Chapter 409: Young Master Yan!

Nalan Yanran looked at Xiao Yan with puzzled eyes, not understanding why he was studying her.

She then realized—he was looking at the Jing Ling Bai Hu in her arms.

Nalan Yanran picked up the Jing Ling Bai Hu and held it out before Xiao Yan. "You like looking at it so much? You can touch it anytime."

"Huh?! Anytime I can touch it!" Xiao Yan was startled, then saw the white fox before him and understood. "Oh, you mean the Jing Ling Bai Hu."

Seeing Nalan Yanran tilt her head, Xiao Yan cleared his throat twice and muttered grumpily, "Cough, cough—let's go meet Old Yao and the others first."

If they didn't rejoin the main group soon, Xiao Yan feared he'd be poisoned by the fire toxin too.

Nalan Yanran nodded and flew Xiao Yan toward a spot in the Wind Thunder Shan Mai. No wonder they'd failed to find the Yan Alliance's location—its main force had never entered Feng Lei Cheng; instead, it had built a temporary camp somewhere within the Wind Thunder Shan Mai.

"Young Master Yan!"

Sensing Xiao Yan's arrival, Qing Lin shot out of the Tent with a swift hiss, becoming a streak of green light.

Dressed in a green long dress, Qing Lin threw her arms wide and launched herself into Xiao Yan's embrace, her delicate green Three Flower Spirit lifting to gaze up at him.

At this moment, Qing Lin showed none of a serpent's traits—she resembled a puppy long separated from its master, wagging her tail, eyes bright with joy at their reunion.

Then she noticed Nalan Yanran standing nearby; Qing Lin's face flushed crimson, and she stepped back slowly, like a maid who had overstepped her bounds.

A fragrant breeze brushed past; feeling Qing Lin's longing, Xiao Yan stroked her silken hair and smiled. "Qing Lin, good girl—are Old Yao and the others here?"

Qing Lin nodded and led the way. "They are."

Watching Qing Lin appear and seeing Xiao Yan slowly walk toward the camp, Nalan Yanran's beautiful eyes couldn't help but grow dim. Those solitary moments in the Heaven Eye Shan Mai were gone forever.

Then again, it was only natural—Xiao Yan was always the center of attention, like stars circling the moon. She and he were merely both part of the Yan Alliance, with no other connection; solitude could only come by fate's design.

Wuuu. Though the Jing Ling Bai Hu was weak, it seemed truly spirit-touched—it sensed its mistress's sorrow, rose slowly, and licked Nalan Yanran's cheek.

"I'm fine."

Nalan Yanran walked alone behind them, holding the Jing Ling Bai Hu as she headed toward the camp.

Inside the camp, Xiao Yan felt as if he'd returned home, reclining on a lounge chair, basking in the sunlight.

"Young Master Yan, are you comfortable?"

"Oh, very comfortable—Qing Lin, your skills have improved."

Qing Lin smiled faintly, pressing hard on Xiao Yan's shoulder acupoints. Xiao Yan's body rivaled that of a demonic beast; even a Dou Huang using a Dou Technique could barely injure him—massaging him was no easy task.

Only Qing Lin, now a Four-Star Dou Zong with demonic beast blood in her veins, could massage Xiao Yan's body and relax his meridians.

Xiao Yan lay back, utterly relaxed. After years of relentless cultivation, occasionally enjoying an afternoon like this—being a wealthy Young Master—was truly a fine experience.

"Hey, Nalan Yanran, bring me a Yan Alliance specialty drink—light sugar, less ice." Xiao Yan didn't even bother rising; he merely waved his hand toward Nalan Yanran, who was playing with the fox nearby.

"Why should I do things like that for you!" Nalan Yanran exclaimed in shock. She was a Dou Zong! Didn't he understand what a Dou Zong meant? Back then, the entire Jia Ma Empire had no Dou Zong!

"You're breaking your word," Xiao Yan chuckled. "Who was it who cried and swore she'd become your slave if she lost the Three-Year Agreement?"

"You!" Nalan Yanran gritted her teeth, stomped her foot, hugged the Jing Ling Bai Hu, and snorted, "Hmph—I'll challenge you again after the Four Directions Pavilion Assembly!"

Though Nalan Yanran said she wouldn't, her body was obedient.

Soon after, Hai Bodong and Jia Xingtian arrived together.

"You brat, you enjoy life more than this old man," Hai Bodong said, watching Xiao Yan sip his cold drink, receive a massage, and command Nalan Yanran to fan him—he couldn't help but give him a thumbs-up.

