"However, what's strange is that the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Race hasn't made any moves," Hai Bo Dong said with some confusion. Shouldn't the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Race be the most furious? Xiao Yan had captured their prodigy and refined the corpses of their clansmen.
Yet, the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Race didn't jump out. Instead, the inexplicable Ice River Valley and Nine Serene Earthly Underworld Serpent Race started causing trouble.
Xiao Yan waved his hand and said, "The Heavenly Demon Phoenix Race is not a major concern. The real problem is the Nine Serene Earthly Underworld Serpent Race."
"Do you know the strength of the experts within the Nine Serene Earthly Underworld Serpent Race?" Xiao Yan asked, lightly tapping the armrest of his chair.
"The Nine Serene Earthly Underworld Serpent Race is actually inferior to the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Race and the Void Ancient Dragon Race. Most of them have impure bloodlines. However, their vast numbers and extensive territory allow them to be ranked alongside the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Race and the Void Ancient Dragon Race as one of the three major clans. The Nine Serene Earthly Underworld Serpent Race controls most of the Serpent Clan on the Dou Qi Continent, their numbers far exceeding the other two races, spanning the Beast Domain, the Central Region, and the four regions of the Southeast Northwest," Ya Fei explained, her red lips slightly parted.
"There should be Dou Sheng within their clan. Rumor has it that the patriarch of the Nine Serene Earthly Underworld Serpent Race, Yao Xiaotian, is a one-star Dou Sheng," Yao Ye added.
Xiao Yan was silent for a moment, then murmured, "A one-star Dou Sheng... that is indeed troublesome."
Xiao Yan was indeed an Eight Grade Alchemist, but to a Dou Sheng, an Eight Grade Alchemist was not enough, unless Xiao Yan was an Eight Grade Alchemist capable of refining Pills with Nine-Colored Pill Lightning.
After all, Pills of that level could allow a Dou Zun to become a Dou Sheng on the spot, which meant even a Dou Sheng would owe Xiao Yan a favor.
But even if Xiao Yan was arrogant, he knew that he couldn't refine Pills with Nine-Colored Pill Lightning, at least not yet.
That was why the Nine Serene Earthly Underworld Serpent Race was so *arrogant*, because they didn't fear the appeal of an Eight Grade Alchemist. Their Nine Serene Earthly Underworld Serpent Race had a vast influence, spread throughout the Dou Qi Continent.
The reason Xiao Yan didn't kill Feng Qing'er was that he was somewhat wary of the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Race. Just because they wouldn't fight to the death for Feng Qing'er didn't mean they wouldn't take action.
Even if they only sent some Dou Zong and low-level Dou Zun to harass the Flame Alliance, it would be an extremely troublesome matter.
Xiao Yan pondered for a while, then looked up at Qing Lin, who was standing beside him, refilling his tea, and said softly, "Perhaps the Nine Serene Earthly Underworld Serpent Race targeting us might be a good thing."
Qing Lin's cultivation had begun to slow down, and she was now a five-star Dou Zong. For ordinary people, this would be extremely fast, but for Qing Lin, who possessed the Azure Snake Three-Flower Pupils, it seemed a bit slow.
The main reason was that the Serpent Race Magical Beast Qing Lin enslaved were too low in level. The strongest was actually She Tianhao, so Qing Lin couldn't improve quickly by absorbing their cultivation.
And the Serpent Race Magical Beast in the entire Northwest Region could no longer satisfy Qing Lin. The Nine Serene Earthly Underworld Serpent Race might be an opportunity! The strongest patriarch was a one-star Dou Sheng, which meant the backbone of the clan was Dou Zong to Dou Zun. If it was a Nine Serene Earthly Underworld Serpent Race with impure bloodline and the strength of a one-star Dou Zun, Qing Lin might be able to control it with her Azure Snake Three-Flower Pupils.
Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed, and an idea instantly came to mind. He said in a deep voice, "Qing Lin, you come with me to the Pill Domain. The Nine Serene Earthly Underworld Serpent Race clearly wants to resolve this before the Pill Gathering. I think they are afraid that if I win the Pill Gathering and get the support of the Pill Tower, they won't be able to act."
Xiao Ding nodded and said, "Third brother is right. Now that the Pill Gathering is imminent, the Nine Serene Earthly Underworld Serpent Race is so anxious. They want to use the Flame Alliance as a threat to restrain you and force you to submit."
"The more they do this, the less we can compromise!"
Everyone nodded. If Xiao Yan won the Pill Gathering, then the Flame Alliance would be terrifying. This represented not only his Pill Refining skills but also Xiao Yan's potential.
Potential was not equal to strength, but a talented Eight Grade Alchemist with potential represented many things. His appeal would be even greater, and even a Dou Sheng would be willing to take action, betting that Xiao Yan could reach the level of a Nine Grade Alchemist.
