Elder Qing in Peril

Several days passed.

Xiao Yan had merely mentioned the medicinal materials he needed, and the master of the Eight Gates had eagerly delivered enough for five Azure Nether Longevity Pills. Then he vanished, careful not to disturb Xiao Yan's alchemy.

"The master of the Eight Gates is rather interesting."

Xiao Yan toyed with his Storage Ring, smiling.

"A Seventh-Rank Alchemist Grandmaster is a precious thing. Here in the Northwest Region, you're in a class of your own. My Snake-People Tribe even offered me up to win you over—" Cai Lin languidly picked at her nails as she spoke.

"True." Xiao Yan nodded slightly.

His master was Taishang Laojun, so his starting point was unimaginably high. Seventh-Rank Alchemists meant little to him, and even Eighth-Tier and Ninth Grade ones were nothing extraordinary. But to most people, even a sixth-rank alchemist was an untouchable, godlike figure.

Qing Lin waited on them like an adorable little maid, serving tea and pouring water.

At those words, her lovely eyes shone. She nodded repeatedly. "Yes, Young Master Xiao Yan is the greatest man in the world."

"We should get ready to go to Jia Nan Academy. We've gained plenty from this trip. It's time I found Xun'er."

Xiao Yan drew a deep breath, as though making up his mind.

Xiao Yi Xian chuckled, folding her arms with a hint of amusement at his predicament.

Cai Lin appeared calm as she lounged on a bench, but she was fidgeting with her fingers, a little nervous herself.

After all, she had come later and gained the upper hand. That would have been one thing if the other woman were ordinary, but her background was terrifyingly mysterious. Even Cai Lin could not see through her. She seemed to be someone important from the Central Plains—

"Has Elder Qing