After speaking, Lin Yuan looked at Yan Li with an amused expression, though the cold indifference and icy killing intent in his eyes never faded.
Seeing this, Yan Li inwardly let out a miserable sigh.
He had come to the Jia Ma Empire to stir up trouble for the sake of inheriting the position of President of the Chu Yun Empire's Alchemist Association. Yet not only had his plan failed, he had instead managed to deliver himself straight into another person's hands with remarkable efficiency.
In the end, Yan Li wisely accepted the pill and swallowed it with a smile on his face.
At the same time, Lin Yuan enthusiastically used the Green Lotus Core Flame to help him digest the medicinal effects of the "pill," thoroughly integrating the poison into Yan Li's body.
Once everything was complete, Lin Yuan revealed a warm smile akin to a spring breeze.
The combination of stick and carrot, that was Lin Yuan's style of doing things.
Now that the stick had already been used, it was naturally time to offer some carrots as well, so that Yan Li would have something to look forward to and would work wholeheartedly in the future.
"Yan Li, I have never mistreated those who work for me. Take this."
As he spoke, Lin Yuan retrieved several notebooks from his storage ring and handed them over to Yan Li. These were alchemical notes he had casually written during his daily research into alchemy.
Yan Li accepted them and flipped through a few pages. Instantly, his eyes lit up, and even his body trembled slightly.
"T-This…this is…"
Although he had only skimmed them briefly, Yan Li, as a Fifth-Grade alchemist, was knowledgeable enough to immediately recognize that the notes contained extremely advanced alchemical knowledge.
"They are merely some things I wrote during my spare time. For someone who is only at the Fifth-Grade like you, they should prove somewhat useful," Lin Yuan said lightly with a smile.
Hearing this, Yan Li's eyes shone brightly.
As expected, this senior is a high-tier alchemist!
Immediately afterward, he hurriedly bowed respectfully in the manner of a student paying respects to a teacher and opportunistically followed the momentum.
"This student, Yan Li, thanks Senior for the grace of imparting knowledge and guidance."
Lin Yuan paid no attention to the little schemes in his heart and merely said indifferently, "As long as you work diligently and perform well, when this seat personally arrives in the Chu Yun Empire, I will not be stingy with rewards."
"Helping you become a Sixth-Grade alchemist in the future would not be difficult. Even the Seventh-Grade is not impossible."
Upon hearing this, wild joy flashed through Yan Li's eyes.
"Yes! This student will wholeheartedly serve Senior and Lady Heavenly Poison Woman!"
Lin Yuan nodded and smiled faintly.
"Yan Li, remember your words. The first thing you must do is make the Chu Yun Empire's Alchemist Association completely side with the Poison Sect."
At Lin Yuan's words, Yan Li immediately revealed a troubled expression.
Carefully glancing at Lin Yuan, he cautiously replied,
"Senior, this matter will be difficult. I have not yet become President, so I cannot make such decisions."
Lin Yuan responded without concern,
"Then become President first."
"The things I gave you, if you share part of them with the others in the Alchemist Association, that alone should be enough merit for you to inherit the position of President of the Chu Yun Empire's Alchemist Association."
After a brief pause, he continued, "And if there are still some stubborn fools obstructing you, then join forces with the Heavenly Poison Woman and help them leave with dignity."
"After all, you are someone who is meant to advance. If those people block your path forward, then they are useless to keep around."
Hearing this, Yan Li immediately thought of his competitors, and several traces of viciousness appeared in his eyes.
If not for those people, why would he have risked coming to the Jia Ma Empire? Why would he have been targeted by those old monsters of the Jia Ma Empire yesterday and fallen into danger?
As for meeting Lin Yuan, at this point Yan Li instead regarded it as a fortunate opportunity, his own great stroke of luck.
Thus, he respectfully bowed once more.
"Yes, Senior. This student will definitely accomplish the matter of bringing the Chu Yun Empire's Alchemist Association over to the Poison Sect."
Lin Yuan waved his hand lightly.
"As long as you understand things clearly. This seat has always rewarded and punished fairly."
"After all, my things are not so easy to take. If you fail to handle matters properly, naturally there will be severe punishment."
"Also, your idea of combining poison masters with alchemists is rather interesting. Have you achieved any concrete results?"
Hearing this, Yan Li was instantly overjoyed.
His theories had always been ridiculed by alchemists outside the Chu Yun Empire, yet today they had actually received the appreciation of a true master alchemist.
Thus, he hurriedly replied,"Yes, yes, yes! I have achieved some results."
