Golden Fingers Arrive, Medicine Elder Appears Early

Xiao Yan could sense that his three golden fingers had arrived.

His Supreme Bone had just grown stronger. Upon a rough inspection, it had reached the terrifying level of double eighteen.

"I originally wanted to choose the sixth option and max out my soul talent. It was all because of that countdown—my hand slipped when I panicked, and I chose the seventh option, the Vajra Saint Body. Ah, forget it. What's done is done. No use regretting it."

Xiao Yan slapped his forehead in frustration, yet the smile at the corners of his lips simply would not fade.

"First, let's check the Portable Space."

Putting away his smile, Xiao Yan willed it, and his entire body vanished from the room.

The next moment, he appeared in an unfamiliar space. There were mountains and water, flowers and grass, and most importantly, the natural energy of heaven and earth was more than twice as dense as outside.

As Xiao Yan entered the Portable Space, information about it appeared in his mind.

At present, the Portable Space's level was three major realms higher than Xiao Yan's.

Xiao Yan was at the third stage of Dou Qi Stage, so the Portable Space was equivalent to a three-star Grand Dou Master.

The level of the Portable Space had three functions.

First, it determined the size of the space. At present, it spanned ten li in every direction.

Second, it determined the density of the natural energy within it. The higher the space's level, the denser the natural energy became.

Third, it determined the space's defensive power. At present, it could only trap those below the three-star Grand Dou Master realm.

For instance, if Xiao Yan encountered a one-star Grand Dou Master and could not defeat them, he could pull them into the Portable Space.

Inside the Portable Space, Xiao Yan was a god. He could borrow the power of the space to seal it off and trap his opponent completely.

But if Xiao Yan encountered a Dou Spirit and could not defeat them, then tried to hide in the Portable Space, the opponent could follow him inside during that instant.

Even if Xiao Yan tried to use the power of the space to restrain them, they could break free and shatter the space's defenses to escape.

Therefore, if he wanted to use the Portable Space against enemies, he had to be cautious and prudent.

Still, Xiao Yan was already extremely satisfied with the Portable Space.

Xiao Yan stood atop a massive boulder, extending his right hand with his palm facing upward.

"Fire, come!"

Xiao Yan murmured, and with a whoosh, a cluster of flames ignited in his palm.

Within the Portable Space, Xiao Yan was a god. With a single thought, he could summon fire, water, lightning, and more.

Of course, these were all ordinary fire, water, lightning, and the like.

Xiao Yan had summoned the flames to test the Myriad Flame Emperor Physique.

He carefully brought his left hand closer to the tip of the flame. It drew nearer and nearer until, at last, his entire palm entered the fire.

"The Myriad Flame Emperor Physique really does grant immunity to fire damage."

A smile appeared on Xiao Yan's face. He clenched his hand and dispersed the flames.

Absorbing such ordinary flames would have a negligible effect, so it was better not to absorb them at all.

Xiao Yan suddenly looked at the black ring on his hand, only to see an illusory elderly figure drift out of it.

"This is... a Spatial Realm!"

The old man floated in the air, looking slightly surprised.

Then his figure flickered throughout the space. Several minutes later, he returned to Xiao Yan's side.

"Who are you? Why are you inside my ring?"

Xiao Yan also rose into the air. Within the Portable Space, he could fly as well, achieving the feat of remaining suspended in the void without external aid, something only Dou Ancestors could do.

"A Spatial Realm. You actually possess a Spatial Realm. How incredible."

The old man clicked his tongue in wonder.

One had to know that only Battle Saints could create Spatial Realms, while Xiao Yan was merely at the third stage of Dou Qi Stage. This Spatial Realm clearly had not been created by him.

He was merely its owner.

The Battle Qi Continent was vast and boundless, filled with countless strange people and wondrous things.

Yet a little fellow at the third stage of Dou Qi Stage possessing a Spatial Realm still astonished the old man.

But there was no need to dwell on what he could not understand. He simply had to accept it.

"This Spatial Realm seems rather weak. Strange, truly strange."

The old man shook his head as he examined the space from top to bottom, stroking his beard and muttering to himself.

