"Xu Ran."
Yun Yun's mind conjured up Xu Ran's image.
She had a vague feeling that it was Xu Ran!
Though Xu Ran had always appeared to be a member of the Human Clan on the surface, one shouldn't forget that powerful Magical Beasts could Transform into human form, and what's more, Xu Ran, being such a formidable Alchemist, would not find it difficult to concoct a Metamorphosis Pill for himself.
Moreover, at that time, Xu Ran had intended to visit the Snake-People Tribe.
The Snake-People Tribe possessed a Strange Fire, and she believed Xu Ran must have received this news as well.
Therefore, it was possible that Xu Ran came here to seize the Strange Fire. The Strange Fire was a treasure, and even someone as strong as Xu Ran wouldn't mind having even more strength.
The Green Lotus Core Flame ranked quite high on the Exotic Flame Ranking.
Of course, the most important factor was Queen Medusa's widespread fame for her beauty. Given Xu Ran's lustful nature, it was definitely impossible for him to stay away from the Snake-People Tribe.
"Damn enchantress!"
Yun Yun found herself inexplicably filled with resentment.
The thought of Queen Medusa possibly being intimate with Xu Ran made her unbearably angry.
Just now, that must have been Xu Ran showing off his strength in front of Queen Medusa, seeking to conquer her in one fell swoop. Hmph... Jealousy and resentment surged within Yun Yun as she clenched her teeth in anger.
This Xu Ran, had she barely left before he got cozy with Queen Medusa?
Her seat wasn't even warm yet!
Heh... What good are the promises of a man?
No matter how sweetly they speak, they are the type who eat from the bowl and look into the pot — never up to any good.
"Yun Yun Sect Master, what is this…"
Gu He and several other experts were somewhat startled by Yun Yun's expression, seeing her eyes occasionally reveal a girlish demeanor, they couldn't help being dumbfounded.
The Yun Yun Sect Master from the Yunlan Sect in love?
But who could the target be?
Yun Yun Sect Master is now a Dou Zong Expert.
Yun Yun obtained an Elixir from Xu Ran's hand, making a breakthrough to Dou Zong all at once. Although this event hadn't caused as much of a sensation as Ya Fei's breakthrough, many major forces still came to learn of it.
After all, with the Yunlan Sect being the premier sect of the Jia Ma Empire, many kept an eye on its developments.
Furthermore, the naturally beautiful Sect Master Yun Yun could easily attract plenty of attention, so Yun Yun's breakthrough was naturally impossible to conceal from anyone.
At that time, Yun Yun was quite a distance away from the pinnacle of Douhuang, yet she managed to leapfrog so many levels in such a short time and even became a Dou Zong.
This rapid pace was only possible with the aid of an elixir with extremely potent medicinal effects.
In the Jia Ma Empire, the only one who could concoct such an Elixir was none other than the legendary Xu Ran. Thus, it wouldn't be surprising for Xu Ran and Yun Yun, a pair of talented and attractive individuals, to come together. If there was anyone in the Jia Ma Empire who was worthy of Yun Yun, it could only be Xu Ran.
In the past, Gu He firmly believed that only he was worthy of Yun Yun. But now he understood.
Yun Yun, a woman of unparalleled beauty, was not someone he could lay a finger on.
Especially after suspecting there may be some relationship between Yun Yun and Xu Ran, his impractical ideas were further dispelled. Now, all he wanted was to find Xu Ran and plead for him to take him as a disciple!
His alchemy had reached the peak of what he could achieve on his own!
In the Jia Ma Empire, without the support of a powerful alchemist, he could only ever hope to become a Sixth-Grade Alchemist. The gap between the Sixth and Seventh Grades was like a chasm, leaving people in despair.
So, after realizing that Xu Ran possessed transcendental alchemy skills, he started harboring this thought.
"Sect Master Yun Yun, do you know where Lord Xu Ran is? If you do, tell me, and I, Gu He, will surely reward you generously. I'm even willing to serve the Yunlan Sect by concocting elixirs for several years," Gu He said excitedly.
"Are you certain?"
Yun Yun looked at Gu He, surprised.
As the only Sixth-Grade Alchemist in the Jia Ma Empire, Gu He had long been the most powerful alchemist in the empire. Yun Yun was aware of his pride; getting him to bow his head seemed nearly impossible.
But now, well…
"I indeed know where Xu Ran is. I'm not against introducing you to him, but on the condition that you serve my Yunlan Sect for ten years without compensation. And I can't guarantee that Xu Ran will agree to anything—I'll merely bring you to see him, that's all," Yun Yun stated.
If there was a benefit to be had, Yun Yun naturally would ask for a lot in return.
Even if it seemed like tyranny to outsiders, Gu He would agree without a moment's hesitation.
"I agree. As long as I can just meet that esteemed person, what does it matter if I concoct elixirs for the Yunlan Sect for a few years? To learn the Dao in the morning and die in the evening would be enough. If I could have the opportunity to witness that lord's alchemy process, my life would be worthwhile," Gu He said, his face flushed with excitement.
Because alchemists spend a long time researching elixirs, they tend to be simpler in other aspects. For them, the honor lies in becoming more powerful alchemists and witnessing the birth of miraculous elixirs they had only read about in books.
Therefore, even if he couldn't become Xu Ran's disciple, merely meeting Xu Ran was not a loss for Gu He. Each person strives for different things, and what alchemists pursue is not the same as what ordinary cultivators do.
"That's settled. Xu Ran actually is at the destination of our journey, the Snake-People Tribe."
"He must have gone to find that enchantress, Queen Medusa," Yun Yun said, frowning slightly and huffing lightly, a rare look of dissatisfaction surfacing on her otherwise calm and fair face.
"Then there's no time to lose, let's make haste to the Snake-People Tribe," Gu He said, and with impatience bubbling within him, he activated his Dou Qi Hua Yi and flew towards the distant Snake-People Tribe.
It was now that Gu He understood why Yun Yun had shown that expression just now—she was jealous.
Queen Medusa's beauty was known to all, and in this desert, she was truly a thorny rose. Over the years, countless people have admired Queen Medusa's fame, longing to even catch a glimpse of her. However, the fate of those who sought her was too gruesome to behold. No one under the heavens had dared to pursue that wild rose.
Even the Douhuang (Battle Emperor) Strong Ones of the Jia Ma Empire spoke of Queen Medusa with a hint of fear, daring not harbor any such thoughts despite her overwhelming beauty.
"That kind of woman can only be subdued by Lord Xu Ran after all."
"And there's Sect Master Yun Yun, Nalan Yanran, Ya Fei, and also someone from the Xiao Family…"
Thinking to himself, Gu He's admiration for Xu Ran grew even stronger.
Truly powerful individuals are not just strong in strength but in other facets as well.
The ability that Lord Xu Ran possessed was simply awe-inspiring. To have the hearts of so many Heaven's Proud Daughters tied to him, and yet without a wandering eye, is not something just anyone could achieve.