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Tang Zhen was at a loss for words for a mont. He had just been thinking that, apart from a few specific places, an 8th-tier alchemist could stride unimpeded across the Dou Qi Continent and would even be treated as a heavyweight by the Pill Tower.
And the Gu Clan was precisely one of those exceptions. Forget an 8th-tier alchemist; even a 9th-tier alchemist would need to tread with caution there.
Moreover, judging by Xiao Yan’s deanor, he wasn’t heading there for a casual visit. There was a high likelihood of conflict erupting.
It was no wonder Xiao Yan was so insistent on acquiring the Nine Dragon Lightning Fla. His thod of rapidly boosting his cultivation through dicinal pills truly required a Heavenly Fla to solidify the surging Dou Qi. He had already prepared the Great Ancestor Pill and the Mighty Huang Pill; now, only a Heavenly Fla stood between him and his breakthrough.
The Dou Qi within his body had currently reached the threshold of an 8-star Dou Emperor, ready to advance to 9-star at any mont. If he could refine the Nine Dragon Lightning Fla, he might even leverage its power to leap directly to 2-star Dou Ancestor in one go.
This rapid surge in cultivation over a short period absolutely needed to be solidified with a Heavenly Fla.
As for other Heavenly Flas, Xiao Yan could only conclude that the vast majority across the Dou Qi Continent were likely unattainable.
He had once inquired about the whereabouts of Heavenly Flas from Hun Lao Gui, who had shared so information on the matter.
Naly, most of the top ten Heavenly Flas were in the possession of the various Dou God Clans.
The 10th-ranked Nine Serene Wind Fla and the 13th-ranked Turtle Spirit Earthly Fla were held by the Yao Clan.
The 17th-ranked Fire Mountain Rock Fla, the 16th-ranked Flaming Cloud Water Fla, the 8th-ranked Red Lotus Karmic Fla, the 7th-ranked Nine Serene Golden Ancestor Fla, and the 6th-ranked Eight Wasteland Destruction Fla were all in the hands of the Yan Clan.
The whereabouts of the 5th-ranked Life Spirit Fla were unknown. If Xiao Yan’s guess was correct, the 4th-ranked Gold Emperor Incinerating Heavenly Fla resided within Xun Er.
The only unclaid ones for which Xiao Yan still held clues were the 3rd-ranked Purifying Lotus Demon Fla and the 9th-ranked Three Thousand Burning Fla.
There was also the lowest-ranked Mysterious Yellow Fla, whose whereabouts were completely unknown.
That was it! There were no more Heavenly Flas!
It was not that the Dou Qi Continent could only give birth to one Heavenly Fla at a ti, but the birth of a Heavenly Fla was incredibly ti-consuming, and the conditions for their ergence were also extraordinarily stringent.
Even the 19th-ranked Green Lotus Core Fla required a thousand years to form. A thousand years... aning that when the Xiao Clan was annihilated, the Green Lotus Core Fla hadn’t even begun to take shape.
With such stringent conditions and the long passage of ti, the probability of two Heavenly Flas erging in a single era, even across the entire Dou Qi Continent, was exceedingly slim.
The Fallen Heart Fla, for instance, had one mature and one nascent fla. The chance of both being mature simultaneously was vanishingly small.
Not to ntion, the higher the rank of a Heavenly Fla, the stricter the conditions and the longer the ti needed for its birth. Xiao Yan estimated that in his current era, there was likely only a single mature top-ten Heavenly Fla on the entire continent.
Only with extraordinary luck could two mature top-ten Heavenly Flas possibly appear in one era.
This ant that Burning Fla Valley’s Nine Dragon Lightning Fla, the Pill Tower’s Three Thousand Burning Fla, and the Purifying Lotus Demon Fla, for which he possessed map fragnts, were the most likely Heavenly Flas he could obtain without offending the Yao Clan and the Yan Clan.
The Fla Mantra, that thing, also absolutely required devouring Heavenly Flas to evolve, which truly put Xiao Yan through hell and back.
He had estimated that if luck was on his side and he obtained the Nine Dragon Lightning Fla, the Fla Mantra could barely evolve to the quasi-interdiate Tian Class. With the addition of the Three Thousand Burning Fla, it would likely reach the interdiate to late-interdiate Tian Class.
