Chapter 408: Attend the Four Directions Pavilion Assembly!

After bursting out of the Blood Pool, Xiao Yan stepped on Space, and in a few flashes, he appeared beyond the Heaven Eye Mountain Range.

Xiao Yan's terrifying Soul Force swept across the entire Blood Pool, and soon he discovered eight figures cultivating within the pool.

"Just enough for eight people." Xiao Yan shrugged; one of these eight should be grateful he broke through to Dou Zong, otherwise that person wouldn't have been so lucky.

Xiao Yan's gaze shifted to a stone pavilion beside the volcano's mouth, where Jin Shi and a Stone Clan warrior named Jin Gu were preparing a large quantity of Medicinal Materials, waiting for Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan smiled slightly, his foot moved, and he descended slowly through Space, walking step by step down from the Sky and landing within the stone pavilion.

"Hehe, Master Xiao Yan, we've already prepared the Medicinal Materials," said Clan Leader Jin Shi with a smiling face.

Seeing Xiao Yan land in the pavilion, Elder Jin Gu also smiled; after all, Xiao Yan was a Seventh Rank Peak Alchemist, his status so exalted that even he, Clan Leader of the Stone Clan, couldn't match it.

"Both of you needn't be so formal—I, Xiao Yan, am no rigid or arrogant man. Since this is a Transaction, I, Xiao Yan, will certainly do my utmost." Xiao Yan bowed to the two and smiled.

Xiao Yan's actions are genuine: if you can pay the price, I will give you the best Elixir—absolutely no deception, young or old.

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Jin Shi and Jin Gu's smiles deepened; after all, they had only heard of Xiao Yan's Alchemy skills, but knew nothing of his character.

Some Alchemists look down on everyone, arrogant to the extreme, but clearly Xiao Yan was not such a person.

"Master Xiao Yan, the quiet chamber for Spirit Refining is ready—please follow me," said Jin Gu respectfully.

"No need. This is a minor matter—it can be done right here." Xiao Yan didn't waste words; the Infernal Heat and internal injuries might be troublesome for others, but for Xiao Yan, they were child's play.

Xiao Yan waved his hand, and the Ten Beasts Cauldron instantly appeared in the pavilion. Without caring whether anyone was watching, he flicked his fingers, and a blood-red flame flew into the Alchemy Furnace.

Whoosh—the blood-red Ten Beasts Spiritual Flame rapidly increased the Infernal Heat within the Alchemy Furnace.

"Is that the Ten Beasts Spiritual Flame!" Jin Shi, sensing the unique power of the Ten Beasts Spiritual Flame, cried out in shock.

Beside him, Elder Jin Gu stared in amazement, murmuring: "The Ten Beasts Spiritual Flame is born in places teeming with the vitality of ten thousand beasts, forged from their combined strength and harmonized with their pure souls, its color mirroring the hues of ten thousand beasts. It is the flame that protects and nurtures the vitality of all beasts."

"Alas, the Heaven Eye Mountain Range never gave birth to the Ten Beasts Spiritual Flame."

The Ten Beasts Spiritual Flame cannot be born merely from a mountain range filled with beasts—it requires the beasts within to live in harmony, and their souls to remain pure and untainted after death.

The conditions for the birth of any Spiritual Flame are incredibly harsh!

Xiao Yan paid no heed to the two rats' astonishment; once in Alchemist mode, he transformed completely, becoming steady and calm.

Soul Force poured out from his body; with a flick of his finger, a portion of the Medicinal Materials on the table instantly became a torrent, rushing noisily into the Alchemy Furnace through the fire opening.

"Simultaneously refining so many Medicinal Materials!"

"Such immense Soul Force and Fire Control Power!"

Under the astonished gazes of the two rats, Xiao Yan's ten fingers danced, controlling the Infernal Heat of the Ten Beasts Spiritual Flame, using his extraordinary Soul Force to lock onto the medicinal properties of each material.

Precise threads of flame extracted every medicinal substance without wasting even a single particle.

At this moment, Xiao Yan resembled a pianist amidst Spiritual Flames, his fingers agile and exquisitely graceful.

In truth, Xiao Yan had not overcharged Jin Shi; removing Infernal Heat and internal injuries is no easy task even for a typical Seventh-Rank Alchemist.

After one day and one night of refining, a crimson medicinal essence floated inside the Alchemy Furnace. Xiao Yan swiftly pulled out several Pill Bottles and poured the essence into them—seven bottles in total.

"This is seven days' worth of medicinal essence. Take it at Chen Hour each day, continuously for seven days. Do not cultivate during these seven days. After seven days, the Infernal Heat will be purged—then I will treat your internal injuries." Xiao Yan handed the seven Pill Bottles to Jin Shi and instructed him.

