When they heard Yao Chen's question, Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian both looked away without thinking.
Seeing this, Yao Chen guessed what had happened. He thought to himself,
These two little rascals must have had something happen between them last night. Still, that's not a bad thing. When I read Battle Through the Heavens, it always bothered me that Xiao Yi Xian and Xiao Yan never ended up together. This time, I'll do my best to bring them together.
After he finished thinking, the room fell unnaturally quiet. Yao Chen deliberately cleared his throat, breaking the awkward silence.
"Hmm."
"Starting today, you'll begin learning alchemy. Little Yan, you've never worked with medicinal ingredients before, so first learn about the different types and their properties from Xiao Yi Xian."
Yao Chen addressed Xiao Yan first, then turned to Xiao Yi Xian.
"You have the foundation of a physician, girl, and you're familiar with medicinal ingredients. Take Xiao Yan around and help him learn about them first."
When Xiao Yi Xian heard that Yao Chen wanted her to teach Xiao Yan about medicinal ingredients, she had intended to refuse. But remembering that it was hard to go against her master's orders, she could only agree reluctantly.
"All right, Master. I'll help Senior Brother Xiao Yan learn about the properties of the medicinal ingredients."
Yao Chen was delighted that Xiao Yi Xian had agreed. To bring them closer still, he said,
"I'll spend the next couple of days searching the Magical Beast Mountain Range for medicinal ingredients and the Magic Cores needed to refine pills."
"Ah!"
Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian cried out at the same time.
"What's wrong? I'm only getting ready for the alchemy we'll be doing next."
Hearing their cries, Yao Chen put on a stern expression and spoke.
"Um... It's nothing, Master. Please be careful out there!"
Seeing Yao Chen's serious expression, Xiao Yi Xian could only remind him cautiously.
Yao Chen then left to search for medicinal ingredients and Magic Cores.
The Magical Beast Mountain Range stretched for tens of thousands of miles, its peaks rising and falling beneath a veil of mist.
Yao Chen was like a lone wild goose, darting swiftly through this mysterious and dangerous land.
His keen eyes swept across the forests below, searching for traces of precious medicinal ingredients.
Before long, Yao Chen landed in a valley.
Ancient trees towered over the valley, and flowers and plants grew in abundance.
He moved lightly through the grass, relying on years of experience to sense an unusual aura.
Following it, Yao Chen spotted several spirit herbs swaying beside a boulder, their faint glow shimmering.
A flash of delight crossed his eyes. "A hundred-year-old Purple Cloud Vine!" He crouched carefully and gently parted the weeds around it, handling it as tenderly as a priceless treasure.
After obtaining the Purple Cloud Vine, Yao Chen continued deeper into the range.
The mountain paths were rugged and choked with thorns, but his pace never slowed.
Suddenly, a strange fragrance drifted toward him. Yao Chen's heart stirred, and he hurried toward its source.
At the edge of a cliff, he discovered a cluster of thousand-year-old Blood Lingzhi.
The Blood Lingzhi resembled a mass of burning flames, swaying gently in the breeze.
Yao Chen took a deep breath, used his movement technique to leap to the cliff's edge, and successfully gathered the Blood Lingzhi.
His haul of medicinal ingredients lifted his spirits, but he hadn't forgotten the other purpose of his trip—to hunt low-tier magical beasts and collect their Magic Cores.
Yao Chen's figure flashed swiftly through the woods. Before long, he heard a low roar.
A huge Two-Headed Wolf appeared before him.
Its eyes glinted viciously, and its fangs were sharp.
Yao Chen didn't show the slightest fear. With a flicker, he appeared behind the Two-Headed Wolf. Purple light surged in his hand as he struck it with his palm.
The Two-Headed Wolf let out a cry and fell to the ground.
Yao Chen quickly took its Magic Core and continued on.
Along the way, he encountered several more low-tier magical beasts, including Gale Leopards and venom scorpions, but dispatched them with ease and collected quite a few Magic Cores.
Back in the house, Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian were left alone together, awkwardly keeping each other company.
Xiao Yi Xian spoke first, breaking the awkward silence.
"Senior Brother Xiao Yan, let's begin."
Xiao Yi Xian gently raised her hand. With a thought, a faint light flashed from her Storage Ring, and a pile of medicinal ingredients in all shapes and sizes appeared on the table.
Her eyes were focused and earnest. She smiled at Xiao Yan and said,
"Senior Brother Xiao Yan, today I'll teach you how to identify these medicinal ingredients."
Xiao Yan nodded, his eyes full of curiosity and eagerness to learn.
Xiao Yi Xian first picked up an herb with saw-toothed leaves and a faint, sweet fragrance.
"This is a Purple Leaf Orchid. It has heat-clearing and detoxifying properties and usually grows in damp valleys."
Xiao Yan leaned closer to examine it, gently inhaling its fragrance as he committed its features to memory.
Next, Xiao Yi Xian picked up a medicinal herb with a thick stem and purple flowers.
"This is a Nether Flower. It can calm the mind, but its petals contain a trace of poison, so you have to be especially careful when using it."
Xiao Yan listened intently, asking questions from time to time. Xiao Yi Xian patiently answered each one.
As they studied, Xiao Yi Xian's hair occasionally slipped loose. Xiao Yan would instinctively reach out and tuck it behind her ear. Their fingers brushed by accident, and they could both feel each other's warmth. A faint blush appeared on their faces.
Xiao Yi Xian picked up another oddly shaped herb that looked like coral.
"This is a Coral Vine. It's highly effective in treating internal injuries."
Xiao Yan listened attentively, his eyes fixed on the herb, afraid to miss even the smallest detail.
As time passed, the medicinal ingredients on the table dwindled, while Xiao Yan learned more and more about them.
Seeing how diligently Xiao Yan studied, Xiao Yi Xian felt gratified, and admiration shone in her eyes.
"Senior Brother Xiao Yan, what I taught you today was only a small part. We'll keep learning more together over the next couple of days."
Xiao Yi Xian spoke gently.
Xiao Yan looked up and met her eyes, his gaze resolute.
"Junior Sister, thank you. I'll work hard and learn everything I can."
They looked at each other and smiled. The awkwardness from the night before faded, and the distance between them seemed to shrink.
The room was filled with the fragrance of medicinal ingredients. Sunlight fell across them, illuminating their warm and lovely figures.
Their laughter and conversation echoed through the room as a warm, intimate atmosphere quietly spread.
Two days passed in the blink of an eye. Yao Chen returned with a full load and arrived at the thatched cottage. From inside, he heard bursts of laughter and playful banter.
"Looks like these two little rascals are getting along quite well now!"
Yao Chen cleared his throat and entered the cottage.
Hearing him, Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian immediately stopped their play and stood up to greet him.
"Master, you're finally back."
Xiao Yi Xian spoke first, turning toward Yao Chen.
"Little Yan, girl, I'm back."
Yao Chen looked at them with a knowing smile.
"Master, it's not what you think!"
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