Battle Through the Heavens: Flame Emperor, Please Restrain Yourself—Your Brother Is Truly Quite Simple and Honest

However, he had no mind to dwell on such trivial matters now. With anticipation in his voice, he asked, "Yuan, has Yan's physical problem been resolved?"

Zhang Yuan nodded lightly and said, "I invited a Fourth-grade Alchemist to examine Brother Yan. His inability to cultivate has been successfully resolved. Moreover, that alchemist said Brother Yan has talent for alchemy and wishes to take him as a disciple."

What!?

Xiao Zhan and the three elders all revealed shocked expressions.

At the level of the Xiao Clan, a third-rate force in the Jia Ma Empire, it was difficult even to establish a connection with a Second-grade Alchemist, while a Fourth-grade Alchemist was enough to be treated as an honored guest by first-rate forces.

Who could have imagined that Zhang Yuan would be able to invite a Fourth-grade Alchemist to act?

More importantly, not only had Xiao Yan's talent been restored, but he had also been accepted as a disciple by a Fourth-grade Alchemist.

With that connection, even clans backed by Dou Ling experts would have to treat the Xiao Clan politely.

"Yuan, quickly invite that esteemed alchemist out. We'll immediately arrange a banquet to receive him," the Great Elder said impatiently. Xiao Zhan did not mind his overstepping.

"I'm afraid that won't be possible." Zhang Yuan shook his head. "That esteemed alchemist has a peculiar temperament. I only managed to ask him to examine Brother Yan because I happened to obtain a special medicinal ingredient he needed to refine pills."

"Though he has accepted Brother Yan as a disciple, he is still only a nominal disciple. He has also set a rule: before Brother Yan becomes a Second-grade Alchemist, he must not reveal to others that he is his disciple."

"Nor will he come to meet the elders. If you insist, it may very well backfire and make an enemy of him."

Upon hearing this, the four of them immediately showed disappointed expressions.

Every alchemist possessed an esteemed status, and they were all known for their eccentric personalities. Thus, they did not doubt Zhang Yuan's words. Besides, Zhang Yuan had no reason to fabricate such a lie to deceive them.

They had latched onto a powerful patron, but not entirely.

They could only hope that Xiao Yan would become a Second-grade Alchemist soon. Then, the Xiao Clan would have a true backer.

"Then make sure to properly receive that esteemed alchemist. Tell us if he lacks anything, and we will not spread word of this matter," Xiao Zhan stated solemnly. The three elders also voiced their agreement. They understood the importance of the matter.

Seeing that he had achieved his goal, Zhang Yuan handed Xiao Zhan the note he had prepared long ago and said, "Uncle, these are the medicinal ingredients that alchemist needs. He wants to refine some pills."

Foundation Building Spirit Liquid was precious to a faction because it could lay an excellent foundation for Body Tempering Realm cultivators, accelerating their advancement to Dou Zhe and benefiting their future cultivation.

In the novel world he had read about, Xiao Yan had been unable to reveal his identity because of Old Yao's warning. He could only fuss over the medicinal ingredients himself. Short on money, he even had to sell Foundation Building Spirit Liquid in exchange for funds to continue buying ingredients and refining more—a never-ending cycle.

But with him around now, they could fully mobilize the clan's resources. There was no need to go through so much trouble.

"Just these?" Xiao Zhan immediately took the note and found that the listed items were all relatively ordinary medicinal ingredients, along with a First-order Wood-elemental Magical Beast Core.

Although the Xiao Clan had no alchemists, it was an old clan with some foundations, including several Third-grade Pill Formulas.

Just from the ingredients, he could tell that this pill would not be of a high grade.

"This is a special pill—or rather, medicinal liquid—for Brother Yan's use," Zhang Yuan explained. "After years of research, that esteemed alchemist invented this unique medicinal liquid. If Body Tempering Realm cultivators bathe in it while cultivating, the speed at which they condense Dou Qi can increase by at least double."

"That esteemed alchemist intends to help Brother Yan regain his Dou Zhe strength within a year, so he can become his disciple and learn alchemy."

Hiss... exhale.

Upon hearing Zhang Yuan's words, Xiao Zhan and the other three began breathing rapidly.

Foundation Building Spirit Liquid was useless to them, but it would be of enormous use to the younger generation of the clan.

If this could be widely distributed, the entire Xiao Clan would benefit. The younger generation's strength and foundation would soar, affecting the clan as a whole. This was a great gift.