As he spoke, he quickly took out a large pile of scrolls and notebooks containing his research results from his storage ring and respectfully presented them to Lin Yuan.
Lin Yuan accepted the scrolls and casually glanced through them before nodding slightly.
"Though somewhat crude, some of the thought processes and concepts within are indeed quite interesting."
"Interesting. When I have spare time, I may help you deduce and refine them further."
Yan Li immediately cupped his fists and sincerely bowed deeply.
"Many thanks, Senior! Yan Li is endlessly grateful!"
"Work hard," Lin Yuan said calmly. "This seat will personally visit the Chu Yun Empire within a year."
"When that time comes, what kind of fortune you obtain will depend on your own capabilities."
As his words fell, the figures of Lin Yuan and Qing Lin strangely dissipated within the private room.
After respectfully watching the two vanish, Yan Li could no longer restrain himself and immediately began flipping through the alchemical notes once again. The more he read, the brighter the excitement in his eyes became.
These notes contained exceptionally exquisite knowledge regarding Sixth-Grade alchemy, far surpassing anything he had ever seen before.
Among them was one particular notebook recording concepts that he could not even comprehend at his current level. Yan Li vaguely suspected that it likely involved knowledge related to Seventh-Grade alchemy.
I've truly struck gold this time!
At that moment, the tolling bell from the imperial city sounded, startling Yan Li awake.
Reluctantly storing the notebooks into his storage ring, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath before walking outside.
After leaving the restaurant, he glanced toward the direction of the Alchemist Grand Meeting and smiled faintly before turning and dashing toward the opposite direction.
For the final round of the Alchemist Grand Meeting, Yan Li had decided to withdraw.
After all, disguising his age and participating in the competition through underhanded means had merely been for the sake of gaining achievements and inheriting the position of Association President.
Now, however, an even greater opportunity had already fallen into his hands. Returning safely to the Chu Yun Empire with the things he now possessed was his highest priority.
As long as he could successfully return, the treasures in his possession would be more than enough to win over others and secure his succession as the next President.
Moreover, all of the upper echelons of the Jia Ma Empire were currently focused on the Alchemist Grand Meeting. It was the perfect time to escape.
Thinking this, Yan Li unconsciously increased his speed.
After leaving the restaurant, Lin Yuan and Qing Lin strolled side by side through the bustling streets.
Both of them were occupied with their own thoughts.
After a while, Qing Lin spoke softly with a trace of worry,
"Young Master the Heavenly Poison Woman that person mentioned earlier is she really Sister Xiao Yi Xian?"
In Qing Lin's memories, Xiao Yi Xian had been gentle and kind, like the perfect older sister.
Yet the Heavenly Poison Woman described by Yan Li was cold-blooded, ruthless, and decisive in slaughter.
The contrast between the two was simply too great. Qing Lin found it difficult to imagine them being the same person.
Hearing this, Lin Yuan gently stroked Qing Lin's hair and smiled faintly, his words carrying deeper meaning.
"The Heavenly Poison Woman truly is your Sister Xiao Yi Xian."
"It's simply another side of her, a side shown to outsiders and enemies."
"Qing'er, you don't need to worry too much. When you meet again in the future, you'll discover that Xiao Yi Xian is still the same sister you remember."
"That's good." Hearing this, the worry in Qing Lin's heart eased considerably, and a smile once more bloomed across her face.
Lin Yuan smiled while patting her head, yet deep within his profound eyes, an additional trace of heaviness appeared.
Within just two years, Xiao Yi Xian had advanced from a mere Dou Master to a Dou Ancestor. Such speed had completely exceeded Lin Yuan's expectations.
According to his original estimates, Xiao Yi Xian should have needed around three years to break through to the Dou Ancestor class.
Xiao Yi Xian's progress is far too fast. She's already a Dou Ancestor, is it because of the Netherworld Poison Flame?
Troublesome. Once she broke through to Dou Ancestor, it means her Woeful Poison Body has fully matured. The time left for her is running short.
At this thought, Lin Yuan's gaze darkened slightly, and the sense of urgency in his heart increased dramatically.
Although he possessed the method of the Poison Pill, the conditions required to perform it had still not been fully gathered.
To carry out the Poison Pill method, three Heavenly Flames, the magic core of the Sky Poison Dragon Scorpion Beast, and Bodhisattva Transforming Body Saliva were all indispensable.
As for the three Heavenly Flames, that was actually the easiest part to solve.
