With Medusa’s words, naturally, no more snake people dared to stop Xiao Yan. Thus, in a slightly dazed state, he passed through the area where the snake people resided without any hindrance. When he finally crossed the demarcation line, hearing the excited voices of people outside, the confusion in his mind gradually dissipated. Shaking his head, Xiao Yan recalled Medusa’s slightly unhappy mood earlier. It seemed that his actions indeed made her a bit angry since she did not appear even when he left. “Ah, what a complete scoundrel…” Smacking his forehead, Xiao Yan sighed and chided himself with a bitter smile. To encounter such a situation and be more embarrassed than the female side, it was all his responsibility. He had never expected Medusa to have to say that even if she bore a child, she would raise it alone. Perhaps he and the snake people also hoped for this, but if it were true, then the child would always carry a drop of the Xiao family’s blood. How could he ignore it? Xiao Yan wasn’t heartless. The great elder asked him to refine a medicinal pill, and without much hesitation, he chose the high-grade secret method that would benefit the infant the most. After all, it was his bloodline; how could he not give it the best… However, this news came too suddenly, shattering Xiao Yan’s usual calmness, and his words might have unknowingly hurt someone. “Next time I see her, I’ll apologize properly…” Glancing back at the area, Xiao Yan muttered to himself and then slowly left. Returning to the Yan Alliance’s branch stationed in Blackstone Fortress, Xiao Yan met with Xiao Ding, Hai Bodong, and others. After some discussion, they decided to prepare for an assassination the next day. Since time was running out, if the Golden Swallow Sect and the Mu Lan Valley delivered some rare medicinal pills, the two Battle Sect powerhouses might recover some strength, making the assassination much more complicated. After setting the date, Xiao Yan pondered for a moment and then found a secret room to rest a bit. As for Medusa’s matter, he didn’t mention it to Xiao Ding. He knew that if his eldest brother learned about the potential Xiao family blood in Medusa’s womb, he would be extremely agitated. But it was still uncertain whether it was true or false. If it turned out to be a misunderstanding, it would only cause needless excitement, so he decided to wait until things were settled before telling Xiao Ding. In the secret chamber, Xiao Yan first took out the recipe for the ‘Heavenly Soul Blood Integration Pill’ given to him by the snake people’s great elder, unfolding it carefully. This recipe for the ‘Heavenly Soul Blood Integration Pill’ was quite strange. It could help unborn infants inside their mothers, using pure medicinal energy to unblock and widen some of the body’s meridians. This way, once the infant was born, training would be twice as effective and far easier, especially due to the inherent advantages. Such a pill was of immense value to powerful sects or families, as it allowed them to continuously cultivate exceptionally talented geniuses. Xiao Yan had seen one or two similar recipes in those left by the Pharmacist Elder, though they were slightly less potent. He didn’t know where the snake people obtained this recipe, but if it got out, it would certainly attract the envy of many powerful forces. With this, they could provide an endless supply of superior bloodlines, which was an irresistible temptation for any power. Despite its value, the medicinal effect of the Heavenly Soul Blood Integration Pill was rather domineering. An ordinary infant would find it difficult to withstand the medicinal potency. Fortunately, Medusa’s bloodline contained a trace of ancient and rare blood, capable of withstanding such potency. “Grade Seven…” Gently playing with the scroll, Xiao Yan frowned slightly. Making a miracle pill that could change one’s constitution was extremely difficult, with a high failure rate. Moreover, the most terrifying part was that there was a chance of triggering elemental fluctuations in the surroundings, leading to a thunder calamity upon its completion. This kind of calamity, known as a ‘Pill Calamity’ in the alchemy world, was extremely destructive. A single mistake could result in both the destruction of the pill and the death of the user. Therefore, even alchemists who could make Grade Seven pills tried to avoid refining such calamitous substances. This explained why the snake people had never managed to create a Heavenly Soul Blood Integration Pill. To craft such a pill, one needed to find the herbs and also locate a high-ranking alchemist willing to