Xiao Jietian nodded lightly.
"A Third-Rank Alchemist like you isn't making a move, but you're pushing a Second-Rank Alchemist forward. Are you making fun of us?"
A sarcastic voice broke the silence of the hall.
Xiao Jietian looked toward the source of the voice and saw a middle-aged alchemist standing before a chair, his face full of mockery and contempt. He thought Xiao Jietian was looking down on him.
Xiao Jietian cast a glance of disdain at the middle-aged man.
The man seemed to see something terrifying; a chill shot up from the soles of his feet, his legs went weak, and he took a step back, plopping heavily into the chair, looking utterly terrified.
Although unsure what had happened to the middle-aged man, to prevent the situation from escalating, Nalan Su asked with a hesitant and cautious expression, "Young friend Yan Xiao, are you confident you can cure my father?"
Nalan Su didn't believe this man named Yan Xiao possessed any hidden skills—he was too young and only a Second-Rank Alchemist. This rank was merely the beginning in alchemy, and he might not even be proficient in many pharmacological principles.
Beside Nalan Su, Nalan Yanran trembled slightly upon hearing her father address Xiao Yan.
"Is Pill King Gu He confident he can cure him?"
Xiao Yan knew the other party looked down on him and spoke with a cold, indifferent tone.
Nalan Su shook his head bitterly.
"Since even Gu He isn't confident, and you said 'try' for others, but for me, you ask if I'm confident—Patriarch Nalan, isn't that a bit…"
Xiao Yan's voice carried a hint of mockery.
Nalan Su opened his mouth slightly, unsure how to respond.
"Yan Xiao, you've misunderstood. It's not that my father is targeting you; it's just that our family's old master doesn't have much time left to waste."
Seeing a slight conflict arise between Yan Xiao and her father, Nalan Yanran quickly stepped forward and spoke with a graceful smile.
"Haven't you already wasted enough time?"
Xiao Yan looked at Nalan Yanran, who had spoken, and replied coldly, his fists clenched tightly, a hidden chill in his eyes.
Xiao Yan's words immediately made the faces of the dozen or so alchemists in the hall turn ugly. Just as they were about to retort, they saw Xiao Jietian, who had been sitting, looking at them with icy eyes. They instantly felt as if their throats were choked, unable to speak.
This technique was developed by Xiao Jietian from "World Loses Its Color," allowing him to slow down specific areas of space.
"That's not what I meant…"
A flash of anxiety crossed Nalan Yanran's eyes. She hadn't expected to make the situation worse and further disappoint the other party.
Xiao Jietian observed Nalan Yanran's expression and felt that something was off—about ninety percent off.
Could something have changed because of the butterfly effect from my actions?
"Junior Brother Yan Xiao, just show them your skills, and they'll obediently shut up."
Hearing Xiao Jietian's words, Xiao Yan thought for a moment and understood his meaning.
Xiao Yan extended his hand, and a cyan flame rose from his palm. The surrounding temperature began to rise continuously, gradually becoming scorching hot.
The Third-Rank Alchemists around them stared wide-eyed, looking at the flame in Xiao Yan's hand in disbelief.
Nalan Su and Nalan Yanran's eyes were filled with shock and ecstasy.
"I presume you all recognize what is in my hand?"
Xiao Yan lowered his head, looking at the cyan flame dancing like a spirit in his palm, and spoke indifferently.
"This… this is a Heavenly Flame?" the oldest elder among them asked, trembling.
The other alchemists lowered their heads sheepishly, not speaking, and even showed a hint of reverence and fear in their eyes. They knew that an alchemist possessing a Heavenly Flame was a being with boundless prospects in the alchemy world.
The dozen alchemists wished they could slip away immediately, fearing they might be held accountable later.
"Your Excellency, I apologize for my previous oversight." Nalan Su confirmed that the flame in the other party's hand was a Heavenly Flame and bowed to Xiao Yan in apology.
"Hmm."
Xiao Yan nodded indifferently.
"Then, may I ask Your Excellency to treat my father?"
Nalan Su inquired in a low voice, his tone carrying a hint of pleading.
Nalan Yanran's eyes were also filled with anticipation and apology.
Xiao Yan walked directly toward the side door. Seeing his actions, Nalan Su and Nalan Yanran's faces lit up with joy. They quickly arranged for others to entertain the alchemists and hurried after Xiao Yan.
The other alchemists no longer dared to stay and quickly walked out of the house, wishing they had more legs.
In an instant, only Xiao Jietian and the attending maid remained in the hall.
Xiao Jietian appeared to be resting with his eyes closed, but in reality, he was reviewing the experience and techniques of the Fire Lotus fusion in his mind.
About an hour later, Xiao Yan slowly walked out, led by Nalan Yanran.
Seeing the slight helplessness on Xiao Yan's face, Xiao Jietian knew he would need to come for the next seven days to expel the poison.
Xiao Jietian asked as Xiao Yan walked out, "Is it done?"
"It's not that easy. It'll probably take another seven days."
Xiao Yan said helplessly. He had originally thought it would be resolved quickly but hadn't expected it to be so troublesome.
"Hmm, then arrange your time accordingly. I won't be accompanying you after this, and you might have other gains during this period."
Xiao Jietian recalled that when Xiao Yan expelled the poison, much of the Iron-Marked Venom would be absorbed into the flames. Since the venom had absorbed a great deal of Nalan Jie's Dou Qi, Xiao Yan would also gain a significant amount of Dou Qi energy.
"I hope so."
Xiao Yan was somewhat puzzled by Xiao Jietian's cryptic words and scratched his head as he replied.
Nalan Yanran led the two outside. Xiao Jietian lingered a step behind, watching with interest as Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran walked side by side.
Nalan Yanran, walking ahead, occasionally glanced at Xiao Yan, who ignored her, feeling a mix of surprise, frustration, and joy in her heart.
Unable to bear it any longer, Nalan Yanran finally spoke to Xiao Yan first. Listening to their conversation, which mirrored the original story, Xiao Jietian remained expressionless but was laughing inwardly.
Perhaps sensing she had somewhat neglected Xiao Jietian behind her, Nalan Yanran turned slightly and said to him, "Jiang Feng is Yan Xiao's senior brother. It seems Jiang Feng is also quite extraordinary."
"I'm just an ordinary person."
Xiao Jietian spread his hands, wearing a lazy expression.
Nalan Yanran narrowed her eyes and glanced at Xiao Jietian, sensing a strong threat from him. Her intuition told her that if she were to oppose him, she would be in danger.
"We're here, Miss Nalan. There's no need to see us off. My senior brother and I can walk the rest of the way ourselves. You should go back."
Xiao Yan turned, cupped his hands toward Nalan Yanran, then gestured to Xiao Jietian. The two walked directly into the crowd.
Nalan Yanran watched a figure vaguely visible in the distance and fell into a reverie.
Seven months ago, feeling an urgent need to increase her strength, she knew she required some tempering to improve more effectively. When she heard her teacher was going to the Magical Beast Mountain Range, she asked to accompany him, wanting to undergo some training…