Chapter 1049: The Unopenable Sealing Ring

Pill Control Technique?!

Lin Feng, who had originally been uninterested in the Tian clan, instantly brightened his eyes upon hearing the words "Pill Control Technique" and looked delighted toward the stunningly beautiful face just a stone's throw away.

The reason for his delight was, without doubt, the Ninth‑grade Golden Pill hidden within the Dou Saint relic.

After all, that Golden Pill's power was overwhelmingly strong; even if Feng'er, Cai Lin, and Zi Yan emerged, they had little confidence of surpassing that Eight‑Star Dou Saint‑rank Ninth‑grade Golden Pill.

However, if he could obtain that Pill Control Technique, perhaps it would increase his chances considerably.

Thinking of that, Lin Feng suddenly became extremely excited.

Jibba!

Immediately after, the former, in his excitement, unconsciously cupped Zhao Ran's pretty face and gave her soft lips several hard kisses.

"Great! I didn't expect the Tian clan to have a Pill Control Technique. Zhao Sister, you've really done me a huge favor now!"

At this moment, the excited Lin Feng didn't notice the inappropriateness of his actions, his fists trembling with excitement.

Zhao Ran, taken aback by his sudden move, was left standing dumbfounded.

Only after a long while did she recover, then gave him a flirtatious rolling eye and, irritated, said, "You little brat, now you even dare to take advantage of your sister's tofu."

Hearing that, Lin Feng finally realized his earlier action was somewhat inappropriate.

His eyes slightly dimming, he glanced around before swiftly changing the subject: "Zhao Sister, after you told me so in detail, will your close friend blame you later?"

"It's fine; her family is well‑off now, they won't go broke."

Hearing that, Zhao Ran didn't press the matter further, casually waved her hand with an indifferent expression.

"Uh, as long as it's fine."

Seeing his nonchalant expression, Lin Feng felt both amused and exasperated.

Nevertheless, regarding that Pill Control Technique, he was determined to obtain it at any cost.

Immediately, he put away the wooden box containing the remnants of the demonic fire diagram and said, "Since Zhao Sister managed to find those herbs, I'm relieved. I have other matters, so I won't keep you chatting. As for the Tian clan issue, tell your close friend to come to my house later for a detailed talk."

While speaking, Lin Feng turned around, preparing to leave.

"Hey, Lin Feng, aren't you going to meet the strong ones from the other major forces of the Five Clans and Seven Sects?"

Seeing him about to leave, Zhao Ran's pretty face briefly froze as she asked.

"Forget it, they already know I can help people break through to Dou Saint, yet they still don't dare to ask me. It seems they're afraid that befriending me will anger the Ancient Clan. In that case, there's no point in wasting effort."

Saying that, Lin Feng shook his head, no longer holding hope for those non‑bloodline factions that possess Dou Saint‑level strongmen.

He had originally thought that, having defeated the Ancient Clan's divine bloodline before everyone's eyes, he could stir rebellion in other non‑bloodline factions.

But now it seems those people, after millennia as lower classes, have grown accustomed to that life and dare not harbor any rebellious thoughts.

Since they are already like that, he sees no need to seek them out.

"Alright then."

Seeing him reluctant, Zhao Ran made no further push.

After speaking, she suddenly produced a Sealing Ring, extracting several invitation cards from it.

"Take these invitation cards to the trade fair. This year's fair has many fine items; perhaps you'll find what you need, especially the final one."

As she spoke, Zhao Ran lightly tapped the void with her jade foot, then placed the invitation cards into Lin Feng's bosom.

He received the slipped‑in invitation without refusing, holding it in his hand.

Then he turned to Zhao Ran, smiling, and said, "Not long ago, a team led by a few Mirror Dou Zuns, with all other members being Dou Zuns, ventured into the Wild Ancient Realm on the northeastern border of Central Continent. They lost nearly eighty percent of their forces before finally succeeding in the Wild Ancient Realm. I suppose that team was the expedition formed by your Five Clans and Seven Sects."

"As for the final item at the spatial trade fair, I reckon it's news about the Bodhi Ancient Tree about to be born within the Wild Ancient Realm."

Lin Feng's faint smile seemed to ask, yet his tone was full of affirmation.

After all, he would never forget the birthplace of the Bodhi Ancient Tree.

Consequently, he had long ago ordered the Azure Scale faction to dispatch several snake‑type demonic beasts of Dou Zun rank to take turns guarding the Wild Ancient Realm.

