As Xiao Yan returned to the stone platform, the sound wave formation challenge was nearing its end. What surprised him was that in such a short time, three more people had successfully reached the peak. This meant that there were nearly nine people on the stone platform. However, after excluding the two slots for the Gold Devouring Mice, only eight spots remained for the Heavenly Mountain Blood Pool. Therefore, one of these nine would lose the chance to enter the Heavenly Mountain Blood Pool.
Xiao Yan landed on the stone platform and gazed at the last challenger, feeling the intensity of the sound waves. He frowned, noticing that the current sound waves seemed weaker than before. Pondering with some doubt, he looked at the somewhat languid Gold Devouring Mice and understood the reason. He gave a helpless, bitter smile. He hadn’t anticipated that using the Lion-Tiger Golden Shatter Roar would make things much easier for the later challengers.
With the previous strength of the sound wave formation, at least one of the three who had succeeded earlier would have struggled to pass, and the other two would not have made it so easily. In a way, Xiao Yan had inadvertently created favorable conditions for those who came after. Of course, even with such favorable conditions, it still required some degree of strength. The three earlier victors were all at the level of seven-star Battle Emperors, which wasn’t weak at all.
Sighing helplessly, Xiao Yan turned his gaze to a figure dashing clumsily up the stone steps. He shook his head. This person’s strength was only around six-star Battle Emperor; it seemed unlikely that they would pass the sound wave formation. As expected, just as Xiao Yan had predicted, when this person was only dozens of meters away from the peak, their Dou Qi depleted. Their face paled, and they spat out a mouthful of blood, retreating in a disheveled manner and landing heavily on the platform, a look of unwillingness on their face.
Seeing that this person ultimately failed, the others on the platform sighed, gazing at the peak with dejected eyes. There were now enough eight slots, meaning they no longer had the chance to reach the top.
“The challenge is over. Those who did not succeed will be escorted off the Heavenly Eye Mountain,” Jin Shi declared coolly, glancing at the resentful crowd on the platform, announcing their fate.
Hearing Jin Shi’s words, many people’s faces turned pale, but Jin Shi ignored them. He waved his hand, and several burly figures with human bodies and mouse heads appeared, blocking the entrance to the stone steps. Jin Shi’s form flickered, appearing like a ghost at the top of the mountain, looking down at Xiao Yan and the others.
Seeing Jin Shi appear, Xiao Yan and the others quickly bowed. They knew clearly that offending the Gold Devouring Mouse Tribe on the Heavenly Eye Mountain would not lead to good consequences, regardless of who they were.
Jin Shi nodded slightly, descending slowly, then walking directly into the depths of the peak. “Follow me.”
At this, Xiao Yan and the others did not dare to be slow and quickly followed Jin Shi’s footsteps.
On the peak of the Heavenly Eye Mountain, odd rocks were scattered everywhere. Looking up, one could see the extremely dense energy tides in the sky. The faint pressure spreading from the energy tides made everyone feel a chill in their hearts. The multicolored energy tides spread like waves, creating a magnificent scene.
Under the energy tides in the sky, Xiao Yan and the others swiftly navigated through the maze of rocks. After a while, they finally stopped at Jin Shi’s signal.
Climbing a high slope, the scene before them made Xiao Yan and the others gasp lightly. In front of them was a very wide volcanic crater, with strands of hot, toxic smoke continuously spewing out. In the center of the crater, there was a small pool about a dozen feet wide. At the moment, the water in the pool was extremely sparse, showing only a hint of red, like molten lava.
“That is the Heavenly Mountain Blood Pool. But right now, it is not at its peak. When the energy tides reach their peak, the energy of the entire mountain range will condense in this volcanic crater, and the Blood Pool will overflow. You will need to enter at that time,” Jin Shi pointed to the small pool in the center of the crater and said in a light tone.
Hearing this, everyone’s hearts raced, and their gazes toward the pool became more intense. If they could soak in it, it would save them countless years of arduous cultivation.
“Remember, the Heavenly Mountain Blood Pool contains extremely heavy fire toxins, which become more intense the deeper you go. You cannot stay in it for too long, at most three days. Otherwise, once the fire toxins enter your body, even your teacher would find it extremely difficult to expel them. The fire toxins here have accumulated over countless years, and if they enter the body, they will be like clinging maggots. Only high-level alchemists might be able to cure them,” Jin Shi said in a grave tone.
