High above the Serpent-People Holy City, Lin Yuan and the bald Commander-in-Chief spread their Dou Qi wings and faced each other from dozens of meters apart.
"Begin."
Queen Medusa's cool voice signaled the start of the battle.
A fierce expression appeared on the Commander-in-Chief's face. He clenched his fist tightly, and amidst swirling green light, dense snake scales emerged over his body. A powerful and sinister aura gathered around him.
With a furious roar, his wings trembled and his snake tail swayed, his figure moving in a bizarre trajectory as he charged straight toward Lin Yuan.
"This victory shall be dedicated to Her Majesty the Queen!"
"Heh—"
More than ten minutes later, a calm voice echoed across the sky.
"It's over."
Lin Yuan stood high above, his right palm hovering over the Commander-in-Chief's head, which was covered in grayish-white snake patterns. Dense green-flame Dou Qi gathered in his palm.
Under the horrified gaze of the severely weakened Commander-in-Chief, the Dou Qi in Lin Yuan's hand intertwined and instantly condensed into an extremely solid green flame bullet.
Boom!
With a low explosion in the sky, a robust figure wrapped in green flames plummeted downward and crashed into the hard stone ground, creating a deep crater surrounded by cracks.
Immediately afterward, two streaks of light—one green and one colorful, descended from the sky and landed nearby.
"The victor has been decided. The winner is Elder Alchemist."
Queen Medusa's cool and indifferent voice announced the end of the battle.
Hearing this, Lin Yuan dispersed the green flame wings behind him and calmly looked at the bald Commander-in-Chief struggling to rise from the crater.
"Your Majesty, I can still fight!"
The Commander-in-Chief forced himself to his feet and looked at Lin Yuan unwillingly. However, his current state held no persuasive power whatsoever.
His aura was weak, his face pale, and patches of charred black marks covered both his head and body.
Queen Medusa frowned slightly.
"There is no need to continue. The gap in strength between the two of you is simply too great."
"But I—"
"There are no 'buts.' Do you know how many opportunities Elder Alchemist had to take your life during that battle?"
"At any moment."
Lin Yuan's proud voice sounded as he looked indifferently at the Commander-in-Chief.
"For example right now."
The instant his words fell, his figure vanished with a faint explosion.
Before the Commander-in-Chief could react, a slender hand carrying a fierce force was already resting against his throat.
"What speed…"
The Commander's pupils shrank.
"So fast!"
Feeling the terrifying force in Lin Yuan's palm, his heart sank.
As long as that force erupted, he would die instantly.
Was he really this weak?
"Don't you have anything to say? Or are you unwilling to accept defeat?"
Lin Yuan looked at him with a smile.
The Commander-in-Chief's expression dimmed.
Recalling the previous battle, he said solemnly,
"I lost. Completely lost. The strong are respected, this Commander accepts his defeat."
He then looked at Lin Yuan with confusion.
"Why didn't you use this speed during our battle?"
Lin Yuan raised an eyebrow.
"Heh, would you go all out against a child?"
Then he added meaningfully, "Besides, I also wanted to evaluate your standards and see whether you're suitable to be that girl's sparring partner."
As he spoke, Lin Yuan withdrew the hand that held the Commander's life in its grasp and looked toward a certain palace.
"That girl? Sparring partner?"
The Commander looked puzzled.
"Look, she's here."
Lin Yuan nodded lightly.
"You lost the bet, so you must do three things for me. The first is to act as her punching bag… no, rather, her sparring partner for a period of time."
Following Lin Yuan's gaze, the Commander saw a little girl with purple hair flying over.
After a moment of shock, a guess immediately formed in his mind.
"A Dou Emperor this young? Could it be a situation similar to Princess Xiao Cai's?"
The moment Zi Yan saw Medusa beside Lin Yuan, delight instantly appeared on her face. She excitedly threw herself into Medusa's embrace.
"Big Sister Medusa, you're here too!"
Medusa gently rubbed Zi Yan's little head, and a captivating smile appeared on her face.
This smile, rarely seen under normal circumstances, left the bald Commander staring blankly.
Zi Yan then turned toward Lin Yuan and asked excitedly,
"Brother, I felt you fighting someone just now. Who was it? I'll beat him up for you."
"Heh, you're late. The fight's already over."
Lin Yuan smiled faintly.
"Tsk."
Zi Yan clicked her tongue regretfully.
Her tyrannical little fists had been itching for a fight.
Seeing her reaction, Lin Yuan walked over and rubbed her head.
"Don't worry, little girl. I found you a pretty good opponent."
He gestured toward the Commander.
Zi Yan looked at him and pouted.
"This bald guy? Judging by his aura, he doesn't seem that strong."
The Commander subconsciously wanted to shout, "Little brat!"
However, the instant he saw Queen Medusa's icy gaze, he hurriedly changed both his tone and his form of address.
"Li… little, adorable young lady, this Commander is actually very strong. I've merely suffered some injuries, so my aura is a bit weak."
