While Lin Yuan's body was undergoing transformation, the main figures of the Three-Year Agreement were also making their final preparations.
Within the main hall of the Nalan Clan in the Imperial Capital.
Nalan Jie looked at Nalan Yanran below him, the granddaughter who had always satisfied him deep in his heart, and said in a solemn voice.
"Yanran, the Three-Year Agreement is near. There is no need to dwell any further on right and wrong. But in this battle you must not lose."
"No matter who was right or wrong, first seize victory and become the victor. Then, end all these grudges and entanglements from the stance of a winner."
Hearing this, joy rose within Nalan Yanran's heart. Her grandfather had finally openly expressed his support for her.
Thus, she nodded and said seriously,
"Yes, Grandfather."
After Nalan Yanran left, Nalan Jie sighed softly.
"Sigh Xiao Lin, I've wronged you. Yanran's match this time involves far too much. I'm afraid the Xiao Clan can only suffer this grievance."
"In the future, I'll have the Nalan Clan provide some compensation to the Xiao Clan."
"What a pity. That Yan Xiao refused to sell his Spirit Forging Pill. Otherwise, Yanran's victory would have been absolutely certain."
Meanwhile, within Xiao Yan's residence.
Xiao Yan sat cross-legged atop a stone platform in the training room, regulating his breathing and adjusting his condition to perfection.
A moment later, he opened his eyes and looked toward Yao Lao, who nodded in response.
Thus, Xiao Yan flicked his finger, and the Spirit Forging Pill appeared between his fingers.
Lowering his head to gaze at the medicinal pill he had painstakingly refined, Xiao Yan smiled in satisfaction.
Soon after, recalling how Nalan Jie and Nalan Su had come seeking to trade for this pill earlier that day, a mocking smile curled onto his lips.
"Heh heh, if the Nalan Clan knew that I'm Xiao Yan, their expressions would definitely be wonderful to see."
Images of Nalan Yanran's proud face flashed through his mind, along with the memories of three years of bitter cultivation.
In a low voice, Xiao Yan muttered,"I'm about to catch up to you, Nalan Yanran."
Immediately afterward, with a burst of controlled force, he flicked the medicinal pill into his slightly opened mouth, while his hands formed a cultivation seal.
As the medicinal strength spread through his body, Xiao Yan's aura steadily began to rise, beginning his breakthrough.
Meanwhile, Yao Lao once more arrived within the courtyard. Just as before, he used Spiritual Strength to create two layers of isolation between the inside and outside.
"Come out," Yao Lao said calmly.
The moment his words fell, a black shadow flashed, and Ling Ying's figure appeared before Yao Lao. Bowing respectfully, he greeted,
"Old Sir."
Yao Lao looked at Ling Ying without wasting words and said directly.
"I reached some agreements with Tian Shu and asked him to investigate the Xiao Clan's situation for me. However, he also requested Bodhisattva Body Transformation Saliva. Do your people have it?"
Ling Ying pondered briefly before replying in a deep voice,"We don't have it on hand, but the clan definitely does. This matter would require Miss to act personally."
"Then have your Miss handle it." Yao Lao waved his hand and said indifferently, "The value of Bodhisattva Body Transformation Saliva isn't particularly high. The main issue is that it's extremely rare, and in my current state, it's difficult for me to obtain it."
After pausing slightly, Yao Lao continued.
"Also, unless something unexpected happens, Tian Shu should soon deliver information regarding the Xiao Clan. When that time comes, come with me to meet him."
"Why?" Ling Ying asked in confusion.
Yao Lao fell silent for a moment before speaking gravely,
"I have a feeling that the Hall of Souls may have already discovered me. They may simply be waiting while laying a net."
"If that's truly the case, then this Three-Year Agreement may encounter considerable turmoil. We may require Tian Shu's assistance."
"However, this matter involves the Hall of Souls after all. I may not be able to persuade him to act, so I'll need to borrow your clan's influence and your young lady's name."
Hearing this, Ling Ying glanced toward Xiao Yan inside the room and fell into thought.
Thinking of his young lady's almost overwhelming feelings toward Xiao Yan, he inwardly sighed.
