"Ah, this is me, my friend, she's called Leng Zhiyan, we call her Yanyan." Shasha exclaimed, stepping back and holding Zhiyan's small shoulders as she spoke. When her gaze met the other's clear eyes, her face inexplicably reddened, as if her own thoughts were utterly transparent to this exquisite person, leaving her feeling uneasy.
"Leng Zhiyan, hello, I am their little uncle, Sandy." The man nodded, introducing himself to Zhiyan.
"Pfft…" Zhiyan couldn't hold back and chuckled. Her delicate and smooth face turned into a blossom, her eyes sparkling like a myriad of twinkling stars, instantly dazzling everyone present.
Sharon, Shasha, and now a Sandy, oh my, could this family be any more amusing?
Shasha, Sharon, and the others looked at each other bewilderedly. Sandy was slightly stunned, looking at the little girl in confusion. Was he really that funny?
"Yanyan?" Shasha frowned, calling Zhiyan uncertainly.
"It's nothing, your names just remind me of my hometown. I couldn't help but laugh, please don't take offense," Zhiyan said, waving her hand dismissively, the smile still lingering on her face.
Really? The group was skeptical.
"Yanyan is hungry, let's go eat," Zhiyan said softly, looking at Shasha with puppy eyes as the others seemed unwilling to let it go.
As it turned out, this tactic was quite effective, especially on the overly compassionate Shasha. Seeing that vulnerable, cute, and pitiful expression, all previous doubts were thrown out the window. The only thought in the minds of the three people present: dinner.
After eating and returning to their accommodations, Zhiyan greeted everyone and retreated to her room. With a thought, she flashed into the Universe Space. Seeing her enter, Master Fei's eyes brightened, filled with expectation. Since he had witnessed Zhiyan's talent for alchemy, he was even more excited than she was and had filled his mind with thoughts of how to train her to become the legendary Pill Saint.
"Haha, Little Yanyan is so diligent. I've prepared the materials for you already, start when you're ready," Master Fei laughed heartily, his aged face showing a hint of flattery.
"Thank you." Zhiyan nodded, walked up to the cauldron, and stood in position. With a thought, an orange flame emerged in an instant. She flicked her wrist, and a 'whoosh' sounded as the cauldron flared up. Wisps of cold air entwined with heat, the orange light flickering, mist swirling around her, and faint green suspended in the air. Draped in a pink dress, Yanyan looked ethereal and breathtakingly beautiful.
Half a day passed without Zhiyan starting, which puzzled Master Fei until he saw Yanyan sending him a teasing smile. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I don't plan to do alchemy today."
As Master Fei glowered at her, Yanyan turned her head again, her Soul Power tightly focusing on the wisp of flame in the cauldron. After three continuous days of alchemy, her Soul Power had depleted considerably. Had her recovery speed not been fast, she might not have been able to summon even a flame now, right?
Therefore, to become a superior alchemist and stand out among those of the same level, she had to use her Soul Power wisely, not wasting even a bit of it.
Her gaze turning fierce, the orange flame trembled for an instant under Zhiyan's control, turning into a line of fire. Master Fei's eyes widened, his face showing shock. Good heavens, so that was what the young girl had in mind. He nodded, a proud smile curving his lips.
The flame, driven by Soul Power, became thinner and longer, eventually resembling a fine thread. With a quiver, the fire line went out in an instant.
Clamping her teeth, Zhiyan summoned the flame again, her Soul Power driving it to trace patterns from her mind. The orange firelight flowed like water--sometimes slowing, other times quickening, now thin, now thick--and then turned into scattered flecks hanging above the Medicine Cauldron.
"Can it really be done like this?" Master Fei trembled, his face showing disbelief. Was this child trying to turn fire into glowing dots? Wiping the cold sweat from his brow, Master Fei continued to watch Zhiyan's maneuvers, for several hours, repeating the process over and over, never tiring of it.
Eating, controlling fire, and cultivating.
For three consecutive days, Zhiyan virtually repeated the same routine; on the morning of the fourth day, she awoke from cultivation, a sharp gleam passing through her clear, water-like eyes. Moments later, as breakfast time approached, a servant came knocking on her door.
Upon entering the hall, she saw Sharon and the others already seated at the table, with Shasha sitting to Sandy's right, head bowed, her small hands twisting the fabric of her dress at her side.
"Little Yanyan!" When Zhiyan arrived, Shasha's eyes lit up, and a sigh of relief accompanied by a beautiful smile spread across her enchanting face, "We've been waiting for you. After we eat, we'll go to the academy together to register."
Zhiyan nodded and sat down beside Shasha, her gaze sweeping over her and then settling inquisitively on Sandy, who was dressed in a moon-white robe.
"Good morning, Little Yanyan," Sandy greeted her with a smile as warm as a spring breeze, calmly meeting her inquisitive gaze. Across the table, Prince Sharon's expression flickered with surprise at the little one's interest, a trace of displeasure crossing his heart.
"Serve the dishes," Prince Sharon's gaze became focused as he ordered the servants, and Zhiyan timely withdrew her own gaze, concentrating on waiting for the meal.
At Youlan Academy, dozens of notices were posted on the bulletin board at the main entrance, announcing the class distribution of new students and the arrangement of student dormitories. As expected, Shasha and Sharon were assigned to the Sage Class One, with one dormitory in the new female students' building and the other in the new male students' building five. Zhiyan checked twice but didn't find her name.
"Yanyan, how is it? Did you find it?" Shasha approached Zhiyan excitedly; this was the first time her little uncle had accompanied her to school, so she was in high spirits.
"No," Zhiyan shook her head, and in an instant, a shadow flashed by, and in the next second, it stood in front of her.
"Good disciple, you're here. Come, let's go meet the Dean," Ye Wen gestured invitingly and addressed Zhiyan with a beaming smile.
Zhiyan broke out in a cold sweat. When had she become his disciple?
"I'll be leaving first," Zhiyan greeted Sharon and the others before following Ye Wen. Envy and jealousy coated the faces of the surrounding students, and the area erupted in buzzing whispers.
Ye Wen, a Venerable Master?
He actually called that little girl his disciple; could it be that she is the nine-year-old alchemist whose name spread across the academy three days ago?
People gasped for air, anxious and regretting missing the chance to interact with the legendary prodigy.
"It seems our suspicions were correct. Yanyan's reputation has already spread throughout the academy," Prince Sharon said with a light smile, his emerald eyes shining radiantly, his handsome face tinged with a touch of indulgence.
"Of course, our Little Yanyan is naturally the most impressive," Shasha hummed lightly, pride coloring her bewitching and stunning face.
Sandy shook his head in silent admiration for Zhiyan's capability; not only had she won over Shasha, but she had also attracted the attention of Prince Sharon, who seemed gentle but was, in fact, indifferent to the core. He couldn't help but wonder how astonished his elder brother—the current ruler of Longteng Country—would be upon hearing this news.