Battle Through the Heavens: Xiao Yan, who was kidnapped to another world

Upon receiving Xiao Yan's affirmative reply, Otto smiled and said, "Then, how about I register your alchemist information first? As for the grade... is it okay to set it to grade four for now? Frank and I can only issue grade four alchemist badges based on our authority."

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Master Otto." Xiao Yan nodded and said with a smile.

"No trouble at all, no trouble at all," Alto said with a cheerful smile.

Although inviting a fifth-grade alchemist as an outsider was a little excessive, Yan Xiao was Xiao Yan's senior brother and could be considered a member of the Jia Ma Empire.

At worst, after the Alchemist Conference, he and Frank would go through the trouble of informing the conference organizers of all the news. Their Blackrock City Alchemist Branch wouldn't want the share of the champion's earnings; they only needed the performance bonus from a third-grade alchemist newcomer.

Satisfied with his small scheme against the guild, Alto stopped outside a spacious room. Listening to the cursing coming from inside, Alto shook his head helplessly and smiled at Xiao Yan, "That's old guy Frank scolding his disciple. That girl traded his fourth-grade medicine prescription for a Peach Blossom Flame Seed, and he's heartbroken..."

Alto pushed open the door while chatting and laughing. "Alright, alright, old man, stop worrying about your pill formula. Guess who I brought back?"

Upon hearing Otto's voice, Frank, who was angrily rebuking the disciple standing in front of him, stopped, turned his gaze to Xiao Yan, and asked in surprise, "Old Otto, who is this...?"

"Xiao Yan's senior brother, a fifth-grade alchemist, Yan Xiao!" Otto said cheerfully, as if introducing his junior.

"A fifth-grade alchemist...?!" x3

With just one sentence, all three people in the room focused their attention on the "ordinary Yan Xiao." It should be noted that both Otto and Frank were only fourth-grade alchemists at this time!

"Furthermore, I have successfully persuaded Rock Owl to participate in the Alchemist Conference as a registered member of our Blackrock City branch!" Otto continued, quite pleased with the surprised expressions on their faces.

"...Isn't this against the rules?" Frank said hesitantly after a brief pause.

"What's wrong with the rules?" Otto stepped forward and patted Frank on the shoulder. "Xiao Yan hasn't been able to come because of the Nalan family's affairs. Think about it, with Xiao Yan's talent, more than a year has passed. He should be a fourth-grade alchemist by now, right?"

"While we might not be able to beat the little princess and her group, we'll definitely be in the top ten, right?" Otto said confidently. "At worst, we can just tell the truth after the competition and only take the rewards from the division with the top ten players!"

Hearing Alto's words, Frank rubbed his head helplessly, looked at Xiao Yan, and said, "Then I'll have to trouble you."

Xiao Yan shrugged indifferently. If it weren't for the need to conceal his true identity, he could have participated in the competition under the name "Xiao Yan." However, that would have been too arrogant and high-profile for the Nalan family and the Yunlan Sect, and it wouldn't have suited Xiao Yan's cautious and prudent style.

"Speaking of which, may I make a condition?" Xiao Yan suddenly asked, looking at the two smiling faces.

"Yes, that's fine. Are there any requirements?" Alto and Frank were taken aback for a moment, then nodded and asked.

"Before my master meets with the president of the Alchemist Guild of the Jia Ma Empire, I would like to meet him first," Xiao Yan said softly. "Could you two help introduce me?"

"Before your master met with the guild leader?" Otto was stunned, then came to his senses. "Was it the alchemist who refined the Breakthrough Pill?"

Ever since that Breakthrough Pill appeared in the imperial city, the Alchemist Guild of the Jia Ma Empire has been in a state of turmoil. Although Gu He claims to be a sixth-grade alchemist, no one has ever seen him refine a sixth-grade pill, let alone a Breakthrough Pill, which is considered an extremely difficult pill among sixth-grade pills.

However, although the Breakthrough Pill caused a stir, the commotion gradually subsided because the mysterious alchemist never showed up – except for the Alchemist Guild.

As for the higher-ups and department heads of the Alchemist Guild, they all knew that the guild leader had made a condition to the Mittel family's personnel who were helping that alchemist sell pills: in exchange for a medicinal herb that the alchemist needed, they wanted to witness the alchemist refine a sixth-grade pill, and the alchemist guild could even provide the medicinal herb.

