"Tomorrow, go prepare three stalks of Purple Orchid Grass, two Washing Marrow Flowers, and a first-tier wood-type Magic Core. The older the Purple Orchid Grass, the better. As for the rest, just leave it to me," Yao Lao said nonchalantly, ignoring Xiao Yan's slightly stunned expression.
"Old man, do you think I'm the imperial prince or something? Where am I supposed to get the money for that? Just the first-tier wood-type Magic Core alone would bankrupt me!" Xiao Yan glared at Yao Lao, his voice carrying a hint of urgency.
"That's not my concern. How you get it is your problem. Also, remember to call me 'Master.' Show some respect," Yao Lao replied calmly.
Hearing this, Xiao Yan felt frustrated. What kind of lousy teacher was this? Other people took in disciples and gave them techniques, battle skills, and resources, but when it came to him, he had to provide his own materials?
His eyes darted around before he suddenly grinned mischievously.
"Heh heh… Master, since I'm your disciple now, shouldn't a teacher give some kind of token of acknowledgment… like a greeting gift?"
Yao Lao rolled his eyes. "Get lost. I haven't even received a formal apprenticeship gift from you, and now you're trying to scam me?"
Seeing that this approach wouldn't work, Xiao Yan turned to Xiao Bai with a hopeful expression.
"Brother Bai…!"
Xiao Bai shot him a look of disdain and said, "Get lost. I have no money. I never use money. I have no interest in money."
Xiao Yan was momentarily speechless.
As expected of Brother Bai, the king of cool. Always maintaining that untouchable aura.
Left with no other choice, he turned to Xiao Xun'er, his face showing a bit of internal struggle. He had never borrowed money from a girl before, but since this was for cultivation, he swallowed his pride.
"Heh heh… Sister-in-law, could you lend me some money?"
Xiao Bai almost wanted to punch him on the spot for his shamelessness.
Xiao Xun'er, on the other hand, was delighted to hear him call her "sister-in-law." She glanced at Xiao Bai, and seeing him give a slight nod, she asked, "How much do you need?"
"One thousand gold coins," Xiao Yan said cautiously.
Without a word, Xiao Xun'er waved her hand, and a small pile of gold coins appeared on the stone table.
Xiao Yan's eyes lit up, and he quickly expressed his gratitude.
"Thank you, Sister-in-law! Thank you, Brother Bai! Heh heh…!"
Yao Lao held his forehead, feeling utterly embarrassed by his disciple's shameless behavior. For a moment, he doubted whether he had been too hasty in accepting him as a disciple.
He, Yao Zun-zhe, the number one alchemist in Central Plains, had taken in such an audacious and thick-skinned disciple. With a deep sigh, he could only console himself.
Forget it, forget it. He chose this brat himself, and now he had to accept it.
Seeing that the matter was settled, Xiao Bai didn't linger. He knew Yao Lao still had things to discuss with Xiao Yan, so he prepared to leave.
Standing up, he smiled at Yao Lao and said, "Senior, please make your preparations. We'll be leaving in three months."
Xun'er also stood up and walked to his side, linking her arm with his.
Yao Lao nodded. "Rest assured, Xiao Bai. I won't go back on my word."
Xiao Bai smiled. "Then we'll take our leave."
"Brother Bai!"
Seeing Xiao Bai about to leave, Xiao Yan instinctively called out. Earlier, when there were more people, he didn't feel it as much, but now that he was left alone with a newly acknowledged but unfamiliar teacher, he felt somewhat uneasy.
Xiao Bai ignored him and walked away with Xun'er.
He couldn't help but think, If this continues, Xiao Yan is going to become weak. I'm practically turning into his father.
On the way, Xiao Xun'er kept looking at Xiao Bai with bright eyes, as if she had a lot she wanted to ask but didn't know where to begin.
Today, she saw a side of Xiao Bai that no one else knew—resourceful, strategic, humorous, and confident. Even though he was only a Dou Master, he could engage with a former Dou Zun as an equal.
An eighth-grade alchemist held a high status, even within her family. They weren't just common figures.
Among the younger generation in her clan, those of Xiao Bai's age would still have to show respect to an eighth-grade alchemist.
Even if that eighth-grade alchemist was merely a remnant soul, not just any Dou Master could interact with him as freely as Xiao Bai had today.
At the very least, she knew that if the young elites of her clan were placed in Xiao Bai's position today, none of them would have been able to handle it as he did.
"Little girl, why are you staring at me like that? Did I get even more handsome today?"
Seeing Xun'er gazing at him intently the entire way, Xiao Bai teased with a smile.
"Yes! Brother Xiao Bai was super handsome today. Xun'er really likes you!" Xiao Xun'er, taking advantage of his playful tone, used it as an opportunity to express her true feelings.
"Haha… My Xun'er really has good taste!"
Xiao Bai laughed, amused by how well she played along, before smugly adding, "But Xun'er's taste isn't as good as mine."
Xun'er blinked her bright eyes and smiled. "Oh? Then tell me, Brother Xiao Bai, how is my taste inferior to yours?"
Xiao Bai chuckled, stopping in his tracks to look at her seriously.
"Because Xun'er's taste only led her to find Xiao Bai, while Xiao Bai's taste led him to find such a wonderful girl like Xun'er. Tell me, doesn't that mean my taste is better?"
Hearing these simple words, Xun'er froze for a moment. A sweetness filled her heart, mixed with a faint sourness, making her want to both smile and cry.
Without hesitation, she threw herself into Xiao Bai's arms, resting her head on his shoulder as she murmured with a slight sniffle, "That's not true… Xun'er's taste is clearly better!"
Xiao Bai hadn't expected such a strong reaction. He wrapped an arm around her slender waist and gently stroked her head with indulgence.
"Alright, alright. We both have excellent taste. Happy now?"
Xun'er nodded against his shoulder.
"Mm!"
Xiao Bai chuckled. This little girl—even over something like this, she had to argue.
Xun'er held onto him for a long time before finally letting go, her eyes still slightly red.
Seeing this, Xiao Bai didn't say anything more. He simply took her delicate hand and slowly led her down the mountain.
After returning to their courtyard, Xun'er gradually composed herself. She pulled Xiao Bai to sit by the table and softly asked,
"Brother Xiao Bai, are you planning to learn alchemy?"
Normally, she didn't pry into his affairs. But today, when he had exchanged a mature Heavenly Flame for the inheritance of an eighth-grade alchemist, her curiosity was piqued.
Heavenly Flames weren't common. Even among the great imperial clans, they were rare.
"Mm, I plan to give it a try."
Though his approach was unconventional—alchemy with thunder methods—he wasn't sure if anyone had attempted it before on the Dou Qi Continent.
But when it came to Xun'er, Xiao Bai trusted her. Some things he couldn't tell her, but there was no harm in sharing his alchemy plans.
"But you…?" Xun'er hesitated.
Xiao Bai knew what she wanted to ask. After a moment of thought, he raised both hands.
In one hand, a green lightning spark flickered, radiating the aura of Yi Wood.
In the other, crimson lightning crackled, radiating a powerful Yang energy and intense heat.
Both types of lightning carried a wild and destructive energy, with the crimson one being especially ferocious.