Word Count: 2,787 Words
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The three leaders gasped sharply, and even the Amethyst Winged Lion King revealed an astonished expression.
This guy's alchemy skills have improved way too fast!
It seems he'll be able to refine the Body Transformation Pill soon!
Old Yin Gu and the other two saw intense greed mingled with surprise in each other's eyes.
The Emperor Heaven Pill could allow a 9-star Dou King to break through to the Dou Emperor realm with 100% certainty. The Zong Breaking Pill was of the same tier, both being peak tier 6 pills. However, its effect was to increase the chances of breaking through to the Dou Ancestor realm, typically raising the odds by 10-20%.
Combined with one's own considerable strength, there was a certain chance of breaking through to Dou Ancestor. So although using a high-quality Zong Breaking Pill didn't guarantee 100% success, the rate wasn't low either.
Generally, Dou Emperor cultivators had four goals throughout this stage. The first goal was to find a Low Di Class Dou Technique. After all, for Dou Emperors, the difference between opponents most likely came down to their Dou Techniques. A Dou Emperor possessing a Di Class Dou Technique was naturally stronger.
The second goal was to obtain a Mighty Huang Pill. The earlier one increased their strength and the younger they reached peak 9-star Dou Emperor, the higher their chances of breaking through to Dou Ancestor would naturally be.
The third goal was to find a Di Class Qi Method. As seen from the battle between Xiao Yan and Han Feng, the gap between Qi Methods was even more significant than the difference in cultivation level. The disparity between a Di Class Qi Method and a Xuan Class Qi Method was terrifying, as the quality of Dou Qi was on a completely different level.
Among advanced Dou Emperors, the side possessing a Di Class Qi Method would utterly crush the one without.
And the ultimate aim of Dou Emperors was undoubtedly to break through to Dou Ancestor. Naturally, the Zong Breaking Pill was the ultimate pursuit of all Dou Emperors.
Even though none of the three, including Old Yin Gu, had reached 9-star Dou Emperor yet and were still far from being able to use the Zong Breaking Pill, that didn't stop them from wanting it!
Gulp.
Tie Wu, the rough and burly leader of the Wild Lion Gang, swallowed nervously and said, "Little Clan Leader Xiao, can you really refine the Zong Breaking Pill?"
Xiao Yan put away the Emperor Heaven Pill, smiled faintly, and said, "You don't need to know whether I can refine the Zong Breaking Pill. You only need to know that I can provide you with one. I, Xiao Yan, don't dare claim that the pills I refine are the best on the Dou Qi Continent, but since I possess a Heavenly Flame, the Zong Breaking Pill I refine can at least increase your breakthrough success rate by 20%."
"Twenty percent!!!"
Even Little Fairy Doctor glanced at Xiao Yan with her beautiful eyes when he said this. During her three years of traveling in the Chu Yun Empire, she had heard of the Zong Breaking Pill, but generally, it only increased the success rate by 10%. Some 7th-tier alchemists could at most achieve a 15% increase.
"Alas, what a pity. Since Gang Leader Tie Wu has such pride, it seems the matter of Feng City can only be settled with blades."
"Xiao Yu, Xiao Ning, see our guests out." Xiao Yan slowly shook his head, sighed in an exaggerated manner, and waved his hand.
Xiao Yu gave Xiao Yan a sideways glance but was sensible enough not to make him lose face at this moment. She led Xiao Ning and slowly walked up to the three. "This way, please."
"Hehehe, Little Clan Leader Xiao, how could a little woman like me have any pride to speak of?" Su Mei covered her mouth and giggled, then took the opportunity to stand up and give Xiao Yan a bow. As she slightly bent over, she didn't forget to reveal a bit of her cleavage.
Xiao Yan had seen Medusa's perfect body back when he seized the Green Lotus Core Flame. How could he be moved by such a modest display?
Tie Wu quickly laughed heartily, "Ahahaha, just now it was I, Old Tie, who was thoughtless and offended the Little Clan Leader. I'll punish myself with three cups!"
With that, Tie Wu took out a wine gourd from his storage ring and started chugging.
Only Old Yin Gu, the eldest and with the highest cultivation, still retained some rationality. He slowly asked, "Little Clan Leader Xiao Yan, the Zong Breaking Pill is indeed very tempting, but for this old man and the entire Dark Sky Sect to merge into your Xiao Clan is still a bit..."
He still had some rationality, but not much.
Xiao Yan smiled faintly, a confident glint flashing in his eyes. Naturally, when negotiating, one wouldn't reveal their bottom line at the start.
"You three have fought alongside me. I, Xiao Yan, greatly admire your strength. How about this? I'll take a step back. The Zong Breaking Pill is best used when you reach peak 9-star Dou Emperor. Let's set peak 9-star Dou Emperor as the boundary."
"When you three achieve the cultivation of peak 9-star Dou Emperor, our agreement will end. At that time, I will present each of you with a Zong Breaking Pill as remuneration."
The three leaders did not doubt Xiao Yan's sincerity, as this was the standard practice among alchemists.
