"Is that true?"
The middle-aged man's eyes widened instantly, and even his breathing grew rapid.
A Tier 2 alchemy inheritance was undoubtedly an enormous temptation to an alchemist apprentice like him, enough to make him take risks.
Qin Chen nodded and said with certainty, "Of course. But a Tier 2 alchemy inheritance is nothing precious to my teacher."
"..."
After pondering for a moment, the middle-aged man was quickly defeated by the greed in his heart. He first looked around, and only after confirming there was no one else did he cautiously approach Qin Chen and whisper:
"Master, to be honest, my companion and I found this jade fragment in a hidden tomb. We found three jade fragments there, along with a small amount of gold coins."
"Hm?" Qin Chen looked slightly taken aback upon hearing this.
"Hehe..."
Seeing this, the middle-aged man awkwardly scratched his head. On the Battle Qi Continent, tomb raiding had never been anything honorable.
Unless it was the ruins of an expert...
"Ahem!"
Qin Chen composed himself and said seriously, "Do you have a way to get the other jade fragments? I can buy them for ten Tier 3 Medicinal Pills."
"Yes!" The middle-aged man gritted his teeth and decided to take the risk.
"Good."
Qin Chen nodded in satisfaction. After speaking with him a little longer, he left.
Xiao Yan Arrives
After leaving the Alchemist Guild's trading area, Qin Chen did not linger outside for long and returned directly to the Mittel Family headquarters.
Sitting on the soft bed, Qin Chen brushed his finger over his Storage Ring, and the black, broken jade fragment appeared in his palm once more.
The jade fragment's surface was covered in tiny grains. Scattered cracks spread across it like a spiderweb, with traces of sand and dirt still clinging to it. Its texture felt rough in his hand, as though it would completely shatter with a light squeeze.
No one would have imagined that it contained a secret technique created by a Half Emperor.
As he played with the rough jade fragment in his hand, Qin Chen's lips slowly curved upward. "Today, let me see just what is so remarkable about this secret technique created by a Half Emperor..."
Knock, knock, knock!
Just as Qin Chen was about to summon the Green Lotus Core Flame within his body, a sudden knock sounded from outside the courtyard.
Who would come to ruin his plans at a time like this?
With no other choice, Qin Chen temporarily put away the jade fragment before rising and heading for the door.
When the door opened, Hai Bodong was standing outside with a grave expression.
Seeing this, Qin Chen asked, "Hai Lao, is something wrong?"
"The person you told me to watch for has arrived. He is in the guest room now," Hai Bodong replied.
"Oh?"
Qin Chen was slightly stunned when he heard Hai Bodong's words.
Well, damn. He had just taken away the Three Mysterious Changes of Heavenly Flame, and Xiao Yan came knocking. He truly was worthy of being the child of fate.
If he had been even a step later, wouldn't this secret technique have fallen into Xiao Yan's hands?
Suppressing the complaints in his heart, Qin Chen said to Hai Bodong, "Then take me there."
"Alright."
Inside a luxurious room in the Mittel Family guest quarters.
Xiao Yan sat on a carved chair, speaking quietly with a woman some distance away.
The woman wore an exquisite crimson brocade robe that fully displayed her proud figure. Every frown and smile carried a unique charm.
The only person who could appear in the Mittel Family guest room and have such a close relationship with Xiao Yan was naturally Ya Fei.
As for why Ya Fei was here, it was naturally due to chance. Xiao Yan had run into this fox-like woman the moment he arrived at the Mittel Family.
Thus, Ya Fei naturally took over the reception duties that should have belonged to a maid.
"Sorry, little brother Xiao Yan. Medicinal herbs capable of restoring soul strength are simply too rare. The Mittel Auction House has not collected such a treasure in over a year," Ya Fei said regretfully, shaking her head.
"It's alright, Sister Ya Fei. You don't need to apologize." Although he was somewhat disappointed, Xiao Yan still revealed a calm smile.
This result had been within his expectations. After all, he had searched the Alchemist Guilds in Blackrock City and the Imperial Capital for so long without finding anything. It was impossible for him to find it merely by asking around.
In order to raise his strength and awaken his teacher, Xiao Yan had chosen to join the Alchemist Guild. He had also agreed to let Frank and Otto register him for the Alchemist Grand Meeting, where he would represent the Blackrock City branch and strive for the championship.
Xiao Yan had registered with the Alchemist Guild branch in Blackrock City. If he could achieve good results, he would undoubtedly add greatly to Frank and Otto's accomplishments.
Therefore, the two had provided Xiao Yan with quite a few medicinal ingredients and cultivation resources, allowing his alchemy skills to improve quickly and his strength to grow rapidly.
In any case, as long as Xiao Yan obtained a good ranking, they would receive far greater benefits from headquarters than what they had invested.
After the three arrived in the Imperial Capital, Xiao Yan immediately went with the two masters to the Alchemist Guild headquarters, hoping to find some heavenly treasures capable of restoring soul strength there.
Unfortunately, after searching everywhere, they still came away empty-handed.