"What a lucky brat…"
Then he nodded and said.
"I understand. I'll attend. Miss has also given me authorization regarding such matters."
After speaking, Ling Ying cupped his fists in salute, and his figure vanished before Yao Lao.
Once Ling Ying disappeared, Yao Lao raised his head toward the bright moon hanging high in the sky, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Tian Shu, the Woeful Poison Body…"
"Perhaps I can use the information about that ancient tomb to persuade him to act."
"He's gone to such lengths gathering the materials for the Poison Pill Method. It seems his relationship with the owner of the Woeful Poison Body should be extremely close."
"If that's truly the case, then the information regarding that ancient tomb in my possession should possess tremendous trade value."
The next day, on the back mountain of the Mittel Clan.
The first light of dawn emerged.
Seated cross-legged atop a green stone, Lin Yuan exhaled a long stream of white breath and slowly opened his eyes, ending the bodily transformation that had lasted the entire night.
Under the tempering effects of the Beast Origin Heavenly Tempering Pill, his physical body seemed to have undergone countless rounds of forging, finally touching its current limit.
Lin Yuan clenched his fist lightly as purple dragon aura flowed throughout his body.
A streak of violet light flashed through his deep eyes, carrying an ancient and noble pressure.
That pressure seemed almost tangible as it spread outward with Lin Yuan's aura.
The many Magical Beasts on the back mountain all collapsed to the ground beneath this pressure.
At this moment, Lin Yuan's powerful body resembled something tempered through endless refinement, emanating an indescribably sharp and fierce aura.
The immense blood vitality within his body, tinged faintly with purple, surged throughout him, as though containing endless life force and vitality.
This vast blood vitality even overflowed from his body, surrounding him and forming a faint layer of blood-colored radiance beneath the sunlight, enveloping his entire figure.
Yet the most extraordinary aspect was the immense purple dragon aura within him.
With such overwhelming dragon aura, even if Lin Yuan claimed he was a transformed dragon-type Magical Beast, very few people would doubt him.
Lin Yuan's dragon aura originally came from cultivating the Hundred Beasts Spirit Refining Art.
Because he had used Zi Yan's blood essence as his Natal Blood Essence, once this body-refining Dou Technique reached major accomplishment, a strand of highly spiritual Natal Dragon Aura was born within his Natal Blood Pill.
Later, during Zi Yan's evolution, she extracted that strand of dragon aura from Lin Yuan's body and nurtured it within her evolving cocoon.
After that, an extremely mysterious connection formed between Lin Yuan and Zi Yan.
Then, while flying from the Black-Corner Region toward the Tagor Desert, Zi Yan intentionally infused Lin Yuan with even more dragon aura, further deepening the connection between them.
And after using the Beast Origin Heavenly Tempering Pill refined with Zi Yan's blood essence this time, not only had the dragon aura within Lin Yuan grown even stronger, but the connection between him and Zi Yan had also deepened further.
The current Lin Yuan could vaguely sense Zi Yan's condition, and Zi Yan could likewise vaguely perceive his state.
"Could it be related to the Dragon Seal of the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe?"
Lin Yuan vaguely speculated inwardly.
"That girl unintentionally used a secret technique similar to a Dragon Seal? Forget it, there's no point overthinking it. In any case, that girl would never harm me, and her dragon aura has helped me immensely."
Zi Yan's dragon aura had been of tremendous assistance to Lin Yuan.
Not only had it allowed his Heavenly Dragon Eight Notes to unleash power far beyond expectations, it had also greatly raised the upper limit of the Hundred Beasts Spirit Refining Art.
Lin Yuan's rapid progress in body refinement was inseparable from the dragon aura bestowed upon him by Zi Yan.
Thinking this, Lin Yuan withdrew his wandering thoughts and felt the overflowing strength within his body, nodding in satisfaction.
He rose to his feet and stretched his body slightly before assuming a punching stance.
The muscles throughout his body tensed tightly, emitting low growling sounds like a savage beast emerging from the ancient wilderness, radiating a ferocious and terrifying might.