"I understand, Master Xiao Yan," Jin Shi accepted them carefully and nodded solemnly.

After handing over the medicinal essence, Xiao Yan did not stop—he tossed the remaining Medicinal Materials back into the Alchemy Furnace. This essence addressed the Infernal Heat; now he would use the power of the Ten Beasts Spiritual Flame to eliminate Jin Shi's internal injuries as well.

Just as he had once helped the Deep Sea Serpent, Xiao Yan needed to refine a special Beast Elixir, and with the activation of the Ten Beasts Spiritual Flame, the injuries could be healed.

In Xiao Yan's hands, the Ten Beasts Spiritual Flame was a universal Spiritual Flame for beasts—anything related to beasts, combined with his Alchemy, became utterly effective!

This refining session took longer—four full days and nights—because the Elixir he was refining was of Seventh-Rank Intermediate grade, and even Xiao Yan needed time.

During these four days of refining, those who had entered the Tian Shan Xue Tan gradually emerged; some with weaker Cultivation Realms, unable to break through to Dou Zong, had been forced out on the third day, unable to withstand the pool's energy.

On the final fifth day, waves of Dou Zong Spiritual Pressure surged from the pool's mouth; Xiao Yan didn't need to look—he knew who it was.

Elder Jin Gu, guarding beside Xiao Yan, gazed at the pool's mouth with a hint of envy and said: "The Four Pavilions' heirs truly have some ability—such youth, and already they've broken through to Dou Zong."

Then Jin Gu turned to Xiao Yan, still refining in the pavilion, and thought: as for a freak, this man was unmatched—he had reached Three-Star Dou Zong, and his Alchemy alone stunned the world.

At that moment, a phoenix cry rang out, and a Seven-Colored Divine Light erupted from the pool's mouth; within the divine radiance, a delicate phoenix seemed to be emerging.

Sensing this Spiritual Pressure stronger than a typical One-Star Dou Zong, Xiao Yan slowly opened his eyes and looked toward the seven-colored woman in the sky.

If judged purely by Spiritual Pressure, among the Four Pavilions' four, Feng Qing'er's was unquestionably the strongest—her Wind and Thunder forces even altered Heaven and Earth.

Lightning flashed, thunder roared, storms swept through, bending and uprooting the surrounding trees!

Xiao Yan's lips curled upward; he slammed his palm hard against the Alchemy Furnace and roared: "Form the Pill!"

BOOM! The next second, Pill Fragrance filled the entire Blood Pool; a colored Pill Column shot straight into the heavens, its terrifying Pill power even overshadowing Feng Qing'er's breakthrough phenomenon.

BOOM BOOM BOOM!!! A massive storm cloud appeared above Xiao Yan's head; the lightning surrounding Feng Qing'er, as if encountering a superior force, weakened considerably.

Feng Qing'er, within the Seven-Colored Light, slowly opened her eyes; her purple gaze locked onto Xiao Yan, her beautiful face cold, her expression dark.

Naturally, Xing Tian loved Pill Lightning; Xiao Yan tossed out Xing Tian to absorb it.

"That's a puppet?"

"Damn, this guy actually has a puppet specifically designed to absorb Pill Lightning?!"

Instantly, Wang Chen and Tang Ying stared in shock—a puppet specifically made to handle Pill Lightning! That was such a waste!

After all, it was only a Seventh-Rank Intermediate Elixir—only one Pill Lightning strike, quickly absorbed by Xing Tian.

After securing the Elixir, Xiao Yan first looked toward Feng Qing'er in the sky, then at the other three, and smiled: "Truly worthy of being Four Pavilions' heirs—you've all broken through to Dou Zong. Congratulations."

Hearing Xiao Yan's congratulatory words, Wang Chen felt no joy—he merely snorted coldly; who didn't know you're a Three-Star Dou Zong!

Mu Qingluan, however, let out a light laugh: "Hehe, this Four Directions Pavilion Assembly will surely be interesting."

Mentioning the Four Directions Pavilion Assembly, all four exchanged glances; the Four Directions Pavilion Assembly was, in fact, a Grand Meeting hosted by the Four Pavilions for outer Zhong Zhou sects—but it wasn't meant to unify Zhong Zhou, rather to allow the young generations of the Four Pavilions and allied sects to exchange and compete.

To see just how strong the young generation of the Four Pavilions had become.

Tang Ying, sword on his back, asked gravely: "Your Yan Alliance will attend the Four Directions Pavilion Assembly, right?"

Xiao Yan nodded: "Naturally."

Hearing that the Yan Alliance would attend the Four Directions Pavilion Assembly, their expressions shifted slightly; after all, the cake in Zhong Zhou's outer regions was small, its rules set by the Four Pavilions—and now the Yan Alliance was essentially a challenger to those rules, aiming to overthrow the Four Pavilions' order.

