Xiao Yan froze momentarily before frowning deeply. "In the Dou Qi continent, everyone dreams of becoming an alchemist. But do you think just anyone can become one? Those苛刻 conditions..." His words suddenly cut off as his eyes widened in realization. "Wait—do I qualify?"
The old man thoroughly enjoyed Xiao Yan's expression—shock mingled with desperate hope and dawning ecstasy. Stroking his beard, he pretended to deliberate before sighing heavily.
"Barely qualified, I suppose. But since I owe you... very well, consider this repayment."
Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed at the old man's feigned reluctance. Something felt off about this "barely qualified" assessment, but he was too exhilarated to probe deeper. Still, suspicion lingered.
"Even if I meet the requirements, alchemists usually need personal instruction from masters. Are you... truly an alchemist?"
The old man's chest puffed up with visible pride. "Correct! I am indeed an alchemist!"
Xiao Yan's eyes sparkled like stars—alchemists were rarer than phoenix feathers!
"Honored elder, may I ask... what tier alchemist you were?" Xiao Yan licked his lips, his youthful voice dripping with newfound respect.
In this world, alchemists followed a strict hierarchy—from first to ninth tier. Pill King Gu He, creator of the Qi Gathering Powder, was a sixth-tier alchemist—the highest in the Jia Ma Empire.
"My tier?" The old man waved dismissively. "Can't recall... Boy, do you want to learn or not?"
"Yes! Absolutely!"
No hesitation now. Alchemists were revered even by behemoths like the Yunlan Sect!
"Good. Then kneel and bow—accept me as your master." The old man crossed his legs on a boulder, grinning slyly.
"Must we go through this formality?"
"You expect me to teach you everything without proper rites? Dream on!" The old man huffed, clearly traditional about master-disciple protocols.
With an internal sigh, Xiao Yan performed the ceremonial bows—three kneelings and nine kowtows—to formally acknowledge him as teacher.
Only after the rituals were completed to his satisfaction did the old man nod approvingly. "You may call me Yao Lao. As for my origins..." He waved a translucent hand. "No need to burden you yet. Just know that so-called 'Pill Kings' are..." He smirked. "Rather insignificant."
Xiao Yan's jaw dropped. This old man just called Pill King Gu He—a national treasure—insignificant? Is he mad?
Suppressing his shock, Xiao Yan switched tactics, adopting an ingratiating smile. "Master, how will you help me reach seven segments in a year?"
"Though your Dou Qi regressed these three years, it forged an exceptionally solid foundation—the cornerstone of cultivation! In time, you'll realize how beneficial this 'setback' was." Yao Lao's expression turned solemn.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Xiao Yan blinked. He'd never considered regression advantageous.
"And when will you teach me alchemy?" His eyes gleamed with greed for the real prize.
"Alchemy requires flame-attributed Dou Qi. First, become a Dou Practitioner and cultivate a fire-element technique."
"Fire technique? Since you're my master now..." Xiao Yan extended his palm expectantly. "How about a Heaven-tier fire technique?"
"Bah! Heaven-tier techniques grow on trees now? The audacity!" Yao Lao's beard quivered with indignation.
"Old man, I can't just use my family's techniques! Our best fire technique is only Yellow-tier High-grade—embarrassingly weak!"
"It's Master, you imp!"
Yao Lao's translucent form flickered with annoyance. This disciple was getting bold alarmingly fast.
"Humph! Since you're my student, I won't disgrace you. I don't possess Heaven-tier techniques..." His aged eyes glinted slyly. "But I have something rarer—a technique that evolves."
"Evolves?"
Xiao Yan's throat went dry. His dark eyes burned with sudden intensity. "What tier is it?"
"Yellow-tier Low-grade." Yao Lao's smile widened as Xiao Yan's face froze.
"You're joking!"
The mountain peak echoed with the boy's outraged shriek.
Watching Xiao Yan's comically twisted expression, Yao Lao chuckled—finally ruffling this unflappable youngster was deeply satisfying.
