Too Eager to Improve

Refining the Imperial Extreme Pill was not a difficult task for Xiao Yan, but Fa Ma watched with rapt attention.

The seemingly domineering and all-consuming blue Heavenly Flames became as docile as lambs under the precise control of Xiao Yan's breathtakingly powerful soul force.

The flames were invisibly divided into more than a dozen thin and precise streams of fire, like living serpents, while simultaneously coiling around more than a dozen medicinal herbs of different shapes and properties that had been thrown into the cauldron.

The emerald vines withered rapidly in the flames, yet exuded a vibrant green sap just right; hard ores softened under the high temperature, revealing pure mineral essence; delicate petals dehydrated instantly, transforming into fragrant wisps of essence... Each medicinal herb was simultaneously refined under the most suitable temperature and the most precise heat.

This process was astonishingly fast, yet incredibly meticulous.

The essence of more than a dozen medicinal herbs was extracted methodically and suspended in the blue flames. They were deliberately divided into different areas, with various colored liquids, powders, and mists shimmering and clearly distinguishing themselves from one another.

Fa Ma stood frozen in place, as if half of himself had turned to stone.

His mind went blank, filled only with endless shock and self-doubt.

"Simultaneously refining over a dozen medicinal herbs... with the heat precisely controlled..." His lips trembled as he muttered unconsciously, each word like a thousand-pound hammer striking his heart. "This... how is this possible?! Even a true Seventh-Tier Alchemist could probably only achieve this, right? Senior Brother Xiao's fire control technique has actually reached such an astonishing level?"

At this moment, Fa Ma finally realized that the insightful views Xiao Yan had shown during their discussion last night were just the tip of the iceberg.

The young man before him was displaying a terrifying foundation of knowledge far beyond his comprehension, a foundation truly possessed only by a master alchemist!

His lifelong dedication to Alchemy proved as crude as a child playing with mud in the face of such miraculous techniques.

Time passed in a suffocating silence, broken only by the faint sounds of the flames refining the medicinal herbs within the Myriad Beast Cauldron and the low humming as the essence of the medicinal liquid gradually fused together.

Fa Ma had long forgotten to breathe, forgotten where he was. All his senses and mind were immersed in that crimson cauldron, greedily absorbing every detail, trying to engrave it into the depths of his soul.

He bowed slightly, his hands nervously clasped in front of him, his posture as humble as a timid apprentice who had just stepped into the world of alchemy and was watching his master demonstrate.

He felt as if he had returned to decades ago, to the scene of watching a real alchemist concoct medicine for the first time, with excitement and longing, from a corner.

Before we knew it, the refining process was nearing its end.

As a clear, melodious sound emanated from the Myriad Beast Cauldron, Xiao Yan waved his hand, and the cauldron's lid flew off automatically, releasing the Imperial Extreme Pill, which landed in Xiao Yan's palm.

Looking at the Imperial Extreme Pill, which was round like a paulownia seed and emitted a faint medicinal fragrance, Xiao Yan nodded slightly.

It was a success on the first try, and of excellent quality; for his alchemy skills, this was a consistently good performance.

"Here, Fa Ma, please take a look."

As Xiao Yan spoke, he casually tossed the pill to Fa Ma.

As for the remaining two sets of ingredients for the Imperial Extreme Pill that were placed on the table to the side, Xiao Yan simply put them away.

Fa Ma had no objection to this at all; he simply accepted the pill somewhat absentmindedly, examined it carefully, and the more he looked, the more complicated his feelings became.

Having just witnessed his senior brother Xiao Yan refining medicine, Fa Ma's admiration for Xiao Yan was beyond measure.

He originally respected Xiao Yan mainly because Xiao Yan was Dou Emperor at a young age, had a stronger soul power than him, and was the personal disciple of that old gentleman.

But now, he's more drawn to Xiao Yan's exceptional Alchemy.

If he hadn't known that Xiao Yan wouldn't agree, he would have been willing to become Xiao Yan's disciple.

He really wants to improve!

Whether it was Xiao Yan's skillful and flexible control of fire, or his precise grasp of the properties of medicinal herbs when refining them, Xiao Yan made this old alchemist, who had been immersed in the art of alchemy for decades, feel inferior.

He also realized something from this experience.

Those who can become alchemists are certainly among the most fortunate people in the world.

However, those who can become top alchemists seem to have even more terrifying talents than he originally thought.

Take, for example, Senior Brother Xiao Yan.

While others are still apprentices in alchemy, he is already Sixth-Grade Alchemist.

This cannot be explained simply by the guidance of a famous teacher.

