“This is…?” Above the sky, Nalan Yanran gazed blankly at Xiao Yan below. The familiar gesture of spewing purple fire from his mouth and the azure flame on his palm brought back a young man named Yan Xiao, who had once left a deep impression on her. The two somewhat slender figures gradually merged in her mind. Apart from the face, at this moment, Xiao Yan’s demeanor and expression were exactly the same as that of the young alchemist who single-handedly humiliated the Cloud Empire on the Royal Plaza that day.
“Yan Xiao… Xiao Yan… Yan Xiao… Xiao Yan…” Her low murmurs echoed, and in this moment, Nalan Yanran suddenly understood something. The mysterious young man who had become the top prodigy among the younger generation of the Jia Ma Empire through the Alchemists’ Conference, and even made the haughty Nalan Yanran admire him, was the same young man who had been considered a waste three years ago!
Nalan Yanran bit her rosy lips with her teeth, her expression changing constantly. Her hands covered her mouth, her body stiff as if struck by lightning, numb to the point of almost losing control. This sudden discovery turned Nalan Yanran’s calm mind into a mess. Her originally composed face now turned pale.
The one who had made her feel admiration and unusual emotions for the first time in so many years, was the same young man she had once deemed a waste and trampled on his dignity? ! This disparity, as different as heaven and earth, made Nalan Yanran feel dizzy, as if in a dream.
“He is Yan Xiao…” On the treetop, the sudden discovery left Jia Xing Tian, Fa Ma, and Nalan Jie in a daze. Perhaps the first two had already sensed something, but when the truth was revealed, they still felt a sense of absurdity.
“Yan Xiao, Xiao Yan… Ah, we are really old and confused.” Fa Ma shook his head, sighing. Looking at the slender young man in the field, he smiled bitterly, “I didn’t expect it. Not only is this little fellow exceptionally talented in alchemy, but even his cultivation talent is this terrifying. Indeed, heroes often come from the younger generation.”
“Indeed, a young man with extraordinary potential. The Nalan family and the Yun Lian Sect have really picked the wrong target this time, and they will suffer heavy losses…” Jia Xing Tian’s expression was slightly strange. Having seen Xiao Yan’s performance at the Alchemists’ Conference, he naturally understood the immense potential this young man possessed. Given enough time, Jia Xing Tian believed that even the Yun Lian Sect would be wary of him.
“This… The Nalan family will truly regret this to their core…” On the giant tree, Mu Chen and Mi Teer Teng Shan, among others, also had faces filled with shock. After a moment, their gazes swept towards the completely stunned Nalan Jie, and their faces couldn’t help but show some sympathy.
“Whew…” Nalan Jie exhaled deeply, then took several sharp breaths. After a few repetitions, he finally relaxed the comical, dazed expression on his face, forcefully steadying himself. However, the trembling treetops and leaves where he stood exposed his inner turmoil and confusion.
“Xiao Yan… He… He is Yan Xiao?!” Nalan Jie stared intently at the young man in the field, and the figure in the Alchemist robe gradually overlapped and merged. His mouth trembled, and his expression at that moment was indescribable. If the strength Xiao Yan displayed earlier had already made Nalan Jie feel bitter, then this sudden appearance of another identity truly made his heart tighten fiercely. A young man with such outstanding cultivation talent and terrifying alchemical skills, such a person is a talent that any major power would fight over. Whoever has him would almost have a future super powerhouse. And his Nalan family… had pushed this young man with such terrifying potential out the door.
During the time Xiao Yan transformed into Yan Xiao, Nalan Jie had interacted with him quite often. It was because of this that he could more clearly perceive the excellence of this young man. Among all the young people he had seen over the years, regardless of potential or mentality, the latter was undoubtedly the best. With these two things, Nalan Jie did not doubt that the level this young man could reach in the future would surpass many peak powers of the Jia Ma Empire. This young man, who should have been the strongest shield and the most promising talent for the Nalan family, had been rejected in the harshest way by Nalan Yanran, leading to the current situation where they were meeting as enemies. The stark contrast between the two situations made Nalan Jie’s heart ache.
“Ah…” Nalan Jie sighed deeply, unable to say anything more at this moment. With Xiao Yan’s grudge against Nalan Yanran, could Nalan Jie really think that his words alone could make them reconcile? For this three-year agreement, Xiao Yan had undergone rigorous training for three years. Even though Nalan Jie didn’t know the exact details of Xiao Yan’s three-year training, anyone could imagine that to achieve such a rapid increase in strength within three years, even with excellent talent, without enduring unimaginable loneliness and hardship, it would be impossible to reach this level!
