BTTH : From the beginning of the battle to the top

"Yao Chen, Yao Zun!"

This name sounded like a thunderclap, causing all three to freeze simultaneously.

Lin Yuan pretended to be stunned.

Yao Lao was shocked because a stranger had guessed his identity.

Xiao Yan was taken aback by the title of the continent's number one alchemist and respected figure that belonged to his teacher. He knew his teacher was a big shot, but he didn't expect him to be of such a high caliber.

Seeing that his identity had been revealed, Yao Lao couldn't keep pretending to be ignorant in front of a junior. He could only hope that this kid's faction was not in opposition to his own.

Yao Lao's soul detached from Xiao Yan, hovering beside him, while Xiao Yan's gaze returned to that of a young man filled with sharpness.

Yao Lao looked at Lin Yuan and asked, "Who are you, and how did you recognize me?"

Lin Yuan seemed to have steadied his mind again, the expression on his face becoming calm once more. He performed a junior's greeting to Yao Lao and smiled, "Just now, I saw the senior's move. After being hidden for so many years, even without a physical body, you can still exert such powerful strength. This level of soul realm, combined with the distinctive Bone Spirit Cold Fire, is quite a coincidence, isn't it? As for who I am, that's classified information. Would the senior like to purchase this information?"

Lin Yuan did not explain why he was certain that the flame Yao Lao had just used was the Bone Spirit Cold Fire; he believed Yao Lao understood as well.

Yao Lao looked deeply at Lin Yuan. Being so close, he had sensed the other party's异火 (exotic fire). Although it was not as powerful as his Bone Spirit Cold Fire, it was undoubtedly异火, and the special resonance between异火 was hard to mistake. This was enough for Lin Yuan to confirm Yao Lao's identity through the Bone Spirit Cold Fire.

"This is not a good place for conversation. Senior, and this friend of yours, please follow me!" After saying this, Lin Yuan turned and walked toward the waterfall. He was not worried that Yao Lao and Xiao Yan would leave directly; they wouldn't feel at ease leaving until they confirmed their faction.

Xiao Yan watched Lin Yuan walk away, feeling the powerful aura emanating from him, and couldn't help but sigh, "Teacher, that person looks to be about my age, but he is so strong. I can sense that he has the aura of a high-level Great Fighter. Is this what they mean by 'there are people beyond people, and heavens beyond heavens'? Even Na Lan Yan Ran pales in comparison."

Yao Lao glanced at Xiao Yan. This was a good opportunity for him to broaden his horizons and understand the vastness of the world, so he wouldn't be confined by the small pond of the Gama Empire.

Thus, Yao Lao said solemnly, "Great Fighter? He is not. He has used some secret method to conceal his cultivation, so he appears to be at the level of a Great Fighter. Unfortunately, this secret method cannot fool me; his true cultivation is that of a Dou Wang."

Yao Lao's words shook Xiao Yan's mind. After a moment of distraction, he regained his composure, a bitter smile appearing on his lips. He knew the outside world was vast, but he didn't expect it to be this vast. A Dou Wang at such a young age—this gap was truly despairing.

Yao Lao did not interrupt Xiao Yan's thoughts; he was waiting. This was part of growth. His disciple would not be discouraged by the gap; with Xiao Yan's tenacious character, this gap would only spur his fighting spirit.

As Yao Lao expected, Xiao Yan soon rallied his fighting spirit and understood Yao Lao's good intentions. A touch of determination appeared on his handsome face as he said solemnly, "Thank you, Teacher, for giving me the opportunity to understand the vastness of the outside world. I believe that one day I will also stand on that stage."

"Haha, good, good." Yao Lao laughed heartily. What he was most pleased with was Xiao Yan's resilient character. He meaningfully said to Xiao Yan, "Xiao Yan, remember, the Dou Qi continent is like this—there are countless geniuses. Once you understand the gap, just steadily pursue it. The path of cultivation is long; in the end, it's not about who walks faster, but who walks further."

Xiao Yan nodded thoughtfully at Yao Lao's words and looked at him, "Teacher, what about us?"

Yao Lao pondered for a moment and pointed to the Frost Sky Wolf he had killed, saying, "You go retrieve the magic core from that Frost Sky Wolf over there. A fourth-tier ice attribute magic core will be useful for refining the Blood Lotus Pill. Then we will go over; I have some things to confirm."

After Xiao Yan retrieved the magic core as instructed, he and Yao Lao arrived at the edge of the water pool. Upon seeing the surrounding environment, Xiao Yan's eyes lit up. The waterfall cascaded down into a vast deep pool, the water as clear as jade. The grass by the pool was lush, surrounded by mountains, vibrant with greenery. Occasionally, one could see magical beasts darting through the forest—a perfect place for cultivation.

Meanwhile, Lin Yuan was standing not far ahead, watching the two with a curious gaze, seemingly intrigued by their state.

Under Yao Lao's lead, Xiao Yan walked toward Lin Yuan. As he approached, although there was some wariness in his eyes, there was even more fighting spirit.

Seeing this, Lin Yuan felt a sense of admiration for both Xiao Yan and Yao Lao. In the original fate, Xiao Yan could reach that level, and although it involved many coincidences and strokes of luck, his character and talent were undoubtedly the foundation of it all. Yao Lao, who could polish this rough gem into something valuable, was undoubtedly the best kind of mentor.

Thinking of this, Lin Yuan asked, "It seems this friend is the new disciple of the senior. Truly a dragon among men."

Yao Lao stroked his transparent beard and nodded, giving Xiao Yan a knowing glance. Xiao Yan understood and stepped forward, clasping his fists, "Xiao Family, Xiao Yan, greetings, brother."

Lin Yuan returned the gesture, "Due to certain reasons, I cannot reveal my name, so you can call me by my codename, Qian Long, when I am out. It is a pleasure to meet you both; let this cup of wine serve as an apology."

After saying this, Lin Yuan gathered his energy and created two exquisite wine cups with Dou Qi. He then took out a jug of wine from his spatial ring and filled both cups, handing one to Xiao Yan.

Although Xiao Yan was somewhat surprised by Lin Yuan's ability to create objects out of thin air, he steadied his mind and did not show any unusual reactions. In front of outsiders, he could not embarrass his teacher.

Xiao Yan glanced at Yao Lao, who slightly nodded. He had subtly checked; there was no problem with the wine. On the contrary, this wine would be beneficial for Xiao Yan at this moment.

The person before him seemed very friendly, and it appeared that he was not a genius from an opposing faction, which made Yao Lao feel somewhat relieved.

After receiving Yao Lao's signal, Xiao Yan took the wine cup and smiled, "It is an honor to meet someone like Brother Qian Long."

"Then let us toast to our acquaintance." With that, Lin Yuan downed the wine in his cup.

Seeing this, Xiao Yan also drank it in one gulp.

As the greenish liquid entered his stomach, a strange energy radiated out. Following his feelings, Xiao Yan directly sat cross-legged, forming a cultivation seal, and his aura began to steadily rise. Before long, he broke through to a five-star Dou Shi, and his physique seemed to strengthen a bit.

Standing up, Xiao Yan bowed to Lin Yuan, "Thank you, brother."

Yao Lao watched from the side, revealing an expression of "as expected," and asked with great interest, "Young friend, do you have Earth Heart Body Refining Milk in your possession?"

"Oh? Senior's perception is indeed sharp; you can even sense the diluted Earth Heart Body Refining Milk in the wine. Moreover, since you specifically mentioned the Earth Heart Body Refining Milk, it seems we have some matters to discuss."

**(End of Chapter)**