Chapter 158: Chapter 158: A Familiar Alchemy Method (I)

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    Xiao Yan looked at the somewhat embarrassed Nalan Yanran with an odd expression and said, "Is this your version of a last-gasp attempt?"

    Nalan Yanran glared at Xiao Yan with irritation. Did you really have to phrase it like that?

    "Yes! I truly can''t defeat you right now." Nalan Yanran was quite straightforward, directly admitting her current inability to beat him.

    Ever since that battle with Mo Cheng, she knew her chances of defeating him were very slim. Even though her cultivation level was not low now, having reached 3-Star Dou Grandmaster, the gap between her and Xiao Yan in terms of trump cards and combat strength was too vast.

    Xiao Yan now possessed a Di Class Qi Method. Ever since the Flame Mantra had evolved to the Di Class, his cultivation speed had increased significantly. Now, Xiao Yan was a 4-star Dou Grandmaster, and in another month or two, he could reach the 5-star, having long surpassed Nalan Yanran.

    The evolving Flame Mantra was just like that-it held you back early on but propelled you forward later.

    Not to mention, Xiao Yan also possessed a Heavenly Flame as well as that formidable Spiritual Strength. Nalan Yanran knew her odds of winning were minuscule.No?v(el)B\\jnn

    And that''s not even counting Xiao Yan''s medicinal pills. As an alchemist, if Xiao Yan were to use pills he personally refined during their duel, it wouldn''t be against the rules.

    Even if he didn''t use any pills, she still felt her chances of victory were slim to none. The reality was indeed so. Her odds of winning were even lower than she herself estimated. Xiao Yan shrugged and said, "I don''t really mind, but no matter what, your loss is inevitable." Nalan Yanran glared at him, her eyes flashing with an unyielding light as she said. "Just you wait until I come out of the Gate of Life and Death. You will definitely lose then!"

    "The Gate of Life and Death? Is that a secret realm of your Misty Cloud Sect?" Xiao Yan asked curiously.

    "That place is where our Misty Cloud Sect''s past Sect Leaders are laid to rest. It''s also the tomb of our sect''s founder, Yun Po Tian. Inside are the trials left behind by the first Sect Leader. Anyone who can pass those trials will receive special rewards." Nalan Yanran didn''t try to hide this from Xiao Yan. She felt that since she was entering the Gate of Life and Death to train specifically to defeat the man before her, there was no need to be stingy with such information.

    Xiao Yan frowned. The tombs of past Sect Leaders?!

    ''Could it be that the soul bodies of the Misty Cloud Sect''s past Sect Leaders are located there? Perhaps that''s where the Hall of Souls is hidden...'' Xiao Yan suddenly thought of this possibility!

    Although the Misty Cloud Sect was said to be close to Jia Ma Sacred City, in reality, there was still quite a considerable distance between them.

    Moreover, Xiao Yan had heard that the area surrounding Misty Cloud Mountain, where the sect was located, was essentially equivalent to a city. Misty Cloud City at the foot of the mountain, much like Jia Nan Academy''s Jia Nan City, provided the Misty Cloud Sect''s disciples with their daily necessities.

    Originally, he wouldn''t have been able to enter the Misty Cloud Sect; after all, it was only open to sect disciples. But as it happened, he had that duel agreement with Nalan Yanran.

    "Let''s set our duel at the Misty Cloud Sect," Xiao Yan suddenly said.

    "So, why should I thank you, Old Hai?" Xiao Yan smiled faintly. None of this seemed to be a reason for him to thank Hai Bodong.

    Reminded by Xiao Yan, Hai Bodong suddenly remembered and quickly said, "Oh, right! Almost forgot. So we have to wait until the Alchemist Grand Meeting is over, and we can''t let him become the champion. Only then can we find an opportunity to kill him. Otherwise, if that Yan Li fellow wins the championship, it''ll be very troublesome for us to deal with him."

    "That old fox Fa Ma knows your alchemy skills are formidable and believes only you can contend with him for the championship. So I told him that if the Chu Yun Empire''s Alchemist Association tried to bribe you, it would be problematic."

    Hai Bodong raised his eyebrows at Xiao Yan, who narrowed his eyes and immediately

    understood.

    Exaggerate the threat, then leverage it to get benefits!

    "Heh heh, that old fellow Fa Ma wants you to go to the Alchemist Association now. He said he''ll give you some help to make it easier for you to deal with that guy."

    Xiao Yan didn''t put on airs either. He cupped his fists and said, "Thanks, Old Hai. I believe I''ll be able to refine the Spiritual Recovery Purple Pill before long."

    "Good that you haven''t forgotten. Go on, go on. Get as much as you can. No need to stand on ceremony with that old fellow Fa Ma. He''s loaded," Hai Bodong said with a grin.

    ...

    Although it was already late at night, the Alchemist Association was still brightly lit. When the guards saw Xiao Yan approaching, they immediately straightened and said, "Mr. Xiao Yan, the Chairman has been waiting for you."

    "Mm."

    Xiao Yan followed the guard all the way to the top floor of the Alchemist Association and lightly knocked on the door.

    "Chairman, Junior Xiao Yan apologizes for disturbing you so late at night," he said politely.

    "Come in," Fa Ma''s voice sounded.

    Xiao Yan pushed open the door and entered. Sweeping his gaze, he was slightly surprised. The room was extremely spacious but appeared somewhat antiquated. Several rows of bookshelves leaned against the walls, and an ancient-looking desk stood solitary in the

    center of the room.

    Xiao Yan gently closed the door. Fa Ma gestured and said, "Sit wherever you like. I assume Hai Bodong has already briefed you on the situation?"