Support me at patreon for 50+ advanced chapters :
patreon.com/YaoIk
**
"Uh—" Xiao Yan quickly waved his hand. "That tunnel was already there when I arrived. I didn't dig it out myself."
Digging through someone else's cave like a mouse?
Xiao Yan thought to himself, I'm not taking the blame for that.
"It was likely opened by her." Xiao Yan fished out a multicolored serpent scale from his storage ring and held it up for Wei Yang to see, smiling bitterly. "She found this place about half a year before I did."
"Or maybe we should call her… Queen Medusa."
"Medusa?" Wei Yang raised an eyebrow as he glanced at the multicolored serpent scale.
He was puzzled. I already took the Green Lotus Core Flame with me. All that was left behind was that Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent—shouldn't have caused Medusa any real trouble. Why would she leave behind a scale?
He didn't dwell on it, though. Instead, he casually asked, "So how did you find this place, Brother Xiao Yan?"
"I stumbled across a lead about a Heavenly Flame from an old senior. Figured I'd come and try my luck," Xiao Yan replied with a shrug.
Wei Yang nodded. Must've been Hai Bodong.
Then his eyes shifted to the simple black ring on Xiao Yan's finger. With a smile, he said, "Senior, long time no see. Not planning to come out and greet an old friend?"
Xiao Yan looked down at the ring, his expression turning a bit odd.
Xian'er and Qing Lin both widened their eyes, faces full of anticipation.
The legendary grandpa-in-the-ring... is about to appear!
A moment of silence passed.
Then—
"Sigh~"
A long, ancient-sounding sigh drifted out faintly.
Wei Yang couldn't help but roll his eyes. Still keeping up the act, huh?
A translucent, elderly figure slowly floated out from the ring.
"Waaah!" Qing Lin's little mouth dropped open in amazement.
Yao Lao glanced around at everyone. When his gaze landed on Qing Lin's astonished face, a smug expression surfaced.
He stroked his white beard and glanced at Wei Yang, feigning annoyance. "You brat, what do you want now? Don't you know I need rest?"
Wei Yang let out a helpless laugh.
This old guy…
Looking at Yao Lao's slightly more ethereal form compared to before, he figured—yeah, taking on a disciple is exhausting work.
Feigning surprise, Wei Yang said, "Senior, looks like you've burned through quite a lot these past two years, huh?"
"Ugh." Yao Lao choked on his words for a second. His hand froze mid-beard-stroke, and he threw a side-eye at Xiao Yan before giving two cold snorts.
Xiao Yan awkwardly rubbed his nose.
His master really had burned through a lot over the past two years, all for his sake.
Yao Lao glared at Wei Yang, his beard twitching. "And whose fault is that? Since you took the Green Lotus Core Flame, why didn't you get rid of that beast while you were at it? Leaving it behind just to harm people!"
"What, Senior, your surname Lai now?" Wei Yang looked at him, eyes wide. "You're blaming me? That thing was guarding the cave—I left it there on purpose. How was I supposed to know you guys would show up?"
Hearing that, Yao Lao's face showed a flicker of embarrassment.
Well, when you put it that way… it really is kinda my own fault.
After all, this was Wei Yang's cave. Keeping a magical beast to guard the place made perfect sense.
Xiao Yan subtly covered his forehead with his hand.
"Ahem! Let's drop that topic," Yao Lao coughed and quickly changed the subject.
He rubbed his hands together and looked at Wei Yang with some anticipation. "Say, brat… that Soul Nourishing Liquid you gave me last time—or the ingredients for it—you got any more?"
Wei Yang gave him a side glance.
Classic Yao Lao—shameless as ever.
Just skipped right past the whole cave intrusion business and jumped straight to asking for favors.
"I'm not asking for it for free, alright? I'll trade something," Yao Lao shot him a sideways look.
"Earth Grade technique? No attribute, or cold-type?" Wei Yang asked.
Yao Lao's beard bristled with indignation. He pointed at Wei Yang, his finger trembling. "Never have I met anyone as shameless as you!"
"We're cut from the same cloth." Wei Yang gave him a respectful clasp of his hands.
"Trading a Tier 4 Soul Nourishing Liquid—or just some ingredients—for an Earth Grade cultivation technique? You've got some nerve, I'll give you that!" Yao Lao fumed, his beard visibly trembling.
"I'll settle for a High-Level Xuan Grade technique," Wei Yang said calmly.
Negotiating's all about starting high and bargaining down anyway, right?
"High-Level Xuan Grade, no attribute or cold-type? Don't have it," Yao Lao huffed and flicked his sleeves.
"Then I guess there's no deal." Wei Yang spread his hands.
"You were never serious about trading in the first place!" Yao Lao shot back. "If you really want to trade, bring out something decent! I do have a Low-Level Earth Grade cold-type technique. If you want it, cough up something worthwhile!"
"Then name your price!"
"Hmph! I'm worried you can't afford it! Bring something out first—I'll see if it's even worth my time. Otherwise, no deal!"
Xiao Yan watched in speechless awe.
