Chapter 289

The three instantly drew in a sharp breath, even the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King showed a look of surprise.

This guy's pill alchemy skills improved too fast!

This is way too soon for crafting a Transformation Pill!

Yin Gu Lao and the other two saw the greed hidden in the other's astonished gaze.

The Imperial Ultimate Pill can guarantee a Nine Star Dou Wang's breakthrough to Dou Huang, while the Breakthrough Pill is of the same rank as the Imperial Ultimate Pill—a Six-Grade Peak elixir—but its effect is to increase the chance of breaking through to Dou Zong, typically by one to two percent.

If one's own cultivation is already strong, there's also a certain chance to break through to Dou Zong, so using a high-quality Breakthrough Pill grants a success rate that, while not one hundred percent, is still quite high.

For a typical Dou Huang cultivator, the entire stage has four goals: the first is to find an Earth-Rank Low-Level Dou Technique. After all, for Dou Huangs, the most likely difference between opponents lies in their Dou Techniques; a Dou Huang possessing an Earth-Rank Dou Technique is naturally stronger.

The second goal is to seek the Imperial Ultimate Pill—the earlier one enhances one's strength, the younger one reaches Dou Huang Peak, the higher the chance of breaking through to Dou Zong.

The third goal is to find an Earth-Rank Cultivation Method; from the battle between Xiao Yan and Han Feng, it's clear that the gap between Cultivation Methods matters even more than the gap in cultivation realms—a single Earth-Rank method creates a terrifying disparity compared to a Profound Class method, as the quality of Dou Qi is entirely different.

Among high-level Dou Huangs, the one possessing an Earth-Rank Cultivation Method will crush the one without it.

And the ultimate goal of any Dou Huang is undoubtedly to break through to Dou Zong; naturally, the Breakthrough Pill becomes the final pursuit of every Dou Huang.

Even though Yin Gu Lao and the other three hadn't reached Nine Star Dou Huang and were far from having the strength to use a Breakthrough Pill, that didn't stop them from wanting it!

Gulping, Wu Tie, the rough-and-tumble boss of the Wild Lion Gang, couldn't help swallowing hard and said: "Young Master Xiao, can you truly craft Breakthrough Pills?"

Xiao Yan put away the Imperial Ultimate Pill and smiled faintly: "You don't need to know whether I can craft Breakthrough Pills—just know that I can give you Breakthrough Pills. The pills I, Xiao Yan, craft may not be the best on the Dou Qi Continent, but I possess Heart Fire; my Breakthrough Pills can at least increase the success rate by two percent."

"Two percent!!!"

At these words, even Xiao Yixian's violet eyes glanced at Xiao Yan; during her three-year travels in Chu Yun Empire, she had heard of Breakthrough Pills, but normally they only increased the chance by one percent, and even some Seventh-Rank Alchemists could only manage one and a half percent.

"Alas, since Boss Wu Tie is so principled, it seems the matter of Feng Cheng will have to be settled by blades and spears."

"Xiao Yu, Xiao Ning, show them out." Xiao Yan slowly shook his head, feigning a sigh, and waved his hand.

Xiao Yu rolled her eyes at Xiao Yan, but she understood well enough not to embarrass him at this moment; she led Xiao Ning slowly forward and said: "Gentlemen, this way, please."

"Geehee, Young Master Xiao, I'm just a little woman—what principle or backbone do I have?" Su Mei covered her mouth and laughed, then rose gracefully, bowed to Xiao Yan, and as she bent forward, she couldn't resist flashing her cleavage.

Xiao Yan had seen Mei Du Sha's perfect figure when he seized the Blue Lotus Earth Core Fire—how could he be moved by such a slight display?

Wu Tie quickly laughed: "Hahaha, just now Old Tie was ignorant and offended the Young Clan Leader—I'll punish myself with three cups!"

Saying this, Wu Tie took a wine flask from his storage ring and drank it himself.

Only Yin Gu Lao, the oldest and highest in cultivation, still retained a shred of reason, and asked slowly: "Young Master Xiao Yan, the Breakthrough Pill is indeed tempting, but for me and the entire Tian Yin Sect to merge into your Xiao Clan… this is still a bit…"

A shred of reason, but not much.

Xiao Yan smiled faintly, a glint of certainty flashing in his eyes—when negotiating, one never reveals one's bottom line from the start.

"You three have fought alongside me, and I, Xiao Yan, greatly admire your strength. How about this—I'll step back. The Breakthrough Pill is best used at Nine Star Dou Huang Peak. Let that be the threshold."