Upon hearing this, many people’s expressions changed. They hadn’t expected the Heavenly Mountain Blood Pool to be so dangerous.
Xiao Yan swept his gaze over Jin Shi, suddenly realizing something. It explained why he always sensed a lingering injury in Jin Shi’s body, possibly related to the fire toxins.
“Also, there are nine of you here, which means one of you cannot enter the Heavenly Mountain Blood Pool. Who cannot enter, you decide among yourselves,” Jin Shi said, raising an eyebrow.
The atmosphere became tense. Some solo individuals, except for Feng Qing-er and her companions, took a few hesitant steps back, looking around with wary and cautious eyes.
Ignoring their reactions, Jin Shi turned to leave but suddenly stopped, turning his gaze to Xiao Yan. “Come with me.”
At these words, everyone, including Xiao Yan, was stunned. They stared at Xiao Yan with curious expressions.
Slightly hesitating, Xiao Yan was about to speak when he saw Jin Shi walking unsteadily towards another high slope where a stone pavilion stood. Seeing this, he nodded, instructed Nalan Yanran, and quickly followed.
When Xiao Yan arrived at the pavilion, Jin Shi stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the colorful energy tides in the sky. In the pavilion, he also saw the gray-robed old man who had introduced himself as Jin Gu during their encounter in the misty array.
Jin Gu smiled at Xiao Yan. “Young man, do you know why I called you here?”
Silent for a moment, Xiao Yan replied, “Is it about Senior Jin Shi’s injury?”
Hearing this, Jin Shi’s body trembled slightly, but Jin Gu laughed loudly. “See? I told you this kid is no ordinary alchemist.”
Jin Shi slowly turned, his originally calm gaze becoming sharp. He fixed his eyes on Xiao Yan, suspiciously. “You can see the injury in my body?”
It was no wonder he was skeptical. Even top-notch grade six alchemists couldn’t reach this level. How could this young man, not even thirty, surpass this?
“Yes, I can see some of it,” Xiao Yan nodded slightly.
“Can you cure it?” Jin Shi stepped forward, his voice low.
“I can take a look,” Xiao Yan replied, stepping forward and sitting at the stone table. Jin Shi hesitated, then sat down as well.
Grabbing Jin Shi’s arm, Xiao Yan’s eyes narrowed, and a strand of soul power rapidly entered Jin Shi’s body.
Seeing Xiao Yan close his eyes, Jin Shi and Jin Gu exchanged glances and did not interrupt. Alchemists were often eccentric, and they had endured much frustration trying to find alchemists for help. Compared to them, Xiao Yan was much better.
The inspection lasted for a while before Xiao Yan finally opened his eyes, his face slightly serious. “How is it?” Jin Gu asked urgently.
“Fire toxins have entered his body, deeply embedded in his bones. Such deep fire toxins, I have never seen before. Removing them will be extremely difficult.” Xiao Yan withdrew his hand, shaking his head, and looked at Jin Shi with a sympathetic expression. If not for Jin Shi’s formidable strength, he would have long been reduced to ashes by the fire toxins.
Hearing the result, which was almost identical to what higher-grade alchemists had found before, Jin Shi and Jin Gu’s faces darkened.
Seeing their reaction, Xiao Yan lightly rubbed the stone table. After a moment, he spoke slowly, “Although it is extremely difficult to remove, it is not completely impossible.”
The stone table in front of Jin Shi instantly cracked. He raised his head, his gaze burning, staring intently at Xiao Yan. “You… Mister Xiao Yan, can you expel the Heavenly Mountain fire toxin from my body?”
Xiao Yan smiled but didn’t answer, instead turning his gaze to outside the pavilion, maintaining a mysterious demeanor.
Jin Shi and Jin Gu, both taken aback, seemed to understand something. Jin Shi hesitated, then gritted his teeth. “If you can completely expel the Heavenly Mountain fire toxin from my body, I will give you an absolute smooth path to advance to the Battle Sect rank!”
Swish! Xiao Yan’s gaze snapped back to the pavilion, his eyes burning with excitement. Without hesitation, he responded with a firm, “Agreed!”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage