"Ah~ What a little troublemaker."
Yun Yun lethargically tidied up her clothes, her face still showing the lingering blush from last night's intimate exchange, with faint red marks scattered on her white jade-like arms, stunningly beautiful.
Pinching a shiny golden Pill between her fingertips, a gleam of determination flashed in her beautiful eyes: "Tianming is right, in the Dou Qi Continent, strength reigns supreme. As long as one possesses sufficient strength, whatever they do is justified!"
With this in mind, Yun Yun no longer hesitated, and swallowed the Mighty Huang Pill in one gulp. The moment the Pill entered her stomach, it immediately transformed into a tremendous surge of energy flooding her entire body.
"Hmm?!"
"This energy... could the Mighty Huang Pill's effect be this potent?"
Although mentally prepared, the potency of the Mighty Huang Pill far exceeded Yun Yun's expectations.
This Mighty Huang Pill was specially enhanced by Yun Tianming into a "super Mighty Huang Pill" through systematic strengthening, capable of boosting a Dou Emperor-level individual by a full 3 Stars!
Currently at the strength of a 7-Star Dou Emperor, after fully absorbing the power of the super Mighty Huang Pill, Yun Yun could reach the pinnacle of the Dou Emperor realm. Following that, with the consumption of the Zong Breaking Pill, her chances of breaking through to Dou Ancestor level would be greatly increased!
"It seems I need to seclude myself for the First Stage."
Yun Yun's expression turned solemn as she sat down in meditation, her hands forming the cultivation seal, refining the vast medicinal power within her body, as vast as the ocean.
---
"Is the teacher in seclusion?"
"Exactly at this crucial moment."
Nalan Yanran gritted her teeth. With just over a month left until the three-year agreement, she still hoped to spend more time practicing Dou Techniques with Yun Yun.
"Don't worry, Yanran."
"With me around, I'll practice Dou Techniques with you."
Yun Tianming pulled out a jade slip from his pocket.
Nalan Yanran found it familiar at first glance and asked in confusion, "Isn't this the teacher's Black Rank High-Level Dou Technique: Extreme Wind? But I've already learned that."
"No, this is the hidden Earth Rank Low-Level Dou Technique of the Misty Cloud Sect: Disaster Stopping Wind!!"
Yun Tianming said solemnly, making it all up. In reality, this was the Black Rank High-Level Dou Technique he obtained from Yun Yun, enhanced systematically to become an Earth Rank Low-Level Dou Technique.
"It's actually a real Earth Rank Dou Technique!"
"Now I'm sure to win the three-year agreement!"
Nalan Yanran took the jade slip, her face lit up with joyous surprise.
"Actually, there's also an Earth Rank Qi Method, but considering the time it takes to switch the Qi Method, I'll wait until the end of the three-year agreement to teach it to you."
The Earth Rank Qi Method mentioned by Yun Tianming was the Wind Manipulation Mantra he had previously gifted to Yun Yun. The reason it hadn't been passed on to Nalan Yanran was probably due to the considerable time it would take to switch to Qi Method.
"To actually possess an Earth Rank Qi Method, could it be that it's not from the sect?"
Nalan Yanran wasn't foolish. The rarity of an Earth Rank Qi Method exceeded even that of an Earth Rank Dou Technique, considering that Qi Method was the foundation of cultivation. Not only in the Misty Cloud Sect but throughout the entire Jia Ma Empire, no faction could be found with an Earth Rank Qi Method. Constrained by Qi Method, they could only reach the Dou Emperor realm in their lifetime, with hopes of breaking through to Dou Ancestor being extremely slim.
"That Qi Method indeed doesn't belong to the Misty Cloud Sect. I obtained it by chance while training outside."
"Since it's a Wind Attribute Qi Method, and I have no use for it, I might as well give it to my junior sister."
Yun Tianming spoke lightly, as if the Earth Rank Qi Method, worth millions, held no allure for him. And indeed, that was the case. With the Flame Mantra Qi Method, capable of endless evolution, he had no interest in other Qi Methods. Even if it were an Earth Rank High-Level Qi Method, Yun Tianming wouldn't care!
"But, that's an Earth Rank Qi Method, how can I..."
Nalan Yanran, like Yun Yun, was the type who wouldn't easily accept valuable items from others.
"There's nothing you can't do. It's settled."
Yun Tianming waved his hand grandly and directly tossed a handwritten copy of the Wind Manipulation Mantra, identical to Yun Yun's, to Nalan Yanran.
"Uh, senior brother Tianming, why are you so good to me?"
Nalan Yanran caught the weighty manuscript, her heart filled with excitement.
"Because I'm your senior martial uncle."
"Ah??"
"Just kidding. Anyway, what I give you, you must accept, no refusal allowed!"
Yun Tianming asserted, deliberately adopting an authoritative demeanor as a "senior martial uncle."
Unable to refuse, Nalan Yanran reluctantly accepted, muttering softly, "Why does senior brother Tianming today give off this elder vibe?"
And so, as Yun Yun broke through in seclusion, Nalan Yanran practiced the Earth Rank Dou Technique, and Yun Tianming took out the medicine cauldron to practice alchemy.
Three days later, the Alchemist Convention officially began.
The bustling Imperial Capital became even livelier, with alchemists, rarely seen on ordinary days, now appearing in droves at the gates of the Alchemist Guild.
"Finally, it's starting, teacher. I won't disappoint your expectations!"
Xiao Yan lifted his cloak, revealing his youthful face. Despite wearing the robe of a Second Grade Alchemist, he had expected to draw gasps from passersby, but unexpectedly found no one paying attention to him.
It's just that there are too many alchemists around, including some young Second Grade Alchemists. Xiao Yan doesn't stand out among them.
"Hehe~ Using your words, does this count as a failed attempt at showing off?"
"I've been telling you to go for the qualifications of a Third Grade or even Fourth Grade Alchemist. But you insisted on being low-key, pretending to be a pig to eat a tiger or something. Feeling regret now, aren't you?"
Yao Chen's mocking voice echoed in his mind.
"Hmph!"
"After the Alchemist Convention officially begins, I'll make a remarkable appearance!"
Ultimately, it's still youthful exuberance. In Xiao Yan's heart, he actually wants to be the center of attention!
Just then, there was a commotion in the crowd.
"Look, that's Senior Liu Ling, the disciple of Pill King Gu He!"
"A Third Grade Alchemist, and he's so handsome!"
A young man dressed in luxurious brocade walked confidently, and the crowd instinctively made way for him.
"And over there, the royal princess!"
"Princess Yao Yu looks so young. Is she also attending this Alchemist Convention?"
"Don't let her age fool you. It was reported half a year ago that Princess Yao Yu passed the certification for Third Grade Alchemist."
The extraordinary demeanor of the girl in the purple dress descended from her carriage. With her bright eyes scanning the surroundings, she seemed to be searching for someone.
"Found you!"
Yao Yu's eyes lit up as she lifted the hem of her long dress and hurried over.
"Um, is she coming to find me?"
Xiao Yan was momentarily stunned, watching the graceful girl running towards him. Amidst his surprise, he also felt a hint of pride. Could it be that his hidden strength had been noticed by this lovely princess?
"Your Highness, may I ask what you're looking for?"
"Please step aside."
"Um..."
Xiao Yan's face stiffened, and he instinctively moved aside. Yao Yu passed by him, her gaze never lingering on him from beginning to end.
Then Xiao Yan heard a name he didn't want to hear.
"Yun Tianming, long time no see!"
"Do you still remember me?"
****
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