Before the Alchemist Guild, Gu Li, Chi Lin, and Xiao Yan exited the guild gates together. The four of them stopped, and Gu Li looked at Xiao Yan with a smile, saying:
"Brother Yan Xiao, I have other matters to attend to, so please excuse me for not seeing you off any further."
Xiao Yan smiled and said:
"President Gu Li is too kind. My trip has been worthwhile, so there's no need to trouble you further. Since you have other matters to attend to, I will take my leave now!"
Seeing this, Gu Li said nothing more, but a glint of light flickered in her eyes.
Gu Li exchanged a glance with Chi Lin, who was standing to the side, and both knew what the other was thinking, but in the end, Gu Li shook his head almost imperceptibly.
His gaze then shifted, returning to Xiao Yan with a smile. He flipped his hand, revealing a jade tablet, and smiled at Xiao Yan:
"Having witnessed Brother Yan Xiao's extraordinary strength and profound knowledge of alchemy today, I hereby present this jade token to him. With this Yan Xiao, Brother Yan Xiao will be equivalent to a nominal elder of our Alchemist Guild, and will be able to freely enter and exit any part of our Alchemist Guild!"
Xiao Yan's eyes flickered slightly upon seeing this. Was this a preemptive attempt to win him over? However, he quite liked the terms. With a smile, Xiao Yan didn't stand on ceremony and directly reached out to take it.
"In that case, thank you very much, Chairman Gu Li!"
Seeing this, Gu Li smiled again, and Chi Lin echoed him. With his shrewdness, he could naturally see through Gu Li's actions, but he was also full of admiration for Gu Li's wit.
Standing beside Xiao Yan, Qin Zhong's eyes were filled with envy upon seeing this. A nominal elder of the Alchemist Guild —even that old fellow Li Gan had never received such treatment!
Despite his envy, the jade pendant ultimately belonged to Xiao Yan, and Qin Zhong could only watch as Xiao Yan pocketed it, his face filled with longing.
After delivering the items, Gu Li really couldn't say anything more. She chuckled a couple of times, and then the group left.
Watching Xiao Yan slowly disappear from sight, Chi Lin sighed softly, turned to look at Gu Li, frowned slightly, and said:
"Do you think he would help if you actually brought that up with him?"
Upon hearing this, Gu Li remained noncommittal, sighed, and then said:
"If he's unwilling, what can we do? We should at least bring it up. Since he took the gift, he should be willing to help. In any case, he won't lose out..."
"Furthermore, he's a young man, at the age when he's full of passion. If he participates in the Alchemist Tournament, he won't easily admit defeat!"
Having said that, Chi Lin said no more, turned around and headed into the guild. Soon after, Gu Li's figure also slowly disappeared from the spot.
Ever since those Eighth-Tier alchemists were expelled from the guild by Gu Li, the events that happened in the Alchemist Guild spread like wildfire throughout the entire Ancient Wilderness City, and Xiao Yan once again became the focus of everyone's attention in the Ancient Wilderness City.
As Xiao Yan Xiao Yan slowly down the street, the surrounding crowd couldn't help but turn their gazes toward him, and immediately, another uproar of discussion erupted.
"Look, isn't that Yan Xiao? I heard his strength has already reached the level of Half-Emperor Sovereign!"
Just now, someone exclaimed in surprise upon seeing Xiao Yan, but before their words could even finish, another mocking laugh rang out, causing the surrounding crowd to turn their gazes involuntarily in that direction.
"Hey! That's a message from half a month ago! See the direction they came from? That's the Alchemist Guild's territory, the place Yan Xiao just went to!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a chorus of doubts arose again, and the crowd erupted in commotion once more.
"What? Isn't Yan Xiao a cultivation fanatic? Why would he go to the Alchemist Guild? Could it be that he was injured in the great battle half a month ago and went there to buy pills?"
"Heh heh, injured? He had an overwhelming advantage over that old bastard Li Gan, how could he possibly be injured? Besides, with such a powerful expert as Elder Luo protecting him, even if Li Gan had the guts of a million, he wouldn't dare to have the slightest thought about Yan Xiao!"
"I heard that Yan Xiao's purpose in going to the Alchemist Guild this time is to take the exam for High-Level Alchemist!"
"It's truly unexpected that Yan Xiao not only possesses exceptional talent in cultivation, but also has made such pioneering achievements in alchemy!"
The chaotic and noisy chatter left Xiao Yan feeling quite helpless. He could only quicken his pace, and in a flash, he had already passed through the crowd and reached the end of the line of sight.
Qin Zhong was standing next to Xiao Yan, also curled his lip in impatience. The noise of the crowd was making his hot temper unbearable. If Xiao Yan hadn't been there, he probably would have already lost his temper and started a fight.
Seeing Xiao Yan swiftly dodge, Qin Zhong's aura suddenly surged, and the terrifying power of Three-Star Half-Emperor instantly erupted, causing the surrounding crowd to retreat and avoid him.
Xiao Yan, who had just returned to the inn and hadn't even had time to catch his breath, saw a figure appear in front of his room. This caused Xiao Yan to pause slightly, but his expression quickly vanished into a smile as he jokingly said:
"What brings Elder Xuan here? Were you drawn here by the rumors outside?"
The newcomer was none other than Elder Xuan of the Cloud-Hidden Pavilion.
Upon hearing Xiao Yan's teasing words, Elder Xuan smiled, stroking his long beard with his withered hand, and chuckled in response:
"Haha, that's exactly what I meant!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the two burst into laughter. Then, Xiao Yan's expression turned serious, and he asked Elder Xuan with a smile:
" Elder Xuan, you must have come here for some reason. If so, please speak frankly."
"Hehe, Brother Yan Xiao, you really get straight to the point. Since that's the case, then I won't beat around the bush anymore. I've come here today with no important business; I simply wish to invite Brother Yan Xiao to come over."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow and exchanged a glance with Elder Xuan, only to discover a hint of amusement in the depths of Elder Xuan's eyes.
Xiao Yan's expression grew even more suspicious, while Elder Xuan smiled, giving Xiao Yan a meaningful look, and continued:
"This invitation is nothing major; it's simply because my master wants to see you."