Twitching at the Corner of His Mouth

"Xiao Ni, what grade of Alchemist is this influential figure you know?" After being stunned for a long while, Xiao Zhan finally composed himself and asked tentatively.

"Oh, just a Fourth-Rank Alchemist," Xiao Ni answered casually.

"Fourth-Rank?!" Xiao Zhan was shaken once more. "Xiao Ni, what exactly is your relationship with that esteemed Alchemist?"

The most capable person in all of Wutan City, Master Gu Ni, was only a Second-Grade Alchemist. Yet Xiao Ni knew a Fourth-Rank Alchemist, who had even gone so far as to help the Xiao Household refine Foundation Elixir. Xiao Zhan would surely remember such kindness for the rest of his life.

"He's my master," Xiao Ni said flatly.

There was nothing wrong with revealing his identity as an Alchemist to Xiao Zhan, but until he became a Dou Emperor, he still wanted to keep a low profile. Otherwise, if people came asking him to refine pills every other day, wouldn't that be a headache?

Uh... becoming a Dou Emperor did not actually have much to do with refining pills. Alchemists were the most sought-after profession on the Battle Qi Continent. As long as they did not wish to refine something, almost no one would dare force them.

Forget it. There was no point thinking too much about it. The system's missions always came without warning. Maybe one day, it would directly make him reveal his identity as a Seventh-Grade Alchemist throughout the Jia Ma Empire.

"So, were all those battle techniques and cultivation methods you gave me also given to you by that senior?" At that moment, Xiao Yan suddenly rushed in, his expression incomparably excited. Although he had already made up his mind to acknowledge Xiao Ni as his master, he still wanted to meet this legendary future grandmaster.

Brother Ni's talent was already so exceptional. His future grandmaster's talent had to be formidable as well, right?

"Master only taught me alchemy. I obtained those battle techniques and cultivation methods by chance." Xiao Ni casually brushed it off before asking, "Xiao Yan, what did you come to see Uncle Xiao about?"

"Oh, I came to tell Father that the Mittel Auction House will soon auction off a large batch of Qi Gathering Powder and two sets of high-grade battle techniques. He must not get involved in this matter," Xiao Yan said gravely.

Hearing this, the corners of Xiao Ni's lips curled up slightly into a calm smile. It seemed Xiao Yan had also disguised himself and gone to the Mittel Auction House. Most likely, Yao Lao had taken out two sets of battle techniques for him to auction.

"Why?" Xiao Zhan frowned slightly. Could it be that Xiao Yan was worried he could not afford that Qi Gathering Powder and those battle techniques?

"Because those things were put up for auction by Brother Ni's master. Moreover, Brother Ni's master secretly altered those two sets of battle techniques, so their power is far inferior to the originals. Most importantly, all the proceeds from auctioning those eight hundred Qi Gathering Powders will be given to Brother Ni. That's equivalent to over a hundred years of profits for our Xiao Household." Xiao Yan grew more excited as he spoke, while the father and son's eyes became increasingly fervent. "So, Father, don't get caught up in bidding against others just because they are High Xuan Tier battle techniques and Low Earth Tier battle techniques. If Father wants those two sets of battle techniques, you can try asking Brother Ni."

"Uh?!" Xiao Zhan's mouth twitched again, only stopping once it had progressed into a full-blown cramp.

Well, now his mouth had cramped up and he could not speak. It seemed he was destined to have no connection with those two high-grade battle techniques.

"Those two sets of battle techniques are not particularly suitable for Uncle Xiao. However, I have a High Xuan Tier wind-element cultivation method here. Uncle Xiao can cultivate it." Xiao Ni took out the Wind Scroll Formula and pressed his right index finger against the corner of Xiao Zhan's mouth. A stream of gentle battle qi entered Xiao Zhan's lips, and the painful cramping sensation vanished. The corner of Xiao Zhan's mouth immediately returned to normal.

The Wind Scroll Formula should originally have been found by Yang Cheng in the mountains before being auctioned at the Mittel Auction House. Yet it had now fallen directly into his hands, which would greatly benefit the Xiao Household's overall strength.

It was just a little regrettable. Xiao Zhan should originally have maliciously driven up the price of the Wind Scroll Formula, causing Jia Liebi to purchase it for five hundred and fifty thousand. Because of his interference, the Jia Lie Lineage had saved a large sum of money.

