Chapter 94: Wood Births Fire, Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect!
Seeing Jiang Yun act as if it had nothing to do with him, Xiao Yi Xian was instantly furious in her heart and glared fiercely at him.
However, this utterly harmless glare had absolutely no effect on Jiang Yun.
"Oh, right. Now that you're wood attribute—but given your special circumstances—have you felt any other discomfort?" After receiving several consecutive eye rolls, Jiang Yun timely helped Xiao Yi Xian out of her predicament.
Sure enough, upon hearing Jiang Yun's words, Zi Yan and Qing Lin were immediately distracted. They looked at Xiao Yi Xian together, their eyes full of undisguised curiosity and concern.
Seeing this, Xiao Yi Xian secretly breathed a sigh of relief, then said softly, "No discomfort. I feel wonderful!"
Her delicate fingers lightly tapped, and a strand of green Dou Qi, carrying vitality, slowly coalesced, ultimately forming a thin layer of Dou Qi gauze—precisely the hallmark of a cultivator entering the Dou Shi level.
"Sister Xiao Yi Xian, you're a Dou Shi!"
Seeing this, Qing Lin beside her exclaimed in surprise. Even Zi Yan was full of amazed praise.
Just a few days ago, Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin had soaked in the Earth Core Body-Tempering Milk together. Because Jiang Yun had specially arranged it, Xiao Yi Xian hadn't broken through to Dou Zhe at that time. Qing Lin, on the other hand, without such restrictions, had already entered the ranks of Dou Shi after that day.
Who would have thought that in just a few days' time, Xiao Yi Xian would actually leap across an entire major realm and catch up to Qing Lin.
"It was all thanks to Jiang Yun!" Xiao Yi Xian was not prideful. Instead, she looked at Jiang Yun with a face full of smiles, within which anyone could see her adoration.
However, neither Qing Lin nor Zi Yan found anything wrong with this. Having witnessed Jiang Yun's methods, it was indeed difficult not to develop a sense of worship toward him.
"Yun'er, take a closer look at this girl's attribute. This time, there may be an unexpected gain!"
Qing Ming, who hadn't spoken in a long while, unexpectedly sounded out in Jiang Yun's mind at this moment.
"Senior Qing Ming..." Jiang Yun was now somewhat surprised. Xiao Yi Xian's attribute had actually provoked a reaction from Qing Ming. One had to know, all along, the number of times Qing Ming proactively spoke could be counted on one's fingers.
Normally, this 'great buddha' just quietly watched Jiang Yun's growth while peacefully restoring his own power. To what extent the other had now recovered, even Jiang Yun was unclear.
"You mean, Xiao Yi Xian's attribute isn't just purely wood attribute?" Jiang Yun asked somewhat curiously in his mind.
"Heh heh, this time, there may be a pleasant surprise!" Qing Ming didn't directly answer Jiang Yun's question, but spoke with deep meaning.
This instead piqued Jiang Yun's curiosity!
Xiao Yi Xian, feeling she had demonstrated enough, was about to withdraw her Dou Qi. Just then, Jiang Yun's voice rang out:
"Wait!"
"?" The others looked at Jiang Yun somewhat puzzled, not knowing what had happened.
"What's wrong?" Xiao Yi Xian asked a bit blankly, then seemed to recall something and asked with some concern: "Is there a problem?"
"What?"
"There's still a problem with Xiao Yi Xian's body?"
"Xiao Yun, quickly take a look at her. You're an eighth-tier alchemist—what problem could you possibly not cure?"
"Yes, Brother Jiang Yun, quickly take a look at Sister Xiao Yi Xian!"
Before Jiang Yun could even speak, Qing Lin and Zi Yan were already anxiously pleading.
"It's nothing, Xiao Yi Xian is fine!" Looking at the flustered Qing Lin and Zi Yan, Jiang Yun didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Only after the few had calmed down did he continue: "It's just that I've noticed something different about Xiao Yi Xian's attribute and want to examine it more closely."
"Phew—"
Hearing Jiang Yun say this, the three immediately breathed a secret sigh of relief. Then, a new wave of curiosity wreathed around the heads of the three.
Jiang Yun raised his hand and took hold of Xiao Yi Xian's palm. His powerful Dou Qi instantly turned gentle, as soft as water, and slowly entered Xiao Yi Xian's body.
Immediately, an energy brimming with vitality unfolded before him. However, upon deeper inspection, Jiang Yun discovered to his astonishment that beneath this vigorous vitality, there were hidden strands of scorching-hot power.
That power was all too familiar to him—it was the fire attribute! Xiao Yi Xian's originally poison attribute had actually mutated into an attribute of wood carrying fire within it!
Although this fire attribute was extremely weak, having even a trace of it meant limitless possibilities. There was a chance she might even have the potential to become an alchemist.
However, Jiang Yun just couldn't figure out how a perfectly fine wood attribute could produce a state of 'wood giving birth to fire'?
