Chapter 177: The Alchemist Grand Meeting Begins

"Boom—"

Fama only felt a thunderous roar ring out, his head buzzing.

Immediately, the little old man shook his head and said in a faint voice:

"Could Clan Leader Xiao repeat that? This old man is getting on in years, and my ears aren't very sharp."

To this, Xiao Zhan just laughed: "Guild Master Fama, your constitution is quite robust! You heard correctly."

However, despite saying that, Xiao Zhan still repeated what he had just said.

"This..." Fama said with difficulty, "Clan Leader Xiao, the Alchemist Grand Meeting has its own rules; alchemists over thirty years old cannot register."

"So..." Fama said, "I ask for Clan Leader Xiao's forgiveness!"

"Please rest assured about that, Guild Master Fama." Xiao Zhan was unconcerned, "That Grade 5 Alchemist of my Xiao Clan is naturally under thirty years old."

This statement left Fama quite shocked, and even his almost eternally unchanging squinted eyes opened slightly; Fama would not doubt the existence of a Grade 5 Alchemist in the Xiao Clan.

After all, their strength was there for all to see; recruiting a Grade 5 Alchemist was surely an easy task!

It was just that he had assumed that Grade 5 Alchemist was older and would violate the rules of the Alchemist Grand Meeting.

Furthermore, a Grade 5 Alchemist would be a complete dimension-crushing blow to the young alchemists of the Jia Ma Empire, which would affect the fairness of the competition and even damage the reputation of their Alchemist Guild, hence his refusal.

But he had not expected that the person was actually under thirty years old, which was somewhat hard for Fama, an old man who had spent his whole life struggling at the Grade 5 level, to accept.

He was then somewhat puzzled.

"Since that is the case, Clan Leader Xiao need not have done this; you could have simply let that alchemist compete. Why say you wanted me to make things convenient?"

"It is nothing!" Xiao Zhan waved his hand, "I was just worried that a few big shots of the Jia Ma Empire might accidentally clash with their own kind."

"Oh!"

Fama finally understood; wasn't this just worrying that these old fellows might be blind and harbor ill intentions toward this suddenly appearing Grade 5 Alchemist?

That was why this Clan Leader Xiao had come specifically to remind him.

After all, among the contestants this time, a few little fellows had quite extraordinary identities; if things went wrong, some people might really harbor improper thoughts.

Since it did not violate his principles and could even improve the quality of this Alchemist Grand Meeting, Fama had no objections.

"Please rest assured, Clan Leader Xiao, I will remind those old fellows."

"Then many thanks, Guild Master Fama." Xiao Zhan laughed and cupped his hands.

"It is I who should thank Clan Leader Xiao, for allowing me to see such a talented young alchemist." Fama said with great emotion,

"A Grade 5 Alchemist under thirty—this is an achievement that even Pill King Gu He did not have back then!"

Back then, Gu He was only a Fourth Grade Alchemist at that age, and even then, he was called a rare alchemist genius.

Now, he is a guest elder of the Yunlan Sect and the only Sixth Grade Alchemist in the Jia Ma Empire.

To this, Xiao Zhan just smiled it off; if it weren't to put some pressure on Yan'er, he wouldn't have brought his own alchemist out to show off!

A month passed in a flash.

Xiao Yan pushed open the door of his room, facing the rising morning sun, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Little Yanzi, starting today, you will be making an appearance before the entire Jia Ma Empire; how are you feeling?" Yao Lao's voice rang out in Xiao Yan's mind.

"Teacher, just watch!" Xiao Yan said full of confidence.

"Good lad, being a Grade 4 Intermediate Alchemist makes you quite confident, eh!" Yao Lao said with a chuckle.

Yao Lao was clearly quite satisfied with the speed at which Xiao Yan had been able to break through to Grade 4 Intermediate and even approach the peak in just one month.

"Then let the people of the Jia Ma Empire see just how outstanding my, Yao Chen's, disciple is."