This is a terrifying talent that is clearly visible to the naked eye, an overflow of superior abilities.

What's even more terrifying is that, despite such talent, this young senior brother showed no sign of complacency. Judging from his solid skills and astonishing strength, he possessed enough combat power to defeat Jia Xingtian.

In summary, it's not hard for Fa Ma to understand that his senior brother is the epitome of talent and hard work.

"Senior brother, this Imperial Extreme Pill in your hands can be said to have been refined to the highest level of the Sixth-Grade. Even Elder Gu He of the Misty Cloud Sect would find it difficult to refine such a quality. Such Alchemy have truly broadened my horizons. I have benefited greatly from this observation."

Although I dare not make any absolute statements, I am confident that I will become a true Sixth-Grade Alchemist within three years!

After calming his complicated emotions, Fa Ma carefully put the pills into the jade box and said excitedly.

"Yes, having such confidence is certainly a good thing. By the way, have you found out anything about the recipe for the Soul Fusion Pill that I asked you to keep an eye out for?"

Xiao Yan nodded, not minding that the Imperial Extreme Pill Fa Ma would be kept by Fa Ma. This thing was, in fact, proof of his qualification Sixth-Grade Alchemist. A Sixth-Grade Alchemy was a true leader in the Alchemist Guild of the Jia Ma Empire. Such a qualification required going through many procedures. The Imperial Extreme Pill would need to be stored with Fa Ma for a while to facilitate the process.

However, the alchemist level badges can be distributed ahead of schedule.

The familiar medicine cauldron background and the circular badge decorated with ripples remain, but the six bright and vivid silver ripples on it highlight the extraordinary significance it represents.

With this badge, even some Dou Zong powerhouses wouldn't dare to easily provoke Xiao Yan.

Accompanying this is a special alchemist's robe.

The robe was still predominantly black, and felt soft and silky to the touch, like the finest satin, yet it had a subtle coolness to it.

Embroidered on it are various subtle patterns representing the identity of an alchemist, such as medicinal herbs, medicine cauldrons, and flames.

The subtle patterns aren't too obvious, but upon closer inspection, they subtly exude a sense of understated luxury.

This robe is no ordinary item.

If the specially made robes worn by alchemists of Fourth-Grade are already of good quality, then First-Grade Fifth-Grade has robes of even higher quality, with more and more uses and practicality.

Xiao Yan naturally didn't stand on ceremony. He took off his coat and put it into his Storage Ring. Then he put on the alchemist's robe and wore the Sixth-Grade Alchemist badge, which made his already handsome appearance even more dashing.

As the saying goes, clothes make the man, and Xiao Yan's outfit, in a sense, is a kind of uniform fetish.

Unfortunately, there was only an ordinary-looking old man present; none of the beautiful women who were so attached to Xiao Yan were there.

Otherwise, there would be no shortage of singing and dancing, and touching and pinching.

Fa Ma was also momentarily stunned by Xiao Yan, as if he saw the image of his own future that he had dreamed of when he was young.

But thinking of his aged face and figure, Fa Ma paused for a moment before answering Xiao Yan's question.

"Don't worry, Senior Brother Xiao, I've prepared the recipe for the Soul Fusion Pill. It's just waiting for you to come and collect it today."

Fa Ma smiled and spoke respectfully.

"In that case, I'll trouble Fa Ma to lead the way."

Xiao Yan nodded slightly, seemingly unconcerned about Fa Ma's change in attitude.

This wasn't a big deal for him; he had gradually gotten used to it.

Judging from his current strength, whether it's Dou Qi or alchemy, he's ahead of Fa Ma. Xiao Yan wouldn't feel any burden at all if he were asked to call him "Senior Brother".

In the path of spiritual practice, ultimately, one should learn from those who have attained enlightenment.

Fa Ma was already used to Xiao Yan's still polite, or rather, distant, attitude. With a warm smile on his face, he quickly stepped aside to lead the way. "Senior Brother, this way please."

He led Xiao Yan through the door of the examination room, ignoring the strange reactions of the people around him after seeing the Sixth-Grade Alchemist badge on Xiao Yan's chest. He simply led Xiao Yan with humility and respect, along a quieter corridor.

The walls on both sides of the corridor are inlaid with energy crystals that emit a soft glow, and the air is filled with a medicinal fragrance that is even richer and purer than that of the main hall.

Before long, the two arrived at a heavy iron gate engraved with complex energy patterns.

Fa Ma was solemn. He formed several intricate hand seals, and his Dou Qi and soul power surged out simultaneously, striking the iron gate precisely at a specific point.

With a low, rumbling sound of mechanisms turning, the iron gate slowly opened inward.