Even without counting sub-flames, he already possessed the Green Lotus Core Flame and the Sea Heart Flame. Adding Xiao Yi Xian's Netherworld Poison Flame completed the requirement of three Heavenly Flames.
As for the magic core of the Sky Poison Dragon Scorpion Beast, although the seventh-tier beast within the Fallen God Ravine of the Central Plains was extremely powerful, there were still methods to deal with it.
Only the Bodhisattva Transforming Body Saliva remained the real problem.
That item originated from the Bodhi Ancient Tree. Although its price was not excessively high, it was unbelievably rare.
Moreover, in the original timeline, the Bodhisattva Transforming Body Saliva did not appear until five years later, far too distant from the present.
Lin Yuan could not even determine whether that portion of Bodhisattva Transforming Body Saliva had originally existed within the Black-Corner Region or had flowed there from another domain.
Rubbing his forehead lightly, Lin Yuan narrowed his eyes slightly as he finally made up his mind.
I can't place all my hopes on that single portion of Bodhisattva Transforming Body Saliva.
Looks like I'll need to prepare two plans simultaneously.
On one hand, continue searching within the Black-Corner Region. On the other hand, establish trading channels with the Central Plains or perhaps Gu Xun'er…
Just as he was deep in thought, the tolling bells from the imperial city rang out, interrupting his train of thought.
"Is the competition about to begin?"
Lin Yuan withdrew his thoughts and decided to temporarily set aside these worries.
Thinking too much is useless. After some time passes, I'll personally visit the Chu Yun Empire and see Xiao Yi Xian's condition for myself before making further plans.
With that in mind, he turned toward Qing Lin, whose eyes were filled with anticipation.
"Qing'er, let's go. The competition is about to begin soon."
Qing Lin nodded, and the two leisurely walked toward the competition grounds.
By the time they arrived, several enormous lines still stretched endlessly outside the Royal Plaza entrance.
"Young Master, there are so many people. I can't even see the end of the line," Qing Lin remarked emotionally as she stood on tiptoe and shaded her eyes while looking at the massive queue.
Lin Yuan chuckled softly.
"It's indeed even livelier than yesterday. But we'll enter from another side. Come with me."
As he spoke, Lin Yuan led Qing Lin toward the rear of the Royal Plaza, where they met up with a steward of the Mittel Family who had been waiting outside.
Under his guidance, the group entered the venue through a heavily guarded side entrance behind the plaza.
After entering the arena, many of the Jia Ma Empire's older generation elites had already arrived and taken their seats.
The contestants for the final round—including Xiao Yan, Liu Ling, the Little Princess, and the others, as well as noble youths such as Yao Ye, Ya Fei, Nalan Yanran, Mu Zhan, and the rest, had all already arrived and were currently chatting cheerfully.
When Lin Yuan entered, everyone's reactions differed.
Fa Ma, Jia Xing Tian, Nalan Jie, Mu Zhan, and the other older generation figures all nodded toward him in greeting, though deep within their eyes there was also a trace of wariness.
They discovered that not only could they not perceive Lin Yuan's aura, they also could not see through Qing Lin's aura at all.
However, that was only natural.
Not only was Qing Lin's soul strength exceptionally outstanding, but Lin Yuan had also placed anti-detection measures upon her. Furthermore, to prevent others from sensing the Triple Jade Green Flower Sanke Pupils, Lin Yuan had specially taught Qing Lin several secret arts for concealing both her aura and strength.
As for the younger generation, they were mostly curious, because the elders of their respective clans had already warned them not to provoke or offend Lin Yuan under any circumstances.
At this moment, Yao Ye glanced toward Lin Yuan's side and softly asked Xiao Yan beside her,
"Yan Xiao, Ya Fei, who exactly are those two?"
Ya Fei smiled faintly, suppressing the confusion within her heart as she meaningfully replied,
"I don't know their identities either. I only know that those two are honored guests of the Mittel Family. The Grand Elder and Patriarch personally instructed that absolutely no one is allowed to disrespect them."
Hearing this, a strange glint flashed through Yao Ye's eyes.
That person seemed even more mysterious and extraordinary than she had imagined.
Xiao Yan did not answer. Thinking about the information he had vaguely heard, he directly walked toward Lin Yuan.
Quite a few people's gazes followed Xiao Yan as well.
"Brother Tian Shu."
After approaching, Xiao Yan nodded in greeting, his emotions calm and steady.
Seeing this, Lin Yuan inwardly mused,
Xiao Yan's emotions are very stable. It seems he still hasn't learned about what happened to the Xiao Clan.
