favorability had already gone far beyond that of ordinary business partners. It had entered the stage of "strong fondness and curiosity," like a flower just beginning to bloom, slowly revealing its charm.
"If Miss Ya Fei would like to try controlling the flame, perhaps you could start by purifying a simple medicinal ingredient?" Xiao Zhan suggested softly. His voice was warm and resonant, like a babbling stream, subtly bringing them closer.
"Really?" Surprise and anticipation shone in Ya Fei's eyes, bright as stars in the night sky. She was like a child eager to explore a new world, filled with longing for the unknown.
"Of course." Xiao Zhan smiled and motioned for her to come stand beside him at the cauldron. They stood very close, close enough to feel each other's breath. Ya Fei could even clearly sense the steady presence of Xiao Zhan beside her, like a mountain that made her feel safe and secure.
Xiao Zhan was like a patient, persuasive tutor as he guided Ya Fei. He carefully explained how to make subtle adjustments to the flames with the array, which, as he described it, was like a tamed sprite that could control the fire's strength at will. Then he showed her how to use the faintest threads of soul power to sense every slight change in the cauldron's temperature, as if touching a precious, fragile work of art.
Ya Fei studied with great seriousness, her focused expression shining like a star in the night sky. But this was her first attempt, after all, and her movements were inevitably clumsy and awkward, like a child just learning to walk, cautious yet prone to stumbling. When she gathered her courage and tried to guide the leaping flames around a Blood-Coagulating Grass, her soul power wavered slightly. In an instant, the once-docile flames reared like a runaway horse, shooting high into the air with a whoosh as if they would devour everything in their path. The precious ingredient was nearly burned to ash.
"Ah!" Startled by the sudden mishap, Ya Fei let out a soft cry and instinctively stumbled half a step backward, like a startled fawn.
At that critical moment, a warm, strong hand appeared like a guardian from the heavens and caught her firmly around the waist, steadying her wavering form. Its warmth passed through her thin clothes, seeming to carry a magic of its own that calmed her startled heart. At the same time, Xiao Zhan's other hand shot out like lightning. A powerful surge of soul power swept through the air, instantly smoothing the restless flames. The Blood-Coagulating Grass that had nearly been burned away rested in the current of power like a light feather, returning safely to the gentle fire to continue its refinement.
"Careful," Xiao Zhan said softly beside Ya Fei's ear, his voice low and resonant, a lilting melody on the night breeze touched with concern. The hand at her waist did not withdraw at once. The warmth of his palm seeped through her thin clothes like an electric current, spreading over her skin and making her body go taut. Her heart pounded fiercely and rapidly, like a war drum.
She could clearly feel the masculine presence behind her, like a rich wine with a unique allure. The strength and steadiness in his palm were like a solid barrier built around her, making her feel utterly safe. Two clouds of crimson rose involuntarily to her cheeks, like the brilliant sunset glowing on the horizon, spreading all the way to her fair neck and adding a touch of bashful charm.
"Th-thank you, Patriarch Xiao." Ya Fei's voice trembled almost imperceptibly, like a petal swaying in the breeze. She turned her head slightly and met Xiao Zhan's deep eyes, so close at hand. His gaze was as calm as water, yet seemed to conceal endless whirlpools that could draw her whole being into them, leaving her entranced and unable to pull away.
Time seemed to be gently held still by an invisible hand, quietly freezing in that moment. The faint medicinal scent already filling the alchemy room seemed to grow more tender. The temperature felt as though it had risen a little, warm and fuzzy, making them slightly lightheaded. Everything around them was utterly quiet, save for the soft crackle of the earth-fire beneath the cauldron, like a meteor flashing briefly across the night sky, and the sound of their breaths mingling at close quarters, like a wordless yet moving melody.
Xiao Zhan lowered his head slightly, his gaze falling on the blushing beauty in his arms, shy and radiant as a peach blossom. Ya Fei's cheeks were like brilliant clouds on the horizon, flushed so vividly they seemed ready to drip with color. The shyness and allure in her eyes were like spring flowers in bloom, lively and delicate. Ripples stirred in Xiao Zhan's own heart. But he knew where to draw the line. His lips curved into a gentle, natural smile, and then he slowly withdrew his hand with an elegant ease, as if that brief catch had been the most ordinary thing in the world.
"When controlling the flame, keep your mind calm. Soul power is like breathing—you need a steady, unbroken rhythm. Like a mountain stream, it must flow neither too fast nor too slow to last." Xiao Zhan continued his patient instruction with an unchanged expression, his low, resonant voice like the loveliest music in nature. His words buried the brief tenderness from a moment ago, as though nothing had happened. "Try again. Focus and cast all distractions aside."
