Cultivation Ends, Heading to Black Rock City

"Flame Splitting Wave-Devouring Ruler!"

A massive crimson light erupted from the giant ruler in Xiao Yan's hands, slamming fiercely into the towering cliff face.

With a thunderous boom, countless massive boulders came tumbling down from the cliff.

Xiao Yan jumped over to Elder Yao and Hai Bodong, beaming with joy.

"Teacher, look at that! My execution of the Dou Technique wasn't bad, right?"

Elder Yao stroked his beard and nodded, then returned his attention to the chess game with Hai Bodong.

Xiao Yan flopped down onto the ground, exhausted.

He had been staying here for nearly three months, spending every day either practicing Dou Techniques or refining his alchemy skills.

Fortunately, Xiao Yan had used 500 Summoning Points to upgrade himself to a second-tier alchemist; otherwise, Elder Yao would never have let him pass.

As for why he didn't upgrade further, it was because Xiao Yan feared Elder Yao would lecture him again about advancing too quickly.

Xiao Yan sighed as he looked at his status panel.

Name: Xiao Yan
Age: 15 years and 11 months
Strength: One-Star Grandmaster
Alchemist Rank: Second-Tier Alchemist
Cultivation Method: Burning Decision (Xuan-tier Advanced)
Dou Techniques: Eight Extremities Collapse (Xuan-tier Advanced), Mystic Divination Palm (Xuan-tier Primary), Heaven Collapsing Technique (Xuan-tier Advanced), Flame Splitting Wave-Devouring Ruler (Di-tier Primary)
Summoned Experts: Hai Bodong (Seven-Star Dou Huang), Eight-Winged Black Emperor Snake (Peak Dou Huang), Yun Potian (Three-Star Dou Wang)
Summoned Count: 3/4
Heavenly Flames: Myriad Beast Spirit Fire, Green Lotus Core Flame
Items: Mysterious Heavy Ruler
Summoning Talisman: None
Summoning Points: 5500 (Can be exchanged for various items in the System Mall)

Although Xiao Yan's level was not higher than it had been three months ago, his combat effectiveness was significantly stronger.

Just as he was preparing to rest, he caught sight of Yun Potian, who was sitting cross-legged beneath the massive waterfall nearby.

I never expected the ancestor of the Cloud Mist Sect to be such a cultivation fanatic, Xiao Yan couldn't help but marvel.

Over these three months, Xiao Yan had often slacked off even with Elder Yao and Hai Bodong watching him. Yun Potian, however, had no one to remind him, yet he cultivated every single moment of the day.

Xiao Yan sighed inwardly, thinking it was no wonder he had been able to found a sect and leave behind a legend in the Central Plains. He truly was a man favored by the heavens.

Comparisons only lead to frustration, so Xiao Yan decided not to compare himself to Yun Potian anymore.

As for that fellow White Fang, he was a total playboy; during this time, he had basically courted every female snake in the entire forest.

Xiao Yan looked at Elder Yao and said, "Teacher, it's about time we left. We should head to Black Rock City to test for an alchemist rank, then return to Wutan City. The time is almost up."

Elder Yao nodded, and the two of them packed away the chessboard.

"Yun Potian! White Fang! Time to go!" Xiao Yan called out to them.

Within three breaths, Yun Potian arrived at Xiao Yan's side; one had to admit that the speed provided by wind-attribute Dou Qi was truly fast.

Furthermore, the cyan longsword at Yun Potian's side never left his person.

White Fang also flew over from a great distance in an instant.

"Boss, we've only been playing here for a little while, why are we leaving already?" White Fang asked, looking somewhat dejected.

"Well, if we wait any longer, we won't have enough time," Xiao Yan said, then unfurled his Purple Cloud Wings.

Elder Yao returned to the ring, and the group flew together toward Black Rock City.

When they were not far from the city gates, Xiao Yan told White Fang to follow the old rule and find a place to rest for a while.

White Fang walked away, hanging his head in disappointment.

Xiao Yan walked toward the city with Hai Bodong and Yun Potian; flying was prohibited inside Black Rock City, and Xiao Yan didn't want to invite any unnecessary trouble.

Once all three had entered the city, they began searching for the Alchemist Guild.

The Alchemist Guild in Black Rock City was quite grand.

Even the guards at the entrance were Grandmaster-level experts, which left Xiao Yan clicking his tongue in wonder.

Just as they were about to enter, they were blocked by the guards.

"Wait, please present your alchemist badges."

Xiao Yan spread his hands and said, "I'm here to take the alchemist qualification exam, so how could I possibly have a badge?"

They clearly didn't believe him; Xiao Yan looked to be only fifteen or sixteen years old. How could he possibly have already become an alchemist?

Even Lin Fei and Xue Mei, the disciples of Master Otto and Master Frank, had not yet reached the level of a first-grade alchemist.

However, upon seeing Hai Bodong and Yun Potian behind Xiao Yan, the guards hesitated, as both men looked like experts at first glance.

Just then, the portly Master Otto walked in from outside, and seeing the commotion, he approached them.

"What is going on here?"

Otto asked the guards.

"Master Otto, this young brother says he is here to take the alchemist qualification exam."

Otto looked at Xiao Yan and was immediately taken aback by his youth.

"Young brother, what is your name?"

"This junior is Xiao Yan, greetings to Master Otto," Xiao Yan said with a smile.

Otto squinted at Xiao Yan and said, "Little brother Xiao Yan, you say you are here to test for an alchemist badge? Are you certain you have the ability? Who is your teacher?"

"My teacher is a reclusive expert, so it is inconvenient to reveal his name. However, I am indeed prepared to participate in the alchemist qualification exam."

Looking at Xiao Yan's serious expression, as well as the appearance of Yun Potian and Hai Bodong behind him, Otto decided to let Xiao Yan take the exam.

Xiao Yan said to Hai Bodong and Yun Potian, "Elder Hai, Yun Potian, you may take your leave. We shall regroup once I have finished my business here."

The two nodded, then each unfurled their Dou Qi wings and soared into the sky.

The crowd nearby gasped in unison, "Dou Wangs!"

Even Otto was so startled that he plopped down onto the ground.

With two Dou Wang powerhouses following him, Xiao Yan must surely be the successor to a terrifying faction.

Not even the Young Sect Master of the Cloud Mist Sect or members of the Jia Ma Empire's royal family received such treatment; just how terrifying must the power behind this person be!

Otto was helped up, and he said tremblingly, "My Lord, are you certain you wish to test for your rank in our backwater town?"

Xiao Yan nodded and walked into the Alchemist Guild.

Seeing this, Otto immediately followed, and Xiao Yan said, "Master Otto, would it be possible for me to test directly for a second-grade alchemist?"

Otto wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and said cautiously, "According to protocol, it is not allowed, but for you, that might not be the case. Please forgive me, My Lord, but I must discuss this matter with Frank, the president of the Alchemist Guild here."

Xiao Yan nodded, looked at Otto, and smiled, "Thank you for your trouble, Master Otto. I, Xiao Yan, will wait here."

"Very well, very well, I shall return shortly." After saying this, Otto went to find Frank.

Xiao Yan felt disappointed inwardly, as he had come a year early to take the alchemist badge exam, meaning he would not be able to see Lin Fei and Xue Mei.

However, it seemed those two girls had taken the exam for more than one year, so why hadn't he encountered them this year? Could it be that they simply didn't come this time?

Xiao Yan gave a bitter smile, found a place to sit, and waited for Otto to return with the others.