After all, Nine Grade Alchemists were too rare. Sometimes you really had to gamble to get to know one.
Xiao Yan touched the Bone Flame Ring. Although he had never met Medicine Venerable, he knew that Medicine Venerable was the champion of the previous Pill Gathering, so he might have some connections in the Pill Tower.
Xiao Yan might need to borrow Medicine Venerable's name and claim some kinship.
"Hahaha, you don't have to worry about us, kid. We old bones are not afraid of death," Hai Bo Dong laughed. He was already satisfied to have entered the Dou Zong realm. He, the Ice Emperor, dared to offend even Medusa Queen back then, so he was definitely not afraid of death.
Xiao Ding stood up and said with a solemn expression, "Third brother, you take Qing Lin and Yao Lao to the Pill Domain. Ice River Valley and the Nine Serene Earthly Underworld Serpent Race shouldn't dare to act too recklessly there. With Yao Lao protecting you alone, it shouldn't be a problem."
"For the next six months, the Flame Alliance will stop expanding and shrink its Territory. If they want Territory, then give it to them. We will temporarily avoid battles as much as possible to protect the safety of our clansmen."
"We will wait for you to win the Pill Gathering in six months!"
"Big brother..." Xiao Yan looked at the decisive Xiao Ding and nodded heavily, "I understand. I will definitely avenge this humiliation after I win the championship!"
Then, Xiao Yan smiled, his eyes filled with extreme coldness, and said, "I can't do anything about the Nine Serene Earthly Underworld Serpent Race, but some grudges can be avenged along the way, and it can also reduce the pressure on the Flame Alliance."
Yao Ye was shocked and asked, "Xiao Yan, do you want to attack the Wind and Thunder Pavilion?"
Shaking his head, Xiao Yan's lips curled up, his eyes cold, and he said in a cold voice, "The Wind and Thunder Pavilion is just a clown, and it can be dealt with at any time."
Ya Fei's beautiful eyes were shocked, and her red mouth opened slightly. She said, "Xiao Yan, little brother, do you want to take revenge on Ice River Valley?!"
Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed, and a fierce light flashed. Perhaps it was time for him to use the Soul Palace's methods.
In the Territory of the Lion Nether Sect, there was an ocean. Naturally, the Dou Qi Continent also had oceans. Or rather, it was a huge inland lake, but because it was so large, it was called an ocean.
This ocean was different from the oceans Xiao Yan had seen before. The seawater looked greenish because there were various green plants under the ocean, similar to coral reefs.
Looking down from above, it was as if there were grasslands in the sea.
Like the Magical Beast Mountain Range, the Heavenly Eye Mountain Range, and the Wind and Thunder Mountain Range, this green ocean was also a treasure land with abundant resources, and it was an important source of mineral and aquatic resources for the Lion Nether Sect.
However, even the Lion Nether Sect didn't know that in a deep ditch under this green ocean, there was a Space Lock, and inside the Space Lock was a huge black Soul Palace!
This Soul Palace was extremely large. Occasionally, one could see Soul Palace Protectors wearing Protector robes emerging from within, handing over the Soul Bodies they had hunted.
Although this wasn't one of the Twenty-Four Disha Halls, it was a branch palace second only to them, and the one in charge of this branch palace was a Soul Palace Venerable titled Qing Hai.
"Jie Jie Jie, this old man's luck was pretty good this time. I found the Soul Body of a one-star Dou Zong in an ancient ruin. Although that fellow resisted incessantly, he was ultimately subdued by me."
"Then it seems that Soul Envoy Mu won't be long before you can be promoted to Protector. Congratulations indeed."
The enormous Space Lock isolated the seawater, making it seem as if one was in the depths of a trench when looking from the inside. Only a very faint ray of light shone down from above.
Many Soul Envoys wearing Soul Robes came and went. These Soul Envoys walked in twos and threes. Although most of them didn't know each other's appearances and identities, they could confirm them based on their Soul Robes, Soul Stones, and Soul Pouches.
"Have you guys heard? The Flame Alliance recently had a great battle with Ice River Valley and Wind and Thunder Pavilion."
"I heard. It's a pity I wasn't there at the time. These kinds of great battles are the best for collecting Soul Bodies."
"Wait a minute, do you guys feel a little hot?"
"Are you having delusions? This is the deep sea, how could it be hot?"
"Huh? It seems... it's getting hotter and hotter!"
Suddenly, the seawater actually began to boil, boiling more and more violently! Soon after, space began to distort, and a cluster of Black Flame burned, unable to be extinguished even by the seawater, even boiling it! A Black Robed figure appeared from the Black Flame void.
"Dou Zun!"
