42: Chapter 42 Contact

On top of that, many rumored that Xiao Yan had already become a 4th-Rank Alchemist, with some even whispering about him being a 5th-Rank Alchemist. However, most who heard this scoffed; a 17-year-old 5th-Rank Alchemist? That was impossible.

Although opinions varied, Xiao Yan's arrival had certainly added to the topics of conversation in the capital.

Just as they were about to enter the VIP area, Otto suddenly pointed to the front row. A line of people was already seated there, including the Alchemist Guild Vice President, Master Qie Mier. Beside him sat an old man wearing purple Alchemist robes.

"That is the Alchemist Guild President of the Jia Ma Empire, Lord Fa Ma. He rarely appears at the guild, and I've heard he is on the verge of stepping into the Rank of a 6th-Rank Alchemist..." Otto whispered in Xiao Yan's ear.

Xiao Yan looked at the face that resembled withered tree bark. This person was already nearing the end of his life, yet he was the leading figure in the Jia Ma Empire's Alchemist world.

Seeming to sense Xiao Yan's gaze, the sleepy-eyed old man turned his eyes toward him, a kind smile appearing on his withered face.

Seeing Lord Fa Ma turn his gaze toward them, Otto and Frank hurriedly bowed and carefully walked toward the front row, respectfully saying to the old man, "Lord Fa Ma, it has been a few years, and you are still as spirited as ever."

"Hehe, so it is Otto and Frank from Blackrock City, right? Not bad, you have also become 4th-Rank Alchemists..." Fa Ma said with a light chuckle, looking at the two with cloudy eyes.

After exchanging a few brief words, Fa Ma cast his gaze toward Xiao Yan behind Otto and smiled gently, "This little friend must be the one who took first place in the guild's internal test, right? Your name is Xiao Yan, isn't it?"

"President Fa Ma, I am indeed Xiao Yan from the Wutan City Xiao Family." Xiao Yan nodded and said to Fa Ma with a smile.

"The Xiao Family? It has been a long time since I last saw someone from the Xiao Family..." The old man seemed to reminisce about the past.

Speaking of which, the old man Fa Ma had some connection with Yao Lao. When Fa Ma was young, during his travels across the continent, he had spent three days with Yao Lao due to certain circumstances. It was precisely those three days of interaction and learning that allowed him to go from being unknown to reaching his current position step by step...

From this, it is evident that an Alchemist's achievements are closely related to whether they have a brilliant master. And Xiao Yan, who had always been guided by Yao Lao, was incredibly lucky.

"Hehe, are you that Xiao Yan whom Yue'er has been talking about? You are indeed a talented young hero." An aged voice arrived. Everyone turned back to look and was shocked to see the white-haired old man wearing simple hemp robes.

This person was none other than the Little Princess's great-grandfather, Old Jia from the Jiama Royal Family, Jia Xingtian, a Peak Dou Huang expert.

After Otto explained to Xiao Yan, Xiao Yan nodded slightly and said to Old Jia with a smile, "It is all thanks to my master's excellent training."

Those around who were paying attention were somewhat dissatisfied. This youth named Xiao Yan really lacked manners; he hadn't bowed to President Fa Ma earlier, and he still didn't bow to Old Jia this time.

However, Old Jia just smiled and didn't mind.

Pointing to a mature, cold, and beautiful woman behind him, Old Jia said, "You must have already met Yue'er. This is Yue'er's older sister, Yao Ye. The security for this convention and the fifty thousand troops are all under her command."

"Yao Ye, this is the Xiao Yan I told you about. I'm afraid the champion of this convention will be none other than him."

Upon receiving such high praise from Old Jia, the Little Princess beside them quietly muttered something, likely still somewhat skeptical of Old Jia's words.

"Hello, Mr. Xiao Yan." The cold and beautiful woman stared at Xiao Yan with her lovely eyes, smiled slightly, and gracefully extended her jade hand toward him.

"Hello, Princess Yao Ye." Xiao Yan returned the smile and gently held her soft, delicate hand.

"I hope Mr. Xiao Yan can achieve satisfactory results this time. When that happens, I, Yao Ye, will personally host a banquet to celebrate for you."

Hearing this, Xiao Yan frowned slightly. A banquet?

Releasing her hand, Xiao Yan thought for a moment and finally nodded in response to Yao Ye's invitation, effectively agreeing to let her host a victory banquet for him.

Seeing Xiao Yan nod, Yao Ye retreated behind Old Jia with satisfaction. Since Old Jia had given such an evaluation, it was no big deal for her to lower herself to befriend him. If he could win the championship, she would naturally achieve her goal of befriending him; if Xiao Yan failed to win the championship, she wouldn't hold the victory banquet.

After chatting for a few moments, Old Jia and the others found their seats. Whether intentional or not, the eldest princess Yao Ye happened to sit right beside Xiao Yan.

A faint scent drifted over, but Xiao Yan closed his eyes to rest, having no intention of greeting the beauty beside him.

