Xiao Yan looked at the Myriad Dao Soul-Nurturing Jade hanging at his waist and spoke calmly.
Yao Chen: "???"
What was going on?
What did your fortuitous encounter three years ago have to do with me? Why were you calling me?
Medicine Elder, who was staying inside the Myriad Dao Soul-Nurturing Jade, heard Xiao Yan's words and was completely baffled. He had no idea what was going on.
"Medicine Elder, play along for a moment. Pretend to be a mysterious expert!"
Xiao Yan suddenly sent a message through some sort of soul-transmission technique.
Medicine Elder immediately understood. Xiao Yan wanted to use him as a shield to explain the reason behind his sudden leap in cultivation?
Since he had already joined forces with Xiao Yan, and the Myriad Dao Soul-Nurturing Jade really did nourish his soul far better than staying in that Mystic Ring—by more than a thousandfold—he was happy enough to play along.
Whoosh—
A streak of mystic light surged out of the Spirit Nourishing Jade and gathered beside Xiao Yan, forming a hazy figure.
White hair and gray robes, a lean, refined face, and an air of otherworldly detachment between his brows. Even as no more than a soul, he could not hide the bearing of a once-mighty expert.
Medicine Elder stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his gaze sweeping over Xiao Zhan with a hint of scrutiny and an air of superiority.
After all, he had once been Venerable Yao. Playing the part of a peerless expert came as naturally to him as breathing.
And at that moment—
Xiao Zhan was completely dumbfounded.
Who was "Medicine Elder"?
Before he could even think it through, a ghostly figure had suddenly appeared before him!
The instant the figure appeared, Xiao Zhan felt an inexplicable pressure bearing down on him. It was as if the one standing before him were not a soul, but a towering mountain!
His scalp prickled!
Cold sweat streamed down his back!
Xiao Zhan instinctively retreated half a step, his pupils contracting sharply.
In all his years, he had never seen anyone exist in the form of a soul!
What kind of technique was this?
What kind of realm had he reached?
"Yan'er, who is he?!"
Worried for Xiao Yan on instinct, Xiao Zhan actually forgot that his son had reached the Dou Wang realm. In an instant, he stood in front of Xiao Yan, spread his arms, and shielded him behind his back.
He watched Medicine Elder warily, his body tense as the Dou Qi within him began to circulate.
He knew he probably wasn't a match for this man, but as a father, protecting his son was instinct!
Seeing this, Xiao Yan felt warmth spread through his heart once more.
This father of his truly held him dearer than anything.
He didn't wait for Medicine Elder to speak. Instead, he hurriedly explained:
"Father, there's no need to be nervous!"
"This is Senior Medicine Elder. He's one of us."
Xiao Yan stepped out from behind Xiao Zhan and stood beside Medicine Elder, speaking with a smile.
"Senior Medicine Elder is an Eighth-Tier alchemist with all kinds of unimaginable methods at his disposal."
"Your son met Senior three years ago and was fortunate enough to receive his careful guidance. That's how I came by the fortune I have today!"
Xiao Yan spoke casually, as if he were stating the most ordinary fact.
However—
The moment those words left his mouth—
Xiao Zhan felt as if he'd been struck by lightning. He froze on the spot.
"An... an Eighth-Tier alchemist?!"
His eyes widened until they were round, and his mouth hung slightly open, but not a single word came out.
What did it mean to be an Eighth-Tier alchemist?
On the Dou Qi Continent, alchemists already held an exalted status.
Even a First-Tier alchemist was enough to earn the respect of various factions.
A Third-Tier alchemist could throw his weight around anywhere in the Jia Ma Empire.
Even the Imperial Family would treat a Fifth-Tier alchemist with the utmost respect.
But an Eighth-Tier alchemist—
That was the stuff of legends!
Forget the Jia Ma Empire. There might not even be a handful of them across the entire Northwest Continent!
And now such a great figure had come to their little Xiao Family?
He had even guided Yan'er?
Gasp—
Had their ancestors' graves started smoking green?
Xiao Zhan found it utterly unbelievable. It took him a good while to recover.
He quickly bowed and cupped his fists in a respectful salute, his voice brimming with excitement and reverence:
"This junior, Xiao Zhan, thanks Senior for guiding my son!"
"If Senior has need of anything, the Xiao Family will spare no effort to help and repay your kindness tenfold!"
Xiao Zhan's voice trembled.
In his eyes, an Eighth-Tier alchemist was a mighty figure beyond his reach, someone he couldn't even hope to curry favor with in his dreams. Now that one stood right in front of him. How could he dare show the slightest disrespect?