Ya Fei took a deep breath. The fresh air flowed through her nose and into her body, seeming to carry a mysterious power that helped quiet the flutter in her heart. She tried to refocus on the cauldron, but the lingering warmth around her waist remained like a brand etched into her memory. His low, captivating voice also echoed in her mind, lingering and impossible to banish. This man was like a mysterious, towering mountain—powerful enough to inspire awe, mysterious enough to make her want to explore, and unfathomable as the vast universe. Yet he had a fatal allure that made her feel like a moth, knowing the fire ahead was scorching and dangerous, yet unable to resist drawing closer with all her heart.
The time that followed slipped by amid a subtle, tender atmosphere. Under Xiao Zhan's attentive guidance, Ya Fei completed her first-ever purification of a medicinal ingredient, stumbling through the process. It was fraught with setbacks, and the result was rather rough, but the novelty and sense of achievement shone like brilliant starlight in her heart, making her as delighted as a child who had received a beloved toy. Xiao Zhan remained the same gentle, patient tutor throughout. Their occasional, unintentional touches were like a breeze brushing across a lake, stirring layer upon layer of ripples. His low words were like warm sunshine falling into Ya Fei's heart, always making her heartbeat skip.
When Ya Fei left the alchemy room with the medicinal liquid she had extracted from the Blood-Coagulating Grass, tinged with a scorched smell, her face glowed with excitement. The blush was like a beautiful, moving sunset. She looked at Xiao Zhan with unmistakable admiration, like a believer looking upon the deity in her heart, and with a feeling she had not yet fully recognized, like a seedling quietly sprouting in spring.
"Ding!" A crisp system prompt rang out, like a shooting star streaking across the night sky, breaking the brief silence. "Ya Fei's favorability +3. Current favorability: 63/100. Intimate interaction achieved. Reward: Earth Tier Low Grade movement Dou Technique, Flowing Cloud Steps." The sound echoed in Xiao Zhan's mind like a beautiful melody, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly before he knew it.
After Ya Fei left, the gentle smile on Xiao Zhan's face gradually faded, like sunlight disappearing at dusk. He returned to the Xiao Family with steady steps. As soon as he entered the study, he saw Xiao Yan already waiting inside, excitement and anticipation written all over his face. He looked like a young warrior about to set out on an adventure. Venerable Yao floated nearby like a light cloud, his expression somewhat grave, as if pondering something important.
"Father!" The moment Xiao Yan saw Xiao Zhan, he hurried over like a cheerful little bird. His eyes shone with blazing excitement as he said impatiently, "Teacher says I need to go out and gain experience, to find some special medicinal ingredients and opportunities, before I can truly begin cultivating the Flame Mantra and rapidly increase my strength! We're all ready to head to the Magical Beast Mountain Range and test ourselves!" His voice rang with conviction and resolve, as if he could break through any obstacle.
Xiao Zhan looked at the fighting spirit blazing in his son's eyes, like a roaring flame lighting the road ahead. He nodded slightly, his gaze full of encouragement and trust. "Mm. Flowers raised in a greenhouse can't withstand the rain and wind. Only by weathering nature's trials can you grow strong. It's time for you to go out and see the world—to endure its storms and experience its vastness." Then he turned to Venerable Yao, his gaze carrying a note of earnestness. "Venerable Yao, I'm entrusting Yan'er's safety to you. You're experienced, and with you by his side, I'll feel much more at ease."
Venerable Yao's illusory face bore a solemn expression, like an unshakable mountain that inspired confidence. He bowed slightly. "Patriarch Xiao, rest assured. I'll keep him safe. As for the purpose of this journey, besides looking for some basic medicinal ingredients, I've recently sensed a faint trace of a Heavenly Flame stirring deep within the Magical Beast Mountain Range... The presence is extremely weak and distant, like a dim star twinkling in the night sky, but it's worth investigating. There may be a great opportunity hidden there."
Xiao Zhan understood perfectly, as if he had seen through it all. He knew Venerable Yao meant the mysterious and powerful Green Lotus Core Flame. This was the news he had been waiting for. Keeping his expression as calm as a still lake, he said, "A Heavenly Flame? Those are rare wonders of the world, like priceless treasures, containing boundless energy. But danger and opportunity always go hand in hand, like the two sides of a coin. Yan'er, are you certain you want to go? This won't be a leisurely trip. It'll be an adventure full of the unknown and challenges."
