Fa Ma: At Eighty, Still Standing Like a Lackey

Night fell, obscuring the stars and the moon.

In the Imperial Capital, at the Xiao Mansion, in the master bedroom of the Young Clan Head's Courtyard.

Having just finished exercising, Ya Fei nestled in Xiao Yan's arms, her body limp and weak, not even wanting to move a finger.

Everyone thought that Xiao Yan would be squeezed into medicinal residue by the terrifying Queen Medusa, who ate children, when he went to the Snake-Person Tribe. Unexpectedly, Xiao Yan was not oppressed by the beautiful snake woman at all. Instead, he was filled with anger.

Holding the mature and alluring body of the beauty in his arms, Xiao Yan felt refreshed and invigorated.

Although he didn't get to fully enjoy himself, Sister Ya Fei was indeed very kind to him, letting him do whatever he wanted and giving him a taste of what it's like to be a monarch who no longer holds court.

After leaving the Jia Ma Imperial Family's Back Mountain in the afternoon, he went directly back to the new Xiao Mansion in the Imperial Capital. After meeting his father Xiao Zhan and the clan elders, Xiao Yan gave a brief introduction on the progress of the alliance. As for the banquet, Ya Fei had already sent someone to inform the Xiao Family, so Xiao Yan didn't need to repeat it.

That evening, as the city lights came on, the Mittel Family was brightly lit.

Although the guests invited to this banquet were all top-tier figures and powerful organizations in the Imperial Capital, similar banquets are not uncommon in a place like the Imperial Capital. After all, major powers usually arrange such banquets for any celebrations or grand events.

But this time, there was an additional force involved.

The Xiao Family, or rather, the Xiao Family with Xiao Yan's support.

In the past, the Xiao Family was just a small family in Wutan City.

Now, with the protection of Xiao Yan, a Dou Huang expert, the Xiao Family has risen to the top in one step, directly entering the most elite social circle of the Jia Ma Empire. It has to be said that in the Jia Ma Empire, Dou Huang expert are indeed at the very top of the pyramid.

Although Yun Yun Queen Medusa wouldn't mind Xiao Yan representing them at the Alliance Conference, Xiao Yan himself knew that while he could represent them to some extent in negotiating cooperation, it would be best to have them discuss the final steps in forming the alliance together.

This is not only a matter of respect for them, but also a matter of responsibility to the Misty Cloud Sect and the Snake-Person Tribe, and it also helps to avoid unnecessary trouble for these two kind sisters.

Therefore, tonight's banquet was simply a meeting to discuss some matters of greatest concern to each family. As for the two princesses brought by Jia Xingtian, Xiao Yan greeted them briefly and then said nothing more.

In a sense, they already belong to two different worlds.

If they had met three or four years earlier, Xiao Yan wouldn't have minded exchanging ideas with him more, so that the Jia Ma Imperial Family could also offer some protection to the Xiao Family.

But now, putting aside his own formidable strength, the Mittel Family, Misty Cloud Sect of the Yun Yun, and the entire Snake-Person Tribe are all on Xiao Yan's side, enough to protect the Xiao Family.

Not to mention that the Jia Ma Imperial Family also received great favors from Xiao Yan, and they were just worried about where to express their loyalty.

Even the Nalan Family and Mu Family have shown interest in making overtures. Under such circumstances, Xiao Yan naturally wouldn't waste his precious time on two "juniors" who already regarded him as senior experts.

Therefore, even though the eldest princess Yaoye and the youngest princess Yaoyue were dressed in gorgeous gowns and looked dazzling, Xiao Yan only glanced at them casually a few times.

Xiao Yan didn't sweep it for nothing.

After comparing himself to his several sisters with whom he was very close, he found that Yaoye and Yaoyue were somewhat lacking in both looks and figure.

Her status as a royal princess was a highlight, but it couldn't overshadow the girls from the six ancient clans who also had a good relationship with Xiao Yan.

It's not that they aren't good enough, it's just that their competitors are too strong.

After the banquet ended, the two of them left sadly with Jia Xingtian.

Xiao Yan couldn't wait to take his beloved Sister Ya Fei home. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and they did some things they loved to do.

The day was packed with activities. Tomorrow I have to go to the Alchemist Guild to ask Fa Ma for the recipe for the Soul Fusion Pill.

Of course, this wasn't really to fuse the soul of the Heaven-Swallowing Python into Queen Medusa. Although this would be quite beneficial to Queen Medusa, the Heaven-Swallowing Python was Xiao Yan's most beloved little darling, and in a sense, it was similar to Queen Medusa's Companion Magical Beast. It shouldn't be simply wiped out from this world.

Of course, Xiao Yan didn't know much about the soul, so he planned to get the recipe for the Soul Fusion Pill and give it to the all-powerful Old Yao.

With the Old Yao's insight and experience, perhaps he has a way to solve this problem.

Even if all else fails, there's always the old- Venerable Skyfire, who might have some clever ideas to solve this situation.