You really know how to live.

Xiao Yan gazed lazily at Hai Bodong and Jia Xingtian and smiled. "I only come back rarely—I need to rest. Too much tension harms cultivation."

"Hai Lao, you've reached Dou Zong?" Xiao Yan looked at Hai Bodong. He'd originally crafted the Zong Shi Pill for him, assuming Hai Bodong was a Nine-Star Dou Huang, which was why he'd specially made a Zong Shi Pill while waiting at the blood pool. But he'd ended up giving it to Nalan Yanran.

Xiao Yan had even guessed Hai Bodong might come to the Tian Shan Xue Tan to break through to Dou Zong. Yet here he was—Hai Bodong had already broken through!

"Hehe, this old man isn't that weak—breaking into Dou Zong didn't take me ten years." Hai Bodong couldn't resist a veiled jab at Jia Xingtian beside him.

Hearing the veiled jab, Jia Xingtian grew displeased. But what could he do? Hai Bodong's luck was simply too good.

When Xiao Yan left, he hadn't had a Zong Shi Pill—but he'd crafted several Po Zong Pills. And his pill-making quality was truly exceptional—he'd actually helped this guy break through!

This was fate! Jia Xingtian had waited over ten years and never got a single Po Zong Pill.

"By the way, where's Old Yao?" Xiao Yan asked.

"Old Yao is cultivating inside the Space Lock, using the Yan Jue you gave him. At the Dou Zun level, even casual cultivation takes days," Hai Bodong said.

Even Xiao Yan, with the Fallen Heart Flame and the Heaven Grade Burning Scripture, needed years to advance from Dou Zong to One-Star Dou Zun—let alone higher.

Dou Zun transcends mortals; some live a thousand years, but cultivation time is extreme. Without a Heaven Grade Cultivation Method, advancing one star might take ten or even decades.

Thus, among Dou Zun, even a one-star gap may mean decades of cultivation difference!

One star is a chasm!

Xiao Yan slowly stood, shedding his laziness—he wasn't meant to relax yet. With the Yan Alliance's current strength, they couldn't even catch the Gu Clan's attention.

The closer Xiao Yan's power drew to Dou Zun, the more intensely he missed Xun Er.

"Do you know what level the Thunder Venerable is?" Xiao Yan asked sharply.

"Thunder Venerable?" Hai Bodong and Jia Xingtian exchanged glances, unsure why Xiao Yan asked about him.

"Rumors say Thunder Venerable is stronger than Huangquan Venerable and Sword Venerable, but slightly weaker than Wind Venerable—likely Three-Star Dou Zun, no higher than Four-Star," Jia Xingtian said after a moment's thought.

None of them had ever seen Thunder Venerable; only Tian Huo Venerable could judge the strength of Dou Zun.

"Three-Star?"

Seeing Xiao Yan lost in thought, Hai Bodong's heart jumped. "Young Master Yan, don't do anything reckless! Though the Yan Alliance has conflicts with the Wind Thunder Pavilion, we've always restrained ourselves—never provoke Thunder Venerable. Old Yao can only delay him."

After all, Tian Huo Venerable is only One-Star Dou Zun—there's no crossing that gap! And they didn't even know Xiao Yixian had reached Four-Star Peak Dou Zun, nearly Five-Star!

Xiao Yan smiled, utterly unconcerned with Thunder Venerable. "If the Wind Thunder Pavilion is wise and doesn't block my path, it may remain one of the Four Pavilions. If it stands in my way, then the Four Pavilions will become Three."

Hearing this bold declaration, even Nalan Yanran beside him was stunned—Xiao Yan meant to obliterate the entire Wind Thunder Pavilion!

Xiao Yan pulled out paper and brush, scribbled quickly, and handed it to Hai Bodong. "Hai Lao, Yue Er and Xin Lan should be here too—have them check what medicinal materials the Yan Alliance can now provide."

Fuling Green Pill! Before the Four Directions Pavilion Assembly, Xiao Yan planned to craft the Fuling Green Pill to restore Tian Huo Venerable's strength to Three-Star Dou Zun!

Xiao Yan believed that, at equal level, Tian Huo Venerable would certainly not fear Thunder Venerable.

Knowing Xiao Yan intended to refine a pill, Hai Bodong's eyes flickered; he already had some suspicions. Though he didn't recognize the medicinal materials on the paper, though it was nearly unbelievable—Xiao Yan might be planning to refine an Eight Grade Pill!