"What's so special about it?" Xiao Yan asked through gritted teeth.
"It can ascend tiers."
Xiao Yan's pupils contracted to pinpricks. He stared unblinking for a full minute before shaking his head. "Impossible! No technique evolves!"
"Foolish child! This continent's wonders far exceed your provincial knowledge."
"Name one other evolving technique then!"
"Er... well..." Yao Lao coughed awkwardly. "That's what makes mine unique!"
"You're certain?"
"Absolutely!"
"Have you practiced it?"
"Not... exactly."
"Has anyone?"
"Technically... no."
Veins bulged on Xiao Yan's forehead as he barely restrained himself from punching the smug old ghost. "Then how do you know?!"
"The manual... mentioned it." Yao Lao rubbed his nose sheepishly.
Xiao Yan massaged his temples. After a long pause, curiosity won out. "Can I see it?"
Yao Lao's grin turned fiendish. "Perhaps... when you become a Dou Practitioner."
"You—!" Xiao Yan's outstretched hand trembled before he spat through clenched teeth: "Ruthless!"
Chuckling, Yao Lao ignored his disciple's murderous glare. "For now, focus on reaching seven segments."
"How?" Xiao Yan growled.
"Early-stage Dou Qi training expands meridians and tempers the body—preparing for true Dou Qi cultivation. At your age, meridians are fragile yet malleable. Progress must be gradual; external enhancements risk fatal ruptures when Dou Qi intensifies later."
Xiao Yan nodded soberly. During his decline, his father had nearly force-fed him Dou Qi several times before stopping just in time.
Yao Lao observed his calm understanding approvingly. "For others, yes. But your foundation—fortified through three years of unwavering discipline—is exceptionally robust!"
"So... drugs?" Xiao Yan's eyes gleamed.
"Similar, but your meridians can't withstand even the mildest pill—not even Qi Gathering Powder."
Xiao Yan nearly choked. The empire's most coveted pill—"mildest"?
"Then what?"
"Gentler methods." Yao Lao smiled mysteriously. "Tomorrow, gather: three pristine Purple Spirit Grass—older the better; two Bone Cleansing Flowers—age irrelevant; and one Wood-attribute Rank 1 Magic Core. Common materials—you'll manage. Ah—someone's coming. Remember: tell no one of me—not even family."
Before Xiao Yan could protest, Yao Lao vanished into the black ring now snug on the boy's finger.
"Three Purple Spirit Grass? Two Bone Cleansing Flowers? A Rank 1 Magic Core? Old fool! Do I look like royalty? That's over 1,000 gold coins! My entire savings are 400—barely enough for the core!" Xiao Yan ranted at the ring.
"Consider it an investment. My Spirit Nurturing Liquid is priceless—you're getting materials at cost." Yao Lao's amused voice echoed in his mind.
"Damn alchemists—only the rich afford them!"
Xiao Yan sighed. His monthly allowance—20 gold coins—could sustain a common family for a year. Yet here, it wouldn't cover a fraction of these "basic" ingredients.
"Guess I'll have to borrow..."
As he sighed, light footsteps approached. Turning, he saw a purple silhouette flitting up the mountain path—graceful as a forest sprite.
Key Terms:
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Purple Spirit Grass (紫叶兰草): A medicinal herb for meridian nourishment.
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Bone Cleansing Flower (洗骨花): Enhances skeletal resilience during cultivation.
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Magic Core (魔核): Crystallized energy from magical beasts, categorized by rank.
Cultural Nuance:
The master-disciple relationship (师徒关系) is sacred in xianxia culture, often involving ceremonial bows (三跪九叩) symbolizing lifelong commitment. Yao Lao's insistence reflects this tradition's gravity.
Style Note:
The dialogue balances Yao Lao's playful teasing with Xiao Yan's frustrated pragmatism. The evolving technique revelation maintains the original's suspense while adapting idioms ("Heaven-tier techniques grow on trees") for natural English flow. The cliffhanger arrival of the purple-clad figure (implied to be Xiao Xun'er) preserves narrative tension.
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