risk their life. Those capable of refining such a pill were almost always grandmasters anywhere on the Dou Qi Continent. Who would willingly risk being struck by lightning to make such a pill? Their lives were too precious. “The herbs required are quite intricate, but we still have two years, so we can take our time…” Sighing, Xiao Yan put away the recipe cautiously. After a moment of contemplation, he moved his hand and retrieved another scroll, a blood-red one—the ‘Devouring Life Pill’ recipe Xiao Li accidentally obtained in the Black Corner Domain years ago. Staring intently at the scroll, Xiao Yan’s face hardened slightly. Although the Yan Alliance had grown rapidly, when compared to factions like the Poison Sect and the Golden Swallow Sect, it was still somewhat weaker. This gap was evident not only in the peak experts but also in the core forces. To cultivate a solid core force in a short time was not easy. This was where the ‘Devouring Life Pill’ would come in handy. Of course, Xiao Yan was aware of the severe side effects of the Devouring Life Pill. He had already discussed this with Xiao Ding, Hai Bodong, and other senior members of the Yan Alliance. They agreed that creating a batch of loyal death soldiers entirely devoted to the Yan Alliance would be the best path. Although this would limit their lifespan to three years, they were confident that within these three years, they could make the Yan Alliance a formidable power in the northwestern region. Though this method was somewhat brutal, the stakes were too high. For example, in the recent war, if not for Xiao Yan’s timely arrival, the entire Jia Ma Empire might have been destroyed. The number of lives lost would have been countless. To protect more lives, a small number of sacrifices were necessary. “Once this is settled, I’ll give the recipe to my eldest brother, and then secretly send an alchemist to refine it. As for the death soldiers, he will have to select them, but they must be absolutely loyal. With a group of Dou Wang-level death soldiers, the Yan Alliance will truly be able to stand firm in the Jia Ma Empire and dominate the northwestern region in the future.” Xiao Yan mumbled to himself. Putting this thought aside, he placed the scroll next to him and exhaled deeply. His hands formed a seal, and his eyes closed, entering a meditative state. After breaking through to the Battle Emperor level and leaving the small valley, Xiao Yan had never truly rested. The intense battles in recent days kept him on edge, without a moment’s respite. Now that matters were settled, he finally had time to recuperate quietly in the secret chamber. As Xiao Yan entered his meditative state, the air in the secret chamber began to fluctuate slightly, and streams of natural energy emerged, forming two small, colorful snakes that entered his nostrils. They were quickly refined by the Two Strange Fires within his body, transforming into pure Dou Qi that flowed through his meridians and eventually integrated into every part of his body. Engaging in fierce battles with two Battle Sect powerhouses had severely drained Xiao Yan, especially after using the Three-Color Buddha Anger Lotus Fire. Not only was his Dou Qi depleted, but his soul force also weakened. Thankfully, his soul was stronger than average, and its recovery speed was satisfying. In just a few days, his consumed soul force was almost fully restored. Repeated use of the Buddha Anger Lotus Fire had given Xiao Yan a subtle awareness that his soul, in a cycle of depletion and recovery, was becoming more vibrant and full of vitality. Even his soul perception had become sharper. Amid the quiet solitude, hours of cultivation passed. When Xiao Yan exited his meditative state, the blinding sunlight had already seeped in through the small window of the secret chamber, casting streaks of light on the ground. Slowly opening his eyes, Xiao Yan exhaled a breath of slightly white, scorching air. His face instantly regained its vigor, and his black eyes flashed with blazing fire, gradually fading away. “Fights are indeed the fastest shortcuts to advancing in rank,” Xiao Yan stretched, feeling that after battling with Yan Luo Tian and the three elders of Mu Lan, his strength had improved slightly. He was now firmly established at the level of a One-Star Battle Emperor, and this was only a month after his breakthrough. Such a speed was truly remarkable. “Huh… Today, it’s time to make a move…” Moving his hand, a gray jade tablet appeared in his hand. The corner of Xiao Yan’s mouth curled up, revealing a slightly sinister smile.
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