16
Su Qian looked at Xiao Qing with a calm gaze and a warm smile on his face: "I am Su Qian. I have come uninvited; I hope Master Xiao will not take offense."
"The reason for my visit is twofold: first, on behalf of Commander Wu, to once again thank you for saving his life, and second, having heard that you were here, I came specifically to make your acquaintance!"
Xiao Qing invited the two inside to take a seat, his expression calm: "Elder Su, you are too kind. It was merely a trivial effort."
After a few pleasantries, Su Qian revealed the deeper purpose of his visit: "Master Xiao is so young, yet possesses such strength; it is truly astonishing!"
"Our Jia Nan Academy has always enjoyed making friends with talented individuals from across the world. We wish to befriend you. In this Black-Corner Region, if you encounter any difficulties or have any needs, I might be able to offer a modest amount of help."
Xiao Qing understood; this was Jia Nan Academy extending goodwill, attempting to win him over.
He pondered for a moment and felt that establishing a good relationship with Jia Nan Academy was not a bad thing; at the very least, it could save him from many unnecessary troubles.
Xiao Qing took the fated opportunity to state his needs: "I appreciate Elder Su's kindness! To be honest, I am an Alchemist, and I am currently in need of a large quantity of medicinal ingredients to practice and improve my Alchemy."
"If your academy could provide some assistance in this regard, I would be most grateful!"
"You are also an Alchemist?" Upon hearing this, a flash of light appeared in Su Qian's eyes, and the smile on his face widened even further.
He had originally guessed that Xiao Qing might possess strong combat power due to some secret technique or special Physique, but he had not expected him to also be an Alchemist!
To be so young and possess such high cultivation; if he also had achievements in Alchemy, his potential would simply be immeasurable!
His mind immediately became active; if he could recruit him into Jia Nan Academy...
With a hint of anticipation and probing, Su Qian asked: "I did not expect you to be an Alchemist. Truly, heroes emerge from the youth!"
"May I ask, Master, what rank of Alchemist are you now?"
Xiao Qing picked up his teacup, took a sip, and replied in a calm tone: "I can currently refine Seventh-Rank Medicinal Pills."
"I am currently in need of some medicinal ingredients for Seventh-Rank Medicinal Pills to hone my skills, in the hope of improving my Alchemy attainments soon."
"Seventh-Rank?!"
"Pfft!" Wu Tianlang, who was sitting to the side, nearly spat out the tea he had just taken a sip of. He coughed repeatedly, his face filled with disbelief.
"What, a Seventh-Rank Alchemist?!?"
Although Su Qian was composed, the hand holding his teacup trembled slightly, and an unprecedented look of shock erupted in his eyes!
A Seventh-Rank Alchemist?!? Sensing Xiao Qing's aura, which was full of youthful vigor, he was definitely no older than twenty!
At this age, possessing combat power comparable to a Dou Zong powerhouse was already shocking enough.
Now, he was telling them that he was also a Seventh-Rank Alchemist?!?
This simply overturned their understanding!
Even their Jia Nan Academy only had an Alchemist at the Peak of the Fifth-Rank.
One must know that in the entire Black-Corner Region, openly, there were only two Sixth-Rank Alchemists: Han Feng and Qi Shan of the Black Emperor Sect!
Seventh-Rank; that was an existence sufficient to be treated as an honored guest even by a Dou Zong powerhouse!
Watching the two of them look shocked and pale, Xiao Qing knew that words alone were insufficient.
He moved his mind slightly, and the vast Spirit Realm Soul power within his Sea of Consciousness was released, gently radiating outward.
This soul power was not targeted at Su Qian or Wu Tianlang; it was simply radiating naturally.
However, the moment this soul power appeared, Wu Tianlang felt his entire body sink.
It was as if he were deep within a boundless ocean, feeling a vastness that was bottomless and unfathomable, which filled him with awe.
As for Su Qian, who had seen Dean Mang Tianchi and had some understanding of high-level soul Realms, his experience was completely different!
His expression instantly became incomparably grave, even carrying a trace of horror!
This... this was not an ordinary Mortal Realm soul! This was the Spirit Realm!
It was the hallmark of truly stepping onto the threshold of a high-level Alchemist: a Spirit Realm Soul!
Su Qian clearly remembered that Dean Mang Tianchi had once lamented that improving one's soul Realm was far more difficult than improving one's Qi cultivation.
The Dean himself had only barely touched the edge of the Spirit Realm after advancing to Dou Zun!
