Chapter 102: Two and a Half Years of Practice: Na Lan Yanran

"Hai Lao is indeed impressive; kid, I admire you," Xiao Li said, bowing and smiling faintly.

Hai Bo Dong waved helplessly, "Kid, stop pretending. I'm on par with the Five‑Star Fighting King; it's I, this old man, who should be admiring you."

Xiao Li smiled, said little else, and simply returned to the Xiao family together with Hai Bo Dong.

Watching Xiao Li's relaxed face, Hai Bo Dong silently brushed his damp back and thought, "Good kid, seems you held back. If you kept fighting, I'd be the one to lose; you're truly a monster."

…the Na Lan family

Na Lan Yanran hesitated as she stared at the Na Lan family's gate, seemingly torn about whether to enter.

At the doorway, Na Lan Jie appeared, gave Na Lan Yanran a brief glance, then turned his head and silently walked toward the inner courtyard.

Seeing this, Na Lan Yanran's expression added a hint of loneliness; just as she was about to turn and leave, a voice from within the Na Lan family rang out.

"Since you've returned, why don't you go inside? Do you also think what happened back then was your fault?"

Hearing that, a resentful look flashed in Na Lan Yanran's eyes; she snorted coldly and stepped into the house.

"I did nothing wrong. On the Dou Qi Continent, the strong rule; why should I, a Fighting Emperor personally transmitted, be sent to a small place like Wutan City to spend my life with an ordinary person? It would be better to kill me!"

Na Lan Jie's palm trembled with anger as he glared at Na Lan Yanran, who met his gaze without fear.

"Scoundrel! Without the Xiao family, you wouldn't have the good life you enjoy now."

Na Lan Jie angrily slammed the book from his hand and swept his sleeve as he left.

Na Lan Yanran was not to be outdone; although she had refused to return home for two and a half years to avoid such scenes, that didn't mean she was timid or insecure.

Na Lan Su helplessly watched this familiar scene; over the past two years he had seen it many times—grandfather and grandson always parting on bad terms. He wanted to intervene, but no one listened to him.

"Yanran, stay at home for a few days."

"No need, I still have to go to the Alchemist Guild."

Having said that, she gave Na Lan Su no chance to persuade her; Na Lan Yanran turned and left, determined to prove to Na Lan Jie that she alone was enough—Xiao Yan the prodigy? The Xiao family's revival?

Hmph, or perhaps the gratitude from back then?

Na Lan Yanran felt indifferent; she couldn't understand Na Lan Jie's feelings and only intended to compensate the Xiao family later.

Alchemist Guild

Gu He, accompanied by Liu Ling, was examining medicinal herb texts; when Na Lan Yanran arrived, a smile appeared on Gu He's normally placid face.

"Ah, Yanran, how's your teacher lately?"

As a suitor of Yun Yun, Gu He naturally loved everything about her, and was also quite enthusiastic toward Na Lan Yanran.

Seeing Gu He also here, Na Lan Yanran dared not be sluggish.

"Junior Na Lan Yanran has met senior Gu He; to answer senior, the teacher is fine these days."

"Oh, that's good. Yanran, you came here, presumably not to attain Alchemist rank, right?"

Gu He opened with a smile, his words carrying a hint of elder's gentleness; beside him, Liu Ling was fuming inwardly, wanting to speak with Na Lan Yanran, but the master kept talking, so he couldn't interject.

"Senior, you're joking. My attributes can't become an Alchemist; I'm here to request a pill."

Seeing Na Lan Yanran asking for medicine, Liu Ling immediately seized the chance. Who is he? He's a direct disciple of the Jama Empire's Dan King; just go to him for pill crafting.

"Yanran, what medicine do you need? Maybe I can help."

Liu Ling smiled as he spoke; Na Lan Yanran frowned, disliking his address, but with Gu He nearby she didn't correct him.

"It's the Three‑Pattern Azure Spirit Pill."

Liu Ling was speechless; this pill could probably only be forged by a fifth‑grade Alchemist, and his current strength was far from that.

Of course, Na Lan Yanran didn't count on him; she had originally come to see Guildmaster Fama.

Gu He smiled; he suddenly thought that although Yun Yun usually refused his gifts, delivering something to her disciple would be acceptable. Then Yun Yun would have to accept his goodwill, and she could return the favor, increasing their interactions.

However, the Three‑Pattern Azure Spirit Pill is extremely hard to forge due to its special restrictions; Gu He had no means to produce it.

"Yanran, you're here to request Guildmaster Fama, right?"

Na Lan Yanran bowed, "Exactly, I wish for Guildmaster Fama to lend a hand in the forging."

Na Lan Yanran knew Gu He's alchemy was the strongest in the Jama Empire, but she also understood his feelings toward her teacher, so she dared not rashly ask him.

"In that case, don't go. As far as I know, no one in the Jama Empire can forge this pill, not even me," Gu He said lightly.

Seeing Na Lan Yanran's disappointed expression, Gu He promptly added, "However, there is a pill called the Purple Heart Barrier‑Breaking Pill that suits you well."

Purple Heart Barrier‑Breaking Pill: a fourth‑tier pinnacle elixir, similar to the Three‑Pattern Azure Spirit Pill. It belongs to the category of pills that can directly boost one's strength, but its effect works only at the Great Dou Master level; for those at that rank, consuming the Purple Heart Barrier‑Breaking Pill can raise their power by one star. Most importantly, a person at the same rank can consecutively take two of these pills without generating excessive resistance.

"I see you're just breaking through now; using the Three‑Pattern Azure Spirit Pill rashly could backfire. Better wait until you reach Great Dou Master and use the more stable Purple Heart Barrier‑Breaking Pill."

Gu He, truly a strong cultivator with high Dou Qi attainment, instantly discerned Na Lan Yanran's condition; her foundation and spirit were unstable due to her haste in training.

Seeing the professional alchemist's advice, Na Lan Yanran naturally believed it, and since the alchemist had even named the pill, she felt embarrassed to ask anyone else.

"Then, senior Gu He, may I ask…"

"Hehe, rest assured. In a month, I'll have Liu Ling deliver the pill to you."

Gu He smiled faintly, glanced at the disciple beside him; he understood the pupil's intentions and was happy to conveniently create a small opportunity for him.

"Then thank you, senior. I will certainly pay the full reward," Na Lan Yanran bowed.

Gu He shook his head, "I am also an honorary elder of the Cloud Storm Sect; nurturing you, the sect leader's direct disciple, is only natural. No need for excessive politeness."

A few words blocked Na Lan Yanran's further speech; Gu He silently changed the subject, and Na Lan Yanran soon took her leave.

"Master, truly impressive!"

Liu Ling's eyes sparkled, full of admiration for Gu He.

Gu He laughed, "I only said a few words; what's so impressive? Is it the ability to connect you that's impressive?"

Liu Ling scratched his head shyly, "Hehe, no, it's that your alchemy is superb; you can craft fourth‑tier pinnacle elixirs with ease."

"Alright, alright, I still don't know your little thoughts. Study well; you can do it too someday."

(End of Chapter)