Thus, after Frank and Otto arranged accommodations, Xiao Yan came to the Mittel Family, hoping Qin Chen could help him.
Seeing Xiao Yan's disappointed expression, Ya Fei seemed to remember something and was about to speak.
Creak!
At that moment, the wooden door to the guest room was gently pushed open, and Qin Chen, dressed in a black robe, slowly walked inside.
Looking at the two people whose conversation he had interrupted, Qin Chen smiled lightly. "It has been a long time, you two. Have you been well?"
"You two talk. I'll be leaving first."
Seeing Qin Chen arrive, Ya Fei rose elegantly and left the guest room with graceful steps.
She knew Xiao Yan had come to find Qin Chen, so it would be inconvenient for her to remain.
After Ya Fei left, Qin Chen found a chair and sat down. Smacking his lips, he smiled and said, "Five-star Dou Shi, Xiao Yan. Your cultivation speed is quite fast..."
Xiao Yan rolled his eyes and snorted. "How could my cultivation speed possibly compare to yours?"
Although he could not see through Qin Chen's strength, Xiao Yan was certain that this guy had definitely broken through to Dou Emperor. He might even have reached the level of a two-star Dou Emperor.
"Ahem... Let's get back to business."
Qin Chen wiped the smile from his face and turned his gaze toward the Storage Ring on Xiao Yan's hand. He asked solemnly, "Xiao Yan, what happened to your teacher?"
After breaking through to Dou Emperor, Qin Chen's soul strength had also increased considerably. Yet even so, he had never sensed the soul fluctuation unique to Yao Lao within the Bone Flame Ring.
The only explanation was that Yao Lao had fallen asleep.
But with his intervention, Xiao Yan had not created the Angry Buddha Lotus. Why had Yao Lao still fallen asleep?
Xiao Yan sighed and smiled bitterly. "My teacher's soul strength has been exhausted. He has already fallen asleep."
"What happened?" Qin Chen frowned and pressed further.
"This..." Xiao Yan gave an awkward laugh and helplessly scratched his head.
Seeing Xiao Yan hesitate, Qin Chen snorted. "Xiao Yan, you had better tell me everything exactly as it happened. There may still be a chance to awaken your teacher. Otherwise, without him, going to the Misty Cloud Sect would be nothing but seeking death."
"Ah..." Xiao Yan sighed and said helplessly, "This is what happened..."
Afterward, Xiao Yan briefly explained how Yao Lao's soul strength had been depleted and how he had fallen asleep.
"So that's how it was."
Qin Chen muttered softly as he stroked his chin.
He had wondered what the reason was. It turned out that this master and disciple had overdone it and failed to control themselves.
Qin Chen frowned deeply. After pondering for a moment, he said in a grave voice, "Your teacher must be awakened. Otherwise, we cannot go to the Misty Cloud Sect."
"You have a way to awaken my teacher?" Xiao Yan was overjoyed and asked urgently.
"There is indeed a way."
Qin Chen lightly tapped the tabletop with his finger, then changed the subject and smiled. "However, this is not within my obligations. Consider this a favor you owe me. How about it?"
Qin Chen did not take advantage of Xiao Yan's predicament by demanding the Demon Flame Map Fragment in exchange for awakening Yao Lao. After all, Xiao Yan only needed to search for another two days to learn the whereabouts of the Seven-Illusion Green Spirit Saliva.
Moreover, doing so would earn Gu Xun'er's resentment. Once he reached Dou Zun and gained a powerful backing, it would not be too late to find a way to take it back.
The Plan Begins
"Alright." Xiao Yan agreed without the slightest hesitation.
Yao Lao had not only taught and guided him, but had also saved him from danger many times. Now, Yao Lao had fallen asleep for the sake of Xiao Yan's victory.
After spending these years together day and night, Yao Lao might not have been related to him by blood, but he had long since become closer than family in Xiao Yan's heart.
Not to mention merely owing Qin Chen a favor, Xiao Yan would have accepted any price.
"Good lad!"
Qin Chen laughed heartily. A trace of approval flashed through his eyes as he patted Xiao Yan's shoulder. "Do you know about Seven-Illusion Green Spirit Saliva?"
"Seven-Illusion Green Spirit Saliva?"
"That's right." Qin Chen nodded and explained, "The roots and stems of this plant can be refined into a strange liquid substance capable of rapidly restoring depleted soul strength."
"With it as the main ingredient, along with several supplementary medicinal ingredients, not only can your teacher be awakened, but his strength after awakening can become even greater."
"However..."
Watching joy gradually appear on Xiao Yan's face, Qin Chen had a mischievous thought. "The other supplementary medicinal ingredients are easy enough. I have all of them right now, but I alone lack the Seven-Illusion Green Spirit Saliva."
"What?" Xiao Yan's eyes bulged at once, as though someone had poured a basin of cold water over him.
So he had been happy for nothing?
"Don't panic."
Qin Chen waved his hand indifferently and said, "Although I do not have that medicinal herb, I know where it is."
"Oh? Where?" Xiao Yan hurriedly asked.
Before you continue