Feng Qing'er, as always proud, her eyes sharp with lethal intent, fixed on Xiao Yan and said coldly, "You stole the Thundering Thousand Steps from my Wind Thunder Pavilion—I will reclaim this Body Technique. If you dare show up at the Assembly, I, Feng Qing'er, will cut you down!"

It's no wonder Feng Qing'er harbors such hostility toward Xiao Yan—not only because the Yan Alliance and Wind Thunder Pavilion have been clashing constantly, but also because Xiao Yan truly learned the Thundering Thousand Steps; if this isn't dealt with decisively, it won't be handled with thunderous methods.

More and more people might start targeting Wind Thunder Pavilion disciples to steal the Thundering Thousand Steps, which would severely damage the entire Pavilion!

Xiao Yan merely smiled, offering no mockery—though a mayfly tries to shake a tree, it is still worthy of respect.

"I'll wait for you in the Wind Thunder Mountain Range!" Feng Qing'er dropped her challenge, then vanished in a streak of colored light.

She couldn't strike here—after all, this was the territory of the Golden Mice Clan, and Xiao Yan was clearly refining Elixirs for them.

The other three also cast a deep look at Xiao Yan before leaving.

"This girl's temper is truly fierce—she's going to get hurt like this," Xiao Yan chuckled, shaking his head. Back then, there was a little girl just as impulsive—and she got hurt, her fingers broken.

"Young Master Yan, you must be extra cautious with Feng Qing'er—her talent and strength surpass the other three." Jin Shi, the Clan Leader, approached and warned.

"Hahaha, I actually hope Feng Qing'er is stronger," Xiao Yan said, handing the Elixir to Jin Shi.

But Xiao Yan didn't leave the Heaven Eye Mountain Range immediately, because Nalan Yanran was still cultivating at the bottom of the Tian Shan Xue Tan.

Xiao Yan had just broken through to Third-Star Dou Zong—even though the Burning Scripture had evolved to Heavenly Rank Mid-Level, it would still take months to reach Fourth-Star.

So Xiao Yan began cultivating and creating Dou Techniques within the Heaven Eye Mountain Range.

He now needed to advance his Strange Fire Dou Techniques further—he wanted to create a new skill that fused Strange Fire. Back then, defeating Mo Ya had involved such a fused Strange Fire ability, but it hadn't yet become a proper Dou Technique.

Also, the Emperor Seal Technique—Xun Er had given Xiao Yan the complete Five Seals. He had already mastered the third seal, Earth-Covering Seal, and could now attempt training the fourth seal, Sky-Erasing Seal.

If he could also master the Ancient Emperor Seal, with all five seals interconnected and fully perfected, he would gain the power to overturn seas and rivers, swallow heaven and devour earth! When all five are perfected, they will reach the power of a Heaven Tier Low Grade Dou Technique!

Yet Xiao Yan never expected that Nalan Yanran, once she started, trained for two full months! Had Sheng Yan not been guarding her, Xiao Yan would have suspected something had gone wrong.

At this moment, within the spatial barrier at the bottom of the blood pool, a breathtakingly beautiful form was slowly taking shape.

After all, Sheng Yan was a Strange Fire—constantly using its power to protect her body, how could her clothes possibly withstand two months of burning?

Her clothing had long been reduced to ash; the sight before him was so exquisite, no brush or ink could fully describe it.

Nalan Yanran had always been a pampered noblewoman; though her figure wasn't as voluptuous as Cai Lin's, every curve was perfectly full and rounded, every line slender where it should be.

Her skin was like jade, smooth as silk. When the hairband atop her head snapped, her hair cascaded over her shoulders, radiating an indescribable beauty—she was utterly alluring.

Nalan Yanran's beauty wasn't just in her face—years of sword Dao cultivation had shaped her body into perfection: shoulders like carved jade, waist slender and supple, long, rounded legs that accentuated the elegance of the sword.

Too bad this boundless splendor had no one to behold it.

At that moment, Nalan Yanran suddenly opened her eyes—a Dou Zong aura erupted from her body.

"Dou Zong—this blood pool even strengthens the Spiritual Soul and physical body."

This was something Xiao Yan hadn't anticipated—the Tian Shan Xue Tan could nourish the Spiritual Soul! Though still far from the Spirit Realm, it had already reached Common Realm peak.

Soon, Nalan Yanran realized she wore nothing—luckily, her space ring still held clothes.

After thinking for a moment, she smiled faintly and put on the silver long robe of the Yun Lan Sect's Young Sect Master.

Remember—when Nalan Yanran made the Three-Year Agreement with Xiao Yan, she had worn this very silver robe!

