BTTH: I have a key to travel to Wu Dong Qian Kun.

Chapter 8: Alchemy

Soon, an old man with gray hair, dressed in an alchemist's robe, followed the maid into the room.

Ya Fei introduced him, "Young Master Xiao Tian, this is Master Gu Ni, our auction house's second-tier alchemist."

She then turned to Gu Ni and said, "Uncle Gu Ni, could you please appraise these Foundation Elixirs?"

"Of course, Miss," Gu Ni nodded slightly and picked up one of the jade bottles from the table.

He opened the stopper, inhaled the aroma, then poured some elixir into his hand and pricked it with a silver needle.

After a moment, his expression changed. He realized the person who made this elixir was far more skilled than he was.

Gu Ni placed the elixir back into the bottle and examined the other nine bottles before speaking with deep respect, "These ten bottles are all second-tier elixirs."

Hearing Gu Ni's words, Ya Fei raised an eyebrow, her charming eyes sweeping over Xiao Tian with a seductive smile. "Young Master Xiao Tian, I didn't expect you to bring me such a big business in just a few days."

Xiao Tian smiled back, "Sister Ya Fei, you asked me to take care of business, so how could I not comply?"

"Are you planning to sell these to our auction house or put them up for auction?" Ya Fei asked with a playful smile. "If you're auctioning them, I suggest waiting a day or two for us to advertise. That way, you'll maximize your profits."

"Let's auction them," Xiao Tian said. "Give me the cauldron first, and also some herbs and a low-level spatial ring. Deduct the cost from the auction proceeds, and if it's not enough, I'll make up the difference."

He handed another list to Ya Fei.

"Got it," Ya Fei took the list and instructed the maid beside her.

After the maid left, Ya Fei asked tentatively, "Are you planning to learn alchemy, Young Master Xiao Tian?"

"That's right," Xiao Tian didn't hide it. The better he appeared, the easier it would be to win her over.

"I didn't expect Young Master Xiao Tian to have talent not only in Dou Qi but also in alchemy," Ya Fei said with admiration in her beautiful eyes.

Despite being from a Battle King family, her own cultivation talent was lacking. If it weren't for that, she wouldn't have sought refuge in the remote Wu Tan City.

"My talent is average," Xiao Tian replied modestly. Indeed, a sixteen-year-old One Star Battle Disciple was not particularly outstanding.

"You're being modest," Ya Fei said. "Your talent is among the best in the Jia Ma Empire."

She knew that the top genius in the imperial capital, Nalan Yanran, only reached Eight Battle Qi at twelve years old. Without her family's help and a fourth-tier pill, it would have taken her until fourteen or fifteen to become a One Star Battle Disciple.

Xiao Tian said nothing, knowing Ya Fei's perspective was limited to the Jia Ma Empire, while his ambitions extended to the entire Dou Qi Continent and beyond.

Fortunately, with his "golden finger," he wasn't worried about falling behind others.

Soon, the maid returned with a jade tray.

Ya Fei took the tray, bent slightly, and placed it on the table. "Young Master Xiao Tian, the cauldron, herbs, and spatial ring are ready."

"Ah, good..." Xiao Tian's attention was drawn to her enticing fragrance and the deep cleavage visible as she bent over.

Noticing Xiao Tian's intense gaze, Ya Fei's lips curled into a beautiful smile. She enjoyed seeing men fall for her charms.

"Ahem!" Xiao Tian swallowed and cleared his throat. "It's getting late. I should go."

With that, he hurriedly left.

The enchantress was too alluring, and he feared he'd embarrass himself if he stayed longer.

Watching him leave in haste, Gu Ni remarked, "Miss, Young Master Xiao Tian is quite impressive. Not only does he have great talent, but he also has a powerful alchemist backing him. If you marry him, you'll have more influence in the Mittel family."

"I understand, Uncle Gu Ni. I'll consider it," Ya Fei replied.

...

Back at the Xiao family, Xiao Tian headed straight to the cave in the back mountain.

He planned to start learning alchemy, one of the most prestigious professions on the Dou Qi Continent.

Xiao Tian infused his Dou Qi into a red spatial ring.

"Whoosh!"

With a flash of light, a red cauldron, about half a meter high, appeared in the cave.

"Two cauldrons are just right for a beginner like you," Elder Yao appeared out of nowhere.

Floating in the air, he instructed, "Place one hand on the fire mouth and channel your Dou Qi into it to transform the fire."

"Alright," Xiao Tian nodded and approached the cauldron.

He placed his hand on the fire mouth, and a faint yellow flame appeared inside the cauldron as his Dou Qi surged.

"Not bad," Elder Yao nodded approvingly. "You managed to produce a flame on your first try."

He continued, "However, the flame is too wild for alchemy. You need to channel your wood attribute into the cauldron to calm it."

Xiao Tian closed his eyes, using his soul perception to find the wood attribute within him.

Soon, he found it, earning praise from Elder Yao.

As the wood attribute entered the cauldron, the flame inside calmed down.

At this point, Elder Yao imparted some basic alchemy recipes to Xiao Tian.

"These are my own recipes. Start practicing, and I'll guide you as needed."

Xiao Tian nodded and took out a batch of herbs.

He lowered the temperature and began refining.

Despite his efforts, he failed five times before successfully refining a single herb.

As he continued practicing, he became more proficient.

With his strong soul, first-tier alchemy wasn't too difficult.

In a short time, Xiao Tian became a first-tier alchemist.

However, to reach the second tier, he needed not just alchemy skills but also the strength of a Dou Master.

Nonetheless, even if his alchemist rank didn't improve, his alchemy skills could still advance.

Like Xiao Yan, who, shortly after becoming a second-tier alchemist, could refine third- and fourth-tier pills.

For the next while, Xiao Tian's routine involved daily beatings, soaking in elixirs, cultivating, and refining herbs.

In just over a month, Xiao Tian's strength increased, reaching Two Star Battle Disciple.

(End of Chapter)