Chapter 347

One day later, in the deep stillness of night, in Medusa's room.

A pair of icy, piercing eyes fixed relentlessly on Xiao Yan; Medusa's cheeks were as frost-laden as ice, and though her body was forged of Heavenly Flame, her gaze remained chillingly cold.

Xiao Yan dared not look at Medusa, his eyes slowly turning away as he defended himself: "You know—the Ten Thousand Beasts Spiritual Flame is irrational; it burns clothes to ashes, and your current true form is far too large."

Medusa was no longer the tiny snake once carried in Mao Wu's mouth; after fully solidifying her physical form, her true body had grown to an unimaginable size.

To use the Ten Thousand Beasts Spiritual Flame for healing and activating Bloodline Power, she could no longer burn her body directly as she had in Jia Nan Academy.

Being blasted by a Heavenly Flame couldn't be healed by ordinary Elixirs; Xiao Yan spent an entire day refining just one barrel of Medicinal Essence for her healing.

Moreover, it required the combined use of Yin-Yang Life and Death Flame and the Ten Thousand Beasts Spiritual Flame for optimal treatment.

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Medusa's cheeks grew even colder, but Xiao Yan was the Alchemist—though she excelled at fighting and killing, she understood nothing of Pill Alchemy.

Medusa tossed a Black Cloth to Xiao Yan and said coldly: "If you use Soul Force Perception, I'll kill you."

Seeing the Black Cloth in his hand, Xiao Yan's expression changed—His Majesty was playing this game so boldly! Blindfolded!

Of course, Xiao Yan, weaker than Medusa, had no choice but to comply—he covered his eyes with the Black Cloth, suppressed all Soul Force Perception, and even placed the Heavenly Flame Zunzhe's Ring outside.

Seeing Xiao Yan blindfolded, Medusa's frostbitten face slowly softened—then a piercing pain made her delicate features twitch uncontrollably.

Without doubt, that battle had been anything but easy for Medusa.

After glancing once more at Xiao Yan to confirm he wasn't peeking, Medusa slowly untied her robe.

Hearing the rustling of clothing, Xiao Yan couldn't help swallowing hard; faced with the human-form Medusa in such a scene, any man who didn't fantasize wouldn't be a man at all!

At this moment, Xiao Yan silently murmured Xun Er's name again, steadying his heart into stillness.

A splash of water—the moment her wounds touched the Medicinal Essence, Medusa's eyes clenched shut in pain, but she gritted her teeth and endured it, as always refusing to show weakness.

Medusa slowly sat in the wooden tub; the scalding Medicinal Essence brought her some relief. She tied up her hair, lifted her head slowly, and gazed at the man before her—her beautiful eyes flickered with unknown thoughts.

"Enough." Medusa's voice was icy.

Xiao Yan dared not speak; all he smelled was the scent of medicine, though mixed within it was a faint, soul-stirring fragrance.

Xiao Yan opened his left hand, and a pair of Yin-Yang fish appeared in his palm.

The white fish's Life Flame drifted to Medusa's side, lightly kissing her cheek—then a jade-white flame emerged, healing her wounds, while the black fish's Death Flame exhaled Death Flame, rotting the flesh scorched by the Heavenly Flame, after which the Life Flame regenerated new SpiritFlesh.

Death and life cycled endlessly.

Though Xiao Yan had suppressed his Soul Force, through the feedback from the Yin-Yang Life and Death Flame, he knew exactly how severe her injuries were—large burns covered her front, back, arms, and serpent tail, all inflicted by Heavenly Flames; without special techniques, they were nearly impossible to heal.

Only after external wounds were treated would the Ten Thousand Beasts Spiritual Flame be used to repair Bloodline damage.

"I'm sorry—if I had reached Dou Zong, you wouldn't have suffered such grave injuries." Xiao Yan felt a pang of guilt; the Yan Alliance was his idea, and when he recruited Medusa, he'd essentially taken advantage of her strength.

Now, Medusa had stepped forward and defeated the Heavenly Serpent Mansion, Thunder Sect, and Shi Ming Clan.

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Medusa glanced at the remorseful Xiao Yan and said simply: "I have a stake in the Yan Alliance too."

Hearing Medusa's words, Xiao Yan nodded lightly and smiled: "Then from now on, we can count each other as allies."

"This is an alliance—nothing more!" Medusa Queen's lips curled, utterly dashing Xiao Yan's wish to draw closer.

