Chapter 407: Fated But Not Destined

Xiao Yan smiled at the leader of the Gold-Eating Mouse clan, and with his Spirit Realm Soul Power and the eyes and experience of an Eight Grade Alchemist, he immediately saw that Jin Shi was injured—a most troublesome fire poison.

"You can tell?" Jin Shi's eyes narrowed slightly as he asked slowly.

Xiao Yan slowly released his grip and looked at Jin Shi with a smile. "There is a fire poison inside you. Every day at noon, it causes unbearable pain, and the poison has sunk deep into your bones. You're only suppressing it now through sheer cultivation strength—if not, you'd have been reduced to ashes long ago. But you're barely holding it back."

Jin Shi, leader of the Gold-Eating Mouse clan, narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at Xiao Yan and said with admiration, "Old man has long heard that Xiao Yan of the Yan Alliance is a prodigious Alchemist, young yet dominating the Sect Grand Meeting's Pill Alchemy contest in the Northwest Region. At first, I didn't believe it—but now that I've seen you, truly, heroes emerge in youth."

Xiao Yan raised his hand to stop Jin Shi's flattery, smiling faintly. "Jin Shi, spare me the formalities. I possess a Heavenly Flame—I've removed countless fire poisons, even ones harder than yours. Your poison holds no difficulty for me."

Upon hearing this, Jin Shi's face lit up with joy.

"But."

"Jin Shi, you understand—even though your poison is child's play for me, and even a Seven Rank Low Grade Alchemist with a Heavenly Flame could handle it—if I am to act, my fee will still be that of a Seven Rank Peak Alchemist."

Xiao Yan did not say he was Eight Grade. Though he truly possessed Eight Grade power, he had not yet been verified—he had not yet successfully refined an Eight Grade Pill that summoned the normal Two-Colored Pill Lightning—so he still presented himself as one capable of refining the Zong Shi Pill.

"Seven Rank Peak!!" Jin Shi's eyes hardened, his pupils contracting. Even though Xiao Yan had downplayed it, those seven characters—Seven Rank Peak Alchemist—sent a massive shock through Jin Shi's heart!

Seven Grade Alchemists are rare in the North Domain; Seven Rank Peak ones are even rarer. To find such an Alchemist, one must go to the Dan Domain or Dan Tower.

"Old man heard that two years ago, Master Xiao Yan could only refine Seven Rank Mid Grade Pills." Soon, Jin Shi calmed down—how could Xiao Yan's Alchemy have improved so fast!

Xiao Yan smiled faintly, understanding such doubt was normal. He pulled out two brocade boxes, opened them with two crisp clicks—and instantly, an exquisite Pill Fragrance spilled forth.

This terrifying Pill Fragrance immediately drew every gaze in the room!

"What kind of Pill Fragrance is this?!"

"I can feel my Dou Qi boiling inside me!"

"This Pill is definitely Seven Grade!"

Even the haughty Miss Feng's beautiful eyes revealed surprise—she had consumed many precious Pills, so she understood better than anyone: this Pill's quality was above Seven Rank High Grade.

Tang Ying, Wang Chen, and Mu Qingluan all stared in shock. They had all heard rumors that Xiao Yan was a prodigious Alchemist, whose Alchemy dominated the entire Northwest Region.

The Yan Alliance's meteoric rise was due not only to the Dou Zun, Heavenly Flame Lord, but also to the fame of the prodigious Alchemist Xiao Yan.

In the Northwest Region, those seeking rare Pills either went to the Alchemist Guild or bought from the Yan Alliance.

"Xiao Yan's Alchemy is truly no lie."

The word "Pill" alone stirred the hearts of even proud men like Tang Ying and Wang Chen—they couldn't help but gaze hungrily. Though the brocade boxes obscured the Pills, that didn't stop their longing.

Miss Feng, clad in a seven-colored long robe, narrowed her eyes as she stared at the man's back, murmuring, "If such an Alchemist could serve my clan, it would be a great asset."

With a snap, Xiao Yan closed the brocade boxes and returned them to his storage ring. He grinned. "With your eyes, Jin Shi, you should recognize these Pills—do you believe I'm lying?"

