Chapter 125: Nalan Yanran Felt Sour, But It Was Utterly Useless
"I didn't expect a breakthrough in soul power to also pull their Dou Qi realm along with it." Yao Lao looked at his two disciples with some surprise, then quickly understood. "That makes sense. Back when my soul power first reached the Spirit Realm, my Dou Qi realm was far higher than these two, so the Dou Qi breakthrough it brought was negligible."
The two brothers' breakthroughs were extremely smooth. In no time, they had both completed their advancements and opened their eyes.
"Teacher, I feel like I'm even more adept at using soul perception now!"
Xiao Yan said excitedly.
Now, he was confident he could raise his success rate with third-tier pills by another 10%. Even attempting fourth-tier pills didn't seem impossible anymore!
It was worth noting that Xiao Yan already had nearly a 90% success rate with third-tier pills. Increasing that to near perfection meant even some certified fourth-tier alchemists couldn't match him.
As for Xiao Yuan, since he hadn't started alchemy training, he could only assess himself by his flame-controlling abilities.
He summoned his dual flames, and with a thought, separated them into two individual fires. The flames morphed into two fire-fish—one black, one white—dancing vividly in his palm.
"Not bad. Even though Xiao Yan practices alchemy, your flame control is slightly better."
Yao Lao nodded in approval. In his perception, Xiao Yuan's soul power was slightly stronger than Xiao Yan's. However, that didn't directly translate to superior flame control—flame control had to be trained.
Clearly, Xiao Yuan had put in serious effort to master his flames.
Xiao Yuan scratched his head with a sheepish smile, but inwardly, he knew the truth: his increased flame control wasn't just due to a soul power breakthrough.
It had a lot to do with last night's yin-yang harmony.
After personally experiencing that mysterious blend of yin and yang, flesh and spirit, he'd gained a profound, indescribable understanding of the dual flames.
As for all the training Yao Lao assumed he'd done… the biggest thing Xiao Yuan had done was practice that fire-type Dou Technique—Flaming Blaze.
Not much else, really.
"This time was a bit hasty. Next time I find ingredients that restore soul force, I'll have to pick a more secluded location. I kept my power under control this time, but some spiritual fluctuations still escaped. If I restore myself again like this, the disturbance might cover ten cities. That's just asking for trouble."
Yao Lao changed the subject, shaking his head a bit helplessly.
Now that his soul power had returned to the Spirit Realm level, he could absorb spiritual energy from the void. Though the process was slower than when he had a physical body, the opportunity to break through both soul and Dou Qi realms simultaneously wasn't far off.
When that time came, even ninth-tier pills would be within reach!
"Teacher's soul force is already immense. I can't imagine how terrifying you'll be once you reach your peak again."
Xiao Yuan couldn't help but marvel. Only those who had witnessed it firsthand could understand how overwhelming Yao Lao's spiritual power truly was.
"Haha! If I really regain my full strength, forget the Jia Ma Empire—even on this whole continent, you two could walk sideways and no one would dare stop you!"
Yao Lao laughed heartily, clearly in high spirits.
"Heh, that proves it—Teacher must've stood at the very summit of this continent in the past. What fortune for us to call you our master!"
Xiao Yuan nodded, genuinely grateful.
"Yeah, Teacher. With power like yours, who could have possibly…"
Xiao Yan agreed, but then hesitated, unable to finish the question lingering in his mind.
Yao Lao's expression darkened at the unspoken implication, but he quickly calmed himself.
"You two are strong, but you must become Dou Huangs before you're qualified to know my story. Learning it now would do more harm than good."
"Yes, Teacher! We'll train hard!"
The two answered in unison.
"…Someone's coming. I'll return to the ring. You two should get back to your tasks."
Yao Lao nodded with satisfaction and vanished in a flash of light, returning to the ring.
"Brother, I've got to go to the Alchemist Guild for internal testing. I'll leave first!"
Since only Ya Fei, Hai Bodong, and Xiao Yuan knew about Xiao Yan's presence, the visitor clearly wasn't looking for him. So he left without worry.
"Alright, go show the capital's so-called geniuses just how dazzling a star from Wu Tan City can be."
Xiao Yuan patted his brother's shoulder with a grin. The two parted ways—one headed for the front gate, the other toward the back.
"Young Master Xiao Yuan, Miss Ya Fei is receiving guests in the parlor. She asked that you visit after your training."
