Chapter 146: Mysterious Black Shard

In Xiao Yan's enhanced Soul Force Perception, he spotted a suspicious yet familiar figure.

If Xiao Yan's Soul Force hadn't risen another level, he would never have detected the figure's location or its concealment.

Xiao Yan sighed, quietly opened the window, unfurled EagleWings, wrapped himself in Soul Force to avoid detection, and silently flew into the air.

At that moment, in a guesthouse one kilometer away, a mysterious figure in a black robe was observing Xiao Yan from afar.

The figure was entirely shrouded in a pitch-black robe; he slightly lifted his head, and the moonlight revealed a weathered, dark face.

This man was Ling Ying, sent by Xun Er to "protect" Xiao Yan.

"How did this kid's Soul Force cultivation rise so fast?"

"Sigh, to spy on a little big-dou cultivator, I have to hide this far just to avoid being noticed—I must really be getting old." Ling Ying gazed from afar, even daring not to approach and eavesdrop on Xiao Yan's conversation.

"Ling Lao is still vigorous—how could you call yourself old?"

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Suddenly, a voice came from above the guesthouse; Ling Ying's scalp went numb—he recognized that voice!

"H-how is this possible!! I didn't detect him at all!!" Ling Ying was stunned! He had been watching Xiao Yan; though he couldn't get too close, his Dou Huang Peak cultivation allowed him to sense far distances.

Yet even from this distance, not only had Xiao Yan spotted him, but someone had silently approached him—he hadn't sensed a thing on the guesthouse roof!

Xiao Yan's voice, laced with Soul Force, drifted softly: "Ling Lao, would you mind coming up for a chat?"

Ling Ying felt a pang of injustice, having flown all the way from Jia Nan Academy to Jia Ma Sheng Cheng—even as a Peak Dou Huang, it took him two days.

He'd only been watching Xiao Yan for less than two days, and already he was discovered! How unfair!

He didn't even know how to return and explain to Xun Er.

Ling Ying gritted his teeth and turned into a shadow, appearing on the guesthouse roof—where the black-eyed, black-haired boy waited with a smile.

Seeing that smiling expression, Ling Ying's skin crawled; he hurriedly said: "Young Master Yan, this was my own idea—unrelated to the Miss."

Xiao Yan chuckled: "Ling Lao, you're terrible at lying—I haven't said a word, yet you just self-detonated."

Clearly, a Dou Huang powerhouse like Ling Ying had probably never lied even a few times in his life.

"Ling Lao, don't be tense—I didn't come to accuse you. Xun Er worrying about my safety makes me happy. Though I dislike being watched, if it eases her mind, you may follow me until I finish my duel with Nalan Yanran."

"After the duel, you may return first to report safety, and deliver a letter to Xun Er for me. After the duel, once I've settled my family, I'll return to Jia Nan Academy soon and advance with her into the Inner Court—so she won't have to worry about me." Xiao Yan smiled softly.

Ling Ying wore a bitter smile—he was a Peak Dou Huang, the strongest Dou Huang of the Gu Clan! You want me to be a messenger pigeon?!

Nodding, Ling Ying helplessly said: "I understand, Young Master Yan. Your Soul Force is truly formidable—I was detected even from this distance."

After asking a few questions about Xun Er's recent condition, Xiao Yan returned to his room and informed Ling Ying he would visit the Alchemist Guild the next day.

Back in his room, Xiao Yan's expression turned grave: "Good thing my Soul Force level rose—if Ling Ying had discovered I was searching for the Soul Sovereign, it might have drawn unnecessary trouble."

Back in Wutan City, Hun Xu Zi came searching for something—and he always deliberately avoided Xun Er, precisely because of her family's power.

According to Xiao Yan's deduction, Hun Xu Zi's Soul Sovereign and Xun Er's clan likely had a competitive relationship, both vying for the same thing.

"I'll search for the Soul Sovereign after I finish my duel with Nalan Yanran."

Xiao Yan deliberately told Ling Ying he'd return after the duel, to get him to leave first. If he'd simply driven Ling Ying away, suspicion might have arisen.

Early the next morning, Xiao Yan left his room—he had to at least put on a show for Ling Ying.

"Little Yan, going out so early?" Nalan Jie, bare-chested, was sweating as he trained in the courtyard.

After several days of recuperation, Nalan Jie's body had improved greatly—he now had some muscle, no longer the emaciated figure he once was.

Xiao Yan nodded: "Yes, I want to refine an Elixir, but some Medicinal Materials are hard to find, so today I'll visit the Alchemist Guild headquarters to see what's available—and maybe pick up something useful."

Nalan Jie wiped his sweat: "Good. By the way, I've arranged with the Alchemist Guild—a private test is coming in a few days. If you're interested in joining the Alchemist Convention, just take the internal test; pass it, and you'll enter the Elimination Tournament directly."

"I understand."

Leaving the Nalan Mansion, at the intersection of several streets in Jia Ma Sheng Cheng, a massive building stood, perpetually wreathed in faint Pill Fragrance mist.

The five ancient, elegant characters "Alchemist Guild" glowed with pale silver light, drawing reverent glances from passersby.

As the Alchemist Guild headquarters of the Jia Ma Empire, even the Emperor of the Imperial Family would show deference here. After all, the residents within could generate energy sufficient to shake the entire empire—they were the most esteemed profession on the Dou Qi Continent.

Alchemists, rarely seen on ordinary days, were everywhere here; their robes of varying colors proudly declared their Rank.

Xiao Yan even spotted several Fourth-Rank Alchemists accompanied by apprentices—but each of these Fourth-Rank Alchemists was an elderly man with white hair.

Fortunately, the Alchemist Guild wasn't just a gathering place for Alchemists—it was also a marketplace, so ordinary people could enter to buy Pills.

Stepping through the Alchemist Guild's gate, a rich Pill Fragrance hit him, making him involuntarily inhale deeply, his spirit refreshed.

Thud!!

The instant Xiao Yan stepped into the Alchemist Guild, his heart leapt violently—a deep, inner pulsation surged through him.

"What is this feeling?!"

"Soul Token? No, this isn't a Soul Token."

A strange heartbeat pulsed through Xiao Yan's entire body—he felt this unique sensation for the first time in his life!

Following the sensation's pull, Xiao Yan walked to a secluded corner, where a gaunt, shabby-looking man was selling his wares.

Among scattered, worthless Medicinal Materials, Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed—fixing on a dull, broken black shard resting at the edge of the Stone Platform.

(End of Chapter)