Chapter 296

"Breakthrough Pill!!!"

"That Breakthrough Pill—the pinnacle of Six-Grade pills, comparable to a Seven-Grade Elixir?!"

Clearly, everyone present had heard of the Breakthrough Pill; even Jia Xingtian, an elderly man, now had a flushed face and rapid breathing—he wasn't just familiar with it, he'd fantasized about it!

Yao Ye quickly calmed down and asked seriously: "Master Xiao Yan, Elder Jia has never used one. In fact, our Jia Ma Royal Family lacks the means to obtain such a precious Elixir."

"Since Master Xiao Yan asks this, does that mean…"

Jia Xingtian and Hai Bodong both stared fixedly at Xiao Yan; now, neither bore the detached, celestial demeanor they displayed before the public—they waited only for Xiao Yan to say: Yes, I can refine it.

Jia Xingtian needed no explanation—he currently awaited only one Breakthrough Pill. Hai Bodong too: he was already a Star Seven Dou Huang, and Xiao Yan had once promised him an Imperial Ultimate Pill upon his return—that meant, with a bit more effort, he too would soon reach Nine Star Peak, and then have a high chance of breaking through to Dou Zong with the Breakthrough Pill!

Unfortunately, the two saw only Xiao Yan slowly shake his head.

Just as the two were silently sighing that such a young man could never possibly refine a Breakthrough Pill, Xiao Yan slowly said: "I've never refined a Breakthrough Pill. If I were to attempt it, I estimate a thirty percent success rate—I'd need some luck and multiple attempts."

!!!!!!!!

Both instantly snapped their heads up—they understood Xiao Yan's meaning: one set of medicinal materials wouldn't be enough; he'd likely need three sets, plus a bit of luck.

Normally, when seeking an Alchemist's help to refine an Elixir, one prepared two or three sets of medicinal materials, since refining isn't stir-frying—it has a success rate, and that rate improves with repetition.

Thus, the better an Alchemist's skill, the higher the success rate, and the richer they became. If three sets succeeded on the first try, they'd profit doubly from the extra materials and still earn their refining fee.

This was far more than a hundredfold return—it was absolute. High-grade Alchemists were absolute medicine vampires, hoarding countless precious Medicinal Materials.

Yet Xiao Yan had no Breakthrough Pill medicinal materials at all; he estimated his success rate without Black Demon would indeed be only thirty percent.

If his Burning Decree hadn't reached Heaven Tier Low Grade, Xiao Yan wouldn't have dared make such a bold claim. Heaven Tier Low Grade Burning Decree meant his Fire Control Power equaled that of a Eight-Grade Alchemist—terribly terrifying.

"Thirty percent… actually thirty percent!" Yao Ye's beautiful eyes widened as she murmured: "Even a newly minted Seven-Grade Alchemist rarely achieves thirty percent success refining a Breakthrough Pill."

Xiao Yan turned to look at Yao Ye, who stared at him intently; seeing the Queen, who always presided over the Imperial Palace, express such an expression, he couldn't help smiling.

Seeing Xiao Yan laugh at her, Yao Ye's cheeks flushed red, and she gave him a coquettish, half-irritated glance.

"Queen Yao Ye, can the Royal Family gather three sets of Breakthrough Pill medicinal materials? The Yan Alliance Covenant was my proposal—I've been away two years; it's time I did something for the Yan Alliance." Xiao Yan said seriously.

Clearly, Xiao Yan meant: I won't charge you for labor, but you must supply the medicinal materials yourself.

Hai Bodong needed no further explanation—Xiao Yan had already prepared an Imperial Ultimate Pill to boost his strength first, then planned to help him break through to Dou Zong. After all, he'd once robbed Hai Bodong of the Demon Fire Map, leaving him slightly guilty; moreover, Hai Bodong had given him much aid and stood beside him against the Tian She Mansion's Dou Huang.

The value of the Residual Map of the Pure Lotus Demon Fire was incomparable to a few Imperial Ultimate Pills or Breakthrough Pills.

As for the Snake Empire, he didn't even need to mention it—he'd given Mei Du Sha countless Elixirs over the past two years; half the Fire Lotus Seeds had been eaten by her, and he'd labored tirelessly to refine her Three-Flame Serpent Body.

Most importantly, he'd been taken advantage of—damn it! Mei Du Sha owes me dearly!

"Yes!" Yao Ye didn't waste words—even if she emptied the royal treasury and sacrificed every resource, she'd gather three sets of Breakthrough Pill medicinal materials for Xiao Yan.

This was a once-in-a-millennium opportunity!

"Give us some time—we'll gather the three sets of Breakthrough Pill medicinal materials as soon as possible!" Yao Ye vowed firmly.

