BTTH: DISCIPLE CASHBACK SYSTEM

Chapter 398: Yao Lao’s Risk

In the capital of the Jia Ma Empire, after the Alchemist Conference concluded, Xiao Yan returned to his inn.

Once back in his room, Xiao Yan’s face showed clear disappointment. He had initially believed that, under Yao Lao’s guidance, his alchemy skills would reach an extraordinary level. But today’s competition had shown him that there are always others more talented—Liu Ling’s aptitude in alchemy even earned praise from Yao Lao.

Lost in thought for a long time, Xiao Yan suddenly remembered something and quickly reached out to Yao Lao in his mind, saying, “Teacher, the three-year promise I made to Nalan Yanran will be due the day after tomorrow. I wonder what level she’s reached by now!”

Hearing Xiao Yan’s call, Yao Lao’s spirit slowly drifted out from the black ring and sighed, “Xiao Yan, during today’s competition, the aura of that young girl was obscured by something. To avoid attracting attention, I refrained from probing it too deeply.”

“Even you don’t know her current level, Teacher?”

Xiao Yan thought aloud, “Three years ago, she had already reached the Dou Practitioner stage, and if she was chosen by the Yunlan Sect’s leader as the future sect master, her talent must be high. She’s likely at least a Dou Grandmaster by now, though I wonder if she has broken through to become a Dou King.”

As he said this, Xiao Yan felt a pang of uncertainty. Yunlan Sect was the largest faction in the Jia Ma Empire and certainly had elixirs capable of boosting cultivation directly. Given Nalan Yanran’s talent and the Yunlan Sect’s resources, there was a good chance she had already broken through to the Dou Grandmaster level.

Yao Lao shared Xiao Yan’s assessment and said with some concern, “Xiao Yan, your current level is that of a Dou Master. If Nalan Yanran is also a Dou Master, then with the battle experience you’ve gained over these past years, you might have an edge. But if she has broken through to Dou Grandmaster, winning would be nearly impossible.”

“You’re right, Teacher. If Nalan Yanran has reached the Dou Grandmaster level, and with Yunlan Sect supporting her with advanced techniques, I really don’t stand a chance.” Xiao Yan nodded, his tone downcast.

“Xiao Yan…”

Seeing Xiao Yan’s dejected look, Yao Lao felt a pang of sympathy. He understood well that much of Xiao Yan’s determination over these past few years stemmed from his desire to defeat Nalan Yanran. Now, just as he was on the brink, the possibility of failure weighed heavily on him.

“Xiao Yan, pull yourself together! The duel hasn’t even started yet, and you’re already in this state? Does that do justice to all your hard work over these past three years?” Yao Lao suddenly said in a firm tone.

“Teacher… I don’t want to be like this, but…” Xiao Yan looked up, faltering under Yao Lao’s reprimand.

“Xiao Yan, listen to me carefully. Your talent is, without a doubt, equal to or even surpasses that of the Nalan girl. Yunlan Sect may have resources to support her, but I am no less capable than they are,” Yao Lao said with utmost seriousness.

“Teacher, you mean…?” Seeing Yao Lao’s solemn expression, Xiao Yan shook his head, his face now filled with anticipation.

“Xiao Yan, I’ll be honest with you. I am an eight-tier alchemist. It’s just that, in recent years, you haven’t been able to gather the materials necessary to craft certain pills, so I could only mix some body-strengthening and cultivation-accelerating elixirs for you. These were effective, but they still fall short of the pills that can directly boost cultivation.”

Listening to Yao Lao’s explanation, Xiao Yan’s breathing became somewhat rapid.

An eight-tier alchemist! What did that even mean?

In Xiao Yan’s eyes, even a “dark horse” like Liu Ling did not represent the true pinnacle of the Jia Ma Empire. Even Fa Ma, the president of the Alchemist Association and a formidable high-level Dou Emperor, was only a five-tier alchemist. The renowned Dan King Gu He was a mere six-tier.

“With the training you’ve undergone these years, even if you break through to Dou Grandmaster using a pill, your foundation will still be solid!” Yao Lao continued.

“Using a pill to break through to Dou Grandmaster! Teacher, are you planning to refine a pill to boost my level? But… we don’t have the materials necessary for that!”

Though Xiao Yan was filled with excitement, he still calmly analyzed the situation.

“Xiao Yan, isn’t there an Alchemist Association here in the capital?” Yao Lao raised an eyebrow, hinting at something.

“Teacher… are you suggesting that I… steal from the Alchemist Association’s warehouse?” Xiao Yan exclaimed as he caught on.

“You brat… how could you call it stealing? Fa Ma, that old fellow, technically owes me a favor. What’s taking a little bit of their herbs to settle that?” Yao Lao replied in a huff.

“But the Alchemist Association is heavily guarded, and President Fa Ma’s cultivation and soul strength are formidable. If you go in so directly, Teacher, there’s a high risk of being discovered!” Xiao Yan said, still concerned.

“Xiao Yan, if you keep acting so hesitant, I might just stay out of this! After all, if you lose, you’re the one who’ll be embarrassed!” Yao Lao feigned impatience as he observed Xiao Yan’s reluctance.

Seeing Yao Lao puffing out his cheeks and glaring, Xiao Yan quickly said, “Teacher, don’t get upset! I’ll go, alright?”

“Good. No time to waste—we’ll act tonight. If all goes well, I’ll refine the pill tonight, and you’ll have all of tomorrow to complete your breakthrough!” Yao Lao quickly explained before retreating back into Xiao Yan’s ring.

Without delay, Xiao Yan donned a set of dark clothing, wrapping his face securely, and slipped quietly out of the inn through the window.

...

About an hour after Xiao Yan left the inn, the Alchemist Association’s grounds suddenly lit up with countless torches, illuminating the area as if it were daylight.

On a rooftop, two vice presidents of the Alchemist Association and a number of elders surrounded a lone figure dressed in black.

“How dare you! To think you’d have the audacity to steal from the Alchemist Association’s warehouse!”

“This place is surrounded on all sides—you won’t escape today!”

The figure, none other than Xiao Yan, had, with Yao Lao’s help, successfully slipped into the Alchemist Association’s warehouse and managed to seize some much-needed herbs. However, he accidentally triggered some traps, alerting the guards and setting off an alarm. In response, countless alchemists had rushed from all over the association grounds, surrounding him on a rooftop.

“Everyone, I came here today only to borrow a few urgently needed herbs. I swear I’ll return them double in the future!”

(End of Chapter)

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