Chapter 418: Head to the Dan Domain to Prepare for the Pill Gathering! (Ten Thousand)

What followed was naturally smooth; the strongest force in the North Domain was Feng Lei Ge, and since even Feng Lei Ge dared not move against the Yan Alliance, the entire North Domain fell completely silent.

Forces stronger than Feng Lei Ge were the Three Valleys, but whether it was Ice River Valley or Sound Valley, both lay on the outer edges of Zhong Yu, far removed from Feng Lei Cheng.

As for Hua Zong and Tian Ming Zong, they were even deeper inside.

"I won't return to the Yan Alliance for now."

Xiao Yan looked at Nalan Yanran, who had spoken; the Four Directions Pavilion Assembly had already ended, so naturally they should return to the Yan Alliance.

"Are you going to train outside?" Xiao Yan asked curiously.

Nalan Yanran's beautiful eyes turned to Xiao Yan, gazing into those black pearl-like eyes—now she could see her own reflection in Xiao Yan's gaze.

After a moment of silence, Nalan Yanran offered a faint smile, one tinged with sorrow, saying: "No, because my master is still out there; I want to stay by her side and keep her company."

When Nalan Yanran mentioned Yun Yun, Xiao Yan's eyes flickered with a glint of light—and at that moment, her reflection vanished.

"Your master—Sect Master Yun Yun—where is she now?" Xiao Yan asked, his voice unusually gentle.

At that moment, Xiao Yan couldn't help but recall Yun Yun's swaying figure.

He remembered her mature grace, her unique elegance and nobility, especially her tranquil, natural demeanor, which made her beauty even more striking and added to her charm.

Like a ripe peach, sweet but not cloying, she radiated a warmth that comforted and yet tugged at the heart.

Nalan Yanran forced a faint smile and said: "My master is now in Zhong Yu, in the territory of Hua Zong."

"Hua Zong?! Why did she go that far?!" Xiao Yan blinked in surprise; Hua Zong was even farther than Fen Yan Valley—how had Yun Yun ended up so distant?

"Originally, my master didn't plan to go that far—she was just searching for opportunities in the West Domain. But a crisis forced my master and me to flee to a remote spot on the outer edge of Zhong Yu, where my master encountered a strange old woman who was injured. My master couldn't leave her behind and took her home." Nalan Yanran's expression turned puzzled as she recalled it.

Xiao Yan rolled his eyes, sighing helplessly: "Then she couldn't bear to leave that lonely, helpless old woman and started taking care of her—bringing her meals and all that."

Hearing this, Nalan Yanran nodded with a wry smile. For anyone else, delivering the woman home would have been the limit—they'd have left immediately.

Only Yun Yun would think of arranging everything for her, tending to her injuries, bringing her food.

For anyone else, this would be unthinkable—but for Yun Yun, both Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran instantly found it perfectly reasonable.

"Sigh, alright, just be careful yourself. If anything happens, crush the Soul Jade Token. Once I finish what I'm handling, I'll head to the Dan Domain with Xin Lan, then come find you." Xiao Yan shrugged; fortunately, he'd be going to Zhong Yu soon anyway—to Sheng Dan Cheng for the Pill Gathering.

He wanted to see just what kind of ancient hag had latched onto Yun Yun! When this Ghost-Slaying Master gets there, he'll take care of that old witch!

After parting ways with Nalan Yanran, after several days of travel, Xiao Yan and the rest of the Yan Alliance returned to Jia Ma Empire.

This participation in the Four Directions Pavilion Assembly had thoroughly established the Yan Alliance's reputation, bringing immense benefits.

Because when Xiao Yan and the others returned, Shi Ming Zong and Thunder Sect immediately rushed from their own sects to pay tribute to Yao Ye, offering valuable Eight-Pill Medicinal Herbs to congratulate Xiao Yan.

More accurately, it was their controlled empires that had been absorbed into Jia Ma Empire.

Most of the Northwest Region had already been incorporated into Jia Ma Empire's territory, and weaker sects had become vassals of Yun Lan Sect.

Each year, these vassal sects could send their talented disciples to Yun Lan Sect for cultivation and study.

After a period of development by the Yan Alliance, Yun Lan Sect had now become the cultivation holy land of the Northwest Region.

Although Shi Ming Zong and Thunder Sect were inferior to the Yan Alliance, they still couldn't bring themselves to submit—until news of the Four Directions Pavilion Assembly spread.