Acting arrogantly under Medusa's protection, Zi Yan proudly raised her nose and snorted.
Lin Yuan patted her head and chuckled.
"Don't worry. I've already confirmed this fellow's abilities. He's even stronger than the Sea Flood Dragon Beast you fought before, so he's a suitable opponent. You can play with him slowly from now on."
Then Lin Yuan turned toward the Commander.
"The second thing I want you to do is to unconditionally support the proposal I put forward during today's meeting."
"Tch."
A trace of helplessness flashed across the Commander's eyes.
"A bet is a bet. This Commander will not go back on his word. I only hope that your proposal won't harm the Serpent-People Tribe."
"Heh, you're overthinking it."
Lin Yuan smiled.
"Don't forget, this Elder is the Fifth Elder of the Serpent-People Tribe."
As they talked, the group headed toward the conference hall to participate in the meeting regarding the division of the Serpent-People Tribe's new territories.
That night, after helping finalize the proposal regarding the allocation of territories among the various tribes, Lin Yuan finally returned to the Alchemy Hall.
Thinking back on today's meeting, he rubbed his temples.
"Matters involving internal distribution of benefits are truly troublesome."
"It seems I'll have to decline the position of Grand Elder of the Jia Nan Academy, or at least postpone it for quite some time."
"The burden of Jia Nan Academy can remain on Grand Elder Su Qian's shoulders for another few decades."
"But at least my efforts weren't wasted. The final proposal is indeed much more complete than the one I initially suggested, and all the details have been settled."
"This time, I played the villain thoroughly. Next time, I'll let the Queen…"
Thinking of something interesting, Lin Yuan chuckled inwardly, a subtle anticipation appearing in his eyes.
A moment later, he shook his head and looked toward the Sea Heart Flame in the hall.
"To forge a soul clone capable of carrying the Sea Heart Flame, I'll need to use some of the Soul Hall's methods for condensing ferocious souls."
"Although I currently possess Han Feng's Seventh-Grade alchemist soul and the souls of more than ten Dou King and Dou Emperor, they're still insufficient to nurture the ferocious soul required by the Ten Thousand Souls Devouring Spirit Array."
"The missing portion will ultimately have to be supplemented with medicinal pills."
"There are still two days before the Serpent-People Tribe's grand ceremony. I'll make all the necessary preparations during this time."
"And once the ceremony is over, it'll be time for Qing'er to inherit the Serpent-People Tribe's legacy of the Jade-Green Triple Flower Pupils."
Having planned everything out, Lin Yuan took a deep breath and flicked his finger, taking out the Myriad Beast Cauldron from his storage ring.
"Fortunately, I plundered a large amount of medicinal ingredients from the Jia Ma Imperial Family. There are four useful medicinal pills I can refine now."
Soon, as the blazing Green Lotus Core Flame rose within the hall, Lin Yuan began another round of cultivation and preparation.
In the Chu Yun Empire, on a remote barren mountain outside Sky Poison City.
Yan Li, Vice President of the Chu Yun Empire's Alchemist Association and its confirmed next president, was anxiously pacing back and forth, his eager gaze repeatedly turning toward the direction of the Poison Sect.
Ever since successfully returning from the Jia Ma Empire five days ago, Yan Li had swiftly won over many people within the Chu Yun Alchemist Association by sharing part of the inheritance that Lin Yuan had given him. As a result, his position as the next president had already been firmly established.
Just as he was staring into the distance, a cold female voice that carried endless chill suddenly sounded behind him.
"Speak. Why has the recently famous Vice President Yan Li come to seek this Sect Leader? And how did you come to know the words 'Qingshan Town'? If your answer fails to satisfy me, then this place shall become your grave today."
As the cold voice reached its end, it carried an even more bone-piercing killing intent.
Hearing this, Yan Li hurriedly turned around.
A beautiful woman emitting a concealed yet powerful aura was quietly standing behind him.
Her silver hair cascaded like a waterfall, and she wore a purple dress. Her snow-white hair and purple skirts swayed gently in the wind, making her resemble a violet butterfly fluttering in the breeze, beautiful yet dangerous.
It was none other than the Sect Leader of the Poison Sect, the Little Fairy Doctor, the Heaven Poison Woman.
The moment he saw her face, Yan Li immediately knelt on one knee before her, as though he had rehearsed it countless times.
"Lady Heaven Poison, I have come under orders to pledge the Chu Yun Alchemist Association to your service."
The Heaven Poison Woman or rather, the Little Fairy Doctor was momentarily stunned upon hearing this, but she quickly regained her composure and said playfully,
"How interesting. Whose orders? On whose behalf have you come?"
"It is on behalf of an old acquaintance of yours from the Jia Ma Empire. You may inspect my body, and you should understand everything."
As he spoke, Yan Li completely released all defenses over his body and soul, exposing himself entirely to the Little Fairy Doctor's senses.
"Could it be…?"
