As for why Nalan Yanran needed to rapidly increase her strength, it was because she had been deeply startled by someone her own age during her previous visit to the Xiao Family. Her strong and proud personality simply would not allow her to accept being inferior.
So, she constantly thought about improving her strength.
This led her to beg her teacher to take her on a training journey. She had also prepared many things in advance. To conceal her identity and avoid being targeted, she even asked Pill King Gu He for many pills for disguise and aura concealment.
In the Magical Beast Mountain Range, her teacher accompanied her for a period of training. When Yun Yun left to search for traces of the Amethyst Winged Lion King, Nalan Yanran chose to train alone.
One day, during a battle with a magical beast, she exposed her powerful Dou Technique and was targeted by a group of mercenaries. After defeating the magical beast, her Dou Qi was almost depleted, and she was surrounded. Although she eventually escaped, she was severely injured.
Later, while fleeing, she met a man who saved her. During her recovery, her body was completely seen by him.
However, she knew this was unavoidable for her rescue. For the next few days, the two spent time together, getting to know each other and learning each other's names.
Yan Xiao and Lan Na.
After her injuries healed, the two traveled together for a short period of training, during which they developed a deep friendship.
…
Scene after scene from the past continuously replayed in her mind.
"Yan Xiao, I didn't expect to meet you here. Is this fate?"
"But you don't recognize me now, while I recognize you. It turns out you are such a gentleman. It seems you truly had no choice but to do that to save me."
"Even with my real appearance being so beautiful, you showed no particular reaction. I didn't expect you to possess an Alien Flame. No wonder you're so arrogant."
Nalan Yanran looked at the retreating figure and murmured softly, a gentle smile appearing on her face.
"If you knew that I am the Lan Na you once knew, I wonder what you would think."
Aside:
Xiao Yan: I would completely break down. I truly thank you.
If Xiao Tian knew about the actions of these two, he would definitely be stunned speechless.
As expected of two people who were betrothed since childhood — even their names showed such great tacit agreement.
Xiao Yan → Yan Xiao.
Nalan Yanran → Lan Na.
This younger brother was even more playful than himself.
Oh, you ask if Yao Lao didn't notice?
As for whether Yao Lao noticed… guess for yourselves. Jiejiejie.
…
"Yanran, what's wrong with you?" Nalan Su walked over to Nalan Yanran's side and asked, looking at her with a strange expression. This kind of heartfelt smile hadn't appeared on his daughter's face for a long time.
"Nothing. I was just thinking about some things," Nalan Yanran smiled lightly, not revealing her thoughts.
"Grandpa is finally saved."
Nalan Yanran didn't want Nalan Su to ask too many questions, so she quickly changed the subject.
"Yes, I thought there was no hope left, but unexpectedly, things took a turn. Someone with an Alien Flame actually appeared. Heaven truly blesses our Nalan Family," Nalan Su said with emotion.
"That's not necessarily heaven's doing. Maybe it's because of fate," Nalan Yanran thought to herself.
"I really don't know who the teacher of these two senior and junior brothers is, to be able to teach two alchemists with such extraordinary talent."
"To possess an Alien Flame at such a young age, their future achievements might even surpass Pill King Gu He."
Nalan Su sighed, thinking that with two such outstanding disciples, their master must not be an ordinary person.
"Indeed. An alchemist with an Alien Flame has unlimited possibilities in the future."
"And that Tian Xiao gave me a very strong sense of oppression and danger. My intuition tells me he is a very dangerous person."
"The alchemist identities they show on the surface might even be fake — or perhaps even higher. With Yan Xiao's control, he is at least a third-rank alchemist."
Nalan Su was extremely shocked to hear his daughter's words.
"Daughter, how was your conversation with them just now?"
"Old pervert."
Nalan Yanran gave her father a speechless glance and walked toward the main gate.
…
After leaving the Nalan Family, Xiao Tian and Xiao Yan headed directly to a massive building shrouded in the fragrant mist of pills. On the plaque above the main gate, five grand characters were written in a flourishing style: Alchemist Guild.
Xiao Yan looked up at the magnificent building. A constant flow of people entered and exited, most of them alchemists rarely seen in the empire. He couldn't help but exclaim, "As expected of the holy land for alchemists in the Jia Ma Empire."
"After all, the people inside this building possess energy that can shake even the Imperial Family. Even members of the Imperial Family must show three parts of respect when they come here."
"Tian Ge, are you also going to participate in the Alchemist Convention?"
"Me? I'll first see what the rewards are. If there's something good, participating wouldn't be out of the question. What about you?"
Although Xiao Tian knew what the original convention rewards were, he wasn't sure if they would change due to his arrival.
"Teacher wants me to participate. He said that joining different Alchemist Conventions can teach you many valuable experiences and help you discover your own shortcomings."
"Blindly working behind closed doors will only make one gradually mediocre."
Xiao Tian agreed with these words and nodded. Actual combat was indeed the fastest way for people to progress.
The two walked into the Alchemist Guild. The moment they entered, a rich medicinal fragrance wafted toward them, instantly refreshing their spirits.
While Xiao Yan was looking around curiously, Xiao Tian said, "Xiao Yan Zi, I'll take you to the trading area."
Although it was Xiao Tian's first time at the Alchemist Guild, he had previously gathered a lot of information about it while staying at the Mitel Auction House.
The entire Alchemist Guild was divided into three main areas: east, south, and west.
The east side was the trading area, where many alchemists sold or exchanged various medicinal herbs, scrolls, jade bottles, and other items. This was the treasure-hunting trading zone.
The south side had many medicine cauldrons burning fiercely. Numerous alchemists were refining pills there and exchanging experiences. However, most of them were low-rank alchemists — first-rank and second-rank.
Compared to the first two halls, the west hall was much quieter, with many guards standing in the corridors. Only alchemists of third-rank and above were allowed to enter.
Xiao Tian and Xiao Yan walked between the bluestone stalls in the east hall, their gazes constantly sweeping over the items displayed.
"Little brother, what do you need?"
Seeing Xiao Tian pause in front of his stall, the stall owner asked eagerly.
"How much for this Violet Royal Ganoderma?" Xiao Tian asked calmly while looking at the purple ganoderma on the stall.
"Little brother, you have good taste! This is the best item in my stall. This is a hundred-year-old Violet Royal Ganoderma. I spent a great deal of effort to obtain it. If you want it, just give me one fourth-rank pill."
The stall owner pointed at the medicinal herb and explained enthusiastically.
"Too expensive," Xiao Tian said after glancing at the herb.
"How is it expensive? I've been selling hundred-year-old Violet Royal Ganoderma at this price for years. It's very difficult for me to collect such herbs," the stall owner protested.
Xiao Tian frowned slightly. Why did this old man have such a strange temperament?
If it weren't for his powerful soul sense detecting something special inside the medicinal herb and his accurate knowledge of its true age, Xiao Tian wouldn't have bothered with this talkative stall owner at all.