Xiao Yan could sense that these two had already refined the Fifth-Grade medicinal elixir, Soul Nourishing Saliva, but they had not ended their seclusion. They were using the soul-nourishing function of their Storage Ring to restore their soul power as much as possible.

But Xiao Yan can actually wake them up at any time if he needs them.

However, Xiao Yan hadn't encountered anything too troublesome all along, so he simply let them rest and recuperate.

Seeing Xiao Yan lost in thought while holding her, Ya Fei frowned slightly and couldn't help but scold him:

"You're distracted while holding your sister, are you thinking about other women? Those two Jia Ma Imperial Family princesses at the banquet practically had their eyes glued to you, were you thinking about them?"

After saying that, she raised her watery, misty eyes and glared at him reproachfully, but her charm was more alluring than the moonlight.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan laughed loudly and lowered his head to place a gentle kiss on Ya Fei's smooth forehead.

"You mean Yaoye and Yaoyue?" he asked calmly. "That's just a little scheme by that old fox Jia Xingtian. What does the status of the Jia Ma Imperial Family princess mean to me? I don't even care about the entire Jia Ma Imperial Family. Besides, in my eyes, the two of them combined are not as alluring as you, Sister Ya Fei."

As he spoke, Xiao Yan's fingers caressed Ya Fei's charming and delicate face, flushed with rosy cheeks, his gaze focused and affectionate:

"I remember everything you've done for me over the years. How could I possibly think of them at a time like this? Besides, how could those two naive girls compare to the charm you exude tonight?"

Ya Fei's cheeks burned as she listened to his straightforward words and focused gaze, yet she felt an overwhelming sweetness in her heart.

She naturally knew that Xiao Yan's words were not empty talk, and she had enough confidence in herself. In her previous life, she Empress of Gold, and in this life, she was Xiao Yan's first woman. If she couldn't even handle two little girls, it would be too shameful.

Thinking of this, Ya Fei reached out and wrapped her arms around Xiao Yan's waist, burying herself deeper into his embrace, greedily absorbing the warmth of his body.

"So you still have some conscience..." Her voice was muffled, but also tinged with coquettishness and satisfaction. "But I'm very satisfied with your performance tonight!"

Xiao Yan smiled upon hearing this, tightened his arms around the soft body in his embrace, and said softly:

"Get some rest. You'll probably be busy for a while."

Upon hearing this, Ya Fei felt as if her last bit of strength had been drained away.

She gave a soft "hmm," like a weary bird that had found its nest, and soon fell into a deep sleep in this incredibly reassuring and satisfying embrace, her breathing becoming long and even.

Long eyelashes cast a faint shadow under her eyes, her red lips were slightly parted, and she slept soundly without any guard.

Xiao Yan smiled gently, then lowered his head and lightly touched her slightly parted red lips before closing his eyes and falling into a deep sleep.

The morning sunlight streamed through the window and into the bedroom.

Ya Fei was still sleeping peacefully in Xiao Yan's arms, the languid charm left from last night's passionate encounter still lingering.

Xiao Yan carefully withdrew his arm, tucked the blanket around her, and looked at her face, which resembled a begonia in spring sleep, a hint of tenderness flashing in his eyes.

If he could, he would love to live like that every day.

But he still has a long way to go before that day arrives.

Setting aside his romantic feelings for his children for the time being, Xiao Yan quietly got up, quickly washed up, and changed into a clean black outfit with red fire patterns. He then pinned the Third-Grade -grade alchemist badge he had obtained in Black Rock City to his chest.

Without alerting anyone, he moved swiftly and disappeared from the Xiao Mansion like a ghost, heading towards the Imperial Capital Alchemist Guild.

With his current Dou Emperor strength, it only took him a short while to stand in front of that magnificent building that exuded a faint medicinal fragrance.

As the headquarters of the alchemists of the Jia Ma Empire, this place has always been heavily guarded, and the people coming and going are all alchemists of extraordinary status and their entourages.

However, when Xiao Yan's young figure appeared in front of and behind the guild gate, many people who noticed the alchemist level badge on Xiao Yan's chest all focused their attention on him.

"So young, and already Third-Grade alchemist?"

"Judging from their clothes, they seem to be from the newly powerful Xiao Mansion family in the Imperial Capital, right?"

"..."

Xiao Yan ignored the stares and whispers around him, calmly stepping into the guild hall. His powerful soul force swept over the area, sensing the situation inside the guild, and quickly pinpointed Fa Ma's location.

Seemingly sensing Xiao Yan's arrival, a slightly aged yet powerful voice rang out with delight:

"Hahaha! Senior Brother Xiao, you've arrived quite early!"

President Fa Ma, beaming with joy, strode out to greet them.

Last night at the banquet, Xiao Yan and Fa Ma had a brief discussion about some techniques and details of Alchemy. However, as the discussion progressed, it turned into Fa Ma asking questions on his own.