For a wood attribute, there was indeed a chance for other attributes to appear—wood birthing fire or wood birthing lightning both existed. But such probabilities were very small, let alone in Xiao Yi Xian's condition.
Could it be the result of being burned by the flame?
At present, this was likely the only explanation, else Jiang Yun couldn't understand it.
While Jiang Yun was immersed in his exploration, Xiao Yi Xian and the other two watched him nervously, awaiting his conclusion. Finally, Jiang Yun withdrew his palm.
"Well?" Zi Yan immediately asked impatiently. At the same moment, Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin also looked at Jiang Yun nervously.
"Good news!"
Seeing this, Jiang Yun chuckled lightly and told the others the conclusion he had reached, making Zi Yan and Qing Lin click their tongues in wonder.
"Then can Sister Xiao Yi Xian refine medicine now?" At this moment, Qing Lin seemed to have discovered a crucial point and looked at Xiao Yi Xian in surprise.
"!" Xiao Yi Xian also looked at Jiang Yun, her face full of anticipation, her body even trembling slightly. One had to know, becoming an alchemist had always been her dream. Now, having turned misfortune into a blessing, there was actually a chance to open that door—how could she not be excited?
"In theory, it's possible. However, you will still need a powerful flame seed. The heavenly flame most suited for a wood-births-fire attribute would be the Living Creature Flame, ranked fifth on the Heavenly Flame List. But that flame's whereabouts are unpredictable and there's no news of it at the moment. We can only substitute with a beast flame for now."
Under Xiao Yi Xian's expectant gaze, Jiang Yun slowly nodded, then continued: "However, with your condition, although there's a high probability you can refine medicine, it will be several times more difficult than for an ordinary alchemist. What level you can reach in the future is also uncertain..."
"It's fine! As long as I can refine medicine, even if it's only the lowest tier-one pill, I'll have fulfilled my wish!"
Before Jiang Yun could even finish speaking, Xiao Yi Xian impatiently interrupted.
"Alright. Next, we're heading to the Jia Ma Imperial Capital. We can conveniently look for a suitable flame seed along the way, and on the journey, I'll teach you the knowledge of an alchemist."
Seeing this, Jiang Yun nodded and spoke.
"We're leaving this place?" Zi Yan now said with an excited face. Looking at her eager expression, clearly the secluded life had already bored the restless girl to the limit.
"There are no more suitable medicinal ingredients here. There's no need for us to stay any longer!"
"We're leaving now?" Hearing they were to depart, Xiao Yi Xian turned her head back, somewhat reluctantly, to gaze at this unforgettable valley.
"Sister Xiao Yi Xian, if we get the chance, we can come back to visit!" Qing Lin sensed Xiao Yi Xian's reluctant mood and comforted her softly.
"Thank you, Qing Lin!"
Sure enough, hearing Qing Lin's comfort, Xiao Yi Xian immediately felt much better, even though they all knew that once they left, who knew when they might return in the future.
"Screech—"
Just as everyone had packed up and was preparing to leave, a sharp cry suddenly came from the distant sky.
Looking up, they saw deep within the great mountains, a giant eagle, entirely azure, rapidly sweeping past. In mere moments, it was circling above the valley.
"It's Xiao Lan!" Looking at the rank one Blue Eagle in midair, Xiao Yi Xian immediately let out a surprised cry.
"A rank one Blue Eagle!"
The gazes of the group fell upon the Blue Eagle. Jiang Yun keenly sensed the trembling in the other's eyes, yet when its gaze landed on Xiao Yi Xian, it actually endured the fear in its heart and remained, refusing to leave.
"What a loyal and devoted Magical Beast. Then let me help you out!" As Jiang Yun's voice fell, he raised his hand, and a white chain snaked out, transforming into a bolt of lightning, shooting swiftly toward the creature.
"Screech—"
Not long after!
A giant blue eagle flapped its wings and sped swiftly toward the horizon. Enormous gusts of wind swept past as the eagle beat its wings. On its back sat four figures—none other than Jiang Yun's group.
Now, compared to before, this Blue Eagle seemed to have undergone a transformation. Every time it flapped its wings, faint green gales swept out around it, and its speed quickened by a fraction.
Not a few Magical Beasts in the Magical Beast Mountain Range, upon sensing its aura, began to tremble with fear. Because at this moment, the aura the Blue Eagle emanated had already impressively reached the rank four level.
This was precisely Jiang Yun's handiwork. He had once again used the Saint Demon Flame to activate the latent bloodline power within its body. However, the powerful bloodline force within the Blue Eagle was far too diluted. Even with Jiang Yun's augmentation, it could only reach the level of rank four.
But this was already a cultivation level that most Magical Beasts could never achieve in their entire lifetimes. Now, even Xiao Yi Xian, no matter how worried she might have been, could set her mind at ease.
A rank four flying Magical Beast, as long as it lived peacefully and safely, could live quite comfortably here.
