Chapter 136: One More Glance and I'll Explode
"Yuan'er, Yan'er!"
Even in the dim light, Xiao Zhan instantly recognized the two figures leaping down from the city wall. Elated, he dismounted mid-gallop and, with a flash of Dou Qi, landed before the three of them in a blink.
He wore a satisfied smile as his gaze subtly appraised Xiao Yuan. "Ya Fei is here too, I see."
"Hehe, greetings Uncle Xiao," Ya Fei said with a sweet smile, slightly bowing in respect.
"You must be tired, Father!"
Xiao Yuan stepped forward, voice full of concern.
"Just the usual travel fatigue. Seeing you both well and thriving—I couldn't feel tired even if I tried!"
Xiao Zhan waved his hand with a beaming smile.
While his sons had been cultivating outside, he too hadn't been idle. He had now reached the strength of an eight-star Da Dou Shi. If not for Wu Tan City's lack of resources, he might already be at the peak of Da Dou Shi.
An eight-star Da Dou Shi was a solid core-level figure even among the capital's three great families.
And with that strength, traveling on horseback wasn't especially tiring, even if he looked a bit road-worn.
"A while ago, Third Brother kept it a secret, wouldn't tell me who we were meeting. But I figured it out. He said earlier that he wanted to invite Father here to discuss the engagement with the Mittel family. You're the only person the three of us would come out together to welcome."
Xiao Yan grinned as he spoke.
"Third and Fourth Young Masters have improved greatly!"
At that moment, the Xiao Clan escort arrived. Leading them was the second elder of the clan.
As soon as he landed, his eyes swept over Xiao Yuan and Xiao Yan. He couldn't gauge Xiao Yuan's strength at all. Xiao Yan's aura was also powerful—easily one of the top experts within the family.
"Second Elder, still strong as ever!"
Xiao Yuan smiled. He could tell the elder's Dou Qi level was slightly higher than his own.
When he'd left, the second elder had been a three-star Da Dou Shi. Given his age and limited potential, slow progress was expected.
"Can't compare to you youngsters anymore," the elder sighed, casting a sideways glance at Ya Fei. He couldn't help but feel a pang of helplessness.
Though his granddaughter Xiao Mei was of a similarly charming type, she clearly couldn't compare to Ya Fei's fully matured beauty and grace.
He'd been thoroughly outclassed.
Who would've thought those two "cripples" from three years ago would now have advanced so monstrously in cultivation?
Xiao Zhan had truly raised two incredible sons!
"Let's not stand around here. We'll talk at the estate."
Xiao Yuan smiled and led the way back into the city.
Mu Zhan wasn't there, but it seemed he had given prior instructions. The gate guards let them through without questioning.
Walking through the broad and bustling streets of the capital, many of the clan elders felt a wave of emotion.
Many of those accompanying Xiao Zhan were veterans of the Xiao Clan, who had experienced the family's departure from the capital years ago. Now, returning home stirred powerful memories.
"It's been years since I last came to the capital. It's changed so much I can barely recognize it."
"Yeah, who'd have thought we'd be back so soon—and in such a position of strength!"
By the time they reached the Xiao estate, it was already midnight.
Without unnecessary small talk, Xiao Yuan handed over management of the mansion to the elders and left Yao Lao with Xiao Yan. Then, taking Ya Fei's hand, he headed straight to bed.
Xiao Yan, who had intended to meditate and recover for the finals the next day, was suddenly summoned away by someone Fa Ma had sent.
When he returned, it was nearly 3 a.m.
But despite not sleeping, Xiao Yan had spent the entire night studying the Three-Lined Green Spirit Pill under Yao Lao's guidance, absorbing every detail of the recipe.
Of course, understanding theory and actual practice were two different things.
The next day, as a refreshed Xiao Yuan stepped out of the room with Ya Fei in tow, he saw Xiao Yan—his eyes glowing with insight and determination.
With a master like Yao Lao guiding him, Xiao Yan now had strong confidence in refining the pill.
That morning, the royal plaza was packed with people. Word of the intense alchemy duels had spread, drawing an even bigger crowd than before. Though it was still early, the streets were already filled with excited spectators.
As the first ray of sunlight pierced through the clouds and illuminated the ancient city, the royal plaza's gates slowly opened. The crowd outside surged in like a tidal wave.
When Xiao Yan and Hai Bodong arrived and saw the endless line at the gate, they were stunned. Then they could only laugh wryly—today's turnout was clearly even crazier than yesterday's.
Xiao Yuan and the others used the designated passage to reach the VIP seats.
As their father, Xiao Zhan naturally had a place in the front row. He would witness the entire event today.
Thanks to the Mittel Clan's help, the second elder and others also entered the VIP section, though their seats weren't as prominent.
Yao Lao remained with Xiao Yuan and requested a large portion of Heavenly Flame from him.
There was still time before the finals began.
Xiao Yan, not wanting to waste energy mingling with contestants, chose to wait in the VIP seats with his family.
To refine the Three-Lined Green Spirit Pill, he would need three types of flames. He had one. The other two, he would have to borrow from Yao Lao.
