Although Han Feng couldn't be absolutely certain that Yao Chen was dead,
before killing Old Man Yin Gu, he had learned the last useful piece of information from him.
There was indeed a chance, so Han Feng planned to go to Wutan City himself
and investigate thoroughly. In case that old thing was still alive,
he had to get the complete version of the Flame Mantra.
He knew very well just how powerful the Flame Mantra was.
Once he obtained its complete version, his future strength
would surely reach a terrifying level. That was certain.
As soon as Han Feng had thought this through, he set off,
heading toward the Jia Ma Empire.
After arriving in Wutan City, Han Feng immediately made inquiries.
He learned that Xiao Yan and the black-robed Alchemist suspected of being Yao Chen had, not long ago,
left Wutan City and headed toward the Magical Beast Mountain Range in the Jia Ma Empire.
"The Magical Beast Mountain Range, is it? Yao Chen, you old thing, just you wait."
"This time, I'll get the complete version of the Flame Mantra!"
The next morning, at the Desert Iron Mercenary Group in Shi Mo City,
after Yao Chen woke up, he heard a voice suddenly come from beside him.
He sat up and looked. A young girl began speaking softly.
"Mr. Yao, you're awake. I'm a maid with the mercenary group. My name is Qing Lin."
"Would you like to wash up? The group leader sent me to attend to you."
Qing Lin was a little nervous. Although she was still young and knew little of the world,
she had observed things over the past few days. What's more, some time ago,
she had heard just how renowned Mr. Yao Chen was in the Jia Ma Empire.
They said that both the Misty Cloud Sect and the Imperial Family of the Jia Ma Empire
held him in the highest regard.
And over the past few days, Jia Xing Tian of the Imperial Family and Yun Yun of the Misty Cloud Sect,
along with Master Gu He, a Sixth-grade Alchemist, had all come to visit Mr. Yao in turn.
Qing Lin had seen it all.
Although the group leader had sent her to look after Mr. Yao,
she was still on tenterhooks, afraid she might not perform well
and incur Mr. Yao's displeasure, bringing disaster upon herself.
The young girl was thoroughly frightened.
Yao Chen noticed this too. After getting up, he spoke gently.
"Your name is Qing Lin, right? The scales on your arm look rather beautiful."
Hearing Yao Chen's words, Qing Lin froze.
She had always worried that the scales on her body would frighten people.
They had always made her feel inferior, so she hadn't expected Mr. Yao to call them beautiful.
To Qing Lin, that praise meant a great deal.
It warmed her heart.
After a while, Yao Chen spoke softly.
He looked at Qing Lin and said,
"Qing Lin, would you like to leave Shi Mo City and travel with me to other places,
to see more of the continent?"
Qing Lin was taken aback. Before this, everyone who saw her
and the scales on her body had treated her like something filthy.
They had wished they could get as far away from her as possible.
But Mr. Yao was the first person who wanted to take her along.
Qing Lin was surprised, and before she could ask anything further,
Yao Chen spoke gently.
"Qing Lin, I'd like to take you on as my student."
"Perhaps people once thought you were an ill omen because of the scales on your body.
"They may have mocked you and bullied you. But from now on, if you become my disciple,
improve your strength, and become powerful,
no one will dare look down on you or bully you again.
"What do you think? Give it some thought. If you're willing,
you can travel the continent with me as your teacher.
"You don't have to stay in this little Shi Mo City forever.
"You have excellent talent. If you train and are nurtured properly,
your future will be no worse than anyone else's."
Qing Lin was astonished. She had never imagined
that her talent for cultivation could be so great. She had never noticed it herself.
And yet Mr. Yao, the Rank 7 Alchemist renowned throughout the Jia Ma Empire,
had taken the initiative to accept her as his disciple.
How could Qing Lin not be thrilled and stunned?
It was also a recognition of her.
Though surprised, Qing Lin nodded and said,
"Mr. Yao Chen... You're the most renowned Alchemist in the Jia Ma Empire,
and a powerful expert, too.
Anyone who became your disciple would surely be thrilled.
And Qing Lin even more so. If you're willing,
Qing Lin would be happy to follow you, serve you tea and water, and attend to you.
"I wouldn't dare hope to become your student..."
Qing Lin possessed the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils. If she was properly trained, she would be extraordinary.
Better for Yao Chen to cultivate her himself than let the people from the Heavenly Snake Manor take her away.
And perhaps, as Qing Lin's strength continued to improve,
he could obtain plenty of system rewards as well.
Thinking this, Yao Chen nodded in agreement.
"From now on, you'll follow me and call me teacher."
Qing Lin was hesitant. She looked up at Yao Chen, still trembling with nerves.
She couldn't imagine that an ordinary maid like her could become Mr. Yao Chen's disciple.
She didn't dare bring herself to say the word "teacher."
But after Yao Chen confirmed it, Qing Lin finally spoke softly.
At last, he heard the word "teacher" from her lips.
Yao Chen nodded, deeply satisfied.
[You have taken Qing Lin as a disciple, triggering the Renowned Teacher reward. You obtained a Black Treasure Chest.] [Stored in the system inventory.]
A Black Treasure Chest? Yao Chen was a little surprised.
He immediately opened his inventory and drew the chest's rewards.
[You opened a Black Treasure Chest and obtained a low-tier, low-tier cultivation method: Spirit Snake Jade Method] [Obtained weapon: Heavenly Fire Snake Staff.]
With Qing Lin attending to him, Yao Chen and Qing Lin went together to Xiao Ding and the others' tent.
Xiao Yan was already inside the tent.
The three brothers had drunk heartily together the night before.
By now, Xiao Yan had sobered up,
but he was still somewhat out of it, his mind remaining a little hazy.
The moment he saw Yao Chen walk in, Xiao Yan stood up and said,
"Teacher, did you get a good night's rest?"
[You received Xiao Yan's concern and were rewarded with a random 349 points of Alchemy proficiency.]
Xiao Ding and Xiao Li were also deeply concerned.
They held Yao Chen in high regard, too. So they asked Qing Lin, who stood behind him,
"Qing Lin, you were assigned to attend to Mr. Yao this morning. You didn't neglect him, did you?"
Just as Qing Lin was about to answer, Yao Chen spoke gently.
He then shared his plans. He had already taken Qing Lin as his student
and intended to have her leave with him and go on a period of training.
Xiao Ding and Xiao Li naturally had no objections, though they were a little surprised.
"I never expected Qing Lin to have such an opportunity and such talent."
"To catch Mr. Yao's eye and be taken on as his disciple?"
Xiao Yi Xian, standing to one side, couldn't help feeling envious as well.
Two days later, Han Feng arrived in Shi Mo City.
After learning that Xiao Yan and the black-robed Alchemist suspected of being Yao Chen were at the Desert Iron Mercenary Group,
Han Feng immediately set out for the Desert Iron Mercenary Group!
"Yao Chen, if you really are still alive, your disciple will make his teacher die once more!"
Han Feng spoke viciously.