Chapter 140: Xiao Yan: Little Brother! I Ask You for a Favor!
After a night of conversation, Xiao Ze was still full of energy, thanks to his high cultivation level and the constant nourishment of his soul by the Tree of Origin, which allowed him to maintain his vitality.
Xiao Ze stretched and observed Xiao Yan meditating on the bed, not wanting to interrupt him. He opened the door and went out to find something to eat, eager to try the specialties of the Tagore Desert.
When Xiao Ze left, Xiao Yan opened his eyes again, and the figure of Yao Lao suddenly appeared in the room.
"Xiao Yan, after hearing your description before, I had my doubts, but now I've seen the reality," said Yao Lao, with a rare expression of helplessness in his voice. He had promised to help Xiao Yan surpass Xiao Ze, but now it seemed that even catching up was not an option.
"Master... Do you also think my little brother's cultivation speed is incredible? Moreover, his combat strength is formidable, which shows that his foundation is very solid," said Xiao Yan with a bitter smile. Although his determination was strong, surpassing Xiao Ze seemed more and more like a distant dream.
Determination is not something easily abandoned. Some are willing to sacrifice their life and soul for it. Xiao Yan might not go that far, but he would give his all to achieve his goal, even risking his life.
"Additionally, the strength of your little brother's soul is incredibly powerful. It seems he has already perceived my existence," said Yao Lao with a serious expression, leaving Xiao Yan surprised.
"He knows about your existence, master?"
"Why are you surprised?" said Yao Lao with a stern look. "I was able to awaken thanks to your little brother's gift. Then, he learned from the Xiao family that you have a mysterious master. It's not hard to guess where that master came from."
Xiao Yan scratched his head. Now that he thought about it, his little brother seemed to have sensed Yao Lao's existence for a long time.
"With that soul strength, he could almost be an alchemist," murmured Yao Lao.
"That's impossible. My little brother has an affinity for water," replied Xiao Yan quickly.
Yao Lao nodded. "It's true, the talent for being an alchemist is innate. No one can become an alchemist later. That medicinal fragrance on his body must be just an illusion."
"Medicinal fragrance?" murmured Xiao Yan. "Could it be that he found some herbs during that adventure he mentioned?"
"It's possible," said Yao Lao, although he kept his true suspicions to himself. The medicinal fragrance on Xiao Ze could only be the result of a long time in contact with medicinal herbs, not just a month.
"By the way, since Xiao Ze is an elder at the Jia Nan Academy, you could ask him if there's any celestial flame in the academy," suggested Yao Lao.
Xiao Yan nodded. "Yes, being an elder, he should know that information. But I don't want to put my little brother in a difficult situation."
While they were pondering this, Yao Lao vanished just as Xiao Ze was returning.
"Big brother, I brought you some specialties from the Tagore Desert," said Xiao Ze, entering with fruits and roasted meat, smiling as he saw Xiao Yan awake.
"Little brother, I need to ask you something," said Xiao Yan after a moment of silence.
"I told you, between brothers, there's no need to ask for permission. What do you need?" said Xiao Ze, setting the items aside.
Xiao Yan took a deep breath. "Do you know if there's any celestial flame at the Jia Nan Academy?"
"Celestial flame?" Xiao Ze was surprised, looking Xiao Yan up and down. It didn't seem like he had given up on searching for the Blue Lotus Flame.
Xiao Ze knew that the academy had the Fallen Heart Flame, and it didn't make sense to hide it. Xiao Yan would eventually discover it upon entering the Qi Refining Tower, and Yao Lao would recognize it easily. It wasn't worth delaying the inevitable.
"I forgot. Since you're an alchemist, it's natural for you to seek celestial flames. Yes, the academy has a celestial flame, but it's crucial to the academy. Trying to obtain it would be extremely difficult."
Xiao Ze's words were like a bucket of cold water for Xiao Yan, cooling his enthusiasm.
"I understand. Getting it would be like making an enemy of the entire academy."
"However, big brother, I know of another celestial flame," said Xiao Ze.
"Really?" Xiao Yan stood up excitedly.
"But that flame also has an owner," said Xiao Ze, calming Xiao Yan. "It belongs to Han Feng, a sixth-level alchemist known as the Emperor of Medicines in the Black Domain. It's the Sea Heart Flame, ranked fifteenth."
Xiao Yan was disheartened upon hearing that. Han Feng was a sixth-level alchemist and a Dou Huang, both out of his reach.
Xiao Yan noticed an unusual reaction in Yao Lao but decided not to ask for now.
"Big brother, you said you would go alone to the Jia Nan Academy, right?"
"Yes."
"I'll give you a letter and an insignia so you won't be rejected at the academy," said Xiao Ze, handing him a jade plaque and a letter.
Xiao Yan noticed that the letter contained a soul mark identical to the insignia's, to verify his identity.
"Big brother, be careful in the Black Domain. It's a dangerous place," said Xiao Ze with concern before parting.
They both had agreed that Xiao Yan would go alone to the academy while Xiao Ze headed to the capital to deliver Xiao Yan's message to Nalan Yanran and visit Ya Fei.
(End of the chapter)
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