Xiao Tian also thought of the Flame Mantra at that moment. Considering his ability to remain undying in this world, wasn't the Flame Mantra practically tailor-made for him?
But then, what would his little brother Er Huo do?
Why not hoodwink Yao Lao into teaching them both?
Xiao Tian stared at Yao Lao, looking half-convinced and half-doubtful, and asked, "Are you sure? Why do I find that so hard to believe?"
Yao Lao felt so aggrieved. A distinguished genius of the Yao Clan, a genius alchemist, was actually being questioned by a little child!
"Little Xiao Tian, then let this old man make a bet with you!"
"What kind of bet?"
"Your Xiao Clan has marketplaces that sell pills, right? This old man will help your Xiao Clan fully open up its pill market and sweep through Wutan City!"
Xiao Tian smiled inwardly and said, "Really?"
"Hmph! This old man stands by his word! If it's a lie and you see no results in three days, throw the Soul Ring into the abyss below the cliff on the mountain behind your home."
"All right, it's a deal!"
Yao Lao thought to himself, I've finally won this brat over. With this, as long as I teach him carefully, he will surely transform into a dragon one day and soar through the clouds of the nine heavens!
Meanwhile, Xiao Tian thought, I can finally become an alchemist! In three days, I'll drag Er Huo over to learn with me! As for Xun'er, forget it. Xun'er has her own path.
"Then, Yao Lao, whatever you've got stashed away, just pass it all on to me."
Yao Lao rolled his eyes and said solemnly, "Xiao Tian, listen carefully. To become an alchemist, not only must your Soul Power be extraordinary, but your soul's attributes must also contain fire within wood. You and your little brother Xiao Yan both qualify. This old man will teach you how to refine Qi Gathering Powder."
Xiao Tian's eyes lit up. "Qi Gathering Powder is pretty good. When someone at the Ninth Stage of Dou Qi tries to break through to Dou Zhe and condense a qi vortex, Qi Gathering Powder is an excellent aid. Its market price must be very high."
"Of course!" Yao Lao said with a smile. "This old man will refine the first batch of Qi Gathering Powder to open your eyes, but you'll need to refine the second batch yourself. The master leads you through the door, but cultivation depends on you."
"I understand. Then, Yao Lao, do you have any gold coins?"
Yao Lao couldn't help looking embarrassed and scolded him with a laugh. "This old man is only a soul body. My only possession is that Soul Ring. If you want to learn the art of pill refining from this old man, find a way yourself."
"So stingy." Xiao Tian pursed his lips, though inwardly he was delighted, and dug out his savings of five hundred gold coins.
"Xiao Tian, I'm afraid those little savings of yours won't be enough."
Xiao Tian looked at Yao Lao and asked, "What does Qi Gathering Powder need?" He couldn't help it; he really had forgotten the Qi Gathering Powder recipe from the original timeline.
"Listen carefully, little fellow. You'll need three intact stalks of Purple Leaf Orchid Grass, regardless of age, Bone Cleansing Flower, and one rank-one wood-element Magic Core."
Hearing this, Xiao Tian had no idea what the current market prices were. He had barely ever left the clan estate. Who the hell knew the going rates?
"Got it."
To be safe, Xiao Tian found Xiao Yan and first extorted a joining fee from him, successfully collecting seven hundred gold coins, before heading over to Xun'er's place.
"Brother Tian, what is it? Come on in."
Xun'er's bedroom was filled with a delicate fragrance. Xiao Tian personally liked it here very much. If not for worldly prejudices, he would have slept here.
"Well, Xun'er, could you lend me a little money?" Xiao Tian chuckled.
Xun'er blinked her beautiful, large, dewy eyes, then turned her back to Xiao Tian. Soon, a purple-gold card appeared between her fingers.
"Brother Tian, will a thousand or so gold coins be enough?"
"Enough, enough!" Xiao Tian marveled inwardly. As expected of the Gu Clan's eldest legitimate daughter. A Storage Ring and a Five-Stripe Purple Gold Card-she already has them at such a young age.