That's why, when the fifth-grade alchemist "Yan Xiao" said that "his master met with the president of the Alchemist Guild," Otto was a little stunned, but eventually he came to his senses.

“Of course,” Xiao Yan once again acted as his teacher, “So, could you help me with the introductions?”

"Of course, no problem. The president has been wanting to meet you for a long time," Frank nodded decisively. "The president and vice president are upstairs. We can take you there now."

"Then I'll have to trouble you two masters," Xiao Yan said with a smile.

After exchanging a glance, Otto and Frank simultaneously addressed their disciple, "Yan Xiao and I are going up there. You stay with Otto (Frank) during this time!"

Clearly, both Otto and Frank were very interested in the meeting between Rock Owl and the two presidents of the Alchemist Guild.

On the top floor, in the room of the Alchemist Guild's president and vice president.

“The Mittel family has sent a message,” the old man in a purple alchemist’s robe said softly. “Yao Yan, the name of that mysterious alchemist. He has agreed to our request.” The old man was Fa Ma, the president of the Alchemist Guild of the Gama Empire, a fifth-grade alchemist, only one step away from the sixth grade, although that last half step had been like an insurmountable chasm that had blocked him for decades.

“Not surprising,” the old man standing beside the girl in the purple dress nodded with a smile. “So, what kind of pill is that alchemist preparing to refine?” This man was Chemir, the vice president of the Alchemist Guild, and beside him was Yaoyue, the little princess of the Gama Empire.

Yao Yue listened nervously, because according to the two guild leaders' guesses, this alchemist whose name they only learned was Yao Yan might be a seventh-grade alchemist, or even the legendary eighth-grade alchemist!

"It didn't say. The letter only stated that after we meet, Master Yaoyan will choose which pill to refine based on the actual situation."

Fama gave a bitter smile. At this moment, he felt the same way he did decades ago when he met that mysterious old man. He was just as uneasy as before. However, compared to decades ago, the only thing he didn't have to worry about now was his life.

Tap tap tap, tap tap tap...

Just as Chemir was about to say something more, there was a knock on the door.

"Please come in." Those who could enter the top floor were all high-ranking members of the Alchemist Guild, so Chemir didn't think much of it and spoke directly.

"Old Ao? What brings you up here today?" Chemir greeted the elderly man with a smile as the door opened. "Oh, old Frank's here too?"

“Uh… the little princess is here too…” Just as Alto was about to speak, he suddenly noticed the third person in the room.

"What? Do you have some secret to tell?" Chemir laughed. "Little Moon is my disciple, and she's also a member of our Alchemist Guild. Just say what you want to say; there's no need to hide anything."

Alto and Frank exchanged a glance, then simultaneously looked behind them.

"I don't mind. We'll have to meet sooner or later, won't we?"

A voice that was completely unfamiliar to the three people in the room suddenly rang out from outside the door, and the tone did not sound like that of Otto or Frank's junior. If one were to be extreme, one could even think that it was the tone used when addressing a subordinate.

Fama and Chemir exchanged a glance, suddenly developing a great interest in the unknown young man outside the door.

"President Fama, Vice President Chemir, and Princess Yaoyue, good evening," a young man with an ordinary appearance walked into the room under the expectant gazes of the group. "My name is Yan Xiao..." Xiao Yan chuckled after noticing the letter on the table.

"My master's name is Yaoyan. I think you all have heard of this name before, haven't you?"

Amidst the shocked gazes of the three, Xiao Yan slowly uttered these words.

Chapter 189 Senior Brother? Junior Brother?

Xiao Yan stood there, smiling as he endured the shocked gazes of the three people in the room. However, suddenly, he noticed that Fa Ma frowned and his gaze swept over Xiao Yan, as if searching for something.

"What's wrong? Is there something wrong with me?" Xiao Yan asked Fa Ma, looking directly at him with some curiosity.

"Ahem, it's nothing," Fa Ma coughed, a slight embarrassment on his face, but after a brief hesitation, he finally asked, "Young friend Yan Xiao, I seem to sense some familiar aura on you..."

