Stepping out of the Alchemist Guild, Xiao Yan looked around and then strode towards the flying transportation service located in the center of the city. After traversing a few unfamiliar streets and asking for directions, Xiao Yan finally saw the towering flying transportation service standing on a spacious square after about ten minutes. On the vast square, over a dozen rather large flying birds were perched there. These birds, known as Thick-Winged Birds, did not belong to the ranks of magical beasts but were genuine flying birds. They were extremely gentle and easy to tame by humans. However, due to their small numbers, only empires had the means to establish such flying transport teams. Although these Thick-Winged Birds were not as fast as other flying magical beasts, they excelled in endurance. As long as they had a full meal, they could fly steadily for nearly four or five days. Moreover, they had an impressive carrying capacity; an adult Thick-Winged Bird could easily carry loads exceeding five to six times its own weight for extended flights.
These Thick-Winged Birds, during the period of imperial wars, would be requisitioned by the military until the war ended, after which they would return to civilian use. Therefore, many of them had experienced the brutality of war. The sudden, deafening sound filled Xiao Yan’s ears, causing him to feel a ringing sensation for a moment before he slowly regained his composure. Shaking his head vigorously, Xiao Yan looked up at the crowded square. Each Thick-Winged Bird was now accompanied by a long queue of people, and near the wooden ladders, Xiao Yan could see a uniformed individual collecting boarding tickets. Gazing at this scene with surprise, after a while, Xiao Yan shook his head ruefully and pulled a passerby to ask for the ticketing location. He then made his way to the ticket booth in the southeastern corner of the square.
In front of the ticket booth, a long line stretched out. Seeing this, Xiao Yan could do nothing but wait quietly at the end of the line. During the wait, the noisy chatter never ceased. Massaging his temples, Xiao Yan suddenly felt envious of Little Healer Immortal. It was only now that he realized how convenient it was to have a flying mount. With just a whistle, one could traverse the vast Dou Qi Continent at will…
“Damn, I must get a flying pet in the future…” Xiao Yan gritted his teeth and muttered to himself fiercely.
“Sir, where are you heading?” A female voice rang out from the front while Xiao Yan was lost in thought.
“Hmm?” Slightly taken aback, Xiao Yan raised his head and found that it was his turn. Inside the counter, a beautiful woman in uniform was asking him with a professional smile. However, Xiao Yan sensed a hint of impatience in her smile.
“Eastern border of the empire, near the city of Tager Great Desert.” Xiao Yan glanced at the slightly attractive woman and replied indifferently.
Hearing this, the woman slightly pursed her lips, muttered a few words, and then produced a ticket made of special magical beast hide. Just as she was about to hand it to Xiao Yan, her gaze inadvertently landed on the Alchemist badge on his chest. Her outstretched hand froze, and under Xiao Yan’s slightly frowning gaze, she quickly withdrew the ticket, her face filling with a sweet smile. She asked cautiously, “Sir, are you an Alchemist?”
“Mm… Is there a problem?” Xiao Yan frowned.
“Hehe, no, no problem. It’s just that according to the empire’s rules, Alchemists can enjoy free services from the flying transportation. Please follow me, we have special flying mounts prepared for Alchemists.”
Seeing Xiao Yan nod, the woman quickly shook her head and respectfully smiled. Hearing this, Xiao Yan was once again stunned. After a moment, he couldn’t help but marvel. The status of an Alchemist was truly noble to the point of astonishment. Even such a trivial matter was well-arranged by the empire, no wonder many people showed respect to Alchemists. The rarity and nobility of this profession far exceeded Xiao Yan’s previous expectations.
Under the envious and reverent gazes of the surrounding people, Xiao Yan lightly patted the heavy ruler on his back and followed the woman out of the counter. Along the way, the somewhat attractive woman, whether intentionally or unintentionally, walked ahead, her ample hips and slender waist swaying sensuously. Though her beauty wasn’t unparalleled, her tight uniform added to her allure, making it hard for some to resist.
