Glancing at Gu Yao, who had already taken a healing pill, Lin Yuan moved and landed back on the ground.
He then stored the scroll containing Void Transfer into his Storage Ring and handed the Beginning Venerable Pill to Su Qian, smiling lightly.
"Great Elder, fortunately, I have fulfilled my promise. This first Beginning Venerable Pill is complete. Once I adjust my condition for a few days, I will refine the second one."
"No rush, no rush!"
After receiving the Beginning Venerable Pill, Su Qian grinned happily.
"Little Lin, just follow your own pace."
Looking at the Beginning Venerable Pill inside the bottle, with pill mist swirling around it, everyone could not help but feel curious. A peak Seventh-Grade pill was the highest-grade medicinal pill they had ever seen.
Zi Yan was even drooling.
A Seventh-Grade pill contained an incredibly dense amount of energy.
She stared at Lin Yuan with eager eyes.
Seeing Zi Yan's expectant expression, Lin Yuan chuckled softly, pinched her delicate little cheek, and said gently,
"Little girl, don't rush. After I finish refining the Beginning Venerable Pill, I'll refine a Transformation Pill for you. I promise I'll give you the Transformation Pill within two months!"
Zi Yan's eyes immediately lit up.
"It's a promise! You can't lie to me!"
"Has your big brother ever lied to you?"
Lin Yuan rolled his eyes at her before reminding her,
"For the time being, focus on getting yourself into the best condition. If my guess is correct, taking the Transformation Pill may give you a chance to break through."
Hearing this, Zi Yan's eyes immediately brightened, and she excitedly said,
"Break through? There's actually such a good thing? Awesome! I need to stock up on more energy!"
As she spoke, she immediately took out a bottle of pills and began stuffing them into her mouth.
"The Transformation Pill we'll finally be able to find out Zi Yan's true form!"
Looking at Zi Yan, who resembled a hamster as she ate, Su Qian felt somewhat emotional.
"That's good, too. Being able to learn this girl's true form before they head to the Central Plains can be considered one of my wishes fulfilled."
Back when he first encountered Zi Yan, she had already transformed into human form. After raising her for so many years, Su Qian was still quite curious about her true form.
Meanwhile, Gu Zhen had already brought the heavily injured Gu Yao back to the Black Annihilation Army.
After taking a healing pill, Gu Yao's complexion had improved considerably. However, when he saw the expressions of everyone around him, as though they wanted to say something but did not dare to, he could not help but clench his fists tightly.
At this moment, Xun'er landed beside them and said indifferently.
"You should have brought the things I wanted, right? Give them to me."
Gu Yao said nothing. In silence, he took three jade boxes from his Storage Ring and handed them to Xun'er.
Gu Xun'er accepted the boxes and walked toward Lin Yuan before handing all three to him.
"Senior Lin Yuan, these are the three things we agreed upon earlier: Bodhisattva Transformation Saliva, Earth Core Soul Marrow, and Pill Spirit Essence. Please check them."
Lin Yuan did not stand on ceremony. He accepted the three items and carefully inspected them before confirming that everything was correct.
He stored the three items inside the Nethersea Ring, a smile appearing on his face.
"Everything is correct. I've received them, so our transaction is complete. It was a pleasure working with you. I hope we'll have opportunities for further cooperation in the future!"
"I hope so."
Gu Xun'er nodded lightly.
Immediately afterward, she nodded gently toward Xiao Yixian and Zi Yan before cupping her hands toward Su Qian.
"Thank you for taking care of me all these years. I've been very happy here."
"It was nothing!"
Su Qian waved his hand before saying seriously.
"You are a student of Jia Nan Academy. It was only natural for us to take care of you."
Xun'er nodded slightly.
Finally, she looked toward Xiao Yan. Seeing the trace of confusion in his eyes, she merely smiled lightly and said,
"Xiao Yan Ge-ge, remember what I told you. Before your cultivation reaches the Dou Ancestor realm, don't rashly make contact with my clan."
After saying this, she suppressed the reluctance in her heart, lightly tapped the ground with her toes, and shot into the air, spreading her golden flame wings.
