A day passed. Xiao Yan's talent as an alchemist was no worse than Xiao Tian's, which left Yao Lao both surprised and delighted.
Yao Lao knew Xiao Yan's and Xiao Tian's characters very well, and he was overjoyed to have gained two disciples. Although he had not intended to take disciples and was merely passing on his skills, he could imagine how greatly these two lads would change the world of Dou Qi in the future.
After receiving instruction in pill refinement, Xiao Yan was also steeped in Dou Technique cultivation by Yao Lao and made tremendous progress. Barely any time had passed since he broke through to Two-Star Dou Zhe, yet he had already reached Three-Star Dou Zhe.
In Yao Lao's eyes, however, the monstrous pace of Xiao Yan's cultivation still fell short of Xiao Tian's.
Early the next morning, Xiao Zhan came looking for Xiao Tian and was surprised to find Xiao Yan there too.
"Father, are you here for pills? Here!"
Xiao Yan also brought out a large amount of Qi Gathering Powder and Rejuvenation Powder.
Xiao Zhan stared dumbfounded at the bottles of Qi Gathering Powder and Rejuvenation Powder covering the ground.
"You refined all of these?"
"Yes!" Xiao Tian and Xiao Yan nodded.
Xiao Zhan could hardly calm his heart and summoned the clan's most loyal alchemists to appraise them.
After the appraisal, Xiao Zhan's heart was even less calm!
"Our Xiao Clan is about to rise!"
Xiao Zhan grinned so broadly that he could not close his mouth. He took the Qi Gathering Powder and Rejuvenation Powder his two sons had refined to several clan alchemists to have them diluted with water.
After all, charging straight into the market with perfect-quality Qi Gathering Powder would not be wise. It could easily provoke a furious counterattack from the other two clans!
Leaving the other two clans some meat to eat would keep them from staking everything on one desperate throw and fighting to the death! Once the Xiao Clan had grown strong enough, they could deliver a savage deathblow and wipe out both clans outright!
Xiao Zhan's ambitions surged!
That afternoon, Xiao Yan learned that the T. M. Auction House would soon auction off a Frenzied Flame Fire Wolf's Beast Flame, drawing many alchemists from the surrounding cities!
Upon hearing this, Xiao Tian said little, took out all the gold coins he had saved, and shoved them into his little brother Er Huo's hands.
"Come on, let's find Father. We have to secure that Beast Flame and upgrade your Flame Mantra further!"
Xiao Yan was deeply moved. "But what about you, Big Brother?"
Xiao Tian curled his lip. "You're our clan's number-one genius. Only when you're strong can I fulfill my great dream of sponging off others until I die, feasting on fine food and drink."
Xiao Yan was "moved" by Xiao Tian's great dream.
"All right, Big Brother. You have to keep the second Beast Flame for yourself!"
Xiao Tian thought to himself, Sorry, my foolish little brother Er Huo. Your big brother is going to absorb Heavenly Flames!
Xiao Tian and Xiao Yan headed to their father Xiao Zhan's place and happened to overhear him discussing a meteorite from beyond the heavens with the elders outside his door.
The meteorite had fallen deep within the Magical Beast Forest outside Qingshan Town, creating a vast expanse of blazing rivers and seas, scorching the land bare for a thousand li. Many magical beasts had perished wherever it swept through.
Shocked by what he heard, Xiao Yan looked at Xiao Tian and transmitted his voice. "Big Brother, there must be a Heavenly Flame! This Heavenly Flame is yours!"
Xiao Tian could not help rolling his eyes. Well, thank you so much, my little brother Er Huo! You think it's mine just because you say so? Have you asked the other alchemists or the powerful members of the great clans?
"What a good brother!"
Yao Lao transmitted his voice. "Xiao Tian, now that we know the location, head to Qingshan Town once we've helped the Xiao Yan brat devour the Beast Flame. At your current cultivation, going out to temper yourself is the faster way to increase your strength."
Xiao Tian thought that made sense, but the thought of being parted from Xun'er for so many days made him miserable-like hell it did.
"Father! Lend us some gold coins to spend!"
Inside the room, Xiao Zhan's mouth twitched at Xiao Tian and Xiao Yan's perfectly synchronized words!