Within the Portable Space, he could sense the outside world. Beyond it was Xiao Yan's room.

As long as he wished, he could leave at any time.

That was impossible in the Spatial Realms created by Battle Saints.

"Not bad, not bad. This place is very suitable for me to live in."

"Little fellow, you are the master of this space. Hurry and build me several comfortable houses."

The natural energy here was abundant, while the power of space was extremely faint, making its erosion of the old man's soul very weak.

The old man was extremely satisfied and wanted to settle down here, smiling as he began ordering Xiao Yan around.

Xiao Yan rolled his eyes and said coldly:

"Old sir, you still haven't answered my question. Besides, why should I let you live in my space?"

"Hehe, I am the continent's number one alchemist. You may call me Medicine Elder. I was also the original owner of this ring, though it later ended up in your mother's hands."

Medicine Elder was quite proud of his identity and spoke smugly.

Xiao Yan naturally knew that he was Medicine Elder; he was merely acting. His eyes rolled as he asked in confusion:

"Were you hiding inside the ring and absorbing my Dou Qi for the past three years?"

"Fine, your guess is correct. As compensation, I promise to teach you how to become an alchemist."

Medicine Elder readily admitted it. Then he sat atop a boulder, waved his hand, and said, "Perform the ceremony to become my disciple."

Xiao Yan was stunned.

However, he had already achieved his purpose, so he followed along and performed the ceremony. "Teacher, please accept my bow."

"Good, good, good. From now on, you are my disciple."

Medicine Elder nodded with a smile. "Now, hurry and build me a few houses."

Xiao Yan nodded.

Then he began building houses as though he were playing Minecraft.

He summoned raw materials such as stones and timber, then began constructing on the open ground.

An hour later, a Chinese-style rural courtyard occupying half a mu rose from the ground.

Xiao Yan's soul was now extremely exhausted. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he looked at the fruits of his labor in satisfaction.

He said with a smile, "Teacher, are you satisfied with this gift for becoming your disciple?"

Medicine Elder drifted into the courtyard. In the center was a small rectangular pond, with a rockery and lotus flowers within it, while golden fish swam through the water.

"Not bad, not bad. The little fellow has quite the imagination."

The design of this courtyard was fresh and unique. Medicine Elder had traveled to many places across the Battle Qi Continent, yet he had never seen such architecture.

"Teacher, there is something I need to ask of you now."

Xiao Yan suddenly turned serious.

Medicine Elder turned to look at Xiao Yan and asked doubtfully, "What is it?"

Xiao Yan said, "I heard that my fiancée has already arrived in Wutan City and will come to the Xiao Household tomorrow to break off the engagement."

Medicine Elder said, "Break off the engagement? Why?"

Xiao Yan rolled his eyes. "Isn't it because you absorbed my Dou Qi for three years, turning me into a useless good-for-nothing with only the third stage of Dou Qi Stage? She looks down on me, so she wants to break off the engagement."

Medicine Elder smiled awkwardly. "Oh, then what do you want to do?"

"I do not particularly care, but my father is the clan leader. If his son has his engagement publicly broken off, he will lose all face. How will he manage the Lineage afterward?"

"Therefore, I absolutely cannot let her enter the Xiao Household. I will stop her."

Xiao Yan said coldly.

If he had awakened earlier and possessed enough strength, he naturally could have defeated Nalan Yanran on the spot and avoided losing face.

Now, he could only keep Nalan Yanran outside the Xiao Household and prevent that humiliating scene of a broken engagement.

Medicine Elder nodded in agreement.

Xiao Yan left the Portable Space and found a black cloak to drape over himself.

Medicine Elder also left the space and possessed Xiao Yan. He opened the window and leaped out. His body plummeted rapidly through the air, but when he was still more than half a meter above the ground, he stopped before slowly rising again.

Xiao Yan flew onto the rooftop, lightly tapping off it several times as he silently swept out of the Xiao Household and headed toward several inns in the city.

"Nalan Yanran, you had better know what is good for you. Otherwise, do not blame me for being impolite."

In the air, Xiao Yan's gaze was icy cold.