Chapter 24

"Yan'er, you… when did you learn spirit refining?!" Xiao Zhan was growing increasingly unable to understand his own son.

He had always known Xiao Yan was a genius, but that genius referred mostly to his Dou Qi cultivation—yet today, he discovered his son was also an Alchemist?!!

Xiao Yu stared wide-eyed at Xiao Yan; there were Alchemists in Jia Nan Academy, and she had once tried seeking Elixirs from them. In Jia Nan Academy, Alchemists were exceedingly rare, each arrogant and haughty.

She never imagined Xiao Yan was an Alchemist—and his skilled movements proved he had not become one in just a day or two.

Xiao Yan rubbed his nose, speaking with a hint of apology: "Father, I'm sorry I never told you. I wanted to become more proficient before revealing it."

Xiao Zhan patted Xiao Yan's head and laughed: "Foolish child, how could I ever blame you?"

The entire auction naturally collapsed due to Xiao Yan's public spirit refining; no one had any interest left in bidding for the remaining items, for all factions in Wutan City understood that the city's power structure was about to shift—and they must prepare.

They must sever ties with the Gale Clan and the Oba Clan immediately.

Liu Xi, watching the ashen-faced Gale Bi and Oba Pa, quietly slipped out of the Pai Mai Chang.

Even if he were stupid, he understood these two families were finished. He was merely a lowly One Grade Alchemist—he wouldn't waste his time refining Elixirs for them for free. Since they had no value left, there was no reason for him to stay.

"Pity… I didn't get that woman."

Xiao Yan's Soul Force was strong; he sensed Liu Xi had secretly left and ordered: "Senior Elder, Second Elder, please lie in ambush at the city gate and bring me Liu Xi's head."

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Xiao Ning and the other young disciples swallowed hard—Xiao Yan's tone brimmed with lethal intent. Many knew Liu Xi had insulted Xun Er that day; they assumed Xiao Yan had merely driven him off, never expecting him to hold such a grudge!

After weighing the risks, the Senior Elder and Second Elder solemnly nodded. Though killing a disciple of a Four Grade Alchemist carried great danger, after careful thought, Xiao Yan might one day become a Four Grade Alchemist himself—and since they had already angered Liu Xi, reconciliation was unnecessary.

"Father, you go back first. I'll pay for the Alchemy Furnace and return soon. The rest is up to you and the Elders." Xiao Yan, seeing the auction was over, smiled and walked toward the VIP room.

In the VIP room, Xiao Yan sat on the sofa and idly picked up a fruit from the table, biting into it. Crack—Yi Fei and Master Gu Ni walked over and sat across from him.

"You little Xiao Yan, is this how you treat your sister? You ruined my auction!" Yi Fei feigned anger, yet her eyes held a flirtatious, coquettish glint.

Xiao Yan spread his hands helplessly: "Master Gu Ni himself demonstrated spirit refining publicly—I never imagined it would turn out like this."

Beside them, Master Gu Ni grimaced. My spirit refining and yours are worlds apart in meaning.

Yi Fei asked: "Little Xiao Yan, I won't beat around the bush. According to the appraisal, the Blood-Consolidating Powder you just refined achieved the effect of a high-grade One Grade Pill—better than Liu Xi's Reviving Powder. Your technique is highly proficient; you're at least a Senior One Grade Pill Alchemist, possibly even at the peak of One Grade, ready to advance to Two-Rank."

"Have you considered joining our Miter Auction House? I mean, the headquarters. We'll provide you with the best instruction and supply medicinal materials for your practice."

Yi Fei immediately extended an olive branch, inviting Xiao Yan to join the Miter Auction House.

Xiao Yan's talent had stunned Yi Fei; she was now ninety percent certain the three bottles of Foundation Building Spirit Liquid were his own creation.

A One Grade Alchemist can sometimes refine a Two-Rank Pill. When an Alchemist reaches the peak, advancing naturally means refining higher-grade Elixirs.

But becoming a Two-Rank Alchemist isn't determined by whether you can produce a Two-Rank Pill—it depends on success rate, and you must pass the Alchemist Guild's examination.

Xiao Yan set down the fruit and shook his head with a smile: "No, Sister Yi Fei. I have no intention of joining the Miter Clan. Thank you for your kindness."

Though Yi Fei could offer even better terms—high-grade Pill Formulas, one-on-one instruction from senior Alchemists—she knew Xiao Yan had likely received an Alchemist's legacy or was mentored by a powerful master.

Otherwise, without a Pill Formula, no matter how talented, he could never have refined Foundation Building Spirit Liquid—even if by pure luck.

Yi Fei pulled out a Storage Ring and tossed it to Xiao Yan: "I'm about to end my training and return to Wang Du. This Alchemy Furnace and the medicinal materials inside are my gift to you. When you become great, don't forget to visit your sister in Wang Du."

Xiao Yan took the warm Storage Ring and nodded: "How could I forget? Sister Yi Fei's beauty makes fish sink and geese fall, the moon hide and flowers blush—I couldn't forget even if I tried."

"Smooth talker."

Watching Xiao Yan's retreating figure, Yi Fei rested her jade hand on her chin and murmured: "He's only fifteen."

Master Gu Ni cleared his throat twice: "Miss, I don't think age is an issue."

Yi Fei's face flushed crimson; she remembered her own words from months ago and blushed: "What are you thinking?! I'm nearly ten years older than him! He's just a kid!"

"A woman three years older brings golden bricks."

The rest became simple: the combined market of the Gale Clan and Oba Clan shut down that same day, as countless shopkeepers abandoned their deposits, closed their stores, and rushed to the Xiao Clan's market, begging to rent stalls.

As a result, rent for Xiao Clan's market stalls skyrocketed—tripling in price—and still, no space remained available.

Meanwhile, the Gale and Oba Clans were busy only with one thing: canceling contracts with major medicinal suppliers and the Miter Auction House. The outcome was predictable—the major suppliers united and filed complaints at the City Lord's mansion; if the Gale and Oba Clans breached the contracts, they would pay massive compensation and forfeit all pledged assets as stipulated.

Since neither family had enough Gold Coins, they had pledged their properties as collateral. In the end, the Xiao Clan, without firing a single soldier, acquired over half of both families' assets at a shockingly low price from the major suppliers and Yi Fei.

From then on, Wutan City became dominated solely by the Xiao Clan.

Liu Xi was eventually killed by the Senior Elder and Second Elder; his corpse was brought back to the Xiao Clan and burned to ashes by Xiao Yan.

Three days later, in a stone cave, Xiao Yan continuously absorbed the heat released by the Bone Spirit Cold Fire and finally reached Seven-Star Dou Zhe.

Xiao Yan stared at the floating Bone Spirit Cold Fire—not with joy over his breakthrough, but with a troubled expression.

"My cultivation speed has slowed."

After reaching Seven-Star, Xiao Yan clearly felt his cultivation pace decelerate. He could now approach the Bone Spirit Cold Fire very closely, but its heat output was limited. At Seven-Star, his energy demands had increased dramatically, causing his advancement to slow.

The only way to accelerate cultivation was through Elixirs—but Xiao Yan lacked high-grade Elixirs to support him. After all, Wutan City was a remote town; the highest-ranked Alchemist was himself.

"Heavenly Flame… if I want to advance my cultivation, the best method isn't consuming Elixirs—it's absorbing a Heavenly Flame."

Xiao Yan pulled out an ancient text; on its cover were three bold characters: Heavenly Flame Ranking!

This ancient text meticulously recorded all twenty-three Heavenly Flames on the Dou Qi Continent.

The Bone Spirit Cold Fire was precisely in the middle—ranked eleventh.