Breaking the Masked Man

Yao Yan chuckled. He was still willing to make friends with Hai Bodong. As for Hai Bodong's average strength... for an alchemist, these were not the most important things. If he wanted to in the future, he could easily help him reach the position of Dou Zun.

More important than these things is character, because that means you can entrust your back to someone.

"it is good."

Hai Bodong didn't mince words and readily nodded.

He was also willing to befriend Yao Yan, an alchemist who was not yet seventeen years old.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 59 Unexpectedly Confirmed Time

With the seal on the colorful butterfly broken and Yao Yan emerging from seclusion, Hai Bodong no longer needed to protect the two of them. Moreover, having obtained the elixir, his urge to break through was growing stronger, and he directly expressed his thoughts. Yao Yan naturally did not stop him, and said with a smile, "Then congratulations in advance. However, I probably can't wait any longer. I plan to leave on a flying magical beast in a while!"

"So rushed?!"

Hai Bodong was slightly taken aback and looked at Yao Yan with some surprise. If he hadn't witnessed Yao Yan refining third-grade pills, he would have even suspected that Yao Yan was using fake medicine to deceive him and then running away in advance.

Yao Yan nodded, but he didn't explain further because he couldn't tell anyone what he was about to do, not even Cai Die. Some things are safest only for himself, especially when he went to Wutan City. He wouldn't even take Cai Die with him.

"...Then I wish you a safe journey, young master. If you have time, you are welcome to come to the capital to find me. After I break through, I will go to the Mittel family in the capital!"

Hai Bodong could tell that Yao Yan was unwilling to say more, so he naturally didn't ask any further questions. After pondering for a moment, he looked at Yao Yan and said in a deep voice.

"Aren't you afraid that the pills I gave you are fake?"

Yao Yan glanced at the medicine bottle in Hai Bodong's hand with amusement and chuckled.

Hai Bodong was taken aback for a moment upon hearing this, but then a smile appeared on his usually cold face as he said confidently, "Of course I'm worried, but I trust your character, young master, and I trust my judgment in people!"

Besides, he could afford to lose a few medicinal herbs. If Yao Yan was really a big fraud, then Queen Medusa should be the one who should be in pain. Compared to a few medicinal herbs, Queen Medusa lost her own sister.

Yao Yan smiled noncommittally and said nothing more.

Hai Bodong suddenly thought of something, his expression shifted, and he looked at Yao Yan and said, "Six months from now, the Alchemist Guild of the Jia Ma Empire will hold the Fifth Alchemist Conference in the capital. At that time, all alchemists under the age of thirty from across the country will participate. If you are interested, you can go and take a look."

He was actually quite eager to see Yao Yan participate in the conference. A fifth-grade alchemist who was not even seventeen years old... he figured he could scare that old guy Fa Ma to death!

"?!"

Yao Yan was startled upon hearing this. If he remembered correctly, Xiao Yan participated in the 7th Alchemist Conference in the original novel. The Alchemist Conference is held every eight years. So, it has been sixteen and a half years since Xiao Yan participated in the Alchemist Conference. At that time, Xiao Yan was already over seventeen years old.

If nothing had changed, Xiao Yan would be less than a year old now!

He never expected to learn the exact time from Hai Bodong, which was a pleasant surprise.

Yao Yan's eyes brightened a bit as he looked at Hai Bodong, who had just been speaking eloquently, and replied with a smile, "Okay, if nothing comes up, I'll definitely go and take a look!"

At the same time, he was trying to figure out the whereabouts of the Xiao clan.

If Xiao Yan were only one year old, the Xiao family might not necessarily be in Wutan City. After all, at this point in time, the pillar of the Xiao family, Xiao Yan's grandfather, should still be alive. Given his strength as a Dou Wang, the Xiao family would definitely be staying in a prosperous city like the capital.

Having confirmed these things, Yao Yan's thoughts became clear instantly. Since there was plenty of time, he decided to stick to his plan: first, retrieve the map of the Pure Lotus Demon Flame, then head to Wutan City. If the Xiao Clan was not in Wutan City, he would go to the capital to take a look. If the Xiao Clan was not in the capital, he would visit the Nalan family. Given the relationship between the two families, he should be able to find out the information he wanted.

At this moment, Cai Die, who had been completely unsealed, came out led by two maids. Compared to her previous unease, she was more confident now that she had regained her memories. She could accept the gazes of others with composure and was no longer as timid as before.

Strength certainly gives people confidence!

It allows the colorful butterflies to display the splendor that should belong to Queen Medusa's clan.

"Now that the colorful butterfly has appeared, I'll take my leave. See you in the capital another day!"

Yao Yan stood up and clasped his hands in a fist salute to Hai Bodong. As for resting, there was plenty of time to rest among the flying birds and beasts.

Hai Bodong rose to return the greeting, while reminding him, "Once you arrive at the Flying Transport Company, you only need to retrieve your previous token, and someone will arrange your itinerary, allowing you to travel to most of the cities in the Gama Empire!"

"it is good!"

Yao Yan nodded, then took out a bamboo hat from his storage ring and covered Cai Die's head, who was still looking bewildered. He then carried Ling'er on his shoulder, took Cai Die's little hand, and walked out of the auction house.

Hai Bodong didn't continue to see him off, because there was no need. The auction house was very close to the flying transport company, less than a street away. He could see the huge flying beast as soon as he stepped out. Given their current friendship, there was no need to be too polite. If they were destined to meet again in the future, they would.

……

Cai Die, led by Yao Yan's hand, walked out of the auction house. Instantly, the scorching sunlight shone on the three of them—a human, a snake, and a fox. Ling'er nimbly retreated into Yao Yan's arms. Because she was wearing a bamboo hat, she felt alright, but she looked at Yao Yan with a puzzled expression and asked softly, "Young Master, where are you taking me?"

"I'll take you somewhere deserted to give birth."

Yao Yan replied without hesitation, while looking at the flying transport ship in the distance. A huge bird-beast came into view, with a pavilion built on its body, which was quite eye-catching from a distance.

"Young master is definitely not a good person~"

Upon hearing this, Cai Die, having regained her memories, instantly recalled the events of the past few days. Her pretty face flushed slightly, and she spat at Yao Yan. She had previously believed that Yao Yan was a gentleman, but now it seemed that he was not at all. In fact, he had only taken her in because of her beauty. As a member of the Medusa Queen's clan, she was quite confident in her looks.

Yao Yan didn't feel any resistance from the other party's hand. A smile flashed across his eyes, and he turned to look at Cai Die, continuing to tease her, "So, are you willing or not?"

When a woman is willing to be teased by you, nothing more needs to be said.

He is no naive young man.

Cai Die bit her lip, her heart trembling at Yao Yan's directness. Having lived in the Snake-Man Clan's palace for many years, she had never seen such a straightforward and wicked person as Yao Yan. She felt overwhelmed and her pretty face flushed red. Her bright peach blossom eyes were filled with mist, and her dark blue tail swayed restlessly from side to side.

She didn't know whether she should agree or not. She had heard the saying "a life-saving grace should be repaid with one's body," but wouldn't that be too casual...?

If it weren't for the straw hat she was wearing, the charm that Cai Die exuded at this moment would be enough to bewitch all the men on the roadside.

Yao Yan stopped there, not continuing to tease Cai Die, and changed the subject, saying, "I plan to go to the Magical Beast Mountain Range of the Jia Ma Empire. There are some things I need there. By the way, your sister came to see you before and entrusted you to me!"

"???"

Cai Die disregarded her shyness and looked at Yao Yan in great surprise. Given her sister's personality, it would be good enough if she didn't attack Yao Yan, so why would she entrust herself to him?

"Don't understand? Then ask her yourself when you see her in the future."

Yao Yan smiled, then grasped Cai Die's hand tightly and strode towards the air transport vehicle.

At this moment, he was filled with boundless pride!

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 60 Over the shoulder fall

On the vast square, a dozen or so rather large flying birds and beasts were perched.

These birds are called Thick-winged Birds. They are not classified as magical beasts, but are genuine giant birds with an extremely gentle nature, making them the easiest to tame by humans. However, due to their small numbers, only the Gama Empire has the strength to build such flying transport fleets.

