Chapter 365

"Fuling Green Pill?"

Upon hearing this, the Heavenly Flame Venerable first froze, then his eyes blazed with sudden fervor, a flush of excitement crossing his face.

"The Fuling Green Pill—the one said to restore those whose strength has regressed back to their peak?"

The Heavenly Flame Venerable had heard of the Fuling Green Pill; he once encountered mention of this Eight Grade Pill at a Zhong Zhou auction.

It is an Eight Grade Low-Grade Elixir specifically for Dou Zun, capable of restoring a Dou Zun whose cultivation has regressed back to Three-Star Dou Zun strength.

Xiao Yan is now a Seven-Grade High-Grade Alchemist, and he has two years left before the Pill Gathering. To defeat Mu Gu, he must at least brew an Elixir capable of summoning two or more colors of Pill Lightning.

In other words, Xiao Yan must cross into Eight Grade.

The Fuling Green Pill, as an Eight Grade Low-Grade Elixir, is not difficult within the Eight Grade realm; ordinary Fuling Green Pills can summon only one Pill Lightning, and only exceptionally high-quality ones might summon two-colored Pill Lightning.

A Seven-Grade Elixir summons one Pill Lightning, and some Seven-Grade Peak Alchemists have a certain success rate brewing simpler Eight Grade Pills, though they rarely summon a second Pill Lightning.

To become a true Eight Grade Alchemist, one must not only brew an Eight Grade Elixir but also at least summon two Pill Lightnings.

Xiao Yan plans to brew the Fuling Green Pill to cross the Eight Grade threshold; if he can brew a Fuling Green Pill that summons two Pill Lightnings, he will not only enter the Eight Grade but also restore the Heavenly Flame Venerable to Three-Star Peak Dou Zun, aiding the Yan Alliance.

To establish a foothold in Zhong Zhou, the Yan Alliance must have a Dou Zun who can represent it.

The Heavenly Flame Venerable looked at Xiao Yan, who grinned amiably; Xiao Yan had not revived him for free—in truth, the Heavenly Flame Venerable still owed Xiao Yan years of service.

"Xiao Yan, what do you want?" the Heavenly Flame Venerable asked, staring at him; this fellow wouldn't give it to him for nothing.

Though the Heavenly Flame Venerable had helped greatly, that was merely his duty, and an Eight Grade Elixir was enough to make a Dou Zun fight to the death for it.

Alchemists—alchemists—truly a love-hate breed.

Xiao Yan grinned and said, "Elder Yao, interested in joining the Soul Hall?"

The Heavenly Flame Venerable opened his mouth, his eyes glazed with shock. The Soul Hall was no reputable organization—it was, in truth, a ruthless evil faction that hunted Alchemists and Soul Bodies.

He himself had once been a Soul Body and feared encountering the Soul Hall. Yet what he feared most came to pass—he met the Yan Venerable.

And now he was being recruited?

"Th-this—" The Heavenly Flame Venerable had no idea how to answer.

In truth, the Heavenly Flame Venerable was not part of the Yan Alliance; he was more accurately indebted to Xiao Yan, bound to serve as his bodyguard for ten years.

But if he joined the Soul Hall, it would be far more than ten years.

Yet the temptation of the Eight Grade Elixir was too great to refuse—especially a Fuling Green Pill perfectly suited to his current state!

Moreover, he trusted that Xiao Yan's Fuling Green Pill would summon two Pill Lightnings, restoring his cultivation to Three-Star Peak Dou Zun.

A two-star leap nearing three stars—this would save him decades, no, centuries of cultivation time!

Though his physical body was young, his Soul Body was ancient; without the Fuling Green Pill, he might never recover to his peak before death.

It wasn't just time saved—it was life saved. With the Fuling Green Pill, the Heavenly Flame Venerable might even reclaim his former glory, reaching higher levels: High-Level Dou Zun, even Nine-Star Dou Zun!

The Heavenly Flame Venerable's hesitation was natural—the Soul Hall had a "record," meaning he would be forced to hunt Soul Bodies.

As a Venerable, Xiao Yan's status matched his duties. But his unique status allowed him to compensate for insufficient Soul Bodies with Elixirs; as just demonstrated, six-digit Soul Points meant he had already cleared his quota.

At least this year's quota was met!

At this moment, Xiao Yan and Xiao Li exchanged glances; Xiao Li slowly said, "Heavenly Flame Venerable, joining the Soul Hall imposes no excessive restrictions. We cultivators defy heaven and cut down all opposition; decisive killing is fundamental."

"We exterminate our enemies utterly, leaving no chance for their Soul Bodies to escape—not a sin, for we target only our enemies."

The idea of recruiting the Heavenly Flame Venerable into the Soul Hall was Xiao Li's; though Yun Lan Sect's Soul Hall had Xiao Yan as a Venerable, its actual strength was among the weakest of all Soul Halls on the Dou Qi Continent.