"Father, I have to go!" Xiao Yan's gaze burned like a torch, filled with resolve. His firm tone was as unyielding as rock. "For the Three-Year Agreement, I'll try even if the road ahead is a sea of swords and flames, no matter how dangerous it is! This is the path I have to take. It's my challenge to fate!"
"Good! You're worthy of being my son!" A flash of pride and relief crossed Xiao Zhan's eyes. His approving expression was like the warm spring sun, lighting the way ahead for Xiao Yan. He lifted a hand and slowly took several items from his Storage Ring, each one carrying his deep love and hopes for his son.
First was an exquisite jade bottle, its surface glowing with a warm luster, filled with various pills for healing and restoring energy. They gleamed like brilliant pearls in the bottle, soft light flickering over them. These were the life-saving medicines Xiao Zhan had prepared for his son in case of danger.
Next came a scroll radiating a mysterious aura: the movement technique scroll for Flowing Cloud Steps, the reward the system had just granted. The symbols on the scroll seemed to flow, and it faintly emitted a soft light, as if hinting at its secrets. "This movement Dou Technique, Flowing Cloud Steps, is Earth Tier Low Grade. Once mastered, it will greatly increase your speed and evasive ability, making you as nimble as drifting clouds in battle. Make sure you learn it as soon as possible." As he spoke, Xiao Zhan carefully placed the jade bottle and scroll in Xiao Yan's hands, his movements gentle yet solemn.
Finally, Xiao Zhan picked up a seemingly unremarkable gray jade tablet. Its color was dull and its surface rough. It looked like an ordinary stone, but it held immense power. "Yan'er, keep this tablet close to you." Xiao Zhan's voice turned particularly grave, carrying an unquestionable authority. "If you encounter a life-or-death crisis you can't overcome, crush it. Remember, use it only when you're truly desperate!"
This small jade tablet held a Soul Imprint of Xiao Zhan's soul at the Dou Zong level, along with pure Dou Qi. The Soul Imprint was like a sleeping giant, ready to unleash astonishing power once awakened. The pure Dou Qi was like a surging tide, capable of instantly forming a defensive barrier on par with a Dou Wang's to block a fatal attack. At the same time, the moment the tablet was crushed, Xiao Zhan would sense Xiao Yan's exact location and rush to his aid at once, no matter how far away he was. This was the ultimate lifeline he had prepared for his son as a father—a token of his profound love and protection.
Xiao Yan took the gray jade tablet in both hands. As his fingertips brushed it, he could truly feel the strange energy within, like a mysterious torrent surging faintly inside the tablet. Hearing the heavy meaning in his father's words, he nodded firmly without hesitation and clasped the tablet tightly in both hands, as if holding the hope of life and the honor of his family. "Don't worry, Father. I'll remember! I won't let you down!"
Venerable Yao's keen eyes lingered on the gray jade tablet for a moment. Even with his powerful, perceptive soul sense, he could not fully discern the little tablet's secrets. He could only faintly sense the extremely subtle power within. It was like a sleeping behemoth, not yet awakened, yet it still made even his soul, weathered by countless years, shudder—as if he were facing an insurmountable mountain!
This Patriarch Xiao... What sort of being stands behind him? Even the protective charm he casually gives his son is this astonishing. Such methods are beyond the reach of an ordinary person... Venerable Yao's thoughts churned like a raging sea. His wariness and curiosity about Xiao Zhan ran wild like weeds, reaching a height they had never attained before.
"Get ready. We leave at dawn tomorrow." Xiao Zhan gently patted his son's shoulder, the gesture full of strength and encouragement, as if pouring boundless courage into him. "Remember, come back alive! You must personally wash away the humiliation our family suffered. Show those who look down on us that the sons of the Xiao Family are no cowards!"
"Yes, Father!" Fighting spirit blazed in Xiao Yan's eyes, like a burning flame lighting the road ahead. He straightened his back, as if already prepared to face any challenge.
As he watched his son's firm, resolute figure disappear from view, Xiao Zhan's gaze grew profound, like the most mysterious stars in the night sky, concealing countless thoughts and plans.
The Magical Beast Mountain Range... A place rife with danger, but full of opportunity as well. Green Mountain Town... A place full of stories. Xiao Yi Xian... A woman as pure as a fairy... All of it would be a trial along his son's path to growth.
"Yan'er, your journey has begun. It's a path full of thorns and challenges, but also the only road that will lead you to glory." Xiao Zhan murmured to himself, then slowly turned his gaze toward the Tagor Desert. His eyes were sharp as blades, as though they could pierce the distance of a thousand miles. "Queen Medusa... It's time I paid you a visit. This battle of destiny was inevitable in the end."
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