A Conversation Between Master and Disciple

In the blink of an eye, half a year passed by.

During this period, under the tutelage of Yao Chen, Xiao Yan's soul power and his ability to manipulate Heavenly Flames reached a certain level. He could independently refine high-quality Tier 4 medicinal pills, and with the aid of the Heavenly Flames, he could even barely manage to refine simple Tier 5 pills.

As for Xiao Yan's current cultivation, after being imparted power by Yao Chen several times, his strength had broken through to a three-star Dou King.

Because of her constitution, Xiao Yi Xian could not directly become an alchemist. However, during the final month, she practiced within the Heavenly Flames every day, eventually succeeding in adapting to the flames of both Yao Chen and Xiao Yan.

Because she consumed the poisonous herbs that Yao Chen brought back from the outside every few days, Xiao Yi Xian's overall cultivation surpassed Xiao Yan's, reaching a staggering one-star Dou Emperor. However, the time remaining before the eruption of her Woe Poison Body was growing shorter and shorter.

Over these six months, Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian spent every day together, and their feelings for one another deepened significantly.

Yet, at critical moments, Xiao Yan would always think of Xun Er back home, and he never managed to pierce through that final layer of window paper.

During this time, because the multipliers returned by the system were not very high, Yao Chen's cultivation only reached the peak of a nine-star Dou Zong, just a hair's breadth away from becoming a one-star Dou Zun.

On this particular morning, Yao Chen suddenly spoke to Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian with a grave expression.

"Little Yan, lass, you have both grown quite a bit over these past six months. There are some things I should tell you."

Seeing their teacher rarely look so solemn, Xiao Yi Xian and Xiao Yan both sat quietly to the side to listen.

"Before I took you two in, I had another disciple."

When Yao Chen spoke of this treacherous disciple, his voice was noticeably hoarse, and his eye sockets reddened.

"Back then, he was just a child, a homeless orphan wandering the streets. Seeing how pitiful he was, I felt a sense of compassion and took him in. At that time, he was so cute and so sensible. I took him with me to cultivate, taught him to identify herbs, and instructed him in alchemy."

Speaking to this point, Yao Chen's voice choked up.

"Later, he was seduced by others for the sake of a cultivation technique—the very Flame Mantra I imparted to you, Little Yan. I had just obtained that technique from a secret realm and was full of uncertainty regarding it. I had intended to test it myself before passing it on to him."

"But who could have known he would be so impatient, unwilling to give me even that little bit of time? That night, he suddenly ambushed me from behind, destroying my physical body. I had to rely on my powerful cultivation to forcibly split off a strand of my soul to escape, eventually falling into a deep slumber within a ring."

Yao Chen wiped his eyes, his voice growing louder, his expression one of bitter disappointment.

"Little Yan, that is the very ring that was your mother's heirloom."

"After slumbering for a time, my soul power recovered slightly, and I emerged from the ring, reconstructed my physical body, and subsequently took you two as my disciples."

"Relying on the secret arts I learned in the past, after these six months, my strength has finally recovered to a level where I can discipline that treacherous disciple."

At this moment, Yao Chen looked at his two disciples, his voice softening with kindness, though his expression soon turned serious once more as he addressed them.

"I am now prepared to purge the sect of this traitor. Are you willing to accompany me?"

Hearing their teacher recount the experience of his ambush, Xiao Yi Xian was the first to break down, weeping in empathy, while tears welled up in Xiao Yan's eyes, regretting only that he had not been by his teacher's side at the time.

Finally, when Yao Chen asked his question, the two of them shouted in unison without a moment's hesitation.

"We are willing to accompany you, Teacher! Let us purge the sect together!"

Hearing their resolute words, Yao Chen was filled with gratification, pulling them both into an embrace as he said, "I truly did not choose the wrong disciples this time."

In recounting this experience, Yao Chen deliberately concealed the existence of the system; after all, who in this Dou Continent would believe such a thing if he told them?

At this moment, the sight of the three master and disciples weeping in each other's arms was a scene so beautiful that no outsider could have ever imagined it.

The scene lasted for a few minutes before coming to an end, and after they dispersed, there was a moment of calm.

Xiao Yi Xian was the first to break the silence, asking Yao Chen, "Teacher, where is that beast who betrayed the sect now?"

Seeing Xiao Yi Xian ask, Yao Chen replied, "Not long ago, when I went out to collect herbs, I inadvertently heard people discussing this traitor. Only then did I learn that ever since he ambushed me, he has been hiding in the Black Corner Region."

"The Black Corner Region? Isn't that right next to Jia Nan Academy? Jia Nan Academy comes to my clan to recruit students every year. Last year, they sent an instructor who said that although I was a bit young, my talent was sufficient to go. If I hadn't met you, Teacher, I fear I would have gone to study there in a couple of years."

Upon hearing it was the Black Corner Region, Xiao Yan immediately thought of the nearby Jia Lan Academy and spoke to Yao Chen.

"That is correct, it is right next to Jia Nan Academy," Yao Chen confirmed.

"You should both pack up now. After we go to the Black Corner Region, I need you to go to Jia Nan Academy."

"Teacher, why go to Jia Nan Academy? With our current strength, I fear we could already be elders there."

Xiao Yan was quite puzzled as to why Yao Chen wanted them to go to Jia Nan Academy; after all, with the strength of a three-star Dou King and a one-star Dou Emperor, they would only be elders there.

"The reason for going to Jia Nan Academy is that I previously sensed the presence of a Heavenly Flame within the inner academy of Jia Lan Academy."

"Before you go, I will place a restriction on you to temporarily lower your cultivation to the Dou Ling level. Then, you will enter the inner academy to search for information on the Heavenly Flame for me. Once you have news, just notify me."

Yao Chen intended to send them both to Jia Nan Academy as undercover agents.

"Teacher, if we go to Jia Nan Academy, how will we go with you to purge the sect?"

Hearing that they were being sent to Jia Nan Academy and fearing they would be left out of the sect purge, Xiao Yi Xian asked.

"Lass, the matter of purging the sect cannot do without the two of you. You will accompany me to finish purging the sect first, and then you will go to Jia Nan Academy to scout for information for me."

Seeing Xiao Yi Xian's slight dissatisfaction, Yao Chen smiled and explained.

"That's good, I thought you weren't going to let us witness this moment, Master."

"Hahaha, since I said I would take you both, I certainly will."

"Go and pack your things; we shall set off shortly."

After Yao Chen finished speaking, he had the two of them pack their belongings in preparation for their departure.

Yao Chen, Xiao Yan, and Xiao Yi Xian slowly walked out of the thatched cottage, a hint of reluctance visible in everyone's eyes after the past half-year.

Xiao Yan looked back at the familiar house, recalling every little detail of the time spent here, his heart filled with emotion.

Xiao Yi Xian stood quietly to the side, her gaze carrying a touch of lingering attachment.

This place had once been a warm harbor where they had sheltered from the storms and cultivated together.