Chapter 288: Bone Spirit Can

The girl on the back of the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King looked barely in her early twenties, her face as exquisite as a painting, her eyes bright as the moon; her robes fluttered in the wind, outlining a mesmerizing figure, especially that willow-thin waist, impossibly slender.

Yet such a woman wore an expression as cold as ice and snow; between her brows lay a hint of icy arrogance, and her white robes made her seem like a winter plum defiantly blooming in snow, radiating an air of cold detachment that kept all at a distance.

Xiao Yixian, the possessor of the Calamity Poison Body whom Xiao Yan met in Qingshan Town when he left Wutan City, had parted ways with him later when he headed to Jia Ma Sheng Cheng to continue his cultivation.

What Xiao Yan never expected was that Xiao Yixian had appeared in the Black Horn Region?! And she had just helped block Silver Old Man's escape.

"Damn it, you're asking for death!" A flash of silver light surged as Silver Old Man roared and slammed out a palm, aiming to drive back the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King blocking his path.

"Hmph." The Purple Crystal Winged Lion King snorted, purple light exploding from its body as it spread its wings and charged at Silver Old Man.

Boom—the massive lion paw of the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King came down, clashing directly with Silver Old Man's palm at Dou Huang Peak.

Even Xiao Yan was taken aback: after three years apart, the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King had grown significantly stronger. Though it had not yet reached Sixth Rank Peak, its formidable physical strength now allowed it to fight evenly against a Peak Dou Huang in close combat.

But Silver Old Man remained a seasoned Peak Dou Huang; even alone, he was far beyond what the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King could defeat.

Just as Silver Old Man had driven back the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King and was about to flee, his face suddenly turned pale, his blood qi churned violently, and he spat out a foul stream of black blood.

"Poison?"

A flash of lightning—Xiao Yan arrived instantly, frowned, and without hesitation, swung the Flame-Splitting Wave Ruler, slamming the Black Heavy Ruler hard onto Silver Old Man's head. Weakened by poison, Silver Old Man's power was less than one-tenth of his peak; the terrifying flames shattered his Dou Technique defenses, and the Black Heavy Ruler crushed his skull like a watermelon.

Xiao Yan looked up in surprise at Xiao Yixian, whose Dou Qi wings were unfurled midair, and said: "Your poison seems much stronger now—you've even poisoned a Dou Huang."

A breeze swept through, lifting Xiao Yixian's long hair; only when facing Xiao Yan did that millennia-old coldness seem to thaw slightly.

"Are you free now? I need to speak with you." Xiao Yixian's voice was cool and detached, as if she had something important to discuss with Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed. "Is your Calamity Poison Body erupting prematurely?"

With his Common Realm's full Spiritual Soul Force, Xiao Yan could clearly sense that Xiao Yixian's cultivation had skyrocketed—only three years had passed, yet she had leapt from a Dou Master to a One-Star Dou Huang.

This speed was undoubtedly due to her absorbing vast quantities of poison, a consequence of her Calamity Poison Body's unique nature.

Had this Calamity Poison Body not been lethal, such rapid advancement alone would make anyone envious.

But the problem was, Xiao Yan was still far from reaching Seventh-Grade Alchemist, let alone having gathered even a single ingredient for the Calamity Poison Pill.

Hearing Xiao Yan's question, Xiao Yixian's expression darkened slightly; she had endured much over these past years.

Yet hearing that Xiao Yan still remembered his promise to her, a warmth stirred in her heart.

To Xiao Yan's relief, Xiao Yixian slowly shook her head. "My Calamity Poison Body hasn't erupted. I need you for something else."

"Good. Wait for me with the Lion King—I'll finish handling some matters and come right away." Xiao Yan smiled.

Roar~~ From within the dense mane of the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King, a tiny Purple Crystal Winged Lion King poked its head out and barked at Xiao Yan—it clearly hadn't forgotten the "good person" who had fed it pills.

"Oh, little Lion King's here too. Wait for me." With that, Xiao Yan flew back to Feng Cheng's Battlefield, dragging Silver Old Man's corpse.

After killing Han Feng and defeating Gold and Silver Old Men, everything became clear. The so-called Black Alliance instantly disintegrated; with the addition of Yin Gu Lao and the other two Dou Huangs, plus Zi Yan—a humanoid Fierce Beast—the Black Alliance's Dou Huangs were pushed back step by step.

When Xiao Yan and Su Qian both joined the Battlefield, every Dou Huang and Dou Wang who had participated in the invasion of Jia Nan Academy was slain. Gold and Silver Old Men ultimately met their deaths—Gold Old Man was killed by Su Qian.

Seeing Gold and Silver Old Men dead, every cultivator inside Feng Cheng dropped their weapons and prostrated themselves on the ground, daring not to resist, terrified that Jia Nan Academy's Elders would take out their rage on them.

