Chapter 149: It

Xiao Yan knew that Strange Fires could not coexist with one another; to possess three at once, unless one had the Burnt Decree, one would need fire control power beyond all reason.

Yet Xiao Yan still did not believe that possessing such fire control power, plus three Strange Fires, could elevate the Heavenly Flame Three Mystical Changes to Heavenly Rank Advanced Grade.

According to Xiao Yan's judgment, even the complete Heavenly Flame Three Mystical Changes, at its peak effect, could at most reach Earth Rank Advanced Grade.

"Forget it, no need to overthink—just landing a Secret Technique suited to me is already a windfall; I'll deal with these matters later."

The Heavenly Flame Three Mystical Changes might as well have been tailor-made for Xiao Yan—the cultivation required nothing but immense flame and terrifying fire control power, and Xiao Yan had nothing else remarkable except the Strange Fire and the Burnt Decree's unmatched fire control.

Soon, Xiao Yan mastered the technique's usage.

"Using the strongest Blue Lotus Earth Core Fire to boost my Dou Qi can temporarily elevate me four Stars to Eight-Star Essence Refining; if I use the Fused Strange Fire, it should rival a Dou Spirit's Cultivation Realm."

Xiao Yan's entire body erupted in roaring blue flames, even his eyes turning a shade of blue—the Heavenly Flame Three Mystical Changes didn't merely strengthen his Dou Qi, it pushed the Strange Fire's power to its absolute limit.

Xiao Yan felt a delusion: this Heavenly Flame Three Mystical Changes seemed tailor-made for Strange Fires, a Dou Technique belonging exclusively to them.

The only problem was that during activation, his meridians would tear with agony; once the technique ended, the pain intensified violently—using the Fused Strange Fire made it even worse.

He retracted the Strange Fire, pushed open the door, took a deep breath of fresh air, and moved his body to ease the pain.

"Just a minor test caused this much pain—imagine the full explosion in battle; it'll be unbearable." Even with his body strengthened by the Ten Thousand Beasts Spirit Fire, Xiao Yan still felt the agony—clearly, the side effects of this Secret Technique were extreme.

He hadn't taken two steps when his flickering gaze froze on the two figures slowly approaching: a man and a woman.

The graceful silhouette was naturally Nalan Yanran; the other was a man clad in an Alchemist Long Robe, its badge bearing the mark of a Third-Rank Alchemist.

The man was quite young, tall and straight, no more than a few years past twenty, his handsome face carved like knife edges, exuding a faintly effeminate aura.

Nalan Yanran also spotted Xiao Yan in the distance and halted in place; the atmosphere grew strangely tense.

Xiao Yan rubbed his nose—the woman before him was still, for now, his betrothed, and she was walking with a man of similar age.

And he had just stumbled upon them.

This scene was truly tragic.

Some servants who saw this hurriedly covered their mouths and fled; no need to guess—soon every corner of the Nalan Mansion would buzz with rumors.

"Ahem, I just stepped out for some air—ignore me." Xiao Yan smiled slightly.

Nalan Yanran pointed to the man beside her and said, "This is a friend of mine, Liu Ling—he's also an Alchemist. He came on Elder Gu He's orders to check on Grandfather's condition; Elder Gu He is his master."

Then, with a peculiar expression, Nalan Yanran introduced him: "This is… uh, Xiao Yan."

Liu Ling's smile vanished the moment he heard Xiao Yan's name; his gaze sharpened, and he sized Xiao Yan up. "You're the Xiao Yan?"

Clearly, Liu Ling had already heard of Xiao Yan's name.

Xiao Yan smiled and nodded. "I am Xiao Yan. What can I do for you?"

Liu Ling's smile faded as he stepped closer to Xiao Yan, his eyes now carrying a hint of Battle Intention!

"Hello, I'm Liu Ling," Liu Ling extended his hand toward Xiao Yan.

"Hello, Xiao Yan," Xiao Yan extended his hand and gripped the other's.

To reach Third-Rank Alchemist at such a young age, his talent was undoubtedly exceptional—though of course, that depended on who you compared him to.

"Master Xiao Yan, I never imagined you, at your age, could expel Luo Du from the old master's body—it's truly astonishing. Even my master came and could do nothing. Heh, I assume you possess the legendary Strange Fire?"

No way—there are Alchemists without Strange Fires? I've got four—want me to split one with you?

Of course, Xiao Yan wouldn't say that. He replied calmly, "Just luck—nothing worth mentioning."

Xiao Yan withdrew his hand and bowed slightly. "I'll leave you two to chat—I have matters to attend to."

Saying this, Xiao Yan walked straight toward the Courtyard, gradually vanishing from Nalan Yanran and Liu Ling's sight.

"Yanran, does he really possess a Strange Fire?" Liu Ling stared at the spot where Xiao Yan had disappeared and asked again.

"Yes. And his Alchemy is likely no worse than yours—he crafted a Third-Rank Pill, the Blood-Replenishing Elixir, which even our clan's Alchemists praised endlessly. In Alchemy, he's the only person my age I've ever met who might surpass you—wait, no, he's even younger than you."

Only then did Nalan Yanran recall: Xiao Yan was her age, while Liu Ling was already twenty-four. Realizing this, Xiao Yan's Alchemy talent truly dwarfed all history of the Jia Ma Empire.

Frowning slightly at Nalan Yanran, Liu Ling's fist clenched unconsciously. Though everything she said was true, to Liu Ling it sounded like praise for Xiao Yan.

Moreover, he knew Nalan Yanran and Xiao Yan were betrothed. Though Nalan Yanran had loudly declared her intent to break the engagement while at Yun Lan Sect, the Nan Lan Clan had always opposed it.

So bitter!

If only my grandfather weren't Xiao Lin!

"Will he participate in the Alchemist Convention?" Liu Ling's gaze pierced the direction where Xiao Yan had vanished.

"Grandfather said he'll take the internal assessment." Nalan Yanran brushed a strand of black hair from her forehead.

Hearing this, Liu Ling's eyes burned as he looked at Nalan Yanran. "Yanran, if I defeat him at the Alchemist Convention, I hope you will…"

Before Liu Ling could finish, Nalan Yanran silenced him with a single glance.

"You know I don't wish to discuss such matters now. I won't deny you're outstanding—but you haven't yet met my standard. The man I choose will never be an ordinary person." As she spoke, for some reason, a memory flashed in her mind: three years ago, that man had shattered all her pride with a single punch.

"Even so, I will prove I am stronger than him!" Liu Ling's voice brimmed with confidence, his eyes alight with fervor. As the future leader of Yun Lan Sect, Nalan Yanran's status in the Jia Ma Empire rivaled—even surpassed—that of the imperial princess. With Liu Ling's pride, he needed to conquer such a woman to prove his superiority.

Hearing this, Nalan Yanran merely smiled faintly. She turned and walked toward the Hall, her steps light.

Seeing Liu Ling now, she recalled her own self three years ago—equally confident.

The result? Xiao Yan became her nightmare, an insurmountable mountain—not just hers, but soon, she saw, Liu Ling's nightmare too.

"Perhaps being born in the same era as him is destined to be tragic."

Mooncakes are out!!

Mid-Autumn Festival, extra chapter from Xiao Jia.

Thank you to 【Ling Zimo Id】 for your Mid-Autumn donation—thank you.

Wishing everyone a joyful Mid-Autumn Festival, with the moon full and loved ones together.

(End of Chapter)