Heading to Shi Mo City!

After Xiao Yan killed a few magical beasts, the proficiency rewards immediately appeared on Yao Chen's System Panel. A gratified smile spread across his face, clearly showing his immense satisfaction.

A short while later, Xiao Yan continued to hunt down several more magical beasts one after another. When the Dou Qi within his body began to run dry, he took out the Qi Recovery Pill that Yao Chen had given him and consumed it.

In the span of just a few hours, Xiao Yan had successfully slain seven or eight magical beasts at the Master Fighter level. He was becoming increasingly proficient. Moreover, Xiao Yan's strength was rapidly approaching the critical threshold for a breakthrough, leaving him exceptionally excited and thrilled.

"Teacher, at my current rate of Dou Qi growth, I believe I will definitely be able to break through within a day or two."

Seeing this, Little Doctor Immortal felt incredibly envious. It was enough to show just how important it was to have a teacher who was an Alchemist—especially one at the seventh-tier level. At this moment, Little Doctor Immortal grew even more envious and covetous, muttering to herself in her heart, "If only I could take Mr. Yao Chen as my teacher; I wonder how wonderful that would be. I wonder how honored and lucky I would be."

Little Doctor Immortal sighed. She was envious, but she had to admit the gap in talent between herself and Xiao Yan. A top-tier Alchemist like Mr. Yao Chen did not just take on any apprentice. Little Doctor Immortal spoke to herself in her heart.

A month passed. Xiao Yan's strength had reached the peak of a nine-star Fighter, and the advancement to a one-star Master Fighter was right before his eyes. Having stayed in the Magical Beast Mountain Range for over a month, it was about time to leave and gain experience elsewhere.

"Teacher, I would like to make a trip to Shi Mo City. When I left Wutan City, my father told me that my eldest and second brothers had formed a mercenary group in Shi Mo City. They have been developing there for some time now and can be considered a noteworthy force among the mercenary groups in Shi Mo City. I want to go there to see my brothers. Besides, I can gain some experience there as well, and it should be near the Tagor Desert. Teacher, what do you think?"

Xiao Yan looked at Yao Chen as he spoke, wishing to ask for his teacher's opinion. If Yao Chen felt it was inappropriate, or if he had better ideas and plans based on Xiao Yan's current strength, Xiao Yan intended to listen to his teacher. He waited for Yao Chen's reply.

Yao Chen became immediately interested. He knew that according to the development of the plot, once they arrived at Shi Mo City, a young girl named Qing Lin would appear. She possessed the Green Snake Three-Flower Pupils and was an absolute child of talent. If he were to take on another apprentice, Qing Lin would be the one.

As his strength increased, the rewards he could obtain would also grow accordingly.

After pondering for a moment, Yao Chen looked at the Xiao Yan before him and spoke.

"Very well, then our next destination shall be Shi Mo City, the place where your eldest and second brothers reside."

"That's great." Xiao Yan nodded excitedly.

Ever since his eldest and second brothers had left the family to develop their own influence in Shi Mo City, the three brothers had rarely seen one another.

He couldn't even remember how long it had been since their last meeting.

Xiao Yan was also very eager to reunite with his brothers.

Setting off from here to Shi Mo City was not exactly close, but it wasn't too far either.

If he were to use his flight Dou Technique, the Purple Cloud Wings, he should be able to arrive in a day or two.

However, given Little Doctor Immortal's current strength, she was unable to fly.

Therefore, if they were to travel by land, it would likely take ten to fifteen days.

But Xiao Yan was in no rush.

He would treat the journey as a form of cultivation and training.

It might even prove beneficial to the improvement of his strength.

If he could encounter some opportunities that would allow him to break through and reach the level of a one-star Master Fighter, that would be wonderful.

Once he met his eldest and second brothers, he imagined they would be thrilled and excited by his improvement in strength.

They would surely be happy for him as well.

"Then pack your things; we shall set off for Shi Mo City tomorrow."

Meanwhile, within the Cloud Mist Sect, Yun Yun, as the Sect Master, had spent the past month utilizing the influence and resources of the Cloud Mist Sect to investigate the origins of Yao Chen.

Since he was capable of refining seventh-tier medicinal pills, he was certainly no nobody within their Jia Ma Empire.

Yet, after much research and deliberation, they could not uncover a single relevant clue.

There were only two possibilities.

Either Yao Chen was not from the Jia Ma Empire, or he was an expert from elsewhere on the Dou Qi Continent.

Although she did not know which faction he belonged to, someone capable of refining seventh-tier medicinal pills was a rare sight, even in other parts of the Dou Qi Continent.

Furthermore, based on their investigations during this period, they had already learned that Yao Chen and Xiao Yan had gone to the Magical Beast Mountain Range and had even wiped out the Wolf Head Mercenary Group in Green Mountain Town.

Yun Yun, the Sect Master of the Cloud Mist Sect, thought carefully for a moment before speaking to Nalan Yanran, who stood before her.

"Yanran, there is something I need to tell you."

"Do you still remember Mr. Yao, whom we encountered when we went to Wutan City together?"

Of course Nalan Yanran remembered Mr. Yao.

The man was a seventh-tier Alchemist and a Dou Zong expert within the Jia Ma Empire.

Back then, their entire group had intended to seize the Green Lotus Core Flame.

Then, she went to trade for the friendship of Mr. Yao Chen.

As it turned out, the Green Lotus Core Flame had been snatched away by someone else first.

Thus, she did not get her wish.

However, during this period of time.

Mr. Yao Chen's reputation in the Jia Ma Empire had grown increasingly resounding.

It had even spread to other corners and regions of the Dou Qi Continent.

How could Nalan Yanran possibly forget such a powerhouse so completely in such a short time?

She was only somewhat confused.

She did not know why her teacher would bring up Mr. Yao Chen at this moment.

So, she asked with some curiosity.

"Teacher, of course I know Mr. Yao Chen."

"He is, after all, the only Rank 7 Alchemist in our Jia Ma Empire."

"However, what is the reason for you suddenly mentioning Mr. Yao to me at this time?"

"This disciple does not quite understand what you mean."

"Are you intending for us to continue striving to befriend Mr. Yao?"

"Teacher, I know you are considering the future development of the Cloud Mist Sect."

"If we could befriend a Dou Zong powerhouse, then in the future, within the Jia Ma Empire."

"Even the Imperial Family would have to treat us with importance."

"They would have to attach great importance to our Cloud Mist Sect."

"It is just that, you saw Mr. Yao's attitude toward us before."

"He seems to look down on our Cloud Mist Sect entirely."

"I feel that this hope is very slim."

Just as Nalan Yanran finished saying this.

Yun Yun suddenly added a remark, shaking her head as she spoke.

"Yanran, what I want to tell you is not about this matter."

"According to the current information gathered by the disciples sent out by our Cloud Mist Sect."

"Xiao Yan, the one you went to break off the engagement with, seems to be Mr. Yao's student."

"A few days ago, the two of them even made a trip to Green Mountain Town in the Magical Beast Mountain Range."

"There, they wiped out a force known as the Wolf Head Mercenary Group."

"It is said that they have already departed from the Magical Beast Mountain Range and are heading in the direction of Shi Mo City."

Nalan Yanran's expression turned to one of immediate shock.