"Once your cultivation reaches Nine Star Dou Huang, our Contract ends, and I will personally present you with a Breakthrough Pill as payment."

Yin Gu Lao and the other three would not doubt Xiao Yan's integrity, because Alchemists have always been this way.

Do the work first, then deliver the pill.

The three exchanged subtle glances; especially when Xiao Yan emphasized the words "Breakthrough Pill," their breathing grew heavier.

Their faces flushed slightly, their gazes flickered uncertainly, and their hearts were locked in internal struggle.

Given their pride in dominating the Black Horn Region, submitting to another's rule was something they refused—but the three words "Breakthrough Pill" had clouded their judgment.

Watching their struggle, Xiao Yan fell silent, eyes half-lidded, waiting for their final answer.

Finally, the three leaders snapped out of their turmoil, exchanged glances, then gritted their teeth and gave a firm nod—risk it all for fortune!

"Fine, everything as you say!"

"Happy cooperation."

Beside them, Xiao Yixian shook her head—this trick, she had seen before.

Poor Purple Crystal Winged Lion King still hadn't received his reward.

And with these three's talent, by the time they reached Nine Star Dou Huang, Xiao Yan's strength would be unrecognizable—and Feng Cheng would still be out of their reach.

With a Breakthrough Pill as his trump card, Xiao Yan held an unbeatable position in this game.

"The matter of Feng Cheng won't stabilize quickly. Though we've dealt with those three factions, with their help, no other Black Horn Region factions will dare encroach on Feng Cheng—but managing a city isn't simple."

"We may need to send several Elders from the clan—or have Brother One or Brother Two come in person."

Soon, Xiao Yan arranged several basic matters for Feng Cheng, instructing Yin Gu Lao and the others to have their subordinates maintain city operations; later, Feng Cheng was renamed Xiao City—but that's another story.

At this moment, in the Hall, as Yin Gu Lao and the three leaders withdrew, it grew empty; seeing the matter settled, Xiao Yan turned to Xiao Yixian, who had quietly sat in the Hall sipping tea.

"What, tired of Chu Yun Empire? Come to the Black Horn Region for some different scenery?" Xiao Yan chuckled teasingly.

Xiao Yan guessed Xiao Yixian had visited Wutan City, learned he was now at Jia Nan Academy, and rushed to the Black Horn Region—only to coincidentally encounter Xiao Yan and the Grand Elder jointly attacking Feng Cheng.

Xiao Yixian set down her teacup, glanced at Xiao Yan, then mimicked his tone: "Nothing much—I heard rumors about Heart Fire in Chu Yun Empire, so I came specifically."

!!!!!!!?

"Heart Fire!" Xiao Yan shot to his feet—he hadn't expected Xiao Yixian to bring news of Heart Fire!

Xiao Yixian tilted her head, her eyes playful: "Oh? I wonder how much the famed Young Master Xiao Yan would pay for this piece of news."

Beside them, the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King, seeing Xiao Yixian hold Xiao Yan in check, showed a hint of relief. He had followed Xiao Yixian for three years, traveling through Chu Yun Empire—during those three years, he finally understood the suffering of the Eternal Calamity Body.

Even in Chu Yun Empire, where Poison Masters were numerous, the Eternal Calamity Body was something even Poison Masters avoided—its constant torment gradually made Xiao Yixian cold and distant.

If not for Xiao Yan giving her hope back then, Xiao Yixian would likely have already fallen into darkness.

Xiao Yan grinned, rubbing his hands like a greedy beggar: "Uh… hehehe, what's there to discuss? You know how vital Heart Fire is to me."

"How about I craft an Imperial Ultimate Pill for you? You're already a Dou Huang, aren't you?"

Xiao Yixian gently tucked back a strand of falling hair and said casually: "I dislike increasing my cultivation."

Hearing this, even Xiao Yan sighed inwardly. The higher the cultivation of the Eternal Calamity Body, the closer one draws to the "Day of Calamity"—if not for Xiao Yan's words back then urging her to endure until he could craft Poison Pills, Xiao Yixian would have given up long ago, and her cultivation might already have reached Dou Zong.

Seeing Xiao Yan's guilty expression, Xiao Yixian covered her mouth and laughed softly—this smile brightened the entire Hall: "Alright, I'm just teasing you. Crafting Poison Pills requires three ingredients: three different Heart Fires, a Magic Core from a Seven Rank Heavenly Poison Scorpion Dragon Beast, and Puti Huati Yan."