"So, the Alchemist Grand Meeting starts today, right?" Xiao Zhan was also quite attentive to this matter.

"Yes, the Third Young Master is using the alias Yan Xiao, a Second Grade Alchemist." A figure appeared from the shadows.

"A Second Grade Alchemist?" Xiao Zhan smiled, "This kid really likes to play the pig to eat the tiger!"

"Does the Clan Leader need to go see the Third Young Master?"

"No need!" Xiao Zhan waved his hand, saying nonchalantly, "If Yan'er cannot even pass the first two rounds, it can only mean he is still too green."

Changing the subject, "How is that kid Wu Yue doing?"

Xiao Wu Yue, the Grade 5 Primary Alchemist sent out by the Xiao Clan this time, had finally snatched this spot by relying on his age advantage after a fierce struggle, and had also changed his name to come and participate in this Alchemist Grand Meeting.

He was prepared to snipe his own Third Young Master.

"Wu Yue is using the alias Qiu Shan, at the Third Grade Alchemist level, and has already come to participate."

"Mm." Xiao Zhan nodded, a malicious smile appearing on his face; this Alchemist Grand Meeting should have some fun in it!

"It seems Clan Leader Xiao has happy events approaching!" Just then, a voice filled with laughter rang out beside Xiao Zhan's ear.

Xiao Zhan frowned, but then relaxed again, "Young Friend Xiao Wu, having traveled to the surrounding countries, have you had any insights?"

"It's alright!" Xiao Wu thought for a moment, "Apart from the strength being completely different from the Central Plains, other places are basically the same."

Every place on the continent is the same circle. In the Central Plains, Dou Sheng experts live in seclusion, Dou Zun experts hold down a region, and Dou Zong and below fight endlessly.

And in the many empires of the Northwest Continent, apart from the strongest Tian Snake Empire, a Dou Zong expert can be a pillar of the community, a Dou Huang can dominate a region, and those below the Dou Wang level kill without end.

Then he added, "However, my Junior Sister is very interested in those Poison Masters of the Chu Yun Empire."

The Poison Masters of the Chu Yun Empire, who cultivate Poison Dou Qi, have combat power clearly a cut above experts of the same level in other empires.

"Oh?" Xiao Zhan became interested, "I wonder if you two have any interest in the Chu Yun Empire?" If the other party wanted to control the Chu Yun Empire, he would be very willing; after all, one shouldn't let fertile water flow into outsiders' fields!

However, as Xiao Zhan expected, Xiao Wu refused, "Forget it, the cultivation methods of that group of Poison Masters are all problematic; they are all short-lived ghosts, it's boring."

"Moreover, I just heard that a young master of the Xiao Clan is also participating in this Alchemist Grand Meeting!"

Xiao Wu said with a smile, "We were also quite interested in that little brother Yan Xiao at first. However, since he is a member of the Xiao Clan, I won't meddle in other people's business."

"Oh? The two of you have already had contact with Yan'er?" Xiao Zhan said in surprise.

"That's right!" Xiao Wu nodded and said, "After all, he is an Alchemist who possesses an Exotic Fire; he is worth cultivating."

However, regarding Xiao Wu's words, Xiao Zhan laughed and said: "I wonder if the two of you know that the Venerable is right there on Yan'er's person."

"This..." Xiao Wu's mouth twitched, "This one truly was not aware." When it came to probing Soul Bodies, Xiao Wu was not skilled.

Back then, he only knew that the Venerable was on someone from the Xiao Clan; who could have imagined it was that Yan Xiao!

"Does the young friend not wish to go over and take a look?"

"Of course I do!" Xiao Wu's words were firm.

"This time, this one only came to greet Clan Leader Xiao. Since the purpose has been fulfilled, then this one will not disturb you any further."

"Farewell!"

Watching the spot where Xiao Wu disappeared, Xiao Zhan revealed a look of melancholy for a moment, "Yan'er, the road ahead will not be easy to walk!"