'Ah, here we go again…' Xiao Yan thought with a sigh. This was the second time Yao Lao's aura had been detected. 'No, it might not be my teacher's aura.'

Suddenly, Xiao Yan's eyebrows twitched slightly, and he blinked as if he was puzzled: "Not long ago, my teacher and I went to the city of the Snake People. Did the Guild Master sense the aura of Queen Medusa?"

Queen Medusa? Didn't she fail to evolve and die in the lightning tribulation?

After Xiao Yan said that, Yao Yue and Chemir's eyes flickered slightly. Less than a month ago, they had received news from the Yunlan Sect that Queen Medusa had died in the lightning tribulation.

However, according to what Rock Owl said, Queen Medusa did not die.

“Queen Medusa? No, no, no, it’s not her aura,” Fama paused, then decisively shook his head. “Actually, I’m not quite sure whose aura it is either…”

Fa Ma sighed and said, "When I was young, I traveled across the continent and met an old man of unfathomable strength. By chance, I spent three days with him. The knowledge that the old man casually imparted to me during those three days still benefits me greatly even now."

"It was the knowledge imparted by that old man that allowed me to gradually reach where I am today after returning to the Jia Ma Empire..." Perhaps it was the aura emanating from Xiao Yan that left such a deep impression on Fa Ma that he involuntarily began to recount his own story from back then.

Is his strength unfathomable? The knowledge he imparted is still invaluable even today.

Hearing the opening lines of Fa Ma's story, Xiao Yan's expression turned somewhat strange. He quietly asked in his mind, "Teacher, was the person Fa Ma encountered back then you?"

After a moment of silence, the old apothecary said with some emotion, "I was wondering why I could still sense a familiar aura from this person in the Jia Ma Empire... It's him! A little fellow with not-so-great talent, I taught him some alchemy techniques when I was traveling the continent."

"So, is President Fa Ma considered my senior brother?" Xiao Yan asked curiously.

"I only taught him some knowledge; he never formally became my disciple, and I never taught him," the old physician chuckled and shook his head. "You could only say he was destined to be with me; if I had to say, he was merely a disciple in name only."

Is that so?

Xiao Yan blinked, his gaze falling on Fa Ma, who was recounting the story of that year. In Xiao Yan's observation of his soul power, Fa Ma's soul power was in a very awkward state. As long as his soul power made even the slightest progress, with Fa Ma's decades of accumulation, he could break through the limit of a sixth-grade alchemist at any time and become a sixth-grade alchemist.

However, that wisp of soul power was like an insurmountable chasm standing before Fa Ma, with no possibility of breaking through.

"I'll ask my teacher when I get back tonight," Xiao Yan said with a smile after Fa Ma's story ended. "Maybe my teacher knows the old man you mentioned, the one who's willing to teach even people he's just met."

"Thank you very much then." Fa Ma gave a wry smile. In fact, he already felt that he had sensed something wrong before. The old man from back then was at least a Dou Zong or Dou Zun. How could he possibly appear in a remote little country like the Jia Ma Empire?

"Speaking of which, young friend Yan Xiao, is there something you need tonight?" Because of his earlier lapse in composure, Fa Ma quickly changed the subject. "Is it because Senior Yao Yan has finalized the pills he wants to refine and sent you here to collect the medicinal herbs?"

"That's part of the reason..." After glancing at Fa Ma, Xiao Yan hesitated and nodded. "Of course, the main reason is my junior brother, the one you all know, the one who made a three-year agreement with the eldest daughter of the Nalan family."

The name Xiao Yan was unfamiliar to the three people in the room, except for the two branch leaders from Black Rock City. However, when the name Xiao Yan was mentioned, all three of them quickly recognized him.

"Xiao Yan... is he Senior Yan Xiao's junior brother?" Yao Yue, dressed in a purple robe, asked in surprise.

“Of course, in the Northwest Continent, Junior Brother’s talent for alchemy is one in a million,” Xiao Yan said with a smile, praising himself. “According to our teacher, Junior Brother might be able to refine a sixth-grade pill before he turns twenty.”

"Twenty years old? A sixth-rank official?!"

