Chapter 441: The End
The air was filled with a slight sense of gloom.
Wisps of faint black smoke drifted out from the refining furnace, emitting a pungent odor.
“Pfft!”
Just as Xiao Yan couldn’t help but want to cover his nose, the refining furnace suddenly spewed out a ball of dark flames, hitting the side of the furnace and emitting a faint sound before quickly disappearing.
“This is the final step, but… this final step is the key to success. If it fails, all the effort of these past few days will be in vain. Therefore, I must be cautious.”
Ya Lao’s voice entered Xiao Yan’s mind. When refining the medicine cauldron, he had done it all himself from beginning to end, and he had never used Dou Qi midway. Every time he condensed an elixir, he consumed spiritual power. At least from Xiao Yan’s current level, this consumption was extremely huge. If it wasn’t for Ya Lao’s protection, he would have been exhausted long ago and failed.
Xiao Yan wiped the sweat from his forehead. His complexion was a little pale, and a wry smile hung on the corner of his mouth. The refining process of just a few days had made him extremely haggard!
As the “chih chih” sounds grew louder, the scorching hot air filling the refining room also grew stronger. The dark light emanating from the medicine cauldron gradually became more sinister, faintly emitting a terrifying aura that made one’s heart palpitate. All these discomforts originated from within the medicine cauldron.
“Condense!”
Hearing Ya Lao’s exclamation, Xiao Yan finally knew that the final step had arrived. He quickly forced himself to gather his spirits, quickly controlled his spiritual power, and merged all the medicinal ingredients within the medicine cauldron, and began to slowly fuse them within the medicine cauldron.
“Boom!”
Several balls of fierce flames suddenly shot out from within the medicine cauldron, illuminating the interior. In the center of the medicine cauldron, several dark flames were slowly burning. Around the flames, some sparkling medicinal ingredients were suspended. Under the roasting of the flames, these medicinal ingredients were slowly becoming dry. These medicinal ingredients were almost all extremely precious heavenly treasures!
Xiao Yan had no mind to admire them at the moment; all his energy was concentrated within the medicine cauldron, because the medicine cauldron now contained an extremely powerful force. This force was slowly merging. If it were to suddenly explode, the entire refining room would likely be destroyed, and even Xiao Yan would be affected.
Fortunately, this force did not explode but merged gradually under the urging of Xiao Yan’s spiritual power. After merging, it even condensed into a fist-sized black elixir. The surface of the elixir was also covered with a faint black glow, emitting an extremely strange aura.
This elixir was Xiao Yan’s “Yin-Yang Xuan Long Elixir.” During the merging process, there were almost no mistakes, which made Xiao Yan breathe a sigh of relief. Immediately, Xiao Yan controlled his spiritual power again and slowly drew the “Yin-Yang Xuan Long Elixir” out of the medicine cauldron. However, just as the “Yin-Yang Xuan Long Elixir” was about to leave the medicine cauldron, a powerful devouring force suddenly erupted from within the medicine cauldron, and a powerful suction force forcibly pulled the “Yin-Yang Xuan Long Elixir” back.
“Not good!” Xiao Yan’s expression changed. Without thinking, his spiritual power erupted fiercely, and he forcibly pulled the “Yin-Yang Xuan Long Elixir” back and drew it out of the medicine cauldron.
“Whew…” Xiao Yan let out a long sigh of relief. The feeling of surviving a disaster left him somewhat weak. He secretly rejoiced that he had not failed, otherwise, he would have been so frustrated that he would have vomited blood.
“However, what’s going on with this medicine cauldron? Why did it suddenly emit a devouring force?” Xiao Yan asked somewhat puzzled.
“This…” Ya Lao paused, seemingly thinking, and then slowly opened his mouth, his voice filled with solemnity. “This medicine cauldron is the embryo nurtured by a Earth-grade Dou Technique. Because it was refined in too short a time and has not been fully formed yet, it still possesses some primitive devouring power. However, as long as it is tempered for a period of time, this devouring force will completely disappear.”
“So that’s how it is.” Xiao Yan nodded, finally understanding the reason for the medicine cauldron’s sudden outburst.
“The refining is now successful. You should now move the refining furnace out of the refining room for emergencies,” Ya Lao’s voice rang out again.
