Chapter 242: Flirting and Teasing

Over two months, Xiao Yan, with over a thousand Fire Energy, frequently immersed himself in the Tian Fen Lian Qi Ta, and due to his Earth-grade Cultivation Method, his Cultivation Realm advanced another two stars, reaching Fifth-Star Dou Ling.

So as soon as he exited the tower, Xiao Yan sought out Zi Yan for a sparring match.

The result? He still couldn't beat that cute little girl—her physical strength was utterly unmatched; in Xiao Yan's judgment, Zi Yan's physical power rivaled that of an ultra-powerful Five Rank Demon Beast, and the sheer burst of her physical strength equaled that of a Fifth-Star Doubwang.

Moreover, Zi Yan possessed strange, peculiar Space powers that still left Xiao Yan unable to defeat her.

"Hmph, of course! Do you think my Strong List No. 1 title was faked?" Zi Yan retracted her purple Dou Qi wings and landed slowly beside Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan brushed off the dirt on his body and rose slowly to his feet.

He had decided to enter this Strong List Conference and claim a spot in the Strong List Top Ten.

Because if he could rank among the Strong List Top Ten in this competition, he would qualify as a candidate for Elder—and gain the right to enter the ninth level of the Tian Fen Lian Qi Ta for a single session of Heart Fire origin body tempering!

Heart Fire origin—he knew instantly what that meant.

The Tian Fen Lian Qi Ta had ten levels; even Zi Yan, the Strong List No. 1, could only reach the seventh level, while the eighth level was essentially reserved for Elders alone.

Only those at the Dean level who were Dou Huang strong experts possessed the Purple Fire Energy Card—such as Hu Qian, Vice Dean of the Outer Court at Dou Huang Peak, or Su Qian, Grand Elder of the Inner Court at Dou Zong level.

Because after reaching Dou Huang, only the origin of the Fallen Heart Flame could accelerate their Dou Qi.

Simply put, if you underwent this Heart Fire origin body tempering and weren't someone so unlucky as to be cursed by heaven and hated by all, you effectively received a pass to advance to Dou Wang—and a high probability of breaking through to Dou Huang.

That's why so many coveted the Strong List Top Ten positions.

"Just what are you, anyway? I've reached Fifth-Star Dou Ling, mastered an Earth-grade Dou Technique—and still can't beat you." Xiao Yan felt rare confusion.

Xiao Yan could now skillfully use the Thunder Flash of Three Thousand Thundering Steps, teleporting thirty meters in an instant, and was striving toward the Minor Completion of Thunder Instant.

With Zi Yan's guidance, he could now spiritually wield the Ancient Dragon Roar; though still at the beginner level, he could only unleash a broad roar or target enemies directly ahead—but once Minor Completed, the sound could change its form.

If Ancient Dragon Roar reached Major Completion, it could condense sound waves into a single thread, shattering an enemy's Spiritual Soul from a hundred li away—terrifying.

But! Even so, he still couldn't beat Zi Yan.

"I don't know. If I did, I'd tell you," Zi Yan pouted, then reached into Space and pulled out three Five-Grade Medicinal Materials, tossing them to Xiao Yan.

"Make them taste good—I'm going into the Tian Fen Lian Qi Ta to cultivate."

Xiao Yan took the Medicinal Materials, smiled, nodded, waved his hand to summon the Alchemy Furnace, and dropped each herb one by one into it, adding sugar, vanilla, rose petals, and other ingredients.

He refined several large bottles of pills that looked like candies.

Demon Beasts cultivate differently from humans—they don't practice Cultivation Methods; their Bloodline is their innate method, allowing them to absorb Heavenly Energy through Bloodline power to grow, and to accelerate growth, they must chew and digest Medicinal Materials.

Every month, Zi Yan spent vast amounts of time searching deep forests for Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, ate them, then entered the Tian Fen Lian Qi Ta to use the Fallen Heart Flame to rapidly digest the energy and accelerate her growth.

According to Zi Yan, she could sense places rich in energy, giving her a natural talent for treasure hunting!

Xiao Yan had gone treasure hunting with Zi Yan before—but the problem was, while she could indeed sense energy-rich spots, and those spots did contain Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, they were guarded by incredibly powerful Demon Beasts.

After receiving the Pill Bottle, Zi Yan quickly poured out a golden Pill, ignored its residual Infernal Heat, and swallowed it whole, chewing vigorously.

(╯▽╰)

"Delicious, sweet, fragrant!" She crunched the Pill in three bites, swallowed it, licked her lips, and gazed longingly at the Jade Bottle in her hand.

Zi Yan didn't serve as Xiao Yan's sparring partner for free—his payment was removing the bitterness, sourness, and spiciness from the Medicinal Materials and turning them into candy-like treats.

Xiao Yan probably never dreamed that one day his Pill Alchemy skills would be used to make candy!

"By the way, Zi Yan, if you're not using your No. 1 Cultivation Room, could I borrow it?" Xiao Yan rubbed his nose awkwardly; asking a girl of eleven or twelve for something made him feel a bit embarrassed.

But now that his Cultivation Realm had reached Fifth-Star Dou Ling, even the best sixth-level room offered only mediocre results.

Most Fifth-Star Dou Ling barely managed the sixth level; only a freak like Xiao Yan would dare enter the seventh level at Fifth-Star Dou Ling—and even aspire to the No. 1 room.

Though Xiao Yan had considered taking Yao Sheng's No. 17 Strong List rank, he realized the No. 17 room probably wasn't even one-tenth as good as Zi Yan's No. 1 room.

