Chapter 160: Familiar Spirit Refining Method (Part 1)

Xiao Yan looked at Nalan Yanran, who seemed slightly embarrassed, and said, "Is this you scrambling at the last minute?"

Nalan Yanran glared at Xiao Yan, "Why must you point it out so bluntly?"

"Yes! I truly cannot defeat you now," Nalan Yanran admitted frankly, directly stating she was no match for Xiao Yan.

Since the battle with Mo Cheng, Nalan Yanran had known her chances of defeating Xiao Yan were slim—even though her own cultivation realm was not low, at Third-Star High Battle Master, her trump cards and combat power were far behind his.

Xiao Yan now possessed a Earth-Rank cultivation method; since the Burning Decree upgraded to Earth-Rank, his advancement had accelerated greatly—he was now a Fourth-Star High Battle Master and would reach Fifth-Star within one or two months, long since surpassing Nalan Yanran.

The Burning Decree's ability to evolve was just like that: slow at first, then explosive later.

Not to mention that Xiao Yan possessed a Heavenly Flame and immense Soul Force—Nalan Yanran knew she had little chance of victory.

And this didn't even count Xiao Yan's elixirs; as an Alchemist, using pills he crafted in battle wasn't against the rules.

Even if Xiao Yan didn't use elixirs, Nalan Yanran still felt her odds were negligible.

In truth, her chances were even lower than she herself believed.

Xiao Yan shrugged and said, "I don't mind either way, but no matter what, you're bound to lose."

Nalan Yanran shot Xiao Yan a glare, her eyes filled with defiance, "When I emerge from the Life and Death Gate, you'll be the one who loses!"

"Life and Death Gate? Is that your Yun Lan Sect's Secret Realm?" Xiao Yan asked curiously.

"It's where the successive Sect Masters of Yun Lan Sect are buried, and also the tomb of our founder, Yun Potian. Inside lie trials left by the first Sect Master—those who pass receive a reward," Nalan Yanran didn't hide anything from Xiao Yan; since she was entering the Life and Death Gate to defeat this man, she saw no need to be secretive.

Xiao Yan frowned—successive Sect Masters' tombs?!

"Could it be that the souls of Yun Lan Sect's past leaders reside there? Could it be the location of the Soul Hall?" Xiao Yan suddenly realized a terrifying possibility!

Although Yun Lan Sect was said to be near Jia Ma Sheng Cheng, it was still quite a distance away.

Moreover, Xiao Yan had heard that the area surrounding Yun Lan Mountain was essentially a city—Yunlan City at its base, like Jia Nan City of Jia Nan Academy, provided daily necessities for Yun Lan Sect disciples.

Originally, Xiao Yan had no access to Yun Lan Sect, since it was open only to its own disciples—but fate was strangely convenient: he and Nalan Yanran had a duel to settle.

"Let the duel take place on Yun Lan Mountain," Xiao Yan suddenly said.

Nalan Yanran paused, puzzled, "On Yun Lan Mountain? Yun Lan Mountain floats above the clouds, rich in Wind Attribute Energy but weak in Fire Attribute Energy—are you certain you want to fight there?"

Xiao Yan nodded seriously, "I want to see what the number-one sect of Jia Ma Empire is truly like."

Seeing Xiao Yan so resolute, Nalan Yanran didn't refuse and agreed. She had no idea Xiao Yan's hidden agenda had already turned toward Yun Lan Mountain.

In the deep silence of night, Xiao Yan was cultivating the Burning Decree in his room when he suddenly opened his eyes and said, "Hai Lao, what is it at this hour?"

Hai Bodong pushed open the door and smiled, "You little brat owe me thanks this time."

"Thanks for what?" Xiao Yan asked.

"You know we followed that black-robed man tonight—do you know what we discovered in the end?" Hai Bodong deliberately dragged it out.

Xiao Yan poured Hai Bodong a cup of water and sat down, knowing he'd speak at length.

"Go ahead, Hai Lao—I'm listening."

Hai Bodong said, "That black-robed man is Yan Li, Vice President of the Chu Yun Empire's Alchemist Guild—a Fourth-Rank Peak Alchemist. He took a pill called Spirit-Replenishing Purple Pill to restore his appearance to his youth."

"Fourth-Rank Peak?!" Xiao Yan's heart jolted—no wonder the guy was so powerful; he'd barely bested him using only a fragment of Void Swallowing Flame.

So the opponent was also a Fourth-Rank Peak Alchemist!

"Yes, we initially planned to kill him outright, but he had a backup plan—if he dies during the Jia Ma Alchemist Convention, news will spread rapidly across neighboring empires that Jia Ma's Alchemist Guild murdered a contestant to manipulate the Champion title. Other nations' Alchemist Guilds would then have grounds to unite and retaliate against us—forcing us to hold back," Hai Bodong drank some water, sounding irritated.

Jia Ma Empire's overall strength was weak; neighboring empires had long desired to annex it.

Xiao Yan thought for a moment and said, "So that's why he was willing to risk death and expend vast resources from Chu Yun Empire to brew the Spirit-Replenishing Purple Pill just to sabotage us."

"Likely, the other empires have long wanted to strike Jia Ma Empire—they just needed an excuse. Now they plan to target Jia Ma's Alchemist Guild; if they can sever Dan Tower's ties with Jia Ma's Alchemist Guild, the other empires can act without restraint."

Xiao Yan tapped his fingers on the table, instantly piecing together the entire chain of events—and even understood the motives of the major empires.

Hai Bodong stared, dumbfounded—he hadn't thought of any of this!

"Uh… probably."

"Then why should I thank you, Hai Lao?" Xiao Yan smiled faintly—none of this seemed like a reason to thank him.

Reminded by Xiao Yan, Hai Bodong suddenly remembered and hurriedly said, "Right, right, I nearly forgot—we must wait until after the Alchemist Convention, and we must prevent him from becoming Champion before we strike. Otherwise, if Yan Li wins the Alchemist Convention, it'll be far harder for us to act."

"Fa Ma knew your pill alchemy was strong and believed only you could challenge him for the title, so I told him, 'What if Chu Yun Empire's Alchemist Guild bribes you?'"

Hai Bodong raised an eyebrow at Xiao Yan; Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes and immediately understood.

Scare tactics, then extort!

"Hehehe, Fa Ma wants you to go to the Alchemist Guild right now—he says he'll give you some help to deal with that guy."

Xiao Yan didn't pretend—he bowed slightly and said, "Thank you, Hai Lao. I'm certain that with time, I'll be able to brew the Spirit-Replenishing Purple Pill."

"Good, don't forget. Go on, go on—take as much as you want, don't be polite with that old man Fa Ma—he's loaded," Hai Bodong chuckled.

Though it was deep night, the Alchemist Guild was still brightly lit; the guards, seeing Xiao Yan approach, stiffened and said, "Mr. Xiao Yan, the President is waiting."

"Mm."

Xiao Yan followed the guard up to the highest level of the Alchemist Guild and gently knocked.

"President, Xiao Yan has come late at night to disturb you," Xiao Yan said politely.

"Come in."

Xiao Yan pushed open the door and glanced around, slightly surprised—the room was extremely spacious but unusually rustic, with several bookshelves against the walls and a single ancient table standing alone in the center.

Xiao Yan quietly closed the door. Fa Ma gestured, "Sit anywhere. Hai Bodong must have already explained the situation to you."

(End of Chapter)