In the Northwest Region, besides Yun Lan Sect's Soul Hall, there were two others.

In Tianxin Empire's Tian Zang Ravine stood another Soul Hall, managed by a mere Level Guardian named Tie Hu Fa—a relatively weak Soul Hall.

The reason Xiao Li wanted to recruit the Heavenly Flame Venerable was the other Soul Hall, located in the Shi Ming Mountains of the Shi Ming Empire, under the control of a Venerable named Luo Ming.

That Soul Hall was immensely powerful, terrifying in its strength.

Originally, all three Soul Halls in the Northwest Region should have been under his command, but Xiao Yan's emergence caused division.

Xiao Li estimated that if the Yan Alliance continued expanding, Yun Lan Sect's Soul Hall would inevitably clash with Luo Ming Venerable.

The Soul Hall naturally could not have only one hall; the Heaven-Earth-Man Ranks were governed by the Soul Hall's Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, and Great Heavenly Venerable; beneath them were the Twenty Four Earth Sha Halls, generally overseen by the Nine Heavenly Venerables and the Black-White Heavenly Venerables.

All other branch halls were like this one where Xiao Yan resided.

Naturally, the stronger the branch hall, the more resources it received.

Xiao Yan and his two brothers planned to dominate both black and white paths—hence their intent to recruit the Heavenly Flame Venerable, to strengthen their Soul Hall, and if they could later absorb the other two halls, perhaps even rise to become one of the Twenty Four Earth Sha Halls!

At this point, Xiao Li understood the Soul Hall better than Xiao Yan, the Venerable himself.

Looking at Xiao Yan, the Heavenly Flame Venerable sighed and said, "With you, fighting is inevitable. Fine, I'll join."

Xiao Yan and Xiao Li exchanged glances, their minds already chuckling "Jie jie jie."

Xiao Yan pulled out his Soul Token and placed it on the Sacrificial Altar, formed a hand seal, and a black mist surged from the altar, emerging as a black, sack-like object.

Ordinary Soul Envoys hunted Soul Bodies below Dou Wang, using Soul Stones; Guardians hunted Dou Huang and Dou Zong, using the sack-like object emerging from the black mist—the Soul Bag.

Even Xiao Yan could not instantly elevate the Heavenly Flame Venerable to Soul Hall Venerable; though his strength reached Dou Zun, many within the Soul Hall were already Tian Ji Protectors at Dou Zun level.

"Elder Yao, this is the Tian Ji Protector's Soul Bag. The Tian Ji Protector's Soul Robe will be delivered by the Soul Hall's Enforcers—it will take some time." Xiao Yan handed the Soul Bag to the Heavenly Flame Venerable and smiled.

Seeing the Soul Bag, the Heavenly Flame Venerable was startled. "This is a valuable Treasure—at least a Seven-Grade storage item, possibly even Eight Grade."

The Soul Bag wasn't just for collecting Soul Bodies; if the Heavenly Flame Venerable ever found himself in a situation like before, his Soul Body could retreat into the bag for safekeeping until rescue.

Xiao Yan suddenly said gravely, "Second Brother, we must obtain Puti Huati Yan at any cost within one year."

Seeing Xiao Yan's expression, Xiao Li understood the gravity and nodded firmly. "I know. I'll spare no effort to have other Soul Hall Guardians assist in the search."

After resolving matters, Xiao Yan left the Soul Hall for the Alchemist Guild—he needed vast quantities of Medicinal Materials!

He wouldn't exchange Medicinal Materials at the Soul Hall; he planned to brew Seven-Grade Pills to trade with the Alchemist Guild for the ingredients of the Eight Grade Fuling Green Pill.

Xiao Yan had not asked the Alchemist Guild to join the Yan Alliance, for this preserved a channel to the Dan Tower—he could obtain high-grade Medicinal Materials through Fa Ma.

Upon hearing Xiao Yan wanted to trade for a Seven-Grade Peak Pill Formula called Zong Shi Pill, three doses of Zong Shi Pill, and some Eight Grade Low-Grade primary Medicinal Materials, Fa Ma stood frozen for three minutes, dumbfounded.

No Pill Formula could guarantee breakthrough to Dou Zong; Xiao Yan had investigated—only the Seven-Grade Peak Elixir called Zong Shi Pill could guarantee a Nine-Star Dou Huang's breakthrough to Dou Zong, hence his request.

"You can already refine the Zong Shi Pill?" A Seven-Grade Peak Elixir!

But after asking, Fa Ma felt he was redundant—Xiao Yan had bought so many Eighth-Grade Low-Level medicinal materials; wasn't he preparing to start practicing and enter the Eighth Grade?

Eighth Grade—Fa Ma felt his worldview had collapsed!

Xiao Yan smiled and shook his head. "President Fa Ma, I'm still a Seven-Pin High-Level Alchemist. I plan to begin refining some Seven-Grade Peak Elixirs to improve my Pill Alchemy. The Eighth-Grade medicinal materials? I'm just buying them while the opportunity arises."

