Taking Disciples, Ten-Thousandfold Returns: Starting from Battle Through the Heavens

Qin Hao looked at Yao Chen with a faint, knowing smile.

Yao Chen's expression grew darker and darker as he listened, while shock filled his heart. He clearly had not expected Qin Hao to know so many secrets, even having thoroughly exposed his entire background.

At this moment, he could not utter a single word of explanation or rebuttal.

"I didn't expect Your Excellency to know even these matters!"

Yao Chen said coldly.

"Can't be helped. Medicine Venerable is so renowned. As a fellow alchemist, I was naturally quite curious about Medicine Venerable's affairs!"

Qin Hao said with a smile.

"Enough. After going in such a large circle, state your conditions!"

After calming the turmoil in his heart, Yao Chen spoke in a deep voice. He had no choice. His current situation was completely passive, and he had no grounds to resist.

"It's simple. I'm interested in the cultivation technique capable of fusing Heavenly Flames, as well as Medicine Venerable's alchemy inheritance. Of course, I won't let you suffer a loss either. By chance, I also obtained the inheritance of a top-tier eighth-grade alchemist.

"I can share this alchemy inheritance with you! Besides that, I'll help you deal with Han Feng and assist in your resurrection. In return, you must serve me for a hundred years! What does Medicine Venerable think?

"A hundred years is not very long for someone at the peak of the Dou Zun realm! As long as you agree, I can guarantee that I'll do my utmost to find better resurrection materials for you! You may even have a chance to step into the Dou Sheng realm in the future!

"I know that the Hall of Souls had a hand in the betrayal you suffered back then. There's no need for me to remind you how powerful the Hall of Souls is. If you want revenge, you'll need at least the cultivation of a Dou Sheng!"

Qin Hao said, patiently guiding him along.

As he listened to Qin Hao's words, Yao Chen's expression changed constantly. Clearly, he was engaged in an intense internal struggle.

The Flame Mantra was a miraculous cultivation technique that he had obtained only after narrowly escaping death time and time again. In fact, more than half the reason he had fallen into his current state was because of the Flame Mantra.

An alchemy inheritance was even more fundamental to an alchemist. Under normal circumstances, such a thing would only be passed down to one's own disciple.

Not to mention being asked to serve someone else. For the always-proud Yao Chen, that was even more torturous.

But when he thought of his current circumstances... he could not help but begin to waver.

He hated Han Feng. He hated the Hall of Souls. Yet in his current state, wanting revenge was simply wishful thinking.

So he clearly had no choice at all.

Most importantly, he understood that even if he refused, Qin Hao would lose nothing but a laborer. He could still easily obtain everything else.

Because the Flame Mantra and his alchemy inheritance were both inside his storage ring. And once he died, the Bone Chilling Flame would likewise fall into Qin Hao's hands.

"I agree! I accept your terms! I hope you will keep your word as well!"

Having thought it through, Yao Chen quickly made his decision and spoke directly.

"Very good. A very wise choice!"

Upon hearing Yao Chen's decision, a smile finally appeared on Qin Hao's face. He was clearly very satisfied with this outcome.

In truth, he had considered directly using the Soul-Devouring Art to devour Yao Chen's soul. Then everything Yao Chen possessed would have fallen into his hands.

But in the end, he gave up on that idea. First, having read the original work, he could not bring himself to feel much ill will toward Yao Chen.

Second, and more importantly, he did not want to become the kind of person who would stop at nothing. He did not consider himself a good man, but neither did he want to become someone with no bottom line for the sake of profit.

If Yao Chen had harbored ill intent toward him, he would have killed him without the slightest psychological burden. But with no grudge or enmity between them, he did not wish to do that.

The next moment, light flashed from the black ring, and two scrolls appeared before Qin Hao. They were precisely the Flame Mantra and Yao Chen's alchemy inheritance.

Invitation! First Visit to the Xiao Clan!

"Very well. Since that's the case, I won't let you suffer a loss either. This is the eighth-grade alchemy inheritance I obtained. I'll also give you this Seven-Colored Green Spirit Saliva. It can restore quite a bit of your soul power!"