The Sect Masters of Shi Ming Zong and Thunder Sect immediately arrived with gifts, apologizing profusely and speaking nothing but flattery.

Not just Shi Ming Zong and Thunder Sect—even small cities on the outer edges of Zhong Zhou, like Tianbei City, and families like the Han Family, all hoped to gain the Yan Alliance's protection.

And protection, of course, came with protection fees.

This was why major factions always possessed vast resources: beneath them were countless vassal families and sects, and these minor forces could only survive by clinging to the powerful.

Otherwise, they'd end up like the Han Family, nearly swallowed by the Hong Family, which was allied with Feng Lei Ge.

But now, the positions of the Han Family and Hong Family had been completely reversed.

"Master Xiao Yan, you've come again to see Her Majesty? But Her Majesty isn't here—she's with the Four Great Elders undergoing the Secret Technique Baptism." In Cai Lin's Imperial Palace, Hua She Er covered her mouth and smiled faintly at Xiao Yan.

Master Xiao Yan always came straight to Her Majesty the moment he returned from outside—his intentions were obvious.

Xiao Yan coughed awkwardly twice, then turned and left, feeling like a husband whose wife was pregnant and who had to go for weekly prenatal checkups.

Since Cai Lin was away and Xiao Yixian and Zi Yan had returned to the Small Valley, Xiao Yan dropped the act and entered cultivation mode—he'd crush the Alchemists of Dan Tower!

Xiao Yan had taken so many Eight-Pill Medicinal Herbs from Lei Zunzhe—his goal was clear: prepare for the Pill Gathering, since it was less than a year away.

Although Xiao Yan had already successfully refined the Fuling Green Pill that summoned Two-Colored Pill Lightning, in past Pill Gatherings, an Eight Grade Pill producing colored Pill Lightning would have guaranteed the Champion title.

But this year's Pill Gathering was utterly brutal: Cao Ying of the Cao Family had already been able to refine an Eight Grade Pill summoning Two-Colored Pill Lightning half a year ago; though luck played some role, she would at least reliably produce a Two-Colored Pill Lightning Pill this time.

Moreover, Xiao Yan knew Mu Gu would come to the Pill Gathering. Though he didn't know how Mu Gu, a Soul Hall Alchemist, would deceive the Pill Gathering's inspectors, since Hun Xu Zi had arranged it, there would be no problem.

Xiao Yan wasn't worried—Dan Tower didn't know his Soul Hall identity. If Feng Qing'er so much as entertained any other thought, or even raised a harmful idea toward Xiao Yan, her spiritual soul would instantly be severed by the Asura Soul-Cleaving Technique.

On the peak of Yun Lan Mountain, Yun Yun had specially built a Spirit Refining Tower for Xiao Yan's use.

"To win the Champion title at the Pill Gathering, a Two-Colored Pill Lightning Eight Grade Pill is not enough. Three colors—no, to surpass Mu Gu, you need a Four-Colored Pill Lightning Eight Grade Pill."

Xiao Yan sat cross-legged; he didn't begin refining immediately, but instead planned to first elevate his cultivation realm to Seven-Star Dou Zong.

He had been at the peak of Six-Star for some time.

With a hum, the Falling Heart Flame emerged from the Nailing Vessel; Xiao Yan's will shifted, and the immense invisible Sea Giant Python obediently coiled slowly around him, wrapping him tightly within.

The Burning Scripture spun at high speed; the heavenly energy across the entire Yunlan Mountain Range, within a hundred li, obeyed Xiao Yan's command and surged toward him.

Through the compression and refinement of the Falling Heart Flame, the vast heavenly energy was condensed into fine threads of pure energy, entering his body through his skin, then further compressed by the Burning Scripture before flowing into his Dou Qi Qi Whirlpool.

"How terrifying—that's what kind of Sky Phenomenon?!"

At this moment, the Spirit Refining Tower where Xiao Yan was located formed a massive Energy Vortex, clearly visible across the entire Yunlan Mountain.

"That's Master Xiao Yan's personal Spirit Refining Tower! Is he cultivating or refining pills?"

"No wonder he's Master Xiao Yan."

"Quick, come pay homage—let Master Xiao Yan bless our cultivation!"

At this moment, many disciples of Yun Lan Sect and some young members of the Xiao Clan all bowed reverently toward the vortex, praying for smooth cultivation.

Three days later, Xiao Yan slowly opened his eyes; a powerful aura instantly erupted from his body, though it settled quickly.

Xiao Yan felt the changes in his body and murmured: "Seven-Star Dou Zong."