"Xiao Yan, thanks to you, we've broken Feng Cheng and avenged Jia Nan Academy. On behalf of the Academy, I thank you." The Grand Elder bowed to Xiao Yan; without Xiao Yan's Imperial Ultimate Pill, without his leading the charge to kill Han Feng, this battle might have ended in Han Feng's victory.

The figure within the Black Storm had power that even Su Qian feared; had that Dou Zong joined the Black Alliance's side, Jia Nan Academy might have suffered catastrophic losses.

Su Qian knew full well that Xiao Yan's excuse about "not paying enough to make him retreat" was a lie—but he couldn't fathom how Xiao Yan had driven off that high-level Dou Zong.

Xiao Yan quickly waved his hand, humbly saying: "Grand Elder, you're too kind. As a member of the Academy, defending it is my duty. But if you don't mind, I'd like Han Feng's space ring. I won't take any Dou Techniques or Cultivation Methods scrolls—I only want the Pill Formula and his Unique Fire."

The Grand Elder burst into laughter, waving his hand generously. "Han Feng was killed by you—of course he's yours. You've already given us countless Elixirs and gifted the Academy another Fallen Heart Flame. The Academy has profited immensely. The spoils from Gold and Silver Old Men's rings, and everything in Feng Cheng, are yours as well."

"Thank you, Grand Elder."

In the end, these once-powerful figures who had dominated the Black Horn Region became just another batch of corpses hanging from the Death Tree before Peace Town.

Xiao Yan quietly, stealthily looted the corpses, collecting every Soul Body above Dou Wang level into his Soul Token, striking it rich.

What delighted Xiao Yan most was that Han Feng's castle held a Medicinal Material warehouse, filled with treasures and Medicinal Materials he had gathered over the past decade in the Black Horn Region.

He even discovered two sets of Breakthrough Pill ingredients, making his eyes gleam.

After discussion, Xiao Yan took only the two sets of Breakthrough Pill ingredients and all Medicinal Materials of Sixth-Grade and above; the rest were given to Jia Nan Academy to replenish the supplies consumed two months prior during his training.

Naturally, this made Zi Yan furious—she had contributed too! Why didn't she get any Medicinal Materials? Were they bullying a child?!

"Don't worry—I'm just holding onto the Medicinal Materials for now, not taking them. I need more for the Transformation Pill." Xiao Yan smiled.

"Like hell I believe you!" Zi Yan pouted and snorted.

Xiao Ning and Xiao Yu walked in from outside. Xiao Ning asked: "Young Clan Leader, what shall we do with this vast Feng Cheng?"

The entire city was now in chaos; its residents weren't just members of the Black Alliance—they were mostly ordinary civilians who had spent their entire lives within the City, unable to leave.

This wasn't unique to Feng Cheng; even Jia Ma Sheng Cheng and Wutan City required vast manpower to function.

Mainly farming, weaving—Feng Cheng wasn't merely Han Feng's city; it was also one of the Black Horn Region's top producers of Medicinal Materials.

The vast quantities of low-grade Medicinal Materials needed for Pill Alchemy were grown by ordinary people.

Now, all the leaders of Feng Cheng's Factions had been slaughtered by Xiao Yan and Jia Nan Academy, leaving the city leaderless.

"You want to bring Feng Cheng under Xiao Clan control?" Xiao Yan knew exactly what Xiao Ning was thinking—the fellow was getting smarter, and his appetite was growing.

Caught out, Xiao Ning grinned and nodded.

"Swallowing this juicy morsel isn't easy—it's still the Black Horn Region. Even if I can now deter others from acting, long-term control won't be guaranteed. We'll need to send people to take over." Xiao Yan said.

Hearing this, Xiao Ning could only sigh and nod reluctantly; if the Xiao Clan could control Feng Cheng, they'd be immensely wealthy.

"I never said I wouldn't."

!!!?

Xiao Yan smiled. "Of course, taking the whole city alone is hard. Aren't the leaders of the Yin Yin Sect, the Furious Lion Gang, and the Rakshasa Gate still in Feng Cheng?"

"They haven't left yet. You mean… cooperate with them?" Xiao Yu asked uncertainly.

"Cooperate or something else—we can talk. Nothing's unsolvable, just a matter of price."

In the castle's Hall, the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King and Xiao Yixian sat quietly, waiting for Xiao Yan to finish his affairs.

Yin Gu Lao and the other two exchanged glances, each seeing a flicker of wariness and unease in the others' eyes.

"You say Xiao Yan called us here for what reason?" asked Wu Tie of the Wild Lion Gang.

"If I'm not mistaken, Xiao Yan also wants Feng Cheng," Su Mei sighed inwardly. The three factions had not left after the great battle—what their purpose was, was obvious.