Following behind, Xiao Yan merely gave her a cursory glance and then turned away. He wasn’t interested in engaging in anything with this rather promiscuous woman. After walking through a corridor, a giant bird, nearly as large as the Thick-Winged Birds, appeared in Xiao Yan’s sight. Scanning the fierce-looking giant bird, Xiao Yan was slightly surprised to discover that it was a flying magical beast. Judging from its aura, it seemed to be at the first rank, but Xiao Yan could sense the wind elemental energy flowing around it. Clearly, this was a wind-attribute flying magical beast, and its flight speed was generally very fast.
On the back of the flying magical beast, a house made of special, lightweight yet sturdy wood was firmly built. Inside the house, there were several small rooms. Glancing inside, Xiao Yan noticed that two of the rooms were already occupied, and from their robes, it was clear that they were also Alchemists.
“Sir, this is the flying beast bound for Mo City on the eastern border of the Jia Ma Empire. It is the closest city to the Tager Great Desert,” the uniformed woman said respectfully as she stopped in front of the flying magical beast.
“Mm.” Nodding slightly, Xiao Yan lightly tapped his foot on the ground and floated onto the broad back of the giant bird. Under the envious gaze behind him, he entered one of the empty small rooms.
Xiao Yan, being a novice at using this flying beast, naturally didn’t know that as a noble Alchemist, he was entitled to personal service, the meaning of which any man would understand. The woman’s behavior earlier was clearly intended to get Xiao Yan to choose her as his attendant, but unfortunately, Xiao Yan did not seem interested, so her “affection” was ignored.
Not long after Xiao Yan boarded the flying beast, another Alchemist climbed on. After waiting a little longer, Xiao Yan finally felt the massive wings of the flying beast begin to slowly vibrate, and wisps of wind elemental energy started to gather beneath it, lifting the colossal body into the sky. With a loud, piercing cry, the flying magical beast took off into the air under the direction of the beast tamer, beginning its swift flight toward the eastern part of the empire.
Sitting by the window in the room, Xiao Yan gazed at the faint clouds rushing past. In his memory, the word “airplane” suddenly popped up, distant and vague. Shaking his head with a bitter smile, Xiao Yan sat cross-legged and gradually entered a state of cultivation. Black Rock City was quite a distance from the imperial border. Even with the speed of the flying magical beast, it would take at least three days to reach the destination. Thus, Xiao Yan was not willing to waste this time.
As the bright sky gradually darkened, Xiao Yan, who was deep in cultivation, was suddenly awakened by unusual sounds. Slowly opening his eyes, he noticed that the moonlight stone in the room had begun to emit a faint glow, dispelling the darkness outside. Exhaling a mouthful of stale air, Xiao Yan looked helplessly at the room on his left, where the sounds of a man’s panting and a woman’s seductive moans continued to echo, like a maddening incantation.
“Damn it…” he muttered softly, finally understanding why the woman had been parading in front of him all day—there was this kind of service, too. Shaking his head in resignation, Xiao Yan dared not continue his cultivation in this state. Sighing, he took out the Blood Lotus Essence, Ice Spirit Flame Grass, and a third-grade magical beast core from his storage ring and carefully placed them on the table. Then, he flicked the black ring, and Elder Medicine drifted out unsteadily.
“Is it time to refine the Blood Lotus Pill now?” The Elder glanced at the three materials on the table and laughed.
“Mm, better to prepare in advance. After all, Teacher once said that if I’m lucky, I might encounter a different fire at any time.” Xiao Yan nodded with a smile.
Hearing this, the Elder smiled and, without any hesitation, floated to the table, nodding. “Well, the Blood Lotus Pill is a high-grade elixir that can reach the fifth rank. Refining it takes about two days. Since we have the time, let’s get started…”
“Fifth-rank elixir?” Xiao Yan was slightly surprised. He hadn’t expected the Blood Lotus Pill to reach such a level. A fifth-rank elixir? Throughout the Jia Ma Empire, perhaps only the Alchemist King Gu He could refine one.
“Watch closely. Observing the refinement of a high-grade elixir will benefit you greatly.” Reminding Xiao Yan, the Elder slowly extended his hand. Immediately, a cluster of eerie white flames rose from his palm.
Staring at the cluster of white flames, Xiao Yan couldn’t help but lick his lips. This was the different fire he had been dreaming of…
Gazing calmly at the white flames in his palm, the Elder exhaled lightly as the flames rose. He then threw the third-grade magical beast core into the flames, and the refining of the Blood Lotus Pill officially began in the sky!
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