Pills used by Dou Zun are naturally Eight Grade!

Both Hai Bodong and Jia Xingtian felt the sharpness in Xiao Yan's gaze; after knowing him so long, they had never heard Xiao Yan lie!

No matter how implausible the feat, to him it seemed perfectly natural!

Soon, Yue Er, dressed in a Fifth-Rank Alchemist Long Robe, and Xin Lan, in a blue robe, hurried over. Unlike Nalan Yanran, Xiao Princess Yue seemed not to age at all—still as she had seven years ago, like a lively little sprite, her eyes holding a mischievous cunning.

"Xiao Yan, are you planning to refine the Fuling Green Pill?!" Xiao Princess Yue exclaimed with great excitement; over the years, following the Yan Alliance across north and south, her experience had grown immensely.

Yue Er often rushed to the local Alchemist Guild whenever they arrived in a major City, learning much about Pill Alchemy; she had already achieved a modest success rate in refining Six Grade Pills, her skill nearly matching Fa Ma's.

Beside her, Xin Lan was utterly stunned—the Fuling Green Pill was an Eight Grade Pill capable of summoning Two-Colored Pill Lightning! Are you a monster?!

Xiao Yan nodded and said seriously: "Has the Yan Alliance gathered all the medicinal materials?"

Hearing this, Xiao Princess Yue sighed slightly: "Though the Yan Alliance has been advancing into Zhong Zhou for nearly half a year and acquired many precious medicinal materials, we're still missing four main ingredients and the Eight Rank Magic Core for the Fuling Green Pill."

Xiao Yan frowned; no matter how skilled his Pill Alchemy, without the materials, it was all useless!

Xiao Yan pulled out the VIP token from the Huangquan Rare Goods Pavilion and handed it to Yue Er, then produced several Brocade Boxes: "This is the Huangquan Rare Goods Pavilion VIP token—there should be a branch in Feng Lei Cheng. Go there and look."

"These are all Seven Grade Pills—enough to buy those materials. Price is no issue; I want as much of the Fuling Green Pill's ingredients as you can find."

Young Master Yan really is wealthy and powerful!

"Qing Lin, guard them both. That's still a City under Feng Lei Pavilion's control—we're not on good terms with them," Xiao Yan said.

"Understood, Young Master Yan. Don't worry—I won't let anything happen to them," Qing Lin replied, her beautiful eyes sharpening at Xiao Yan's command.

Though she rarely fought, when Qing Lin truly acted, her Qi San Hua Tong became her enemies' nightmare!

"Nalan Yanran, come with them too—more people means better protection," Xiao Yan said.

Nalan Yanran nodded.

Xiao Princess Yue smiled sweetly and walked up to Xiao Yan: "Xiao Yan, teach me Pill Alchemy later—I've hit some problems."

"Of course, no problem."

Beside them, Xin Lan couldn't help but feel envious—no wonder Yue Er's Pill Alchemy had improved so fast, already reaching Six Grade; she had such a divine master!

Having a powerful master is truly beneficial—it teaches you so much.

The truth proved that unless it was Xiao Yan, ordinary people bought things smoothly, never attracted trouble, never faced mockery, and never had their disguises exposed.

Though the main ingredients of the Fuling Green Pill were extremely precious, Feng Lei Cheng was the largest City in the North Domain—if you paid enough, you could buy even the main ingredients of Eight Grade Pills.

Even the Eight Rank Magic Core was bought directly from Feng Lei Pavilion by Xin Lan and the others while hiding their identities! This left Xiao Yan both amused and exasperated.

Yet even in a super-city like Feng Lei Cheng, they could only gather enough materials for one batch of the Fuling Green Pill—meaning Xiao Yan had only one chance.

One day later, inside the Space Lock crafted by the Heavenly Flame Elder, the Heavenly Flame Elder, Xiao Princess Yue, and Xin Lan all stared at Xiao Yan with solemn expressions.

Xiao Princess Yue and Xin Lan were there simply to gain experience—after all, this was an Eight Grade Pill! Even if Xiao Yan failed, the experience itself was invaluable.

As for the Heavenly Flame Elder, this was about his own chance to strengthen his power—he was even more nervous than Xiao Yan.

The gap between One Star Dou Zun and Three Star Dou Zun was enormous.

After adjusting his breathing and state for a full day, Xiao Yan slowly opened his eyes. Whoosh—a powerful Soul Force erupted from his body. To refine an Eight Grade Pill that summons Pill Lightning, Spirit Realm Soul Power was essential.

