Chapter 323

"The flame is bluish, shaped like a lotus, its spiritual pressure surging like a volcano—if my guess is correct, Master, the Mystic Flame you control must be the Blue Lotus Earth Core Fire, ranked nineteenth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking." Seeing the pale blue flame slowly rising from the clerk's fingertip, the shopkeeper's eyes widened with shock and reverence, squinting tightly to better observe the form of the Blue Lotus Earth Core Fire.

Everyone had heard of Mystic Flames, and many Alchemists had been seen—but combining the two? Even this old shopkeeper had only heard rumors that such Alchemists existed in Zhong Zhou, like Valley Master Tang Zhen of the Burning Flame Valley.

To now see a living, young Alchemist possessing a Mystic Flame—how could he not be astonished?

"So what if it was refined with a Mystic Flame! It's still just one Imperial Ultimate Pill!" Lu She immediately found himself cornered, his face darkening as he spoke coldly.

Seeing how blind this Elder of the Tian She Mansion was, the old shopkeeper couldn't help but shake his head and explain: "Elder Lu She, if this Imperial Ultimate Pill was refined with a Mystic Flame, its value would likely exceed that of a low-grade Breakthrough Pill."

"The Imperial Ultimate Pill has two effects: first, it enhances a Dou Huang's Cultivation Realm by one star—but a low-grade pill can only raise a low-level Dou Huang by one star. This one, however, can elevate even a high-level Dou Huang by one star."

"The second effect slightly strengthens the Dou Huang's physique—a negligible boost, since most cultivators who reach Dou Huang already have strong bodies, so many overlook it. But if refined with a Mystic Flame, this second effect is significantly enhanced."

"According to my estimation, this Imperial Ultimate Pill is worth no less than some low-grade Breakthrough Pills."

The old shopkeeper was no doubt worthy of managing such a major branch of the Huangquan Pavilion—his insight, experience, and judgment were truly exceptional.

This was also why so many Alchemists craved Mystic Flames: a superior flame not only made Spirit Refining easier and faster, but also improved pill quality—even pills refined with the Ten Thousand Beasts Spiritual Flame could subtly enhance a beast's Bloodline Power.

"You!!" Lu Feng's face turned ashen, his eyes blazing with fury. He now felt the shopkeeper was mocking him—how could an Imperial Ultimate Pill be worth more than a Breakthrough Pill? Impossible!

Yet facing Lu Feng's rage, the shopkeeper remained utterly calm, as if he felt no anger at all.

In the end, Lu Feng merely let out a heavy snort, swept his robe, and left. He might grit his teeth and afford an Imperial Ultimate Pill—but a Breakthrough Pill? He couldn't afford it, let alone a high-quality one.

Though Lu Feng had been aggressive, he still understood basic principles: the Huangquan Rare Goods Pavilion was backed by the Huangquan Pavilion. Even as an Elder of the Tian She Mansion, he had no right to cause trouble here.

"Heh, you were so rich just now—why not bid anymore?" As Lu Feng departed, Xiao Princess Yue made a face and called out loudly.

"What's so great about a Demon Transformation Pill? Wait a while—we'll refine a Transformation Pill ourselves. Then you'll regret it!"

Xiao Yan gave this mischievous little princess an exasperated look—like she was the one who'd be refining the Transformation Pill. In the end, it'd still be him doing all the hard work!

"Walk slower—I'll turn you back to your original form," Zi Yan snorted.

Xiao Yan slowly said: "Shopkeeper, package that sword for me."

To Xiao Yan's surprise, the shopkeeper shook his head gently and said: "Though our shop isn't famous across the Dou Qi Continent, we stand by 'one coin, one worth.' This sword barely meets Seven-Grade standards—it's not worth this price. If Master trusts me, in a few days I'll have my Sect send a Demon Core Weapon worthy of this pill, along with those Medicinal Materials, directly to the Yan Alliance's residence."

The shopkeeper returned Xiao Yan's Imperial Ultimate Pill with both hands—undeniably, merchants are merchants; every word and phrase was a tactic!

More importantly, even though Xiao Yan knew the shopkeeper's goal was him, he had no reason to refuse.

"Very well, then let it be so."

Immediately, Xiao Yan retrieved the Imperial Ultimate Pill, a flicker of unusual light passing through his eyes as he casually asked: "By the way, I just heard someone mention a Holy Maiden's banquet—who is this Holy Maiden?"

Hearing Xiao Yan's question, the shopkeeper had no suspicion and explained: "Ah, you mean the new Holy Maiden of the Tian She Mansion?"