"What kind of flame is that! Could it be the Pill Tower attacking!"
"No! Look quickly, that's a Soul Palace Venerable!"
But soon, the Soul Envoys and Protectors here discovered that the figure that appeared was actually wearing a Soul Robe, and that Soul Robe was even more advanced than a Heaven Rank Protector's, it was a Venerable's Soul Robe!!!
With a buzz, the Black Robed figure took out a pitch-black token, and a beam of Soul Light shot out from the token, opening the Soul Palace's Space Lock.
With a snap, the figure wearing the Soul Robe landed on the ground in a flash.
Seeing the Soul Token in this person's hand, the Flame Character emitting a scorching temperature, all the Soul Envoys were so frightened that they knelt on one knee, shouting, "Greetings, Flame Venerable!"
Even the Heaven Rank Protectors, even though this Soul Palace wasn't under the Flame Venerable's jurisdiction, all lowered their heads and saluted, not daring to be disrespectful.
The person who came was naturally Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan, alone, without bringing the Heavenly Flame Venerable, slowly walked towards the pitch-black Great Hall. When he arrived at the door, Xiao Yan slowly raised his head, his voice carrying Dou Qi, spreading throughout the entire Soul Palace: "Qing Hai Venerable, I've come from afar, won't you come out to meet me?"
Boom boom boom!!! Suddenly, a terrifying Dou Zun power emanated from this dark Great Hall, and a terrifying pressure instantly suppressed down. With a meow, Black Flame surged out, breaking this Dou Zun pressure.
As the Soul Palace's gate opened, a creaking sound rang out, and a blue-haired old man wearing a Dou Zun Soul Robe, but without using a hood to conceal his appearance, appeared in Xiao Yan's sight.
"Flame Venerable, you truly have guts, daring to come alone. This is the Soul Palace under my control. If you want to annex it, I will bite off a piece of your flesh!"
Xiao Yan looked solemnly at this blue-haired old man. If it weren't for his strong rise, the Soul Palace that Wū Protector built on the Yunlan Sect would have been under this Dou Zun's jurisdiction.
Xiao Yan smiled, not afraid of this veteran Soul Palace Venerable at all, and stepped into the Great Hall. Immediately, with a wave of his hand, he closed the Soul Palace's gate.
"Qing Hai Venerable, I didn't come here with hostility today. I'm here to discuss a deal with you," Xiao Yan's voice came from within the Soul Robe.
Qing Hai Venerable was stunned upon hearing this, and then frowned. He never expected that the Flame Venerable, who was in competition with him, would come to discuss a deal!
"I have nothing to discuss with you! Please leave." Qing Hai Venerable snorted coldly, waving his sleeve. An enemy's deal was definitely poisonous! Xiao Yan smiled lightly and said, "I heard from Li Protector that Qing Hai Venerable suffered injuries when he was young, leaving behind chronic illnesses, and is searching everywhere for a good remedy. You even sought out that old thing Mu Gu, but were ultimately rejected by him."
!? Qing Hai Venerable looked at Xiao Yan with wide eyes, because he had also heard that the Soul Palace Venerable who had risen the fastest before his eyes was actually an Alchemist, and had competed with Mu Gu for the Pill Saint's trial.
Whoever passed the Pill Saint's trial could be promoted to Tian Zun! Tian Zun, that was what countless people in the Soul Palace yearned for! Xiao Yan took out a Scroll and said with a smile, "Nine Flavors Yellow Spirit Pill, an Eight Grade Pills that can attract Three-Colored Pill Lightning, effective for those below four-star Dou Zun. It can clear dark wounds and chronic illnesses in the body, and increase lifespan by thirty years, restoring youth to the body."
Upon hearing this, even Qing Hai Venerable, whose cultivation had reached two-star Dou Zun, couldn't help but breathe faster! At the Dou Zun level, Eight Grade Pills were needed. And to ask an Alchemist for Pills, one not only had to prepare Medicinal Herbs, but even the Pill Recipe needed to be prepared.
And the identity of a Soul Palace Venerable made it impossible for him to ask the Pill Tower for a Pill Recipe, but now the Flame Venerable actually had the Pill Recipe himself! If an Alchemist could refine a certain special Pills himself, then he could save a lot of Cultivation Method, not having to search for Pill Recipes everywhere like Hai Bo Dong did back then, and still have to find an Alchemist.
Qing Hai's withered face instantly had a smile. As long as there was profit, enemies could also be friends. He immediately cackled and said, "Jie Jie Jie, I wonder what Flame Venerable needs me to do, who to kill."
"With your strength, you can't kill that person. I've only heard that you know a quasi-Heaven Rank sealing Dou Technique that can seal the void and isolate the heavens and earth. I only need you to help me seal the space, set up a great formation, and prevent that person from escaping," Xiao Yan said indifferently.
