Chapter 249

Xiao Yu stomped her foot in fury—this guy doesn't care about propriety at all!

Xiao Yan smiled, slapped Xiao Yu's butt with a sharp crack, and chuckled: "Still standing there? Lead the way."

"You bastard!"

"Oh oh, isn't this the famed Xiao Ning? You've brought so many people here today—trying to give me Han Xian a lesson in humility?" At the head of the crowd in the Medicine Gang's base, Han Xian, clad in an Alchemist Long Robe, crossed his arms and laughed mockingly at Xiao Ning.

Behind him stood many Alchemists, all dressed in Alchemist Long Robes, several of whom were Third-Rank Alchemists—and Han Xian himself had reached Four Grade!

"Han Xian, you've not only begun hoarding Medicinal Materials at inflated prices, you're also selling Elixirs at rock-bottom rates—are you trying to cripple us with your own losses? Planning to burn everything down?" Xiao Ning's face darkened slightly, his voice cold enough for anyone to clearly sense.

As a male member of the Xiao Clan and a diligent cultivator, Xiao Ning naturally earned Xiao Yan's trust; unless it was a major matter, Xiao Hall was handled by Xiao Ning, Xiao Yueliang, and Xiao Meng.

"Within the Inner Court, conflict isn't forbidden. Our Medicine Gang buys Medicinal Materials from the Medicine Gathering Teams and all major Factions—whose fault is that? You've simply offended too many senior disciples, so they refuse to cooperate with you."

"As for selling Elixirs cheaply—we like it. What can you do about it? If you're blaming anyone, blame your own weakness. You've got one Alchemist and think you can fight us? Too greedy—you'll choke yourself." Han Xian flicked his eyelids dismissively.

The Medicine Gang had operated in the Inner Court for years, possessing connections and capital so vast they were almost absurd—effectively controlling half the Inner Court's wealth.

Had they not been solely focused on Spirit Refining and disliked entering the Tian Fen Lian Qi Ta, preferring to trade only for Fire Energy, they could have lived inside the Heavenly Flame Qi Refining Tower every day.

"Thanks for the reminder, but whether I choke or not, you can't stop us." Xiao Ning merely gave a cold smile at Han Xian's veiled threat.

Han Xian's face darkened. "Don't think having Lin Yan, Ninth on the Strong List, lets you run roughshod. Even if Xiao Yan is powerful, there are still those stronger than him. I Han Xian can still summon them!"

"Oh, true—there are certainly people stronger than you and Lin Yan. Like Zi Yan, the top-ranked on the Strong List. I just wonder if you can get her to come after me."

At that moment, laughter came from nearby as Xiao Yan, Xun Er, and Xiao Ning slowly approached the crowd.

"Young Clan Leader!" Seeing Xiao Yan appear, Xiao Ning and the others instantly felt reassured.

"Oh, I forgot—Zi Yan is still training in Room One. Should I ask her for you?"

Xiao Yan mimicked Han Xian's earlier expression, his face darkening as he coldly snapped: "Don't think you can trample over others just because you've summoned people ranked 2 through 8 on the Strong List. There are still those stronger than them. I, Xiao Yan, can summon people too!"

"You!" Han Xian pointed at Xiao Yan, trembling with rage—he'd forgotten that Zi Yan, the top-ranked on the Strong List, was close friends with Xiao Yan!

Han Xian's cheeks flushed crimson with humiliation—being slapped with his own words, what could be more humiliating?

"Xiao Yan, even if you're close to Zi Yan, the largest Medicine Gathering Teams in the Inner Court belong to the top Factions—White Gang and Crack Mountain Gang will never sell you Medicinal Materials. Without Medicinal Materials, how will you refine Elixirs?"

Xiao Yan looked at Han Xian, still clinging to his pride, stepped to the front of the group, and said coldly: "Fine. Won't sell Medicinal Materials? Since so many are here, I'll ask you all to spread a message."

"Not only can I refine Soul-Cleansing Cold Spirit Liquid—I can also refine a new Spirit Liquid called Soul-Cleansing Ice Spirit Liquid. It's Four Grade, suited for Dou Ling, and can even purge Fire Poison from the Seventh Layer!"

Hearing Xiao Yan had unveiled an upgraded version of Soul-Cleansing Cold Spirit Liquid—now suitable for Dou Ling experts—even disciples from White Gang and Crack Mountain Gang, who opposed Xiao Yan, grew restless.

They understood: Han Xian dared challenge Xiao Yan because Xiao Yan's Elixirs only suited Dou Shi—offering little appeal to Dou Ling experts training above the Fifth Layer.

That's why powerful Factions' Dou Ling experts preferred cooperating with the Medicine Gang—they paid real gold and silver.

But now, if Xiao Yan could refine Four Grade Spirit Liquid effective against Seventh Layer Fire Poison, the entire situation would turn upside down.

It meant Xiao Yan held the power of life and death over the Strong List Top Ten!

Think—less than five months until this year's Strong List Conference. Everyone aiming for the Top Ten to gain the Heart Flame Essence for body refinement would fight to the death to enter and stay as long as possible in the Heavenly Flame Qi Refining Tower.

But due to Fire Poison, even the Strong List Top Ten couldn't stay long.

If some of the Top Ten received Xiao Yan's Spirit Liquid while others were denied it, over months, their Cultivation Realm gaps would widen drastically.