When Yao Yan led Cai Die into the room, there were already quite a few people inside. They lined up next to the birds and beasts, checking the birds on the tickets one by one.

This scene is quite similar to the waiting room at an airport in my previous life.

Their arrival naturally attracted the attention of most people, because those who could take the snake woman out were never simple. And the butterfly beside Yao Yan was undoubtedly quite alluring. Even though she wore a bamboo hat that covered her delicate face, her hot figure and enchanting snake tail were still exposed.

A true pervert, even a snake's tail would do...

Noticing the malicious gazes around her, Cai Die's eyes instantly turned cold. Although she was gentle and kind by nature, she was not the kind of person who would not fight back when bullied. In particular, she was very clear about the character of these mercenaries around her. All the major tribes of the Snake People were harassed by these mercenaries, who treated the Snake People as prey to hunt and kill them.

As a result, the relationship between the Serpent People and the Gama Empire deteriorated to the point where they almost fought each other whenever they met.

As for the deeper reasons, Cai Die obviously hadn't considered them, such as survival and race... If she thought about it carefully, she would find that there was no possibility of peaceful coexistence between the two sides, especially when their strengths were not much different.

Yao Yan naturally noticed those fearless gazes. He squeezed Cai Die's hand to reassure her, then released the Dou Qi within his body, which was comparable to that of an ordinary peak Great Dou Master. A wave of energy swept out, causing those bold gazes to become much less aggressive.

In the Gama Empire, a Grand Master still carries some weight.

He ignored the mercenaries and led Cai Die to the ticket counter, handing over the token that Hai Bodong had given him earlier.

The man immediately stood up upon seeing the token, bowed respectfully, and said, "Sir, according to the rules of the Empire, you do not need to buy a ticket here. You can ride the free exclusive flying mount. This way, please!"

With that, the man personally led Yao Yan and Cai Die toward the other side of the square.

This scene naturally caused most people to withdraw their gaze, not daring to continue looking, for fear of angering Yao Yan. Those who could be led to the other side to ride their exclusive flying mounts were either of noble status or powerful strength, neither of which they could afford to offend.

Soon, Yao Yan and Cai Die arrived at the other side of the square, where only three giant birds and beasts were parked. Unlike the Thick-winged Bird, they were all first-tier magical beasts, with fierce appearances and larger sizes. The structures on their backs were also more intricate, clearly specially designed.

The man maintained his respectful demeanor and inquired, "Where is Your Excellency heading, sir?"

"Warcraft Mountain Range".

Yao Yan withdrew her scrutinizing gaze and said softly.

The man pointed to one of the giant birds and beasts and introduced it, "Sir, you can ride this bird and beast. Its destination is Blackrock City next to the Monster Mountain Range. The journey will take about seven to eight days!"

When can we take off?

"Half an hour later!"

Having received a satisfactory answer, Yao Yan led Cai Die onto the flying magical beast, found an empty room, and went inside.

I waited for about half an hour.

With a loud screech, the flying magical beast, under the command of its tamer, suddenly soared into the sky. Strands of wind-attribute energy swirled around it, greatly increasing its speed. The rock city below shrank rapidly at a visible speed before it sped off towards the northern part of the empire.

Butterfly popped her head out of the window, her straw hat removed. Her beautiful eyes gazed at the receding Tagor Desert, somewhat lost in thought. She had never imagined that she would leave the territory of the Snake People and step into the territory of the Gama Empire. It all seemed like a dream.

She was supposed to be executed, but out of resentment, she used a secret technique to escape from the snake-people's palace. After losing her memory, she was captured by mercenaries, and then she met Yao Yan...

Her life, which lasted less than a month, seemed to be more exciting than all her previous lives combined.

Yao Yan appeared beside her at some point, his mask removed to reveal a handsome face that could be described as a heartthrob. A faint smile played on his lips as he softly asked, "What's wrong? Are you reluctant to part?"

"Young master, you've unexpectedly ended up here. Don't you miss home?"

Cai Die blinked her bright peach blossom eyes, her pupils reflecting Yao Yan's face. Her moist lips parted slightly, and her gentle voice rang out.