A High-Grade Sixth-Rank Alchemist Was a Blessing Earned Through Generations of the Xiao Household

Xiao Yan reacted with remarkable speed. He immediately cupped his hands and bowed slightly to Yao Xuan before him, calling out in a deep voice:

"Master..."

Yao Xuan smiled warmly upon hearing this and raised a hand in a gesture of support, his tone casual and friendly.

"There is no need to be so polite."

"You are Uncle Chen's disciple. By seniority, we are peers."

"I am a few years older than you, so just call me Brother Xuan from now on."

Xiao Yan's heart was filled with shock, his thoughts churning without end.

After all, as far as Xiao Yan knew, the man before him was a genuine Dou Wang expert—and a High-Grade Sixth-Rank Alchemist!

A figure of such standing would be a supreme presence capable of stirring the winds and clouds across the vast Jia Ma Empire.

Even Gu He, the Pill King renowned throughout the empire, was only a Sixth-Rank Alchemist.

Yet now, such an influential figure was willing to regard him as a peer and become brothers with him solely out of consideration for his teacher, Yao Chen.

Yao Lao, who stood nearby, slowly spoke as well and nodded.

"That will do."

"I am only a remnant soul now, and there are many matters in which it is inconvenient for me to appear personally. My whereabouts must also remain hidden. With you stepping forward, countless troubles and disputes can be spared..."

After a brief conversation outside Wu Tan City, Yao Lao's soul once again fell silent within the black Storage Ring.

Yao Xuan then accompanied Xiao Yan to the Xiao Household.

Inside the Xiao Household's main hall, Xiao Zhan sat in the seat of honor, his brows tightly furrowed and his face filled with worry.

The Green Spirit Pill auctioned by the Miter Auction House today had ultimately fallen into the hands of Jia Lie Bi from the Jia Lie Household. The matter had been weighing heavily on Xiao Zhan's mind.

Jia Lie Bi had always been ambitious. If the Green Spirit Pill raised his strength—

then the Jia Lie Household's power would surely soar. The current balance in Wu Tan City would inevitably change, which would be extremely unfavorable to the Xiao Household.

Just as Xiao Zhan worried silently over the situation, two figures slowly entered the main hall.

The moment he saw Xiao Yan, every trace of gloom vanished from Xiao Zhan's face, replaced by a gentle, warm smile...

"Yan'er, it has been a long time since you went out. It is rare to see you out and about today."

As his words fell, Xiao Zhan's gaze shifted slightly, noticing Yao Xuan's exceptional bearing beside Xiao Yan.

Seeing the other's upright posture and extraordinary aura, he knew at once that he was no ordinary youth.

Xiao Zhan promptly composed himself, cupped his hands, and asked warmly, "And this young master is?"

Yao Xuan calmly returned the salute.

"My name is Yao Xuan. I happened to pass through Wu Tan City and encountered Brother Xiao Yan. We had a most pleasant conversation and found ourselves quite compatible. Brother Xiao Yan graciously invited me here, so I have presumptuously come to visit. I hope Clan Leader Xiao will not take offense."

"Hahaha, a friend of Yan'er's is an honored guest of my Xiao Household. How could it be considered a disturbance?"

Xiao Zhan laughed heartily, feeling greatly relieved.

Ever since Xiao Yan's Dou Qi had mysteriously dissipated and he had become a good-for-nothing three years ago,

Xiao Yan had spent every day silent and withdrawn, shutting himself indoors in gloom. Xiao Zhan had seen it all and felt every bit of pain in his heart.

Now that Xiao Yan was willing to go out and make friends, Xiao Zhan considered it an enormous improvement.

His spirits eased, and before Xiao Yan could introduce him, Xiao Zhan took an exquisite jade bottle from his robes and placed it in Xiao Yan's hand.

"Yan'er, this is the Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid your father bought at the auction today. It can nourish the meridians and aid the cultivation of Dou Qi. Your father's abilities are limited, and I can only do my best to find such external aids. I hope it may help your cultivation..."

At this moment, Xiao Zhan did not know that Xiao Yan could already cultivate normally.

Thus, he was still exhausting every effort to gather spiritual materials from all sides, all to give Xiao Yan another sliver of hope.

Looking at the familiar jade bottle in his palm, Xiao Yan was overcome with mixed emotions and could only give a helpless, bitter smile.

Xiao Zhan immediately came to his senses. Revealing family matters before an outsider was somewhat improper, so he smiled apologetically at Yao Xuan.

