“Why?” Hearing the words of the Pharmacist Elder, Xiao Yan was momentarily stunned, and asked in surprise. “Do you really think that merely reaching the Dou Sheng level guarantees success in subduing the Purifying Lotus Demonic Flame?” The Pharmacist Elder gazed at Xiao Yan with an odd look in his eyes and sneered. “Isn’t this enough?” Xiao Yan’s mouth twitched. At his current level, devouring lesser-ranked Heaven and Earth flames would no longer significantly boost his strength. Yet, the Pharmacist Elder now said even this level wasn’t enough, which was rather frightening. “Ah, the three top-ranked Heaven and Earth flames are unique in the world. These divine objects that make spirits cower and heavens tremble—how could they be so easily subdued?” The Pharmacist Elder shook his head and sighed lightly. “While you were in seclusion, I also read some ancient texts. I learned a bit about the information on the Purifying Lotus Demonic Flame. This demonic flame appears only once every thousand years, and this is not its first appearance. However, to this day, no one has been able to subdue it. From this, you should be able to guess a few things.” Xiao Yan’s expression changed slightly, then he nodded. The emergence of the Purifying Lotus Demonic Flame would inevitably attract the strongest forces in the world. But in all its previous appearances, no one had ever succeeded in subduing it. This alone proved its terrifying nature! If even those peak experts had failed, then Xiao Yan’s initial-star Dou Sheng strength might not be enough to subdue it either.
“Therefore, for the subjugation of the Purifying Lotus Demonic Flame, you must be fully prepared,” the Pharmacist Elder said gravely. Now that Xiao Yan had reached the Dou Sheng level, ordinary Heaven and Earth flames would not provide much of a boost to his strength. To further enhance his power, he had to focus on the top-ranked Heaven and Earth flames.
“Is there something I need in the Nine Nether Springs?”
“Yes,” the Pharmacist Elder nodded slowly. He held a dark red ancient scroll in his hand, and as soon as it appeared, a chilling wave rippled out, spreading around it like a cold cloud sea.
“This is a high-ranked medicinal formula I obtained at great cost. It’s called the Nine Yin Nether Spring Pill. When refined, you can inject it into the Purifying Lotus Demonic Flame. The extremely yin energy within the pill will weaken the demonic flame, thereby increasing your chances of subjugation,” the Pharmacist Elder stroked the ancient scroll. To obtain this formula, he had given up a significant portion of his treasure, trading it with a grandmaster alchemist.
“However, to refine the Nine Yin Nether Spring Pill, you need a main ingredient: the Nether Spring Blood Crystal. This crystal can only form at the bottom of the Nine Nether Springs. Therefore, in the next nine months, you must go to the Nine Nether Springs, obtain the crystal, and refine the Nine Yin Nether Spring Pill. Only then can you maximize your chances of subjugating the Purifying Lotus Demonic Flame.”
Xiao Yan looked at the dark red ancient scroll and, after a moment, nodded slowly. The Purifying Lotus Demonic Flame was too important for him. No matter what, he had to get it. He knew that if he failed, he might never see another chance for the next thousand years…
“It’s been a long time since I prepared something for consuming a Heaven and Earth flame…” Taking the ancient dark red scroll, Xiao Yan sighed. This preparation of pills for consuming a Heaven and Earth flame was something he had only done when he first consumed the Azure Lotus Earth Heart Flame and the Fallen Heart Flame. After that, whenever he encountered a Heaven and Earth flame, he would just consume it directly, without preparing anything. He hadn’t expected to have to do this again.
“Unfortunately, the Purifying Lotus Demonic Flame is not comparable to the Three Thousand Blaze Flames. Think about it, how powerful was the Purifying Lotus Demon Sage? It’s said that his final downfall was due to the backlash of the Purifying Lotus Demonic Flame,” the Pharmacist Elder said.
“Oh?” At these words, Xiao Yan’s heart was shocked. The Purifying Lotus Demon Sage was at least a Nine-Star Dou Sheng level. Even such a peak expert had fallen to the Purifying Lotus Demonic Flame. Compared to him, Xiao Yan’s One-Star Dou Sheng strength was indeed far from enough.
“It seems the Nine Yin Nether Spring Pill must be prepared…”
Xiao Yan nodded slowly. “Is the Nine Nether Springs controlled by the Nine Nether Ground Serpent clan?”