After sweeping her gaze over Jia Nan Academy and everyone present, she flew toward the distant horizon without looking back.
"Gu Yao, Ling Quan, take everyone and follow the young lady first. Protect her."
Gu Zhen looked toward Ling Quan and Gu Yao and spoke solemnly.
"I have some matters to take care of. We'll meet at Jade Watch City three days from now."
"Yes, Big Brother Gu Zhen!"
Ling Quan nodded.
He then led everyone onto their Four-Winged Unicorns and rapidly chased after Gu Xun'er.
Gu Yao, however, did not leave immediately. Instead, he stared deeply in Lin Yuan's direction.
"Gu Yao? Your injuries are not light. Don't act rashly."
Seeing this, Gu Zhen spoke sternly.
Gu Yao shook his head, his cold yet resolute voice reaching Lin Yuan.
"Lin Yuan, I will remember today's defeat. Sooner or later, I will come and reclaim this defeat from you."
"Keep working hard. I'll be waiting for that day!"
Lin Yuan chuckled.
"Remember, I won't make you wait too long for that day!"
Gu Yao spoke solemnly.
Afterward, he cast an indifferent glance at Xiao Yan before moving and landing on his Four-Winged Unicorn.
He rapidly ascended into the sky and then shot toward the northern horizon like lightning, soon disappearing into the distance.
Watching Xun'er's departing figure, Xiao Yan felt a faint sense of loneliness in his heart.
He turned his gaze back and discovered that Gu Zhen was looking at him with a faint smile.
Thus, he said calmly.
"Deputy Commander Gu Zhen, you deliberately stayed behind. Is there something you'd like to discuss with me?"
Xiao Yan had a good impression of Gu Zhen. Earlier, Gu Zhen had helped Jia Nan Academy resolve the confrontation between Xun'er and Gu Yao.
"Indeed."
Gu Zhen nodded and spoke solemnly.
"It concerns some secrets regarding the alliance between our two clans. If Young Clan Leader Xiao doesn't mind, there are some matters, or perhaps a transaction, that I would like to discuss with you privately."
Hearing Gu Zhen's words, Su Qian turned his gaze toward them.
Gu Zhen paused before adding,
"I swear to our Ancestor in the name of Gu Zhen that, at least this time, I will not do anything detrimental to you!"
Xiao Yan pondered for a moment. Thinking of the his master and the puppet accompanying him, he nodded toward Gu Zhen.
"Alright."
He then cupped his hands toward Su Qian.
"Thank you for protecting me, Great Elder. This junior is deeply grateful!"
Su Qian knew that the Yao lo's soul was accompanying Xiao Yan, so he nodded.
"Very well follow me."
As he spoke, Gu Zhen led Xiao Yan toward the distance.
After only a few blinks, the figures of the two disappeared from everyone's sight.
"Let's head back too!"
Lin Yuan's hand brushed through Xiao Yixian's snow-white hair. With one arm around her slender waist and the other holding Zi Yan's hand, he said.
"While refining pills, I had some new insights into cooking. Once we get back, I'll make you two a delicious meal."
Feeling the mischievous hand around her waist, Xiao Yixian's ears immediately turned slightly red.
She gave Lin Yuan a coquettish glare but did not struggle. Instead, she gently leaned against Lin Yuan, allowing some of her body weight to rest against him.
Just now, for a brief moment, she had truly thought that she had lost Lin Yuan.
As though sensing Xiao Yixian's complicated emotions, Lin Yuan gave her a gentle smile, offering her a little comfort.
He then looked toward Su Qian and casually invited him,
"Great Elder, why don't you come over to my place and be my guest? You can try my cooking. I'm not bragging, but I have quite a bit of experience in cooking."
"Heh heh!"
Looking at the harmonious trio, Su Qian happily waved his hand.
"Maybe another day. There is still a pile of matters at the academy that I need to deal with today."
Amid their laughter and conversation, the group leisurely made their way toward Jia Nan Academy.
On a Mountain Peak in the Back Mountain
A conversation was taking place.
Gu Zhen looked at Xiao Yan and asked solemnly.