Even Xiao Yan had to give his all this time!

Immediately, a scorching heat surged forth, causing the very space within the Space Lock to begin melting; the Heavenly Flame Elder hastily reinforced the Space Lock.

Xiao Yan now possessed nine Strange Fires; he fused eight of them to create a New Different Flame, leaving only Mao Wu hidden in Space to deal with the vengeful spirits within the Eight Rank Magic Core.

Magic Cores of this level usually came from the Ruins of Eight Rank beasts that died of old age, or from deadly zones where Dou Zun or Sage Emperor relics lay, where Eight Rank beasts had perished and were later found.

Hunting Eight Rank beasts to extract Magic Cores was virtually impossible.

Even after so long, the Magic Core still retained immense vengeful energy—this was why Mao Wu's help was needed.

Boom—the Black Demon was pulled out by Xiao Yan; using the Black Demon alone revealed just how difficult this Pill Refining would be!

Xiao Yan did not conceal his Pill Refining Method—if little Yue could learn from it, he'd be delighted, since she was now the Yan Alliance's sole Alchemist.

Whoosh! As the super Strange Fire formed from eight fused flames was cast into the Black Demon, even the Black Demon, ranked eighth on the Heavenly Cauldron List, trembled—imagine how intense the Infernal Heat was!

The fusion of eight Strange Fires, Xiao Yan estimated, had already reached or surpassed the power of the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame—only the top three most unique entries on the Strange Fire Ranking could surpass it.

"How is this Strange Fire…" Xin Lan murmured in surprise—it differed from every Strange Fire on the Strange Fire Ranking!

Xiao Yan took a deep breath, then suddenly opened his narrowed eyes; a sharp gleam flashed through his dark pupils. He sharply swept his sleeve, and the many medicinal materials swirling around him instantly split apart—several plants flew in sequence into the Alchemy Furnace.

As soon as the medicinal materials entered the furnace, they withered rapidly under the terrifying heat. Under Xiao Yan's Spirit Realm Soul Power control, within just over ten minutes, the plants were refined into pure Medicinal Powder, then, with a flick of his mind, gently hovered in the corners of the furnace, guarded by clusters of Black Flame to prevent oxidation and other issues.

With lightning speed, Xiao Yan refined the first batch of pure Medicinal Powder. His expression remained calm as his hands moved continuously, one medicinal material after another flying into the furnace. No matter how numerous or varied the materials, Xiao Yan showed not the slightest sign of panic.

Thanks to his past experience refining Strange Fire Poison Pills for Xiao Yixian and the advantage of his Spirit Realm Soul Power, Xiao Yan refined the materials not only quickly but with pinpoint precision.

Combined with the Black Demon's unique power, Xiao Yan focused even more intensely, achieving one hundred percent efficiency in both Soul Force and Fire Control Power.

After attaining Spirit Realm Soul Power, the refined materials subtly absorbed a faint trace of Spiritual Energy. Though faint, this energy quietly elevated the quality of the Medicinal Powder.

Watching Xiao Yan's fluid, uniquely aesthetic Pill Alchemy, Xiao Princess Yue's eyes sparkled with admiration, and Xin Lan was utterly entranced.

The charm of Young Master Yan!

Under Xiao Yan's near-rapid refinement, one-third of the medicinal materials were fully refined into the required Medicinal Powder and Medicinal Essence within just over an hour.

Having refined so many materials, Xiao Yan's expression remained calm. He exhaled gently, then turned his gaze to the four Jade Boxes before him, his eyes darkening with seriousness—other materials could be wasted, but these four main ingredients demanded utmost care.

Yet for Xiao Yan, who had already succeeded in refining Strange Fire Poison Pills, these four Eight Grade main ingredients posed no challenge.

Though it took him seven full days and nights, the refinement was completed without a single mishap.

For an Eight Grade Pill, refining for half a month or even a full month was normal.

Once all materials were refined, the Alchemy Furnace was densely packed with various liquid substances wrapped in Black Flame.

Next, Xiao Yan had to follow the Pill Formula's steps, combining these medicinal substances in precise quantities.

This step tested Soul Force intensely—Eight Grade Pills required precision down to the nanogram.

An Eight Grade Pill—this was the level of Spiritual Pill!

Even for a Spirit Realm Soul, this step was a challenge; Xiao Yan spent a full three days measuring out all the medicinal ingredients and fusing them into a single Primitive Pill.

(End of Chapter)