If successful, a pill made with three Heavenly Flames would surely be more potent. But it also raised the difficulty level.
Xiao Yan, however, had confidence.
Whether it was due to the compatibility of his Flame Mantra technique, or his natural affinity with fire, neither Yao Lao's Bone-Chilling Flame nor his own Yin-Yang flame resisted him much.
With three sets of ingredients prepared by the Guild, Xiao Yan was determined to win. He had to win!
The waiting didn't last long. As the match was about to begin, Xiao Yuan flipped his hand and produced two rings—one cold and white, the other black and white.
He handed them to Xiao Yan with a smile. "Go get 'em. I believe in you."
"Do your best, Yan'er!" Xiao Zhan beamed with pride.
"Good luck, Brother Xiao Yan!" Ya Fei smiled softly.
"Do your best. Just give it your all."
Yao Lao's voice echoed in Xiao Yan's mind.
"Mhm. I'm going!"
Xiao Yan nodded firmly, then leapt into the arena.
His striking entrance drew everyone's eyes.
"Hey, look—it's that kid who did the best yesterday. He's so young…"
"I heard his name is Xiao Yan, right? Doesn't even look twenty. So envious."
"They say he's the only one who can rival that gray-robed youth from the Chu Yun Empire. If he hadn't acted yesterday, the top score might've gone to that outsider."
"Today's the real battle. I hope he beats that guy. Otherwise, it'd be pretty humiliating for our Alchemist Guild."
"Yeah…"
"You think he'll be okay?"
Hai Bodong rubbed his chin.
"Relax. The champion will definitely be Xiao Yan," Xiao Yuan replied with a confident smile.
After Fa Ma finished explaining the rules, the final round began.
This time, no assistance would be given. Contestants had to bring their own pills and ingredients and successfully refine a pill within their ability. The winner would be determined by the pill's tier and practical value.
The sudden change caught many off guard.
Watching from the stands, Xiao Yuan wasn't too nervous.
A qualified alchemist always carried herbs and recipes in their ring. This round wasn't just about skill—but also foundation, adaptability, and foresight.
No one in the arena acted immediately. After a long silence, Liu Ling and the little princess were the first to move.
Their cauldrons—one blue, one red—were both fifth-tier. Xiao Yan, meanwhile, pulled out a simple second-tier dark red cauldron. It looked quite humble in comparison.
He did own better cauldrons—like Yao Lao's Black Demon Cauldron—but using that would cause a huge scene. If word got out, even Gu He would come running to steal it.
Xiao Yuan couldn't help but smirk. He knew a second-tier cauldron couldn't handle the intensity of three Heavenly Flames. Hopefully, Fa Ma had arranged something more durable.
Still, Yao Lao had always said the cauldron was just a tool. The true core of alchemy lay in the alchemist's skill. True masters could form a cauldron in their palm and refine pills freely.
Yet when Xiao Yan pulled out that humble cauldron, many spectators looked confused.
They'd expected him to unveil his best gear—but this?
The other contestants summoned their signature flames: blue, brown, black. All drew attention.
But none could compare to Xiao Yan's fire.
He smiled, raised his hand, and flicked his fingers. A flowing emerald flame roared into existence. The temperature across the plaza surged instantly. The other contestants' flames instantly weakened.
Where the Heavenly Flame appears, all fire bows in submission.
Watching this, Xiao Yuan smiled too.
In a way, Xiao Yan was already on the path to becoming the emperor of flame.
As for himself, Xiao Yuan looked forward to the future.
If he could fully cultivate the technique in his mind, his Dou Qi would naturally rotate among five core attributes, freely shifting into any elemental type.
If Xiao Yan was the Flame Emperor, then he would be the Dou Qi Emperor.
While his thoughts raced, the contestants had already begun refining.
Ingredient refinement took time. Though Xiao Zhan didn't understand alchemy, even he could tell Xiao Yan was moving faster than anyone else—his joy was evident.
Xiao Yan's refining went smoothly. Though it was his first time with this pill, Yao Lao's guidance had prepared him. He moved with growing confidence and precision.
As he transitioned to merging the ingredients, others followed suit. Failures began cropping up across the arena.
Though he had faith, Xiao Yuan couldn't help feeling tense. Anything could go wrong—a furnace might explode, or luck might turn.
Time flew by. Half an hour later, Xiao Yuan's expression sharpened.
From Xiao Yan's cauldron, a faint medicinal fragrance began to waft out.
"Looks like it's going well. That pill's almost done."
Fa Ma also nodded in agreement.
But a mere single-lined Green Spirit Pill wouldn't win the championship.
After some hesitation, Xiao Yan decided to activate the flame ring to refine a second line.
Just then, a faint crackling sound snapped through the air.
Xiao Yan's face darkened. He turned his head slowly—his eyes narrowing to pinpoints.
A tiny fracture had appeared on the surface of his humble, dark red cauldron.
(END CHAPTER)
Get 30% off on my Patreon and enjoy early access to new chapters.
You can also purchase the next 100 chapters of the novel directly from my Patreon page.
Hurry up! The promotion ends on January 2, 2026.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Albino1
Happy New Year, friends! I hope you have a great time.