Yet the young man before him, whose cultivation on the surface was not even Dou Wang, but whose strength might be that of a Dou Zong powerhouse, had already stepped into the Spirit Realm with his soul power!
What did this mean? It meant that as long as his Qi cultivation caught up and he had sufficient Qi to support the refining process, refining an 8th-Grade Pill in the future would be almost a matter of course!
A future Grade 8 Alchemist Grandmaster!
Thinking of this, Su Qian's heart began to beat violently and uncontrollably, and his breathing became somewhat hurried.
The gaze he directed toward Xiao Qing instantly changed from the appreciation and respect of before to a burning intensity, as if he were looking at a rare treasure!
This was a massive fated opportunity delivered right to his doorstep!
The friendship of a future Grade 8 Alchemist Grandmaster was simply immeasurable in value! It was enough to elevate the status of the entire Jia Nan Academy!
Su Qian quickly suppressed the turbulent waves in his heart, forcing himself to calm down.
He knew that when facing such a person, any calculations or petty thoughts were superfluous; the only option was to show the utmost sincerity!
Su Qian stood up abruptly, bowed solemnly to Xiao Qing with cupped hands, his tone filled with unprecedented respect, and even his form of address changed instantly: "Master Xiao! I have failed to recognize a true expert; please forgive my earlier negligence!"
Xiao Qing raised his hand slightly: "Elder Su, no need for such formalities."
Su Qian straightened up, his eyes fervent, his tone resolute: "The medicinal ingredients Master requires are on me! My Jia Nan Academy will definitely exhaust all efforts to collect them for you!"
He immediately proposed extremely generous terms for cooperation: "Everything will be done according to the rules of the Alchemy world!"
"We will provide Master with three full sets of medicinal ingredients. Master will start the furnace for Alchemy, and regardless of success or failure, the medicinal ingredients will be covered by my Jia Nan Academy!"
"If you succeed in refining the pill, you only need to hand over one Medicinal Pill to us; all other pills and remaining medicinal ingredients shall belong to Master!"
"Furthermore, we will offer corresponding rewards based on the value of the Medicinal Pill, or provide other Pill Formulas that Master might need!"
These terms were almost entirely in Xiao Qing's favor, taking all the risks and losses onto Jia Nan Academy's side while leaving the greatest benefits to Xiao Qing.
Their intention to befriend and invest was clearly evident.
Xiao Qing was quite satisfied with Su Qian's tact and decisiveness.
With Jia Nan Academy, a local powerhouse, helping to collect medicinal ingredients, the pressure on him for ingredients to refine high-level Medicinal Pills would be greatly alleviated, and he could improve his Alchemy proficiency faster.
"Elder Su is full of sincerity; I will not decline." Xiao Qing nodded, accepting this cooperation.
Seeing this, Su Qian was overjoyed and struck while the iron was hot: "Master Xiao, before long, the Black Emperor Sect's Black Emperor Pavilion auction will be held."
"At that time, various forces from the Black-Corner Region will gather, and I am sure many rare items will appear."
"My Jia Nan Academy has some Foundation in Black Emperor City. If Master does not mind, you can accompany us, which could save you some unnecessary trouble."
Xiao Qing pondered for a moment.
Traveling with Jia Nan Academy would indeed avoid many prying eyes and disturbances, and it would also allow him to gain a deeper understanding of this influential force in the Black-Corner Region.
This might also be beneficial for his subsequent search for Demon Flame Valley and for dealing with the potential threat from the Soul Hall.
One must know that the relationship between Jia Nan Academy and Demon Flame Valley—or rather, between Dean Mang Tianchi and Earth Demon Old Ghost—is that of enemies!
"Very well, then I will trouble Elder Su." Xiao Qing agreed.
Both sides agreed to meet here on the day the Black Emperor Pavilion auction began.
After seeing off the exhilarated and excited Su Qian and the still somewhat dazed Wu Tianlang.
Xiao Qing stood by the window, his gaze fixed on the looming, magnificent building in the center of Black Emperor City: the Black Emperor Pavilion.
Establishing this connection with Jia Nan Academy undoubtedly added a convenience for his upcoming actions in the Black-Corner Region.
Chapter 108, heavenly fire lightning tribulation liquid! 【1300 monthly votes for an extra update, two-in-one】
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
On this day, Grand Elder Su Qian arrived as scheduled, accompanied by two old men with strong auras.
One was dressed in brown robes with a square face; his eyes were shrewd yet carried a sense of dignity. He was the Vice Dean of Jia Nan Academy's Outer Academy, Hu Qian, who currently possessed the cultivation of an Eight-Star Dou Huang.