"I don't know much about her, but I heard that several years ago, Elders Bai Ya and Lv Man brought back a gifted Snake Race prodigy, who was then heavily nurtured by the Tian She Mansion."

"Recently, the Tian She Mansion announced that their new Holy Maiden will attend this Sect Grand Meeting, and a banquet will be held in seven days—likely for her."

Hearing the shopkeeper's words, Xiao Yan and Hai Bodong exchanged a subtle glance; then Hai Bodong asked: "Do you know the Holy Maiden's name?"

The shopkeeper frowned in thought for a moment, then said: "I think her name is Qing Lin."

Back at the Yan Alliance's temporary residence.

"Third brother, we've investigated the capital of Tian She. The new Holy Maiden of the Tian She Mansion is indeed Qing Lin. The banquet in seven days is said to be held so the Tian She Mansion can introduce Qing Lin to all its Elders," said Elder Brother Xiao Ding.

Xiao Li took a sip of wine, ate a few peanuts, and said: "Mm. The Tian She Mansion's power is far greater than we imagined—not just within the Tian She Empire, but even several powerful neighboring empires are secretly controlled by them. Their influence is immense."

"And the Tian She Mansion's Elders aren't like those of the Yun Lan Sect. They're more like generals or feudal lords. Take Elder Lu She you met today—he earned his Elder seat because over a decade ago, he brought his Lu She tribe over from Mei Du Sha's Snake People Empire to join the Tian She Mansion."

Xiao Yan's eyes flashed—he now understood why the Tian She Mansion was so powerful: Elders didn't need to be strong in cultivation; possessing a vast tribe was enough.

"So that's why that high-level Dou Wang from the Tian She Mansion, Qing Elder, was also an Elder," Xiao Yan recalled the Tian She Mansion's Qing Elder he'd robbed at the Black Horn Region auction house—who'd only been a high-level Dou Wang yet still held an Elder position.

In the hall, Xiao Yan and his two brothers were sipping wine, eating peanuts and small dishes, discussing today's findings.

Xiao Yan picked up his cup, took a sip, and exhaled deeply: "Good. At least Qing Lin hasn't been mistreated these years. Becoming a Holy Maiden proves those two snakes weren't lying—they truly gave her sufficient cultivation."

At last, Xiao Yan felt the heavy burden on his heart lift. After all, the outcome back then had many causes, and Qing Lin herself had agreed to go to the Tian She Mansion to grow stronger.

At least the worst-case scenario had been avoided.

Xiao Ding paused, then said: "Third brother, do you still plan to bring Qing Lin back?"

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li both turned to Xiao Yan. Xiao Ding's meaning was clear: Qing Lin's life now isn't bad—she's the Holy Maiden of the Northwest Region's dominant Faction, the Tian She Mansion. That status far surpasses being a servant.

What Xiao Ding and Xiao Li didn't say aloud was: Qing Lin might not want to leave the Tian She Mansion anymore.

Xiao Yan picked up a piece of fish, chewed it slowly, then drank a sip of white liquor and said: "Though I once promised Qing Lin I'd come back for her, if she doesn't wish to leave, I, Xiao Yan, have no right to force her."

"Back then, I lacked the strength to defeat those two Dou Huangs—that's why things turned out that way. If Qing Lin is happy now, then this may be a blessing in disguise."

If Qing Lin wished to remain in the Tian She Mansion, Xiao Yan would naturally not forcibly take her away.

"But… third brother, if Qing Lin stays in the Tian She Mansion, it might conflict with your plans. Then…" Xiao Ding wasn't so optimistic.

Xiao Yan's goal in building the Yan Alliance was to create a powerful Faction—not only to protect his clan and revive the Xiao Clan, but also to gain enough strength to earn the Gu Clan's respect.

To strengthen the Yan Alliance, he must inevitably conquer the entire Northwest Region.

Just as the Tian She Mansion believed: to have a chance to enter Zhong Zhou, where countless Factions vie for power, one must first unify the entire Northwest Region.

That meant the Yan Alliance and the Tian She Mansion were rivals.

Don't forget: Xiao Yan and his group came to the Tian She capital to attend the Sect Grand Meeting precisely to make a name for themselves, gain prestige, and deter the Three Empires from underestimating them or launching random attacks—to buy time to grow stronger.

At the very least, they needed to wait until Mei Du Sha completed her evolution and Xiao Yixian resolved her Eternal Calamity Poison—only then would the Yan Alliance have the strength to unify the entire Northwest Region.

The Yan Alliance was lying low!

That meant, eventually, Xiao Yan might have to fight the Tian She Mansion—and naturally, Qing Lin, as its Holy Maiden, might become his opponent.

