"Yao Chen… Venerable Yao!"
This name exploded like a thunderclap, causing all three of them to freeze at the same time.
Lin Yuan was pretending to be stunned.
Yao Lao froze because his identity had been guessed by an unfamiliar youngster.
Xiao Yan froze because his teacher was actually the number one alchemist of the continent, a Venerable existence. He had always known his teacher was an extraordinary figure, but he had never imagined it would be at such a level.
Since his identity had already been exposed, Yao Lao could no longer bring himself to feign ignorance in front of a junior. He could only hope that the force this youngster belonged to was not hostile to him.
Yao Lao's soul separated from Xiao Yan's body and hovered beside him, while Xiao Yan's eyes returned to those of a youth filled with sharp vitality.
Yao Lao looked at Lin Yuan and asked, "Who are you, and how did you recognize me?"
Lin Yuan seemed to steady his emotions again. The composure returned to his expression as he performed a junior's salute to Yao Lao and smiled.
"Just now, this junior witnessed Senior's move. Having disappeared for so many years, yet still able to display such formidable power even after losing your physical body—such a level of soul cultivation, combined with the iconic Bone Chilling Flame… When so many coincidences come together, it isn't difficult to guess, is it? As for who I am, that would be information. Senior, would you like to purchase this piece of information?"
Lin Yuan did not explain why he was certain that the flame Yao Lao had used was the Bone Chilling Flame. He believed Yao Lao would naturally understand.
Yao Lao looked deeply at Lin Yuan. At such close range, he had already sensed the other party's Heavenly Flame. Though it was inferior to his own Bone Chilling Flame, it was undoubtedly a Heavenly Flame. The unique resonance between Heavenly Flames was very hard to mistake, and this alone was enough for the other party to confirm his identity through the Bone Chilling Flame.
"This is not a suitable place to talk. Senior, and this young friend as well, please follow me," Lin Yuan said. He then turned and headed toward the waterfall, taking the lead.
He was not worried that Yao Lao and Xiao Yan would leave directly. Before determining his stance, they would not feel at ease leaving.
Watching Lin Yuan walk away, Xiao Yan sensed the powerful aura emanating from him and sighed with some emotion.
"Teacher, that person looks about the same age as me, but he's incredibly strong. I can feel it—that's the aura of a high-level Dou Grandmaster. Is this what they mean by 'there is always someone stronger, and the heavens beyond the heavens'? Compared to him, even Nalan Yanran…"
Yao Lao glanced at Xiao Yan. This was a good opportunity to broaden his horizons, to let him understand the vastness of the world and not allow his vision to be confined by the small pond that was the Jia Ma Empire.
Thus, Yao Lao said in a deep voice, "Dou Grandmaster? He is not. He used some kind of secret technique to conceal his cultivation, making it appear as though he were at the Dou Grandmaster level. Unfortunately, such a technique cannot fool your teacher. His true cultivation is that of a Dou King."
Yao Lao's words shook Xiao Yan to the core. After a moment of daze, he finally came back to his senses, a bitter smile appearing at the corner of his mouth. He knew the world outside was vast, but he had not expected it to be so vast. A Dou King at such a young age, the gap was truly so great that it felt almost despairing.
Yao Lao did not interrupt Xiao Yan's thoughts. He was waiting. This was part of growth. His disciple would not shrink back because of the gap. With Xiao Yan's resilient temperament, such a disparity would instead stimulate his fighting spirit.
Just as Yao Lao had expected, Xiao Yan quickly rekindled his resolve and understood his teacher's good intentions. A hint of firmness appeared on his handsome face as he said in a deep voice, "Thank you, Teacher, for letting me see how vast the outside world truly is. I believe that one day, I too will stand upon that stage."
"Ha ha, good, good." Yao Lao laughed heartily. What he was most satisfied with was precisely Xiao Yan's resilient mentality. With a meaningful look, he said, "Xiao Yan, remember this is how the Dou Qi Continent is. There are countless geniuses. Once you know the gap, just pursue steadily. The path of cultivation is very long. In the end, what matters is not who walks the fastest, but who walks the farthest."