Nalan Yanran tidied her clothes, re-braided her hair, and asked Sheng Yan, "Is your master still here?"

Gugug! Sheng Yan excitedly wagged its tail and nodded. Its master was never the type to abandon someone.

Nalan Yanran reached out, cradling Sheng Yan, and smiled sweetly, "Then I'll go out—don't let him wait too long."

Boom—the sound echoed as Nalan Yanran stepped through Space, a whirlwind of azure wind aura surging around her like a sharp blade as she shot forth.

At this moment, Xiao Yan, who had sensed Nalan Yanran's breakthrough early, was teasing the Jing Ling Bai Hu.

"So, no Fire Poison entered your body?" Xiao Yan tossed the fox—it leapt toward Nalan Yanran. This fox had such an ability; it could be kept.

Nalan Yanran hugged the fox, slowly opened her palm, and Sheng Yan flew back into Xiao Yan's body.

"No, with Sheng Yan, it went smoothly," Nalan Yanran said, shaking her head slowly.

"Is that so? Good. Let's go—the Four Directions Pavilion Assembly is being held in the Wind Thunder Mountain Range, and it should start in just over half a month. The others from the Yan Alliance should already be there. Let's join them," Xiao Yan said.

Hearing this, Nalan Yanran's eyes flickered with a faint, hidden gloom—then instantly replaced by battle intent as she nodded firmly, "I won't bring shame to the Yun Lan Sect or the Yan Alliance."

Nalan Yanran was unquestionably the top talent of the Yan Alliance's young generation—if the Yan Alliance needed a representative, her breakthrough to Dou Zong made her the ideal choice.

After bidding farewell to Jin Shi, Xiao Yan took Nalan Yanran and headed toward the Wind Thunder Mountain Range.

Though the Wind Thunder Mountain Range lay within the North Domain, it was the very stronghold of the Wind Thunder Pavilion—far distant from the Heaven Eye Mountain Range; even a Dou Zong needed several days to reach it.

After days of relentless travel, the two finally arrived at Feng Lei Cheng, the city ruled by the Wind Thunder Pavilion—vastly larger than Huagu City or Tianbei City.

Calling it a "city" was almost an understatement—it rivaled a nation.

In a luxurious inn room, Nalan Yanran said, "I'll go find the Yan Alliance's lodging."

Xiao Yan nodded. This Nalan Yanran was becoming increasingly mindful of her role as a servant—apparently, she was a woman who kept her promises.

After Nalan Yanran left, Xiao Yan intended to cultivate—but suddenly, Sheng Yan emerged from his space ring.

"Hm? What's wrong?"

Whoosh—the Sheng Yan enveloped the entire space, reminiscent of the Strange Fire realm within the Life and Death Gate.

"You say… if I hadn't broken off our engagement back then, would it have been…?" A beautiful voice suddenly emerged. Xiao Yan looked ahead—there, before him, appeared an image of Nalan Yanran, just like the Strange Fire projection left by the Ancestor.

Hearing Nalan Yanran's suggestive words "in person," Xiao Yan sighed helplessly—what could he do even if he heard? He'd pretend he didn't.

"You're ridiculous—this is her privacy!"

Just as Xiao Yan was about to withdraw Sheng Yan, his sharp eyes suddenly narrowed—he noticed, with his microscopic precision, a tiny burn hole in her clothing?

"Could it be—!"

"No no no, impossible—this is her privacy!"

"Wait—Sheng Yan wouldn't do this without reason. Could Nalan Yanran have encountered a problem during her cultivation at the blood pool's bottom—something even she knows about—and that's why Sheng Yan is seeking help?"

"Yes—it must be."

Xiao Yan instantly felt justified—he even used Soul Force to "fast-forward," never imagining that Nalan Yanran, in her dreams, would never suspect someone was "watching" that sultry scene beneath the blood pool!

At this moment, Sheng Yan swam behind Xiao Yan, grinning happily, gurgling out bubbles: I promised you back in the Life and Death Gate—I'd make you rise to the top.

This flame, truly, was crafted with such painstaking care, it's enough to make one cry.

About two hours later, a knock came from outside, and Nalan Yanran's voice called out: "Xiao Yan, we found the Yan Alliance's main base—should we go?"

With a soft creak, Xiao Yan slowly opened the door and sized up Nalan Yanran, thinking: "Tsk tsk tsk, this silver robe covers up a lot."

Nalan Yanran tilted her head, puzzled, not understanding the meaning behind Xiao Yan's gaze—was this robe really that impressive?

Who would've thought Nalan Yanran would be this popular—3,159 glory points, ranking fifth among female characters, just slightly behind Yun Yun.

Fine then, since everyone likes her so much, I'm adding this plotline.

Will there be an epilogue? We'll see.

(End of Chapter)