Chapter 667: Nine Mystery Golden Dragon

Throughout the Yao Realm, including Xiao Yan himself, everyone looked up at the ten-thousand-zhang golden True Dragon in the sky.

At this moment, no one knew whether Xiao Yan had simply refined a pill—or had created an enormous golden dragon.

In ancient times, there had indeed been great Alchemists who refined such Golden Pills possessing autonomous life, but without doubt, when the Dou Emperors vanished, some top-tier experts vanished alongside them, and those Golden Pills disappeared as well.

This is the first Golden Pill since the Emperor An Era to possess autonomous consciousness, life, and combat power!

The massive golden dragon stretched across heaven and earth, its head larger than a mountain peak; when this colossal dragon looked down upon them, it resembled a divine dragon towering above. The light, like divine torches, made the hearts of all tremble, compelling them to kneel and worship.

"Is this really a pill? I feel like this is a golden dragon."

The golden dragon stretched across heaven and earth—this sight shocked everyone. Whether Golden Pills still existed in this world was uncertain, but no one had likely ever seen a dragon. This one, entirely golden, each scale beautiful as gold, appeared utterly real.

Among those present were many ancient monsters who had once seen the Space Ancient Dragons; this giant golden dragon bore some resemblance to them, but the Space Ancient Dragons were purple.

"Is this a Dan Beast? I've heard the Yan Alliance has two Nine-Treasure Pill Dan Beasts. The engagement ring once given to the Gu Clan's daughter was also a Dan Beast."

Seeing Xiao Yan's pill transform into a golden dragon, many were stunned—especially by the overwhelming spiritual pressure of this colossal dragon, which made those with shallow cultivation believe they had encountered a divine dragon and fall to their knees in worship.

"It should… be a Dan Beast, I'm not sure. Even the Yao Dan Tribe Leader probably couldn't say what this golden dragon truly is."

Seeing the golden dragon in the sky, no matter how talented or brilliant the strong, all would lower their proud heads. Xiao Yan's refinement of the Nine Grade Profound Pill had already shattered the arrogance and confidence of every Alchemist.

Now, Xiao Yan refined a Golden Pill—one with combat power, self-awareness, and life, as real as if heaven itself had created life. This utterly shattered the arrogance of cultivators.

The golden dragon's power was unfathomable.

You toil for a hundred, a thousand years in cultivation—and still cannot match the strength of one pill Xiao Yan refined. What's the point?!

"Ao!!"

A dragon roar shook the Yao Realm—the golden dragon, high in the heavens, let out a long howl toward the Nine Mystery Golden Thunderclouds above.

Startled by this roar, everyone suddenly remembered: the Nine Mystery Golden Thunder unique to Golden Pills had yet to strike—meaning the pill could still be shattered.

After all, the Nine Mystery Golden Thunder from a Nine-Treasure Golden Pill equaled the force of a Seven Star Dou Sheng's strike. Among those present, only the Yao Dan Tribe Leader was a Seven Star Dou Sheng—even Xiao Yan was merely a Late Six Star Dou Sheng.

"Go now. You are no longer merely a Golden Pill—you are a complete life, possessing full spiritual essence. I cannot aid you against this Pill Lightning; you must endure heaven's purification to complete your virtue." Xiao Yan, hands clasped behind his back, spoke calmly.

For ordinary Pill Lightning, Xiao Yan, as an Alchemist, would have intervened—but this Thunder Tribulation Pill, no, perhaps it should be called the Nine Mystery Golden Dragon, was no ordinary pill. It was a complete life, like the Dan Tower's Ancestor. This lightning it must face alone.

Only after enduring the Nine Mystery Golden Thunder's purification would it truly "awaken," just as it once gathered spirits in the Space Thunder Pool.

But this time was different: facing the heavenly Nine Mystery Golden Thunder, it felt no fear—even found it commonplace.

Boom!! The Nine Mystery Golden Thunderclouds above reached their limit, and with a deafening crash, a golden thunder waterfall surged down.

With a thunderous roar, the Nine Mystery Golden Dragon gripped the void with its claws and charged upward toward the thunderclouds, showing no intention to dodge the golden lightning.

Instantly, the Nine Mystery Golden Thunder waterfall crashed down—seen from afar, it resembled a golden True Dragon swimming upstream, striving to leap the Dragon Gate.

Facing the terrifying golden lightning, the Nine Mystery Golden Dragon's eyes held no fear—instead, a hint of enjoyment. Though the thunder's scourging brought pain, that pain reminded it: it was now a true life.

The Nine Mystery Golden Thunder's scourging lasted over ten minutes. As time passed, the Nine Mystery Golden Dragon finally broke through the heavenly lightning's assault and—puff! —dove into the vast thundercloud above.

