As for why she needed to rapidly increase her strength, it was because she had been deeply shocked by someone her own age during her previous visit to the Xiao Family. Her strong personality absolutely would not allow that.
Thus, she constantly sought ways to improve her power.
This led her to beg her teacher to take her on a training journey. She had prepared many things in advance. To conceal her identity and avoid being targeted, she even asked Pill King Gu He for numerous pills for disguise and aura alteration.
In the Magical Beast Mountain Range, her teacher accompanied her for a period of training. When Yun Yun left to search for traces of the Amethyst Winged Lion King, she chose to train alone.
One day, during a battle with a magical beast, she revealed a powerful Dou Technique and was targeted by some mercenaries. After defeating the magical beast, with her Dou Qi nearly depleted, she was surrounded by the mercenaries. Though she eventually escaped, she was severely injured.
Later, while fleeing, she met a man who saved her. During her recovery, Nalan Yanran's body was completely seen by him.
However, she knew this was unavoidable for her rescue. Over the next few days, the two spent time together, getting to know each other and learning each other's names.
Yan Xiao. Lan Na.
After her injuries healed, the two traveled together for a short training period, during which a deep friendship developed.
...
Scene after scene from the past flashed through her mind.
"Yan Xiao, I never expected to meet you here. Is this fate?"
"But you don't recognize me now, yet I recognize you. So, you are such a gentleman; it seems you truly had no choice but to do that to save me."
"Even when I showed my real appearance, which is quite beautiful, you showed no reaction. No wonder you possess a Unique Flame—it's normal for you to be so proud."
Nalan Yanran watched the retreating figure and murmured softly, a smile appearing on her face.
"If you knew I am the Lan Na you once knew, I wonder what you would think."
Aside:
Xiao Yan: I would completely break down. I truly thank you.
If Xiao Jietian knew about the actions of these two, he would definitely be left speechless.
As expected of two people betrothed since childhood—even their names have such great synergy.
Xiao Yan. Yan Xiao. Nalan. Lan Na.
This younger brother is even more playful than himself.
Oh, you ask if Yao Lao noticed?
As for whether Yao Lao noticed... guess for yourselves. Jiejiejie.
...
"Yanran, what's wrong with you?" Nalan Su came to Nalan Yanran's side and asked, looking at her with a strange expression. This kind of heartfelt smile hadn't been seen on his daughter's face for a long time.
"Nothing, I was just thinking about some things."
Nalan Yanran smiled lightly, not revealing her thoughts.
"Grandfather is finally saved."
Not wanting Nalan Su to ask too many questions, Nalan Yanran changed the subject.
"Yes, I thought there was no hope left. Unexpectedly, things took a turn, and someone with a Unique Flame actually appeared. Heaven truly blesses us."
Nalan Su understood Nalan Yanran's thoughts and simply went along with her words.
"That's not necessarily heaven's doing; perhaps it's because of fate."
Nalan Yanran thought to herself.
"I really don't know who the teacher of these two master and disciple brothers is, to be able to teach two Alchemists with such extraordinary talent."
"To possess a Unique Flame at such a young age—their future achievements might even surpass Pill King Gu He."
Nalan Su sighed, thinking that with two such disciples, their master must be no ordinary person.
"Indeed, an Alchemist with a Unique Flame has limitless possibilities in the future."
"And that Jiang Feng gave me a very strong sense of oppression and danger. My intuition tells me he is a very dangerous person."
"The Alchemist identities they show on the surface might even be fake, or perhaps even higher. With Yan Xiao's control, he's at least a Third-Tier Alchemist."
Nalan Su was extremely shocked to hear his daughter's words.
"Daughter, how was your conversation with them just now?"
"Old pervert."
Nalan Yanran gave her father a speechless glance and walked toward the main gate.
...
After leaving the Nalan Family, Xiao Jietian and Xiao Yan arrived before a massive building shrouded in the fragrant mist of pills. On the plaque above the main gate, five grand characters were written in a flourishing style: Alchemist Guild.
Xiao Yan looked up at the magnificent building. Among the constant flow of people at the entrance, most were Alchemists rarely seen in the Empire. Xiao Yan exclaimed, "As expected of the holy land for Alchemists in the Jia Ma Empire."
"After all, the people inside this building possess an energy that can shake even the Imperial Family. Even members of the Imperial Family must show three points of respect when they come here."
"Tian Ge, are you also going to participate in the Alchemist Convention?"
"Me? I'll first see what the rewards are. If there are good rewards, participating wouldn't be a bad idea. What about you?"
Although Xiao Jietian knew what the original convention rewards were, he wasn't sure if they had changed due to his arrival.
"Teacher wants me to participate. He said that participating in different Alchemist Conventions can teach you many valuable experiences and help you discover your shortcomings."
"Blindly working behind closed doors will only make one gradually mediocre."
Xiao Jietian agreed with Xiao Yan's words and nodded. Actual combat is the fastest way for people to progress.
The two walked into the Alchemist Guild. The moment they entered, a rich scent of pills wafted toward them, refreshing and invigorating their spirits.
While Xiao Yan looked left and right, observing the interior of the Alchemist Guild, Xiao Jietian activated the system: "System, check in."
[Ding! Checked in at the Jia Ma Sacred City Alchemist Guild. Obtained: Cloud Dream Phoenix Metal × 12, Secret Realm Card × 1.]
Cloud Dream Phoenix Metal: Legend says it is a special metal produced after a phoenix fell in Yunmengze. After recognizing its master, this metal can change its form at will.
Secret Realm Card: Using this card grants one entry into a mysterious, random secret realm. The secret realm is completely random, depending on personal luck. One might obtain treasures, get nothing, or encounter danger. This card is for the host's personal use only.
"Xiao Yan, I'll take you to the trading area."
Although it was Xiao Jietian's first time at the Alchemist Guild, he had previously researched a lot of information about it when he was with the Mittel Family.
The entire Alchemist Guild was divided into three areas: east, south, and west. The east side was the trading area, where many Alchemists sold or exchanged various medicinal herbs, scrolls, jade bottles, and so on. This was the treasure-hunting trading area.
The south side had many medicine cauldrons burning fiercely, with many Alchemists refining pills and exchanging experiences. However, most were low-tier Alchemists, such as First and Second Tier.
Compared to the first two halls, the west hall was much quieter, with many guards stationed in the corridors. Only Alchemists of Third Tier and above could enter there.
Xiao Jietian and Xiao Yan walked between the bluestone stalls in the east hall, their gazes constantly sweeping over the items displayed.
"Young brother, what do you need?"
Seeing Xiao Jietian pause in front of his stall, the stall owner eagerly asked.
"How much for this Violet Royal Ganoderma?"
Xiao Jietian looked at the purple ganoderma on the stall with a calm expression and asked.
"Young brother, you have good taste. This is the best item in my stall. This is a hundred-year-old Violet Royal Ganoderma. I went through great trouble to find it. If you want it, just give me one Fourth-Tier pill."
The stall owner pointed directly at the medicinal herb and explained effusively.
"Too expensive."
Xiao Jietian could tell the herb's age at a glance and replied.
"How is it expensive? I've been selling hundred-year-old Violet Royal Ganoderma at this price for years. It's very difficult for me to collect herbs."
Xiao Jietian frowned slightly. Why did this old man have a somewhat strange temperament?
If not for his powerful soul sensing something special inside the herb and knowing its true age, Xiao Jietian wouldn't have bothered with this talkative stall owner.