Hearing this, Xiao Yan controlled his spiritual power, and steadily placed the “Yin-Yang Xuan Long Elixir” into a jade bottle. Then, with a wave of his hand, the medicine cauldron flew out of the refining room and was stored by him in the Nake Ring.
“The medicinal effect of this Yin-Yang Xuan Long Elixir is comparable to the power of an Earth-grade low-tier Dou Technique, but it requires extremely powerful Dou Qi support to use. With your current level, it’s probably very difficult to unleash its true power,” Ya Lao said.
Xiao Yan grumbled somewhat dissatisfiedly, “An Earth-grade low-tier Dou Technique, is it going to stump me?”
“Hehe, the power of an Earth-grade low-tier Dou Technique is not to be trifled with. With your current level, you can at most unleash its power to the state of a Profound-grade mid-tier Dou Technique. To fully display its power, you need to reach at least the level of a Dou Master.” Ya Lao said with a smile.
Xiao Yan shrugged his shoulders. He was still far from the Dou Master realm.
Your level is still far from it, so there’s no need to worry about this problem for now.
Immediately, Xiao Yan also asked: “Where can I get the medicinal ingredients for refining the ‘Yin Yang Mystic Dragon Pill’?”
Yao Lao pondered for a moment, then shook his head and said: “These medicinal ingredients are extremely rare. With your current strength, I’m afraid it will be difficult to find them. However, I know a place where you might be able to try.”
Xiao Yan was overjoyed and quickly asked: “What place?”
“The Pill Refining Pavilion of the Xiao Family in Wutan City.”
Yao Lao slowly spat out a few words.
The joy on Xiao Yan’s face faded. The Pill Refining Pavilion? Wasn’t that a forbidden area of the Xiao family? Who would dare to break in?
“Although the Pill Refining Pavilion is a forbidden area, it contains many precious heavenly treasures. Even I have never seen medicinal ingredients of that level. If you are lucky, you might be able to find the medicinal ingredients for refining the ‘Yin Yang Mystic Dragon Pill’ inside.”
Yao Lao said faintly.
Xiao Yan hesitated a little. The Pill Refining Pavilion was an important place for the Xiao family, and family members were not allowed to enter without permission. If caught, they would likely face severe punishment.
However, thinking of the formidable power of the “Yin Yang Mystic Dragon Pill,” Xiao Yan’s hesitation vanished.
He gritted his teeth and said firmly: “Alright, I’ll try!”
Yao Lao nodded with satisfaction, then warned again: “There are many hidden formations within the Pill Refining Pavilion. If you are not careful, you might get trapped inside. I am just a wisp of a soul now and cannot help you, so you must be very careful and cautious.”
“Understood, Yao Lao.”
Xiao Yan nodded. The Pill Refining Pavilion, an important place of the Xiao family, how could he not be careful?
Immediately, Xiao Yan took out the “Yin Yang Mystic Dragon Pill” from his storage ring. In the moonlight, the pill emitted a dark glow. On the surface of the pill, dragon-shaped patterns were faintly flashing, emitting an extremely powerful aura.
“Good pill!”
Xiao Yan’s face showed a satisfied expression. Although the color of this pill was a bit strange, its medicinal effect was definitely not inferior to ordinary low-grade Earth-tier Dou Techniques.
After carefully putting away the “Yin Yang Mystic Dragon Pill,” Xiao Yan looked at Yao Lao and said respectfully: “Yao Lao, can you tell me now what that puppet is?”
Yao Lao stroked his beard and said with a smile: “This puppet was something I found in an ancient ruin back then, and it is called a [Soul Puppet]. Soul Puppets do not have sentience and only obey the commands of the person controlling them. They can unleash Dou Qi of the same level as the refiner and possess some special attack methods. However, the materials for refining Soul Puppets are extremely difficult to find, even more so than refining medicinal pills. I was fortunate enough to refine this [Soul Puppet], but I was ambushed when it was completed. Therefore, this [Soul Puppet] only has a trace of weak soul power. However, it is more than enough to deal with ordinary strong Dou Masters.”
Xiao Yan’s eyes widened as he listened. [Soul Puppet]? Based on Yao Lao’s description, wasn’t this thing like the puppet technique in Dou Techniques? It possessed Dou Qi of the same level as the refiner. Doesn’t this mean that Yao Lao’s strength back then was absolutely superior to Dou Sect experts?
Xiao Yan vaguely speculated in his heart that Yao Lao’s ultimate strength might be more than just Dou Sect level.
