Battle Through the Heavens: Beginning the Rise from Canaan Academy 41

"Is that true?"

The middle-aged man's eyes widened instantly, and even his breathing became hurried.

A second-tier alchemy inheritance was undoubtedly an enormous temptation to an alchemist apprentice like him, enough to make him willing to take risks.

Qin Chen nodded and said with certainty, "Of course. But to my teacher, a second-tier alchemy inheritance is nothing precious."

"..."

After pondering for a moment, the middle-aged man was quickly defeated by the greed in his heart. He first glanced around, and only after confirming that no one else was nearby did he cautiously approach Qin Chen and lower his voice.

"Master, to be honest, my companion and I found this jade fragment in a hidden tomb. There, we found three jade fragments in total, along with a small amount of gold."

"Hm?" Qin Chen looked slightly surprised upon hearing that.

"Hehe..."

Seeing this, the middle-aged man scratched his head awkwardly. On the Battle Qi Continent, tomb robbing had never been an honorable occupation.

Unless it was the ruins of an expert...

"Ahem!"

Qin Chen composed himself and said seriously, "Then do you have a way to get the other jade fragments? I can buy them with ten third-tier medicinal pills."

"I can!" The middle-aged man gritted his teeth and decided to take the risk.

"Good."

Qin Chen nodded in satisfaction. After speaking with him for a little longer, he left.

Xiao Yan Arrives

After leaving the Alchemist Guild's trading district, Qin Chen did not linger outside and headed straight back to the Mittel Family headquarters.

Sitting on the soft bed, Qin Chen brushed his fingers across his storage ring, and the black broken jade fragment reappeared in his palm.

The jade fragment's surface was covered in tiny grains, with scattered cracks spreading across it like a spiderweb. Some sand and dirt still clung to it. When held in his hand, it felt rough, as though it would shatter completely with the slightest squeeze.

No one would have imagined that it contained a secret technique created by a half-emperor.

Playing with the rough jade fragment in his hand, Qin Chen's lips slowly curled 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 from within his body, a sudden knock sounded from outside the courtyard.

Who would come and ruin his plans at a time like this?

Seeing this, Qin Chen could only put away the jade fragment for the moment before getting up and walking toward the door.

When he opened the door, Hai Bodong was standing outside with a grave expression.

Qin Chen asked, "Old Hai, what is it?"

"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 startled by Hai Bodong's words.

Well, well. He had only just taken away the Three Mysterious Changes of Heavenly Flame, and Xiao Yan had already come knocking. He really was worthy of being the child of fortune.

If Qin Chen 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, "In that case, lead the way."

"Alright."

Inside a luxurious room of the Mittel Family guest quarters.

Xiao Yan sat on an ornately carved chair, speaking quietly with a woman nearby.

The woman wore an exquisite red brocade robe that perfectly displayed her proud figure. Every smile and frown 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 simply because she had gotten lucky. Who could blame Xiao Yan for running into this fox-like seductress the moment he arrived at the Mittel Family?

Thus, Ya Fei naturally took over the reception duties that should have belonged to a maid.

"I'm sorry, little brother Xiao Yan. Medicinal ingredients capable of restoring soul strength are far too rare. The Mittel Auction House has not collected such a treasure in over a year." Ya Fei shook her head, her tone filled with regret.

"It's alright, Sister Ya Fei. You don't need to apologize." Though slightly disappointed, Xiao Yan still revealed a calm smile.

This outcome was within his expectations. After all, he had searched the Alchemist Guilds in both Blackrock City and the imperial capital for so long without finding anything. It was impossible for him to find it simply by asking around.

In order to increase his strength and awaken his teacher, Xiao Yan chose to join the Alchemist Guild. He also agreed to Frank and Otto's request to register for the Alchemist Grand Meeting and represent the Blackrock City branch in the competition, striving for the championship.

Xiao Yan had registered at the Alchemist Guild branch in Blackrock City. If he achieved a good result, it would undoubtedly add considerably 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 rapidly and his strength to grow quickly as well.

As long as Xiao Yan could obtain 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.

Unfortunately, after searching for some time, they still came up empty-handed.

