Chapter 114: Xiao Yan Acknowledges Yao Chen as His Master A Relationship of Mutual Benefit
"Kekeke~ Are you an alchemist?" Xiao Yan asked with a suspicious glint in his eyes.
"Kekeke~ That's right! I am one of the few alchemists on the Dou Qi Continent!" Yao Chen let out a sinister chuckle, puffing out his intangible chest with pride.
Xiao Yan licked his lips and asked politely, "Then, may I ask, esteemed elder, what tier of alchemist were you in the past?"
"Tier? Kekeke~ I can't quite remember… but I was far stronger than your so called 'Pill King'! Now, do you want to learn from me or not?" Yao Chen shook his head impatiently.
Stronger than Pill King Gu He?!
Gu He was a Tier 5 Alchemist!
Could this old man be bragging?
Or… was he telling the truth?
If he were lying, how could he maintain a soul form for so long? After all, in the entire Jia Ma Empire, there wasn't a single person capable of surviving in such a state.
Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes.
He hesitated for a moment
Then, he suddenly dropped to his knees and knocked his forehead against the ground three times.
"I am willing to learn! Disciple Xiao Yan greets his master!"
Yao Chen was taken aback.
Then
His lips curled into a pleased smile.
Hands behind his back, he calmly accepted Xiao Yan's kowtows.
"There's no need to bow," Yao Chen said with a satisfied expression.
"Master!" Xiao Yan lifted his head, his eyes filled with resolve. "A teacher for a day is a father for life!"
Yao Chen's eyes softened for a moment.
"Good! Good! A teacher for a day is a father for life!" he repeated, nodding approvingly. "From now on, you may call me Yao Lao. As for my past… I won't tell you just yet. You are still too weak, and I don't want you to get distracted. But one thing is certain compared to me, that so called Pill King Gu He is nothing but a fart!"
Xiao Yan's mouth twitched violently.
Gu He… a fart?!
Just who was this old man?!
…
But Yao Chen's thoughts were different.
He had once been betrayed by his own disciple.
So how could he so easily accept another?
The truth was
He wasn't accepting Xiao Yan as a disciple at all.
He was using him.
He needed someone to help him regain his physical body and seek revenge.
And Xiao Yan
He was no innocent child, either.
His so called "A teacher for a day is a father for life" was nothing more than a ploy to make Yao Chen teach him everything.
If he didn't even trust his own father anymore, how could he truly consider a random old man his "father"?
Their relationship
At least for now
Was nothing more than a mutually beneficial arrangement.
…
Yao Chen gestured for Xiao Yan to stand.
Xiao Yan immediately got up, not bothering with further formalities.
With a sly grin, he asked, "Kekeke~ So, Master, how exactly are you planning to help me reach Dou Qi Level 7 within a year? Also, when will you start teaching me alchemy?"
"You're too impatient," Yao Chen said seriously. "Before we talk about alchemy, we need to get your Dou Qi up first. Although your strength has regressed over the past three years, your foundation has actually become much stronger than normal cultivators. In the future, you will realize how much of an advantage this gives you."
"However, to improve your cultivation and become an alchemist, you will need a Fire attribute Qi Method."
"A Fire attribute Qi Method?" Xiao Yan's eyes lit up. "Then, Master, since you're so powerful, why don't you just give me a Heaven Tier Qi Method?"
"Nonsense! You think Heaven Tier Qi Methods are cabbages that grow by the roadside?!" Yao Chen's face twitched in exasperation.
"Cabbages on the roadside aren't free either," Xiao Yan grumbled. "But Master, I can't cultivate without a Fire attribute Qi Method! The Xiao Clan's best Fire technique is only Yellow Tier High Rank that's way too weak!"
"Hmph! The problem isn't the technique it's you! You're too weak to even be worthy of those so called 'cabbages'!" Yao Chen sneered. "That said… I do have a Qi Method for you. It's not Heaven Tier… but it's far more mysterious than any Heaven Tier technique!"
Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed.
"More mysterious than a Heaven Tier technique? What tier is it?"
Yao Chen's grin widened.
"Yellow Tier Low Rank. Kekeke~"
Xiao Yan's face instantly darkened.
"Old man, are you messing with me?!"
Yao Chen didn't respond.
He simply kept smiling mysteriously.
…
And gradually
Xiao Yan's anger cooled.
He frowned.
"What's so special about this technique?"
Yao Chen's eyes gleamed.
"It can evolve. Forever."
Xiao Yan's pupils contracted.
"Evolve? You mean it can level up?"
"Of course. The Dou Qi Continent is full of strange and miraculous things. Just because you've never heard of it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. And this Qi Method… is the only one of its kind!"
"Only one? So no one else has practiced it?"
"Correct. When I obtained it, my strength had already surpassed the strongest experts of the Jia Ma Empire, so I never needed it. But the technique itself is real."
Xiao Yan's heart raced.
"Can I take a look at it?"
Yao Chen grinned.
"Kekeke~ There's no point in showing it to you now. I'll give it to you once you reach the Dou Practitioner level."
Xiao Yan gritted his teeth.
"Fine! You win!"
"Kekekeke~" Yao Chen cackled sinisterly.
"For now, your main priority is reaching the Dou Practitioner level. Your foundation is solid, so you can use medicinal power to speed up your cultivation."
"Tomorrow, go and gather three full Purple Leaf Orchids, two Bone Washing Flowers, and a Wood Attribute Magic Core."
Xiao Yan's face twisted.
"Are you insane? Look at me! I'm broke! How am I supposed to get those?!"
Yao Chen blinked.
"Ah… right. You're a useless young master. No money, no power. My mistake."
Xiao Yan: "…"
"Fine, fine," Yao Chen sighed. "Get some cheaper alternatives, then."
He listed a few substitute herbs.
Xiao Yan sighed in relief.
At least these were things he could afford.
After finalizing his plan, he stood up and walked out the door.
…
Meanwhile, in another room
Wu Tian smirked.
He glanced at Ling Ying, who was still sulking on the rooftop.
"Bodyguard," Wu Tian called lazily.
"There's been a change of plans."
"Xun'er and I are heading out. You stay here and keep admiring the scenery."
Ling Ying: "…"
…
(End of Chapter)
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