Jin Shi's expression turned grave. Even he could identify only one. One, naturally, was the Zong Shi Pill—a Seven Rank Peak Pill that guaranteed breakthrough to Dou Zong, more precious than the Tian Shan Xue Tan.

The other was the Hui Zhen Tian Dan, a Seven Rank Peak Pill Xiao Yan refined while waiting for the Tian Shan Xue Tan to activate—its effects were even stronger than the Fan Ming Dan.

For anyone below Dou Zun—even if their heart was shattered or their skull pierced, as long as they weren't reduced to ash or their Spiritual Soul annihilated—taking the Hui Zhen Tian Dan could keep them alive, restoring their injuries. Truly, it could turn back death!

"Jin Shi, for me to act isn't hard—but things that can move me are few." Xiao Yan smiled.

Remember, the last time Xiao Yan acted, he wanted the Nine Dragon Thunder Flame! Granted, he only borrowed it for ten years—but even that showed how exorbitantly the Heavenly Flame Lord charged!

For a moment, even Jin Shi, leader of the Gold-Eating Mouse clan and a dominant force in the Heaven Eye Mountain Range, felt uneasy. The fee of a Seven Rank Peak Alchemist was surely beyond what he could easily bear.

"I can let your Yan Alliance disciples enter the Tian Shan Xue Tan directly," Jin Shi said.

Hearing this, Xiao Yan only smiled and slowly shook his head. "Jin Shi, even without your permission, I could get her through this sonic array—it holds no value for me."

"No, no, Master Xiao Yan, you misunderstand," Jin Shi quickly waved his hand, then used Soul Resonance to speak: "Each energy tide concentrates most of its power into the red liquid of the Tian Shan Xue Tan—but a small portion sinks deeper, finally seeping into the very bottom. Though scarce, perhaps due to centuries of condensation, it's exceptionally pure… Unfortunately, though that place holds great Treasure Vault, it's also where the fire poison is most concentrated."

Xiao Yan frowned. "So your fire poison came from here?"

Jin Shi sighed, nodded, his face darkening with bitterness.

"I observe this young lady is only Star Seven Dou Huang—she enters the Tian Shan Xue Tan merely to increase her chance of breaking through to Dou Zong later. And Master Xiao Yan, you possess a Heavenly Flame. With your Heavenly Flame protecting her, I'm certain she won't be affected by the poison." Jin Shi smiled.

"That place was first discovered by my Gold-Eating Mouse clan. Many of our kind died carving it out—it's our secret ground. Even Feng Qing'er and others know nothing of it. What do you say?"

Only now did Xiao Yan learn the Miss Feng's name was Feng Qing'er.

After a moment's thought, Xiao Yan shook his head. "Jin Shi, this offer is good—but the blood pool carries risk, and I still need to assist with my methods. That's not enough."

At that moment, Xiao Yan transformed into the Young Clan Leader of the Xiao Clan. If he was to negotiate, he would extract maximum benefit.

A Seven Rank Peak Alchemist has the right to demand a high price!

Jin Shi frowned, thought for a moment, then said: "From now on, your Yan Alliance disciples entering the Heavenly Mountain Blood Pool will receive aid from my Gold-Eating Mouse clan—guaranteeing at least one spot each time."

Beside him, Nalan Yanran's eyes widened. The Four Pavilions and Yan Alliance had spent countless efforts just to secure long-term access to a few spots—now Xiao Yan had solved this problem!

Yet, to Nalan Yanran's shock, Xiao Yan still shook his head!

"With the Yan Alliance's strength, securing spots isn't difficult. Your clan's help would save some manpower—but still, not enough."

Hearing this, even Jin Shi's face darkened. Your appetite is too huge!

Seeing Jin Shi's expression, Xiao Yan guessed his limit. He smiled faintly. "I won't just remove your fire poison—I'll also repair all the chronic injuries and hidden wounds accumulated over these years."

Hearing Xiao Yan could heal hidden injuries, Jin Shi's eyes sparkled with golden light! For years, he'd endured countless battles—his body was riddled with ailments.

"Master Xiao Yan, what other conditions?"

Xiao Yan pulled out paper and brush, and with a sweep of his hand, wrote several medicinal material names on the white sheet.

"Bring me just one of these, plus the two conditions above, and I'll heal you and purge your poison."