"Good, but hurry—I'm leaving for Chu Yun Empire in a few days to handle some matters." Xiao Yan said after a moment's thought.

"Seven days? No—three days! Within three days, we'll definitely gather the three sets!"

Finally, after discussing details of the Yan Alliance and learning more about Chu Yun Empire, this Yan Alliance leadership meeting ended.

Of course, afterward, Xiao Yan gave Hai Bodong one Imperial Ultimate Pill and promised that once Hai Lao's Cultivation Realm was sufficient, he'd refine a Breakthrough Pill for him.

This made Hai Bodong grin so wide his mouth crooked; inwardly, he marveled at how perfectly his beauty plan had worked.

That same day, Xiao Yan entrusted Xiao Yixian to care for Zi Yan, then flew with Xiao Ding to Yun Lan Sect.

The current Yun Lan Sect differed little from when Xiao Yan first arrived; back then, when Xiao Yan left Jia Ma Empire, Yun Lan Sect teetered on dissolution—its disciples, stewards, and Elders had nearly all fled, leaving only those without connections who remained as seekers of the Dao.

Now, having joined the Yan Alliance and undergone two years of recuperation, it had regained much vitality; shops had even opened in Yunlan City.

After that great calamity, Yun Lan Sect's atmosphere changed drastically: those who entered relying on family influence departed; under Xiao Ding's advice, Yun Yun began transforming Yun Lan Sect into a true cultivation Holy Land.

Admission no longer valued one's background—even talent and cultivation potential became secondary; diligence and character were placed first. This wouldn't instantly restore Yun Lan Sect to its former glory as Jia Ma Empire's top Sect brimming with geniuses.

But over time, Yun Lan Sect would become an unbreakable iron bloc—united from top to bottom.

Of course, these were surface changes; secretly, the Soul Hall hidden within Yun Lan Sect, under Xiao Li's watch, ensured the required Soul Bodies were always submitted.

As for how those Soul Bodies were obtained—whether gathered from the Battlefield, executed criminals from Jia Ma Empire, or slain beasts—it didn't matter; Xiao Yan asked nothing.

In this world, kindness is a luxury attainable only after absolute power is secured. The Yan Alliance itself barely survives.

Of course, family reunion meant Xiao Yan, his three brothers, and his father naturally drank themselves into oblivion, chatting freely about life.

When Xiao Li asked about Xun Er, Xiao Yan didn't hide it—he briefly recounted what had happened. Hearing that Xun Er had been taken by her family, and that her hidden faction's strength left Xiao Yan powerless to intervene, both elder brothers offered immediate comfort.

Rarely home, Xiao Yan finally found a moment to breathe; for two days, he wandered like a carefree hermit in the Xiao Clan's mansion, completely forgetting cultivation, playing the role of a wealthy Young Master, pointing and instructing disciples in his own courtyard.

But soon, Xiao Yan's little weekend came to an end.

Boom—a sudden emerald whirlwind erupted from the Life and Death Gate, a powerful Dou Wang Spiritual Pressure surging skyward.

"That's the direction of the Life and Death Gate!"

"That aura—it's Senior Sister Nalan!"

"So strong! What cultivation level is Senior Sister Nalan at now?!"

Seeing the skyward emerald whirlwind, Xiao Yan pinched the bridge of his nose, expressionless with resignation. He guessed that yesterday's refinement of a High-Grade Six-Grade Elixir had leaked some of his aura, alerting Nalan Yanran, who was in seclusion within the Life and Death Gate.

Xiao Yan looked at Nalan Yanran within the emerald pillar; she looked back, right hand gripping Yun Potian's sword—zing! —she slashed through the whirlwind, revealing a pair of emerald Dou Qi wings behind her.

Undoubtedly, Nalan Yanran's cultivation had risen swiftly after receiving Yun Potian's inheritance; moreover, two years ago, Xiao Yan had sold her many Elixirs, accelerating her progress—back then, her cultivation had even surpassed his by one star.

"Fifth-Star Dou Wang… heh, this time my cultivation surpasses hers." Xiao Yan crossed his arms, lifting his head proudly toward Nalan Yanran in midair.

Seeing Xiao Yan's gaze, Nalan Yanran knew exactly what he was thinking; she pointed her sword at him and said sternly: "Xiao Yan! Fight me again!"

Higher cultivation doesn't guarantee victory—she'd once been stronger and still lost.

Now, with Yun Potian's inheritance, Nalan Yanran's eyes held a chilling coldness; her once melodious voice had turned icy and merciless, like a blade piercing the heart, sending a shiver through all who heard it.

Yun Potian's greatest strength was, of course, his sword techniques—the most supreme Dou Techniques of Yun Lan Sect were all sword arts.

