Xiao Yan walked away without looking back.
Foklan's expression changed, and he felt somewhat embarrassed.
But mindful of his position, and since he was not an overbearing man, he ultimately said nothing more and simply let Xiao Yan leave.
Yun Yun followed Xiao Yan out, somewhat bewildered.
She could not quite understand it.
After spending this time with Mister Li, she had gained some understanding of his abilities.
In cultivation, although he fell short of her, he still counted as a first-rate genius.
In alchemy, however, he was an unparalleled genius who absolutely rivaled, or even surpassed, Pill King Gu He!
An alchemical genius like him only needed to show a little of his skill in that situation to awe everyone present and turn their opinions around.
So why had Mister Li left?
Xiao Yan noticed Yun Yun's confusion.
But he really could not explain to Yun Yun that he was trying to dodge romantic entanglements.
Saying it aloud would sound far too mystical! It did not fit the way people on the Dou Qi Continent understood the world!
And it would sound far too conceited!
Although Xiao Yan offered no explanation, Yun Yun thought it over for a moment and felt she had figured it out.
Of course. Mister Li is a gracious gentleman who dislikes showing off before others. This is a reflection of his noble character.
But his actions today have already offended Foklan, the president of the Alchemist Guild.
Even if he avoids the crowds next time he comes for certification, that president will probably make things difficult for him.
As his cultivation partner, I have both the standing and the ability to resolve these problems for him. I must lend him a hand next time.
Having decided to reveal her identity next time and resolve Xiao Yan's certification problem for him, Yun Yun said nothing more.
But that really was not what Xiao Yan had been thinking.
Showing off before others was a fundamental psychological need for everyone, and he was no exception.
It was just that his principle had always been safety first-safety above absolutely everything.
And most opportunities to show off before others were fraught with danger.
That was why he disliked doing it.
But if the situation was safe enough, he was willing to show off a little too.
Just like when the engagement was broken off at the Xiao Clan: his safety had been assured, so he had slapped Nalan Yanran in the face, figuratively speaking, without hesitation.
Just like during Jia Nan Academy's recruitment: his safety had been assured, so he had slapped that senior student who provoked him in the face too.
People always needed to let loose once in a while.
Especially someone like him, whose nerves were constantly stretched taut.
Someone who could go their entire life without ever letting loose or showing off, regardless of whether it was safe, was not a person-that was a turtle that never moved an inch!
Today's situation had actually been safe enough. He could have let loose and shown off a little.
But to dodge a romantic calamity, he had forced himself to hold back.
Although he had held back, frustration still smoldered inside him.
So he had already made up his mind.
He would come back another day.
If they still tried to jerk him around, then he really might have to show off.
A few days later.
Xiao Yan worked out the timing and figured the two presidents' female disciples should have finished their certifications by now and would no longer be visiting the Alchemist Guild.
So he put on his black robe and mask again and came to the Alchemist Guild with Yun Yun.
This time, sure enough, the two eye-catching young women, Lin Fei and Xue Mei, were nowhere to be seen.
Xiao Yan inwardly breathed a small sigh of relief.
Yet when he reached the counter and prepared to register again, he discovered that the two presidents, Foklan and Otto, were sitting in a nearby lounge, drinking tea.
Foklan had clearly seen Xiao Yan too, and the smile on his cheerful face immediately faded.
He had quite a vivid impression of this masked man who had dared to "cause trouble" in the guild a few days ago before sweeping off in a huff.
And now he actually dared to return?
Foklan put down his teacup, stood up, and slowly walked over, intending to teach this ill-mannered young man a proper lesson.
But just as he was about to speak, Xiao Yan raised his hand without a word.
"Hum!"
A cluster of deep purple flames suddenly surged from his palm!
The flames were eerie and scorching, and the surrounding air instantly warped under their intense heat!
Xiao Yan had refined this purple flame using his new method, preserving seventy percent of its Dou Emperor-level power.
The pressure it now radiated was equivalent to that of a low-star Dou Emperor!
"Hiss-"
Foklan immediately sucked in a sharp breath!
The teacup he had been holding so leisurely fell to the floor with a clatter, shattering to pieces!
He stared fixedly at the cluster of purple flames in Xiao Yan's palm, his face filled with horror and disbelief!
This power... is it a heavenly flame?!
No, that's not right. It isn't as pure as a heavenly flame! It should be a beast flame!
But it's not as though I've never seen beast flames before. Whose beast flame has this much power?
Could he have slaughtered a seventh-rank magical beast?
Impossible!
His cultivation is clearly only at the Dou Ling level!
Even as shock gripped Foklan, he had already stirred his Dou Qi and gone on guard.
But Xiao Yan withdrew his purple flame as soon as he released it.
Looking at the stunned, wary Foklan, Xiao Yan said with a smile, "Don't be nervous, President Foklan. I'm only here to have my alchemist rank certified. I have no other intentions."
Sure enough, once he had demonstrated his strength, Foklan's attitude immediately became amiable.
Seeing that Foklan had fallen into line, Xiao Yan felt thoroughly pleased.
Sure enough, showing off before others really does help you relax!
I feel fantastic right now!
But Yun Yun now found this rather strange.
She had already resolved to reveal her identity today, put President Foklan in his place, and help Mister Li complete his certification smoothly.
Yet before she could even speak, Mister Li had directly displayed his strength and intimidated President Foklan.
She felt a little disappointed, but also puzzled.
Doesn't Mister Li dislike showing off before others?
Why is he willing to reveal his strength today?
After Foklan and Otto chatted warmly with Xiao Yan for a while, they exchanged a glance when he once again requested rank certification.
After a brief pause, Foklan spoke first. "Your Excellency Li Feiyu, your strength is truly astonishing. Your alchemical flame, in particular, is immensely powerful. We believe you can certainly pass the fourth-tier alchemist certification.
"However, you have never taken any rank certification before.
"The Alchemist Guild has a rule: any alchemist who has never previously had their qualifications certified must begin with the first-rank examination and advance through certification rank by rank.
"We hope you can understand."
His words sounded grand and proper, without a single crack to exploit.
But Xiao Yan was an old fox with a wealth of experience. One sentence was enough for him to catch the underlying meaning.
They were using a cumbersome process to bring him to heel and give him a modest show of authority.
Their unspoken message was clear: even if he was a dragon crossing the river, once he entered their territory, he had to follow their rules.
Yun Yun immediately frowned when she heard this.
Even if Xiao Yan did not understand, how could she fail to?
Could an alchemist capable of refining Tier Four Pills possibly fail the first-, second-, or third-rank alchemist examinations?
That rule had already become an empty formality many years ago.
She had never expected them to drag it out today just to make things unpleasant.
Was this not a waste of Mister Li's time?
Yun Yun drew a deep breath.
It looks like it's time for me to step in and resolve Mister Li's trouble.
Taking a step forward, Yun Yun was about to speak, but Xiao Yan had already spoken first with a smile.
"No problem. Let's start with the first-rank examination, then."
Yun Yun's heart caught, and she had no choice but to forcibly swallow the words already halfway out of her mouth.
I can't undermine Mister Li.
Of course Xiao Yan was smiling.
He had decided that today he would show off before others and unwind.
Were they not handing him a pillow just as he was getting sleepy?
Before you continue