Jin Shi looked—and his eyes contracted. All were primary ingredients for Eight Grade Pills! Most were extremely rare—even the Gold-Eating Mouse clan, which controlled the entire Heaven Eye Mountain Range, struggled to obtain them!

Then Jin Shi spotted one ingredient—his eyes flickered. "Zhen Shi Bai Qi—I have one in my clan."

Zhen Shi Bai Qi was one of the main ingredients for the Yi Shi Dan.

Hearing this, Xiao Yan's eyes glinted with a smile. He slowly extended his hand. "Congratulations, Jin Shi. You've succeeded in making me willing to act. Your fire poison and hidden injuries will vanish."

Watching the entire exchange, Nalan Yanran was stunned. The Gold-Eating Mouse clan was extremely powerful; Jin Shi himself was Nine Star Dou Zong. Combined with the unique terrain of the Heaven Eye Mountain Range, even the Wind and Thunder Pavilion dared not be too aggressive.

Yet now—Xiao Yan stood high above, and yet Jin Shi's face held no resentment—only joy. He eagerly grasped Xiao Yan's left hand, calling him "Master Xiao Yan" over and over.

Xiao Yan turned his head to Nalan Yanran behind him, raised an eyebrow—as if to say: Impressive, right?

Nalan Yanran rolled her eyes at Xiao Yan, her gaze carrying a hint of charm: I know your Alchemy is powerful.

At this moment, Feng Qing'er let out a cold snort. Though she didn't know what deal Xiao Yan had struck with Jin Shi, the Shi Jin Shu Clan would surely give him special treatment.

Feng Qing'er no longer dawdled; she immediately activated her Body Technique, her body enveloped in a swirl of seven-colored light, as wind and thunder energy erupted—she simply surged through the Rat Tide Sonic Array.

The other three Pavilions' members each employed their own unique methods, and none failed to pass through.

"Master Xiao Yan, Miss Nalan, this way." After glancing at the Four Pavilions' members all having passed, Jin Shi invited Xiao Yan and the other to enter through another secret passage.

After walking a stretch with Jin Shi, the two arrived smoothly beneath the Tian Shan Xue Tan.

"Beneath the Tian Shan Xue Tan lies a Space Mirror barrier set by my Shi Jin Shu Clan. Only with this item can you enter." Jin Shi tossed something to Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan caught it in one hand, glanced at it—it was a dark-golden rat skull—and nodded, then handed it to Nalan Yanran, smiling: "Don't worry. I think Clan Leader Jin Shi won't have any ulterior motives toward my Yan Alliance members."

Xiao Yan's words carried no small threat.

Hearing this, Jin Shi grumbled: "Of course. Master Xiao Yan removed the fire poison from me—I am your clan's benefactor."

Xiao Yan smiled, pulled out paper and ink, wrote a long list of Medicinal Materials, and handed it to Jin Shi: "These are just common Medicinal Materials. Prepare them—I'll go below and set up some measures to guard against the fire poison with her."

"Of course, of course!" Jin Shi took the white paper and nodded hastily.

Xiao Yan nodded to Nalan Yanran, then walked ahead. When the blood pool appeared, he dove down toward the Space Mirror. Watching Xiao Yan's back, Nalan Yanran suddenly grew dazed.

"Huh? Why aren't you moving? You don't plan to hold my hand like a little kid, do you?" Xiao Yan chuckled, watching Nalan Yanran standing frozen in place.

Hearing this, Nalan Yanran's cheeks flushed red. "I don't need to!"

Following behind Xiao Yan, Nalan Yanran gazed at his silhouette ahead, alert and vigilant—and suddenly, her nose tingled with a strange ache. This feeling of being protected by a man was utterly unlike what her Master had given her: solid, steady. Behind this slender back, she felt she could finally let her heart rest completely.

Yet reason told her this sense of peace would last only a fleeting moment—perhaps vanishing the moment they left Heavenly Tomb Mountain. After all, she could sense: in Xiao Yan's heart stood an insurmountable mountain.

Through a secret passage, Xiao Yan led Nalan Yanran safely to the bottom of the blood pool. Nalan Yanran flicked her palm—the dark-golden skull appeared in her hand. She moved instantly, piercing through the red liquid, swiftly swimming toward the pool's depths.

