Chapter 484: The Oddity of the Cultivation World

Three months passed in a flash, and Xiao Yan finally refined all the Nine-Headed Heavenly Snake Marrow Blood.

Xiao Yan, who had long since reached Three-Star Peak Dou Zun, directly broke through to Five-Star Dou Zun, fueled by the energy of the Dou Saint Essence Blood and the Heavenly Grade Mid-Level Burning Scripture.

"Five-Star Dou Zun." Xiao Yan slowly stood up, clenched his fist—the marrow blood was scarce, but enough to bring him to the Five-Star Dou Zun level.

Merely clenching and unclenching his fist caused subtle distortions in space; with his current strength, facing the Black and White Heavenly Venerables together, he wouldn't even need to use a Dou Technique—just his physical strength and understanding of space would be enough to defeat them.

After all, Xiao Yan possessed eleven Strange Fires and the Heavenly Grade Mid-Level Burning Scripture; the Strange Fires subtly enhanced his physique, and combined with the battle qi from the Heavenly Grade Mid-Level cultivation method, he was overwhelmingly powerful.

Xiao Yan could fight across tiers largely because his cultivation method was several grades higher than his opponents'.

A Heavenly Grade Mid-Level cultivation method! That probably even Ghost Darkness didn't have—only the Great Heavenly Venerable or the Vice Hall Master might be worthy of possessing it.

Xiao Yan took out three Pure Lotus Demon Flame Remnant Maps from his storage ring, staring at the fragment missing a corner, he sighed again and again.

"Why does it always miss just one?" Xiao Yan groaned, feeling as if the treasure mountain lay right ahead—but the bridge had broken.

"You said it would bring qi circulation—can you even do it, Xuan Huang Flame?" Xiao Yan muttered in frustration.

Although Xiao Yan had ordered Ya Fei to vigorously expand the Miter Guild and secretly collect these ancient remnant maps, after such a long time, the final fragment's whereabouts remained undiscovered.

"The Pure Lotus Demon Flame is out of reach." Xiao Yan could now only glance at it occasionally, daydreaming about one day suddenly finding the last fragment on the ground.

After putting away the remnant maps, two yin-yang fish swam around Xiao Yan, the white fish's mouth still holding the Ancient Token from Xun Er's Gu Clan invitation.

"To evolve the Burning Scripture to Heavenly Rank Advanced Grade, I'll truly need Ancestor's help—to find the other two Strange Fires he obtained."

After evolving the Burning Scripture to Heavenly Grade Mid-Level, Xiao Yan refined the Three Thousand Yan Flame; though it didn't trigger evolution, his experience points increased.

If one of the two remaining Strange Fires Ancestor possesses is truly the eighth-ranked Crimson Lotus Karma Fire, then the chance of the Burning Scripture evolving to Heavenly Rank Advanced Grade becomes very high.

Ancestor Xiao Xuan exists in the Heavenly Tomb in a special form; if he could lend his aid, finding Strange Fires would become far easier.

"More than a year remains until the Heavenly Tomb opens—I can't rely on finding another Strange Fire now. Then I'll have to…" Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed.

Alchemists level up through elixirs! What else would they rely on?

In a small valley within the Mo Shou Shan Mai, a giant beast, its entire body radiating purple light, lay sprawled on the grass, basking in the sunlight.

The Lion King, already at Seven Rank Peak, naturally ruled vast territories; Cai Lin had not fully seized the Mo Shou Shan Mai, leaving large stretches for the beasts to roam freely.

The young Lion King, newly entered into Seven Rank, had no interest in such matters—he now served as guardian of this small valley, spending his days lounging and basking in the sun.

"Hmm?" The young Lion King's ears twitched, slowly rising to gaze at a patch of space; soon, a space wormhole appeared, and Xiao Yan, clad in an Alchemist Long Robe, stepped out through the space channel.

"Roar! Roar!" The young Lion King bellowed a few times, then affectionately approached Xiao Yan. Though capable of transformation, most beasts preferred their natural forms.

Even Cai Lin usually remained in her human form with a serpent tail.

Xiao Yan stroked the young Lion King's soft fur and laughed: "Hahaha, good boy. Where's Xiao Yixian?"

Every time Xiao Yan came to the small valley, he never used Soul Force Perception—it was extremely impolite; what if Xiao Yixian was bathing or changing clothes?

Xiao Yan couldn't necessarily hide his presence from Xiao Yixian's perception.

Thus, in this small valley, Soul Force Perception was strictly forbidden—in a sense, this place was also a Forbidden Land of the Yan Alliance.

