After Xiao Yan killed several magical beasts.
The System Panel immediately showed the proficiency rewards for Yao Chen.
A pleased, gratified smile appeared on his face.
A little while later.
Xiao Yan killed several more magical beasts, one after another.
When the Dou Qi in his body was nearly depleted.
He took out the Qi Recovery Pill Yao Chen had given him and swallowed it.
A few short hours passed.
By then, Xiao Yan had killed seven or eight magical beasts with the strength of a Master Fighter.
He was getting more and more proficient.
And Xiao Yan's strength was soon approaching the threshold for a breakthrough.
Xiao Yan was exceptionally excited and thrilled.
"Teacher, at the rate my Dou Qi is increasing now..."
"I think I'll definitely break through within a day or two."
Xiao Yi Xian watched, feeling extremely envious.
This showed just how important it was to have an Alchemist as one's teacher.
Especially one who was a Rank 7 Alchemist.
Xiao Yi Xian felt increasingly envious and eager.
She muttered to herself.
If only I could become Mr. Yao's student. I wonder how wonderful that would be.
I'd be so honored and lucky.
Xiao Yi Xian sighed.
She was envious, but she had to admit that there was a gulf between her and Xiao Yan in terms of talent.
A top-tier Alchemist like Mr. Yao.
Wouldn't take just anyone as a disciple.
Xiao Yi Xian murmured to herself.
A month passed.
Xiao Yan had reached the peak of nine-star Dou Zhe.
He was just a step away from advancing to one-star Master Fighter.
They had spent more than a month in the Magical Beast Mountain Range.
It was about time to leave and seek experience elsewhere.
"Teacher, I want to go to Shi Mo City."
"Before I left Wutan City, my father told me..."
"My eldest and second eldest brothers had formed a mercenary group in Shi Mo City."
"They've been developing there for some time."
"Now, their group is considered one of the more noteworthy forces among Shi Mo City's mercenary groups."
"I want to go see my brothers."
"Besides, I can train there. It should be near the Tagor Desert."
"Teacher, what do you think?"
Xiao Yan looked at Yao Chen and asked.
He wanted to hear his teacher's opinion.
If Yao Chen thought it wasn't appropriate to go there.
Or if he had a better idea or plan for Xiao Yan, given his strength.
Xiao Yan intended to listen to his teacher.
He waited for Yao Chen's reply.
Yao Chen immediately became interested.
He knew that, as the story progressed.
A little girl named Qing Lin would appear in Shi Mo City.
She had the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils and was undoubtedly a once-in-a-generation talent.
If he took her as his student.
As his strength grew, the rewards he gained would increase as well.
After thinking it over.
He looked at Xiao Yan and said,
"Good. Then Shi Mo City will be our next destination, where your eldest and second eldest brothers are."
"Great!" Xiao Yan nodded excitedly.
Ever since his eldest and second eldest brothers had left the family to build up their forces in Shi Mo City.
The three brothers had rarely gotten to see each other.
He couldn't even remember when they had last met.
Xiao Yan really wanted to see his brothers again.
Shi Mo City wasn't too close, but it wasn't too far either.
If he used his Flying Dou Technique, Purple Cloud Wings.
They should be able to get there in a day or two.
But Xiao Yi Xian wasn't strong enough to fly yet.
So if they traveled on foot, it would probably take ten days to half a month.
Xiao Yan wasn't in a hurry, though.
He could treat the journey as a form of cultivation and training.
It might even help improve his strength.
If he came across an opportunity that helped him break through.
And advance to the one-star Master Fighter realm, that would be wonderful.
When he saw his brothers.
They would surely be excited by his improved strength.
And happy for him.
"Then let's get ready. We'll set out for Shi Mo City tomorrow."
At that moment, in the Misty Cloud Sect.
Yun Yun was the sect's leader.
Over the past month.
She had used the Misty Cloud Sect's influence and resources.
To investigate Yao Chen's origins.
Since he could refine Rank 7 pills.
He certainly wasn't an unknown figure in the Jia Ma Empire.
But after extensive research and discussion.
They hadn't found a single relevant clue.
There were only two possibilities.
Either Yao Chen wasn't from the Jia Ma Empire.
Or he was a powerful figure from the Dou Qi Continent.
Though they didn't know which faction he belonged to.
Someone capable of refining Rank 7 pills.
Would be a rare figure even in other parts of the Dou Qi Continent.
And based on their investigations during this time.
They had learned that Yao Chen and Xiao Yan had gone to the Magical Beast Mountain Range.
They had also wiped out the Wolf Head Mercenary Group in Green Mountain Town.
The Misty Cloud Sect's leader, Yun Yun, thought it over carefully.
Then she looked at Nalan Yanran and said,
"Yanran, there's something I need to tell you."
"Do you remember Mr. Yao? We went to Wutan City together before."
Of course Nalan Yanran remembered Mr. Yao.
He was a Rank 7 Alchemist.
And a Dou Zong powerhouse in the Jia Ma Empire.
Back then, they had all tried to seize the Green Lotus Core Flame.
They had hoped to use it to earn Mr. Yao's favor.
But someone else had snatched the Green Lotus Core Flame first.
So they hadn't gotten what they wanted.
Even so, over the past while.
Mr. Yao's reputation in the Jia Ma Empire had grown increasingly prominent.
It had even spread to distant corners of the Dou Qi Continent.
How could Nalan Yanran forget such a powerful figure in so short a time?
She was simply puzzled.
She didn't know why her teacher had brought up Mr. Yao now.
So she asked curiously,
"Teacher, of course I know Mr. Yao."
"He's the only Rank 7 Alchemist in the Jia Ma Empire."
"But why did you suddenly bring him up?"
"I'm not quite sure what you mean."
"Are you thinking of trying again to befriend Mr. Yao?"
"Teacher, I know you're thinking about the Misty Cloud Sect's future."
"If we could befriend a Dou Zong powerhouse, then the Imperial Family would have to take us seriously..."
"Even in the Jia Ma Empire."
"They'd have to show the Misty Cloud Sect proper respect."
"But you saw how Mr. Yao treated us before."
"He seems to look down on the Misty Cloud Sect."
"I think our chances are slim."
Nalan Yanran had only just finished speaking.
Yun Yun shook her head and interjected,
"Yanran, that isn't what I wanted to tell you."
"Based on what the disciples we sent out have learned so far..."
"It seems the Xiao Yan you went to see and break off your engagement with is Mr. Yao's student."
"The two of them went to Green Mountain Town in the Magical Beast Mountain Range a few days ago."
"They wiped out a force called the Wolf Head Mercenary Group there."
"Word is, they've already left the Magical Beast Mountain Range and are heading toward Shi Mo City."
Nalan Yanran's expression immediately turned to shock.