Moments later, her body halted. Her gaze burned as she stared downward—where the space itself subtly warped, and the countless red liquids, as if meeting an invisible barrier, parted cleanly.

"This is the Space Mirror, then." Nalan Yanran's eyes darkened with gravity; she could faintly sense its formidable power.

Raising the dark-golden skull, she gently pressed it against the invisible barrier. Instantly, the skull erupted in brilliant radiance; the Space Mirror rippled in concentric waves—then a passage, wide enough for one person, appeared before them.

Seeing the passage open, Xiao Yan's Soul Force instantly swept through the space within, confirmed it was safe, and nodded.

Then Xiao Yan pulled out a Brocade Box and handed it to Nalan Yanran. Nalan Yanran gasped—it was one of those very Brocade Boxes from before!

"You're only a Four-Star Dou Huang—still far from Dou Zong. Here is an Imperial Ultimate Pill and a Zong Breaking Pill. I just probed with my Soul Force: the energy of this blood pool carries a faint vitality. Absorbing it puts your body in a state of vigorous life-force, and it's extraordinarily wondrous for refining Dou Qi."

"With the Sheng Yan guarding you here, you needn't fear the fire poison. With these Pills as aid, as long as your talent isn't absurdly weak, you should break through to Dou Zong."

Looking at the Brocade Box before her, Nalan Yanran's eyes widened in shock. A Zong Shi Pill! Its value alone could shake the entire North Domain.

Jin Shi couldn't afford even one Zong Shi Pill for removing the fire poison—but now Xiao Yan gave it away freely!

"I can't accept this. It's too precious." Even Feng Qing'er, if placed outside, might not refuse it.

"Though I'm often absent from the Yan Alliance, I can guess few there actually work. As the initiator of the Yan Alliance Covenant, it's only right I reward its contributors." Xiao Yan flicked his wrist—the priceless Pills flew into Nalan Yanran's arms.

Then Xiao Yan opened his palm—a tiny, jade-white fish appeared before him.

"This Sheng Yan—you've probably seen it at the Life and Death Gate. With it guarding you, the fire poison is no concern." No sooner had he spoken than the Sheng Yan swam to Nalan Yanran's side and affectionately kissed her forehead.

When she fought Xiao Yan before, Nalan Yanran had once used Sheng Yan's power—she must have received its aid at the Life and Death Gate.

Seeing all this, Nalan Yanran's lips parted slightly, her nose tingled, and her beautiful eyes shimmered as she gazed at Xiao Yan.

"When did you get so sentimental? Even if I didn't care about your contributions to the Yan Alliance, I'd still help you for the sake of the bond between my grandfather and yours. Go now—don't waste time." Xiao Yan couldn't bear it and waved her off.

Nalan Yanran suddenly smiled brightly—so bright it made Xiao Yan momentarily dazed.

"Thank you, Xiao Yan."

Then she plunged headfirst into the passage.

Watching the Space Mirror seal shut, Xiao Yan shook his head and murmured: "No need to thank me. After all, you were once my betrothed."

If one spoke purely of fate, Nalan Yanran and Xiao Yan were indeed deeply fated. Their betrothal came about because, when Xiao Lin was still alive and the Xiao Clan resided in Shen Cheng, they were born on the same day, month, and year.

That was why Xiao Lin had arranged this betrothal with Nalan Jie.

Alas, these two were destined to have fate but no union.

Xiao Yan's footsteps thundered—Boom! —he transformed into a bolt of lightning, surging out of the blood pool. He still had to heal and detoxify Clan Leader Jin Shi.

Inside the Space Mirror, Nalan Yanran's entire body had turned blood-red. The vast, viscous crimson energy now filled every inch of her body—even her skin, soaked in the crimson energy, had grown increasingly supple.

Enveloped by this potent, life-filled energy, Nalan Yanran did not begin Cultivation immediately. Instead, she cupped the Sheng Yan in both hands, her eyes clouded with confusion and hope as she whispered: "Do you think… if I hadn't broken off the betrothal… would it…?"

Naturally, the Sheng Yan only bubbled out white fire bubbles to protect her—it offered no answer.

Soon, Nalan Yanran gave a bitter smile, shook her head. After all, Xiao Yan had once told her: even if she hadn't broken it, he would have—because his heart already belonged to someone else.

This was a betrothal destined to have fate but no union.