Chapter 9: The Old Pharmacist

Uh ... ... no

Old man, since I have entered your tutelage, you surely cannot expect me to go back to my clan to seek martial arts techniques, right? The most advanced fire attribute techniques in our family, if I recall correctly, are only of the Yellow rank high level. Isn't that rather disappointing?

"That is your concern, hehe. The nourishing elixir I have prepared is something that others with wealth cannot even purchase. I only ask you to cover a bit of the material costs, yet you seem so pained by it..." The teasing laughter of the old pharmacist echoed in Xiao Yan's heart.

Hmph, since you have entered my domain, I certainly will not treat you poorly. I do not possess any celestial-level techniques! However, I do have a method that is even more peculiar than celestial-level techniques. Will you learn it?" With a light snort, the old man Yao's murky eyes suddenly gleamed with intrigue.

Xiao Yan was somewhat taken aback; he truly did not understand what benefits could come from a regression in strength

Moments later, an angry roar from the youth echoed from the mountaintop

Little rascal, it's a teacher, not an old man

"Do you have any methods?" Xiao Yan forcibly suppressed his curiosity about that mysterious technique and gritted his teeth as he asked.

Above his forehead, the veins throbbed, and Xiao Yan clenched his fists tightly, suppressing the urge to throw a punch. With a voice laced with repressed anger, he said: "If no one has cultivated it, how do you know it can evolve?"

"It can truly evolve!" The old doctor nodded with great certainty.

Xiao Yan no longer hesitated, quickly nodding his small head. Alchemists are precious individuals who are regarded as esteemed guests even by large forces like the Yunlan Sect

"Hmph, what do you little brat know? The Continent of Douqi is vast beyond measure, filled with countless extraordinary people and events. In your eyes, having never left the Empire of Jiamati, what seems impossible is far more than you can imagine" Elder Yao scoffed disdainfully

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan was taken aback, and then his brows furrowed deeply: "On the Dou Qi Continent, everyone aspires to become an alchemist, but can anyone just become one? Those stringent requirements..." His voice suddenly halted, and Xiao Yan abruptly raised his head, mouth agape: "Have I reached it?"

In terms of the technique, it is introduced as follows. "The old medicine man chuckled awkwardly.

Glancing at the reluctant old man, Xiao Yan felt that the old fellow's claim of being qualified was somewhat dubious. However, at that moment, he was too lazy to inquire further. Amidst his joy, he also harbored a hint of suspicion: "Even if I meet the requirements, alchemists are generally taught personally by their masters. Are you, by any chance, an alchemist as well"

Xiao Yan paused for a moment, then immediately retorted, "Have you ever heard of any other martial arts that can evolve?"

Looking at the little face in front of him, twisted in anger, Elder Yao couldn't help but smile with satisfaction. To be able to provoke someone as calm as the little monster Xiao Yan into such a state truly gave him a sense of accomplishment

Elder Yao rolled his eyes in exasperation at Xiao Yan's address, not expecting that this little rascal would climb onto his head so soon after just finishing the apprenticeship ceremony

Sigh, I can only find someone to borrow from... After a frustrated sigh, Xiao Yan slowly calmed his emotions, his small face returning to its usual tranquility. He turned to look at the mountain path, where a purple figure, like a fairy, was gracefully leaping towards him.

The old man Yao's smile stiffened slightly. After a moment, he chuckled dryly and shook his head, saying: "It is precisely because there is none that my technique's uniqueness can be highlighted"

With a helpless pout, in order to become a distinguished alchemist, Xiao Yan could only respectfully perform a bow of apprenticeship to the elder

"Fire Attribute Cultivation Method? Hehe, Master, since I am your disciple, could you please give me a heavenly-level fire attribute cultivation method to practice?" Xiao Yan extended his hand, smiling as he requested.

"Nonsense, you expect me to teach you everything without even becoming my disciple? Are you dreaming?" The old man rolled his eyes, clearly a bit pedantic, and he placed great importance on the master-disciple relationship

"What rank? Hehe, I can't remember... Sigh, little one, are you actually studying or not?" Shaking his head, the old man suddenly asked with a hint of impatience.