Moreover, when they had originally agreed to aid Jia Nan Academy, besides the Imperial Ultimate Pill, they had intended to divide Feng Cheng among themselves after Jia Nan defeated Han Feng.

After all, Jia Nan Academy could never absorb Feng Cheng; thus, the unclaimed city naturally became their property.

But they never expected Xiao Yan to want it too—that man who had killed Han Feng filled them with deep dread.

Though their combined strength surpassed Han Feng's, they could not guarantee victory over Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan emerged from the pill storage with Zi Yan and the others, nodded to Xiao Yixian, and said, "You've waited long."

"May I ask, Young Master Xiao, why you summoned us three?" asked Yin Gu Lao, the eldest.

Xiao Yan waved his hand. "'Pill God' is merely an exaggeration by students at the academy. You all have higher Cultivation Realms than I—call me Xiao Yan."

"I won't waste words. I called you here to discuss Feng Cheng."

The three exchanged glances, instantly communicating. Though they feared Xiao Yan, they could not possibly abandon their claims without a fight.

"You three, I understand that in the Black Horn Region, strength decides all. You are renowned lords of your own factions—wanting Feng Cheng is understandable. But I, Xiao Yan, dislike fighting. Nothing in this world cannot be settled through talk, is there?"

Hearing Xiao Yan claim he disliked fighting, even Zi Yan gave him a sidelong glance. Who was it that had recently snapped Han Feng's neck and crushed Silver Old Man's skull with a single strike?

Xiao Yan continued: "Have any of you heard of the Yan Alliance?"

"The Yan Alliance?! That alliance of Yun Lan Sect, Jia Ma Empire, and the Serpent Empire?!" Su Mei gasped.

Yin Gu Lao frowned. "I heard the Yan Alliance includes not only those three factions but also a local clan—something called the Xiao Clan. Are you from the Xiao Clan?"

Xiao Yan sat in Han Feng's seat, brushed his sleeve, and said, "I am Xiao Yan, Young Clan Leader of the Xiao Clan."

All three were stunned. They had not expected Xiao Yan to have such a background! If he were merely a student of Jia Nan Academy, they wouldn't have feared him much—but the Yan Alliance was immense. Even without Yun Lan Sect, the mere presence of two empires in the alliance made that clear.

It was far beyond what their three factions could challenge.

"Young Master Xiao, are you trying to recruit us into the Yan Alliance?" Wu Tie asked bluntly.

"No, no—I want your three factions to merge into my Xiao Clan and help administer Feng Cheng," Xiao Yan smiled gently.

At this, their expressions turned cold. He wanted them to become subordinate factions!

"Hehehe, Young Master Xiao, that joke isn't funny anymore," Su Mei said, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.

"I'm not joking. I'm perfectly serious," Xiao Yan said earnestly.

The moment Xiao Yan finished speaking, the three instantly stood together, their Dou Huang spiritual pressure exploding from their bodies.

Roar! Zi Jing Yi Shi Wang leapt to its feet. Xiao Yixian, seated nearby, glanced at the three—her sleeves stirred without wind. Zi Yan grinned and rolled up her sleeves. Instantly, the entire hall bristled with tension.

Xiao Yan raised his hand, sighing. "Don't be so tense. I said—I'm not someone who likes fighting. Can't we talk? Why resort to violence?"

"Hmph! If that's all you have to say, Young Master Xiao, then there's no need to speak further. Though the Wild Lion Gang isn't a great power, we still have pride!" Wu Tie roared, a faint lion's roar echoing from his body.

"Hehehe, Young Master Xiao, this matter need not be discussed further. Feng Cheng's fate will be decided in due time," Su Mei said, her laughter laced with ice.

Yin Gu Lao said nothing, but his eyes spoke volumes.

Xiao Yan blinked. "Not even Breakthrough Pill?"

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!??

"Y-you-you—you can already brew Breakthrough Pills?!" Yin Gu Lao, the highest in cultivation, shrieked in disbelief.

Though both the Imperial Ultimate Pill and the Breakthrough Pill are Six-Grade Elixirs, and many call the Imperial Ultimate Pill a Six-Grade Peak Pill, their actual difficulty differs greatly.

Han Feng could brew the Imperial Ultimate Pill with a seventy percent success rate, but only a thirty percent chance with the Breakthrough Pill. The Breakthrough Pill approaches Seven-Grade Elixir status—only Seventh-Rank Alchemists dare attempt it; Sixth-Grade Alchemists generally avoid it entirely.

Xiao Yan pulled out a Pill Bottle. "I haven't brewed a Breakthrough Pill yet—but I have successfully brewed an Imperial Ultimate Pill."

Sssss!!! Instantly, their pride vanished.

(End of Chapter)