As he gazed at the woman in blue robes, whose chilly, beautiful eyes were fixed on him, and then glanced around at the surrounding gazes, Xiao Yan couldn’t help but feel a bit awkward. He then cleared his throat and smiled, “If you could have been a bit more precise with the heat when refining the pill and held it a little longer during gestation, the quality of this Heavenly Weather Pill would have been even better. So, I couldn’t help but say it’s a shame.”
Seeing that Xiao Yan had so brazenly criticized the woman in blue, the crowd couldn’t help but break into an uproar. They stared in astonishment at this audacious fellow. In the Inner Academy, the number of people qualified to offer critiques on alchemy was no more than five, most of whom were elders in the Alchemists’ Guild. This black-robed youth, who appeared quite young, clearly did not belong to their ranks.
The woman in blue on the platform also faltered upon hearing Xiao Yan’s words. Though she sensed that the quality of the pill might be better if she followed Xiao Yan’s advice, her cold and proud nature made her reluctant to accept it. If the one giving the critique was an elder from the Alchemists’ Guild, she would have listened attentively. But judging by Xiao Yan’s age, which was clearly close to hers, this made her somewhat resistant. She frowned and asked, “Who are you?”
“Do I need to introduce myself every time I speak? If you don’t think I’m right, just ignore what I said.” Xiao Yan smiled lightly and responded with a dismissive tone.
Xin Lan was temporarily speechless at Xiao Yan’s nonchalant reply. In the Inner Academy, very few would talk to her like this. She gritted her teeth and said, “This is the headquarters of the Pan Gate, only members can enter. You don’t even wear a badge, which goes against the rules. Which department do you belong to?”
Hearing Xin Lan’s words, the Pan Gate members around them also noticed that Xiao Yan wasn’t wearing a badge, and they became more vigilant. The Pan Gate had strict rules, and members had to wear badges while moving within the premises. Almost every Pan Gate member knew this, so it was rare for such a situation to occur, especially now that the Pan Gate was much more organized than before.
“I’m here to find someone.” Feeling the cautious gazes around him, Xiao Yan felt a bit helpless. It had been two years since he last returned to the Inner Academy, and he didn’t expect to face such an awkward situation right away.
“Find someone? If an outsider wants to enter the Pan Gate, they must be guided. Barging in recklessly isn’t a good idea,” Xin Lan replied as she slowly walked down the platform, bringing with her a faint, refreshing fragrance. Her gaze scanned Xiao Yan’s face, and the sense of familiarity grew stronger. Her once chilly tone softened a bit. “Try to be more careful next time. Who are you looking for?”
“Amber and Wu Hao, let them come see me,” Xiao Yan replied, scratching his head with a smile.
At this, Xin Lan and the people around her couldn’t help but look surprised. Amber and Wu Hao were very influential figures in the Inner Academy, and even Pan Gate members seldom saw them. Yet, this black-robed youth was directly asking to see them?
“Senior Sis Amber and Senior Brother Wu Hao have many things to attend to, and it’s not easy to see them. Besides, there are others in the Inner Academy who want to see them too,” Xin Lan shook her head, smoothing her hair, and replied calmly. She had already assumed Xiao Yan was one of the usual students who tried to sneak into the Pan Gate; this wasn’t the first time it had happened.
Hearing Xin Lan’s words, Xiao Yan let out a bitter laugh and then headed through the crowd. As the people parted, a girl in a red dress stood there, stunned, her large, teary eyes fixated on the approaching black-robed youth.
The girl in the red dress had a petite yet well-proportioned figure, exuding a graceful and delicate charm. Though her figure was small, her bosom was generous, and her exquisite face, innocent yet charming, made her every bit as attractive as the blue-robed woman. This was evident from the envious gazes cast by those around her.
Xiao Yan stopped in front of the girl in the red dress and smiled as he looked at her dazed expression. Ignoring the shocked looks from others, he patted her head and said, “It’s been two years, and you’ve grown quite a bit.”
Startled by Xiao Yan’s affectionate gesture, the girl, with tears welling up in her eyes, let two crystal droplets roll down her cheeks. Ever since that day, she hadn’t seen such closeness from the person before her…
Her sudden display of emotion immediately drew the protective anger of the onlookers, and angry glares shot towards Xiao Yan.
“Xiaomei, are you okay?” A blue figure rushed to the girl’s side and, seeing her distressed state, quickly asked. As she spoke, she glared at Xiao Yan, but Xiaomei held her back, her voice quivering, “X-Xiao Yan Cousin, is that really you?”
Xin Lan, being held back by Xiaomei, frowned and turned, about to speak. Her expression gradually froze, and her clear, pretty eyes widened in shock as she stared at the black-robed youth, “X-Xiao Yan?”
Xiao Yan, the cousin of the founder of the Pan Gate? Everyone present knew that Xiaomei was the founder’s cousin, and the only one named Xiao Yan who could be called “Cousin” was…the legendary founder of the Pan Gate, whose reputation at the Jia Nan Academy was unmatched.
The noisy area fell suddenly silent. The sunlight poured down, illuminating the stunned young faces. At that moment, everyone felt a surreal and unbelievable feeling. The legendary founder of the Pan Gate, who had existed only in rumors, had appeared before them so unexpectedly.
Gazing at the smiling face, everyone knew that today, the Pan Gate would be thrown into a frenzy…
In the spacious and bright hall, the atmosphere was a mix of tension and excitement. Gazes filled with various emotions converged on the black-robed youth seated in the hall. There were only a few people in the hall, all familiar faces—apart from Xiaomei and Xin Lan, the rest were old friends who had entered the Inner Academy with Xiao Yan and were founding members of the Pan Gate.
Xiaomei stood obediently by Xiao Yan, carefully pouring water from a teapot into a cup in front of him. Her slight bend revealed a hint of enticing whiteness, captivating the onlookers.
Xiao Yan kept his eyes forward and, after she straightened up, he offered her a warm smile. Then, he looked around the hall and said, “Everyone, please sit. We’re all family, no need to be so formal.”
“Hehe, Boss, we’ve finally waited for your return. Outside, everyone is going crazy…”
A burly man, Ah Tai, scratched his head and laughed. Xiao Yan remembered him—a simple and honest name. When the Pan Gate was founded, he was the one who initially suggested it. But perhaps due to the years apart, he seemed a bit reserved now. The stories about Xiao Yan had made him a bit distant, adding a touch of awe to their former friendship.
Xiao Yan smiled, a bit nostalgic. Years had passed, and indeed, things had changed.
“You… Are you really the Chief?” Xin Lan, who had been staring at him with a strange expression, finally blurted out.
“What? Don’t I look like it?” Xiao Yan teased, looking at the beautiful female pharmacist of the Pan Gate.
Xin Lan blushed slightly and, without much shyness, examined him again. She replied, “You’re better-looking than the statue. That’s why I didn’t recognize you. You can’t blame me.”
Xiao Yan shook his head with a smile. Before he could reply, the tightly shut door was abruptly pushed open, and a haughty huff echoed through the hall.
“Hmph, you finally came back, taking two whole years. I bet you enjoyed running away like that?”
Hearing the familiar voice, Xiao Yan smiled and looked up. Sunlight poured in, and amidst the rays stood a short-haired, alluringly dressed woman, looking arrogantly at him with eyes filled with defiance.
Next to her stood a man with a heavy, blood-red sword on his back. His usually stern face was now filled with a genuine, joyful smile.
Seeing the two familiar figures at the door, Xiao Yan’s face broke into a warm, sunny smile.
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