Chapter Thirty-Eight: Xiao Yan Changes His Surname to Tang

[Shi Jian: "How has everyone’s cultivation been going lately?"] Shi Jian posted in the group.

[Xiao Yan: "It’s been incredible! I’ve successfully absorbed both the Green Lotus Core Flame and my teacher’s Bone Chilling Flame. My cultivation has now reached the Dou Ling stage, and it won't be long before I break through to the Dou Wang stage!"]

[Xiao Yan: "In a few days, I’m heading to Canaan Academy to absorb the Fallen Heart Flame. Once I do, I’ll be a Dou Huang. By the time the Three-Year Agreement arrives, I feel like I might even reach the Dou Zong stage!"]

Xiao Yan was the first to speak. He was filled with confidence. He often felt that he lagged behind others in the group in many respects, so his speed of cultivation was the only thing he could truly take pride in. In the original story, he became a Dou Di in his thirties. Now that he knew his own life script, his growth would only accelerate. As he grew stronger, he would be able to help the others in the group if they ever ran into trouble.

[Shi Jian: "Your cultivation speed is faster than a rocket! I’ve only managed to break through one major realm, and you’ve already bypassed several!"] Shi Jian exclaimed in surprise. In the original timeline, Xiao Yan should only be at the Dou Shi level right now, yet he was already a Dou Ling. If he kept this up, he’d be showing up to the Three-Year Agreement as a Dou Di.

[Xiao Yan: "Just luck!"] Xiao Yan replied modestly. He believed this was all thanks to the Red Emperor Fire Sovereign Qi. This technique was simply too overpowered; it could tame those Heaven-Sent Flames until they were perfectly obedient. Without it, he wouldn’t have been able to subdue the Green Lotus Core Flame and the Bone Chilling Flame so easily, nor would he have been able to refine them. Setting aside the danger of subduing the flames, the mere preparations required would have taken him months of grueling effort. It wasn’t that he was exceptional; it was the technique that was.

After a moment of thought, Xiao Yan added: [Xiao Yan: "I owe much of this progress to Brother Fang Han’s Great Five Elements Technique!"]

[Fang Han: "As long as it helps you all, no need for thanks!"]

Fang Han’s cultivation had also been advancing by leaps and bounds during this time. He now possessed the strength of two thousand galloping horses, a truly formidable power. Even better, he had used his foreknowledge to acquire a treasure-grade alchemy furnace from the Master of Desolate Island, which had delighted Yan immensely. In the World of Immortality, what was most important to a cultivator? It wasn't flying swords, protective garments, or various magical artifacts—it was the alchemy furnace.

In the World of Immortality, pills generally had no side effects. If a cultivator wanted to obtain greater power, they had to consume pure medicinal pills. Only these pills could replenish the vast energy and nutrition a cultivator required. To them, pills were like food, and refining pills required a good furnace. For a cultivator, a high-quality furnace was as vital as fertile land was to a farmer. Furthermore, these furnaces could not only produce pills but also forge flying swords, temper the physical body, and refine magical power. Some supernatural techniques even required cultivation within the furnace itself.

Although Fang Han had possessed a furnace, its quality was mediocre. He had relied entirely on Yan’s alchemy skills to squeeze out every bit of potential. But as the saying goes, "a craftsman who wishes to do his work well must first sharpen his tools." Even with Yan’s heaven-defying alchemy skills, the quality of pills they could produce was limited without a proper furnace. Now, having obtained a treasure-grade furnace, Yan could play a much greater role, and Fang Han’s strength would skyrocket once more.

The shadow that Hua Tiandu had cast over him dissipated slightly. In high spirits, he was currently using the furnace to re-refine the Asura. As he worked, he responded to the messages in the group. Nothing major had happened in the group lately, but everyone chatted frequently. They had become well-acquainted and gained an understanding of each other's situations. Fang Han was aware of Xiao Yan’s "Three-Year Agreement." He was quite curious—what expression would that person named Nalan Yanran have when Xiao Yan arrived to fulfill that promise? Given Xiao Yan’s current progress, wouldn't he be able to wipe out Nalan Yanran’s entire sect with a single slap?

It was no wonder Shi Jian said they were characters from a storybook. Xiao Yan’s life was truly dramatic: first, the engagement was broken, then he met the remnant soul of an peerless expert, began his rise, and now this Three-Year Agreement... Fang Han was looking forward to the day of the agreement just by following the chat. If this were written as a story, it would surely be a bestseller. Fang Han considered maintaining a good relationship with Xiao Yan, so he could go witness the scene and see Nalan Yanran’s reaction.

[Fang Han: "My cultivation is going quite smoothly as well. I just obtained an alchemy furnace called the Five Prison King Cauldron. Once I refine my first batch of pills, I’ll send a red packet to everyone!"]

After exchanging pleasantries, Fang Han mentioned his recent progress. Xiao Yan felt a sense of foreboding upon hearing this. Fang Han could do alchemy too? He had assumed Fang Han was only a genius in combat cultivation. Xiao Yan knew that Fang Han also had a remnant soul by his side, but he had assumed it was a combat-oriented expert, unlike the support-oriented Yao Lao. If Fang Han was also an alchemist, it meant his skills were probably learned from that entity.

Xiao Yan felt as if the sky had collapsed. His title as the group’s premier alchemist was in jeopardy!

[Xiao Yan: "Is the remnant soul called 'Yan' by your side an alchemist like Yao Lao?"] Xiao Yan couldn't help but ask.

Fang Han thought for a moment before replying: [Fang Han: "Yan is an alchemist, yes. In my world, almost everyone is an alchemist. The alchemy furnace is the king of all magical treasures. A person’s status is primarily determined by their furnace; the better the furnace, the deeper their cultivation!"]

This was the truth. Among the inner disciples of the Feather Sect, those with the highest strength had only achieved such rapid progress because they had stumbled upon treasure-grade furnaces. And why was Hua Tiandu so powerful? His furnace was a Dao artifact belonging to the Immortal Panwu, which was why his magical power was so immense. Among all artifacts, the alchemy furnace was the hardest to forge. While other items might only contain one or two arrays, a good furnace could incorporate dozens. That was why Fang Han was so happy.

Xiao Yan was stunned. Everyone was an alchemist? If that were the case, what use was he in this group? Lin Dong’s Stone Talisman could refine medicinal herbs, but only in a limited, singular way. Xiao Yan had believed his alchemy would allow him to shine in the group, but now he felt devastated. Fang Han was an alchemist, and his world was of a much higher hierarchy, which meant his alchemy was likely far superior to his own.

How was he supposed to compete? Why was it so hard to make a contribution to the group? Was he destined to be a freeloader, perhaps even changing his name to Tang Yan?