News of the Empire's Alchemist Grand Meeting

"Then many thanks, Master Otto. You've really done me a huge favor."

Xiao Yan cupped his fists in salute to Otto, gratitude showing on his face.

Frank, by contrast, grew even more jealous.

Just as he was about to go mad with anger, a deep voice called out from afar.

"The robes for the high-level Third-Tier Alchemist are here!"

Everyone looked toward the voice.

A guard clad in golden armor came forward with quick, short steps. He held out a black robe and handed it to Frank.

Frank took the black robe, and the flames of anger in his heart subsided somewhat. His attitude promptly changed, and he turned to Xiao Yan with a smile, saying courteously:

"Little friend Yan Xiao, these are your alchemist robes. As for the registration details, leave them to this old man!"

Xiao Yan picked up the robe and nodded with a grin. "Then many thanks, President Frank."

With that, the young man flicked his hand, sending the black robe into the air.

He slipped his hands gracefully through the sleeves and slowly put it on. Dou Qi surged through his body, billowing out the robe and creating a commanding presence.

The entire motion flowed like moving clouds and running water, effortless and free.

He lowered his head and caught sight of the three flame patterns embroidered on his chest. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly, and a trace of confidence and pride flashed in his eyes.

That was the mark of a Third-Tier Alchemist, representing his strength and accomplishments.

"In that case, I'll be off now. President Frank, Master Otto, until we meet again!"

Xiao Yan cupped his fists in salute and was about to leave immediately to find Hai Bodong and obtain the second Demonic Flame Remnant Map.

But he had only just turned around when Frank placed a hand on his shoulder and called him to a stop.

"Is there something else, President Frank?"

Xiao Yan asked in confusion, several question marks appearing over his head. He couldn't understand why Frank had stopped him.

Frank smiled faintly and rubbed his hands together with a lecherous air.

"Little friend Yan Xiao, a little over two years from now, the Jia Ma Empire will hold an Alchemist Grand Meeting. I wonder if you might be interested in taking part..."

By coming here to take the examination, Xiao Yan had already become an alchemist publicly associated with Black Rock City.

If Xiao Yan took part in the grand alchemy event and won first place, the Black Rock City Alchemist Guild's name would become renowned as well.

After all, a fourteen-year-old Third-Tier Alchemist had appeared among them, a talent unprecedented in the empire.

Xiao Yan froze at those words. Then he raised his head, and the scene of his victory in that very competition in his previous life appeared in his mind. A smile curved his lips.

From within the ancient-looking ring on his finger, Yao Lao naturally saw his smile as well. He shook his head and said with a chuckle:

"This lad really is still a child. His temperament isn't mature enough yet!"

With that, he abruptly released his soul power to contact the young man's mind and said in a relaxed tone:

"Little fellow, if you want to compete, go ahead. I support you, so go all out!"

Hearing this, Xiao Yan was utterly baffled. Huh? When did I ever say I wanted to compete?

He focused his thoughts and began speaking with Yao Lao, asking curiously:

"Teacher? Don't you think that, at my current pace, competing in two and a half years would be a bit too unfair to everyone else?"

Yao Lao burst out laughing.

"Unfair? How would it be unfair? You're only fourteen now, and in two and a half years, you'll only be sixteen and a half. That's clearly just a contest between people of the same age!"

Yao Lao stroked his beard and spoke earnestly.

"Xiao Yan, stop hiding it. Let me put it this way: I was young once too, so naturally I understand what's on your mind. Go ahead and compete without worry. I have high hopes for you!"

Clearly, Yao Lao had mistakenly assumed that Xiao Yan wanted to compete, and had taken his question as an attempt to conceal his true feelings.

Xiao Yan rolled his eyes in speechless exasperation and said no more.

Since Yao Lao insisted that he enter the competition, he might as well do so. It wasn't as though he had anything to lose.

With that thought, Xiao Yan hesitated no longer. His consciousness returned to his body, and he helplessly brushed Frank's hand away before nodding with a smile.

"All right, I'll compete. But you'll have to help me register when the time comes. I don't want to miss this competition!"

Frank and Otto were overjoyed. They hurriedly nodded and agreed. "Of course, of course. Rest assured, little friend Yan Xiao, we certainly won't forget."

With that, they immediately took a diary and a brush from a Storage Ring and eagerly wrote the matter down.

Watching them, Yan Xiao couldn't help smiling. Those two old fellows could be quite lovable sometimes!

Just then, Lin Fei, who had received the Qi Gathering Powder earlier, came over again and said with a grin:

"Little brother Yan Xiao, you must remember me! My name is Lin Fei. I'm very happy to meet you!"

This time, Xiao Yan didn't hesitate. He immediately looked away, awkwardly pushed her aside, and ran out the door, stumbling a little.

After all, his chest was too broad, and he feared he would sink into the secular world and be unable to extricate himself.

So, to avoid holding himself or anyone else back, he could only choose to flee.

Lin Fei watched his retreating figure as he fled in disarray. Pretending to pout, she said coquettishly:

"Hmph, what a blockhead. Am I some kind of flood or savage beast? Why is he so afraid of me?"

But as soon as she finished speaking, her eyes also dimmed for a moment.

She understood that an outstanding man like Xiao Yan must have many women who liked him, and she was only one of them.

Since she hadn't won his heart today, it would likely be difficult to do so in the future.

Seeing this, Xue Mei, who stood behind her, couldn't help worrying about her emotional state. She stepped forward to comfort her.

"Don't be sad, Lin Fei. We don't stand a chance with a man on his level."

Lin Fei gave a bitter laugh and looked in the direction Xiao Yan had disappeared, murmuring to herself:

"You're right. We don't stand a chance, but I still want to try, even if there's only a sliver of hope..."

Frank and Otto, who had noticed the two women's reactions, exchanged a glance, their faces showing regret as well.

They naturally wanted Xiao Yan as their son-in-law, but reality was always somewhat different from what they had imagined.

The lady was willing, but the gentleman's heart was unmoved. There was nothing to be done about it.

Still, with Xiao Yan's addition, the status and prestige of their Black Rock City Alchemist Guild would undoubtedly rise tremendously.

Having achieved that, they were already very satisfied.

At last, the story at the alchemist plaza came to an end.

Elsewhere, Xiao Yan walked through the jade doors, passed along the corridor, descended the stairs, and crossed the vast hall once more, leaving the quaint and elegant Alchemist Guild.

At that moment, He Qian was standing respectfully in the distance.

He Qian saw the young man again, his face full of easy confidence, as well as the black robe he wore and the three flame patterns embroidered on his badge.

He Qian's heart jolted, and cold sweat seeped from his palms. He looked at Xiao Yan somewhat nervously, thinking in astonishment:

He really did it. He became an alchemist at such a young age, and a Third-Tier Alchemist at that.

Catching sight of He Qian's flustered expression, Xiao Yan didn't make things difficult for him. As he passed, he simply patted him on the shoulder and said with a quiet chuckle:

"He Qian, right?"

"If you're willing, I can recommend you to join the Flame Alliance."

Everything He Qian had done from the beginning until now had left him quite satisfied.

In his previous life, the man had also known how to read the situation. After learning that Xiao Yan intended to protect the Blood Battle Mercenary Group, he had immediately stopped fighting.

Now that Xiao Yan was living his life over again, he was naturally willing to give him a hand if the opportunity arose.