"May I ask, Young Clan Leader Xiao, what is the current situation regarding the portion of the key kept by the Xiao Clan? Has it been lost, or is it still in your possession?"
"This matter is of great importance. Please answer truthfully."
At the same time, he carefully observed Xiao Yan's expression.
Xiao Yan was currently the strongest person in the Xiao Clan. If the Ancient Jade was still there, he was the person most likely to know something about it.
Xiao Yan frowned slightly and asked in confusion, "The key? What are you talking about?"
Seeing the confusion in Xiao Yan's eyes, Gu Zhen did not relax. Instead, he continued probing, "What kind of identity does Miss Xun'er have? Why would she go to the Xiao Clan? You truly know nothing about it? You really know nothing about the Ancient Jade?"
The matter that Xiao Yan did not want to think about, and that Xun'er did not want to mention, had suddenly been brought up by Gu Zhen. Xiao Yan's emotions immediately fluctuated.
"Hm?" His brows tightened, his expression becoming uncertain as he said in a deep voice, "Ancient Jade? What Ancient Jade? What does that have to do with Xun'er coming to live with my Xiao Clan? Gu Zhen, stop beating around the bush and explain yourself clearly."
Gu Zhen had been carefully observing Xiao Yan's expression all along. Seeing the mixture of anger and confusion on his face, some of the suspicion in his heart faded.
"The Ancient Jade naturally refers to the Ancient Emperor Tuoshe Jade. It looks like this."
Gu Zhen handed a scroll to Xiao Yan and said indifferently, "For Miss to humble herself and personally go to the Xiao Clan, only this could possibly be valuable enough to warrant it."
Hearing this, Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed slightly. Suppressing the irritation in his heart, he took the scroll and opened it.
On the painting was a lifelike depiction of a piece of emerald-green jade. At its center was a tiny point of light that seemed to possess an unusual spirituality. However.
A trace of unfamiliarity flashed through Xiao Yan's eyes.
He had indeed never seen this thing before.
Seeing his reaction, Gu Zhen could not help sighing inwardly.
"This reaction seems to indicate that he truly knows nothing about it. That also makes sense. According to the intelligence reports, Xiao Yan had only been a Dou Practitioner when he left to train. It was unlikely that the Xiao Clan Leader would have handed the Ancient Jade to him, and by the time he returned, the higher-ups of the Xiao Clan had already been captured."
"It seems there is little hope of obtaining the Xiao Clan's portion of the key this time."
A trace of frustration flashed through Gu Zhen's eyes as he thought inwardly, "If the key really was lost, I hope it was lost during the Xiao Clan's migration, rather than falling into the hands of the Soul Clan."
"Young Clan Leader Xiao." Holding onto his final sliver of hope, Gu Zhen said seriously, "If you ever manage to find this Ancient Jade, I hope you will hand it over to my clan."
"The Ancient Jade is of immense importance. With the Xiao Clan's current strength, possessing it will bring you no benefits. On the contrary, it will only invite disaster. But if you hand it over to my clan, we will certainly give the Xiao Clan a reward beyond your imagination."
Xiao Yan suppressed the complicated emotions in his heart and said indifferently, "Thank you for the warning, but whatever happens to the Xiao Clan's Ancient Jade, we members of the Xiao Clan will make our own decision."
Seeing Xiao Yan's stern expression, Gu Zhen nodded. He had more or less figured out this young man's temperament.
"If that is the case, then I have only one final matter left."
"Our Clan Ancestor has guessed that Miss may have some feelings for you, so he instructed me to pass a message to you. These are his exact words."
"Xiao Clan boy, forget about Miss. As for what happened between you in the past, it would be best to treat it as though it never happened. Miss holds an extremely important position within our clan. The person worthy of standing beside her can only be a true powerhouse of the continent. You are not worthy."
"Is that so?"
A trace of coldness flashed through Xiao Yan's eyes.
"But I refuse. And I will definitely become a true powerhouse as well..."
Having said that, he turned around without hesitation and left, heading toward the Inner Academy.
"Another stubborn fellow."
Looking at his departing back, Gu Zhen helplessly shook his head.