But Xiao Yan was not satisfied; his brow was tightly furrowed.

"Too slow. Even if the cultivation method reached Heaven Grade Mid-Level, merely absorbing Heaven and Earth Power for cultivation would take at least half a year to reach Five Star, and if you add time spent refining Pills and practicing Dou Techniques, it would take at least a full year to break through."

After reaching Dou Zong, even Heaven Grade cultivation methods cannot accelerate cultivation extremely fast, because Dou Zong requires immense energy—the higher the level, the harder the cultivation, so many people spend their entire lives unable to ascend to Dou Zun.

Advancing one star requires over ten years; people like Hai Bodong and Jia Xingtian are essentially stuck forever at Dou Zong, unable to reach Dou Zun.

To ordinary people, Xiao Yan's speed is already unimaginably fast, but to Xiao Yan himself, it is still not enough.

"I can refine Seven-Grade High-Level Fu Zong Pills to boost one star of cultivation, but none of the Pill Formulas I possess can directly enable a Nine Star Peak Dou Zong to break through to Dou Zun."

Not even the Medicinal Sage had such a Formula—Xiao Yan had even searched the Soul Sovereign's treasure vaults and inquired at the Dan Tower, yet neither the Soul Sovereign nor the Dan Tower possessed a Pill Formula guaranteeing a Nine Star Peak Dou Zong's breakthrough to Dou Zun.

That meant Xiao Yan's usual method of using his Strange Fire to accelerate cultivation could no longer be used.

"If Dou Zong is this slow, how much longer will Dou Zun take?!"

"Will One Star Dou Zun be enough to make the Gu Clan take notice?"

Soon Xiao Yan shook his head—it was impossible.

Ling Ying had once said that Gu Yao of the Gu Clan had already been One Star Dou Zun several years ago; with the Gu Clan's various legacies and Dou Emperor Bloodline enhancements, that man was certainly no longer just One Star Dou Zun.

If I cannot even defeat all of the Gu Clan's Young Generation, what right does a fallen Dou Emperor Family's Young Clan Leader have to demand the Gu Clan give Xun Er to me?

Though this world doesn't care about bride price, between clans, strength is everything!

Xiao Yan took two items from the Void Space: a Jade Bottle filled with blood, and a Scroll wrapped in countless black spirits.

"If I can cultivate the Emperor Soul Scripture, my Soul Force might break through to the Heavenly Realm! I might even break through to Nine Grade Alchemist!"

Xiao Yan's eyes flashed with sharpness—the Soul Sovereign could give him power!

Though Nine Grade Alchemist is not enough to make the Gu Clan tremble or worship, as a Nine Grade Alchemist, I am at least equal in status to a Gu Clan noblewoman.

"Power… both I and the Yan Alliance are still too weak!" Xiao Yan clenched his teeth, his mind involuntarily recalling the scene when Xun Er was taken—her reluctant, helpless gaze haunted him.

Thinking of Ling Quan's sneering face, of Tong Xuan Elder's shaking, pitying gaze, Xiao Yan had silently sworn that next time they met, he would make that Saint Elder's face show shock—even trembling!

"Huh." Xiao Yan exhaled slowly, calming his inner turmoil—he was not yet worthy to be angry.

With a wave of his hand, several Brocade Boxes and thousands of Medicinal Materials appeared before him; luckily, Yun Yun understood Xiao Yan and had prepared a tower-like room for him, containing not only Medicinal Materials but also Scrolls for cultivating the Three Thousand Thunder Illusion Body and the Emperor Seal Scripture.

Xiao Yan planned to seclude himself for half a year: besides refining Pills and improving his Alchemy, when tired, he would alternate with cultivating his Cultivation Method and Dou Techniques.

With a flick of his hand, a Pill Formula appeared in Xiao Yan's grasp—the first line bore four large characters: Heavenly Flame Spirit Pill.

It was a special Eight-Pill Low-Level Pill, slightly more difficult than Fuling Green Pill, capable of summoning Two-Colored to Three-Colored Pill Lightning. Its effect: after a Dou Zong consumes it, the Pill remains in the Qi Vortex, slowly releasing pure Fire Attribute Energy to accelerate cultivation, disappearing only upon reaching Nine Star Peak Dou Zong.

And when it disappears, it releases a burst of energy, increasing the chance of breaking through to Dou Zun by twenty percent.

Combined with his own cultivation, Xiao Yan estimated he could double his cultivation speed—by the time he emerged, he should advance one star.