Because here lived a Tian Di Xuan Bian.

"Roar!" The young Lion King roared toward the sky, then gazed toward the pill field where medicinal materials were grown; Xiao Yan, without using a Body Technique, walked step by step toward the pill field, appreciating the pleasant scenery along the way.

When Xiao Yan reached the pill field, he saw Xiao Yixian, dressed in a white robe, manually digging soil to plant a medicinal herb.

Then Xiao Yixian poured a special spirit liquid from a jade bottle to accelerate its growth.

Xiao Yixian naturally knew Xiao Yan had arrived; she smiled at him, then continued tending to the precious herb.

Watching Xiao Yixian plant herbs, Xiao Yan quietly smiled, gazing at this scene.

Xiao Yixian's robe was pure white, embroidered by her own hands with a white lotus; though simple, it carried a quiet elegance and freshness.

Her bright, clear eyes, utterly free of the Eternal Calamity Poison, made her appear even more radiant—like a pure lotus in a secluded valley, refined, graceful, tranquil, and serene, radiating a gentle, jade-like warmth.

This tranquility, even for someone as busy as Xiao Yan, slowly calmed his heart, allowing him to peacefully savor this peace.

Feeling this stillness and the herbal fragrance around him was more effective than any elixir in settling Xiao Yan's mind; only when an Alchemist's mind was calm could he refine better pills and advance his alchemy further.

That was why Xiao Yan came to the small valley—it was perfect for pill alchemy.

Not only was the environment serene, but more importantly, Xiao Yixian was here.

Finally, Xiao Yixian activated a faint Space Lock, slowly gathering heavenly energy in a precise ratio—this planting technique was likely rare in the world.

Seeing it completed, Xiao Yixian finally exhaled, confirmed everything was safe, and let out a long, relieved breath.

Seeing Xiao Yixian finish, Xiao Yan smiled and said: "Crystal Zero Spoon Medicine—this medicinal material is extremely hard to cultivate, exceedingly rare; how did you manage to grow it alive?"

Xiao Yixian couldn't help but smile; her smile was tranquil and serene: "It's just a Five-Grade medicinal material—nothing as extraordinary as you make it sound."

The two walked together to the same thatched cottage; seeing the alchemy furnace inside, Xiao Yan sniffed and laughed: "You blew up the furnace again?"

Xiao Yan saw through her at once; Xiao Yixian's cheeks flushed slightly—her alchemy talent was merely average, and since she lacked fire attribute battle qi, she relied entirely on Strange Fires to refine, making furnace explosions especially common.

Xiao Yixian had only recently completed refining the Calamity Poison Pill, her strength surging to Seven Star Peak Dou Zun; she simply didn't care much about increasing her power—if she wanted to, her strength would skyrocket.

"Refine another batch for me."

During his days in the small valley, Xiao Yan enjoyed rare peace; after teaching Xiao Yixian pill alchemy, he began refining himself.

"Let's start with a Five-Colored Pill Lightning to warm up." Xiao Yan took out Black Demon, then pulled out a large quantity of medicinal materials; only someone like him could call refining a Five-Colored Pill Lightning Eight Grade Pill "warming up."

Within just three days, storm clouds gathered in the sky—as Xiao Yan predicted, this was an Eight Grade Pill that summoned Five-Colored Pill Lightning.

The Pill Lightning posed no problem; Xing Tian absorbed it effortlessly.

"Good condition." Xiao Yan glanced at the pill, nodded, and stored it away; then, after a moment's thought, he began refining the Wild Beast Heavenly Spirit Pill—a pill capable of summoning Six or even Seven Colored Pill Lightning.

He planned to refine one for Cai Lin, but this wasn't his ultimate goal this time—his target was the Eight Grade Peak pill, the Chengzun Spirit Pill, capable of summoning Nine Color Pill Thunder.

This pill had the same effect as the Dou King Pill or the Imperial Ultimate Pill or the Zong Shi Pill—it could elevate a Dou Zun by one star. But Eight Grade Pills were unique: their potency could be judged by the number of colored Pill Lightning they summoned.

For the Chengzun Spirit Pill, the pill's grade varied greatly: the lowest could summon only Seven Colored Pill Lightning, suitable only for Dou Zun below Three-Star; if it summoned Eight Colored Pill Lightning, it suited those below Six-Star; if it summoned Nine Color Pill Thunder, even an Eight-Star Dou Zun could ascend one star.

The value of an Eight Grade Pill heavily depended on how many colored Pill Lightning it summoned; thus, during transactions, a pill's worth was measured not by whether it was Mid or High Grade Eight, but by how many colored Pill Lightning it summoned.