Nalan Yanran's beautiful, gemlike eyes now burned with Battle Intention as she stared at Xiao Yan; she harbored no hatred toward him anymore, but her stubborn nature still demanded a fight—she still saw Xiao Yan as her goal to surpass.

"This time, I will definitely defeat you."

"Quite confident. Good." Xiao Yan spoke across the distance, smiling at Nalan Yanran's confident words.

You're even more confident than Liu Ling!

"Fighting you isn't a problem—but if you say we fight, then where do I save face? Besides, you already lost to me before. You promised to be my servant. Call me Young Master."

"If I lose, I'll call you." Nalan Yanran lifted her proud head and said.

"How about this? If you win, everything before is erased, and I'll give you an extra Dou Wang Pill. If I win, you do one thing for me." Xiao Yan's eyes flickered with a sly grin, as if he were about to trick Nalan Yanran.

"What thing?"

"Don't worry about it—it won't be anything against heaven or earth."

Nalan Yanran's gaze hardened. Since she'd already lost once, she nodded firmly, as if giving up all restraint: "Fine!"

Meeting Nalan Yanran's gaze like swordlight, Xiao Yan spoke calmly: "Alright. It's been two years—time to update the combat unit standard."

Xiao Yan's current combat unit is now Liu Qing, but judging from now, Nalan Yanran, who possesses the Dou Zun inheritance, clearly has greater strength than Liu Qing.

Xiao Yan himself has also received the Dou Zun inheritance—the Yao Zun and the Tian Huo Zun—and now is the perfect time to test just how powerful the Tian Huo Zun's inheritance truly is.

Whoosh—one black and one white aura wing sprouted behind Xiao Yan as he slowly rose into the sky. They were all Dou Wangs now; the battlefield naturally lay in the sky.

"Whoa, who's that guy? So young and already a Dou Wang!"

"You don't know? That's the founder of the Yan Alliance Covenant, the youngest Alchemist Grand Meeting Champion—Master Xiao Yan!"

"It's said Master Xiao Yan once had a marriage contract with Senior Sister Nalan, but after a battle, he defeated her and they mutually dissolved the agreement."

"What? Dissolved the marriage contract with Senior Sister Nalan? He's insane! If it were me, I'd even become a son-in-law to the Nan Lan Clan!"

As for the young generation who had just joined the Yun Lan Sect, they all looked at Xiao Yan with envy and jealousy—especially those geniuses who gazed up to Nalan Yanran with admiration, believing themselves to be dragons among men, all vying to be her marital match.

Yet today, the woman countless youths had worshipped as a dream goddess had once been defeated—and even rejected? How could they not be jealous?

"Hmph, Senior Sister Nalan will win this time!" Finally, one genius muttered in dissatisfaction.

Xiao Yan did not take out the Xuan Chong Chi arrogantly. Treating Nalan Yanran as a combat unit was not an insult—it was recognition of her strength. Her power was at least enough to force him to take her seriously.

A combat unit meant whether one took you seriously or not.

Clang! Nalan Yanran gripped the Yun Sha Black Sword, took a deep breath, and instantly transformed—her body brimming with sword intent, every inch of her covered in tiny, chilling wind vortices that spun like solid blades around her, ruthless and merciless, giving off the sensation that one slash could sever an enemy's head from his body!

A Dou Zun—wherever they went, all called them Zun. This title represented their power, a level that had surpassed humanity.

Shhh! Nalan Yanran vanished instantly—her speed invisible to the naked eye.

"Incredible body technique!"

Nalan Yanran's body technique was certainly no weaker than Three Thousand Thunder Illusion Body—after all, Three Thousand Thunder Illusion Body was merely the foundational technique of the Wind and Thunder Pavilion's strongest body technique, Three Thousand Thunder Illusion Body.

Ding! The Black Sword struck the Black Ruler. Xiao Yan smiled faintly—her speed was indeed fast, but it still couldn't escape his Soul Force Perception.

Ding! Ding! Ding! Xiao Yan countered with a horizontal slash, an upward thrust, and a downward chop. The Xuan Chong Chi weighed a thousand jin, shattering all methods, forcing Nalan Yanran to stagger backward!

Nalan Yanran's Yun Sha Black Sword emitted a wave of black light, dark as a black sun.

"Wind's Extreme—Setting Sun Radiance!"

Seeing this sword intent technique, several old-generation Dou Wang Elders of the Yun Lan Sect were moved; the young-generation geniuses paled.

"No wonder—it's the original Sect Master Yun Potian's sword, the Yun Sha Black Sword that cuts down all living things." As the Black Sword stabbed forward with terrifying power, countless backs turned cold.

Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes. If she didn't have this level of strength, she wouldn't deserve to be his combat unit.

"Fire! Flame Division, Devouring Wave Ruler!"

(End of Chapter)