A maid bowed as she approached from the corridor.
"Understood. Lead the way."
Xiao Yuan nodded calmly.
The estate was large and recently remodeled, so he still hadn't learned the full layout. Oddly enough, it was Xiao Yan, who had returned earlier, that had figured out the shortcuts.
The maid nodded sweetly and walked ahead to guide him.
In the Parlor:
Nalan Yanran sat stiffly, watching Ya Fei seated at the head—every inch the mistress of the house. The sight made her feel… strange. Slightly bitter, too.
So that's why Xiao Yuan had been so eager to break the engagement—he'd wanted to bring Ya Fei home with legitimacy.
What does she have that I don't?
"Miss Nalan, is there something you needed from Xiao Yuan? He's still training, as you know. Cultivation is a private matter—interruptions can be dangerous. If it's urgent, you can tell me."
Ya Fei smiled with flawless politeness.
Nalan Yanran couldn't tell whether this was a brush-off or the truth. She kept her composure and said, "No need. I can wait until he finishes. Thanks to Young Master Xiao, my grandfather is recovering. I came to deliver an invitation."
She handed over two red cards. A maid took them to Ya Fei.
"We're holding a banquet tonight to celebrate his recovery. You're both invited, of course."
"Mm, how kind." Ya Fei accepted the cards with a smile. "If you came in person, I certainly wouldn't miss it. Though…"
Her words trailed off as her eyes caught a white figure entering the room. She smiled and stood, walking over with a sway in her hips.
"Done training?"
She looped her arm through Xiao Yuan's and smiled.
"Yes. I heard there were guests?"
Xiao Yuan allowed himself to be led in, only to meet Nalan Yanran's complicated expression.
"Oh? Miss Nalan?"
He feigned surprise.
"Keeping it quiet, I see. I never imagined the girl you spoke of all those years ago was actually Sister Ya Fei."
Nalan Yanran's tone was light but tinged with emotion.
"Hehe, we weren't official back then. But now that Ya Fei is the lady of the house, it's fine."
Xiao Yuan smiled, unfazed.
He noticed only one main seat in the room. He casually pulled up a chair and motioned for Ya Fei to take her place at the head again.
Ya Fei blinked in surprise but obeyed, smiling sweetly.
The sight made Nalan Yanran feel… irritated. She couldn't say why.
"Oh? What's this?" Xiao Yuan spotted the invitations.
"Nalan Yanran brought them. Since you cured her grandfather, there's to be a banquet in your honor."
Before Yanran could speak, Ya Fei explained with a smile.
"You'll be going too, right, Ya Fei?"
"Of course. Nalan Yanran invited me herself."
"Great."
Xiao Yuan nodded, then turned to Nalan Yanran. With a polite smile he asked, "Anything else, Miss Nalan?"
"I, um…"
She heard the gentle dismissal in his tone. Her expression flickered, but she forced a smile and bowed.
"Then I'll take my leave."
"I'll walk you out."
Xiao Yuan rose and led her to the gate.
Once she was gone, he returned and smiled faintly. "I thought you'd gone back to work, Ya Fei. Didn't expect to find you here playing hostess."
"Oh? Are you scolding me, dear?"
Ya Fei pouted adorably.
Chuckling, Xiao Yuan wrapped an arm around her waist and murmured into her ear, "Careful, or I'll forget to hold back. You won't be able to walk tonight."
He gave her a playful smack.
"You rogue!" she blushed, half scolding, half laughing.
"Wouldn't you worry if I didn't want you, Ya Fei?"
"Well… fair."
She sighed, then grew serious.
"I know I teased you, but last night… you made me yours. I belong to you now. Don't ever abandon me."
"I never break promises to my own people. Father's happy too. As soon as he arrives, I'll ask him to speak with Grand Elder Teng Shan and Elder Hai. We'll formalize everything."
Ya Fei's eyes shimmered with emotion.
She had prepared herself for a life of political marriage. But fate had brought her to Wu Tan City, where she met this extraordinary boy. He had freed her from that path.
"Tonight's banquet may get political. The Mittal elders might disapprove if you appear beside me."
Xiao Yuan said gently, stroking her shoulder.
"You're worried they'll stir trouble and block my succession."
Ya Fei caught on instantly.
"Exactly. After what we did to Elder Lei Ou, we can't make another move lightly."
"I understand. I'll return to the clan for now. See you tonight."
"See you tonight."
(END CHAPTER)
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