Btth: Second chance of Xiao yan

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It had been years since Xiao Yan had first begun his journey of cultivation. In that time, he had encountered countless dangers, gained immense strength, and earned the respect of his peers. But there was one constant that had never changed—the absence of his master, Yao Lao.

Yao Lao, the alchemical master and the soul that had guided Xiao Yan from the very beginning, had been in a deep slumber for years, his body and soul exhausted from their previous battles. Xiao Yan had grown stronger, his cultivation had flourished, but the absence of his guidance left a sense of emptiness within him. There was so much more to learn, and Xiao Yan longed for the wisdom Yao Lao had imparted.

Then, one fateful evening, as Xiao Yan sat in his meditation hall, a strange sensation swept over him. It was subtle at first, like a distant echo of a memory. The sensation grew stronger and stronger, like a pulse deep within his soul, until it felt like a violent storm crashing into his chest. He opened his eyes in shock and stood up, his breath catching in his throat.

"Master?" His voice trembled as the familiar presence filled the air around him. The world around him seemed to slow as Xiao Yan looked around, and then, before his very eyes, a translucent image appeared—Yao Lao.

But this was not the Yao Lao Xiao Yan remembered. His once imposing figure had become frail, his robes ragged, and his face pale. The spirit of Yao Lao flickered with instability, his soul strained, and his aura faint. Despite his weakened state, the glow of wisdom still shone in his eyes. The man who had once been a towering figure in Xiao Yan's life now appeared as a faint echo of his former self.

"Master..." Xiao Yan muttered, rushing toward the apparition.

Yao Lao's weak voice drifted through the air like a gentle breeze. "Xiao Yan... I've... I've awakened. But not for long."

Xiao Yan's heart clenched at the words. He had feared this moment would come, but now that it was here, he could not suppress the emotions flooding his chest. He quickly knelt in front of his master, bowing low. "Master, you're awake. You can still teach me, can't you? I've missed you."

Yao Lao's smile was soft but filled with a deep sorrow. "I cannot stay long, Xiao Yan. My body... my soul is fractured. The injuries I sustained have worn me thin. But before I leave, I will teach you everything I can."

The spirit flickered again, and Xiao Yan's heart tightened as he understood that his master's time was limited. "I will not waste a single moment, Master," Xiao Yan vowed, his voice firm.

Yao Lao nodded, his smile gentle despite his weakened state. "Good. You have come far, Xiao Yan. Your cultivation has progressed much faster than I ever imagined. Now, it's time for you to master the arts of alchemy fully. There is much to learn, and I have little time."

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