"An alliance is still an alliance, isn't it? We're still allies, aren't we?" Xiao Yan pressed on shamelessly, then grinned: "But since we're allies now, I can't just keep calling you 'Medusa,' can I? 'Medusa' is your race's name—it's too confusing. How about I give you a proper name? Otherwise, every time someone calls you by name, they'll know your identity."

"Don't trouble yourself!" Medusa Queen replied coldly, irritated by Xiao Yan's presumption.

"How about 'Cai Lin'? It suits you perfectly." Xiao Yan pondered a moment, utterly unconcerned whether his name sounded trite.

He didn't know why he'd chosen that name—or perhaps it was fate.

Medusa's beautiful eyes glared coldly at the young man before her, yet when she saw the bright, warm smile on his face, her anger inexplicably softened slightly. She said coldly: "Medusa Queen is my name and my identity—I don't need you to give me a new one."

"But it's too confusing—what if there's another Medusa?"

"Get lost!" Fed up with Xiao Yan's endless babbling, Medusa Queen snapped—her gaze hardened, and her Spiritual Pressure surged into a gale.

The wind blew, and the already loosely tied Black Cloth drifted loose—Xiao Yan's vision returned instantly, and he saw the scene that haunted his dreams; instantly, something stirred, blood rushed upward, and his head spun.

"Accident! It's not my fault!" Xiao Yan tried to explain, but at this moment, any words were useless.

"Ah!! This is your doing!"

"Ahh! It's just an accident!"

"Oww! What's the rush? You've seen it before!"

"Aaaah~~!!"

Xiao Yan's cries echoed out—next door, in Yun Yun's room, she blushed furiously upon hearing his pleasure-filled screams.

"Master, isn't it Medusa who's injured? Why is Xiao Yan screaming like that?" Nalan Yanran asked curiously inside the room.

Yun Yun's cheeks burned redder; she covered Nalan Yanran's ears: "You're too young—don't listen."

Nalan Yanran stared blankly—too young?

Yun Yun thought: I never knew Xiao Yan had this fetish.

The next morning, under Hai Bodong's barely suppressed laughter, Xiao Yan appeared in the Yan Alliance mansion's Hall, covered in injuries. Yun Yun blushed deeply and turned away—clearly misunderstanding something.

All four leaders of the Yan Alliance—including Medusa—were present, for since yesterday, the Yan Alliance had received countless visitation requests, all hoping to pay homage at the mansion.

And this was exactly what Xiao Yan—or rather, the Yan Alliance—needed!

Xiao Yan shed his playful demeanor, nodded to his elder brother Xiao Ding, who and Xiao Li instantly understood; the two walked to the mansion's gate to welcome guests.

Before the Yan Alliance mansion, a sea of people had already gathered—all renowned experts from the Northwest Region, mighty warlords, and even lords of powerful factions.

Now, these famed experts stood tense, even trembling, lining up patiently for the mansion's gate to open—not daring to cut in, not daring to whisper among themselves, merely waiting in silence, even the Dou Huangs and Dou Zongs.

With a creak, Nalan Yanran and Qing Lin slowly pulled open the gate—the Yan Alliance mansion opened. Xiao Li brought out a table, chair, paper, ink, and brush to record names.

Xiao Ding stepped forward, wearing a harmless, smiling face: "We are deeply honored by the attention of all factions. But with so many visitation requests, we must ask you to wait outside for now."

"Is the Sect Master of Tiger Sword Sect here?" Xiao Ding asked with a smile.

Immediately, a Peak Dou Huang rushed forward from behind—a grotesque scar ran from his forehead to his chin, yet this once-fearsome warlord now approached with a beaming smile.

"Here! Here!" Tiger Sword Sect's Sect Master, Hu Tianchou, beamed.

Observers murmured in astonishment—at the sight of Hu Tianchou, once a bloodthirsty tyrant in his own empire, now so meek.

But they also understood that even if the leaders of the Tian She Mansion, Thunder Sect, or Shi Ming Sect came here, they would still have to smile and greet them warmly.

Simply because this was the territory of the Yan Alliance!

Xiao Ding chuckled: "Lord Hu, your reputation has long been known to me. Please this way."

Xiao Ding led Hu Tianqiu inside, walking as he probed cautiously—some of his words made Hu Tianqiu's back soak with sweat, forcing him to deny them immediately.