If his ancestor proved helpful and he could find the other two Heavenly Flas that had self-detonated with him, then he would have a chance to elevate the Fla Mantra to the High Tian Class!
If his luck was even better and he obtained the Purifying Lotus Demon Fla, the Fla Mantra might surpass the Tian Class entirely! At that point, reaching the level of his ancestor Xiao Xuan would no longer be impossible!
Of course, that was just daydreaming. In reality, obstacles abounded. For now, the Nine Dragon Lightning Fla was the most imdiate hurdle.
"Valley Master Tang, Xiao Yan only wishes to borrow it for ten years. After ten years, I will certainly return the Nine Dragon Lightning Fla to its rightful owner."
Tang Zhen heard this and gazed deeply at Xiao Yan, his thoughts unreadable.
"Xiao Yan, I can’t give you an imdiate answer. If you don’t mind, could you first refine the Fire Bodhisattva Pill? Give so ti to consider. Of course, all the dicinal ingredients and the pill recipe will be provided by my Burning Fla Valley," he said suddenly.
Xiao Yan nodded. "No problem."
A smile appeared on Tang Zhen’s face upon hearing Xiao Yan agree so readily.
...
The vast valley was lush with green foliage, occasionally dotted with fiery red maple trees, creating an extrely pleasing sight.
At the center of the valley was a spacious plaza built from crimson volcanic rock. In the middle of the plaza stood a stone platform about a hundred feet high. At this mont, many figures surrounded the plaza, most of them dressed in red robes, clearly disciples of Burning Fla Valley.
On another side of the plaza, there was a slightly elevated platform. Although its height did not match the high platform in the center, it was perfectly positioned to overlook the entire plaza, offering an excellent line of sight. Currently, several figures stood on this platform; upon closer inspection, these were all alchemists from Burning Fla Valley, and Elder An from before was also among them.
Amidst so hushed whispers in the plaza, the sound of rushing wind suddenly echoed, and Xiao Yan imdiately appeared on the high platform. Tang Zhen followed closely behind him.
Tang Zhen’s arrival imdiately quelled the murmurs around the plaza. The gathered Burning Fla Valley disciples had all heard that a grandmaster alchemist had co to the valley today to personally refine the Fire Bodhisattva Pill and cure Tang Huo Er’s poison.
Therefore, they naturally did not dare to make any careless noise, fearing they might disrupt the pill’s refinent.
"Where is that grandmaster alchemist, anyway? Why hasn’t he shown up yet?"
"Exactly. Even the Valley Master is here. Isn’t he putting on too much of an air?"
"By the way, why hasn’t that Xiao Yan left yet?"
At this mont, Tang Zhen, standing on the high platform, cupped his hands toward Xiao Yan and said, "Then, I shall trouble Grandmaster Xiao Yan."
Even Tang Zhen’s form of address had changed. Although he had yet to witness Xiao Yan’s alchemy firsthand, Soul State Spiritual Strength was sothing only alchemists would pursue.
Hearing Tang Zhen address Xiao Yan as ’Grandmaster,’ the disciples of Burning Fla Valley were all left dumbfounded!
He was the alchemist who would refine the Fire Bodhisattva Pill?!!
Xiao Yan nodded, unconcerned by the others’ gazes. Just as he was preparing to begin refining the pill, Tang Zhen hurriedly called out to stop him. "Wait, I have a dicinal cauldron of excellent quality here. Using it will aid in fire control."
Tang Zhen waved his sleeve, and a massive object flew from his storage ring, landing heavily at the center of the stone platform with a thunderous thud. The imnse weight caused the platform to tremble.
Xiao Yan glanced at the gigantic object, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
The object that appeared was a dicinal cauldron nearly ten feet tall. The cauldron was entirely fiery red, and on its round walls were patterns resembling volcanic eruptions. At first glance, a violent aura surged forth.
The mont Xiao Yan laid eyes on this crimson dicinal cauldron, he knew its quality was likely no less than his own Ten Thousand Beast Cauldron.
"This should be the Mountain lting Cauldron from the Heavenly Cauldron Ranking. I didn’t expect it to be in Valley Master Tang’s possession," Xiao Yan said with a faint smile as he gazed at the fiery red cauldron.
Tang Zhen couldn’t help but feel a bit proud. After all, he had paid a steep price to acquire this Mountain lting Cauldron.
"You can use this Mountain lting Cauldron. It can enhance an alchemist’s fire control."