Also, from Xiao Yan's words, he had already guessed something. The battle techniques Yao Lao had put up for auction should be the Flame-Splitting Wave-Shattering Ruler and Eight Extremes Collapse. It seemed the upgraded battle techniques he had produced had hurt Yao Lao badly enough that he had even taken these two sets of battle techniques out for auction.

But why was Xiao Yan auctioning battle techniques? Could it be that Yao Lao wanted to refine some kind of medicinal pill for him?

"A High Xuan Tier cultivation method, the Wind Scroll Formula?!" Xiao Zhan's hand trembled slightly as he opened the scroll. The moment he saw the cultivation method's name, his expression changed in shock.

The Xiao Household's Wild Lion Rage was only Mid Xuan Tier, yet Xiao Ni had casually gifted him a High Xuan Tier cultivation method. It seemed Xiao Ni's mysterious master was truly extraordinary.

The more Xiao Zhan thought about it, the more excited he became. He did not believe that the battle techniques and cultivation methods Xiao Ni had given Xiao Yan were obtained by chance. They had to be precious collections from Xiao Ni's master.

A Third-Grade Alchemist, along with high-grade cultivation methods and battle techniques... just how powerful was Xiao Ni's master?

"Xiao Ni, after I finish cultivating this method, I'll place it in the Battle Qi Pavilion. Everyone in the Xiao Household with wind affinity can cultivate it. What do you think?" After staring at the Wind Scroll Formula for a long time, Xiao Zhan finally asked with a hearty smile.

Although Xiao Ni had given the Wind Scroll Formula to him, he still wanted to ask Xiao Ni's opinion. If Xiao Ni did not agree with his decision, he would keep it for himself instead.

"That was my intention as well." A faint smile rested on Xiao Ni's lips. He felt that Xiao Zhan's perspective had suddenly broadened.

The Xiao Household's Wild Lion Rage was only permitted to be cultivated by the clan head, so it was inevitable that some people would complain. Now that they had a more powerful cultivation method like the Wind Scroll Formula, naturally few people would continue paying attention to Wild Lion Rage.

"Oh, right. What grade is the cultivation method you gave Xiao Yan?" After a brief silence, Xiao Zhan suddenly asked curiously.

He had actually also wanted to know what grade the two battle techniques about to be auctioned at the Mittel Auction House had originally been. But after thinking it over, he decided against asking. Since Xiao Ni had said those two battle techniques were not suitable for him, even if they had originally been Heaven-tier, all he could do was covet them.

"Oh, the cultivation method I gave Xiao Yan is a little stronger than yours. It's Low Earth Tier." Xiao Ni answered lightly. Just as Xiao Zhan's mouth was about to twitch, he hurriedly pressed down the corners of his lips with his hand.

Having a cramp in the corner of his mouth was far too embarrassing. He absolutely would not allow such a thing to happen a second time.

"I... can I place it in the Battle Qi Pavilion?" After hesitating for a long time, Xiao Zhan finally asked tentatively.

"That cultivation method is only suitable for Xiao Yan and me. If others force themselves to cultivate it, they could lose their lives." Xiao Ni spoke honestly, his gaze incomparably sincere.

Not just anyone could cultivate the Flame Mantra. Otherwise, Yao Lao would have passed the complete Flame Mantra to Han Feng long ago. Why would Han Feng have reduced him to his current state?

The Flame Mantra he had passed to Xiao Yan was indeed much safer, but that was only for Xiao Yan. If anyone else cultivated it, the Flame Mantra would gradually spiral out of control. They would likely turn to ash before even successfully devouring a single Heavenly Flame.

There was no helping it. This was the system's favor toward Xiao Yan, the original protagonist.

"...All right." Xiao Zhan helplessly shook his head. Although he found it somewhat regrettable, he was still deeply grateful for everything Xiao Ni had done for the Xiao Household.

Xiao Ni had already given the Xiao Household a High Xuan Tier cultivation method and twenty-five bottles of Foundation Elixir. Naturally, Xiao Zhan believed Xiao Ni would not refuse to give away that Low Earth Tier cultivation method merely because he was stingy.