Reaching Dou Wang delighted both Xiao Yan and Yao Lao.
There was still one year and three months until the Three-Year Agreement.
Their current progress was entirely on track!
According to their plan, before the Three-Year Agreement, Xiao Yan needed to reach high-star Dou Emperor and become a seventh-tier Alchemist.
Then, as a seventh-tier Alchemist, he would rapidly raise his father Xiao Zhan to Three-Star Dou Emperor by flooding him with pills.
He would also steadily raise his brothers Xiao Ding and Xiao Li to Dou Wang!
That way, when the Three-Year Agreement came, he would serve as outside support for Xiao Zhan under the identity of Li Feiyu.
With the strength of a Three-Star Dou Emperor, Xiao Zhan would contend for the position of Misty Cloud Sect Master.
Xiao Ding, Xiao Li, Xiao Yu, and Xiao Mei would back Xiao Zhan with their Dou Wang and Dou Ling strength.
With such strength, the Misty Cloud Sect would surely fall into the Xiao Clan's pocket!
Even if the Misty Cloud Sect had other trump cards, once Yao Lao stepped in, his high-star Dou Zong strength would be enough to crush everything!
With arrangements like these, nothing could possibly go wrong!
After sorting out the plan, Xiao Yan began urging Yun Yun to leave.
She needed to return and make arrangements for the Xiao Clan to enter the imperial capital, laying the initial groundwork!
Hearing Xiao Yan urge her to go, Yun Yun felt rather reluctant.
These past six months had been so wonderfully comfortable!
But just as Xiao Yan had said, as the head of a sect, she really should not stay away for too long.
Besides, the Xiao Clan's affairs were still waiting for her to handle.
It really was time to return.
Before leaving, Yun Yun gazed at Xiao Yan, her eyes brimming with tender affection.
She wanted a farewell embrace.
Having spent over half a year with Yun Yun, Xiao Yan could already read her body language.
After hesitating for a moment, he finally stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her.
Yun Yun was gentle, treated him with respect, and cultivated diligently. She truly was a worthy cultivation partner.
Xiao Yan had already decided that once the Misty Cloud Sect changed hands, he would take her out of the Jia Ma Empire and continue traveling the path of cultivation together.
Yun Yun reluctantly departed.
After watching Yun Yun leave, Xiao Yan went to see Xiao Yi Xian.
Over these six months, Xiao Yi Xian's woeful poison body had truly astounded him!
Every time he visited, Xiao Yan could clearly sense the Dou Qi within Xiao Yi Xian increasing wildly at an unbelievable rate.
That speed was enough to make even his heart tremble.
By now, Xiao Yi Xian had leaped from Nine-Star Dou Shi all the way to six-star Dou Ling!
She was keeping right on his heels!
Three months in Qingshan Town and half a year in Black Rock City-that was only nine months!
In nine months, she had risen from a mere One-Star Dou Zhe to six-star Dou Ling!
How many people would be scared to death if they heard about such speed?
"The woeful poison body really is terrifying..."
Of course, Xiao Yan also knew that the further she advanced and the higher her level became, the more slowly she would improve.
But even if she slowed down, judging by Xiao Yi Xian's current progress, she would need at most one year for Dou Wang, two years for Dou Emperor, and four years for Dou Zong.
In a mere eight years, she should be able to reach the Dou Zun Realm!
After his amazement came delight.
I really picked the right mighty leg to cling to!
He reckoned that after the Three-Year Agreement, Xiao Yi Xian would surpass his cultivation and become a true powerhouse.
Then he could enjoy the pleasure of furrowing his brows and retreating behind Xiao Yi Xian.
When Xiao Yi Xian saw Xiao Yan approaching, a happy smile spread across her face, and she hurried over.
"Young Master Xiao Yan, I think I've gotten a lot stronger!"
Because she had been in seclusion all this time, her understanding of her own strength was still rather vague.
She only knew that she felt better than ever before.
Looking at her cheerful smile, Xiao Yan smiled faintly.
"How many times have I told you? Don't call me Young Master Xiao Yan.
"You're my sworn younger sister. We're of the same generation, and we're equals."
Xiao Yi Xian grinned but did not respond to that.
Helpless, Xiao Yan affectionately patted her head.
"Call me whatever you like, then. I can't control you."
This time, Xiao Yi Xian did answer.
"Young Master Xiao Yan, you saved my life, taught me so much, gave me so many resources, and even took me away from Qingshan Town to see the vast world outside.