The other was dressed in crimson Alchemist robes and wore a Fifth-Rank Alchemist badge on his chest.
This old man had a rosy complexion, and his eyes were filled with enthusiasm for the path of Alchemy and a hint of irrepressible excitement.
He was an Elder of Jia Nan Academy's Alchemy Department, named Elder Huo, and his cultivation was at the Five-Star Dou Wang level.
Wu Tianlang, due to other task arrangements from the academy, was unable to come.
"Master Xiao, this is the Vice Dean of our Jia Nan Academy's Outer Academy, Hu Qian, and this is the Elder of the Alchemy Department, Elder Huo."
Su Qian introduced them to Xiao Qing with a smile.
The gaze Hu Qian directed toward Xiao Qing was filled with curiosity and a trace of imperceptible awe.
He had long since learned of the extraordinary nature of this mysterious young man from Su Qian and Wu Tianlang.
Now that he saw him in person, although he felt the other's aura was calm, the subtle pressure it brought was undeniable.
Hu Qian cupped his hands and said: "Hu Qian, greetings to Master Xiao!"
The Elder Huo appeared much more excited; he stepped forward quickly and gave a deep bow to Xiao Qing, his tone filled with heartfelt respect: "Elder Huo pays respects to Master Xiao!"
"To be able to meet Master is truly Elder Huo's great honor! Master's attainments in the path of Alchemy make us feel ashamed; I hope that in the future, Master will not hesitate to offer guidance!"
Elder Huo lowered his posture significantly, treating Xiao Qing entirely as a Senior expert on the path of Alchemy.
Xiao Qing nodded slightly as a return gesture, his tone calm: "Vice Dean Hu Qian, Elder Huo, no need for such formalities!"
After a brief exchange, the group set off for the magnificent building located in the central area of Black Emperor City, the Black Emperor Pavilion!
Today, the Black Emperor Pavilion was truly packed with people.
Various forces from the Black-Corner Region and powerful rogue cultivators gathered here, and the noise reached the heavens.
At the entrance of the pavilion, the disciples of the Black Emperor Sect were maintaining order, and the atmosphere was lively yet tense.
When Xiao Qing arrived with Zi Yan and Su Qian's group, they immediately attracted attention.
The leader, Black Emperor Sect Sect Master Mo Tianxing, keenly sensed Su Qian's unmasked Dou Zong powerhouse aura.
As well as the fluctuation of power on Xiao Qing that, although restrained, still made him feel a palpitation in his heart.
A warm smile immediately piled up on Mo Tianxing's face, and he personally came up to welcome them.
"Grand Elder Su Qian, Vice Dean Hu Qian, Elder Huo, and... Azure Demon Lord, welcome to our Black Emperor Pavilion auction! Please, come in, please!"
Mo Tianxing was all smiles, his attitude extremely polite.
While leading the way, he inwardly rejoiced that he had chosen to concede when competing for the Seventh-Rank Magical Beast carcass, and had not formed a deadly feud with this mysterious "Azure Demon Lord"; otherwise, today would likely be difficult to resolve.
Mo Tianxing led everyone all the way to the luxurious and excellently positioned Heaven-Class No. 3 private box.
On the way to the private box, they brushed past another group of people.
That group was all dressed in green clothing, and their auras were effeminate yet carried a trace of eeriness. The leader was a woman with a beautiful face, but her eyes revealed a sharp, piercing quality, and her aura had clearly reached the Dou Huang level.
"They are people from the Heavenly Serpent Mansion; the one leading them is their Elder, Lü Man." Su Qian whispered an introduction beside Xiao Qing.
The woman named Lü Man swept her gaze over the Jia Nan Academy group, lingering for a moment especially on Xiao Qing, and a flash of barely perceptible suspicion passed through her eyes.
Lü Man seemed to have sensed some extremely faint aura from Xiao Qing that made her bloodline faintly restless.
Or perhaps it was because of the name "Azure Demon Lord," which had recently resounded throughout the Black-Corner Region.
But she did not reveal anything, and soon moved her gaze away, leading her people toward another private box.
Xiao Qing's expression remained as usual, but he understood in his heart.
Heavenly Serpent Mansion; he remembered that when he had previously counter-killed those who were tracking him, he seemed to have killed a Nine-Star Dou Wang who might have belonged to the Heavenly Serpent Mansion.
However, Xiao Qing did not take this matter to heart; if the other party did not come to provoke him, he could not be bothered to pay attention to them.