Immediately afterward, Lin Yuan threw out a punch.
The air exploded with a tearing sonic boom as a terrifying force generated purely from physical strength blasted apart the green stone before him into fragments.
Looking at the result of his punch, satisfaction flashed through Lin Yuan's eyes before he completely withdrew the overflowing aura and blood vitality.
"Very good. Although this body still cannot compare to Zi Yan's, it is already sufficient to rival a Sixth-Grade Heavenly Demon Phoenix."
"With this, the burden placed on my body by running two secret techniques simultaneously will remain manageable. The basic requirements for running three secret techniques simultaneously have also been met."
"Next…"
With a flip of his hand, a purple-red medicinal formula appeared in his grasp. It was the Sixth-Grade formula he had recently obtained from Yao Lao through their trade the Dragon Profound Body Tempering Pill.
Looking at the formula before him, Lin Yuan could not help but sigh in admiration. Yao Lao truly was a treasure trove of knowledge. The number of pill formulas in his collection was astonishing. Although Lin Yuan had seized quite a few formulas from Han Feng, they were still far inferior to Yao Lao's collection.
In Lin Yuan's view, the value of the countless pill formulas stored within Yao Lao's Bone Chilling Flame Ring even exceeded that of any Heavenly Flame ranked outside the top ten on the Heavenly Flame Ranking.
After carefully studying the Dragon Profound Body Tempering Pill formula, the satisfaction in Lin Yuan's eyes deepened further.
"As expected of a body-tempering pill approaching the Seventh-Grade. Whether in terms of the sheer quantity of medicinal ingredients required, the difficulty of refinement, or the effectiveness of the pill itself, it far surpasses the Beast Origin Heavenly Tempering Pill."
"Once the Natal Blood Pill nourishes and tempers my body for a few more cycles, and I consume this Dragon Profound Body Tempering Pill afterward, my physique should reach the absolute limit of the Sixth-Grade."
Lin Yuan rubbed his chin and estimated the timing.
"With the assistance of the Wind Walking Pill, if all goes smoothly, Old Hai should return from Wu Tan City around noon. Once I organize the information he brings back, I can meet with Yao Lao tonight."
"As for Her Majesty the Queen, given her speed, she should also arrive at Jia Ma Sacred City by noon. In that case, I'll head to a midway location and wait there."
With that thought, Lin Yuan's figure flashed, returning to the residence.
By the time he returned, Qing Lin had already woken up early and begun another round of bitter cultivation.
After greeting Qing Lin, Lin Yuan left the Mitel Clan residence and headed toward a valley located between Snake-People Holy City and Jia Ma Sacred City. While adapting to his newly increased strength, he waited for Queen Medusa's arrival.
Time passed quickly, and before long, noon arrived.
Within the valley, Lin Yuan sat cross-legged in cultivation. By now, he had completely adapted to his greatly increased power. The price for that adaptation, however, was that one of the small mountains within the valley had been reduced to dust during the process.
At that moment, a rainbow streak shot through the air and descended from the heavens, landing not far in front of Lin Yuan.
Immediately afterward, a smug voice rang out unexpected, yet somehow entirely predictable.
"Hehe, Sister Medusa, I told you Lin Yuan would definitely be here."
Lin Yuan opened his eyes. One tall figure and one small figure appeared before him Queen Medusa and Zi Yan.
"Hehe, Brother Lin Yuan, I came to help you. No need to thank me," Zi Yan giggled.
"Ah, Zi Yan, you—"
Looking at Zi Yan, who was pretending to act innocent, Lin Yuan smiled helplessly and swallowed the lecture he had been about to give.
He flicked her smooth forehead with a finger and said calmly, "Since you're already here, do you think I'd send you back? But the next few days may be dangerous. Be obedient and don't run around recklessly. Once this period is over, I'll take you around properly and let you have some fun here."
Seeing that Lin Yuan was not scolding her, Zi Yan secretly made a victory gesture in her heart, though outwardly she nodded obediently.
"Mhm, I understand, Brother Lin Yuan."
Shaking his head, Lin Yuan turned toward Queen Medusa.
"Where's Xiao Cai?"