Of course, that assumed he could successfully refine it—he had only two doses; if he failed, it would be gone.

"Xun Er, wait for me—I'm almost there."

Half a year passed in the blink of an eye; during this time, the greatest marvel of the Yun Lan Sect was the Pill Alchemy Tower where Xiao Yan resided.

Xiao Yan's Pill Alchemy Tower was struck by lightning at intervals, as if cursed by heaven.

Each time lightning struck, the Headless Silver Puppet guarding outside the tower would fly up to block the bolts, then return to stand guard at the tower's base.

For these six months, aside from one occasion when Ya Fei entered the tower with Eight-Pill Medicinal Herbs obtained by the Yan Alliance and stayed for a long while before leaving, no one else had entered.

This sparked much speculation—some believed that if Xiao Yan Master had worked faster, that time would have been sufficient.

Others who had witnessed Xiao Yan Master's astonishing feat at the Alchemist Convention countered: how could Xiao Yan Master possibly finish so quickly?

"Guess whether the Yan Pill Tower will be struck by lightning today."

"Not that soon—each strike usually happens once a month; the last one was only seven days ago."

Because it was Xiao Yan's Pill Alchemy Tower, it was named Yan Pill Tower.

Yet, an unexpected scene occurred—suddenly, the Yan Pill Tower erupted with intense lightning! The lightning originated from within!

"Kuang! What's going on?!"

"Too many strikes—backlash?"

But this scene did not last long—the silver lightning ceased.

With a creak, a long-haired man in tattered robes, covered in stubble, stepped out before everyone's stunned gazes.

Many disciples loitering at the mountain's base froze, then burst into ecstatic shouts.

"Wow! Master Xiao Yan has emerged!"

"Kuang! He's got a full beard—so manly!"

"Master Xiao Yan!!"

Xiao Yan ignored his fanatical followers screaming about wanting to bear his children; his eyes, serious, turned toward Cai Lin's chambers.

Xiao Yan had intended to cultivate longer, pushing the Three Thousand Thunder Illusion Body to a higher level, but he had suddenly sensed Cai Lin calling him and broke his seclusion early.

The Saint City of the Snake People Empire was not far from Yun Lan Mountain; with Xiao Yan's speed, it was a single step away.

"Cai Lin! Are you alright?" Xiao Yan emerged from Black Flame, eyes alert; only when he saw Cai Lin lounging peacefully on the bed did he relax.

Seeing Xiao Yan's disheveled appearance, Cai Lin's beautiful eyes flickered with mild disdain, her voice as cold as ever: "Can't you clean up before coming?"

Xiao Yan ran his hand through his wild, nest-like hair and grinned: "I was worried something was wrong with you, so I came right away."

Then, sensing Xiao Yan's cultivation, Cai Lin's eyes showed surprise: "You're Five Star Dou Zong?"

That's too fast! Weren't you only Three Star half a year ago?!

Xiao Yan nodded: "Took some Pills."

"By the way, why did you call me? Not because the baby's in trouble?"

Cai Lin's expression remained cold as ever, but when Xiao Yan asked, a hint of softness appeared on her face: "Nothing. I just emerged from seclusion; Hua She Er said you were looking for me."

"Nothing much—just wanted to see you." Xiao Yan, usually shameless, felt a touch of embarrassment.

Cai Lin's soft expression deepened slightly.

"Um, can I come a little closer?"

Cai Lin hesitated for a moment, then nodded slightly. Xiao Yan dashed forward, running from the doorway to the side of Cai Lin's bed.

Xiao Yan dared not use his Soul Force here; only when he drew near did he realize that Cai Lin had not taken human form—her legs remained as they were when he first saw her, still a serpent's tail.

The long tail swayed slowly, curled up, its seven-colored scales shimmering like a rainbow, beautiful beyond words.

"Your... your belly." Xiao Yan's expression was stunned; Cai Lin's lower abdomen had swollen. His emotions at that moment could not be described in words—inside it was his and Cai Lin's child!

Cai Lin cast Xiao Yan a cold glance and said, "This is normal!"

Xiao Yan was at a loss, his hesitant, almost fearful gesture of wanting to touch but not daring to made Cai Lin reveal a rare smile.

"The Four Great Elders said there's about half a year left." Speaking of her child, Cai Lin's beautiful eyes grew exceedingly tender as she spoke softly.

"Half a year..." But Xiao Yan felt a pang of sorrow, for he was about to depart for Zhong Yu to attend the Pill Gathering.

(End of Chapter)