Alchemist

Regarding this matter, Xiao Yan understood well. During the three years he spent as a waste, his father, out of anxiety, had attempted several times to forcibly infuse Dou Qi into his body. However, each time he reached a critical moment, he ultimately refrained. Therefore, Xiao Yan was very clear about the stakes involved.

"Can it really evolve?" Looking at the serious expression on Elder Yao's face, Xiao Yan couldn't help but ask again.

"So when will you teach me alchemy?" Xiao Yan, rolling his eyes, focused his attention on the most important matter.

"Sir, may I ask what rank of alchemist you were before?" Xiao Yan licked his lips, his youthful voice carrying an added touch of politeness.

After a hearty laugh, the old man ignored Xiao Yan's furious black eyes and said, "The current task is still to cultivate your Dou Qi to the seventh stage within a year."

"Low-level Yellow Rank." The smile of the Medicine Elder caused Xiao Yan's small face to instantly stiffen

Study, study!

"What nonsense! Is your cultivation method just wild yams from the ground? How dare you speak!" Upon hearing this, the old pharmacist's face twitched, and he scolded with a mix of laughter and tears.

Taking a light breath to suppress the shock in his heart, Xiao Yan rolled his eyes and, with a cheeky expression, said: "I wonder how the teacher plans to help me reach the seventh level of Dou Qi within a year?"

To become an alchemist, one must have the support of flame fighting energy. Therefore, before mastering the art of alchemy, you must at least first become a fighter and cultivate a fire attribute fighting technique

Hehe..." With a strange smile, Yao Lao glanced at the curious Xiao Yan, and a grin appeared at the corner of his mouth. However, he suddenly changed his tone: "Forget it, it won't be of much use for you to see it now. Let's wait until you become a fighter, and then I will pass it on to you.

The most basic gathering and dispersing technique..." With a slight tremor in his fingers, Xiao Yan felt a bit like rolling his eyes. The miraculous medicine that had been priced exorbitantly in the Gama Empire, upon reaching his mysterious teacher, had surprisingly become something of the lowest grade. The disparity between the two was truly bewildering to Xiao Yan

What is your solution?" Taking a deep breath, Xiao Yan replied calmly, frowning as he spoke softly

"Hehe, the potency of the elixir is too strong, which can easily harm the meridians, so we must adopt a gentler approach!" The old pharmacist smiled slightly and said, "Tomorrow, you need to prepare three complete purple leaf orchids, the older the better. Also, two bone-cleansing flowers; the age of these is flexible. Oh, and a level one wood-type magic core. These are all low-level materials, and I believe you can obtain them... Someone is coming, I will return to the ring first! Additionally, do not let anyone know of my existence, including your closest ones." After saying this, the old pharmacist disregarded Xiao Yan, whose mouth was widening in surprise, and directly entered the black ring. The ring trembled slightly and accurately fitted onto Xiao Yan's finger.

"Is it really possible to have such a technique?" With a furrowed brow, Xiao Yan hesitated for a moment, then turned his dark eyes and said, "Can I take a look?"

It's about the same, but given the current resilience of your meridians, you cannot withstand the impact of any kind of elixir's energy, not even the most basic Qi Gathering Powder.

Old man, are you playing with me

"Hehe, are you willing? If you are willing, then become my disciple." The old man sat cross-legged on a piece of blue stone, grinning slyly.

Are you trying to enhance my abilities through external means? For example, by consuming elixirs? Xiao Yan's eyes shifted thoughtfully

The outstretched palm was somewhat stiff, and after a prolonged twitching of his lips, Xiao Yan finally forced out two words through the gaps in his teeth: "You are ruthless"

"Have you practiced?" Xiao Yan asked again

Do you still wish to take on a mentor

I greatly admire the expression on Xiao Yan's face, which is a mix of shock, anticipation, and ecstasy. The old man stroked his beard and pondered for a moment, then looked him up and down, seemingly troubled, and sighed: "Although it barely meets the requirements, who am I to refuse a personal favor owed to you? Alas, let this be considered a repayment of a debt of gratitude..."

