Chapter 16: A Quarrel and the Enraged Soul Cang

“Second brother.” Soul Cang looked at Xiao Yan and asked, “Do you want to become an alchemist?”

“Of course, big brother,” Xiao Yan replied without hesitation.

If warriors on the Dou Qi Continent were considered strong professionals, respected and admired, then alchemists were an even more coveted and sought-after profession.

As the name suggests, alchemists can concoct various miraculous pills that enhance strength.

Such wondrous skills made them highly desirable to all factions, granting them immense status and prestige.

If one had to choose between killing a Dou Wang and a fourth-rank alchemist, ninety-nine out of a hundred people would choose to eliminate the Dou Wang.

Because alchemists, through their pill-making abilities, could weave a complex network of relationships.

Killing an alchemist might succeed, but failure would mean relentless pursuit by those who had benefited from the alchemist’s kindness.

“But…” Xiao Yan’s initial excitement faded as he faced reality. “Big brother, the requirements to become an alchemist are very harsh. I may not meet them.”

Soul Cang smiled faintly. “Second brother, have you ever heard me speak of baseless rumors?”

Xiao Yan was taken aback, then burst into ecstatic joy. “Big brother, you mean I meet the requirements?”

“Exactly.” Soul Cang nodded. “If you’re willing, I will find you a teacher to guide you personally. But you must study diligently and never slack off!”

“No problem, big brother! I’m more than willing. You probably don’t know, but back in high school, I used to get up at six in the morning to study and read by lamplight until two at night,” Xiao Yan said excitedly, barely able to contain himself.

Four hours of sleep a day? Cultivation indeed... Soul Cang was momentarily speechless and instinctively asked, “Second brother, you must have gotten into a good university, right?”

Xiao Yan scratched his nose awkwardly. “No, actually, I mostly read novels.”

“…What kind of novels? I used to enjoy them too. Tell me their names.”

“Like ‘Golden Scales Are Not Pond Fish,’ ‘Field Blossoms,’ ‘Young Bin’…” Xiao Yan frowned, trying to recall, but it had been too long.

Soul Cang’s eyes widened. “’Knife in the Rainy Night Without an Umbrella’?”

“Whoa, big brother, you’re a fellow enthusiast!” Xiao Yan grinned mischievously.

“What kind of books are these? I’ve never heard of them,” Yao Chen, who had been eavesdropping inside the ring, suddenly emerged, unable to hold back.

“Ahem…” Soul Cang shot Xiao Yan a warning look. “It’s normal you don’t understand. These are books from my hometown.”

He pointed at Xiao Yan, cautioning, “Don’t mention them again. I read the Spring and Autumn Annals; how could I discuss these with you?”

He sighed as he spoke.

Xiao Yan chuckled heartily, feeling an even stronger kinship with Soul Cang.

No wonder—they shared similar tastes.

Suddenly, he seemed to remember something and turned sharply to Yao Chen. “Old thing, why are you here? Eavesdropping again? You’re used to spying, aren’t you? Showing no respect for your elders!”

“What?! Punk, how dare you insult me?” Yao Chen, who had been pondering the conversation between Soul Cang and Xiao Yan, instantly erupted like a roaring lion at Xiao Yan’s words.

Xiao Yan placed his hands on his hips and said boldly, “Did I say something wrong? You stole my Dou Qi for three years, making me the laughingstock. Now every time I see you, I get annoyed. If you weren’t a soul, I’d smash your skull!”

With Soul Cang present, Xiao Yan confidently displayed the meaning of “borrowing a tiger’s might.”

Soul Cang raised his hand, signaling for silence. “Enough, stop quarrelling.”

Two cold snorts came from both sides.

Yao Chen turned his head away in displeasure, and Xiao Yan followed suit.

Soul Cang looked at Xiao Yan and thought silently, “Second brother, don’t blame me. The path must go on as planned, so you’ll just have to endure more hardship.”

He said gravely, “Second brother, about becoming an alchemist...”

He raised his hand toward Yao Chen. “This is the teacher I mentioned. His alchemy skills are superb. If you don’t learn well from him, there’s no hope.”

Yao Chen crossed his arms and raised his chin when Xiao Yan’s gaze swept over him.

Xiao Yan frowned. “Big brother, can this old thing really do it? If he had real skill, would he still be a lingering soul? Don’t be fooled.”

Soul Cang was speechless.

Xiao Yan’s words were true. Yao Chen’s current state was indeed pitiful.

Few would have guessed that Yao Chen had once been a respectable figure—a Dou Zun master and an eighth-rank alchemist.

“You punk, you’re being ungrateful!” Yao Chen, trying to maintain his dignity, could no longer hold back; his face twisted in anger.

“Don’t hit the face, don’t reveal weaknesses when insulting.”

Yao Chen scowled, “Hmph, you don’t want to learn? Perfect. I don’t want to teach either. At fifteen years old and still only at Dou Qi stage three, such a waste, I’ve lived this long and never seen such a fool. I can’t teach you.”

“You old fossil, how dare you say that! Don’t you know who’s responsible for this? Don’t you have any shame?” Xiao Yan rushed at Yao Chen and threw a flurry of punches.

Unfortunately, Yao Chen was in spirit form and the blows passed right through him.

Yao Chen smiled contentedly. When Xiao Yan stopped, panting, he teased, “So weak at such a young age? You’ve only been hitting for a moment—keep going!”

“Hey, I... I... big brother, this old geezer is bullying me. Help me out,” Xiao Yan said, turning to Soul Cang.

Back then, if you bullied me, I’d have taken it, but now that I have a big brother, can I really let this old spirit be arrogant?

Soul Cang pressed one hand to his forehead.

This was unbearable. How had things come to this? Wasn’t this supposed to be a teacher-student moment?

As the culprit, Soul Cang began to complain.

“Enough! You’re annoying me!”

Gathering himself, Soul Cang’s tone grew stern.

Immediately, Yao Chen and Xiao Yan stood like two naughty schoolchildren before Soul Cang, not daring to move.

“Second brother...”

“I’m here, big brother.”

“We haven’t spent much time together, so you may not know me well. I hate people who don’t keep their promises.”

“As the saying goes, words are like nails once spoken. Since you promised me, you must follow Yao Chen well. If you truly master alchemy, you’ll never be looked down upon wherever you go.”

Soul Cang spoke earnestly, a hint of anger mixed in his admonition.

He paused, surprised by his own words.

Why did that sound like a motivational speech from New Oriental?

“Big brother, I’ll listen to you. Don’t worry. I’ll study hard and strive to become an alchemist as soon as possible,” Xiao Yan said earnestly.

Soul Cang nodded approvingly. “From now on, Yao Chen will stay by your side. If you have questions about cultivation, you can ask him. As for Dou Qi matters, don’t worry—I used a special elixir so he no longer needs to drain your Dou Qi.”

“Thank you, big brother,” Xiao Yan said, deeply moved.

An elixir capable of restoring a soul must have been expensive...

Big brother really cares about me. I must work hard and not let him down.