Behind the door was a room that wasn't particularly spacious, but was arranged with great elegance and order. Rows of shelves made of special warm jade were neatly arranged, displaying various jade boxes, scrolls, and some rare medicinal herbs sealed in crystal covers.

The rich energy of heaven and earth and the fragrance of herbs converge here, almost solidifying into a tangible form.

Fa Ma strode to the innermost shelf, carefully took out a scroll, and then respectfully presented it to Xiao Yan with both hands:

"Senior Brother Xiao, this is the recipe for the Soul Fusion Pill. Because this pill has a good effect on the soul, the recipe is extremely precious, and the medicinal materials needed to refine it are mostly hard to find. The entire guild only has this one copy. As for the relevant medicinal materials, the guild's Herb Repository does have a small portion, but even as the guild leader, I have no right to give those medicinal materials directly to Senior Brother Xiao."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan took the scroll, glanced at it briefly, and immediately confirmed the authenticity of the prescription.

This Soul Fusion Pill not only allows the soul and body to merge, but also rapidly restores soul power and repairs soul damage.

In fact, it would be perfect for Old Yao and Venerable Skyfire in Xiao Yan's ring.

"It's alright, I'll exchange those medicinal herbs for some high-grade pills, it won't make things difficult for you."

Xiao Yan waved his hand dismissively and casually put the scroll into his Storage Ring.

In fact, his purpose was not to refine the Soul Fusion Pill immediately, but to hand it over to Old Yao for research.

"Thank you for your understanding, Senior Brother Xiao!"

Fa Ma quickly cupped his hands in greeting, maintaining an extremely humble posture.

He hesitated for a moment, then couldn't help rubbing his hands together, his face showing a hint of earnestness and hope. "Senior brother, um... I just witnessed you refining the Imperial Extreme Pill, and I benefited immensely from it! I wonder... I wonder if there will be an opportunity in the future to learn a thing or two from you?"

Xiao Yan looked at the old man in front of him, who held a respected position in the Yao Realm of the Jia Ma Empire. At this moment, he looked like a young apprentice eager to receive guidance from his teacher, and the pure longing in his eyes was not annoying.

He hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said:

"If there is time in the future, this matter can be easily resolved. However, the path of cultivation emphasizes personal comprehension and continuous diligence. President Fa Ma has reached such a high level in alchemy, and his foundation is also very solid. Perhaps some bottlenecks will be overcome when the time is right."

Upon hearing this, Fa Ma's face lit up, and he nodded excitedly repeatedly:

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother Xiao. Fa Ma keep your words in mind and diligently cultivate without ever slacking off!"

He felt as if he had rediscovered the drive and anticipation he had when he first dabbled in alchemy.

Xiao Yan's few words of guidance, though not specific Alchemy, were a form of encouragement, or rather, an affirmation. To receive encouragement and recognition from such a super genius as Xiao Yan, Fa Ma naturally couldn't help but feel excited.

Having achieved his goal, Xiao Yan decided not to linger any longer.

He nodded slightly. "I have the prescription and the assessment is complete, so I'll take my leave now."

"Senior Brother Xiao, let me see you off!"

Fa Ma hurriedly set off to see him off.

Xiao Yan turned around, the hem of his black alchemist robe, embroidered with exquisite patterns, swaying slightly, and the brand-new six-silver wavy badge on his chest gleamed brightly in the energy glow of the room.

Fa Ma humbly saw Xiao Yan off, and only after watching his figure gradually disappear into the crowd did he reluctantly turn his gaze away.

He had a premonition that if he could observe Senior Brother Xiao's alchemy every day, then breaking through to the Sixth-Grade Alchemist one day would probably not be a difficult task for him.

When he turned around, he found that many of his colleagues had gathered around him, their eyes filled with inquiry.

Seeing this, Fa Ma shook his head helplessly, and then told everyone about Xiao Yan Alliance.

Upon hearing this, the Alchemist Guild leaders, who had previously harbored some reservations about the alliance, began to smile with delight.

They were no longer unfamiliar with information about Xiao Yan.

After confirming that Xiao Yan was indeed a fourteen-year-old Sixth-Grade Alchemist, everyone's thoughts finally began to stir.

With such terrifying talent and the guidance of renowned teachers, some deep-thinking individuals even suspect that Xiao Yan might actually be a member of the Danta.

The reason is simple: in the eyes of most alchemists, only a place like the Danta could cultivate an alchemist who has reached the Sixth-Grade at such a young age.

Therefore, no matter how you look at it, following this young leader is a sure path to a bright future!

They want to improve too!