However, Xiao Yan shook his head. He took out a dicinal cauldron from his own storage ring and said, "I’m not accustod to using others’ cauldrons. I’ll just use my own."
"Hm? Isn’t that... the Ten Thousand Beast Cauldron from the Heavenly Cauldron Ranking!" Elder An exclaid in shock upon seeing the cauldron Xiao Yan had produced.
Tang Zhen was montarily stunned when he saw that Xiao Yan also possessed a cauldron from the Heavenly Cauldron Ranking. He gave an awkward chuckle, not wanting to embarrass himself further, and put away the Mountain lting Cauldron before stepping down from the platform. He then directed the other Burning Fla Valley disciples to guard the area and prevent any accidents.
"Is that young man truly an 8th-tier alchemist at such an age?" the Third Elder of Burning Fla Valley asked from the spectator seats.
"Soul State Spiritual Strength, plus a dicinal cauldron from the Heavenly Cauldron Ranking. Even if he is not tier 8, he has definitely reached the peak of tier 7," Tang Zhen replied, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"While an 8th-tier alchemist at such an age is rare, to think he can take the Nine Dragon Lightning Fla with a single high-grade tier 7 dicinal pill? There’s no such easy bargain. Once he refines the Fire Bodhisattva Pill, we can then use other items to exchange with him." The Second Elder on the other side, however, was sowhat dissatisfied with Xiao Yan’s audacious demand.
"That may not necessarily be the case. However, let’s watch first," Tang Zhen murmured to himself, seemingly pondering sothing.
Xiao Yan opened the recipe for the Fire Bodhisattva Pill. Instantly, a stream of spiritual information surged into his mind. After a mont, he nodded, then swept his hand. Over a hundred treasure boxes opened at once, and stalk after stalk of dicinal ingredients were exposed to the air.
A rich dicinal fragrance imdiately filled the surroundings.
Xiao Yan took out a cluster of Nihility Devouring Fla and tossed it into the dicinal cauldron. With another wave of his hand, his Soul State Spiritual Strength manipulated over a dozen dicinal ingredients, sending them flying into the cauldron together.
"What kind of fla is that? It feels a bit strange."
"He’s actually refining over a dozen ingredients at once?! Isn’t he worried about the dicinal properties clashing?!"
"No, look closely. The dicinal properties of those ingredients are all mutually balanced and non-interfering. He did it on purpose!"
"He really understands the characteristics of dicinal ingredients."
Once Xiao Yan began refining the dicinal pill, he instantly entered a focused state. His mind automatically blocked out all external sounds as he devoted himself wholeheartedly to the ingredients.
His Spiritual Strength precisely read the state of each ingredient during refinent, and his exquisite alchemy techniques extracted their essences with pinpoint accuracy.
The Ten Thousand Beast Cauldron was like the gaping maw of a giant beast, greedily devouring each dicinal ingredient. Clusters of dicinal essence in various colors rapidly accumulated within the cauldron.
"What powerful Spiritual Strength and fire control!" Tang Zhen’s heart trembled. He wasn’t surprised that Xiao Yan’s Spiritual Strength surpassed his own. After all, he hadn’t reached the Soul State yet.
But Xiao Yan’s fire control was actually not inferior to his, and even faintly stronger!
He was a Dou Venerate! Moreover, he cultivated a High Di Class fire-attribute Qi thod and had even practiced techniques to enhance his fire control. Yet Xiao Yan still surpassed him?!
What kind of monstrous Qi thod was this kid cultivating?
In just three days, Xiao Yan flawlessly refined all one hundred dicinal ingredients into dicinal essences without a single mistake.
By now, Tang Zhen no longer doubted whether Xiao Yan was an 8th-tier alchemist. He had just witnessed the most impressive alchemy he’d ever seen!
Another three days passed. After Xiao Yan tossed in a Rank 7 Monster Core, he began the pill fusion process.
"So fast! It’s only the sixth day, and he’s already starting the fusion!"
"His Spiritual Strength precisely grasped the timing for rging the ingredients. Coupled with his exquisite fire control, he’s greatly reduced the ti needed!"
Ti ticked by. For six whole days, Xiao Yan sat in ditation without uttering a single word, like an old monk, resembling a transcendent expert refining a pill. And today, he finally spoke his first words.
"Pill ford!"
