Chapter 750: Ancient Myriad Grassland

More than a month had passed, and the strange tomb that had fallen from the sky had spread across the entire Ning Tian Continent—not just the Western Realm, but even the other three stronger realms had sent powerful figures to come.

Added to this, after the Eight-Grade Spirit Array Grandmaster Zhu Ye was defeated, the Western Realm had no one who could resist the powerful sects from other realms; the Four Domains and the Two Major Sects of the Western Realm were now being swallowed up by other powerful sects.

Though Western Region City still buzzed with activity, other regions were engulfed in war; sects across the Ning Tian Continent were seizing the territories of the Four Domains, all while trying not to offend other top-tier sects.

And this chaos was precisely what Xiao Yan needed.

After putting away the elixirs, Xiao Yan left the Dan Shen Clan's elixir shop, but before the old man of the Dan Shen Clan could even blink, Xiao Yan and his companions slowly walked toward the opposite store and spoke those familiar words.

"Boss, give me one of each elixir here."

!!!!!!!!???????

Not only was the Dan Shen Clan elder stunned, but even the owner of the Ancient Myriad Grassland doubted whether he had heard wrong—whether he was hallucinating—how could the same thing have happened again?

"He's buying it all over again?" Some curious onlookers widened their eyes, asking in confusion.

"What's he doing? Collecting them?"

Hearing that Xiao Yan wanted to buy every elixir from the Ancient Myriad Grassland too, the shop owner finally understood something, smiling faintly as he used spiritual energy to whisper: "Forgive my boldness, but sir, are you perhaps an Alchemist?"

He had not been certain of Xiao Yan's identity before, but now it seemed clear: Xiao Yan was very likely a lone cultivator who had inherited an ancient Alchemist lineage.

Due to the blockade by the Dan Shen Clan and the Ancient Myriad Grassland, some Alchemists who had inherited ancient knowledge refused to join either faction—or were rejected by them—and instead purchased elixirs from both to study them, hoping to gain spiritual insight and create new Pill Formulas.

But no one had ever seen someone like Xiao Yan, who wanted every elixir from Common Grade One to Spiritual Grade One.

Beneath his black robe, Xiao Yan merely gave a faint smile, neither answering nor denying.

Seeing Xiao Yan would not answer, the Ancient Myriad Grassland shop owner wisely nodded and brought out every type of elixir. The elixirs sold by both shops were nearly identical—Spiritual Level elixirs were all for healing, strengthening, or cultivation enhancement; the only difference was that the Ancient Myriad Grassland did not sell Sovereign Elixirs, but instead offered Zhen Ling Dan, a pill that accelerated spiritual energy absorption.

This Spiritual Grade Three elixir was suitable for cultivators below Three-Star Sovereign, and its effect was simple: during its duration (one month), the efficiency of absorbing Heavenly Earth Spirit Qi increased tenfold.

Even after the effect faded, the user's Spiritual Veins remained activated for the next year, increasing spiritual energy absorption speed by double.

"Zhen Ling Dan is a Spiritual Grade Three elixir, and the only one of its kind in our shop—the only one on the entire Ning Tian Continent—priced at one hundred thousand Sovereign Spirit Liquids."

"One hundred thousand!!!" Hearing this, some onlookers dropped their melons in shock—one pill for one hundred thousand Sovereign Spirit Liquids? Isn't this robbery?! No, it's even worse than robbery!

A low-grade Divine Weapon was worth only a few tens of thousands of Sovereign Spirit Liquids—this one pill could nearly buy a mid-grade Divine Weapon!

Spiritual Artifacts and Divine Weapons enhanced combat power and could be used indefinitely as long as they weren't destroyed, passed down through generations. But elixirs? Once used, they're gone.

Xiao Yan hesitated not at all—he bought the Zhen Ling Dan, for he knew this investment would yield a return of millions of times over in the future!

But just as Xiao Yan was about to pay, a loud, arrogant laugh suddenly rang out: "I'll take the Zhen Ling Dan."

Before the words had fully faded, an old man and a young man stepped into the shop—the youth had just spoken.

The youth strode forward with an ethereal gait; behind him followed an elderly man in gray robes. Though the old man tried to suppress his aura, every wisp that escaped made even seasoned cultivators tremble.

Though dressed only in yellow, the youth radiated imperial majesty—his bearing was noble, his eyebrows sharp as swords, his eyes bright as stars, his slender frame towering above all others, like a crane among chickens.

Seeing his attire and appearance, some powerful experts from beyond the Western Realm paled and whispered in astonishment: "That's You Hao!"

"Who's You Hao? I've never heard of him."

"He's the Young Master of the Eastern Realm's Tian Huang Sect—the Young Emperor You Hao. You wouldn't know his name in the Western Realm. Since he was fifteen, he commanded a vast territory for Tian Huang Sect, leading a million troops, earning great glory for the sect. Half a year ago, he broke through into the Sovereign Realm—yet here he is, meddling in the chaos of the fallen tomb in the Western Realm!"

