Your Senior Brother Is Broke Too!

"Do you want to become alchemists?"

At Yao Lao's words, Xiao Fan was hardly surprised, but Xiao Yan said, "Becoming an alchemist requires talent. Senior, do you mean..."

Yao Lao chuckled at Xiao Yan's reply. "You certainly have the talent, but I... don't teach for free." He turned his gaze toward Xiao Fan. "As for you, I just examined you. Your talent is excellent, and you have the aptitude to become an alchemist too."

"Are you willing to take me as your master?"

Both Xiao Fan and Xiao Yan froze at Yao Lao's question. Xiao Yan had never imagined that he might one day become one of the continent's esteemed alchemists, while Xiao Fan had never expected Yao Lao to choose him as a disciple.

Xiao Fan and Xiao Yan exchanged a glance, then turned and knelt before Yao Chen. "I, Xiao Fan (Xiao Yan), am willing to take Senior as my master." Only after they respectfully paid their respects as disciples did Yao Chen nod in satisfaction. His voice grew a little warmer as he addressed them.

"My name is Yao Lao. As for my origins, I won't tell you just yet, lest you become distracted. All you need to know is that someone like that fellow who calls himself the Pill King is actually... actually nothing more than a fart."

"As for you two, Fan'er, you seem to be a little older, so from now on, you will be the senior brother. Yan'er will be your junior brother. Be sure to look after him, and keep that pure heart of yours."

At this point, Yao Lao could not help feeling thoroughly satisfied. He had originally only had his eye on Xiao Yan, yet in the end, he had gained another promising seedling in Xiao Fan. His talent was first-rate, and he was upright enough not to abandon a companion even in the face of a powerful enemy. That thought brought another wave of sadness over him.

After taking Yao Lao as his master, Xiao Yan also respectfully bowed to Xiao Fan. "Greetings, Senior Brother. I must also thank you for all your guidance and support earlier."

"What is there to thank me for? I just couldn't stand the way they acted. They didn't have the slightest sense of family. From now on, as your senior brother, I'll make sure to take good care of you." As he finished, Xiao Fan gave a mysterious smile.

He turned and asked, "Master, you said earlier that you had a way for Xiao Yan... Junior Brother to catch up to Nalan Yanran within three years. What is it?"

Yao Lao replied, "You brat, don't worry. There's no rush when it comes to cultivation. You should know that these three years of tempering have actually made Yan'er's Dou Qi more condensed and his temperament steadier. That will benefit him enormously in the future!"

"Then hurry up and teach us how to become alchemists, Master!" Xiao Yan leaned closer and called out.

"Becoming an alchemist isn't that easy. First, you must become a Dou Zhe and practice a fire-attribute Dou Qi cultivation method!"

"A fire-attribute cultivation method? Hehe, Master, since we're your disciples, why don't you casually give us a Heaven Tier cultivation method?" Xiao Yan held out his hand with a grin, cheerfully asking for one.

"Nonsense! Do you think Heaven Tier cultivation methods are cabbages lying by the roadside?" Yao Lao could not help laughing as he scolded him.

"I don't have a Heaven Tier cultivation method, but I do have one that's even stranger than a Heaven Tier method."

Xiao Fan's heart stirred slightly. This should be the Flame Mantra! I already have the Blazing Sun Mantra. If I cultivate the Flame Mantra, won't I end up competing with Xiao Yan for Heavenly Flames? Looks like I'll have to think this over carefully.

"Even stranger than a Heaven Tier cultivation method?"

Xiao Yan's heart skipped a beat. He swallowed and asked, "Then what grade is it?"

"Yellow Tier Low Grade!"

"You rotten old man! Are you messing with me?" Xiao Yan roared furiously.

Seeing Xiao Yan's face twist with anger gave Yao Lao quite a sense of accomplishment. After all, those three years of tempering had greatly changed Xiao Yan's temperament. Being able to rile him up so badly was rather entertaining.

Watching Xiao Yan shout, Xiao Fan turned toward Yao Lao and asked, "Master, what is so strange about this cultivation method?"

At Xiao Fan's question, Yao Lao turned to Xiao Yan. "See? You're simply not as composed as your senior brother."

"What makes this cultivation method strange is that it can advance and evolve!"

"A cultivation method like that really exists? Then... could you let us take a look?" Seeing Yao Lao's serious expression, Xiao Yan hesitated before asking.

"Of course... not." After giving Xiao Yan a mischievous grin, Yao Lao said to them, "All right, looking at it now won't do you any good anyway. We'll discuss it once you've become Dou Zhe!"

"Your task now is to raise your Dou Qi to the seventh stage within a year!"

Xiao Yan forcibly suppressed his curiosity about the cultivation method and asked through gritted teeth, "What method do you have?"

"In the early stages, Dou Qi serves to strengthen the body's meridians in preparation for advancing to Dou Zhe. Fan'er, you've already reached the eighth stage of Dou Qi, and Yan'er, you've undergone three years of tempering. Both of you can skip this step and use external substances to stimulate your cultivation." Yao Lao glanced at them, his expression solemn.

"You wouldn't be able to withstand even the lowest-grade Qi Gathering Powder. Although Fan'er could withstand it, those medicinal liquids would do almost nothing to improve his strength!"

"Then... do you have a way?" Xiao Yan drew a deep breath and asked quietly with a frown.

Yao Lao smiled faintly. "Have three complete stalks of purple leaf orchid grass ready tomorrow-the older, the better. Two bone-washing flowers, of any age, and one rank-one wood-attribute magic core. These are all low-grade materials, so I imagine neither of you will have any trouble... Someone's coming. I'll return to the ring first! Also, neither of you is to reveal my existence, not even to those closest to you." Ignoring Xiao Yan's and Xiao Fan's increasingly astonished expressions, Yao Lao went straight into the black ring, which slipped neatly onto Xiao Yan's finger.

Left behind, Xiao Fan and Xiao Yan stared at each other, wide eyes meeting wide eyes, neither knowing what to do. After all, even their combined funds would not cover those materials!

Xiao Fan thought for a moment, then said to Xiao Yan, "After spending on cultivation all these years, I haven't saved anything. I probably only have a dozen or so gold coins..."

Even if I had the money, I couldn't give it to you! Otherwise, how would you end up taking Xun'er shopping?

As they spoke, they sensed someone approaching from behind. Turning to look, they saw Xiao Xun'er lightly touch her toes to a mountain rock and leap gracefully onto the summit like a purple butterfly. She tilted her head to look at the two of them beside the cliff.

Xiao Fan looked at Xiao Yan with a faint smile, raised his hand to pat him on the shoulder, and headed down the mountain. He greeted Xiao Xun'er as he passed her, and she actually smiled back at him. Sure enough, as long as he built a good relationship with Xiao Yan, Xiao Xun'er's goodwill toward him would shoot up too.

Xiao Yan stared after the departing Xiao Fan in surprise. Remembering the thoughtful smile Xiao Fan had just worn, he flushed. He looked at Xiao Xun'er, hesitated for a moment, then raised his head to meet her gaze!

After three years, the brightest halo that had once shone around the young man seemed to have returned!