!!! Qing Hai Venerable's eyes narrowed. With his strength as a two-star Dou Zun, he was only a backup to prevent the other party from escaping!!
This Flame Venerable was making a big move, catching a big fish!
"I wonder who Flame Venerable's target is..."
"Ice River Valley, Ice Venerable."
A day later, Xiao Yan, having settled everything, arrived at Cai Lin's bedchamber.
As the helmsman of the Snake-People Empire, she was naturally aware that Xiao Yan was taking Qing Lin to the Pill Domain for refuge, and that the Flame Alliance would face great difficulties and dangers in the next six months.
"Cai Lin, do you want to come with me to the Pill Domain?" Xiao Yan couldn't help but worry. Although he guessed Cai Lin's answer, he couldn't help but ask.
Cai Lin transformed back into her human form, her legs, coveted by countless men, descending from the bed, and she slowly walked to Xiao Yan. She said in an icy tone, "As the emperor of the Snake-People Empire, you want me to abandon my people and leave?"
"I..." Xiao Yan knew that with Cai Lin's character, she was the type who would rather die in battle than run away.
"Hmph, you don't need to say more. My Medusa Clan once lived in the Beast Domain, lived in the Nether Serpent Earth Vein, but were later driven out by those guys. How could we be afraid of them!" A sharp glint flashed in Cai Lin's eyes as she spoke of this part of history.
This was normal, because the Nine Serene Earthly Underworld Serpent Race was only a descendant of the Ancient Heavenly Serpent, and there was more than one kind of descendant of the Ancient Heavenly Serpent.
"I will lead the clan back to the Nether Serpent Earth Vein sooner or later."
Xiao Yan also knew that Cai Lin's nature was so domineering. If she decided on something, no one could change it, not even Xiao Yan.
"Alright, but you must listen to me on this matter. If the Dou Sheng expert of the Nine Serene Earthly Underworld Serpent Race comes to kill you, you must go to the Space Lock in the back mountain range of the Yunlan Sect. Second Brother will meet you there. Don't ask what that place is. Hiding there should be safe. I believe the Nine Serene Earthly Underworld Serpent Race wouldn't dare to attack that place forcefully." Xiao Yan's eyes were serious, and his tone was earnest.
Seeing Xiao Yan's serious eyes, a strange look flashed in Cai Lin's beautiful eyes, but she turned her head away, neither agreeing nor refusing.
Looking at Cai Lin's delicate pretty face, Xiao Yan's heart trembled. He suddenly lowered his head and kissed her full, rosy lips. Cai Lin's beautiful eyes widened, but she didn't struggle. She slowly closed her beautiful eyes, tightly hugged her lover's neck, and welcomed him.
When Xiao Yan bid farewell to Cai Lin with a deep kiss and arrived at the Gama Imperial Palace, Little Fairy Doctor, Zi Yan, and Xin Lan were already waiting.
Xiao Yan didn't plan to bring too many people this time, after all, he was going to seek refuge, and of course, to seek revenge.
Sometimes a force needs to be appropriately domineering. If you are bullied and don't retaliate, it will only lead to more and more disasters.
Just like the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Race, they also knew that if they weren't strong, the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Race, being treasures from head to toe, would definitely be targeted.
"Little Xiao Yan, take this space airship with you. With it, the journey will be more comfortable." Ya Fei grabbed Xiao Yan's big hand. Compared to Xiao Yan's hand, Ya Fei's hand was much smaller.
A silver, small boat-like toy was placed in his palm.
Looking at the small boat, Xiao Yan said, "In that case, how will you, Sister Ya Fei, cross the Space Wormhole?"
Ya Fei smiled lightly and said, "Silly boy, the Mittel Auction House will also be closed for half a year. I can finally rest for half a year. I don't think the Nine Serene Earthly Underworld Serpent Race will care about a little woman with the strength of a Da Dou Shi. This small boat is naturally useless to me."
Xiao Yan's eyes flashed, and he tightly embraced this 'sister' who had supported him from Wutan City until now.
Men are like this, the impression left when they are at their weakest is the deepest.
"Silly you, it's not a farewell to life and death. We all believe that you will definitely win the Pill Gathering championship." Ya Fei gently stroked Xiao Yan's back, her voice gentle.
Xiao Yan slowly released his hands, nodded, and said, "Let's go, let's go to the Pill Domain! I will definitely win the Pill Gathering championship in half a year!"
Several people directly opened up a Space Wormhole. Xiao Yan injected Dou Qi into the small boat, and a silver, exquisite boat floated in the wormhole.
With a whoosh, supported by powerful Dou Qi, the small boat turned into a silver light and rushed towards the Pill Domain at high speed.
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