Seeing this, the Little Fairy Doctor immediately had a few guesses.
Her eyes brightened, and she extended a jade finger, pressing it against Yan Li's forehead. Her powerful perception spread out, scanning both his body and soul.
Very quickly, she clearly sensed that familiar and nostalgic aura of flame within his body.
"The aura of the Green Lotus Core Flame… so it really is you, Lin Yuan."
At once, the Little Fairy Doctor understood everything. A trace of softness that no one in the Chu Yun Empire had ever seen flickered through her eyes.
She withdrew her perception and calmed the slight turbulence in her heart before speaking calmly,
"This aura cannot be mistaken. It seems you are somewhat trustworthy. Speak. Tell this Sect Leader everything you know."
"Yes, Lady Heaven Poison."
Yan Li respectfully complied.
Afterward, he carefully recounted everything without omitting a single detail: his encounter with Lin Yuan, the soul restriction Lin Yuan had placed on him, the poison he had been subjected to, the alchemist notes Lin Yuan had gifted him, and the order to assist the Poison Sect.
After hearing everything, the Little Fairy Doctor secretly nodded.
Yan Li's description truly matched Lin Yuan's style, a peculiar mixture of casualness and meticulous planning.
The girl by his side must be Qing Lin. Thank you this time, Lin Yuan.
If the Chu Yun Alchemist Association truly sided with the Poison Sect, then even with the Wan Xie Sect secretly supporting the Anti-Poison Sect Alliance, the Poison Sect would still have a considerable chance of winning this struggle for supremacy.
To achieve that, Yan Li must completely control the Alchemist Association. A poison that can only be cured by a Heavenly Flame. what a convenient method of controlling people.
Thinking this, the Little Fairy Doctor looked at the respectfully bowed Yan Li and said indifferently,
"Since you have already fallen into his hands, there is no escaping anymore. That makes you a trustworthy person, at least. This Sect Leader accepts your allegiance and will help you gain complete control of the Alchemist Association."
"First, we shall proceed according to his plan. We will work together from within and without and eliminate everyone who may obstruct you."
Hearing this, Yan Li was overjoyed and bowed respectfully.
"Many thanks, Lady Heaven Poison."
Afterward, the two began exchanging the intelligence they possessed and discussing the people who needed to be targeted and the specific details of their plans.
Some time later, they finally concluded their discussion.
After respectfully bowing once more, Yan Li pleaded,
"Lady Heaven Poison, I will serve you with all my strength. I only hope that when that lord comes to the Chu Yun Empire, you might speak a few good words for me."
"When he comes to the Chu Yun Empire?"
A glint flashed through the Little Fairy Doctor's eyes. She nodded and agreed to his request.
"Serve well, and this Sect Leader agrees."
With that said, she turned to leave.
However, just before departing, she suddenly asked in a soft voice,
"Yan Li, judging by your soul perception, who is stronger he or this Sect Leader?"
Yan Li was momentarily stunned before answering honestly,
"My apologies, Lady Heaven Poison. My soul power is far inferior to that lord's, so I cannot perceive his true cultivation. However, judging solely from the aura I could sense, your cultivation should be higher."
"Is that so?"
There was a trace of relief and emotion hidden within her questioning voice.
The next moment, the Little Fairy Doctor's figure vanished from the spot.
When one is completely focused on a single matter, time passes silently.
Within the Alchemy Hall of the Snake-People Holy City.
Lin Yuan had been seated cross-legged before the crimson Myriad Beast Cauldron for two entire days. The Green Lotus Core Flame had burned continuously within it for those same two days.
At last, as the pill inside the cauldron that emitted a rich medicinal fragrance was completed, the green flames within the Myriad Beast Cauldron slowly extinguished.
Lin Yuan finally concluded his two days of high-intensity pill refinement.
After gently placing the purple pill in his hand into a jade bottle, he let out a long breath and smiled in relief.
"Finally finished. This way, all the pills are prepared."
He took out the results of this round of refinement, four Sixth-Grade medicinal pills from his storage ring.
Looking at them, his confidence increased considerably.
Heaven Soul Pill, a high-grade Sixth-Grade medicinal pill capable of greatly increasing the user's Spiritual Strength for a period of time.
Spirit Ascension Pill, a high-grade Sixth-Grade medicinal pill with effects similar to the Heaven Soul Pill, likewise greatly increasing Spiritual Strength for a period of time.
Heavenly Spirit Soul Recovery Pill, a mid-grade Sixth-Grade medicinal pill that increases the recovery speed of Spiritual Strength, allowing the user to quickly restore expended soul power.
Purple Extreme Soul Origin Pill, a peak Sixth-Grade medicinal pill capable of tempering and strengthening the soul while increasing its stability and resilience, making it much more difficult to disrupt or erode during battle.
"With these four pills, together with my long-term research into souls and the Soul Hall's secret techniques…"
"The idea of creating an 'ultra-simplified version of Yao Lao' may actually become a reality this time."
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