Yao Chen immediately saw the system's reward appear before him.
[The host sold a Rank 7 Pill and caused a sensation in the Jia Ma Empire, earning the attention of the Misty Cloud Sect and the Jia Ma Imperial Family. A random reward has been triggered: 300 points of Alchemy proficiency.]
Although, given his current standing as an Eighth-Tier Alchemist, advancing to the ninth tier would be extremely difficult,
the 300 points of Alchemy proficiency he had just gained would have little effect.
Still, Yao Chen believed that as long as he kept improving, he would eventually have a chance of reaching the ninth tier.
Once he became a ninth-tier Alchemist, there would be hardly anyone on the entire Dou Qi Continent who could surpass him in alchemy.
After claiming his reward from the system, Yao Chen checked his System Panel.
He saw that his Alchemy proficiency had indeed increased by 300 points. He closed the panel and turned his attention back to reality.
As his gaze returned to the real world, he saw Jia Xing Tian of the Jia Ma Imperial Family, along with Mittel Tengshan, the head of the Mittel Family, and their Supreme Elder, Hai Bodong.
The group came over one after another and greeted Yao Chen.
"Mr. Yao, now that the auction has ended, it's about time we left Wutan City."
"But whether it's the doors of the Mittel Family or those of the Jia Ma Imperial Family, they'll always be open to you, Mr. Yao! If you ever visit the Imperial City, we hope you'll come by for a chat."
"We'll give you the grandest welcome and receive you with the utmost honor!" They all spoke up, eager to curry favor with Yao Chen. At that moment, their show of goodwill was undoubtedly quite useful.
Yao Chen's expression remained calm, and his tone was just as composed. "Mm. Understood."
"Mr. Yao, in that case, we'll take our leave. We hope we'll have a chance to meet again in the Imperial City!" After saying their goodbyes, they left the Miteer Auction House in Wutan City.
Before leaving, Miteer Tengshan gave Ya Fei a special instruction. "While you're in Wutan City, as long as Mr. Yao hasn't left, make all the necessary arrangements!"
"No matter what it takes or what price we have to pay, make sure our Mittel Family treats Mr. Yao like an honored guest. This could affect our family's standing in the Jia Ma Empire in the future."
"You must handle this well. If you do, I'll arrange an important position for you when you return to the family."
"Yes, Clan Head." Ya Fei immediately bowed her head.
After everyone had left, Ya Fei returned to the Miteer Auction House and spoke to Yao Chen.
"Mr. Yao, quite a few powerful figures in the Jia Ma Empire have taken notice this time—whether it's the Misty Cloud Sect, the Jia Ma Imperial Family, or our Miteer Auction House."
"I heard that even the former sect leader of the Misty Cloud Sect came out of seclusion. He takes this Rank 7 Pill very seriously."
"Thanks to you, our Miteer Auction House in Wutan City has become the most talked-about auction house in the Jia Ma Empire." Ya Fei felt honored, too.
Especially when she recalled what Miteer Tengshan had told her before leaving, Ya Fei could hardly contain her excitement.
If she could win Mr. Yao over, then when she returned to the family, she might be given an important position.
How could Ya Fei not be thrilled? How could she not be excited?
Yao Chen left the Miteer Auction House and returned to the Xiao Clan. Xiao Yan was beside himself with excitement. Looking at Yao Chen, he said, "Teacher, I never imagined the Rank 7 Pill you refined would cause such a huge sensation throughout the Jia Ma Empire."
"It seems your strength at your peak was truly extraordinary, Teacher," Xiao Yan said with immense admiration.
Then Xiao Yan clenched his fists, his resolve growing even stronger. "In that case, I can't slack off in my cultivation or alchemy practice. I mustn't bring shame to your name."
Over the next few days, Xiao Yan trained in the back hills of the clan. He repeatedly practiced both his Dou Qi cultivation and alchemy, not daring to slack off for even a moment.
It had to be said that Xiao Yan's talent was impressive, and so was his effort later on.
With the pills Yao Chen had refined as well, Xiao Yan's strength rose. A little over a month later, he had reached the level of a five-star Dou Zhe.
After advancing to five-star Dou Zhe, Xiao Yan was immensely excited. "Teacher, I'm a five-star Dou Zhe now."
"I don't think I can make much more progress here in Wutan City. I'd like to go out and gain some experience. It might help me grow stronger."
At that moment, Yao Chen's attention was entirely focused on the System Panel before him.
[The host helped his student, Xiao Yan, improve his Dou Qi level and advance to five-star Dou Zhe. Random reward received: 400 points of Alchemy proficiency.] [Main quest issued: Accompany your student, Xiao Yan, as he leaves Wutan City for Green Mountain Town in the Magical Beast Mountain Range. Unlock a new map and receive a Purple Treasure Chest.] [Accept this quest? Please select.]
Yao Chen immediately accepted the quest displayed on the panel. Then he looked at Xiao Yan and said, "All right."
"Then I'll take you out to gain some experience. With your current strength as a five-star Dou Zhe, it really won't be easy to make further progress in Wutan City."
"A change of scenery may help you grow stronger," Yao Chen said.
"Before we leave Wutan City, I should properly say goodbye to Father and Xun Er," Xiao Yan thought. Then he left the clan's back hills.
After leaving the back hills, Xiao Yan went to the clan's main hall to see his father, Xiao Zhan, and told him that he planned to go out and gain some experience.
Xiao Zhan was a little reluctant, but then he remembered that Xiao Yan had a Three-Year Agreement with Nalan Yanran. Going out to gain experience would help him grow stronger.
Perhaps, when the time came, he really could win the Three-Year Agreement and defeat Nalan Yanran.
So Xiao Zhan patted his shoulder and said, "All right. If that's what you've decided, go out and gain some experience. I believe that in three years, my son will grow into someone everyone looks up to."
"By the way, your eldest and second brothers are in Shi Mo City. If you have time, you can go visit them."
"Understood, Father." Xiao Yan nodded, then left the main hall and headed outside.
After saying goodbye to Xun Er and making his preparations, Xiao Yan left Wutan City with Yao Chen three days later.
They set off for the Magical Beast Mountain Range.