Hearing this, Xiao Yan nodded thoughtfully and looked at Yao Lao. "Teacher, then what should we do?"
Yao Lao pondered for a moment, then pointed at the Frost Sky Wolf he had killed earlier. "Go and retrieve the Frost Sky Wolf's magic core over there. A Fourth-Rank ice-attribute magic core—it will be useful for refining the Blood Lotus Pill. Then we'll head over. There are some matters your teacher needs to confirm."
After retrieving the magic core as instructed, Xiao Yan followed Yao Lao to the edge of the pool. Upon seeing the surroundings, his eyes lit up. The waterfall rushed down into a vast, deep pool. The water was clear like jade, green grass grew thick around the pool, and the surrounding mountains were lush and verdant. From time to time, magical beasts could be seen darting through the forest. It was an excellent place for cultivation.
At this moment, Lin Yuan was standing not far ahead, looking at the two of them with a trace of probing curiosity in his eyes, as though he were quite interested in their current state.
Under Yao Lao's guidance, Xiao Yan walked toward Lin Yuan. When he reached him, there was caution in Xiao Yan's gaze, but even more so, there was fighting spirit.
Seeing this, Lin Yuan felt a degree of admiration for both Xiao Yan and Yao Lao. In the original course of fate, Xiao Yan had been able to reach that height not only because of numerous coincidences and fortuitous opportunities, but because his temperament and talent were undoubtedly the foundation of everything. And Yao Lao, who had polished this rough jade into a gem, was without question among the finest of mentors.
With that thought, Lin Yuan asked, "It seems this young friend is Senior's newly accepted disciple. Truly a dragon among men."
Yao Lao stroked his translucent beard and nodded. He then gave Xiao Yan a look. Xiao Yan understood at once, stepped forward, and cupped his fists.
"Xiao Clan, Xiao Yan. Greetings, brother."
Lin Yuan returned the salute. "Due to certain reasons, I cannot reveal my true name. When traveling outside, you may call me by my alias—Qianlong. It is a pleasure to meet you both. Let this cup of wine serve as my apology."
As he spoke, Lin Yuan gathered qi and condensed matter, using Dou Qi to form two exquisite wine cups out of thin air. He then took out a jug of wine from his storage ring and filled both cups to the brim, handing one of them to Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan was somewhat surprised by Lin Yuan's ability to create objects from nothing, but he had already steadied his mind and showed no outward reaction. In front of outsiders, he could not allow himself to embarrass his teacher.
Xiao Yan glanced at Yao Lao. Yao Lao gave a slight nod. He had covertly examined the wine—it posed no problem. On the contrary, it would even be somewhat beneficial to Xiao Yan at his current stage.
The person before them appeared very friendly, and did not seem to be a genius from a force hostile to them. Yao Lao felt a bit more at ease.
After receiving Yao Lao's signal, Xiao Yan accepted the wine cup and smiled. "To be able to meet someone like Brother Qianlong, Xiao Yan is likewise honored."
"Then let us drink to our acquaintance," Lin Yuan said, downing the wine in his cup in one gulp.
Seeing this, Xiao Yan also drank his wine in one mouthful.
As the azure-colored liquid entered his body, a strange energy spread out. Following his instincts, Xiao Yan immediately sat down cross-legged and formed cultivation seals. His aura began to rise steadily, and before long, he broke through to the rank of a five-star Dou Practitioner. His physique also seemed to strengthen slightly.
Standing up, Xiao Yan bowed to Lin Yuan. "Many thanks, brother."
Yao Lao watched from the side, a look of "just as I thought" appearing on his face. With great interest, he asked, "Little friend, could it be that you possess Core Quenching Body Milk?"
"Oh?" Lin Yuan replied. "Senior's perception is indeed sharp—you were able to sense even such a diluted amount of Core Quenching Body Milk in the wine. And since Senior specifically mentioned Core Quenching Body Milk, it seems we have some matters worth discussing."
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