Xiao Yan took a deep breath and sank his awareness into the ring, entering the familiar dark space that belonged to Yao Lao's soul, then called him out.
Yao Lao slowly opened his eyes, a trace of worldly wisdom shining through their clouded depths. "This is the first time you've called me out on your own initiative. Go on, what trouble have you run into?"
Xiao Yan's cheeks warmed slightly. He rubbed his hands together sheepishly, then mustered his courage to speak.
"Teacher, little sister Xun'er's birthday is coming up, and I wanted... I wanted to ask you to refine a pill for me to give her as a present. The very best, something worthy of her!"
Yao Lao's somewhat languid expression froze instantly. First, he blinked in disbelief. Then he slowly extended a spectral finger and dug around in his ear, as though making sure he had heard correctly.
A moment later, the energy in the air stirred, and a wooden Back Scratcher several times larger than an ordinary one appeared out of thin air, held steady by Yao Lao's soul power.
Before Xiao Yan could react, the oversized Back Scratcher swept through a sharp arc and struck his face with a crisp, resounding smack. The blow was light, but the humiliation was immense.
Clutching his burning cheek, Xiao Yan was utterly stunned. Yao Lao's beard bristled and his eyes bulged as he pointed at Xiao Yan's nose and unleashed a torrent of abuse.
"Shameless! Have you no shame at all, you little brat?! Have you even considered how old the soul stuffed inside you is? A soul in his thirties, pursuing a little girl barely past ten? How can you stomach it?! And you have the gall to ask me to refine medicine to help you chase her?