"Forget it. It doesn't matter. It seems the thing isn't in his hands either. To be safe, I should still go and take a look at the current Xiao Clan before making any conclusions..."
"The elders of the clan really do love ordering me around. I'm honestly envious of that fellow Gu Yao. He can focus entirely on cultivation without having to bother with these trivial matters."
As he spoke, he looked with interest toward a certain shadow and chuckled, "Wouldn't you agree, Ling Ying?"
As his voice fell, the shadow stirred, and Ling Ying appeared before Gu Zhen.
He bent his body slightly and respectfully said, "Earth Tier Protector Ling Ying pays his respects to Young Master Gu Zhen!"
"Rest assured, I have no intention of targeting Xiao Yan."
Gu Zhen casually waved his hand and said indifferently, "I stayed behind for these few days to complete the matters assigned by the elders. The changes within the Xiao Clan require me to make a final compilation of the intelligence."
"Next, gather our people stationed here. I have some things I need to ask them about."
"Yes, I will take care of it immediately!"
"No need to rush. First, give me a proper introduction to this Lin Yuan. The man was able to defeat Gu Yao, so he is quite a remarkable figure..."
Inner Academy, Medicine Garden.
Lin Yuan sat cross-legged on the bed in his room, his upper body bare.
On his chest was a patch of Demonic Poison as black as ink. Surrounding the poison spot was a faint ice-blue halo, from which an intense heat radiated.
Wisps of black mist seeped out from the Demonic Poison Spot before being drawn into the ice-blue halo.
Under the refinement of the new Heavenly Flame, or perhaps it would be more appropriate to call it by its new name, the Qianlan Heart Flame, the black mist entering the ice-blue halo was rapidly refined into extremely pure Dou Qi.
This pure Dou Qi circulated along the cultivation route of the Heavenly Capital Flame Canon before rapidly being absorbed by every part of Lin Yuan's body.
As time passed, Lin Yuan's aura steadily grew stronger.
Meanwhile, in a chair inside the room, Xiao Yixian held a Poison Scripture in her jade-like hand. Occasionally, she gently turned a page with her fingertip, while from time to time, her gentle eyes would fall upon Lin Yuan.
At a certain moment, Lin Yuan dispersed his cultivation hand seals and opened his tightly shut eyes. A sharp glint flowed through his deep eyes.
Several hours of refinement had not left him the slightest bit fatigued. Instead, the replenishment of his enormous reserves of Dou Qi had left him in perfect peak condition.
At the same time, Lin Yuan's aura and cultivation had also improved noticeably compared to before.
"Late-stage two-star Dou Ancestor? Very good."
Feeling the enormous power surging through his body, the corners of Lin Yuan's lips curled upward slightly.
"Finished?"
A gentle, warm laugh sounded.
Lin Yuan raised his head.
Xiao Yixian, dressed in a white dress and looking especially fresh and captivating at this moment, entered his sight.
She stood before Lin Yuan and carefully examined the Demonic Poison Spot on his chest. After noticing that it had shrunk slightly, a trace of delight appeared in her eyes.
"Mm, finished!"
Lin Yuan nodded slightly and chuckled.
"There's no need to rush the refinement of this thing. We can take it slowly."
Long periods of alchemy were an excellent way to temper one's Dou Qi.
After completing the refinement of the Beginning Venerable Pill and his battle with Gu Yao, Lin Yuan had also finished tempering his own Dou Qi. Thus, he had begun refining the Demonic Poison Spot again to increase his cultivation.
After this round of refinement, his cultivation had risen directly from just below the mid-stage of the two-star Dou Ancestor realm to the late stage.
"This Demonic Poison Spot really is a good thing. If I had cultivated by normally absorbing energy from the outside world, I probably would have needed nearly another two months to reach my current level. As expected, in this world, honest cultivation really gets you nowhere."
Lin Yuan lowered his head and glanced at the Demonic Poison Spot on his chest, unable to help sighing inwardly.
Then, he shook his head and cast aside his chaotic thoughts. He quickly got up, put on his robe, and looked toward Xiao Yixian.
"Xiao Yixian, I have something I want to give you."
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