First, complete the task; then receive the pill.
They exchanged subtle glances, especially as Xiao Yan emphasized the words 'Zong Breaking Pill,' causing their breathing to gradually become heavier.
Their faces flushed slightly. The three leaders' eyes flickered uncertainly, their hearts waging an internal battle.
Given their pride from roaming the Black-Corner Region unhindered, relying on others wasn't something they were willing to do. But the words 'Zong Breaking Pill' made them waver.
Facing the trio's struggle, Xiao Yan said nothing more. He narrowed his eyes slightly and waited for their final answer.
In the end, the three leaders finally returned to their senses from their internal battle. They looked at each other, then finally gritted their teeth and nodded firmly. To hell with it—fortune favors the bold!
"Fine, we'll do as you say!"
"A pleasure working with you."
Little Fairy Doctor shook her head from the side. She had seen this trick before.
The poor Amethyst Winged Lion King still hadn't received its promised reward even now.
Moreover, given these three's aptitude, by the time they cultivated to peak 9-star Dou Emperor, who knows how strong Xiao Yan would be? By then, Feng City would likely still be beyond their reach.
And with the Zong Breaking Pill as his ace, Xiao Yan was in an invincible position in this negotiation.
"Stabilizing Feng City won't be quick. Although we've dealt with those three factions, and with their assistance, there shouldn't be other factions in the Black-Corner Region eyeing Feng City, but managing a city isn't that simple."
"Perhaps we'll need the clan to send a few elders or have Big Brother and Second Brother come in person."
Very soon, Xiao Yan arranged some basic matters concerning Feng City. He had Old Yin Gu and the other three temporarily have their subordinates maintain the city's operations. Later on, Feng City was even directly renamed Xiao City, but that's a story for another time.
Now, as Old Yin Gu and the other faction leaders withdrew, the main hall suddenly felt much emptier. Seeing that things had been settled, Xiao Yan turned his head to look at Little Fairy Doctor, who had been quietly sitting and sipping tea.
"What, got bored of playing in the Chu Yun Empire and ran to the Black-Corner Region to enjoy a change of scenery?" Xiao Yan smiled and teased.
He guessed that Little Fairy Doctor had gone to Wu Tan City, learned that he was now at Jia Nan Academy, and so came to the Black-Corner Region. By coincidence, she happened to encounter him and the First Elder jointly besieging Feng City.
Little Fairy Doctor put down the teacup in her hand, glanced at Xiao Yan, then mimicked his tone and said, "Oh, it's nothing much. I just heard some news about a Heavenly Flame in the Chu Yun Empire, so I came specially."
! ! ! ! ?
"Heavenly Flame!" Xiao Yan abruptly stood up. He hadn't expected that Little Fairy Doctor would bring news of a Heavenly Flame!
Little Fairy Doctor tilted her head slightly, eyes playful as she said, "Oh my, I wonder what price the famous Little Clan Leader Xiao is willing to pay for this information."
The Amethyst Winged Lion King beside them saw Little Fairy Doctor's expression of having Xiao Yan at her mercy, and a hint of comfort flashed in its eyes. It had followed Little Fairy Doctor for three years, traveling through the Chu Yun Empire together. In those years, it had come to understand just how much of a torment the Woeful Poison Body truly was.
Even in the Chu Yun Empire, where Poison Masters were abundant, the Woeful Poison Body was something even they avoided. The constant torment had gradually made Little Fairy Doctor distant and aloof.
If it weren't for Xiao Yan giving her hope back then, perhaps the current Little Fairy Doctor would have already strayed onto the wrong path.
Xiao Yan chuckled and rubbed his hands together like a fly. "Well... hehehe, what's there to discuss? You know how important Heavenly Flames are to me."
"How about I refine a Mighty Huang Pill for you? You're already a Dou Emperor, after all."
Little Fairy Doctor gently swept her silky hair behind her ear and said nonchalantly, "I hate increasing my cultivation."
Even Xiao Yan couldn't help but sigh inwardly upon hearing these words. For those with the Woeful Poison Body, increasing their cultivation meant getting closer to the 'Calamity Day'. If not for Xiao Yan telling her back then to endure until he could refine the Poison Pill, Little Fairy Doctor might have already given up on herself, and her cultivation level might even have reached Dou Ancestor by now.
Seeing a hint of guilt on Xiao Yan's face, Little Fairy Doctor covered her mouth and laughed softly. This laugh seemed to brighten the entire hall.
"Alright, I won't tease you anymore. Don't we need three materials to refine the Poison Pill? First, three different Heavenly Flames; second, the Monster Core of a Rank 7 Sky Poison Dragon Scorpion Beast; third, the Bodhisattva Body Transformation Saliva."
"So, when the Lion King and I traveled through the Chu Yun Empire, we inquired everywhere about where to find these three items and ways to resolve the Woeful Poison Body. Later, we learned from a faction called the Poison Sect in the Chu Yun Empire that a Clear Soul Nether Orchid had appeared in a place called Profound Nether Valley."
Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed. The Clear Soul Nether Orchid was an ancient miraculous flower recorded in the ancient rare treasures book within the Bone Flame Ring. This extraordinary flower was said to neutralize all poisons in the world.
This kind of heavenly treasure wasn't a medicinal ingredient and couldn't be used to refine pills; it could be used directly. Or rather, these heavenly materials were like pills refined by the heavens themselves.
Of course, Xiao Yan felt that the so-called ability to neutralize all deadly poisons was an exaggeration, but it was certain that the Clear Soul Nether Orchid could indeed detoxify toxins.
No wonder Little Fairy Doctor paid attention to such an item. She hoped to use the Clear Soul Nether Orchid to eliminate the Woeful Poison Body within her, or at least delay its eruption.
Little Fairy Doctor continued, "When the Lion King and I arrived there, we couldn't find the Clear Soul Nether Orchid due to interference from those people of the Poison Sect. However, we unexpectedly discovered a strange flame. The situation was urgent at the time, and we couldn't see clearly what it was. But it gave me a feeling somewhat similar to that pale white flame you had back then."
Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow and asked, "The situation was urgent? When you say you 'inquired' information from the Poison Sect, you don't mean you used physical persuasion, do you?"
That kind of 'inquiry' probably involved beating people up!
The Amethyst Winged Lion King wore a wry smile and said, "Alas, you can't blame Little Fairy Doctor for that. When the Poison Sect people heard that she possessed the Woeful Poison Body, they wanted to take her back to the Poison Sect without another word. Little Fairy Doctor refused, so a conflict broke out, and she ended up poisoning several of their disciples to death."
"In these three years, we spent half of the time being pursued by the Poison Sect. Later, when we reached the Profound Nether Valley searching for the Clear Soul Nether Orchid, the Poison Sect sent two Dou Emperor elders to hunt us down. Little Fairy Doctor had no choice but to release the suppression on her Woeful Poison Body and absorb the poison techniques of those Poison Sect elders. Only then did we manage to retaliate and escape."
Xiao Yan sighed inwardly and couldn't help feeling a bit of heartache when he looked at the woman quietly sitting aside, not wanting to disturb anyone. He also thought of Qing Lin, who had a similarly pitiable background.
The Woeful Poison Body and the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils were both extremely rare special constitutions in the world. To put it simply, a Dou God possessed the ability to seize the power of the heavens, allowing their descendants to inherit special constitutions like the Dou God Bloodline. Meanwhile, the Woeful Poison Body and Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils were heavenly bloodline constitutions, powers bestowed by the heavens.
Naturally, this made people covet them immensely, wishing to claim them as their own.
"Flying from the Black-Corner Region to the Chu Yun Empire would probably take some time. Will we make it? The Poison Sect's target is also the Clear Soul Nether Orchid, right?" Xiao Yan asked.
Little Fairy Doctor gently shook her head and said, "Profound Nether Valley has a unique poison barrier. This poison barrier only diminishes on specific days; normally, it's impossible to enter. The next time the poison barrier diminishes is in three months."
"That's good. Three months are enough for me to handle everything here. Let's make a trip back to the Jia Ma Empire first, then enter the Chu Yun Empire from there." Xiao Yan hadn't been home for quite a while, and coincidentally, the Chu Yun Empire bordered the Jia Ma Empire, forming a straight route.
Zi Yan, who was beside him, became unhappy when she heard that he was leaving. She said discontentedly, "Hey, Xiao-Yan-Zi, what about my Body Transformation Pill if you leave?"
The Amethyst Winged Lion King and Little Fairy Doctor turned their heads to seriously examine the little girl who had been eating candies all this time upon hearing the mention of the Body Transformation Pill.
She was actually a magical beast?
Xiao Yan's expression became a bit unnatural when Zi Yan brought up the Body Transformation Pill. There were two creditors here!
He coughed lightly and said, "Ahem, I haven't even reached high-grade 7th-tier yet. Besides, I only have one stalk of Body Transformation Grass now. I promised the Lion King first that I would refine a Body Transformation Pill for it."
The Amethyst Winged Lion King nodded in satisfaction when it heard that Xiao Yan still remembered his prior promise. It hadn't invested in the wrong person.
"Ah! You stinky big cat, how dare you fight me for the pill!" Zi Yan placed her delicate hands on her small waist and shouted angrily. As her scolding fell, those gem-like eyes were immediately enveloped by hints of purple light.
With a flash of purple light, the body of the Amethyst Winged Lion King, a Rank 6 magical beast, suddenly trembled violently and actually prostrated on the ground, unable to move.
The Amethyst Winged Lion King felt a strange pressure spreading from the depths of its soul without any warning. This was suppression coming from bloodline!
Clearly, Zi Yan's strength was only at the Dou King realm, inferior to the Amethyst Winged Lion King, but for some reason, the Lion King felt it couldn't defy her words.
A hint of astonishment flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes as he muttered to himself, "This little girl doesn't seem to be an ordinary dragon beast..."