Boom boom boom—the hidden Nine Mystery Golden Dragon, like the legendary Dragon King who summons clouds and rain, concealed its body atop the thunderclouds, gazing down upon all beings.

"His spiritual pressure is rising!"

Powerful figures like Hun Xu Zi and Yao Dan narrowed their pupils, their faces stunned as they watched the dark thunderclouds above—gradually realizing the golden dragon's spiritual pressure kept climbing.

"Six Star Dou Sheng early stage, mid stage, late stage… Seven Star Dou Sheng?!" The Elder Shennong's aged face twisted in shock. Seven Star Dou Sheng—that was high-level Dou Sheng! Even Yao Dan, the Yao Clan Leader, was only Mid Seven Star Dou Sheng!

"Not yet—it hasn't stopped!" Yao Dan's eyes sharpened with gravity; he sensed the spiritual pressure still rising.

Even Hun Xu Zi now stared, dumbfounded. Seven Star Dou Sheng! In the Gu Clan, there were no more than five such experts above Seven Star Dou Sheng!

Naturally, Xiao Yan, the creator, felt no surprise—his heart remained calm. After all, the Nine Mystery Golden Thunder had already reached Seven Star Dou Sheng strength within the Space Thunder Pool. Though Xiao Yan had taken half its energy, he later absorbed much more during the pill refinement.

Added to that, he had fed it a Nine Grade Profound Pill—so the Nine Mystery Golden Dragon's power had at least restored to its original level.

Finally, the Nine Mystery Golden Dragon's spiritual pressure stabilized at the peak of Seven Star Dou Sheng.

"Peak Seven Star Dou Sheng…" Yao Dan looked up at the vast thunderclouds, then turned his head toward the quiet figure standing nearby—the "culprit." Gazing at the silver robe fluttering in the wind, Yao Dan's lips trembled as he murmured: "Yao Chen… ah, our Yao Clan made a grave mistake."

Hearing their Clan Leader's two sighs, every Yao Clan Elder lowered their heads in shame. The Yao Clan had unquestionably become the greatest loser of this Pill Ceremony.

If Xiao Yan had summoned Xing Tian, the Yao Clan might still have believed their Seven Star Dou Sheng mid-stage Clan Leader, Yao Dan, could fight both Xiao Yan and Xing Tian alone—and not lose to the Yan Alliance. But now, if the Yao Clan truly fought the Yan Alliance, they had zero chance of victory.

Xiao Yan was no longer merely a Six Star Dou Sheng—he was a genuine Nine-Treasure Golden Pill Grandmaster Alchemist!

The undisputed First Alchemist of the Dou Qi Continent.

His influence surpassed Yao Dan's.

Below, Yao Wan Gui clenched his fist—crack! —he slapped himself hard: "Ah."

A fallen Dou Emperor Family Young Clan Leader, whose Alchemy master was a discarded Yao Clan outcast—this combination had somehow achieved such greatness.

It was too dramatic. Many present felt unreal, as if dreaming.

The Yao Clan's status as the top Alchemy force had now changed hands. As Cao Ying had said, the pinnacle of Dou Qi Continent Alchemy would soon lie within the Yan Alliance.

With Xiao Yan's current status and influence, he could now stand equal to Gu Yuan and Hun Tian Di.

Previously, when Dou Emperor Families sought pills, their first thought was Yao Dan—because he was the First Alchemist of the Dou Qi Continent. Even if he couldn't refine Nine-Treasure Golden Pills, there was no alternative.

Hence, during the Pill Ceremony, the Yao Clan had barred him from participating—fearing his status as First Alchemist would be usurped.

But now, whether he participated or not no longer mattered—even the haughty Hun Xu Zi now conceded.

If Hun Xu Zi could reach Imperial Soul, he might refine a Nine-Treasure Golden Pill—but only an ordinary one. He could never reach this level unless he became a Dou Emperor.

Of course, Xiao Yan himself could never create a second Nine Mystery Golden Dragon—the original source of the Nine Mystery Golden Thunder was unique in the world.

But undeniably, Xiao Yan could refine Nine-Treasure Golden Pills.

"Has the Yan Alliance's status now surpassed the Yan Clan and Lei Clan, ranking only below the Gu Clan and Soul Sovereign?" An elder suddenly realized.

"The Yao Clan stood alongside the Lei Clan and Yan Clan solely because its Alchemy was supreme, possessing Yao Dan, the First Alchemist. Now the First Alchemist is Xiao Yan—and he can refine Nine-Treasure Golden Pills! The Lei Clan and Yan Clan truly cannot match the Yan Alliance."