The more colored Pill Lightning, the higher the quality, the more precious the pill.

And the Dan Beast? That was the pinnacle among the pinnacle.

Among Eight Grade Pills, the most popular is the Chengzun Spirit Pill; one Chengzun Spirit Pill can reduce a Dou Zun's cultivation time by over a decade, even several decades—imagine its appeal.

As for the Nine Revolution Heaven Changing Pill of the Three Heavenly Elders, it absolutely summons Nine Color Pill Thunder, making it even more advanced and difficult than the Chengzun Spirit Pill; moreover, Xiao Yan must purchase its Pill Formula from Dan Tower—let's put that off for now.

After Xiao Yan's Soul Force reached the Heavenly Realm, he no longer needed a month to refine the Wild Beast Heavenly Spirit Pill; with experience, he succeeded on the first try, taking less than half a month.

However, Xiao Yan did not immediately begin refining the Chengzun Spirit Pill; instead, he first rested, stepped out of the Cave, and happened to see Xiao Yixian lighting a fire to cook—fragrant meals made Xiao Yan's mouth water.

At the dining table, Xiao Yan and Xiao Yixian chatted; their interactions were always harmonious and tranquil. When not refining Pills, Xiao Yan exchanged knowledge about Medicinal Materials with Xiao Yixian, discussed herbs, and taught her Pill Alchemy.

Three days later, Xiao Yan resumed his Pill Alchemy; the Chengzun Spirit Pill was a new challenge for him—if he could refine one that summoned Nine Color Pill Thunder, he would qualify as an Eight Grade Peak Alchemist.

Keep in mind, even Pill Giants are merely Eight Grade Peak Alchemists; although they might refine the Nine Revolution Heaven Changing Pill that summons Nine Color Pill Thunder, it remains the same tier.

Even Xiao Yan, with Fire Control Power reaching Ji Pin Dan Yao and a Heavenly Realm Soul, still found refining the Chengzun Spirit Pill extremely difficult—a tremendous challenge.

Xiao Yan exhausted six batches of Medicinal Materials before finally, after over a month, refining a perfect-quality Chengzun Spirit Pill.

It wasn't that Xiao Yan failed so many times—he failed only twice at the start; the rest succeeded, with two summoning Seven Colored Pill Thunder, one summoning Eight Color Pill Thunder, and on the sixth attempt, he finally refined a Chengzun Spirit Pill that summoned Nine Color Pill Thunder!

Xiao Yan gazed at the churning storm clouds above, then slowly lowered his head to look at the Black Demon before him; this was the most Medicinal Materials he had ever expended in his life.

In the past, when Xiao Yan broke through his Alchemy, he relied on the Black Demon's power to boost his success rate; but as he had thought during the Pill Gathering, the Medicinal Sage's legacy had reached its limit.

Now, the Black Demon could offer Xiao Yan almost no help; after his Soul Force reached the Heavenly Realm, the Black Demon's ability to focus and stabilize his spirit became useless.

By the time he reaches Ji Pin Dan Yao, treasures like the Black Demon and the Ten Thousand Beasts Cauldron will become ordinary Alchemy Furnaces, offering no special effects—only capable of withstanding the energy of Ji Pin Dan Yao without shattering.

After all, the Black Demon ranks only eighth on the Heavenly Cauldron List.

Xiao Yan gently wiped the Black Demon, then, with heartfelt gratitude, returned it to the Void Space.

Nine Color Pill Thunder raged like the end of the world; even Xing Tian, at Two Star Dou Zun strength, seemed on the verge of collapse.

Yet Xing Tian absorbed some of the Three Thousand Yan Flame's power and barely withstood the bombardment of Nine Color Pill Thunder.

After securing the Pill, Xiao Yan looked at Xing Tian before him and frowned, murmuring: "Xing Tian is nearing his limit. Even after being tempered by Heavenly Flame, his material constraints mean that even with further absorption, his ceiling is Three Star Dou Zun—he cannot break through the small barrier between three and four."

Xing Tian was originally just a toy Xiao Yan made for fun; at the Dou Zun level, many things simply cannot keep up. After all, the Dou Saint level is exceptionally rare—most on the Dou Qi Continent never reach it.

If Black Demon Thunder struck, Xing Tian would shatter completely.

Xiao Yan gave it no further thought, stored Xing Tian, and walked to the Small Valley; having refined the perfect-quality Chengzun Spirit Pill, he planned to cultivate a Dou Technique.

But plans often fail against fate—soon after Xiao Yan finished refining the Pill, Ya Fei arrived.

