Taking a Master

Xiao Yan briefly sized up the figure before him and asked hesitantly, "Are you really an alchemist? Compared to Gu He, the Pill King of the Gama Empire, can you surpass him?"

Yao Lao rolled his eyes and said irritably, "You only need to know that this so-called Pill King is not even worth a toe before me. My name is Yao Lao. Are you willing to take me as your master and become my student?"

Seeing Xiao Yan hesitate, Xiao Yao lightly smacked him on the head and said unhappily, "He can at least reach the sixth or seventh tier. Do you see what he looks like now? Only alchemists above the sixth tier possess a soul like this."

Hearing Xiao Yao say so, Xiao Yan hurriedly performed the master-disciple ceremony before the old man.

"Ding. Famous scene triggered: Xiao Yan takes a master. Reward: three Dou Emperor puppets. Rewards have been distributed to the System Space."

Seeing Xiao Yan perform the ceremony, Yao Lao turned and looked at Xiao Yao with a beaming smile.

"Little fellow, would you like to take me as your master as well, like your younger brother? This old man can make an exception and take in one more disciple."

"Hehe, old man, do you know Brother Yao's talent in alchemy? He is a genius capable of refining the fourth-tier pill Qi-Gathering Powder. Shouldn't you be begging him properly? You might even gain an alchemist disciple worthy of being called a monster."

Yao Lao's face revealed shock. He examined Xiao Yao several times, hesitated for a moment, then said, "Tsk, tsk, what a heaven-blessed genius! Little fellow, having a high-tier alchemist as your teacher can help you avoid many detours on the path of alchemy. Do you know that the further one advances in alchemy, the harder it becomes? If you are willing to take me as your master, this old man can impart all the alchemical knowledge and experience I have gathered in my life without reservation."

Xiao Yao thought that was indeed true. When refining fifth-tier pills and above, although the system had rewarded him with mastery over medicinal ingredient properties, perfectly fusing those ingredients together was an alchemical discipline requiring profound attainments and exquisite skill.

It was not merely the simple extraction of medicinal ingredients, but a deep understanding and precise control of a pill's overall structure and effects.

After considering it, Xiao Yao solemnly performed the master-disciple ceremony before Yao Lao and said respectfully, "Teacher, I will only learn alchemical knowledge and abilities from you. I will not learn anything else, so you are only my alchemy teacher. Nothing more."

"What a pity for such a talented little fellow. Fine, then I will only teach you alchemy." Yao Lao gave an awkward laugh. Then, as though he had thought of something amusing, a teasing smile appeared on his face. "Since you only want me to teach you alchemy, the cultivation method in my hand can only be passed on to your younger brother. Ah, what a pity. This evolving cultivation method is said to be able to devour Heavenly Flames to advance. It was originally very suitable for a little fellow like you who possesses a Heavenly Flame."

After saying that, Yao Lao looked at the calm-faced Xiao Yao. His smile stiffened slightly as he asked in surprise, "Little fellow, do you not want it? This can allow your body to possess multiple Heavenly Flames, and it can greatly increase your cultivation speed as well."

How could this Flame Mantra compare to the Myriad Devouring Art I cultivate? Xiao Yao said indifferently, "I do not want a cultivation method that no one has ever practiced. Give it to my younger brother instead."

Yao Lao smiled sheepishly. "How do you know no one has ever cultivated this method? Though that is what its description says."

"I guessed. Do you think anyone would believe in an evolving cultivation method if you told them about it? Right, Little Flame?"

Xiao Yan's mouth twitched slightly. Looking at Yao Lao before him, he mocked, "I knew this old fellow was messing with us. Why not take it out and let me see it? Only then will I believe what you say is true."

Looking at the two little fellows before him, Yao Lao's lips curled into a slight smile. "Hehe, I will let you see it once you become a Dou Practitioner. Your current task is to rapidly raise your cultivation and reach the Dou Practitioner realm as soon as possible."