"Seven-Pin High-Level… sigh, never mind. I've known since day one you're a genius at Pill Alchemy. Are you planning to exchange these medicinal materials and Pill Formulas for Seven-Grade Elixirs?" President Fa Ma waved his hand, indicating he didn't want to continue talking—it was pointless.

"Yes. I can refine Seven-Pin High-Level Elixirs. If anyone needs them, I'll refine any Seven-Pin High-Level Elixir as payment—using the Mystic Flame Cultivation Technique, of course, as long as they can afford the price." Xiao Yan smiled. He wasn't an ordinary Seven-Pin High-Level Alchemist—his worth was undeniable.

"Alright, I'll inform the headquarters. The Elixirs refined by an Alchemist like you will be in high demand even in Zhong Zhou." Fa Ma stroked his beard and smiled. With Xiao Yan famous, the Jia Ma Empire Alchemist Guild would rise with him—he was happy to help.

After leaving the Alchemist Guild, Xiao Yan went to the peak of a mountain outside Shen Cheng and found Zi Yan, the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King—he had come to fulfill his promise.

"Hey Xiao Yan, when are you going to refine my Pill?" Zi Yan pouted. She was here too—this place was comfortable, and she liked resting atop mountain peaks.

She was only missing Xiao Yan's Elixir to break through to Seven Rank. She hadn't held back in helping him capture Dou Zong during that Battle!

Xiao Yan patted Zi Yan's small head and smiled. "I'm here now. Let me deliver these to the Lion King first—then I'll refine your Pill and help you break through."

"Hehehe, good." Zi Yan flicked her purple little ponytail and lifted her sleeve.

For Zi Yan of the Ancient Dragon Clan, breaking through ranks didn't require Elixirs like Po Zong Pill or Huang Tian Pill to assist advancement.

Beasts have no bottlenecks in breakthroughs—only growth. But beasts have Bloodline Restrictions: if their Bloodline is low, no amount of energy will let them break through in a lifetime.

Like Mei Du Sha Queen—Mei Du Sha Clan's limit is Dou Zong; they can never reach Dou Zun. Otherwise, she wouldn't have sought to use the Mystic Flame to evolve and break her Bloodline Restriction.

As for the Ancient Dragon Clan, Xiao Yan conservatively estimated they had no restrictions below Dou Zun. Zi Yan only needed sufficient energy.

Hearing Xiao Yan had come for him, the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King leapt to his feet, his expression tense.

Could it be!!

Seeing the Lion King's nervousness, Xiao Yixian, who was planting medicinal materials nearby, couldn't help but smile.

Xiao Yan didn't tease the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King—he took a brocade box from his storage ring, slowly opened it, and inside lay two blood-red Elixirs, quiet and still. The Elixirs glowed crimson like fire, and a strong red Pill Fragrance surged forth.

Transformation Pill!

"Two?" The Purple Crystal Winged Lion King blinked in surprise.

"Don't worry, Lion King. My promise to you still stands. This extra one is for your constant care of Xiao Yixian and your battles for the Yan Alliance. Little Lion King is already at Fifth Rank Peak—the sooner he transforms, the better."

Little Lion King's eyes gleamed brightly—this was meant for him!

The Purple Crystal Winged Lion King hurriedly thanked him: "Thank you, Master Xiao Yan. I will forever remember this favor."

"Enough, enough. This was my promise to you—I didn't do much. Go refine them quickly, or someone might steal them." Xiao Yan smiled.

"What?! I've already eaten a Transformation Pill!" Zi Yan puffed out her chest, then grinned. "But if you give me another, I wouldn't mind eating it."

Xiao Yan glanced at Zi Yan and ignored her. Giving her a Transformation Pill would waste its effect—and Transformation Pills weren't easy to refine. He had no medicinal materials left, and each one took nearly half a month to refine.

Pill refining is hard work.

Xiao Yan looked to the side. Today, Xiao Yixian wore a white robe, her long white hair cascading like a waterfall. Her jade hand tirelessly planted medicinal materials—her jade hand, untainted as lotus emerging from mud, made even the slightest dirt appear sacred.

Her gray-purple eyes, compared to the Battlefield, had lost some coldness and gained a touch of gentleness.

Seeing her white hair sway in the wind, Xiao Yan's heart darkened. He sat heavily on the ground.

"The ground is dirty," Xiao Yixian said casually.

"You still have the heart to plant medicinal materials…" Xiao Yan looked at Xiao Yixian with guilt. Her Eternal Calamity Poison was erupting earlier because she protected the Yan Alliance.

Xiao Yixian wiped her forehead, revealing a heart-wrenching smile. "It was my choice to act. It has nothing to do with you. Jia Ma Empire is my birthplace—I can't let it be destroyed."

Xiao Yan fell silent, then reached out and gently brushed away a speck of dirt on Xiao Yixian's face, unwilling to let mud obscure her.

(End of Chapter)