Thus, after Frank and Otto arranged lodgings, Xiao Yan came to the Mittel Family, hoping Qin Chen could help him.

Seeing Xiao Yan's disappointed expression, Ya Fei seemed to recall 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 in.

Looking at the two people whose conversation he had interrupted, Qin Chen smiled lightly. "You two, long time no see. Have you been well?"

"You two talk. I'll leave first."

Upon seeing Qin Chen, Ya Fei rose gracefully and walked out of the guest room with light, elegant steps.

She knew that Xiao Yan had come to find Qin Chen this time, so it would be inconvenient for her to remain.

After Ya Fei left, Qin Chen directly found a chair and sat down. Smacking his lips, he smiled and said, "A 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 the Dou Huang realm. He might even already be a two-star Dou Huang.

"Ahem... Back to the matter at hand."

Qin Chen's smile disappeared as he turned his gaze toward the storage ring on Xiao Yan's hand. In a deep voice, he asked, "Xiao Yan, what happened to your teacher?"

After breaking through to the Dou Huang realm, Qin Chen's soul strength had increased considerably as well. Yet even so, he had never sensed the soul fluctuations unique to Yao Lao within the Bone Flame Ring.

The only explanation was that Yao Lao had fallen asleep.

But with Qin Chen's intervention, Xiao Yan had not created the Angry Buddha Lotus. Why had Yao Lao still fallen asleep?

Xiao Yan sighed and gave a bitter smile. "My teacher's soul strength was exhausted, and he has now 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 no different from seeking death."

"Ai..." Xiao Yan sighed and said helplessly, "This is what happened..."

Then, Xiao Yan briefly explained how Yao Lao's soul strength had been consumed and how he had eventually fallen asleep.

"So that's how it is."

Upon hearing this, Qin Chen rubbed his chin and muttered softly.

He had been wondering what the cause was. It turned out that the master and disciple had gone too far and failed to grasp the proper limits.

Qin Chen frowned deeply. After thinking 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?" Joy surged in Xiao Yan's heart as he asked eagerly.

"There is indeed a way."

Qin Chen lightly tapped the table with his fingers, then changed the subject with a smile. "However, this matter is not within my obligations. Let's count this as you owing me a favor. What do you say?"

Qin Chen did not take advantage of Xiao Yan's predicament by using the Demon Flame Map Fragment as a condition for awakening Yao Lao. After all, Xiao Yan only needed to search for another two days before he would certainly learn the whereabouts of the Seven-Illusion Green Spirit Saliva.

Moreover, doing so would earn him Xun'er's resentment. Once he reached the Dou Zun realm and gained a powerful background, he could find a way to take it back later.

The Plan Begins

"Alright." Xiao Yan agreed immediately without the slightest hesitation.

Yao Lao had not only taught and guided him, but had also saved him from danger many times. Now, he had even 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 in Xiao Yan's heart, he had long surpassed even family.

Let alone owing Qin Chen a favor, Xiao Yan would accept even a far greater price.

"Good lad!"

Qin Chen laughed heartily, a trace of approval flashing through his eyes. He patted Xiao Yan on the shoulder and said, "Do you know about the Seven-Illusion Green Spirit Saliva?"

"The Seven-Illusion Green Spirit Saliva?"

"That's right." Qin Chen nodded and explained, "A strange liquid can be refined from the roots and stems of this plant. It can rapidly restore depleted soul strength."

"Using it as the main ingredient, along with several supplementary medicinal ingredients, will not only awaken your teacher, but also make him stronger after he wakes."

"However..."

Seeing joy gradually spread across Xiao Yan's face, Qin Chen suddenly felt mischievous. "The other supplementary ingredients are easy enough to handle. I have them all. But I alone lack the Seven-Illusion Green Spirit Saliva."

"What?" Xiao Yan's eyes bulged as if a basin of cold water had been poured over him.

So he had been happy for nothing?

"Don't worry."

Qin Chen waved his hand indifferently and said, "Although I don't have that medicinal plant, I know where it is."

"Oh? Where?" Xiao Yan hurriedly asked.