Is the Gu Clan's communication method slower than I expected? Or did Gu Xun'er deliberately seal off the news?
Looks like if I want to begin another round of cooperation with him, I'll need to wait a few more days.
Although countless thoughts flashed through his mind, Lin Yuan's expression remained completely normal as he praised:
"Brother Xiao, your quick thinking yesterday using the Heavenly Flame to nurture the pill was beautifully done."
Xiao Yan smiled.
"With Brother Tian Shu present at the scene, how could I possibly allow myself to disappoint you?"
Then he lowered his voice and asked solemnly,
"By the way, Brother Tian Shu, I've vaguely heard recently that something major happened over there. Do you know about it?"
As he spoke, Xiao Yan discreetly glanced toward the direction of the Misty Cloud Sect before also glancing at the unusually silent Nalan Yanran today.
Lin Yuan slightly nodded.
"I know a little about the matter, but for you, it is not a bad thing. Since you're interested, after the competition ends, I'll tell you about it."
"Many thanks, Brother Tian Shu!"
"You're too polite. It's merely a small matter. Brother Xiao should focus on the competition first. Someone I acknowledge as a rival shouldn't lose here so easily."
"Haha, don't worry, Brother Tian Shu. I'm definitely taking first place in this competition."
While Lin Yuan and Xiao Yan were conversing, several luxuriously dressed individuals also attempted to approach them.
However, every time they reached a certain distance, they would feel a bone-piercing chill, causing them to unconsciously halt their steps.
Seeing this, Fa Ma laughed.
"Old Hai, you haven't lived these years in vain. Your control over Dou Qi has improved quite a bit."
"But there's no need to be this guarded, right, Old Hai?" Jia Xing Tian lightly remarked from the side.
Hai Bo Dong glanced at Jia Xing Tian and said indifferently,
"Old Jia, stop making pointless probes and playing petty tricks. That person is both my benefactor and my honored guest."
"Since he dislikes trouble, naturally I'll clean up some unnecessary trouble for him."
Jia Xing Tian deeply looked at Hai Bo Dong and meaningfully replied,
"To make even the proud and aloof you act like this, it seems that guest truly is not simple."
Sensing the faint smell of gunpowder between the two, Fa Ma quickly changed the subject.
"Speaking of which, Old Jia, Old Hai, the competition is about to begin, yet that fellow Yan Li still hasn't appeared. Don't tell me one of you secretly killed him?"
"I didn't make a move. This matter concerns alchemists, so you decide," Hai Bo Dong replied.
"I didn't either," Jia Xing Tian likewise denied before lowering his voice.
"Old Fa, Old Hai, honestly speaking, if one of you really killed him, you'd better tell me as soon as possible so I can prepare for the Chu Yun Empire's response."
"No."
The other two answered in unison.
Afterward, the three simply stared at one another.
After pondering for a moment, Fa Ma muttered, "Could it be that fellow Yan Li felt he might lose to Yan Xiao, so he decided not to risk it and simply ran away?"
"Should we pursue him?" Hai Bo Dong asked.
Fa Ma thought for a moment before solemnly saying,"Forget it. Successfully hosting the Alchemist Grand Meeting is our top priority."
"Since he isn't coming to cause trouble, there's no need to hunt him down. Besides, with him fleeing in advance, and given his methods, tracking him down would be very difficult anyway."
"I agree as well," Jia Xing Tian added.
"The Chu Yun Empire is already in enough internal chaos. Unless necessary, it's best not to draw those lunatics' attention over here."
As the blazing sun gradually rose into the sky, the seats within the plaza became completely filled with densely packed crowds.
"Dong—"
At a certain moment, a clear and resonant bell chime echoed throughout the sky above the plaza.
Immediately afterward, everyone present turned their gazes toward Fa Ma at the front of the VIP platform.
Fa Ma leisurely stood up and slowly swept his gaze across the entire venue, satisfaction visible upon his face.
He pressed both hands downward slightly, and the deafening noise gradually subsided like receding tides.
Afterward, Fa Ma began explaining the contents of the final round's examination.
"For this third round of assessment, the Association will no longer provide any assistance whatsoever to the contestants."
"Everything will depend entirely upon yourselves."
"Within the designated time limit, you must successfully refine a medicinal pill within the limits of your own abilities. The final victor shall be determined based on the grade and practical value of the pill refined."
The rules of this final round were precisely the most orthodox form of competition system within the alchemy world, fair and impartial.
"The third round of assessment now begins!"
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