The expedition sent by the Five Clans and Seven Sects didn't look like mercenaries at all.

Thus, those people were naturally trailed by the beasts, and the information eventually reached him.

"Lin Feng, how did you know we dispatched an expedition? And you even know the news about the Bodhi story!"

When Lin Feng plainly stated that they had sent an expedition there and revealed the Bodhi Ancient Tree news, Zhao Ran was instantly stunned, her beautiful eyes filled with disbelief.

That information had originally been obtained by chance from a strongman who had slain an eighth‑rank heavenly demon phoenix.

Because the matter was of great importance, the major factions, after deliberation, decided each would select a few people, with the Baoshan Elder personally leading the team.

However, after their members entered the deep Wild Ancient Realm, they were brutally killed by the resident beasts.

Even the Baoshan Elder and a few others barely escaped.

They hadn't expected that, after paying such a price for the information, Lin Feng would already know it inside out!

"Oh, don't forget my connection with the Grand Void Ancient Dragon Clan; I naturally know such news."

At this point, Lin Feng spread his hands and continued half‑truthfully, "However, the beasts in the Wild Ancient Realm are so formidable that even a Nine‑turn Dou Zun Peak master could be crushed if surrounded by a beast tide, risking death. So I haven't ventured there yet; I only sent people to keep watch."

"Alright, with the Grand Void Ancient Dragon Clan's existence, what you say makes sense."

Hearing that, Zhao Ran was left speechless, merely covering her forehead in helpless resignation.

But immediately after, he said irritably, "If you had told me earlier, my Zhao family also sent a Six‑Star Dou Zun and a Three‑turn Dou Zun Elder there, and we lost the Six‑Star Dou Zun Elder, only the Three‑turn Dou Zun Elder returned."

Thinking of the lost Dou Zun Elder, a pang of sorrow flashed across Zhao Ran's pretty face.

Although she knew she had no authority to blame Lin Feng, the thought of the Six‑Star Dou Zun Elder dying in vain made her feel a tight knot in her chest.

"Zhao Sister, you never asked me before."

Hearing that, Lin Feng spread his hands, looking innocently.

"You know, forget it, this is my son's fault. He insisted my older brother run the Zhao family for him. I didn't know that guy; being a carefree alchemist is fine, but he's not cut out to be a clan head!"

At this point, a look of helplessness surfaced in Zhao Ran's beautiful eyes.

And Lin Feng, hearing this, naturally wouldn't be foolish enough to echo Zhao Ran's mention of Zhao Wei.

After all, the former can speak Zhao Wei, but he, being an outsider, cannot.

Moreover, he still needs Zhao Ran's help.

Thinking of this, he could only comfort, "Zhao Sister, who knows? Perhaps after serving as clan chief for a long time he'll get the hang of it. After all, we can't look down on others."

While speaking, he brushed his palm and slipped the invitation to the Spatial Trade Fair into his storage ring.

"Sigh, I hope it's as you say."

Hearing the former's comfort, Zhao Ran's exquisitely beautiful face instantly showed a smile full of motherly affection.

After all, aside from a few odd cases, which mother wouldn't wish her child to become better?

Then, Lin Feng seemed to think of something and said, "Zhao Sister, are you planning to explore the Bodhi Ancient Tree later?"

"My older brother has already successfully challenged the Divine Saint, so I no longer need to guard the Zhao clan as before. Therefore, when the ancient tree emerges later, I intend to try it out and see if I can find any opportunity."

Facing the former's question, Zhao Ran smiled and gently nodded, replying.

Hearing that, Lin Feng thought for a moment, noting that the Bodhi seeds he held were still sufficient, and said, "Since that's the case, Zhao Sister, why don't you come with me later? Being together, at least we can look out for each other."

"You make a good point; then we'll go together then."

Hearing Lin Feng's suggestion, Zhao Ran's face lit with a slight joy, and she quickly agreed.

As soon as she finished speaking, she froze, then Zhao Ran flipped her hand to produce an ordinary beast‑skin paper, parting her red lips lightly: "These are the items already confirmed for this trade fair; even if we are one of the major powers, we cannot replace what's inside. Of course, later, if Treasure‑Inspecting Mountain, Earth‑Travel Sect, and Void‑Mystic Gate receive new exchange items, they will be added as well."

While speaking, Zhao Ran again slipped the beast‑skin paper into Lin Feng's hand.