Hearing his brother's concern, Xiao Yan surprised Xiao Ding and Xiao Li by laughing, waving his hand carelessly: "Big brother, you're worrying over nothing."

"If one day the Yan Alliance truly must conquer the Northwest Region by force, then as long as the Tian She Mansion isn't foolish, it won't block our path."

"Besides, Qing Lin does possess the Qi San Hua Tong—a powerful, unmatched talent—but I don't believe I'll lose."

Xiao Yan smiled confidently. An opponent? Let her be. The Qi San Hua Tong is formidable, but I'm not of the Snake Race. And if I can't defeat the Qi San Hua Tong, how can I ever revive the Xiao Clan or wed the Gu Clan's daughter?

So what if she has the Qi San Hua Tong? I have the Dou Di Bloodline.

"Besides… Qing Lin focuses only on boosting her Cultivation Realm, lacking real combat experience—she might not even win against someone out there."

Pang—a loud bang—the Nalan Yanran, clad in the moon-colored robes of the Yun Lan Sect, stormed in, slamming open the door and carrying two jars of wine.

Thud—thud—the two wine jars thumped heavily onto the table, startling Xiao Yan.

Nalan Yanran flicked her hair back and said in a low voice: "Bought it!"

Xiao Yan rolled his eyes and snapped: "What, you expect us three brothers to drink straight from the jars? Pour the wine into the flask—do you really need to remind us of such a simple thing?"

"You!" Nalan Yanran pointed at Xiao Yan, glaring furiously. "I'm the Young Sect Master of the Yun Lan Sect—you made me buy wine, and now you want me to pour it too?!"

"Not willing? Fine, forget the Huangtian Elixir then." Xiao Yan didn't coddle her, turning back to his side dishes.

At the mention of "Huangtian Elixir," Nalan Yanran retracted her finger and forced a smile: "Of course, Young Master Yan."

Nalan Yanran's merits had only been enough to exchange for a Five-Grade Peak Po Huang Elixir. Though similar in effect, the Huangtian Elixir was a Six-Grade Peak Elixir, guaranteeing a Nine Star Dou Wang's breakthrough to Dou Huang, while the Po Huang Elixir merely increased the chance of breakthrough for a Nine Star Peak Dou Wang.

The difference was immense: the Huangtian Elixir was like an instant level-up with breakthrough capability—even a newly minted Nine Star Dou Wang could use it, whereas the Po Huang Elixir required a Nine Star Peak Dou Wang and offered only a chance, not a guarantee.

Xiao Yan was the one who brewed Elixirs—and he could brew the Huangtian Elixir himself.

Mostly, Yan Alliance's battles, defenses, and campaigns couldn't all fall on him as the Yan the Venerable—the Yan Alliance needed someone to run errands.

Xiao Yan glanced at her legs and thought: What a waste—those legs weren't made for pedaling a rickshaw.

So Xiao Yan deliberately proposed: serve as a good maid during the Sect Grand Meeting, and he'd brew her the Huangtian Elixir.

As Nalan Yanran poured wine for Xiao Yan, she cursed inwardly: "Drink yourself to death."

"If I die, who'll brew your Huangtian Elixir?" Xiao Yan said coolly.

Nalan Yanran froze—how could he read minds?!

"I can't read minds, but your face is screaming those three words."

"Forget it, forget it—don't interrupt our three brothers' chat. Go fetch a few more side dishes." Xiao Yan waved his hand dismissively.

"You! Hmph!" Nalan Yanran stomped her foot, powerless—after all, Xiao Yan was an Alchemist, and she was still a Nine Star Dou Wang. She stormed out of the room in a rage.

Xiao Li clapped an arm around Xiao Yan's neck, grinning: "Huangtian Elixir? Hmm, a Six-Grade Peak Elixir—how generous of you, Young Master Yan."

Xiao Yan replied coolly: "She's famous across the Three Empires now—useful as a shield. Giving her some resources is only fair."

Xiao Li raised an eyebrow and smirked: "Surely not because her master is Sect Master Yun Yun? Sect Master Yun Yun hasn't married."

Xiao Yan's face remained expressionless as he replied calmly: "Of course not."

At that moment, Xiao Ding interrupted: "I think third brother's right—but I heard Hai Lao say you bought a sword today? Are you switching to Sword Dao?"

"Might as well try Sword Dao—better to dabble in other arts too," Xiao Yan said, his mouth the hardest part of his body.

Not long after, when Nalan Yanran brought up several charred side dishes, the three Xiao brothers unanimously agreed: they didn't know if she could beat Qing Lin, but in terms of service, that little maid Qing Lin was far more attentive and capable.

"Sigh, Qing Lin really is better."

(End of Chapter)