After accepting the Flame Mantra and the alchemy inheritance, Qin Hao also gave Cang Xuanzi's alchemy inheritance to Yao Chen.

After all, when he had accepted Xiao Yan as his disciple earlier, he had obtained an emperor-grade alchemist inheritance. Naturally, he did not care much about Cang Xuanzi's alchemy inheritance.

He also gave Yao Chen the Seven-Colored Green Spirit Saliva he had obtained from the Nalan Clan.

Although this item was beneficial to the soul, its primary effect was restoring soul power. As for increasing soul power, it no longer had much effect on him now that he was at the middle stage of the Spiritual Realm.

"Seven-Colored Green Spirit Saliva! It's actually this!"

When Yao Chen saw the Seven-Colored Green Spirit Saliva Qin Hao had taken out, his eyes immediately lit up. His soul origin was currently extremely weak, and this Seven-Colored Green Spirit Saliva was nothing less than timely aid to him.

Yao Chen no longer hesitated. He directly stored both items in his storage ring, and his body transformed into a streak of light before entering it.

"Alright, it's settled! Since this ring is important to you, keep wearing it. You don't need to worry about it devouring your Dou Qi anymore! Also, if I'm not by your side in the future, you can ask him about any cultivation or alchemy problems you have!

"At his peak, he was a peak Dou Zun and a peak eighth-grade alchemist!"

Qin Hao turned his gaze toward Xiao Yan and tossed the ring to him.

"A peak Dou Zun! A peak eighth-grade alchemist..."

Upon hearing that, Xiao Yan's emotions surged wildly. This was practically a portable old grandpa.

"Thank you, Master!"

After recovering his senses, Xiao Yan hurriedly bowed.

"The most important thing for you now is to cultivate diligently and strive to condense your Dou Qi Cyclone again as soon as possible! This is the Marrow-Washing Spirit Liquid I refined. It can assist cultivation during the Dou Qi stage and greatly speed up your cultivation!"

"I'll give you this high-grade storage ring as well!"

Just as he had done with Qinglin and Xiao Yixian, Qin Hao took out ten bottles of Marrow-Washing Spirit Liquid and a storage ring for Xiao Yan.

"A high-grade storage ring!? Thank you, Master! Rest assured, Master, I definitely won't disappoint you! I'll do everything I can to recover my Dou Zhe cultivation as soon as possible!"

Looking at the items before him, shock appeared in Xiao Yan's eyes. After hesitating for a moment, he ultimately accepted them and spoke with a determined expression.

Ding! The host has bestowed disciple Xiao Yan with 10 bottles of the cultivation-assisting treasure Marrow-Washing Spirit Liquid, meeting the return conditions! Thousandfold return triggered! Obtained 1,000 bottles of Tendon-Cleansing Marrow-Washing Spirit Liquid!

The system prompt sounded once again the instant Xiao Yan accepted the items.

Because the storage ring Qin Hao had given Xiao Yan was a high-grade storage ring returned by the system, it naturally could not be returned a second time.

"Good!"

Qin Hao nodded, satisfaction appearing on his face. He had successfully accepted Xiao Yan as his disciple today and completed a deal with Yao Chen, so he was clearly in an excellent mood.

His purpose in coming to Wutan City this time could be considered accomplished.

"Oh, right. Once you return, make your preparations. In half a month, come with me to the imperial capital. You'll return to Canaan Academy along with this year's Canaan Academy recruitment team!"

Qin Hao spoke directly.

In half a month, all students who had passed the assessment would gather in the imperial capital before leaving the Jia Ma Empire.

"Leaving Wutan City for Canaan Academy... I understand, Master!"

After hearing Qin Hao's words, Xiao Yan seemed to think of something, and reluctance flashed through his eyes. However, it was soon replaced by determination as he nodded.

Xiao Zhan had no objection whatsoever to Qin Hao taking Xiao Yan away. He understood very clearly that being able to follow Qin Hao was an enormous blessing for Xiao Yan.