"Heavenly Rank Dou Technique?!" Xiao Yan's eyes widened in shock.

Ya Fei, equally grave, nodded and said: "Yes, an Ancient Ruin has surfaced in Shou Yu; the entire Zhong Zhou is in an uproar. Rumors say it's a Semi-Sage Ruin, containing a Heaven Tier Low Grade Dou Technique."

Hearing the words "Heavenly Rank Dou Technique," Xiao Yan's heart thudded violently.

Keep in mind: Xiao Yan, he, has no Heavenly Rank Dou Technique!

Not a single one!

He possesses techniques rivaling Heavenly Rank Dou Techniques, even the rare Heavenly Rank Flying Dou Technique; he has cultivated Heaven Grade Advanced Soul Dou Technique, Heaven Grade Mid-Level Cultivation Method, and Heavenly Rank Soul Cultivation Technique.

Yet stubbornly! The most common Dou Technique—he has none of Heavenly Rank!

A true oddity of cultivation!

He owns the most expensive, the rarest—but lacks the most ordinary, the easiest to obtain!

His Qi Circulation has a flaw!

Seeing Xiao Yan's excited expression, Ya Fei covered her mouth and smiled, glancing at him tenderly: "It appears to be an Ancient Tomb-type Ruin; due to its age, the Space Seal has shattered, revealing the hidden Ancient Ruin."

"According to today's reports, several Magical Beast Families have ventured inside, but all returned in disarray. Whether a Heavenly Rank Dou Technique truly exists there can only be confirmed by entering it."

"But the likelihood is high."

Xiao Yan swallowed hard—he was precisely in need of a Heavenly Rank Dou Technique; his current techniques, Eight Extreme Crush and Flame Splitting Wave Ruler, were wearing him out!

It was time to cultivate a Heaven Tier Low Grade Dou Technique!

The allure of a Heavenly Rank Dou Technique—even the lowest grade—would draw most Dou Zun powerhouses to rush toward it.

Generally, Dou Zun at Six Star or Seven Star level possess the strength to acquire Heavenly Rank Dou Techniques; such Ancient Ruins occasionally appear in Zhong Zhou.

Thus, high-level Dou Zun above Seven Star usually focus their efforts on Heavenly Rank Cultivation Methods, no longer competing for Dou Techniques.

Greed leads to indigestion.

Yet Xiao Yan is an oddity—he ignores Heavenly Rank Cultivation Methods entirely!

"I'll go with you," Xiao Yixian walked over slowly, offering a serene smile.

With her cultivation at Seven Star Peak Dou Zun, Xiao Yixian could sweep through such a Semi-Sage Ruin; she typically waits in Space, emerging only at the final moment to claim the Heavenly Rank Dou Technique—summoned by a Space Jade Slip as the final trump card!

A hidden ace!

Xiao Yan nodded; he had experience. In such Ruins, early battles are fought by Three Star, Four Star, and Five Star Dou Zun; only at the final stage do major Factions shatter their Space Jade Slips to summon reinforcements.

What good is raw power? In this world, connections matter!

Even Nine-Star Dou Zun might appear; with her current strength, Xiao Yixian could fight even a Nine-Star Dou Zun.

Hearing Xiao Yixian's words, Ya Fei's eyes dimmed slightly; she walked beside Xiao Yan and gently tidied his clothes, whispering: "Sister can't accompany you—be careful."

"Ya Fei-sister, you've helped me so much already," Xiao Yan gently embraced Ya Fei.

After confirming their next journey, Xiao Yan did not rush to depart; instead, he had the Miter Guild gather all possible intelligence on the Ancient Ruin—sharpening the axe saves chopping time; with complete information, the mission would proceed smoothly.

He also recalled the "old treasure," Heavenly Flame Zunzhe, for his experience still held value.

Xiao Yan specially refined a more potent recovery Pill for Heavenly Flame Zunzhe, restoring him fully to his former Five-Star Peak Dou Zun strength.

Unfortunately, Cai Lin and Qing Lin were still in seclusion; otherwise, Shou Yu would have suited them perfectly.

"Hai Lao, interested in joining me on this journey to the Ancient Dou Saint Ruins?" Xiao Yan asked, smiling at Hai Bodong, who sat sipping tea in the Hall.

Hai Bodong froze in surprise—he was currently at Eight Star Dou Zong, still not a Dou Zun!

But soon, Hai Bodong's spirit swelled; knowing Xiao Yan had full confidence, he swept his sleeve and declared: "Ha! Since you ask, I'll accompany you on this trip!"