"The initial stage of Dou Qi cultivation mainly involves widening the meridians, tempering the body, and strengthening the channels, laying a foundation for condensing Dou Qi within the body in the future. Since the Human Physique's internal channels are at their most fragile and malleable at this age, this cultivation process must proceed step by step. You cannot use even the slightest external aid. Otherwise, once the Dou Qi in your body gradually grows stronger in the future, your channels will be unable to withstand its increasingly powerful impact, ultimately resulting in severed meridians and death!"

Yao Lao's expression turned solemn as he continued, "However, I happen to have a pill formula suited for someone like you, who is currently at the Dou Qi stage. You should know that no one besides me knows this formula..."

While Yao Lao was talking to himself, Xiao Yao waved toward the ground, and several jade bottles appeared out of thin air.

Seeing this, Xiao Yan seemed to think of something amusing. He looked at Yao Lao teasingly. "Hehe, old man, could the formula you mentioned be the Foundation-Building Spiritual Liquid? Are you sure you are the only one who knows how to make it?"

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Yao Lao extended his palm toward one of the bottles. The jade bottle floated into his hand. He removed the stopper and flicked his finger, causing a jade-green liquid with a rich medicinal fragrance to float in the air. Seeing its quality, his brows furrowed slightly. He looked at Xiao Yao in confusion and asked, "Did you refine all of these? Where did you get this pill formula?"

Xiao Yao smiled slightly and explained, "I have every pill formula below the sixth tier. What you do not have, I do. As for why I have so many pill formulas, that is my secret."

Yao Lao pondered for a while before shaking his head helplessly. "Forget it, I will not pry into your secrets. The Foundation-Building Spiritual Liquid on the ground is for your younger brother, right? Then I will accept it on his behalf for now."

Xiao Yao said casually, "Since I took it out, it is obviously for Little Flame. He does not have that much money to buy ingredients for refining it."

Xiao Yao looked at Xiao Yan and said leisurely, "Little Flame, the matter of your Dou Qi Regression has been resolved. For your future cultivation, just ask Teacher. I will not disturb you two any longer. I am leaving first."

Watching Xiao Yao's departing figure, a trace of moved tears appeared in Xiao Yan's eyes. He murmured softly, "One day, Brother Yao, if you ever encounter any difficulty, as long as it is something I, Xiao Yan, can do, I will definitely help you!"

Three months later, in the morning, a slightly sturdily built figure arrived outside the gates of Xiao Yao's courtyard. He pushed open the plain gates and stepped inside, his face glowing with confidence.

Xiao Yan walked up to the room and gently knocked on the door. Footsteps sounded from within, and the door slowly opened. Xiao Yao appeared behind it, an astonished expression on his face. "Little Flame, why are you here? Weren't you cultivating with Teacher? How did you find time to come see me?"

Xiao Yan looked awkward and asked with a dry smile, "Ahem, well... Brother Yao, the Foundation-Building Spiritual Liquid you gave me before is gone. Teacher told me to come borrow... borrow some money from you."

Seeing Xiao Yan's slightly reddened face, Xiao Yao could not help finding it both funny and exasperating. "Little Flame, with our relationship, there is no need to fuss over such things, understand? When you become stronger in the future, just remember to look after me." After saying that, he took out a black-gold card from his Storage Ring and handed it to him.

Xiao Yan accepted the gold card with both hands and nodded happily. Patting his chest, he replied with a smile, "Thank you, Brother Yao. Don't worry. Once I refine some pills and sell them, I will quickly repay this money."

Xiao Yao waved his hand and said casually, "All right, it is enough that you have the thought. Go cultivate."

"Then I will not disturb Brother Yao's rest. I will go buy ingredients to refine pills now." With that, Xiao Yan turned and left with an easy stride.

Watching Xiao Yan's departing figure, Xiao Yao thought that the confident youth from before had returned. Compared to his former self, he had become somewhat more mature and steady.