"That esteemed alchemist said this counts as a gift for Brother Yan upon meeting him. He will teach him the refining method once Brother Yan becomes an alchemist. For now, he will personally refine it, and he can also refine some for the Xiao Clan while he is at it. However many ingredients there are, he will refine that much," Zhang Yuan added.

Another critical blow. Xiao Zhan and the other three nearly fainted from happiness.

"The ancestors have revealed their blessings! The ancestors have protected us!" The three elders were all moved to tears.

They had all witnessed the Xiao Clan's "glory." They were of the same generation as Xiao Zhan's Dou Wang father, yet now they could only huddle within Wutan City, constantly longing for the clan's rise.

That was why they attached such importance to nurturing the clan's talented younger members. They had been extremely tolerant of Xiao Yan and had spared no effort in raising Zhang Yuan as well.

Now, their hardships had finally begun to bear fruit.

"We will definitely provide as much of these materials as needed," Xiao Zhan said.

Seeing how excited the four were, Zhang Yuan could not help reminding them, "Uncle, Wutan City does not belong to the Xiao Clan alone. If we purchase these materials on a large scale, it will inevitably attract the attention of those with ulterior motives, who may take advantage of it—for example, by manipulating the market."

Xiao Zhan instantly calmed down and said approvingly, "Yuan, you've thought this through more carefully. Your uncle nearly made a mistake."

As he spoke, he took out a jade box and said, "These are the three Qi Gathering Powders you did not take with you earlier. Put them away carefully."

"No need." Zhang Yuan shook his head. "I gave these to the clan in the first place. Uncle, you can announce to the clan's disciples that they will be awarded to the first three people to condense the ninth stage of Dou Qi. It will also boost their enthusiasm for cultivation."

Upon hearing this, the three elders beside them immediately began rubbing their hands together, ready to return and properly urge on their direct descendants.

Even with the Xiao Clan's wealth, they could not casually produce three Qi Gathering Powders. If anyone failed to seize such an opportunity, they deserved a beating.

"Since you say so, your uncle won't stand on ceremony. We'll convert them into clan merit points. You can exchange them for money or other items whenever you wish," Xiao Zhan said with a face full of satisfaction.

He felt that the wisest thing he had done in his life was to regard Zhang Yuan as his own son and raise him as such.

"I won't stand on ceremony with Uncle either." Zhang Yuan took out another note and said, "Uncle, the medicinal ingredients on this list are relatively precious. I hope you can help me obtain them."

Xiao Zhan took it and gave it a glance, immediately uttering a soft sound of surprise. "Yuan, these seem to be the ingredients needed to refine the Three-pattern Green Spirit Pill?"

Like Qi Gathering Powder, the Three-pattern Green Spirit Pill was a fourth-grade pill. The three patterns corresponded to three grades. A one-pattern pill could help a Dou Shi expert break through into a Da Dou Shi, while a Da Dou Shi who consumed one had a small chance of increasing by one star.

A two-pattern Green Spirit Pill could not be consumed by Dou Shi experts, but it could increase a Da Dou Shi's cultivation by two stars, with a certain chance of three stars.

A three-pattern Green Spirit Pill had a certain chance of raising a Da Dou Shi's strength by three stars, but it also carried a certain chance of backlash, reducing one's cultivation by around one to two stars. However, it posed no danger to life and could also help Dou Ling experts increase by two stars.

On the Dou Qi Continent, the specific refining methods in pill formulas were secrets, but the medicinal ingredients required to refine pills were not. Only by making them widely known could people conveniently gather them, then pay a price to hire an alchemist to refine them.

Different alchemists charged differently for their services.

The Xiao Clan had once been a Dou Wang family, so they naturally knew the ingredients needed to refine the Three-pattern Green Spirit Pill.

"Correct, it is indeed the Three-pattern Green Spirit Pill." Zhang Yuan nodded. "That esteemed alchemist agreed to refine it for me."

Xiao Zhan and the other three immediately drew in sharp breaths, their gazes turning fervent. "Could we ask him to refine a few more?"

All four of them were Da Dou Shi and had never taken a Three-pattern Green Spirit Pill. If they could obtain one to consume, their strength would improve.

Zhang Yuan nodded decisively and smiled. "Of course. That esteemed one is very generous."

Achoo.

Old Yao, who was explaining the Flame Mantra and Heavenly Flames to Xiao Yan, sneezed.

Xiao Yan asked doubtfully, "Can ghosts sneeze too?"

Old Yao: "."