With a crisp slap, Xiao Yan struck the dicinal cauldron. Instantly, a red glow shot into the sky, pill fragrance wafted out, and Pill Lightning began to condense!
Facing the Pill Lightning of a high-grade tier 7 dicinal pill, Xiao Yan smiled faintly and summoned Xing Tian.
This Pill Lightning was perfect for tempering Xing Tian’s body, and the power of a high-grade tier 7 pill was just right.
Boom!
The Pill Lightning struck as expected. The headless Xing Tian spread its arms, as if shielding Xiao Yan behind it, letting the lightning crash down on its body.
"That’s a puppet?!"
"Insane! The Pill Lightning from a high-grade tier 7 pill is comparable to a strike from a 7-star Dou Ancestor!"
"Huh? Look, that puppet seems completely unhard!"
By now, the surrounding disciples were thoroughly convinced by Xiao Yan, this alchemy grandmaster.
This was a super genius alchemist!!
’Sigh, it’s a pity there’s only one Pill Lightning each ti a pill is refined.’ Xiao Yan felt a bit regretful as he watched the Pill Lightning in the sky gradually fade. A single high-grade tier 7 Pill Lightning could only cause Xing Tian to transform a little. Much of it was still bronze-colored; to turn completely silver-white would require Xiao Yan to refine many more pills.
With a crisp motion, he put away the fiery red Fire Bodhisattva Pill. Then, in a very generous manner, Xiao Yan directly tossed the brocade box to Tang Zhen and said, "Valley Master Tang, regardless of the outco, you should first give this Fire Bodhisattva Pill to Miss Tang Huo Er. Even if it doesn’t work, I have no intention of taking it back."
Seeing Xiao Yan’s generosity, a strange glint flashed in Tang Zhen’s eyes. He nodded, cupped his hands, and said, "Then I’ll trouble Grandmaster Xiao Yan to rest in the guest room for now. I’ll discuss with the elders before making a decision."
For others, refining a high-grade tier 7 dicinal pill would require a huge price, but for Xiao Yan, this was nothing out of the ordinary. Others might need nearly a month to refine such a pill and be exhausted afterward, but he finished in less than a week and barely broke a sweat.
Hadn’t he refined high-grade tier 7 Body Transformation Pills for the Lion Kings before?
Compared to his self-created Heavenly Fla Poison Pill, this was simply too easy!
This was why alchemists were said to have a lucrative profession. An alchemist like Xiao Yan could make a fortune, with money rolling in!
If Heavenly Flas had a price, Xiao Yan could buy over a dozen of them!
As for the quality, Xiao Yan wasn’t worried at all. The quality of the pills he refined was bound to be perfect!
...
No one knew how much ti had passed before Xiao Yan’s door creaked open. The one who entered was none other than Tang Huo Er, who had been unconscious just a few days ago!
"It seems your fire poison has completely healed," Xiao Yan said with a smile as he sat in a wooden chair and slowly put down his teacup.
"No matter what, I have to thank you for refining the Fire Bodhisattva Pill," Tang Huo Er said with sincere gratitude.
Xiao Yan quickly waved his hand. "I’m unworthy of such thanks. For , this was just a transaction."
"Alright then, co with . My father and the elders are all waiting for you."
Xiao Yan’s eyes narrowed slightly. It seed a decision had been made.
If there really was no way, then he could only use dicinal pills and slowly take ti to consolidate his Dou Qi. If it had to be slow, then so be it. There was no other choice.
If there was no Nine Dragon Lightning Fla, then Xiao Yan would most likely have to see if the Hun Clan had any plans against the Yan Clan and Yao Clan, and take the opportunity to fish in troubled waters for a Heavenly Fla.
Xiao Yan knew that both the Yan Clan and Yao Clan possessed the Tou She Ancient God’s Jade, so they were definitely being targeted by the Hun Clan.
Jie Jie Jie, how could Venerable Yan possibly let any Heavenly Flas slip by? He wanted them all!
Led by Tang Huo Er, Xiao Yan smoothly entered Burning Fla Valley’s main hall. The atmosphere inside was slightly oppressive. Around the hall, many fully ard Burning Fla Valley disciples stood guard, making the atmosphere even more tense.
Xiao Yan’s gaze swept the hall as soon as he entered. At the head seat sat the energetic Tang Zhen as before, but on either side of him were two red-robed elders with white hair and beards. Both wore solemn expressions, exuding an air of authority even without anger.