Instantly, the Guang Chang erupted in heated murmurs—no one had expected to witness the Yan Alliance's sudden resurgence!

Humm—the thunderclouds shattered into streaks of golden light. The Nine Mystery Golden Dragon poked its head out, gazing at Xiao Yan—then, in a flash of lightning, its ten-thousand-zhang body and mountain-sized head appeared before Xiao Yan, staring at him.

"I've already received my payment for refining the pill. You are free." Xiao Yan had been paid for his service—the half of the Nine Mystery Golden Thunder's energy he took was his fee.

With that half of the golden thunder's energy, Xiao Yan could slowly refine it over time—and his cultivation would rise significantly.

The golden dragon's nine mystic eyes fixed on Xiao Yan's gaze; at this moment, it was like a newly born beast, irrevocably imprinting the first being it saw into its heart. And moreover, Xiao Yan was its great benefactor—indeed, one could call him its savior.

Roar! The nine mystic golden dragon let out a mighty bellow, then instantly transformed into a small golden dragon about half a meter long, which merged into Xiao Yan's arm, becoming a golden dragon tattoo embedded upon it.

Xiao Yan also smiled and shook his head; the nine mystic golden dragon was indeed proud, believing that Xiao Yan's assistance in gathering its spirit and forging its Golden Pill body was insufficient repayment, and so it decided to guard Xiao Yan for a hundred years before deciding where to go.

With such a nine mystic golden dragon as an ally, Xiao Yan naturally had no reason to refuse.

After reclaiming the nine mystic golden dragon, Xiao Yan bowed to the three figures in the sky—Hun Xu Zi, Shen Nong Old Man, and Yao Wanhuo—and said, "Three seniors, I owe you my thanks."

Shen Nong Old Man and Yao Wanhuo both shook their heads with bitter smiles; the Yao Scripture required no judge, for the outcome was obvious to all.

"Each generation produces its own talents. Xiao Yan, your mastery in Pill Alchemy is truly breathtaking; within the Pill Alchemy world, no one will rival you for a thousand years. The title of First Alchemist is yours without dispute." Shen Nong Old Man gestured with his hand, and the green Sea of Fire above the sky transformed into a medicinal herb cane, landing in his grasp. He looked at Xiao Yan and smiled.

"Yao Chen truly raised an extraordinary disciple. Had I known this earlier, I never should have allowed Yao Wan Gui to act recklessly back then—it was our mistake." Yao Wanhuo knew exactly what words Xiao Yan wanted to hear.

Upon hearing this, many Yao Clan Elders wore complex expressions, exchanging glances, and could only sigh inwardly; at this moment, no matter how proud they were, they had no choice but to submit.

Then Xiao Yan turned to Hun Xu Zi beside him. Hun Xu Zi, sensing Xiao Yan's gaze, could only wear an expression of helplessness—he was truly outmatched.

But soon, Hun Xu Zi remembered something, and a flicker of strange light passed through his eyes.

"Xiao Yan, the title of First Alchemist of Dou Qi Continent is yours now, and I doubt anyone would object." At this moment, Yao Dan wore a faint smile, bowing to Xiao Yan without adopting the demeanor of a senior.

The capable come first; Xiao Yan was unquestionably their senior now.

"Clan Leader Yao, you are too kind. My master is Yao Chen; when he was young, he also studied within the Yao Clan, so there is some connection between him and your clan." Xiao Yan replied politely.

Hearing this, Yao Dan's expression softened slightly, and he nodded inwardly.

Yet just as Yao Dan was about to speak further, Hun Xu Zi let out a strange laugh: "Jie jie jie, Clan Leader Yao, since the Yao Scripture has ended, my Soul Sovereign has a transaction to propose—would you care to hear it?"

"Oh?" Yao Dan's brow furrowed slightly as he studied Hun Xu Zi's expression; a hint of caution rose within him.

"Go on."

Seeing this, Hun Xu Zi's smile grew even more sinister. He licked his lips, and the words that followed caused every member of the Yao Clan—including Xiao Yan—to turn pale.

"My Soul Sovereign wishes to temporarily borrow the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade held by the Yao Clan!"

A single stone stirred a thousand waves.

As Hun Xu Zi's words fell, the Guang Chang, which had just been boiling with excitement over the emergence of the Grade Nine Golden Pill, fell utterly silent. In an instant, every Yao Clan Elder's face darkened, their eyes flashing with icy blades.

The Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade was held by each of the Ancient Eight Tribes, each treating it as a priceless treasure, carefully guarded—even ordinary Elders were forbidden from seeing it. Those unaware might have been oblivious, but those who knew regarded Hun Xu Zi as if he were mad; how could the Yao Clan possibly lend such a treasure to him?!

(End of Chapter)