"So while traveling with the Lion King through Chu Yun Empire, we inquired everywhere about these three items and possible cures for the Eternal Calamity Body—and eventually, from a faction called the Poison Sect, we learned that a Qing Hun You Lan had appeared in a place called Shen You Valley in Chu Yun Empire."

Xiao Yan's eyes sharpened; Qing Hun You Lan was an ancient rare flower, recorded in the ancient treasures manual of the Bone Flame Ring—this rare flower could neutralize all poisons in the world.

This Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure is not a medicinal material; it cannot be used to refine elixirs—it can be used directly, or rather, these Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures are themselves elixirs forged by heaven.

Of course, Xiao Yan believed the claim that it could neutralize all deadly poisons was exaggerated, but he was certain that Qing Hun You Lan could indeed detoxify.

No wonder Xiao Yixian was interested in such a thing—she hoped to use Qing Hun You Lan to cure her Eternal Calamity Poison body, or at least delay its outbreak.

Xiao Yixian continued: "When I went there with the Lion King, the Poison Sect members interfered, so we couldn't find Qing Hun You Lan—but we accidentally discovered a strange flame. At the time, the situation was dire, and we couldn't tell what it was, but it felt similar to that pale white flame you had."

Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow and asked: "Dire situation? You didn't go ask the Poison Sect for information using physical methods, did you?"

"Ask" here means "beat up"!

The Purple Crystal Winged Lion King sighed bitterly: "It's not Xiao Yixian's fault. When the Poison Sect heard she had the Eternal Calamity Poison body, they immediately demanded she return with them. She refused, and a conflict broke out—she poisoned several Poison Sect disciples."

"For half the past three years, we were hunted by the Poison Sect. Until we reached Shen You Valley searching for Qing Hun You Lan, where the Poison Sect sent two Dou Huang Elders to pursue us. With no choice, Xiao Yixian lifted the suppression on her Eternal Calamity Poison body and absorbed all the poison arts from one of the Poison Sect Elders—we managed to kill them and escape."

Looking at the woman sitting quietly beside him, not disturbing anyone, Xiao Yan sighed inwardly, feeling a pang of sympathy—and remembering the pitiful Qing Lin.

The Eternal Calamity Poison body, like the Qi San Hua Tong, is a rare Special Physique. To put it simply, Dou Di possessed the power to steal heaven's essence, granting their descendants Special Bloodlines—while the Eternal Calamity Poison body and Qi San Hua Tong are Heavenly Bloodline Physiques, bloodline powers bestowed by heaven.

Naturally, this made people desperately crave them, longing to possess them at all costs.

"It'll take time to fly from the Black Horn Region to Chu Yun Empire—will we make it in time? Isn't the Poison Sect also after Qing Hun You Lan?" Xiao Yan asked.

Xiao Yixian shook her head gently: "Shen You Valley has a special poison barrier. This barrier only weakens on specific days—otherwise, it's impossible to enter. The next time the poison barrier weakens is three months from now."

"Then good—three months is enough for me to finish everything. Let's return to Jia Ma Empire first, then enter Chu Yun Empire from there." Xiao Yan hadn't been home in a long time, and Chu Yun Empire bordered Jia Ma Empire directly—it was a straight line.

Hearing Xiao Yan was leaving, Zi Yan pouted: "Hey, Little Yanzi, what about my Transformation Pill when you leave?"

At the mention of the Transformation Pill, the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King and Xiao Yixian turned to look seriously at the little girl who had been eating candy all along.

This was a beast?

Hearing Zi Yan mention the Transformation Pill, Xiao Yan's expression turned awkward—there were two creditors here.

He cleared his throat twice: "Ahem, I haven't reached Qi Zhi Gao Ji yet, and I only have one Transformation Grass. I promised the Lion King first—I'll refine his Transformation Pill first."

Hearing Xiao Yan still remembered his prior promise, the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King nodded in satisfaction. He hadn't invested in the wrong person.

"Ah! Stupid big cat, how dare you compete with me for the pill!" Zi Yan thrust her slender hand onto her waist and scolded—her gem-like eyes instantly shimmered with purple light.

In a flash of purple light, the six-level Purple Crystal Winged Lion King shuddered violently and collapsed to the ground, unable to move.

The Purple Crystal Winged Lion King felt an unnatural oppression, emerging without warning from the depths of his Spiritual Soul—it was bloodline suppression!

Though Zi Yan's strength was only Dou Wang, weaker than the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King, for some reason, he felt utterly unable to defy her.

Xiao Yan's eyes flickered with a strange light as he murmured: "This little girl isn't an ordinary dragon beast."

(End of Chapter)