"Alright, pack your things. Tomorrow we leave this place and embark on a new journey."
"We're leaving so soon?" Little Fairy Doctor asked, a hint of reluctance in her voice.
"We're leaving together, not separating. If we have time, we can always come back," Xiao Zhitian reassured her gently.
"Okay, okay. I'll go pack my things then."
"Go ahead," Xiao Zhitian said, patting her bottom lightly.
"Oh, you big pervert!" Little Fairy Doctor's face flushed as she covered her backside, playfully scolding him. She then walked into the makeshift hut to pack, picking up her basket and heading out to gather herbs.
Xiao Zhitian leaned back on the stone, humming an unknown tune leisurely, watching her quietly as she worked.
Night fell.
After a simple meal, the two sat by the bonfire, quietly gazing at the enchanting night sky. As the moonlight dimmed and sleepiness overcame them, they leaned against each other and fell asleep.
Morning sunlight streamed down, gently waking them.
They quickly washed up, refreshed.
"Where are we headed?" Little Fairy Doctor asked, glancing at Xiao Zhitian.
"Our next stop is Blackrock City. I need to take the Alchemist Guild's rank assessment. With an Alchemist identity, many things become easier, and I can collect medicinal ingredients faster," Xiao Zhitian explained after a moment of thought.
Hearing this, Little Fairy Doctor summoned Xiao Lan with her bamboo whistle. The giant blue eagle quickly descended, landing precisely in front of them.
Xiao Zhitian embraced Little Fairy Doctor and leapt onto the eagle's back. Once seated, the blue giant eagle soared slowly upward. Little Fairy Doctor pressed herself against him, gazing at the shrinking valley below. "Goodbye," she whispered softly.
After leaving the valley and guiding Xiao Lan, the two occasionally allowed the eagle to rest. By the morning of the second day, the massive outline of a city appeared. In a secluded forest, the eagle descended slowly.
They dismounted. Little Fairy Doctor stroked Xiao Lan, preparing to release her.
"This is a Shape-Shifting Pill. Give her one, and she can shrink to stay by your side. One pill lasts a month if uninterrupted. There are ten pills," Xiao Zhitian said, holding a jade bottle.
Little Fairy Doctor accepted it joyfully. She had worried about leaving Xiao Lan in a city full of powerful people.
She poured a pill into the eagle's mouth. A flash of light transformed the giant blue eagle into a small blue bird, the size of a pigeon.
Xiao Lan flapped her wings excitedly and landed on Little Fairy Doctor's shoulder.
"Thank you, Xiao Zhitian," she said, kissing his cheek happily.
"No need for thanks. Let's enter the city and find the Alchemist Guild first."
The city walls were constructed from neat blocks of black rock, towering and imposing. After paying the entrance tax, they entered Blackrock City.
Xiao Zhitian quietly thought: System check-in.
"Ding! Check-in location: Blackrock City. Check-in successful. Obtained: 12 Dou Ling Pills."
Walking through the bustling streets, Little Fairy Doctor exclaimed, "As expected of a large city! Even in early morning, it's so busy, and the guards maintain order perfectly."
"Then let's stroll around and look for the Alchemist Guild," Xiao Zhitian said.
Along the way, they purchased various medicinal ingredients. Soon, a grand building caught their attention. Its structure resembled a giant medicinal cauldron, unique and imposing.
A light purple plaque at the entrance bore five ancient characters: "Alchemist Guild", shimmering faintly.
Xiao Zhitian silently thought: System check-in.
"Ding! Check-in at Blackrock City Alchemist Guild. Check-in successful. Obtained: Purple Abyss Cauldron."
The Purple Heaven Cauldron ranked 2nd on the heavenly cauldron ranking, originally a strange purple stone that absorbed thousands of years of sun and moon essence before transforming into a cauldron. Xiao Zhitian's heart trembled at its presence.
"Xiao Zhitian, is this the Alchemist Guild? The sacred ground for all Alchemists," Little Fairy Doctor said, eyes full of admiration.
"Yes, let's go in and take a look," Xiao Zhitian said, steadying himself as he approached.
At the main entrance, guards stopped them. "Young brother, this is the Alchemist Guild. Do you have a letter of introduction?"
"Sorry, I don't have one," Xiao Zhitian said calmly.
Before he could demonstrate, a young man stepped out arrogantly. "Kid, how dare you enter without a letter? Do you even know where this is? Is this a place for just anyone?"
The guards bowed respectfully to the young man.
Xiao Zhitian extended his hand, a bright red flame igniting in his palm. A wisp separated and shot to the young man's head, instantly burning off all his hair and eyebrows.
"Pfft!" Little Fairy Doctor burst into laughter, quickly covering her mouth, cheeks flushed red.
"Condensing a physical flame… Rank 4 Alchemist?" the guards muttered in shock. The young man scrambled away, terrified of offending a high-ranked Alchemist.
Xiao Zhitian ignored him, retracting the Qilin Sky Burning Flame. "May I enter now?"
The guards bowed quickly. "Young brother, please, enter. Anything else we can assist with?"
"No need." Xiao Zhitian glanced at Little Fairy Doctor and walked confidently into the guild.
Inside, a strong medicinal aroma filled the air, invigorating their bodies. Few people were in the main hall. A woman approached them quickly.
"I am Yu He, receptionist. How may I assist you?"
"I'm here to obtain an Alchemist rank badge. What is the procedure?" Xiao Zhitian asked with a smile.
"Sir, are you an Alchemist?" Yu He asked, surprised.
"Yes," Xiao Zhitian nodded.
"Alright, please follow me. I'll help you register." She stepped back, took a parchment and pen, and smiled. "Sir, please state your name, age, and mentor."
"Xiao Zhitian, eighteen years old, mentor Elder Tong," he said after a moment's thought, deciding to give a false age.