"I have made a fool of myself before Young Master Yao."

"You are too modest, Clan Leader Xiao."

Yao Xuan shook his head gently, his eyes carrying a trace of admiration.

"Parents everywhere are the same. What is there to laugh at..."

"Clan Leader Xiao's love for his son is truly admirable."

Taking advantage of this opening, Xiao Yan finally found a chance to speak. He hurriedly stepped forward and solemnly introduced Yao Xuan to Xiao Zhan.

"Father, this is Brother Xuan."

"Brother Xuan was traveling through this region when he heard of how I lost all my Dou Qi. He was willing to treat me. Father, do not be fooled by how little older Brother Xuan is than me. His cultivation is profound, and he is also a High-Grade Sixth-Rank Alchemist!"

This explanation was a prearranged cover story that Xiao Yan, Yao Xuan, and Yao Lao had discussed beforehand.

Yao Lao's identity was an absolute secret and could not be exposed. All assistance had to be concealed under Yao Xuan's name to ensure there would be no mistakes.

"A High-Grade Sixth-Rank Alchemist?!"

Xiao Zhan's body suddenly trembled. His pupils contracted sharply, and the gentle smile on his face froze at once, replaced by utter shock and disbelief.

He hurriedly steadied himself, raised a hand to straighten his robes, and assumed a solemn, respectful expression.

With even a trace of nervous restraint, he hastened forward and gave a deep cupped-fist salute.

"So it is Master Yao Xuan! Xiao was unable to recognize a great person before him. Please forgive any disrespect, Master!"

Though Xiao Zhan lived in a corner of Wu Tan City and had limited horizons, he understood well the lofty status of alchemists.

Throughout the Jia Ma Empire, Gu He, the Pill King revered by countless people, had built his standing upon his identity as a Sixth-Rank Alchemist.

By virtue of that status, Gu He held a high position and was surrounded by powerful nobles. Even the imperial family and the Misty Cloud Sect treated him with utmost courtesy and tried their best to win him over.

Yet this young man before him was actually a top-tier alchemist on the same level as Gu He, the Pill King!

Such a great figure, capable of roaming freely across the empire, had personally come to the insignificant Xiao Household and had even lowered himself to call Xiao Zhan's son his brother. This stroke of fortune

was, in Xiao Zhan's eyes, an immense blessing the Xiao Household had not encountered in a hundred years!

Yet Yao Xuan merely waved his hand slightly. His expression was calm, without the slightest hint of arrogance.

"There is no need for such ceremony, Clan Leader Xiao."

"Brother Xiao Yan and I get along well. Since I happened to hear of his condition, it is a matter of fate. Naturally, I will not stand by and do nothing."

Upon hearing this, the excitement in Xiao Zhan's heart completely surged forth.

For the past three years, he had searched all over Wu Tan City for famed physicians and run everywhere seeking help.

Yet the resources of a small city were limited, and the Xiao Household's foundations were modest. They could not even afford to invite low-rank alchemists, so Xiao Yan's problem had remained unresolved.

Now that a High-Grade Sixth-Rank Alchemist had personally arrived, it was undoubtedly a ray of dawn brought to Xiao Zhan in the depths of despair!

Xiao Zhan quickly bowed and invited Yao Xuan to the seat of honor. Suppressing the turmoil in his heart, he asked with a mixture of unease and earnest hope, "Master Yao, my son's strange illness has troubled him for many years. Might you have a cure?"

Yao Xuan glanced sideways at Xiao Yan beside him, then spoke with a steady expression.

"Rest assured, Clan Leader Xiao. I am ninety-nine percent certain that I can completely eradicate Brother Xiao Yan's condition."

At these words, Xiao Zhan could no longer hide the excitement on his face.

"For my son to receive Master's favor and acquaintance is his fortune, and the fortune of my Xiao Household as well!"

Yao Xuan nodded slightly and replied warmly.

"You think too highly of me, Clan Leader Xiao."

The atmosphere among the three in the main hall was harmonious...

Meanwhile, in the shadows around a corner of the manor's corridor, a slender young girl stood silently.

Her clear eyes remained fixed on Yao Xuan in the main hall, filled with caution.

"There should not be a Sixth-Rank Alchemist of such an age within the Jia Ma Empire..."

"This person appeared in Wu Tan City out of nowhere and deliberately approached Brother Xiao Yan. What exactly is his true purpose..."