Fire Energy was minor—but it would waste time.

Zi Yan patted her tiny chest and declared with heroic grandeur: "No problem! It'll just sit idle anyway—but while you're cultivating, I'll come find you to make me Pills."

"Of course! No issue at all—just a small thing."

After seeing Zi Yan off, Xiao Yan sat on the ground and thought.

Meow! Mao Wu stepped out of Space and meowed.

"This is a real problem—the Fallen Heart Flame differs from ordinary Strange Fires; it's a 'magic' attack."

Xiao Yan was now a Five-Grade Peak Alchemist; refining Five-Grade Blood Lotus Pill was no longer a problem—but the Blood Lotus Pill only protected the body from the flame's high temperature.

The Fallen Heart Flame, however, manifested directly within the heart, burning from within—so the Blood Lotus Pill had little effect.

Xiao Yan did possess a Pill Formula to protect the body internally: the Earth Spirit Pill, which generated an internal shield against attacks like sonic Dou Techniques or the Heart Fire of the Fallen Heart Flame.

The problem? It's a Six-Grade Pill, and Xiao Yan hadn't gathered its main Medicinal Material.

"I'll go try my luck—maybe the Inner Court's Transaction Area has it." Xiao Yan pulled out his Fire Energy Card—he still had over a thousand Fire Energy.

The scene shifted: Xun Er, dressed in a light, elegant dress, sat in her room reading a book; beneath the soft sunlight filtering through the window, her serene, exquisite face made one want to drown in admiration.

Knock knock knock—a tapping at the door: "Xun Er, are you free now?"

Hearing Xiao Yan's voice, Xun Er immediately set down her book, rushed to the door, and with a soft click, opened it; seeing Xiao Yan's face, she revealed a smile rarely seen by outsiders.

The girl stood before Xiao Yan, slender and graceful; the faint, sweet fragrance that drifted toward him stirred a quiet flutter in his heart. Unconsciously, the little girl who once trailed after him had grown into such a radiant, captivating beauty.

"Brother Xiao Yan, why are you here today?" Xun Er blinked her eyes, her tone hinting at a touch of jealousy toward his constant immersion in the Tian Fen Lian Qi Ta.

Xiao Yan smiled awkwardly. "I've been in the Inner Court so long without taking you out for a stroll. Today the weather is perfect—clear skies, gentle breeze—so I came to invite my lovely, kind little sister Xun Er to tour the Inner Court Transaction Area."

Xun Er covered her mouth and giggled, her spring-water eyes fixed on Xiao Yan as she gently stepped into his arms and whispered tenderly: "How could I ever blame Brother Xiao Yan?"

Xiao Yan gently wrapped his arms around Xun Er's slender waist, kissed her hair; sensing his warmth, her fair, delicate cheeks flushed faintly pink—this delicate, feminine demeanor was utterly unlike her usual calmness, yet undeniably, Xun Er was breathtakingly charming now.

"Xun Er..."

A man and woman alone in a room easily conjured unwholesome thoughts; Xun Er's cheeks reddened, and she quickly stepped back, blushing: "Brother Xiao Yan said we were going to tour the Inner Court—let's go!"

Xiao Yan cleared his throat; it was broad daylight, after all, and such things were inappropriate.

Holding Xun Er's soft, boneless Jade Hand, Xiao Yan walked with her toward the Inner Court Transaction Area, chatting and laughing.

The Inner Court was vast—it took Xiao Yan half an hour to reach the Transaction Area. But he wasn't in a hurry; along the way, he chattered endlessly with Xun Er.

"Ew, I don't want any." Xun Er wrinkled her nose, looking at the stinky tofu Xiao Yan offered with clear disgust.

"I'm not lying—you might think it smells bad, but it's delicious. Try it, you'll see."

"No way."

In the Transaction Square, numerous Stone Platforms had been set up, and now each platform was piled high with a dazzling array of items. Crowds pressed tightly around the platforms, bustling and noisy; the frenzied energy made Xiao Yan whistle in surprise.

But Xiao Yan and Xun Er's affectionate display drew countless stares—most of which were filled with the desire to strangle Xiao Yan.

As they walked, their eyes constantly swept over the items on the Stone Platforms beside them; with each glance, Xiao Yan grew increasingly astonished.

He realized that some of the goods here were no less impressive than those in the major Cities of the Black Horn Region. Perhaps because the Inner Court lay deep within endless mountains, some rare items here were even harder to find than in the Black Horn Region's shops.

"There are quite a few good things here," Xiao Yan crouched down, studying the fine wares on the stall before him.

Xun Er, by contrast, showed little interest, instead focusing intently on the stinky tofu in her hand—eating it was harder for her than defeating a Dou Wang.

After walking a little further, Xiao Yan's gaze sharpened as he fixed his eyes on a particular stall.

"Is this guy Lin Yan, ninth on the Strong List?" Xiao Yan recognized the vendor—he'd seen him once during the Battle of the Warring Factions.

Lin Yan, dressed in gray, noticed Xiao Yan's arrival and looked up; his crimson eyes made Xiao Yan frown.

"Those eyes... Fire Poison invading the heart?" Xiao Yan, as a Five-Grade Peak Alchemist, needed only one glance to recognize that Lin Yan had stayed too long in the Tian Fen Lian Qi Ta, accidentally deviating in his Cultivation and suffering Fire Poison invasion.

But soon, Xiao Yan's attention was drawn to a medicinal material on Lin Yan's stall.

"Green Immortal Vine! One of the main ingredients for the Earth Spirit Pill!"

(End of Chapter)