Li Feiyu makes his debut!

Yao Lao chuckled.

"This was part of my plan all along."

Xiao Yan smiled too. "But, Teacher, we needn't force the matter of revenge. If, three years from now, I don't have the strength to trample the Misty Cloud Sect underfoot, I'll naturally keep my head down. I won't do anything beyond my abilities."

Yao Lao smiled. "Of course I know you're a levelheaded fellow."

Xiao Yan paused, then continued, "Teacher, no matter how strong I am three years from now, I'll start gathering the materials and preparing for your resurrection. You can rest assured."

Yao Lao's expression brightened.

"If you put it that way, then this old man will have to risk his life to raise your strength!

"After all, gathering those materials without the strength of a Dou Emperor would hardly be a safe undertaking!

"And as it happens, if you want to trample the Misty Cloud Sect underfoot three years from now, you'll need to be a Dou Emperor at the very least!"

Xiao Yan nodded.

"Teacher, let's set that as our goal for now. Within three years, we'll do everything we can to reach Dou Emperor!"

Yao Lao smiled in gratification.

"Good."

But then he changed the subject, his tone turning somewhat helpless.

"Still... we need to buy another batch of medicinal ingredients.

"For the past few years, to keep a low profile, all the ingredients I've used to teach you alchemy and increase your strength have come from my old reserves.

"Now those low-grade ingredients are all gone. We'll have to purchase a fresh batch."

Xiao Yan smiled. "Teacher, before today, we really couldn't have afforded them.

"But now..." He patted the Purple Gold Card in his pocket, looking thoroughly pleased with himself. "Now we've got plenty of money!"

Yao Lao smiled as well. "Then I won't hold back. There are still a few third-rank pill recipes you haven't mastered, so we'll buy some extra third-rank ingredients. I'll teach you all the remaining third-rank recipes!"

Seeing that it was already late outside, Xiao Yan said, "I'm afraid we can't go today. Tomorrow, Teacher. We'll go to the Mittel Auction House tomorrow and buy some ingredients."

The night passed uneventfully.

Early the next morning, Xiao Yan got up, washed, and prepared to leave.

But just as he reached the door, he slapped his forehead.

"I can't go like this."

Yao Lao asked in surprise, "Why? Are there taboos about buying medicinal ingredients? How come an old Alchemist like me has never heard of them?"

Xiao Yan smiled. "Teacher, we're going to buy third-rank ingredients to refine third-rank pills.

"As far as anyone knows, I'm merely an Alchemist who hasn't even reached the first rank. What excuse could I use to buy third-rank ingredients?"

Yao Lao nodded with a smile. "You've thought this through, lad.

"So what identity do you plan to use?"

Xiao Yan chuckled, a hint of cunning in his smile.

"When I revealed that I was an Alchemist yesterday, didn't I say I'd happened to meet an Alchemist who taught me a few paltry skills?

"Wouldn't this be the perfect time for that identity to make an appearance?"

Yao Lao's eyes instantly lit up!

"You crafty little rascal! Why didn't I think of that?

"Heh, you're already a qualified Third-Rank Alchemist. Here in Wutan City, it would be perfectly believable for you to say you'd taken on a disciple."

Xiao Yan smiled. "That way, I can buy the ingredients without any trouble and give my apprentice identity someone to back him up!"

After rummaging through his room for a while, Xiao Yan found a pitch-black cloak and put it on.

Then he found a black mask and covered his face.

With his entire body concealed, Xiao Yan had Yao Lao help him evade the surveillance of the Dou Emperor Ling Ying, then slipped out of the Xiao Clan grounds.

At the same time, he stopped suppressing his soul power.

"Heh! A wandering Alchemist. The perfect identity!

"As for the name..."

Remembering how often he had used Li Feiyu's alias to commit murder and arson in his previous life, Xiao Yan had a flash of inspiration, and a name sprang from his lips.

"I'll call myself... Li Feiyu."

The Mittel Auction House.

As the largest auction house in Wutan City and several surrounding cities, it bustled all day with clamoring crowds and an endless stream of carriages.

A mysterious figure clad in a loose black robe, his entire body shrouded in shadow, walked slowly into the resplendent auction hall.

The black-robed man went straight up to an attendant.

A voice completely unlike Xiao Yan's own came from beneath the black robe.

With Yao Lao's help, Xiao Yan had deliberately altered his voice.

What Yao Lao did not know, however, was that this voice had originally belonged to none other than Li Feiyu!

"I want to see your manager," Xiao Yan said quietly.

The attendant gave him a professional smile. "Sir, do you have an appointment? Our Master Gu Ni rarely receives outside visitors."

Beneath his black robe, Xiao Yan wasted no words.

A burst of pill flame-the hallmark of an Alchemist-instantly erupted from his palm!

The attendant's smile froze on her face, then gave way to shock and reverence!

This was actually a distinguished Alchemist!

"M-my lord! Please wait a moment! I... I'll notify Master Gu Ni at once!"

Soon, a gray-haired old man dressed in an Alchemist's robe hurried out from the back.

He was Gu Ni, the Second-Rank Alchemist who served as the Mittel Auction House's chief appraiser in Wutan City.

Gu Ni's gaze immediately settled on Xiao Yan... or rather, "Li Feiyu."

When he sensed the faint yet immensely pure and surging fluctuations of soul power, his heart tightened.

What powerful soul power!

This man's alchemical skill and talent are unquestionably far above mine!

"I am Gu Ni. Greetings... Master."

Among Alchemists, status was not determined by cultivation, but by skill in alchemy.

Gu Ni adopted an exceedingly humble attitude and bowed respectfully.

Beneath his black robe, Xiao Yan felt a little nervous, but outwardly, he remained as unflappable as an old hound.

Not daring to show the slightest neglect, Gu Ni escorted "Li Feiyu" into a private VIP room.

After they had taken their respective seats as host and guest, Gu Ni asked cautiously, "What brings you here, Master? How may I be of service?"

Beneath his black robe, Xiao Yan said slowly:

"My name is Li Feiyu. I'm a wandering Alchemist passing through this city, and I'd like to purchase a batch of medicinal ingredients."

As he spoke, he slid a list he had prepared beforehand across to Gu Ni.

Gu Ni accepted it respectfully. After just one glance, his pupils abruptly contracted!

Ice spirit grass, bone-washing flower, black iron spirit leaf...

These are all ingredients used to refine third-rank pills!

He's actually a Third-Rank Alchemist!

When did someone so important arrive in a little place like Wutan City?

Wait!

A flash of lightning suddenly streaked through Gu Ni's mind!

Yesterday, at the Xiao Clan!

Xiao Yan!

That young man publicly announced that he was an Alchemist, and said he had received an Alchemist's teachings!

Could this be the mysterious teacher Xiao Yan mentioned?!

Once he understood, Gu Ni's mind immediately began racing.

According to the information he had received yesterday, this Third-Rank Alchemist had taken Xiao Yan as his disciple.

That meant he would remain in Wutan City to guide Xiao Yan's cultivation, at least for the foreseeable future.

Setting aside the profits a Third-Rank Alchemist could bring to the Mittel Auction House...

Gu Ni himself, constrained by his background and talent, lacked guidance and pill recipes. Despite years of painstaking practice, he was still only a beginner Second-Rank Alchemist!

If I could ask this extraordinarily gifted master about alchemy, receive a few pointers, or even have him let a single second-rank pill recipe slip into my hands, wouldn't I have a chance of becoming an advanced Second-Rank Alchemist?

I must build a good relationship with this master!

That was the only thought in Gu Ni's mind now!