By the time Hu Tianqiu followed Xiao Ding into the hall and saw all four leaders of the Yan Alliance seated at the head table, he was utterly terrified, his scalp prickling.

The Dou Qi Continent is not a civilized society—it is a world where the strong rule.

Just a few days ago, when Yao Gu Sect allied with Jin Yan Sect and Mu Lan Valley to frame Yun Yun, no one spoke up; only when Mei Du Sha appeared did she retaliate with slaughter—Xiao Yan killed the Bone Child Elder, and every disciple of Jin Yan Sect and Mu Lan Valley perished, yet no one condemned them for wanton killing.

In plain terms, if the Yan Alliance truly wished to expand its territory, no one would dare say "no."

Especially when he saw Mei Du Sha sitting at the head table as if nothing had happened, he was so terrified his throat convulsed.

"Master Xiao Yan, here is a thousand-year Bone-Nourishing Grass of Seven-Grade. I heard the Queen has been injured, so I've come specially to offer it." Hu Tianqiu hastily pulled a precious box from his storage ring and bowed deeply, offering it with both hands to Xiao Yan.

But a single glance from Mei Du Sha froze Hu Tianqiu in place. Xiao Yan smiled and eased the tension: "Lord Hu, you're too courteous. This ordinary Seven-Rank Low-Grade medicinal ingredient is fine for Yue Er to handle—it'll also test her ability to identify herbs."

At that moment, Hu Tianqiu's heart sank—Xiao Yan's words were clear: this mere Seven-Rank Low-Grade medicinal ingredient isn't even worthy to reach my presence; give it to Princess Yue Er.

The implication was: I am not satisfied.

This terrified Hu Tianqiu, but he was an old fox—he had prepared more than one gift. He pulled another brocade box from his storage ring and handed it to Princess Yue Er: "Princess Yue Er, this is a Seven-Rank Mid-Grade Mountain Front Spirit Grass, a gift from my Tiger Sword Sect to congratulate the Yan Alliance on winning first place in the Sect Grand Meeting."

Before Yue Er could even take the brocade box, Zi Yan snatched it first. As soon as she opened it, a rich medicinal aroma drifted out. Zi Yan licked her lips—clearly, she was very pleased.

Jia Xingtian beside her understood too, and smiled: "Lord Hu, what else brought you here?"

Mei Du Sha waved her hand, and Yue Mei slowly placed a cup of tea on the seat. Seeing this, Hu Tianqiu finally exhaled in relief, sat down, sipped tea, and began speaking about his sect's affairs while probing the Yan Alliance's policies.

This was exactly what Xiao Yan and the entire Yan Alliance wanted.

Seizing resources—or, put plainly, collecting gifts.

The Sect Grand Meeting had over a hundred sects participating, all renowned throughout the Northwest Region, the weakest founded by Dou Huangs; even the former Tian She Empire, Yun Lan Sect, and Jia Ma Empire ranked only as second-tier.

Imagine the immense wealth that could be gathered from these hundred sects.

Remember, Xiao Yan is already a Seven-Rank Low-Grade Alchemist, but to advance to Mid-Grade, High-Grade, Peak, or even Eight-Pill Alchemist, the quantity of medicinal materials required is staggering.

The Bone Flame Ring holds only Pill Formulas, not medicinal materials—medicinal materials have always been Xiao Yan's greatest headache.

The Yan Alliance simply cannot support such a giant; even if you added up all three Great Sects, none could supply the materials needed to elevate Xiao Yan to Eight-Pill.

And this is assuming Xiao Yan doesn't need to enhance his Soul Force or Fire Control Power—normally, for an Alchemist to reach Eight-Pill, the Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures required would cripple even the five great families of the Dan Domain.

In modern terms: energy is conserved. Only one Eight-Pill Alchemist can emerge in a vast region, because that Alchemist has absorbed countless resources to grow.

That's why Xiao Yan must unify the Northwest Region—he must gather enough Seven-Rank and even Eight-Rank medicinal materials before leaving for Zhong Zhou to attend the Pill Gathering, otherwise he cannot reach Eight-Pill.

Hun Xu Zi raised the difficulty for Xiao Yan: Mu Gu, the Venerable, isn't just a fellow disciple of the Pill Venerable—he's an Eight-Pill Alchemist. To defeat him at the Pill Gathering, Xiao Yan must reach the Eight-Pill level.

No matter how talented Xiao Yan is, he cannot cook a meal without rice.