Is it even more bizarre than the Tianjie technique

With a blink of his eyes, Xiao Yan's gaze towards the old man suddenly brightened. An alchemist, now that is a rare being

"Damn it, the items concocted by the alchemist can indeed only be afforded by the wealthy." Xiao Yan let out a helpless bitter laugh. His monthly allowance from the Xiao family was not insignificant, amounting to twenty gold coins. This sum could sustain a common family comfortably for an entire year. However, when it came to purchasing the materials that the old pharmacist had mentioned earlier, it was merely a drop in the bucket. This is the disparity!

Although your fighting spirit has been regressing over the past three years, it is precisely because of this that your foundation is more solid than that of ordinary people. In the cultivation of fighting energy, a solid foundation is of utmost importance! In the future, you will come to realize the significant benefits that this three-year regression in strength has brought you" Elder Yao's smile gradually faded as he spoke earnestly

Three complete purple leaf orchids? Two washing bone flowers? One level one magic core of the wood system? Old man, are you mistaken? Do you think I am some royal prince? These items together are worth at least a thousand gold coins! After years of frugality, I have only saved four hundred gold coins, which is barely enough to buy a level one magic core!" Xiao Yan exclaimed, holding the ring and glaring as he scolded.

Observing Xiao Yan with meticulous attention to detail, the old man finally nodded in satisfaction, his voice taking on a more amiable tone: "My name is Yao Lao. As for my background, I will refrain from discussing it for now, so as not to distract you. You only need to know that those who claim to be the so-called Pill Kings are, in fact... well, they are nothing more than a joke."

In the Continent of Dou Qi, although alchemists are rare, their esteemed status establishes a clear hierarchy, categorized from one to nine ranks. The owner of the Gathering Qi Powder held by Nalan Yanran in the previous hall, Dan Wang Gu He, is a sixth-rank alchemist and is regarded as the foremost figure in the alchemical world of the Gama Empire.

A twitch at the corner of his mouth, Xiao Yan looked at the old man's casual demeanor, and just as he was about to speak, he swallowed his words: "What on earth is this old man’s background? The renowned Pill King Gu He of the Jia Ma Empire is nothing... If I were to say this out loud, I would probably be laughed at as a lunatic by the entire Jia Ma Empire"

Looking at Xiao Yan's face filled with doubt, the old man chuckled softly, his chest slightly puffed out, and a hint of pride could be discerned in his voice: "Indeed, I am a pharmacist!"

It can evolve! After a brief silence, the old doctor smiled.

Then have others practiced it

Old Yao glanced at the calm face of Xiao Yan, nodded in satisfaction, and said: "This is indeed the case for others, but you are different. The foundation within you has been solid and reliable since three years ago, and over these years, your character has also been steadfast, never missing a single day of cultivation. Therefore, I can say without hesitation that your foundation is excellent!"

The initial stage of Dou Qi cultivation primarily involves the expansion of meridians and the strengthening of the body, laying a foundation for the future condensation of Dou Qi within the body. At this age, the human body's meridians are particularly fragile and malleable, thus this cultivation process must be gradual and methodical, without any external force applied. Otherwise, as the Dou Qi within the body gradually strengthens in the future, the meridians will be unable to withstand the increasingly powerful impacts of Dou Qi, ultimately leading to a tragic outcome of severed meridians and death.

A sudden leap of his heart, Xiao Yan swallowed hard, his black eyes inadvertently burning with intensity: "What level of martial arts is that?"

Uh... no," the old doctor said with a smile, shaking his head

The pupils suddenly constricted, and Xiao Yan stared unblinkingly at the Medicine Elder in front of him. After a long while, he finally shook his head: "Impossible! I have never heard of any cultivation method that possesses the ability to evolve"

What is so strange about that technique?" Staring at the teasing face of Elder Yao, Xiao Yan suddenly fell silent and asked with a frown