Around the borders of the Jia Ma Empire were three great empires: the Luo Yan Empire, the Mu Lan Empire, and the Chu Yun Empire. Each empire was stronger than the Jia Ma Empire.
This was because the three empires were each dominated by their respective top sects. Their imperial families were basically just for show, unlike the Jia Ma Empire, where the imperial family and the Yun Lan Sect were locked in covert and overt struggles.
Most importantly, the Jia Ma Empire had no Dou Zong experts, which put them at a disadvantage in terms of top-tier combat strength.
And among the three empires, the Chu Yun Empire was the most chaotic, because here existed a special profession: poison masters!
The profession of poison master, one reviled by all, could be seen in every city of the Chu Yun Empire. People dressed in poison master robes were everywhere.
In every city of this empire, there were shops specifically selling toxic substances. As long as it was related to poison, it could be purchased in these places.
However, most of the poison masters in the Chu Yun Empire were not born with mutated Dou Qi, but rather were cultivated artificially.
From a young age, when they trained, they would soak their bodies in poisonous water. This way, as they cultivated, the toxins would slowly fuse with the Dou Qi within their bodies. What was originally normal Dou Qi would then transform into poison Dou Qi possessing various effects!
This method of cultivation was extremely tyrannical and dangerous. Unless one had something like the Calamity Poison Body, which could treat toxins as nourishment—otherwise, toxins did not discriminate between friend and foe.
Therefore, the lifespans of those who cultivated poison Dou Qi were much shorter than those of ordinary people.
It was for such reasons that the Chu Yun Empire's culture had formed in this manner. The interior of the empire was rather chaotic; skirmishes and fights were even more extreme than in the Black-Corner Region.
On the surface, the Chu Yun Empire was ruled by the imperial family. But in the shadows, it was ruled by the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect.
The Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect was located in the Sky Scorpion Mountain Range. There lay a bottomless gorge here. On the cliff walls of this gorge were countless brilliantly multicolored poisonous scorpions. The poisonous mist coiling within the gorge also slowly churned, carrying faint traces of a fetid stench.
Upon entering the territory of the Sky Scorpion Mountain Range, this place was a rarely seen 'peaceful' zone.
Within the surrounding areas, patrolling disciples of the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect occasionally flickered into view.
"Jingle~"
Suddenly, from the distant horizon, a strange ringing sound echoed out.
"Who goes there—"
The ringing bell startled the surrounding patrolling disciples. Immediately, dozens of figures appeared, the foremost figure soaring into the air with a great shout.
But the moment he saw clearly who had arrived, everyone couldn't help but feel a shiver of terror.
They were two extremely massive Magical Beasts, their bodies covered in blindingly dazzling purple crystals. Under the brilliant sunlight, noble purple radiance scattered in every direction, extremely piercing to the eyes.
The giant Magical Beasts stood upon the void, an intangible pressure descending from the sky. They looked incredibly majestic.
"Amethyst Winged Lion Kings—"
A panicked and terrified roar echoed through the gorge. The Dou Wang of the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect had already recognized the two Magical Beasts—they were precisely the overlords of the Magical Beast Mountain Range, the Amethyst Winged Lion Kings. But what he hadn't noticed was that at this moment, the Amethyst Winged Lion Kings had no Dou Qi wings. Their thick, sturdy limbs just stood upon the void like that.
Yet what shocked them even more was the pitch-black war chariot pulled behind the Amethyst Winged Lion Kings, entirely wreathed in black mist, with the clanking and clattering of chains ringing out.
Someone had actually made the Amethyst Winged Lion Kings their mounts! He no longer dared to imagine who exactly had arrived.
At this moment, even the Dou Wang was stunned into complete petrification, utterly dumbfounded.
"Where is Xie Bi Yan?"
"Still not coming out to welcome my lord!"
The Amethyst Winged Lion King didn't even glance at that Dou Wang. Its gaze was firmly locked onto the direction of the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect as it roared out with a voice like startling thunder.
Accompanying the roar came a terrifying aura that pressed down so heavily the disciples of the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect nearby couldn't even straighten their backs.
"Fine, fine, fine! It's been a long time since anyone dared to act so brazenly before my Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect! No matter who you are, today you will leave your blood splattered upon this ground!"
In the distance, a terrifying poisonous mist spread over. Accompanying it was an eerie, chilling laugh. The poisonous mist churned for a moment, and streaks of human figures flickered out from within, finally stopping in the sky in scattered disarray. Their icy gazes stared at the Amethyst Winged Lion Kings not far away.
The leader of the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect's experts was a middle-aged man with a cold, sinister face, dressed in magnificent robes. He was precisely the current sect leader of the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect—Xie Shan.
When Xie Shan's gaze landed upon the Amethyst Winged Lion Kings, his eyes instantly constricted sharply. He let out a sharp, piercing cry:
"You've broken through to rank seven—"