39: Chapter 39 Hai Bodong's Suspicion

The Alchemist Guild in Jia Ma Holy City looked much better than the one in Blackrock City, though that might just be because it was larger.

The imposing building was perpetually shrouded in a faint fragrance of pills, and passersby would always cast gazes of awe towards it.

In the eastern trading and treasure-hunting area, Xiao Yan was holding a broken black jade slip, which he had just bought from a newcomer.

Xiao Yan had been wandering around here for the past few days, and finally, today, he had encountered this broken black jade slip.

This was because the jade slip contained the Advanced secret technique created by the Nine-Star Dou Sheng, Xiao Xuan: the Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Transformations!

Although it was only the first level, capable of briefly boosting one's strength, it was worth the effort Xiao Yan had spent over these past few days.

Xiao Yan then continued walking towards the western district without stopping; it was much quieter there, as only Tier 3 Alchemists and above were allowed to enter.

Wearing his Tier 3 Alchemist badge, he walked inside under the surprised gazes of the two gatekeepers.

After asking for directions, he headed in a certain direction and, before long, arrived at a spacious room.

As Xiao Yan stepped into the room, he saw Otto and Frank.

"Xiao Yan, I thought you weren't coming!" Frank said, pleasantly surprised to see Xiao Yan arrive.

Otto also stood up at this moment and laughed at Xiao Yan, saying, "I told you, this little fellow Xiao Yan would definitely come!"

"Guild Master Frank, Great Master Otto, since I promised to come, I naturally cannot break my word." Seeing how enthusiastic the two were, Xiao Yan replied with a smile.

After Xiao Yan sat down, Otto's voice rang out: "You came this time, presumably, for the Alchemist Convention, right?"

Upon hearing this, Frank's eyes lit up, and he said, "Xiao Yan, if you participate in this Alchemist Convention, I'm afraid no one else will be able to take the championship."

"I did indeed come to Jia Ma Holy City to participate in the Alchemist Convention," Xiao Yan said with a chuckle, though a faint glimmer flashed deep in his eyes.

The two were overjoyed at his words. If Xiao Yan, whose status was registered in Blackrock City, represented the Blackrock City branch in the Alchemist Convention, it would not only bring glory to Blackrock City but also significantly improve their ranking in next year's performance charts.

Xiao Yan nodded and asked with a smile, "When does the convention begin?"

"In three days," Frank replied with a smile.

"Very well, I will return in three days. I will have to trouble you two Great Masters with the registration procedures..."

After chatting for a few moments with Otto and the other, Xiao Yan stood up to take his leave and departed from the spacious room.

"With Xiao Yan's ability, entering the top ten will be more than enough!" Otto said to Frank with a smile.

"A Tier 3 Alchemist who isn't even seventeen years old—this time, not only will Xiao Yan become famous throughout the Jia Ma Empire, but our Blackrock City Alchemist branch will also gain great renown! Hehe, by then, we can also make huge demands of the headquarters!" Frank chuckled.

Leaving the Alchemist Guild, Xiao Yan immediately headed to the Mittel Family headquarters.

After hearing Xiao Yan state his name, the guards at the gate did not even report him; instead, they led him inside. Passing through the ornately styled buildings and corridors, Xiao Yan arrived at the Mittel Family hall.

Sitting in the main seat was an elderly man in magnificent robes. This person was the head of the Mittel Family, Miteer Tengshan, a Dou Wang powerhouse and also one of the ten strongest in the Jia Ma Empire.

"You must be little brother Xiao Yan, right? I have heard Old Hai mention you many times, telling me to treat you well. Oh, look at my memory, I am Miteer Tengshan, the Grand Elder of the Mittel Family. Little brother, just call me Tengshan." The elderly man in magnificent robes appeared exceptionally enthusiastic when he saw Xiao Yan, saying with a smile.

Some time ago, Old Hai had returned, bringing him a huge surprise.

However, he had been repeatedly instructed by Old Hai afterward that a youth named Xiao Yan would arrive before long, and the only thing he had to remember was: absolutely do not get into a conflict with him! Otherwise, even Old Hai would not be able to protect him!

He had naturally heard of Xiao Yan's reputation. The uproar about the Genius debate three years ago had been heard by everyone in the entire Jia Ma Empire who was even remotely well-informed.

Not only that, but in the near future, this youth before him was going to go to the Cloud Mist Sect himself to have a battle for the Three-Year Agreement with the Cloud Mist Sect's Young Sect Leader, Nalan Yanran.

But the Xiao Family was merely a Family force in Wutan City; on what basis could they make Old Hai so apprehensive?

Miteer Tengshan still remembered the look in Old Hai's eyes when he instructed him—that deep apprehension and fear. That look was one Miteer Tengshan had seen in Old Hai's eyes for the first time; it was a gaze as if he had seen a prehistoric monster.

Xiao Yan naturally did not know that his invitation to spar with Old Hai after the latter had recovered his Dou Qi would have such an impact on him, but this did not affect Xiao Yan's subsequent plans.

"Hello, Tengshan. Are the medicinal ingredients I requested all ready?" Xiao Yan asked with a chuckle.

Miteer Tengshan nodded, stood up, and handed a storage ring to Xiao Yan. Xiao Yan probed it slightly, then nodded slightly and said, "Not bad. Although a few ingredients are still missing, fortunately, I have those missing ones myself."

Miteer Tengshan let out a sigh of relief upon hearing this, fearing that the youth before him might suddenly cause trouble.

He then found it somewhat laughable that he, a Dou Wang powerhouse and one of the ten strongest in the Jia Ma Empire, would actually fear this youth before him.

"Deduct the cost of these medicinal ingredients from this card." Xiao Yan handed a card to Tengshan and said.

"Hehe, little brother Xiao Yan, Old Hai has already given instructions: all your expenses are to be paid by Old Hai!" Miteer Tengshan stuffed the card back into Xiao Yan's hand and smiled.

"Very well, then many thanks. If the Mittel Family has any trouble in the future, you can find me, and I will help you out once." Xiao Yan nodded and said.

Facing the youth's statement, which sounded like boasting, Miteer Tengshan's smile only grew wider.

Although he did not know why Old Hai was so afraid of this youth, being able to obtain this promise of repayment was undoubtedly a good thing; it would certainly not be a bad thing.

Meanwhile, Old Hai was braving the scorching sun and sandstorms, walking in the Tagor Desert, followed by a group of Xiao Family members dressed in mercenary attire.

Under the protection of the Mittel Family, the Xiao Family members were traveling in three groups in different directions, eventually converging at the Mo Tie Mercenary Group, where there were experts from the Heavenly Serpent Mansion waiting to receive them.

These past few days, the image of one person kept appearing in Old Hai's mind: Xiao Yan's faintly smiling face. From their first contact until now, the more he thought about it, the more terrifying it felt.

Searching for those map fragments was already like looking for a needle in a haystack, yet it just so happened that Xiao Yan came to his shop and just so happened to flip to that map fragment.

He clearly had the ability to defeat me without using his Heavenly Flame, yet he insisted on using the Heavenly Flame to eliminate the cold energy that was meaningless to him.

Later, it was as if it had been premeditated, he had me help look after a girl in green. And from the girl in green, I learned that before that, it was Xiao Yan's very first time coming to Mo City, or even the Tagor Desert!

In other words, before meeting me, Xiao Yan had never even met that girl named Qing Lin!

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