After Xiao Yan instructed Xiao Ding to return to the Imperial Capital in half a year, he spread his Green Swallow Wings and followed Chen Yang and the others, flying toward the south.
After flying out of the desert, Chen Yang waved his hand, and his Qi enveloped Xiao Yan and Yun Yun. He then manipulated a certain amount of spatial power, instantly covering over a hundred miles.
"Hiss... a Dou Zong, even their speed is terrifyingly fast!" Xiao Yan was shocked once again, and his desire to become stronger grew even more intense!
...Half an hour later, the three of them landed near Yan City.
Naturally, they didn't need to pay the city entry fee. The Third-Grade Alchemist robe on Xiao Yan's body was the best entry ticket.
Once inside Yan City, Chen Yang and the others made some inquiries and learned that Mo Cheng's birthday banquet was still half a month away. The three of them then settled down in Yan City.
Xiao Yan also took advantage of this half-month to consolidate his cultivation and practice his Alchemy Skill. Now that his Cultivation Technique had evolved and he possessed a Strange Fire, he could easily refine fourth-grade pills that he previously couldn't due to stamina issues.
After only three attempts, Xiao Yan successfully refined his first batch of fourth-grade pills.
"Brother Yang, Brother Yang, I've become a Fourth-Grade Alchemist!" Xiao Yan said to Chen Yang excitedly.
"Not bad. However, I feel like my Alchemy Skill has also made a Breakthrough recently. Perhaps I'll reach the Sixth-Grade soon!" Chen Yang looked at Xiao Yan and patted his shoulder in encouragement.
"Ah!!!" Xiao Yan had a miserable look on his Face. He had originally planned to develop secretly during this time and strive to refine a fifth-grade pill within half a year, but Chen Yang was already about to reach the Sixth-Grade?
"Young man, keep working hard!" Chen Yang chuckled... Half a month passed in the blink of an eye. During this time, Yun Yun cherished her time with Chen Yang even more. If it weren't for her period during that time, Chen Yang probably wouldn't have had any rest.
Finally, the day of Mo Cheng's birthday banquet arrived.
On the morning of that day, Xiao Yan changed into an alchemist robe, followed by Chen Yang and a veiled Yun Yun.
"Kid, you're just a small Fourth-Grade Alchemist, yet you have a Dou Zong and a Dou Huang acting as your bodyguards. You're the first one to have this in all the years of the Fighting Qi Continent!" Yao Lao's voice rang out in Xiao Yan's mind.
"Why don't you mention that I also have a Dou Zun teacher?" Xiao Yan chuckled and walked grandly toward the Mo Family's main gate.
The Mo Family steward originally intended to stop Xiao Yan since he didn't have an invitation, but upon seeing the Third-Grade Alchemist badge on Xiao Yan's chest, he immediately became respectful.
"Is the Great One here to attend Great Elder Mo Cheng's birthday banquet?" the steward asked cautiously.
"I am passing through Yan City and heard that today is the Mo Family Great Elder's birthday banquet, so I've come specifically to pay my respects!" Xiao Yan said with a smile.
"This way, Great One!" The steward was delighted upon hearing this. Although their Mo Family didn't lack the friendship of Third-Grade Alchemists, such a young Third-Grade Alchemist must surely have a Fourth-Grade or even Fifth-Grade Alchemist behind him!
"Mhm!" Xiao Yan nodded and walked into the Mo Family with Chen Yang and Yun Yun.
After a servant led them around a corner, a woman wearing a moon-white dress appeared in his sight not far away.
After two and a half years, Xiao Yan saw this woman once again, and his gaze was somewhat dazed.
Two and a half years ago, in the Xiao Family hall, that youth who had intended to defend his dignity with his life had ultimately sold that dignity for two million gold coins and some resources.
And today, two and a half years later, he, Xiao Yan, has grown into a Fourth-Grade Alchemist and a Three-Star Dou Ling.
That dignity that was sold back then had long since been personally reclaimed by him.
"Brother Yang was right!"
"On the Fighting Qi Continent, the strong are respected!"
"Nalan Yanran, we finally... meet again..."