Coughing violently, Nalan Jie’s originally ruddy face turned a bit ashen, and due to the complexity of his emotions, he seemed to have aged suddenly, looking dejected. The people around him could see that this blow was too much for the patriarch of the Nalan family.
After all, who could remain calm upon seeing a son-in-law, once considered a waste, suddenly transform into a figure that left everyone dumbfounded? Especially since this son-in-law could have become the strongest shield for the Nalan family, protecting them from storms. Unfortunately, that shield had now become a sharp spear aimed at them, its icy tip chilling Nalan Jie to the bone.
…
“Yan Xiao… This Xiao Yan, is actually Yan Xiao?” On the other side, Liu Ling was staring at Xiao Yan in the field, his face full of astonishment, exclaiming, “The young man who won the Alchemists’ Conference?”
Upon hearing this, Gu He frowned and turned to ask, “Hmm…?” Liu Ling nodded, smiling bitterly, “I never expected that he was Xiao Yan, and we were all fooled.”
As he spoke, Liu Ling felt a huge relief. If Yan Xiao was Xiao Yan, then presumably, he wouldn’t have any feelings for Nalan Yanran. In that case, this strongest rival of his had vanished, which was certainly good news for Liu Ling.
“From what I understand, three years ago, Xiao Yan didn’t know alchemy, and in just three years, he could refine a grade four elixir like the Three Line Azure Spirit Pill. If this is true, his alchemical talent is simply too terrifying,” Gu He said gravely.
“Although it’s a bit embarrassing, among the younger generation, he is the only one I admire. His talent in alchemy is truly frightening,” Liu Ling said seriously.
“You admit defeat to someone? It seems this failure at the conference has done you some good, at least you’re no longer as arrogant as before,” Gu He said, giving Liu Ling a surprised glance. Based on his understanding of his disciple, he knew how proud Liu Ling was, and he hadn’t expected him to be convinced by Xiao Yan, who was clearly younger than him.
Liu Ling laughed embarrassedly, not daring to pick up the conversation. He knew that his previous arrogance had caused Gu He some headaches and frustration.
“The azure flame in his hand must be an anomaly flame, and the purple flame seems to be a type of beast flame, likely obtained from a high-ranking magical beast,” Gu He, being a master alchemist, immediately recognized the nature of Xiao Yan’s Azure Lotus Earth Heart Flame and the Purple Flame.
“Being able to control two flames so proficiently, Xiao Yan’s soul power is not weak. No wonder you lost to him. Controlling two flames simultaneously is something even some grade four alchemists find difficult,” said Gu He, who saw the special qualities in Xiao Yan with just a cursory glance.
Nodding hurriedly, he added, “But why does this azure flame seem so familiar to me?”
Frowning, Gu He muttered, “Azure flame… anomaly flame…”
Suddenly, Gu He’s face changed, and he recalled the efforts he made in the vast desert, confronting the Medusa Queen, and the ultimate goal… wasn’t it an azure anomaly flame?
After returning from the desert, Gu He realized that their trip to obtain the fire seemed to have been planned by someone else. Their efforts ultimately served to benefit a mysterious person. His eyes narrowed, and he stared intently at Xiao Yan’s face, feeling a sense of familiarity. At one point, his pupils suddenly shrank, and he finally remembered! The young man they had rescued from the female Snake-People leader in the desert… was Xiao Yan!
His thoughts raced, and the doubts he had back then were now answered. No wonder their movements were known so clearly, and no wonder someone sneaked into the city to get the anomaly flame while they were dealing with the Medusa Queen. The various mysteries intertwined, and finally, the young man’s clear face appeared!
“Phew…” Exhaling deeply, Gu He finally understood. The one who had reaped the benefits while they were occupied with the Medusa Queen, even if it wasn’t Xiao Yan himself, was definitely related to him!
“Good boy, you’ve fooled us all…,” Gu He, with his hands in his sleeves, looked at Xiao Yan in the field, feeling a mix of laughter and tears. His team, which was nearly invincible in the Jia Ma Empire, had been bested by a young man under twenty.
“Although I don’t know how you did it, for now, focus on overcoming the immediate challenge. Yanran’s Wind Extremity is not to be taken lightly.”
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