The Master of All-Heavens Systems

Chapter 102: The Ring's Old Man Is Dumbfounded

The farce of the broken engagement had come to an end.

Nalan Yanran, now bearing the shameful label of "blindly arrogant," slinked back to the Yunlan Sect in disgrace.

Meanwhile, the Xiao family had risen to prominence, now on the brink of having not just one, but two alchemists. This was a matter of great joy for any family, a cause for wild celebration.

Xiao Feng and Xiao Yan were now famous.

Xiao Feng, once considered a useless wastrel for a decade, had now soared to new heights. In the past two years, Xiao Feng had spent his time honing his skills in the Demonic Beast Mountain Range, battling monsters and leveling up.

The gains from these two years had not only enabled Xiao Feng to qualify as an alchemist, but also led him to be used as a test subject by Li Yu, putting him on a path of unprecedented physical strength in this world.

By practicing the "Mighty Warrior Scripture," his strength had surged dramatically. Beyond his increased Dou Qi cultivation, he now possessed immense physical power and an indomitable physique.

Now, with the strength of a Star Dou Practitioner and the title of a second-tier alchemist, Xiao Feng was enjoying unprecedented fame.

Xiao Yan, who had once been a fallen genius, mocked as a failure for three years, suddenly revealed his potential as an alchemist, shedding the ridicule and regaining his dazzling brilliance.

"Master, do you think my cousin Xiao Yan's suffering is about to end?"

Xiao Feng was discussing with the Supreme Dan Spirit whether he could teach Xiao Yan to become an alchemist, when the Supreme Dan Spirit casually remarked, "Your cousin is about to escape his hardships and will soon rise to great heights."

This news delighted Xiao Feng.

Ever since he became a disciple of the Supreme Dan Spirit, Xiao Feng's strength had increased rapidly, and his alchemical skills had become exceptionally refined in the "Illusory Realm."

He had long entertained the idea of helping Xiao Yan, but the Supreme Dan Spirit had always stopped him, saying that Xiao Yan's trials were not yet over.

Now, hearing the Supreme Dan Spirit's words, Xiao Feng was both surprised and pleased.

"Master, you've always said that my cousin was undergoing trials, but you never revealed the specific reason. Now that his trials are almost over, can you tell me the truth?"

Xiao Feng glanced at Xiao Yan, who was sweating as he trained, and asked the Supreme Dan Spirit in his heart.

"Telling you wouldn't be a problem."

After consulting with Li Yu and receiving his approval, the Supreme Dan Spirit no longer held back, "Did you notice? Your cousin Xiao Yan also has a ring."

"What?"

Xiao Feng was shocked to his core, his jaw nearly dropping. This startling revelation left the usually composed youth utterly astonished.

"Could it be that his ring also contains someone like you?"

Xiao Feng took a deep breath, suppressing his shock, and quickly asked the Supreme Dan Spirit.

"Hah!"

The Supreme Dan Spirit let out a disdainful laugh, "A half-dead remnant soul, barely clinging to life by absorbing your cousin's Dou Qi for three years. Compared to me, he's not even fit to carry my shoes."

"What? You mean my cousin's Dou Qi was absorbed by the remnant soul in that ring? That's why he lost his cultivation? But you said this was part of his training—why?"

"Although his Dou Qi was absorbed for three years, didn't his resolve grow stronger? Isn't he more tenacious now? That's what training is. More importantly, that remnant soul is an alchemist—an alchemist of the ninth tier."

The Supreme Dan Spirit chuckled and continued, "After absorbing his Dou Qi for three years, he owes a debt. He can't just take without giving back; he'll have to teach your cousin to become an alchemist as compensation. Moreover, even though he has awakened, he's still just a remnant soul. He'll need your cousin's help if he ever wants to regain his human form. So, rest assured, this is your cousin's fortune."

"I see."

Xiao Feng nodded, having made up his mind, "My cousin suffered for three years, losing his Dou Qi. We can't let him be easily placated with a few tokens of compensation. There must be a price paid. So..."

"Supreme Dan Spirit, I think I should start teaching Xiao Yan some alchemy knowledge first, so he won't be easily deceived. What do you think?"

"Do as you wish," the Supreme Dan Spirit replied indifferently, waving a hand.

In the following days, Xiao Feng began teaching Xiao Yan alchemical knowledge personally.

Over the years, Xiao Yan had been diligently studying under Xiao Feng, focusing on his cultivation. As a result, his control over his Dou Qi had greatly improved, and the rate at which it drained had slowed significantly.

One month later, while Xiao Yan was training in the back mountain, a voice echoed from his ring.

"Finally, I've awakened."

The elderly voice carried a hint of nostalgic emotion.

"Who...who are you?"

Even with his three years of tempered will, Xiao Yan was startled by the sudden voice emerging from his ring.

"Don't be afraid, child."

The old man chuckled warmly, "After so many years, I've finally seen the light of day again, and I've encountered someone with the potential to become an alchemist. How fortunate! Hehe, thank you, child, for your three years of offerings. Without them, who knows when I would have awakened?"

"Three years of offerings?"

Xiao Yan's face turned pale as he immediately connected this with the constant depletion of his Dou Qi over the past three years.

"So it was you...you were the one behind this!"

Three years of humiliation and hardship had ignited a blazing fury in Xiao Yan now that he knew the truth.

"Damn it!"

Even though three years of trials had made Xiao Yan more composed, the anger in his heart exploded. He ripped the ring from his finger and hurled it off the cliff.

"Such a temper, child."

To Xiao Yan's horror, the ring he had just thrown floated in mid-air, and even more terrifying was the pale, translucent figure that appeared above it.

"Child, do you want to become strong? To stand out in the world? To—"

"Shut up!"

Before the old man could finish, Xiao Yan's furious voice cut him off, "If it weren't for you draining my Dou Qi for three years, I would have become strong long ago, already risen to prominence! Even now, I can rise again without any difficulty. Now, get lost!"

"I can make you an alchemist."

The old man, his eyebrow twitching from Xiao Yan's reprimand, quickly revealed his trump card.

Given the revered status of alchemists in this world, the old man was confident that once he dangled this offer, the young man before him would be begging to become his disciple.

However—

"Ha!"

Xiao Yan sneered disdainfully, "You think I need you to become an alchemist? My brother is already an alchemist."

"Uh..."

The old man was completely stunned.

How could this be? How could this be? This isn't how it's supposed to happen, is it?

At that moment, the old man's plans to show off came to a screeching halt, leaving him utterly bewildered.