The two girls were also wide-eyed, completely entranced.
Seriously, you two... are you actually trying to haggle?
Where's your dignity?
Anyone who doesn't know better would think you're about to start throwing punches!
"Bring out the goods first!" Yao Lao's figure floated down, landing gracefully as he sat cross-legged on a cushion. He tapped his fingers lightly on the table.
Xiao Yan, with great tact, quickly picked up the teapot. Taking a teacup from Qing Lin, he carefully poured Yao Lao a full cup. "Master, have some tea to moisten your throat first."
"Mm." Yao Lao let out a soft hum of approval, lifting the cup and sipping lightly. He closed his eyes, nodding in satisfaction as he swayed slightly. "Good tea. Just the right temperature. Fine taste. Nicely brewed."
Qing Lin giggled behind her hand, puffing out her chest a little with pride. She even shot Xiao Yan a side-eye.
This guy just gulped it all down like a cow chewing on peonies…
Wei Yang's mouth twitched. You're a soul body. What are you doing sipping tea like a scholar?
And how exactly are you even tasting it?
He hesitated a moment but decided to drop it. No point arguing with the old fox—Yao Lao had years of experience in verbal sparring and rarely lost.
Wei Yang turned to Xian'er, lips moving slightly as he sent her a silent message.
Xian'er nodded. With a flick of her wrist, she retrieved a jade box from her storage ring and placed it in front of Yao Lao. Her tone was respectful. "Senior, this is a Tier 6 Soul-Consolidating Fruit, harvested from deep within the desert."
"Oh? Tier 6 Soul-Consolidating Fruit?" Yao Lao's eyes lit up slightly. He reached out and opened the box slowly.
Inside lay a single round fruit, roughly the size of an infant's fist. Its surface was a faint gray, semi-transparent, with a subtle golden sheen shimmering across it.
A fresh, pleasant aroma spread into the air. Everyone who inhaled felt their minds clear, their souls refreshed and light.
"Not bad, definitely a Soul-Consolidating Fruit, and well-aged at that!" Yao Lao nodded in satisfaction, quickly closing the lid and layering multiple seals on it for safety.
Wei Yang clicked his tongue. "That fruit wasn't easy to get. I originally planned to use it to break through to the peak of the Mortal Soul Realm."
Yao Lao glanced at him and snorted. "With your soul talent, even without it, you'll reach the peak soon enough. Why waste it?"
He could see it clearly—Wei Yang's current soul power was just half a step away from the peak of the Mortal Realm. Once Wei Yang broke through to the Dou Huang class, the soul breakthrough would naturally follow.
No need to waste such a rare and precious treasure.
And going beyond the Mortal Realm meant stepping into the Spirit Realm of the soul—something a Tier 6 Soul-Consolidating Fruit alone could never achieve.
Even Yao Lao had to admit, this kid's soul talent and growth speed were just ridiculous!
Wei Yang curled his lip. Even if I didn't use it, Xian'er could.
Yao Lao ignored him and turned his gaze to Xian'er. His expression softened with admiration. "Little girl, not bad. Polite, and your talent is excellent."
Xian'er gave a modest smile. "Thank you for the compliment, Senior."
Yao Lao stroked his beard and nodded, a gleam of appreciation in his eyes.
Such a young girl—her soul aura still fresh and youthful, at most eighteen or nineteen years old—yet already at the peak of Dou Wang!
This kind of talent… even in Central Plains, she'd rank among the most elite. Rare indeed.
And her soul power's not bad either. Looks like she's an alchemist too.
Yao Lao looked back at Wei Yang—twenty years old and already a seven-star Dou Wang. Impressive, sure, but compared to this girl, he felt Wei Yang was outshined.
This kid didn't just have monstrous talent himself, he also had a stunning beauty with equally heaven-defying gifts by his side. Truly envy-inducing.
Suddenly, Yao Lao's hand paused. Something clicked. He gave Xian'er a strange look, then turned sharply toward Wei Yang.
Could it be—?!
Wei Yang gave a faint nod.
Realization dawned on Yao Lao. So it's the Woeful Poison Body… no wonder!
His gaze toward Xian'er turned complicated.
The Woeful Poison Body...
Such a cursed fate...
But then again, this generation's Woeful Poison Body—there might actually be hope!
Three Heavenly Flames were required, and so far, things looked promising. Just from his own knowledge, they already had the Green Lotus Core Flame, and information on the Falling Heart Flame and Sea Heart Flame.
As for the magic core of a Rank 7 Sky Poison Dragon Scorpion Beast, that was even easier—definitely the most attainable of the lot.
Right now, the only missing piece was the Bodhisattva Body Transformation Saliva.
Oh, and there was that alternative method—Ghostly Poison Flame. Wei Yang might even have a lead on that.
With all this in mind, Yao Lao's heart grew even more conflicted—and maybe a little sour.
Tch... what a lucky brat. Why couldn't this kind of fortune land on my own disciple, Xiao Yan?!
-----------------------------------------------------------
Support me at patreon for 50+ advanced chapters :
patreon.com/YaoIk