Xuan Jin's voice echoed in the hall, each word clearly striking everyone's heart.
The ring!
The source of the problem was actually the ring that Xiao Yan never took off!
Xiao Yan froze in place, subconsciously clenching his right hand, the bone-chilling sensation spreading through him.
"Great Master, this... this is impossible."
"This ring is the only memento my mother left me."
Xiao Zhan, who was nearby, also recovered, his face filled with disbelief.
"Master Xuan, did you perhaps make a mistake? This ring is indeed Yan'er's mother's memento, how could it..."
He wanted to say, how could there be a problem, but the words caught in his throat.
After all, the person before him was an Alchemist Master whom even Dou King powerhouses flattered; how could his judgment be questioned by himself?
Only Xiao Xun'er, a glimmer of light flashed in her clear eyes.
The Soul Power of a high-level Alchemist far surpassed ordinary people, allowing him to perceive subtle details that others could not.
This Xuan Jin, perhaps he really saw something!
The scrutiny in her heart quietly transformed into a hint of anticipation.
Xuan Jin ignored the explanations of Xiao Zhan and his son; he just looked at Xiao Yan, his tone calm.
"Whether it is or isn't, one test will tell."
He extended a finger, pointing at the ring,
"You take it off, and I will place a Seal on this ring, temporarily severing its connection with you."
"Afterward, you try to Cultivate again and see if the Dou Qi in your body still disappears."
Xiao Yan's body trembled violently.
"Brother Xiao Yan."
Xiao Xun'er's gentle voice sounded in his ear, "Give it a try; no matter the outcome, Xun'er will be with you."
Xiao Yan raised his head, and light rekindled in his decadent eyes.
"Good!"
Xiao Yan took off the ring and handed it over, "Then I trouble Master Xuan."
"Thank you, Master Xuan!" Xiao Zhan and Xiao Xun'er also bowed simultaneously.
Xuan Jin took the cold-to-the-touch ring but did not act immediately.
He could feel the Soul body inside the ring.
A wisp of flame quietly appeared at Xuan Jin's fingertip, like a mischievous sprite, dancing around the ring.
Three Origin Fire Sealing Seal!
He flicked his finger, and three hair-thin flame runes, forming a 'pin' shape, instantly entered the ring!
The entire process was as fast as lightning; Xiao Zhan, Xiao Yan, and the others present only felt a blur before their eyes and couldn't see what happened.
Only Xiao Xun'er, relying on the mysterious golden Dou Qi within her body, vaguely caught a trace of the trajectory, and her shock deepened.
The control over flames was so exquisite!
In the dark space inside the ring.
Yao Chen's Soul body was as if suppressed by three fiery mountains, unable to move.
Those three flame runes had separately locked his perception of the outside world.
Although this Seal power was not strong, seeming to be breakable at any time, the purity and domineering nature contained within the flames made him dare not make the slightest move.
"Pill Tower's Sealing art!"
Yao Chen could be 100% sure that this young man outside was definitely a core direct descendant of the Pill Tower!
And his status was extremely high!
Otherwise, it would be absolutely impossible to learn the "Three Origin Fire Sealing Seal"!
...In the hall.
Xuan Jin finished all this as if merely dusting off his hands.
He tossed the ring, which now had no abnormal aura, in his palm.
"Your ring is indeed quite peculiar."
He looked at Xiao Yan, a slight smile on his lips,
"I wonder if you would be willing to trade it with me?"
At these words, Xiao Zhan and Xiao Xun'er were both stunned.
Xiao Yan was even more directly frozen in place.
Trade?
Xiao Yan was silent for a moment, then shook his head, "Sorry, Master Xuan."
"This item is a memento left by my mother; it holds extraordinary significance to me and cannot be traded."
His tone, though still respectful, was very firm.
Xuan Jin seemed to have anticipated his reply and did not get angry.
"No matter."
He tossed the ring back to Xiao Yan.
"If you change your mind someday, you can go to the Mittel Auction House and find Steward Ya Fei."
Xuan Jin paused, then added,
"Of course, the prerequisite is that I am still in this Jia Ma Empire."
After speaking, he no longer looked at Xiao Yan but picked up his teacup and tasted it leisurely, as if he had truly just mentioned it casually.
But these words made Xiao Yan's heart jump.
The implication was that this Great Master could leave Wutan City, or even the Jia Ma Empire, at any time.
Then he... He didn't have time to think much, tightly gripping the ring in his hand, and sat down cross-legged.
This was the moment of truth!
Time in the hall seemed to stop at this moment.
Everyone's gaze was focused on the black-clothed young man sitting cross-legged.
Xiao Zhan's fists were tightly clenched, his knuckles white from the effort, his eyes fixed on his son without blinking.
This was the closest he had been to hope in three years.
Xiao Xun'er also held her breath, a hint of nervousness, which even she hadn't noticed, showing in her clear eyes.
Ya Fei sat gracefully in her chair, a professional smile on her face, but her charming eyes were also full of curiosity.
Could this "waste" young master of Wutan City truly gain a new Life Qi in the hands of this mysterious Great Master?
Xiao Yan closed his eyes, forcing himself to calm his mind.
He began to carefully guide the Dou Qi energy between heaven and earth, following the Cultivation method he had long memorized.
A wisp, a thread... Thin Dou Qi, following his breath, surged into his limbs and Meridians.
This feeling was both familiar and strange.
For three years, every time he Cultivated, this Dou Qi would disappear without a trace after entering his body, like a mud ox entering the sea.
But this time... The Dou Qi circulated along his Meridians without any obstruction.
When the first wisp of Dou Qi successfully flowed into the long-dry Qi cyclone in his lower abdomen, Xiao Yan's body trembled violently.
It didn't disappear!
The Dou Qi didn't disappear!
He could clearly feel that faint wisp of Dou Qi quietly staying in his Qi cyclone, no longer dissipating!
Xiao Yan was in disbelief, immense ecstasy instantly welling up in his heart. Three years of effort had finally paid off; he could finally Cultivate!
He immediately increased his absorption speed, and the Dou Qi between heaven and earth, as if finding an outlet, continuously gathered into his body.
The dry Qi cyclone, like land after a long drought receiving sweet rain, greedily absorbed every bit of energy.
Although it was only the faint fluctuation of a first-stage Dou Qi, the ability to retain Dou Qi within his body was undoubtedly the greatest good news for him.
He felt the lost and regained hope within him, feeling his Qi cyclone being filled little by little.
Three years of humiliation, three years of unwillingness, three years of pain and despair... At this moment, all transformed into hot tears, uncontrollably gushing from his eyes.
"I... I can Cultivate!"