"Might of the Blazing Heavens?"
Zhou Yan was slightly surprised.
So mystical?
"Indeed."
Liu Yan'er looked at Zhou Yan and said solemnly, "The Blazing Heaven Secret Codex was created by an ancient sage and possesses immense power!"
"Legend has it that the Blazing Heaven Secret Codex has nine levels, and each advancement brings a significant leap!"
"The first level of the Blazing Heaven Secret Codex allows one to summon a lotus that unleashes raging flames!"
"The second level can summon a meteor, releasing a terrifying blizzard!"
"The third level can even summon a blazing sun, erupting with world-destroying temperatures, scorching the heavens and annihilating all life!"
As Liu Yan'er spoke, her beautiful eyes grew more fervent. "And this is merely the first and second levels of the Blazing Heaven Secret Codex; their full might has yet to be unleashed!"
"The third and fourth levels, and even deeper secrets, are still hidden within the Blazing Heaven Secret Codex!"
Zhou Yan's heart pounded. "Is that true?"
"Of course, it's true."
Liu Yan'er said proudly, "My grandfather told me himself."
"However..."
At this point, Liu Yan'er's expression turned troubled. "Cultivating the Blazing Heaven Secret Codex is far too difficult. No one in our Liu family has ever managed to reach the third level!"
"Even our ancestor, Liu Yunfei, is said to have only reached the second level."
Zhou Yan chuckled, "This Liu Yunfei was merely fortunate to have obtained a fragment of the Blazing Heaven Secret Codex, barely breaking through to the second level."
"Brother Zhou Yan, you actually know Uncle Liu Yunfei's name?"
Liu Yan'er narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing Zhou Yan. "You are indeed strange."
"Heh heh..."
Zhou Yan chuckled sheepishly and casually lied, "Liu Yunfei and I are friends. He told me about your Liu family."
"So that's how it is."
Liu Yan'er seemed to understand. "Oh, right, Brother Zhou Yan. My father said you are to enter the Forbidden Palace tonight to attend a banquet."
"Mm."
Zhou Yan responded indifferently.
He had anticipated this and was not surprised.
"Brother Zhou Yan, let's go shopping first."
Liu Yan'er tugged at Zhou Yan's sleeve. "We can chat as we walk and buy some nice clothes."
"Okay."
Zhou Yan agreed.
Soon, Zhou Yan and Liu Yan'er walked out of the alley.
"Roar~"
Suddenly, a deafening tiger roar echoed.
A giant black tiger, as dark as ink, descended from the sky. Its fierce pupils fixed on Zhou Yan, its fangs bared and claws extended, radiating a chilling murderous intent.
"Not good!"
Seeing this, Liu Yan'er's face changed drastically.
This scene terrified her.
"Boom!"
The tiger roared and charged at Zhou Yan.
"Vile beast, seeking death."
A cold glint flashed in Zhou Yan's eyes. With a raised hand, he unleashed a punch.
Bang!
In an instant, the tiger exploded, blood splattering.
"Hiss~"
Witnessing this, the surrounding pedestrians were startled.
"So powerful!"
Liu Yan'er's eyes sparkled.
She realized that Zhou Yan's strength was far beyond imagination.
Not long after.
The two left the market and headed towards the prosperous area of the capital.
"Wow! Brother Zhou Yan, look at that building ahead! It looks like the headquarters of the Alchemist Alliance!"
Liu Yan'er suddenly pointed at a magnificent and vast complex of buildings ahead and exclaimed, "Let's go quickly!"
With that, she pulled Zhou Yan's arm and headed towards the Alchemist Alliance headquarters.
...
Outside the Alchemist Alliance headquarters.
Zhou Yan was stopped.
"Halt!"
A guard shouted coldly, "This is the headquarters of the Alchemist Alliance. Unauthorized personnel are not allowed to approach!"
"My name is Liu Yan'er."
Liu Yan'er took out a token and waved it. "This token was given to me by my grandfather."
"Miss, please wait a moment. I will report this."
The guard bowed respectfully and turned away.
He returned quickly and said respectfully, "Young master, you may enter. The Alliance Master has instructed that you are a distinguished guest. Please feel free to roam."
Liu Yan'er led Zhou Yan into the Alchemist Alliance headquarters.
It was a vast square, filled with various stalls selling medicinal herbs.
"Brother Zhou Yan, what kind of medicinal herbs do you want to buy?" Liu Yan'er asked.
"Hmm..."
Zhou Yan pondered for a moment and said, "Did your grandfather mention any particularly rare herbs?"
"Well, there are a few."
Liu Yan'er blinked her eyes. "There are three hundred-year-old Thousand Leaf Grass, one hundred-year-old Snow Lingzhi, and one Three-Veined Green Wood Fruit."
"Three-Veined Green Wood Fruit!"
Zhou Yan's gaze sharpened, and his heart became somewhat eager.
He needed to refine a pill called the "Dragon Transformation Pill," which could help him cultivate a true dragon physique.
Dragon transformation, shedding mortality, metamorphosis, and breaking free from physical constraints.
Once cultivated successfully, he would transform from a mere martial apprentice into a martialist, his strength and combat power soaring.
"What's wrong?"
Seeing Zhou Yan's unusual expression, Liu Yan'er asked in confusion.
"Uh... nothing."
Zhou Yan shook his head and smiled. "Let's keep browsing."
"Okay!"
Liu Yan'er smiled sweetly and hopped towards another direction.
"Eh, there's a Five-Veined Purple Gold Fruit tree here!"
Suddenly, Liu Yan'er's sharp eyes noticed a lush fruit tree in the distance.
"This Purple Gold Fruit tree has already borne three Purple Gold Fruits! I remember Grandpa saying that eating Purple Gold Fruit can cleanse the marrow and improve one's aptitude."
Liu Yan'er said gleefully, "Just right, both of us are ordinary mortals, so eating it would be perfect."
"Let's go, I'll help you pick the fruit."
Zhou Yan nodded and walked directly towards the Purple Gold Fruit tree.
"Swish swish swish~"
He reached out and effortlessly gathered the three Purple Gold Fruits into his storage ring.
After doing so, Zhou Yan turned to leave.
"Hey, Brother Zhou Yan!"
"Don't you want it?"
"Aren't you going to try its taste?"
Liu Yan'er froze for a moment and quickly caught up with Zhou Yan.
"I don't like eating fruit."
Zhou Yan stopped and explained, "I prefer meat."
"Meat?"
Liu Yan'er blinked her eyes, looking confused.
...
A while later, Zhou Yan and Liu Yan'er walked out of the capital.
"We should head back to the City Lord's Mansion."
Zhou Yan said.
"Alright."
Liu Yan'er pouted, mumbling somewhat dejectedly, "I originally wanted to play longer."
"However, my mother hasn't been feeling well lately, so I need to go back and take care of her quickly."
Zhou Yan frowned and asked, "Your mother is ill? Is it serious? I know some highly skilled physicians. Would you like me to have one examine your mother?"
"Forget it."
Liu Yan'er shook her head. "My mother's illness might not be curable..."
"Oh."
Zhou Yan's expression saddened, and he said no more.
After all, a person's life was at stake.
...
Upon returning to the City Lord's Mansion, Liu Yan'er quickly left.
"Young Master."
Inside the City Lord's Mansion, a burly man with a powerful physique bowed to greet him.