The Yan Alliance cannot unify the entire Northwest Region overnight—but now, having won the Sect Grand Meeting decisively, it can begin "collecting gifts."

Any sect leader who isn't foolish understands: flattering the Yan Alliance now is entirely different from flattering it after it storms your doorstep.

Xiao Ding also advised the Yan Alliance to pursue a peaceful path: the Yan Alliance would still abide by the Yan Alliance Covenant, remaining merely a defensive alliance that does not interfere with sect operations—but newly joined sects must pay an annual "membership fee."

Effectively, they become vassal sects, except the Yan Alliance doesn't meddle in their daily affairs.

This gift-collecting lasted seven full days!

After all, there were over a hundred sects—ten minutes per sect adds up to a thousand minutes. Though exhausting, seeing the Seven-Rank and even Eight-Rank medicinal materials made it hard for Xiao Yan to feel tired.

The only exhausting part was his mouth, which couldn't stop smiling.

Even Thunder Sect and Shi Ming Sect, whose sect masters had been infected by Mystic Flames, came specifically to pay a high price and beg Xiao Yan to remove the Mystic Flames from their bodies.

Xiao Yan, of course, was delighted—he wanted resources, and the power to protect his family.

After seven days, the medicinal materials the Yan Alliance collected stunned everyone—even Mei Du Sha stared in disbelief.

These sect elites were truly so considerate! Xiao Yan nearly wept with joy.

"Thunder Sect and Shi Ming Sect truly have deep roots—Eight-Pill Pill Formulas and two Eight-Rank medicinal herbs." Xiao Yan looked at the two scrolls of Eight-Rank Low-Grade Pill Formulas in his hand—these were the prices Thunder Sect and Shi Ming Sect paid for his services.

Even within the legacy of the Pill Venerable, Seven-Rank Pill Formulas were rare; Eight-Pill ones were even rarer, with only about a dozen scrolls in existence.

And if the required medicinal materials for these formulas couldn't be gathered, they were nothing but worthless paper—so Xiao Yan truly needed new Seven-Rank and Eight-Rank Pill Formulas.

"Thunder Sect and Shi Ming Sect didn't come just to beg for pills—they also came to observe the Queen's injury." Xiao Ding's gaze turned grave.

Xiao Yan smiled, waving his hand carelessly: "They're bound to be disappointed. With me treating her, Cai Lin's injury is healing fast."

Zi Yan pouted, gazing beseechingly at Xiao Yan, whining: "Xiao Yan."

"I know, I'll refine the pill for you right away." Xiao Yan smiled and patted Zi Yan's small head.

This was an absolute windfall: Xiao Yan also acquired the Pill Formula for the Beast King Body-Forging Pill, originally refined by Sima Lin. This Seven-Rank Low-Grade Pill was perfectly suited for Zi Yan, so Xiao Yan promised to refine it for her.

Refining the Beast King Body-Forging Pill posed no difficulty, and Xiao Yan specifically used the Ten Thousand Beasts Spiritual Flame to refine it, elevating the pill's potency even further.

Without doubt, the pill refined with a Mystic Flame would summon Pill Lightning. Xiao Yan, ever cunning, did not refine it within a Space Lock—he refined it openly, right under the eyes of the Tian She Empire.

Boom—the Pill Lightning struck. Facing the Pill Lightning of a Seven-Grade Pill, Xiao Yan remained calm, effortlessly dispelling it.

Xiao Yan tossed the pill directly to Zi Yan: "Take it."

"Yay!" Zi Yan didn't hesitate—she swallowed it whole. Instantly, her cheeks flushed crimson, purple light radiated from her body, and she dashed off to her room to refine the pill's energy.

Zi Yan is only Sixth Rank—even as an Ancient Dragon, she needs time to refine a Seven-Grade Pill.

"Cai Lin, how have you been these days?" Xiao Yan asked, looking at Mei Du Sha, who leaned against a stone pillar, guarding him as he refined pills.

Hearing Xiao Yan call her by her name, Mei Du Sha's expression darkened, but she still answered: "Most sects of the Northwest Region have already left the Tian She Empire."

"As for the Tian She Mansion," Mei Du Sha sneered, "during your pill-refining days, they sent three Dou Zongs to secretly observe—clearly checking on my injury."

Xiao Yan smiled, his expression knowing: "Of course. They can't accept their defeat yet. Give them time—they'll understand."

(End of Chapter)