Even Otto and Frank, who knew Xiao Yan's exceptional talent in alchemy, were stunned by this statement. After all, Gu He, the most renowned alchemist in the Jia Ma Empire at the time, was only a sixth-grade alchemist, and many people doubted him because he had never refined a sixth-grade pill.

But now, this Yan Xiao actually said that Xiao Yan might be able to refine a sixth-grade pill before he turns twenty?

“After all, Junior Brother has only been involved in alchemy for three years, yet he is already able to refine fourth-grade pills, and is only one step away from refining fifth-grade pills,” Xiao Yan shrugged casually. “Unlike us alchemists who are limited by our soul power, before Junior Brother can refine fifth-grade pills, the only thing that can limit him is the strength of his Dou Qi. Even so, with the Qi-restoring pill, Junior Brother will probably be able to refine fifth-grade pills when he becomes a Dou Ling.”

"It's something you can't envy if you're born with strong soul power..." Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Fa Ma, who had been struggling with his soul power, sighed helplessly.

"However, now that Xiao Yan is already a fourth-grade alchemist, is there anything else we can do to help him?" Chemir asked at the opportune moment.

Indeed, among the people present, Otto, Frank, and even Chemir were only fourth-grade alchemists. Under such circumstances, could they really help Xiao Yan?

“After Junior Brother’s three-year agreement ends, we will leave the Jia Ma Empire in a short time,” Xiao Yan said helplessly. “In order to ensure the safety of Junior Brother’s family, he hopes to move the Xiao family back to Jia Ma Holy City.”

Relocate back to Gama Holy City?

Yao Yue's eyes darted around. The Xiao family, along with the Nalan family, the Mu family, and the Mittel family, used to be known as the four great families. However, due to the death of the Xiao family's former pillar, the Xiao family completely withdrew from the stage of the imperial city. According to Yan Xiao, the Xiao family wanted to take back their assets in the imperial city.

Chemir and Fama quickly understood Yan Xiao's meaning, though both hesitated. The Alchemist Guild held a superior position in the Gama Empire not only because they were all alchemists, but more importantly because they remained forever neutral and never got involved in the conflicts between various factions.

“We have already communicated with the Mittel family, and they will help the Xiao family gain a foothold in the capital,” Xiao Yan continued. “Junior Brother and Master only hope that after the Xiao family enters the capital, the Alchemist Guild can provide some support and arrange some alchemists to help the Xiao family.”

“If that’s all, then there’s no problem,” Fama said with a sigh of relief. “The Alchemist Guild has partnerships with several families in the Imperial City. As long as we’re not asked to unilaterally support any one family, there’s absolutely no problem.”

"That would be perfect," Xiao Yan said with a smile, as if he hadn't noticed Yao Yue's determined expression.

In the following period, Xiao Yan reached a friendly agreement with the two presidents of the Alchemist Guild regarding the Alchemist Guild's assistance in various aspects after the Xiao family's re-entry into Jia Ma Holy City. Thus, Xiao Yan had completed all the things he wanted to do before meeting Fa Ma.

"Speaking of which, has President Fa Ma ever heard of the Soul Rejuvenation Pill?"

Before leaving, Xiao Yan seemed to have thought of something, suddenly turned around, looked at Fa Ma, and asked.

"Soul Rejuvenation Pill? Never heard of it. Are you looking for the formula for that pill, young friend Yan Xiao?" After pondering for a moment, Fa Ma shook his head and asked.

"No, I have the formula for the Soul Reinforcement Pill." Xiao Yan shook his head. In fact, the Soul Reinforcement Pill was a pill he had developed himself that could enhance soul power. However, the Soul Reinforcement Pill was not very effective for Qing Lin, so Xiao Yan was thinking of developing a new pill.

"The Soul Rejuvenation Pill, a sixth-grade pill... Of course, its refining difficulty is nothing like that of a normal sixth-grade pill; calling it a fifth-grade pill wouldn't be a problem," Xiao Yan said softly, looking at Fa Ma. "However, despite being rated as a sixth-grade pill, it has a very peculiar effect..."

"After taking this pill for the first time, no matter how strong one's soul power is, it will be improved to some extent." Of course, this is on the premise that the user's soul power has not reached the Spirit Realm.

? !

Upon hearing this, Fa Ma immediately stood up, staring at Xiao Yan in disbelief.