After that, she added, "We Zhao family usually don't manage this stuff; it was given by someone from Treasure‑Inspecting Mountain, saying there might be things inside that interest you."

"Treasure‑Inspecting Mountain, huh? Fine, I'll go back and see if there's anything I'm interested in."

As he spoke, Lin Feng also stored the item in his storage ring.

Then, glancing at the sky, he said, "It's getting late, I have other matters, so I won't chat any longer. If your close friend wants to trade, tell her to come find me."

With those words, Lin Feng sped toward the valley's edge, vanishing swiftly into the horizon.

After parting with Zhao Ran, Lin Feng rushed home at full speed.

Then, after exchanging a word with Qing Lin, he headed straight to the secret chamber that stores the Nine Nether Golden Ancestral Fire.

"Alas, the Nine Nether Golden Ancestral Fire could greatly aid me, but it's so formidable that even I can't be sure of subduing it."

Inside the chamber, Lin Feng gazed at the golden flame within the central pale‑white skeleton and sighed helplessly.

This fire, ranked seventh on the Exotic Flame leaderboard, the Nine Nether Golden Ancestral Fire, has been something he's tried to subdue ever since he obtained it.

Unfortunately, no matter what methods he and Xiao Ling used, they always returned empty‑handed.

And this sight‑but‑cannot‑eat situation almost made Xiao Ling so angry she floated away on the spot.

As for Lin Feng, he was equally helpless about the situation.

"Sigh, this Nine Nether Golden Ancestral Fire is just too strong, and it seems to possess an energy that constantly rebounds my attempts. It appears this thing was set up by that Ninth‑Grade Golden Core."

Recalling his and Xiao Ling's previous failures, Lin Feng shook his head helplessly.

Meanwhile, Xiao Ling, inside the former, felt the familiar exotic fire outside and puffed up her cheeks in anger.

After all, she had taken several losses from this exotic fire before!

"Fine, let's first try to see if we can open that alchemist's storage ring."

Remembering that he had previously taken the storage ring from the skeleton before him, Lin Feng immediately knelt on the spot and drew another storage ring from his chest.

Staring at the faint glow emanating from the central storage stone of the ring, Lin Feng let out a light sigh.

Then, a massive surge of soul energy shot from his brow, striking straight at the storage stone on the ring!

The invisible force moved so fast that before anyone could react, it arrived at the ring and slammed into it.

"Bang!"

Accompanied by a huge bang that echoed through the chamber, an invisible wave instantly rippled outward at great speed.

At the instant his soul power collided with the shield on that storage stone, a blinding burst of light suddenly ignited from the weak shield.

The light struck his eyes, causing Lin Feng to feel a sharp pain, and he instinctively covered his eyes with his hands to prevent further pain.

After a long while, when the former felt the light dimming, he lowered his hand and quickly glanced at the storage ring in his hand.

However, as he looked, he saw that the protection on the ring in his hand was completely unharmed.

Even the Soul Shield on it had not weakened at all.

"Damn, my soul power is at the Mid‑stage Celestial Realm now!"

"Even this storage ring of a fallen Divine Saint Alchemist, whose fall time is unknown, can't be broken. His soul power in life must have reached the Imperial Realm!"

Staring at the ring in his hand, Lin Feng was shocked, exclaiming in disbelief.

After all, with his Mid‑stage Celestial Realm soul power, and the ring's owner having been dead for countless years.

Even if he possessed the Great Perfection of the Celestial Realm in life, logically his soul power shouldn't be able to block my soul strike!

"A few more times!"

Recalling that the alchemist might have been a Ninth‑Grade Golden Core Alchemist, Lin Feng, unwilling to give up, gathered his soul power again and struck the ring hard.

"Bang!"

Yet even so, the ring's protection remained completely unmoved.

"No way, on that relic expedition I sacrificed the avatar of the Celestial Phoenix Clan chief, gave up the chance to subdue the Demon Phoenix Clan, and only just managed to escape. As a result, I can't use any of the items from this Divine Saint relic expedition now."

Looking at the ring in his hand, Lin Feng said wordlessly.

"Sigh, fine, if it won't open, it won't. Since his soul power might be Imperial Realm, I'll try again when my soul reaches Celestial Realm Great Perfection. Anyway, this ring is in my hand; it can't escape."

After a long silence, Lin Feng finally resigned himself to the reality.