The moon splashed across the galaxy, the road stretched endlessly, the winds and smoke had faded, and a lone figure lingered in the twilight.
"Who told me I was born extraordinary? Who allowed my alchemy skills to be this strong?"
Xiao Yan sat cross-legged atop a star peak of the Falling Star Pavilion, inhaling the cyan-colored Dou Qi through his nostrils. After several circulations through his body, it returned to the Dou Qi cyclone, refining a portion of the energy between heaven and earth with each breath.
"No wonder outsiders train much slower than the Xiao Clan," Xiao Yan sighed softly.
Falling Star Pavilion was already considered a first-rate power in Central Plains. The energy within the Star Realm was richer, and with special formations enhancing it, the energy concentration was nearly three times that of the outside world.
But even this density was considered ordinary in the Xiao Realm.
In the Xiao Realm, energy density was generally three to five times that of the outside, and in areas designated for the training of top-tier descendants like Xiao Yan, it could reach eight or even ten times higher. With such cultivation conditions and the innate talents bestowed by their bloodline...
No wonder the Xiao Realm was filled with Dou Kings like stray dogs and Dou Emperors roamed the streets.
"It's already been a month, and I've only recovered to a Two-Star Dou Emperor," Xiao Yan shook his head helplessly.
"Disciple!" An old voice echoed in Xiao Yan's ears.
A man appeared dressed in a long cyan robe. His once messy hair and beard were now tidied up meticulously. At first glance, he looked almost sage-like.
"You off to meet your old flame for some square dancing?" Xiao Yan couldn't help but snark internally. But knowing that Yao Lao probably didn't even know what square dancing was, he said aloud:
"Dressed so flashy... heading for a date with your old flame?"
"Ahem." Yao Lao coughed twice, then replied seriously: "Just meeting an old friend, nothing more."
"What kind of 'old friend' needs perfume to meet?"
"Can we skip this topic, please?" Yao Lao's old face turned red. "How's your alchemy practice lately?" he asked with a forced smile.
"You've been hovering around every day; you seriously don't know?" Xiao Yan shot him a glance.
"Hehe," Yao Lao chuckled, rubbing his hands together. "You're truly an alchemy genius. You can refine top-tier fifth-grade pills without a Heavenly Flame. If you had one, you'd be a sixth-grade alchemist by now."
"Tsk tsk, a fifteen-year-old sixth-grade alchemist. Even in the Yao Clan, such talent hasn't been seen for nearly a millennium. Maybe only the legendary Pill Emperor had this kind of potential."
"My disciple is destined for emperor-level alchemy!"
Yao Lao stroked his beard with pride, grinning like a blooming chrysanthemum.
"I really want to see the day when your alchemy skills leave those Yao Clan juniors in the dust."
"You wish," Xiao Yan sneered. "My mom is the daughter of a Yao Clan elder. Most of their so-called geniuses are my cousins. Oh, and you're part of the Yao Clan too, aren't you? That makes us distant relatives."
"Your mother is from the Yao Clan?" Yao Lao was stunned at first, then a trace of sadness crossed his face.
"Enough about that. I came to tell you—there's only seven days left until the competition. Get ready, it's time to head out."
"It's starting already?" Xiao Yan was momentarily surprised, then turned to Yao Lao and said: "Give me a moment."
He then unfurled his Dou Qi wings and flew back to his quarters.
Half an hour later, when Xiao Yan returned, he nearly blinded Yao Lao.
The youth wore a white robe threaded with golden silk, adorned with elegant ink-painted bamboo. His now-developed, slender figure made the outfit look like it was tailored just for him—perfectly matching in both style and form.
His long hair, once casually draped, was now tied up with a golden dragon crown, with a snow-white jade hairpin tucked in.
As the saying goes, clothes make the man.
With this new look, Xiao Yan's already handsome face now had a stunning edge—like jade in the wind, a young man full of spirit.
A few loose strands of hair casually hung over his forehead, adding to the subtle rebellious aura he carried. His deep black eyes held a maturity far beyond his years—enough to make many young women turn their heads.
"You're even flashier than me," Yao Lao finally muttered after staring in shock.
"We're alike, Master. You lead by example, I just follow the drip," Xiao Yan chuckled, looking every bit like a noble gentleman.
"No time to waste. Since we're both ready, let's move," Yao Lao waved his hand, and a spatial portal appeared before them.
"Let's go…" As his voice faded, Xiao Yan followed him into the portal.
"What's that smell? The fragrance on you is weird. What kind of incense is that?"
"Bleu de Chanel for Men."
"What a strange name."
"Don't worry about the name. It works."
"Fair enough. I'll see if the formula can be improved later."
"If you want the recipe, just ask…"
Their hushed banter echoed through the spatial tunnel.
Holy Pill City, located at the heart of the Pill Region, was grand and imposing—majestic beyond measure.
Without interference from the ancient Seven Clans, Holy Pill City was arguably the most prosperous place on the entire Dou Qi Continent.
Here, experts were as common as clouds, and alchemists as plentiful as raindrops. Naturally, that meant the wealthiest people on the continent were all gathered here.
It was basically Central Plains' CBD!
Apart from the magnificent main city, eight gigantic plazas surrounded Holy Pill City.
At one such plaza outside the city, all kinds of powerful experts and alchemists gathered in droves. Colorful flames often burst into the sky—clearly alchemists were refining pills on the spot.
At that moment, a fluctuation rippled through the air. A silver light circle burst open in the sky, drawing the attention of everyone in the plaza.
Creating a spatial passage was a feat only Dou Venerates could pull off.
Even in a city like this, teeming with powerhouses, a Dou Venerate was considered top-tier.
As the spatial portal stabilized, an elder in flowing green robes stepped out—sage-like and dignified. Behind him followed a white-robed youth, graceful and dashing.
"It's him! Medicine Venerate Yao Chen!" someone shouted, and the crowd grew even noisier.
"Medicine Venerate Yao Chen! Rumor says his alchemy skills surpass even the three giants of the Pill Tower."
"Yeah, some say he's only a step away from becoming a ninth-grade alchemist. With no ninth-grade present, that makes him the best on the continent!"
"If he's showing up here, something big must be brewing!"
"Hey, who's the young man behind him? A new disciple, perhaps?" someone noticed Xiao Yan.
"My god, Medicine Venerate's disciple?! If I became his disciple, I'd basically skyrocket into the heavens. Total ancestral blessing!"
"Blessing? That's not a blessing. That's a straight-up inferno of luck!"
"Wow, that boy is so handsome… and elegant too," many female alchemists had stars in their eyes staring at Xiao Yan.
"If only I had a boyfriend like that!"
"You? Dream on! Did you see the Dou Qi wings on his back? That kid's already manifested his wings! Even if he's just a disciple, his future is limitless. Someone like you? Hah!"
"Excuse me?! Like you're any better, you little seductress!"
"Who are you calling a seductress?!"
"You, you green tea bi—!"
And so, two female alchemists started brawling in the square over Xiao Yan.
(End of Chapter)