These two were the Second and Third Elders of Burning Fla Valley.
"Xiao Yan greets Valley Master Tang."
Xiao Yan’s expression remained unchanged under the oppressive atmosphere and the stares of many. He stepped forward calmly, cupped his fists toward Tang Zhen, and spoke in a deep voice.
Before Tang Zhen could even speak, the Third Elder standing to the side spoke in a flat tone. "I am Wu Chen, the Third Elder of Burning Fla Valley. This ti, you helped the Valley Master refine the Fire Bodhisattva Pill. This old man will thank you on behalf of Burning Fla Valley."
Wu Chen’s expression remained calm. As soon as he finished, he continued, "However, the Nine Dragon Lightning Fla is the inherited Heavenly Fla of our Burning Fla Valley. Even lending it out is improper. I wonder if we could change the condition?"
Xiao Yan showed no surprise and slowly shook his head. "I have no other requests. I already made it clear at the beginning: if Burning Fla Valley is unwilling to lend out the Nine Dragon Lightning Fla, then I, Xiao Yan, will consider the Fire Bodhisattva Pill as having been refined for Valley Master Tang free of charge."
Tang Zhen turned to the Third Elder beside him, his tone tinged with displeasure. "Third Elder, our agreed-upon outco was to let Xiao Yan go to the Fla Valley to refine the essence of the Nine Dragon Lightning Fla. If he succeeds, we’ll lend it to him for ten years. How can you go back on your word?"
The Second Elder and Third Elder exchanged a glance, after which the Second Elder said, "Valley Master, the Nine Dragon Lightning Fla is the token of every generation’s Valley Master. To attempt refining its essence in the Fla Valley, one must at least pass the elders’ assessnt."
"The examinations for successive Valley Masters of Burning Fla Valley have always been the responsibility of the Elder Council. If Xiao Yan can pass the assessnt, then neither of us will have any objections."
Tang Zhen heard this and let out a cold laugh. "Xiao Yan is an 8th-tier alchemist. Surely you two aren’t unaware of how terrifying his influence is, are you? You want to assess him?"
Are you two even qualified?
The two elders looked embarrassed at these words. The Third Elder coughed awkwardly and said, "This... this is, of course, based on personal strength."
Xiao Yan actually smiled as he stood to the side, as if he didn’t take the obstruction from these two elders to heart. He spoke slowly, "Oh? Then may I ask what Burning Fla Valley’s assessnt is? Do I have to defeat you both?"
Seeing Xiao Yan speak up himself, a flash of joy appeared in the Second Elder’s eyes. He put on a show of seriousness and said, "This matter is of great importance and cannot be treated lightly. Therefore, let this old man personally test him. If this Xiao Yan can last ten rounds against , then he will be allowed to go to the Fla Valley to refine the Nine Dragon Lightning Fla."
Tang Zhen sneered coldly. "Hehe, Second Elder, you are at the peak of 9-star Dou Ancestor, while Xiao Yan is only an 8-star Dou Emperor. How can you even say such a thing with a straight face?"
Seeing the Second Elder having difficulty backing down, the Third Elder Wu Chen spoke up slowly. "If Valley Master feels it’s inappropriate for the Second Elder to make a move, then let do it. Lasting ten exchanges against shouldn’t be impossible, right?"
Tang Huo Er rolled her eyes at the Third Elder as she stood to the side. "A 9-star Dou Ancestor and an 8-star Dou Ancestor, what’s the difference? Why don’t I do it instead? If Xiao Yan can defeat , that should be enough, right?"
The Second Elder, however, slowly shook his head. "I think the Third Elder’s proposal is good. It is most fair for him to make a move. As long as Xiao Yan can last ten rounds against him, then it will be considered a success."
"Xiao Yan, what do you think?" The Second Elder looked directly at Xiao Yan, hoping he would be arrogant enough to agree.
And, as expected, Xiao Yan shook his head.
The Second Elder frowned. Just as he was about to say sothing, Xiao Yan smiled and said calmly to the Second Elder, "I think it is better if you do it instead. That way, if I defeat the Third Elder, you, Second Elder, will not have any further complaints."
’Ten rounds, is it? It is just the right opportunity to test the power of this Skyfire Three Mysterious Change.’
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