Young Emperor You Hao advanced slowly, his imperial aura radiating, his presence impossible to ignore—even though he and his gray-robed elder both kept a low profile, they still stood out like cranes among chickens.

You Hao stepped forward, his gaze locking onto the brocade box in the Ancient Myriad Grassland owner's hand. But he knew the power of this shop and dared not offend it—he bowed politely and said: "Shopkeeper, I'm willing to pay more for the Zhen Ling Dan."

Seeing this, Xiao Yan internally sighed and rubbed his nose. He'd been so discreet—how could he still attract trouble?!

Beside him, Xun Er and Xiao Yixian covered their mouths, stifling laughter—they were used to this. Back in Wutan City, buying things was blocked by Gabriel; buying the Yun Ling Dust copper plates was obstructed; even buying medicinal materials for the Sect Grand Meeting drew interference.

Xiao Yan's special physique was as notorious as the Eternal Calamity Poison.

Xiao Yan's eyes sharpened slightly, smiling sweetly at You Hao: "So you mean to buy it?"

"One hundred thousand Sovereign Spirit Liquids for a Zhen Ling Dan crafted by the Ancient Myriad Grassland? Worth it!" You Hao smiled faintly, utterly dismissing Xiao Yan.

The Eastern Realm was far stronger than the Western Realm—the Western Realm was the weakest of the Four Realms, sustained only by Zhu Ye's existence as an Eight-Grade Spirit Array Grandmaster. Though Zhu Ye never sought to rule the Western Realm, other realms' sects tacitly accepted him as its overlord.

One hundred thousand Sovereign Spirit Liquids was no small sum for Tian Huang Sect—but not enough to cripple them. As Young Sect Master, You Hao could easily afford it.

"Shopkeeper, I'll take the Zhen Ling Dan—pack it for me!" You Hao glanced at Xiao Yan with a sneer, then pulled out a jade bottle containing one hundred and ten thousand Sovereign Spirit Liquids, thinking: "With this Zhen Ling Dan, I'll break through to Two-Star Sovereign within a year."

But to everyone's shock, the Ancient Myriad Grassland owner shook his head: "I'm sorry, sir, but this Zhen Ling Dan was first requested by this gentleman. Unless he declines, we can only sell it to him."

"You!" Hearing this, You Hao's face darkened, his voice cold: "I'll offer one hundred and twenty thousand Sovereign Spirit Liquids."

"This isn't about Sovereign Spirit Liquids," the owner replied, smiling politely, bowing slightly—but his eyes held no respect for You Hao whatsoever.

Even the entire Ning Tian Continent paled beside a single corner of the Ancient Myriad Grassland.

Hearing this, Xiao Yan too was surprised—he hadn't paid yet, meaning the elixirs weren't his yet; the owner had every right to sell to the highest bidder. Two extra ten thousand Sovereign Spirit Liquids was no trivial sum.

Yet this shopkeeper was defending him—something was deeply off.

Meanwhile, the Dan Shen Clan elder's expression cleared—he now understood why the owner acted this way.

Xiao Yan politely said: "Then thank you, shopkeeper. I'll take the Zhen Ling Dan too—at one hundred and twenty thousand Sovereign Spirit Liquids."

Xiao Yan was this way: if others treated him with courtesy, he returned it tenfold. One or two ten thousand Sovereign Spirit Liquids meant nothing to him and his companions.

Though they currently had little capital, remember—Cai Lin and Xun Er were both Seven-Star Sovereigns; Zhu Kun and Gu Yuan were Ninth-Star Sovereigns. If Xiao Yan hadn't wanted to avoid drawing attention from other continents—fearing the notice of Earth Supremes or even Heaven Supremes—their strength could have swept the entire Ning Tian Continent.

The owner smiled and waved his hand: "No need. The price is one hundred thousand Sovereign Spirit Liquids—it stays one hundred thousand."

"All the elixirs total one hundred and sixty thousand Sovereign Spirit Liquids. The Common Grade elixirs are a gift from our shop to you, sir."

"You!" Hearing the owner give Xiao Yan a discount, You Hao's face turned livid. He glared furiously—but the owner remained utterly calm, as if unaware of his rage.

In the end, You Hao merely let out a heavy snort and swept his robe aside as he left. Though he had been aggressive, he still understood basic rules: the Ancient Myriad Grassland was beyond the reach of Tian Huang Sect—even if his gray-robed elder was a Five-Star Sovereign, far stronger than the shopkeeper, it made no difference.

Beside him, Qiao Shihong, like a subordinate, trembled violently—he had never felt Sovereign wrath so close!

"No gift without merit. Elder, if you have something to say, I'm willing to listen." After handing over the Sovereign Spirit Liquids, Xiao Yan sat down.

Since the man had shown him goodwill, Xiao Yan had no objection to spending a little time hearing what the elder wished to say.

The elder waved his hand, activating a Spirit Array that blocked all eavesdropping, then bowed to Xiao Yan: "I am Zhao Feng, Elder of the Zhao Clan of the Ancient Myriad Grassland. I sincerely invite you to join us."

One more chapter left—come back tomorrow morning.

(End of Chapter)