"Master Qin Hao, to express our gratitude, my Xiao Clan will host a banquet in your honor tonight. I hope you will grace us with your presence!"

After hesitating for a moment, Xiao Zhan seemed to make up his mind and gathered the courage to speak.

"Is that so... Fine, then I'll trouble Clan Head Xiao!"

After hearing Xiao Zhan's invitation, Qin Hao thought about it for a moment but ultimately did not refuse. He accepted directly.

Qin Hao naturally understood Xiao Zhan's intentions. He merely wanted to use Qin Hao's name to raise the Xiao Clan's influence, and Qin Hao did not pay it much mind.

"Not at all! Not at all! I'll return and make preparations immediately! I'll take my leave first!"

Xiao Zhan hurriedly rose to bid farewell. Xiao Yan, meanwhile, remained with Qin Hao for the time being.

"Xiao Yan, these are Qinglin and Xiao Yixian, the two disciples I accepted earlier!"

After Xiao Zhan left, Qin Hao called Qinglin and Xiao Yixian over and introduced them to one another.

"Greetings, Senior Sisters!"

Xiao Yan immediately greeted them. He did not slight them in the slightest because of their age, and his attitude was exceptionally proper.

"Hello, Junior Brother Xiao Yan!"

Qinglin and Xiao Yixian also hurriedly replied.

Seeing this, Qin Hao felt an odd sensation arise in his heart.

In the original work, Qinglin had always regarded herself as Xiao Yan's maid and followed his lead in everything. Yet now, she had become Xiao Yan's senior sister.

And Xiao Yixian, the confidante who had shared the most hardships with Xiao Yan in the original work, had become his second senior sister.

After they got acquainted, Qin Hao began guiding Xiao Yan's cultivation, mainly teaching him how to use the Marrow-Washing Spirit Liquid.

Unlike Qinglin, Xiao Yan had previously reached the Dou Zhe realm. Rather than breaking through in cultivation now, it was more accurate to say that he was recovering his cultivation.

Thus, his body differed from that of an ordinary cultivator in the Dou Qi stage and could better withstand medicinal effects. He could endure a medicinal bath using one bottle of Marrow-Washing Spirit Liquid per day.

Soon, evening arrived. Led by Xiao Yan, Qin Hao brought Qinglin and Xiao Yixian to the Xiao Clan residence.

As one of Wutan City's three great clans, the Xiao Clan's strength was nothing in Qin Hao's eyes. However, the area occupied by its residence was no smaller than those of the great clans in the imperial capital, perhaps even larger.

After all, in the original work, the Xiao Clan residence even had a rear mountain. That showed just how vast its grounds were.

At this moment, the entire Xiao Clan was filled with an incredibly festive atmosphere. Lanterns and decorations were everywhere, showing how seriously they took this banquet.

At the entrance to the Xiao Clan residence, Xiao Zhan had even brought the Xiao Clan's three elders to personally welcome Qin Hao. Their attitude was exceedingly humble.

This was not only toward Qin Hao, but also toward Xiao Yan.

Previously, because Xiao Yan's cultivation had regressed, he had naturally received many cold looks. Although he had not yet reached the point of suffering all kinds of humiliation as at the beginning of the original work, his situation had clearly not been much better.

Xiao Clan Banquet! Gu Xun'er!

However, now that they knew Xiao Yan had not only resolved the issue of his declining cultivation but had also successfully become Qin Hao's disciple, the attitude of nearly everyone toward Xiao Yan had undergone a complete reversal, save for a very small number of people.

Led by Xiao Zhan and the others, Qin Hao's group entered the Xiao Clan residence and eventually arrived at a banquet hall. At this moment, nearly all of the Xiao Clan's direct-line core members were present.

Looking at Xiao Yan beside Qin Hao, many people had extremely complicated feelings. There was envy, jealousy, and quite a few wore regretful expressions.

Especially those who had once been close to Xiao Yan when he was successful, only to deliberately distance themselves from him over the past year after he fell from grace—they regretted it so badly their intestines were practically turning green.