More and more Alchemists entered, and the spectator stands opposite were packed with a sea of people.

As the sun moved, the VIP area became increasingly crowded, and the distant spectator stands had long since become a sea of people, their cheers merging into a torrent that soared into the sky.

A commotion arose nearby. Xiao Yan slowly opened his eyes, as if realizing something, and turned his head to look behind him with a light smile.

The three great families of the Empire appeared before everyone, and the most eye-catching ones were the two women walking in the middle: Ya Fei of the Mittel Family and Nalan Yanran of the Nalan Clan!

Meeting Xiao Yan's smile was Nalan Yanran, whose gaze had accidentally collided with his.

But once their gazes met, it was like a powerful magnet, difficult to pull away. The two recognized each other instantly, and time seemed to slow down significantly. Nalan Yanran coldly watched the youth before her who was smiling at her.

Seeming to sense the change in the person beside her, Ya Fei looked in the direction of Nalan Yanran's gaze, and Yao Ye looked in the direction of Xiao Yan's gaze.

Xiao Yan! Nalan Yanran!

"Hehe..."

Yao Ye had naturally heard of the grudge between Nalan Yanran and Xiao Yan, but in her view, this was a good thing. If Xiao Yan stood in opposition to the Cloud Mist Sect, then in this Jia Ma Empire, the only one capable of taking Xiao Yan in would be the Jiama Royal Family.

After one glance, Xiao Yan turned away. Only Mu Chen and Miteer Tengshan, two Dou Wangs? Nalan Jie probably couldn't hold on any longer.

Putting away his smile, Xiao Yan closed his eyes to rest again.

Regarding Nalan Jie's death, in Xiao Yan's view, it was just like the countless other living beings who constantly went through birth, aging, sickness, and death; there was nothing to be said about it.

If Xiao Yan were forced to comment, he could only say that Nalan Jie was fortunate because he had such a high status during his lifetime, but at the same time, he had an unfortunate fate because he died suffering.

If he were just passing by and discovered a critically ill patient, Xiao Yan would naturally step in to treat them, and in fact, Xiao Yan had treated many people over the past year or so, but he had never taken it to heart.

But if he were asked to take the initiative to go to the Nalan Clan to save Nalan Jie, Xiao Yan would not do it.

The reason was simple: after Nalan Yanran broke off the engagement, even if the Nalan Clan was unaware, they should have made some gesture afterward instead of remaining blindly silent. Therefore, for the Xiao Family, Nalan Jie was only a source of hatred, not affection.

His heart leaned toward kindness, but he had even firmer principles; those without firm principles were merely hypocrites.

Meanwhile, Nalan Yanran, seeing Xiao Yan again after three years, was clearly feeling quite unsettled inside.

"I make my own decisions regarding my own marriage; is that not right? Perhaps my conduct during that choice was somewhat inappropriate, but if time were to turn back, I would still do the same."

These were words Nalan Yanran had wanted to tell Xiao Yan for a long time.

In Nalan Yanran's eyes, the humiliation brought to Xiao Yan and the Xiao Family was merely a result of some inappropriate conduct on her part; she felt no guilt, and that was all there was to it.

This was the worldview of "the strong are respected." Perhaps the weak never had dignity to begin with; it was just that Xiao Yan had become strong, and the object of humiliation had thus reversed.

Seeing Xiao Yan turn his head away, Nalan Yanran also stopped fixing her gaze on him and went to greet the elders in the VIP area.

This brief contact between Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran naturally caught the eyes of those who were paying attention.

After greeting the elders, Ya Fei walked straight toward Xiao Yan and sat down beside him, smiling like a flower as she said, "Little brother Xiao Yan, long time no see. Have you forgotten Ya Fei?"

Seeing Ya Fei take the initiative to sit beside Xiao Yan, Yao Ye couldn't help but show a trace of surprise.

"Hehe, Ya Fei, long time no see." Xiao Yan opened his eyes and greeted Ya Fei.

After politely chatting with Ya Fei for a few moments, Xiao Yan stopped speaking and quietly waited for the convention to begin.

A crisp bell chime rang out across the plaza, and the deafening noise suddenly ceased, gradually fading into silence.

At this moment, Fa Ma stood up shakily and walked slowly to the very front of the VIP area. His gaze swept over the more than two thousand Alchemists in the plaza, and amidst the awe-filled eyes of everyone, he announced the start of the convention.

"In the name of the Alchemist Guild President of the Jia Ma Empire, I announce the Seventh Alchemist Convention, begin!"

"Boom!" Instantly, the entire venue erupted, and cheers resounded through the sky!

Thanks to "Xin Wen Lu Zheng Jing Cai, Jin Gen Shi Shi, Wo Yu Shi Jian Chang He Zhong Ta Lang Er Lai, Huai Nian A Ren Sheng, Reader 1562250729900220416" for the recommendation votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Thanks to all friends for reading; your reading is also my greatest support!