Gifts

Alchemists were ranked from first to ninth tier, in ascending order.

Those who reached seventh tier could be called Masters, while those at eighth tier were Grandmasters.

The ninth tier was divided more precisely. Instead of low, middle, and high ranks, its distinctions were Treasure Pill Grandmaster, Mystic Pill Grandmaster, and Golden Pill Grandmaster.

As for Emperor-Grade Alchemists, who stood above Golden Pill Grandmasters, they could essentially be disregarded. None had appeared on the Dou Qi Continent for over a thousand years.

Although Gu He had only just advanced to sixth tier, reading his memories had still opened up an entirely new world for Chen Cang.

Compared to him, Master Mo was indeed somewhat lacking. It was like the difference between elementary school and high school.

After seeing Gu He off outside Stone Desert City and watching him spread his Dou Qi Wings and depart, Chen Cang began making plans of his own.

He had made Tagor his first stop for the sake of the Green Lotus Core Flame.

No, to be precise, it had been for the wood attribute.

Now that a strange twist of fate had fulfilled his goal, there was no reason to remain in Tagor.

As for the Heavenly Flame Medusa had taken, Chen Cang had no desire to rack his brains over competing for it right now. He would simply consider it stored with her.

After all, Medusa could not refine it, and he need not worry about anyone else taking it away.

Meanwhile, Chen Cang had a better choice, one that carried almost no risk!

Heavenly Flames were valuable things. They were an immense help in both alchemy and combat, so naturally, Chen Cang wanted one at his side.

But without the Flame Mantra, he could only refine one. Under those circumstances, he naturally had to choose a higher-ranked Heavenly Flame with greater uses.

"I'll let you be its keeper for a few years. When I come back, I'll repay you properly!"

Muttering to himself, Chen Cang did not return to Stone Desert City. Instead, he headed straight for the Magical Beast Mountain Range with the Void Pegasus Beast.

Wutan City.

Chen Cang's departure had brought no particularly obvious changes to the Xiao Clan. The one most affected was Xiao Xun'er.

She seemed to have returned to how she had been when she first arrived at the Xiao Clan, rarely venturing out. A polite smile always graced her face, yet truly drawing close to her was difficult.

She treated the Xiao Clan members this way, and Xiao Yi Xian, who lived next door, was no exception.

She even harbored an unfounded wariness toward Xiao Yi Xian.

Only when Chen Cang's letter arrived that day did things begin to change.

For she discovered that Xiao Yi Xian did not seem capable of threatening her place in his heart. Chen Cang had not even thought to mention her, not so much as a word.

Thus, between cultivation sessions, Xiao Xun'er began trying to get along properly with Xiao Yi Xian.

And that was precisely what Xiao Yi Xian had hoped for.

Sincerity met sincerity, and the two young girls began building a friendship. Soon, each had become the other's closest friend within the Xiao Clan.

Both were gentle by nature, shared things to talk about, and cared about the same person.

Xiao Xun'er would tell Xiao Yi Xian about Chen Cang's days in the Xiao Clan. Even trivial details of everyday life fascinated Xiao Yi Xian.

"Xun'er, you seem very happy today, and you keep getting distracted, looking toward the mountain every so often. Did something happen?" On the Xiao Clan Back Mountain, Xiao Yi Xian looked at the girl beside her in puzzlement.

Xiao Xun'er did not deny it. "You'll find out soon."

Seeing her mysterious air, Xiao Yi Xian could not help smiling.

She was a little older than Xiao Xun'er, and after experiencing an outbreak of her Woeful Poison Body, she had matured rapidly. Her mental maturity far exceeded her apparent age.

Although Xiao Xun'er was putting on a mysterious act, Xiao Yi Xian had already guessed something from her reactions.

Only that one person could make her crane her neck in such anticipation.

Could he be coming back?

Xiao Yi Xian did not know how Xiao Xun'er had confirmed Chen Cang's whereabouts, but from what she knew of Xiao Xun'er, the news was probably true.

Filled with anticipation, the two girls waited on the back mountain for a long time, leaving only when night fell.

At that very moment, Chen Cang had already arrived outside Wutan City.

He now needed a stretch of quiet time to digest what he had gained from Gu He and turn himself from a master of theory into an Alchemist capable of actual practice!

Along the way, he would also make his final preparations for the long journey ahead.

For example, putting the small mountain of medicinal ingredients in his Storage Ring to use.

Without alerting anyone uninvolved, he quietly returned to the Xiao Clan.

After settling the Void Pegasus Beast, Chen Cang first went to Xiao Xun'er's courtyard next door.

Although he had made no commotion, with Ling Ying around, Xiao Xun'er would surely be the first to learn of his return.

Sure enough, he had barely knocked two or three times before the person inside eagerly opened the door.

Seeing Chen Cang standing at the entrance, Xiao Xun'er's little mouth parted in "surprise." Then her smile blossomed like a flower.

"Brother Chen Cang, you're back!"

Her greeting was sweet, and her smile radiant.

Unfortunately, her acting was far too crude, with too many flaws. There was still plenty of room for improvement.

If she had not been certain that Chen Cang had returned, why would she have opened the door with so little caution?

Chen Cang did not expose her. He even played along.

"I just arrived and came straight over to see you, Xun'er. Were you surprised to see me suddenly appear?"

"It really is a lovely surprise."

He was playing along with Xiao Xun'er, but was she not doing the same for him?

"There's an even bigger surprise. I brought you two gifts, Xun'er!"

Xiao Xun'er's eyes lit up. This time, there was no acting involved.

Although she lacked for nothing, gifts represented affection and showed that someone had been thinking of her.

Under her expectant gaze, Chen Cang first took out an Earth Fire Lotus Seed.

"This is something I obtained through a fortunate encounter on my trip. Keep it with you from now on. It should help your cultivation somewhat. Once you've formed your Dou Qi Vortex, swallow it. That will also be the perfect time to help me confirm something."

"Mm, I'll remember."

Taking the Earth Fire Lotus Seed, Xiao Xun'er could feel the pure energy contained within it.

For someone with a fire attribute, this lotus seed was no different from a naturally formed high-grade pill.

Chen Cang nodded slightly, then took out a bracelet. Its weaving was hardly exquisite, but the ice-blue magic crystal adorning it was extraordinarily beautiful.

Magic crystal was another name for a magic core.

"I got this from a fourth-rank Frost Land Turtle. I took its beast flame, and since the magic core looked pretty, I strung it into a bracelet."

"Thank you, Brother Chen Cang. I really like it."

She clearly favored the bracelet over the Earth Fire Lotus Seed. After accepting it, she examined it again and again, its reflected light making her eyes sparkle.

So much so that she did not immediately notice the purpose behind Chen Cang taking the beast flame.

"All right, get some rest early, Xun'er. I'll go see the others."

"Brother Chen Cang, I'll come find you tomorrow morning~"

"All right."

Returning to his own residence, Chen Cang found Xiao Yi Xian in the rear courtyard, staring blankly at the Void Pegasus Beast with a somewhat forlorn expression.

Clearly, seeing the Void Pegasus Beast had told her he was back.

"Xian'er, what has you thinking so hard?"

At his voice, Xiao Yi Xian quickly came to her senses and rose to greet him, looking rather ill at ease, but offered no explanation.

Chen Cang smiled and did not press further. Then he took something out of his Storage Ring.