"She came along as well. She simply ate too much and is sleeping right now."
As she spoke, Queen Medusa lifted her sleeve. Wrapped around her fair wrist like an exquisite bracelet was a tiny seven-colored snake, Xiao Cai.
Sensing Lin Yuan's aura, Xiao Cai drowsily opened her pale violet snake eyes. The moment she saw him, her eyes brightened. She then transformed into a streak of light, coiling around Lin Yuan's arm before closing her pale violet eyes once more and falling into deep sleep.
Zi Yan looked at Xiao Cai enviously. She also wanted to freely switch between beast form and human form like Xiao Cai.
Lin Yuan rubbed her little head while wondering whether he should refine a Transformation Pill for her in the future.
At that moment, Queen Medusa looked toward Lin Yuan and asked directly, "Lin Yuan, what is the current situation? What do you need me to do?"
Lin Yuan briefly explained the current circumstances and his plans before saying in a deep voice, "This time, the opponent should be either a three-star Dou Ancestor or a four-star Dou Ancestor."
After listening, Queen Medusa pondered for a moment before nodding.
"If I cooperate with you, even a four-star Dou Ancestor can be handled. Killing or defeating such an opponent would be difficult, but merely holding him back would not be a problem."
After the two finished discussing matters, Queen Medusa also transformed into her Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python form and coiled herself around Lin Yuan's arm, entering a dormant state.
During this period, she had not only been overseeing the migration of the Snake-People Tribe but had also been helping Lin Yuan. Constantly traveling back and forth had left her without proper rest for several consecutive days.
Lin Yuan examined Queen Medusa's beast form with considerable interest. This was the first time he had ever seen it.
Her beast form was extremely similar to Xiao Cai's. The main difference between the two lay in their eyes. Xiao Cai's carried innocence and confusion, while Queen Medusa's exuded seductive charm.
However, after transforming into this tiny beast form, Queen Medusa's ability to conceal her aura became extraordinarily powerful. If she intentionally hid her presence, even Lin Yuan would need to focus carefully to sense the immense power contained within that tiny body.
"My Queen really is amazing," Lin Yuan thought inwardly before turning toward Zi Yan.
"Let's go, Zi Yan. I'll take you to where you'll be staying. For the next two days, you'll protect Sister Qing Lin for me."
"Sure, but I want extra pay ah, no, I mean extra meals."
"You little girl, who taught you that? Also, when outsiders are around, call me Tian Shu…"
Laughing and chatting, the two of them flew toward the Mitel Clan residence.
By the time Lin Yuan brought Zi Yan back to the residence, Hai Bodong had already returned from Wu Tan City to the Mitel Clan. However, the moment he saw Zi Yan standing beside Lin Yuan, he revealed the exact same shocked expression Yuan Yi had once shown upon seeing her.
Lin Yuan watched the amusing expression with great interest.
After Zi Yan went off to find Qing Lin, he turned toward Hai Bodong with a faint smile and asked, "Old Hai, did you get all the information?"
Hearing Lin Yuan's question, Hai Bodong took out a storage ring and handed it over.
"Here. I got all the intelligence you wanted. Everything is inside."
After a brief pause, he warned seriously, "Be careful. The matter concerning the Xiao Clan is far from simple. There are traces of a Dou Ancestor self-detonation over there. So what you told me when we first met wasn't a lie after all, even a Dou Ancestor ended up blowing himself up. It seems Jia Ma Empire truly is hiding unimaginable undercurrents."
Lin Yuan chuckled softly.
"Of course. I, Tian Shu, have always treated others with sincerity."
"I heard that old ghost Yun Shan also died. Is that true?" Hai Bodong asked.
Lin Yuan nodded seriously.
"Yun Shan indeed self-detonated. I personally confirmed it."
Hearing this, Hai Bodong seemed somewhat dispirited and sighed.
"Ah.. another old ghost from our generation in Jia Ma Empire is gone."
Watching Hai Bodong's departing figure, Lin Yuan tossed the storage ring lightly in his hand and smiled faintly.
"Old Hai, self-detonating and dying are two completely different concepts."
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