Like Lin Xiuya, second place, and Liu Qing, third—just barely separated. Who'd win was uncertain.

Xiao Yan's Spirit Liquid could shatter that balance entirely: whoever possessed it could stay in the Heavenly Flame Qi Refining Tower until the Strong List Conference.

Imagine—once this news spread, even Liu Qing might have to bow to Xiao Yan, begging for enough Spirit Liquid!

That's why you never offend an Alchemist—they hold Elixirs!

Hoarding Medicinal Materials? Now Xiao Yan was monopolizing qualification for the Strong List Top Ten!

Seeing Han Xian in his Four Grade Alchemist Long Robe, Xiao Yan secretly smiled. He guessed why Han Xian dared be so arrogant—he likely thought Xiao Yan could only refine Third-Rank Elixirs.

Little did he know, Xiao Yan simply found Third-Rank easier and faster to refine, requiring less mental effort.

"My Four Grade Spirit Liquid—Soul-Cleansing Ice Spirit Liquid—doesn't require Fire Energy. Only Five-Grade main Medicinal Materials. I sell only three vials per day. Those interested, come to Xiao Hall in the morning. Highest bidder wins."

Xiao Yan now needed to secure his own supply of Medicinal Materials and acquire high-grade ones to refine Elixirs and improve his Alchemy.

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Han Xian's legs buckled—he staggered back a step, face ashen. He never imagined Xiao Yan had this card up his sleeve!

"Heh, you thought Soul-Cleansing Cold Spirit Liquid was my limit? That's just a degraded version of Soul-Cleansing Ice Spirit Liquid. Is Four Grade Alchemist so impressive?" Xiao Yan crossed his arms, mimicking Han Xian's earlier posture.

Dare to bully my people? I'll slap your face until it's as fat as a fatty!

An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth—you treated my clan members this way? Now I treat you the same.

"Big Brother Xiao Yan is amazing!"

"Young Clan Leader's Alchemy is invincible!"

"Hell yeah! Boss is awesome!!"

Behind Xiao Yan, the Xiao Hall disciples cheered triumphantly. What's invincible? One move—and it's invincible!

The onlookers nearby now understood—the Medicine Gang had been utterly defeated. Perhaps even its Alchemists would soon defect to Xiao Hall.

The outcome was decided.

Hearing the murmurs around him, Han Xian took a deep breath, stood tall—still an Alchemist, he retained some pride. He sneered coldly: "Xiao Yan, you've merely obtained some rare Pill Formulas. You've won this round—but I still intend to turn the tide! I've spent my whole life mastering Alchemy. Dare you challenge me to a Spirit Refining duel?"

"A Spirit Refining duel?" Xiao Yan looked at Han Xian and laughed. "You're clearly confident in your Alchemy."

Speaking of Spirit Refining, Han Xian's aura surged. He raised his chin proudly: "Dare you duel me? If I lose, Han Xian and the Medicine Gang will never obstruct Xiao Hall again. If you dare not accept, fine—I Han Xian can lose with dignity!"

Han Xian's words stunned everyone—even shocked them. Few expected him to use this tactic. Xiao Yan refusing was perfectly normal—he held absolute advantage. Why gamble now?

"Is this a provocation?" Xiao Yan gazed calmly at Han Xian's haughty, upturned head and smiled.

Han Xian sneered: "Think what you want. Call it provocation or not—I'll accept defeat with full respect if I lose. Otherwise, I'll never bow to you!"

At that moment, many onlookers held their breath, waiting for Xiao Yan's decision. Any reasonable person would refuse—Xiao Yan held invincible advantage; with that Formula, he was already undefeated!

Under such overwhelming advantage, there was nothing left to say.

"Interesting." Xiao Yan's eyes flickered with unusual light. He stroked his chin and smiled: "Fine. How do you want to bet?"

Xiao Yan's choice left many dumbfounded—this was insane. He was abandoning his absolute advantage!

"This proves that Xiao Yan also has great faith in his Alchemy."

"Indeed, since Xiao Yan can refine Four Grade Spirit Liquid, he is undoubtedly a Fourth-Rank Alchemist, and he has no reason to back down!"

Hearing Xiao Yan accept, Han Xian narrowed his eyes and secretly smiled, saying: "Good. If you lose the contest, not only will Xiao Palace never sell Elixirs again, but you must hand over the Pill Formulas for the Qi-Recovery Pill, Minor Blood Restoration Pill, and Bone-Washing Ice Spirit Liquid to me. If I lose, I won't block your path—I'll even compensate you with ten thousand Fire Energy!"

Xiao Yan smiled and said: "So you've set your sights on the Pill Formulas I hold."

"Hmph, otherwise, if you refine Bone-Washing Ice Spirit Liquid and my Medicinal Guild cannot, the result is the same," Han Xian, not foolish, knew the crux lay in Xiao Yan's Pill Formulas— to turn the tide, he at least needed to obtain Xiao Yan's formulas.

"Since we're gambling, both sides must stand on equal ground. If I lose, I'll hand over the Pill Formulas unconditionally, as you said. But if you lose, your Medicinal Guild must merge into my Xiao Palace, under my leadership, and none of your disciples may leave the guild before graduation!" Xiao Yan said with a smile.

At this moment, everyone turned sharply toward Xiao Yan—damn, so that's your real plan!

(End of Chapter)