“Yes, the Nine Nether Springs are deep in the earth, in the territory of the Nine Nether Ground Serpents. They regard it as a holy land. Any serpent about to ascend in rank would go to the Nine Nether Springs, where soaking in the water would greatly facilitate their breakthrough. However, the water in the springs is extremely yin and cold, making it a top-notch training ground for snake-type mystical beasts. But due to its extreme yin and coldness, even I dare not delve into its depths,” the Pharmacist Elder explained gravely.
“Luckily, you have four Heaven and Earth flames. Protected by them, you should be able to reach the depths and obtain the Nether Spring Blood Crystal. Also, it’s a holy land for Cai Lin. The Seven-Colored Devouring Heaven Serpent is a divine snake, and the Nine-Colored Devouring Heaven Serpent can rival the Ancient Sky Serpent King. If she successfully evolves in the Nine Nether Springs, her strength will undoubtedly soar,” the Pharmacist Elder smiled. “If she truly evolves into a Nine-Colored Devouring Heaven Serpent, transforming into her snake form will allow her to devour mountain ranges, and even the sky.”
Xiao Yan nodded. The Seven-Colored Devouring Heaven Serpent was already rare, and the Nine-Colored Devouring Heaven Serpent even rarer. Even in ancient times, sightings were few. He didn’t doubt Cai Lin’s potential power if she successfully evolved.
“Since the Nine Nether Springs are controlled by the Nine Nether Ground Serpents, they will naturally obstruct us,” Xiao Yan pondered. The Nine Nether Ground Serpents were one of the three major races among magical beasts, with formidable strength. There would certainly be peak experts guarding the area, and this trip would likely not be easy.
“With your current strength, there are few in the Nine Nether Ground Serpent clan who can defeat you. As for the deeply hidden old freaks, they usually don’t show themselves. Of course, if it comes to that, you can tear the spatial jade slip. I’ve been with Fire Cloud Ancestor and the others recently. If we receive a summons, we’ll all rush over. The strength of our ‘Heavenly Alliance’ is not to be feared,” the Pharmacist Elder smiled.
Hearing this, Xiao Yan also smiled. Though the Starfall Pavilion alone might not compare to the Nine Nether Ground Serpents, the alliance had drastically increased their power. There was no need to fear the serpents any longer.
“Since this is the case, and time is short, let’s set out tomorrow.”
Xiao Yan knew that the emergence of the Purifying Lotus Demonic Flame was drawing near. He needed to refine the Nine Yin Nether Spring Pill before then, or the failure to subdue the flame would leave him with no room for regret.
“Yes, go with confidence. We’ll handle the alliance’s affairs,” the Pharmacist Elder nodded and smiled.
The next day, as the sky just began to lighten, Xiao Yan set out with Cai Lin, Little Healer Immortal, and Qing Lin. They made their way straight towards the Beast Domain. Having been there before, Xiao Yan was well-versed in the route. With his increased strength, he traveled much faster. A journey that used to take several days was now completed in just half a day.
Upon entering the Beast Domain, Xiao Yan and his companions did not linger but headed straight for the territory of the Nine Nether Ground Serpents. Their true stronghold was deep underground, but they also had numerous branches on the surface. Their population was the largest among the three major races, but the sheer number led to impure bloodlines. According to the elders’ estimates, if this trend continued, the ancient bloodline of the Nine Nether Ground Serpents would be lost within a hundred years, reducing them to the level of common mystical beasts.
For this reason, the Nine Nether Ground Serpents argued extensively. Without the replenishment of the ancient bloodline and their current breeding rate, that day would inevitably come.
The Nine Nether Abyss, a main passage to the underworld, was also controlled by the Nine Nether Ground Serpents. The defense was strict, but such measures were only effective against ordinary strongmen. With Xiao Yan’s current strength, he could slip past undetected.
Xiao Yan and his group materialized on a mountain near the abyss. He glanced at the seemingly strict defenses, shook his head, and was about to use his spatial power to transport everyone into the abyss when a gust of wind broke through the air. Several figures flashed across the sky, appearing above the deep gorge.
“These people… are they from the Ancient Void Dragons?” Xiao Yan recognized the figures, his face showing surprise. He possessed a small amount of the Dragon-Phoenix bloodline and could sense the Ancient Void Dragons. But to encounter them here was unexpected.
“Could they be sent by Zi Yan? But she should be out of seclusion, dealing with the other three Dragon Kings. Why would she send people to the reclusive Nine Nether Ground Serpents?” Xiao Yan furrowed his brows, then released a wave of energy. Soon, faint, intermittent voices echoed through the space, reaching his ears.
“Dragon King… dispatched…”
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