With an Eighth-Tier alchemist guiding him, Xiao Yan's future achievements were sure to exceed all expectations!
Perhaps—
The Xiao Family would rise to great heights because of this!
"Ahem, ahem..."
Medicine Elder coughed awkwardly and waved a hand.
"Patriarch Xiao, you're too kind. Please, get up!"
"Truthfully, I haven't done much!"
"It's mostly thanks to Young Friend Xiao's own hard work and talent..."
Medicine Elder glanced at Xiao Yan with helplessness written all over his face.
Xiao Yan's strength had nothing to do with him at all!
In fact, he had secretly siphoned Xiao Yan's Dou Qi for three whole years, making the boy suffer for nothing!
How could he accept such a grand bow from Xiao Zhan?
But—
Xiao Yan clearly wanted him to take the blame for his sudden surge in cultivation, so he could only play along.
Medicine Elder grumbled to himself: This kid really has me wrapped around his little finger...
Xiao Zhan knew nothing about what had really happened.
He assumed Medicine Elder was being modest, and his respect for the senior grew even stronger.
"Senior is far too humble!"
"If not for your guidance, how could Yan'er have reached the Dou Wang realm at just fifteen?"
"The Xiao Family will never forget your great kindness!"
Xiao Zhan spoke with heartfelt sincerity, his eyes reddening.
He was truly grateful.
For the past three years, he had watched helplessly as his son went from a genius to a cripple, mocked and bullied by others, while he could do nothing.
Now he knew that his son had encountered an expert and spent all this time lying low. At last, the huge stone weighing on his heart had fallen away.
Medicine Elder's mouth twitched.
Dou Wang?
That kid was already a Dou Emperor, and his father still didn't know...
But he had no intention of exposing him.
If Xiao Yan wanted to put on an act, he'd play along.
After all—
The boy had promised to help him rebuild his body and take revenge.
This little favor was nothing.
Seeing this, Xiao Yan also felt relieved.
Fortunately, Medicine Elder was here. Otherwise, explaining his sudden leap in cultivation might have been difficult.
His father probably wouldn't press him for details, but a reasonable explanation would at least put his mind at ease.
Just then—
Another pleasant surprise arrived.
The system notification rang out in his mind.
[Ding—] [Heh heh heh!] [Congratulations, Host! As expected of the ultimate supervillain, Lord Hun Tiandi!] [With a clever maneuver, you've made the Destined Protagonist's father, Xiao Zhan, believe your words without question. He even bowed to your subordinate, Yao Chen!] [Host has received +300 Super Villain Points!] [Ding!] [Please keep up the good work, Host. Take full advantage of Xiao Zhan's trust and turn the Destined Protagonist Xiao Yan's family into toys in your palm!] [Heh heh heh!]
Xiao Yan: "..."
This system really couldn't go three sentences without bringing up villains.
Still—
Looking at Xiao Zhan's overwhelmed expression of gratitude, Xiao Yan couldn't help feeling moved.
His father truly cared about him.
"Father."
Xiao Yan stepped forward and helped Xiao Zhan up.
"Senior Medicine Elder doesn't care for empty formalities. There's no need for you to act so ceremoniously."
Xiao Zhan nodded quickly.
"Yes, yes, your father understands."
He turned to Medicine Elder and respectfully cupped his fists once more.
"If Senior needs anything, just say the word. The entire Xiao Family is at your disposal!"
Medicine Elder's mouth twitched. He waved a hand.
"Patriarch Xiao, you're too kind. Young Friend Xiao and I are fated to meet, so of course I'll help him."
"If there's nothing else, I'll return to my cultivation."
With that, he didn't wait for Xiao Zhan to respond. His figure flashed, and he slipped back into the Myriad Dao Soul-Nurturing Jade.
He really couldn't bear to face Xiao Zhan's grateful gaze.
After all—
He felt guilty!
Seeing this, Xiao Zhan assumed it was simply the temperament of an expert and didn't think much of it.
He turned to Xiao Yan, his eyes full of pride and satisfaction.
"Yan'er, meeting an expert like Senior Medicine Elder truly is a heaven-sent opportunity!"
"Your father is happy for you!"
Xiao Yan smiled but said nothing more.
"Father, it's getting late. You should head back and get some rest."
"You have clan affairs to take care of tomorrow."
Xiao Zhan nodded and was about to leave.
But just as he turned around, he seemed to remember something. He stopped in his tracks.
"Oh, right, Yan'er."
Xiao Zhan turned back, his expression conflicted. Still, he reached into his robes and took out a piece of Ancient Jade...
Before you continue