"For everything you've done for me, even serving as your maid for the rest of my life would be worth it. Please stop trying to make me call you something else."
Xiao Yan chuckled.
As long as you're grateful!
I like people who know how to be grateful. You must protect me well in the future!
After their idle chat, Xiao Yan added, "My business in Black Rock City is mostly finished. Next, I'm planning to go to Stone Desert City to see my two older brothers.
"Come with me again."
According to the plan, he needed to go to Stone Desert City and use pills to rapidly push Xiao Ding and Xiao Li to Dou Wang.
Xiao Yi Xian nodded without the slightest hesitation, just as before.
After packing their belongings, the two prepared to set out.
But before leaving, Xiao Yan slapped his forehead as he remembered something else.
Stone Desert City lay on the edge of the Tagor Desert. It was hardly a large city.
Supplies within the city were relatively scarce.
He was now a Three-Star Dou Wang, and his alchemy skills were already sufficient to attempt the sixth tier.
He needed to visit the Alchemist Guild in Black Rock City, find that old fellow Foklan, and stock up again.
After telling Xiao Yi Xian to wait a little longer at the inn, Xiao Yan left, put on a black robe and a mask, and headed straight to the Alchemist Guild as Li Feiyu.
Foklan and Otto were handling their work. When they saw Xiao Yan arrive, they hurriedly greeted him politely.
By now, the two were not merely utterly convinced of Xiao Yan's abilities-they had even begun to fawn over him.
Whenever Xiao Yan came to purchase medicinal ingredients, he always liked to haggle.
At first, Foklan had been somewhat displeased, but after a reminder from his old friend Otto, he finally came to his senses.
What did a little haggling matter?
The two of them had monopolized the pill business in Black Rock City for decades. In their eyes, money was not worth a fart!
Foklan could even declare loudly that he had absolutely no interest in money!
Having reached his position, what he sought was higher social standing.
And Xiao Yan, standing before him, was precisely his key to that higher standing.
Foklan judged that this Li Feiyu would definitely become a fifth-tier Alchemist within three years!
Within ten years, he would definitely become a sixth-tier Alchemist!
Then he would be the Jia Ma Empire's next Pill King!
His status as a Fourth-Tier Alchemist did allow him to exchange a few words with the current Pill King Gu He, but that was all-a few words.
But if he could establish a good relationship with this future Pill King, earn his goodwill, and make him willing to help once or twice in the future...
With that bargaining chip, his social standing would no longer be confined to Black Rock City. He would wield a measure of power and influence throughout the entire Jia Ma Empire!
Now that was a truly tremendous benefit!
Compared to such a tremendous benefit, a paltry sum of gold coins really was not worth a fart!
Foklan had already thought it all through.
If Xiao Yan bought medicinal ingredients again this time, he would simply give them to him for free!
The greater the favor, the better!
But when he heard what Xiao Yan needed, his smile immediately vanished.
"Sixth-tier medicinal ingredients! Well..."
Sixth-tier medicinal ingredients were already extremely high-grade, and every single one was precious! Even they did not have many!
Otto was the quick-witted one. After giving Foklan a wink, he promptly told Xiao Yan, "We have them! Plenty! I'll take you to the storeroom to choose, Mister Li."
Once Xiao Yan reached the storeroom and began choosing, Otto pulled Foklan aside, his tone exasperated at his friend's failure to see sense.
"Come on, old Foklan. Have you lost your head?"
Foklan frowned.
"How have I lost my head? You know perfectly well how precious sixth-tier medicinal ingredients are!"
Otto sighed. "Why don't you think about why he's stopped buying fifth-tier ingredients and started buying sixth-tier ones?"
Foklan first frowned, then his eyes widened.
"Could he already have become a fifth-tier Alchemist and started working toward the sixth tier?"
Otto nodded.
"That's most likely the case."
Foklan immediately grew excited.
"Half a year! It's only been half a year, and he's advanced again! What a genius! Wait... no! If he's reached the fifth tier, why hasn't he come to the guild for certification?"
Otto sighed again.
This old friend of mine... why is he so slow on the uptake?
"Maybe he wants to wait until the Alchemist Grand Assembly in the imperial capital to dazzle everyone. Maybe he wants to reach the sixth tier and get certified all at once. Who knows?
"But old Foklan, why do you care about any of that? All you need to know is that he has phenomenal potential, then invest heavily in him.
"Think with your backside if you have to-could you possibly lose on this investment?"
Before you continue