After consulting with him, Fa Ma finally confirmed that Xiao Yan was indeed the disciple of the old gentleman he had met when he first embarked on the path of alchemy. He was extremely familiar with Xiao Yan's pure techniques and alchemy thinking.

However, Old Yao did not take him as a disciple back then, but only gave him some simple guidance. Therefore, when facing Xiao Yan, the personal disciple of "Old Master" and Sixth-Grade Alchemist, Fa Ma had no psychological burden at all and directly called him senior brother.

Xiao Yan was somewhat helpless about this, but Fa Ma was a stubborn old man. Regardless of whether Xiao Yan allowed it or not, he was determined to call him that. Even the recipe for the Soul Fusion Pill, after Xiao Flame Master brought it up, Fa Ma waved his hand and said he could give it to Xiao Yan for free. He even wanted to return to the Alchemist Guild to find the recipe immediately.

Such behavior made it difficult for Xiao Yan to refuse his kindness, so he simply agreed to come back today to pick up the prescription. He would also take the opportunity to Flame Master. With his experience and Alchemy, as well as his status as the president of the Alchemist Guild of the Jia Ma Empire, he was naturally qualified to preside over the level assessment for Xiao Yan, a Sixth-Grade Alchemist.

Gu He was the one who presided over the Sixth-Grade Alchemist assessment before.

"President Fa Ma"

Xiao Yan cupped his hands slightly and smiled, but did not address him as his junior brother.

In Old Yao's eyes, Fa Ma's talent and Alchemy were not even good enough to qualify him as a disciple. As a disciple, he would not presume to accept a disciple on behalf of his master and acknowledge this junior brother.

Fa Ma was well aware of this, but the guidance that Old Yao gave him back then was nothing more than a casual gesture for Old Yao, but for Fa Ma, it pointed out the direction for his subsequent cultivation of Alchemy, from which he still benefits immensely. Such a great kindness and virtue should be treated with the respect due to a teacher, and this had little to do with Xiao Yan and Old Yao's attitude towards him.

Therefore, Fa Ma's smile did not diminish at all; on the contrary, it became even more enthusiastic. "Senior Brother Xiao, the medicinal herbs and prescription are ready. Please follow me."

He stepped aside and led the way, keeping a very low profile, guiding Xiao Yan around the bustling hall and directly towards the core area inside the guild.

The alchemists and staff they encountered along the way were all shocked to see that Fa Ma was so respectfully leading such a young man. They all turned their heads and bowed, their hearts filled with curiosity and awe about Xiao Yan's identity.

As for those who had just heard Fa Ma address Xiao Yan as "Senior Brother," they were already standing there, dumbfounded.

After passing through several corridors covered with thick carpets and lined with ancient pharmacopoeias and samples of precious medicinal herbs, the two arrived at an examination room deep within the Fa Ma Alchemist Guild.

The heavy, unique stone door slowly closed behind us, shutting out the noise from the outside world.

The secret room was brightly lit and softly lit. In the center was an empty stone platform used to place a medicine cauldron, and next to it were several rare medicinal herbs that emitted strong energy fluctuations, obviously needed to refine Sixth-Grade Pill.

Faint energy fluctuations flowed across the walls, forming a strong isolation barrier to ensure that the assessment process was not disturbed and to prevent unexpected energy shockwaves from reaching the outside world.

Xiao Yan's gaze swept over the medicinal herbs, his heart as still as water.

The test questions were not difficult; they were for a type of pill that most experienced Sixth-Grade Alchemist were very familiar with— the Imperial Extreme Pill.

This pill can help Dou Huang expert increase their strength by one star, which is quite difficult for many Sixth-Grade Alchemists, but for Xiao Yan now, the success rate is extremely high.

Fa Ma stood respectfully to the side, like an apprentice just beginning to learn alchemy, with his hands folded in front of him.

Xiao Yan nodded to Fa Ma, then casually waved his hand, and the Myriad Beast Cauldron flew out of his Storage Ring and landed on the stone platform. At the same time, Xiao Yan flicked his finger!

"Puff!"

A ball of blue flame flew into the Myriad Beast Cauldron, and the temperature in the examination chamber suddenly rose!

It really is Heavenly Flames! And this medicine cauldron doesn't seem ordinary either. Judging from its appearance, it should be the Myriad Beast Cauldron on the Heavenly Cauldron Ranking!

Fa Ma sighed inwardly, not finding it strange at all.

Given the old man's unfathomable Alchemy, his status and position were naturally extraordinary. As his personal disciple, it was not surprising that Xiao Yan possessed Heavenly Flames and a precious cauldron.

But as Xiao Yan waved his arm and threw a large amount of medicinal herbs into the cauldron, Fa Ma's expression changed instantly. He no longer had time to think about anything else and was completely attracted by Xiao Yan's masterful demeanor when refining medicine.

Such skillful techniques, such a large-scale extraction capacity of medicinal materials...