“I will record the control method of the Soul Puppet on a jade slip. Take it back and study it when you have time.”
Yao Lao took out a jade slip from his storage ring and handed it to Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan took the jade slip, felt the cold touch from it, and felt a little excited. With the [Soul Puppet] as a trump card, his safety factor had probably increased by more than one level.
“The attack method of the Soul Puppet is special, it is a physical attack that can instantly erupt with extremely powerful force, and can even resist the Dou Techniques of Dou Ling experts. Even in its current state, it can barely deal with ordinary strong Dou Masters.”
Yao Lao added with a smile.
Xiao Yan nodded. The power of the Soul Puppet had already shocked him. Strong Dou Masters could almost walk sideways in Wutan City. Having a [Soul Puppet] meant he would not face too much danger in Wutan City. This kind of killing weapon was even more powerful than the “Yin Yang Mystic Dragon Pill” he had painstakingly refined.
Xiao Yan carefully put away the jade slip and then took out another jade slip from his storage ring.
On the jade slip, a simple word “Dou” was engraved, emitting a powerful aura.
“This is…?”
Xiao Yan asked with some confusion.
“This is a Dou Technique called [Battle Through the Heavens], it is
This is the ultimate item from my collection, a high-grade Earth-tier Dou Technique. With your current strength, you cannot fully cultivate and control it. However, with the power of the soul puppet, you can barely unleash it.
What Elder Yao said caused Xiao Yan’s pupils to contract sharply. A high-grade Earth-tier Dou Technique! A storm surged in Xiao Yan’s heart. He knew how rare and precious Earth-tier Dou Techniques were. On the Dou Qi Continent, they were rarely seen, let alone high-grade Earth-tier Dou Techniques.
Xiao Yan couldn’t help but ask, “Elder Yao, does this high-grade Earth-tier Dou Technique have any side effects?”
“No,” Elder Yao shook his head. “A Dou Technique like [Breaking the Firmament] was created by the number one Alchemist on the Dou Qi Continent. It contains extremely powerful spiritual energy. Ordinary Dou Qi cannot bear it. Only extremely pure Dou Qi can be used to unleash it.”
“This Dou Technique of mine was refined by me through consuming a large amount of materials over several decades. It is the unique secret skill of my disciple, the [Medicine Emperor].”
“Medicine Emperor?” The title surfaced in Xiao Yan’s mind. The Medicine Emperor was an extremely noble title on the Dou Qi Continent, comparable to a Dou Emperor.
Xiao Yan was a little confused. How could Elder Yao’s disciple be the Medicine Emperor? Could it be? Xiao Yan suddenly thought of a possibility: Elder Yao, could he have been a Dou Emperor in the past? Impossible! Xiao Yan shook his head. Elder Yao was just a wisp of a soul, how could he be like a Dou Emperor?
Xiao Yan shook his head to clear his thoughts and then put [Breaking the Firmament] into the Na Jie. He needed to improve his strength as quickly as possible. Otherwise, even with such a powerful Dou Technique, he would not be able to unleash it.
“Although Dou Techniques are good, they require extremely powerful Dou Qi to support them. I must quickly condense the Dou Qi seed and step into the Dou Master realm!” Xiao Yan clenched his fist, silently resolving.
Cultivate! From now on, he would cultivate even harder, striving to condense the Dou Qi seed as soon as possible! Xiao Yan’s heart stirred, and he immediately sat down cross-legged, preparing to cultivate. On the Dou Qi Continent, Dou Qi was supreme. Without strong strength, even if one possessed many treasures, they would only arouse the covetousness of others. Only strong strength was the ultimate guarantee!
Xiao Yan took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and quickly entered a state of cultivation. Elder Yao stood by, looking at Xiao Yan’s back, a relieved smile on his face. Finally, he had found a successor to pass on his legacy. Xiao Yan, your future is limitless! Elder Yao slowly closed his eyes, and a wisp of soul slowly floated into the Na Jie, merging into the puppet’s body.
After Elder Yao’s soul power merged, the puppet’s body trembled violently, a strange light flashed across its face, and then it returned to silence. Xiao Yan was cultivating and did not notice Elder Yao’s strange actions. During cultivation, Xiao Yan felt the spiritual energy in his mind increasing at an astonishing speed. Streams of powerful Dou Qi continuously poured into his body, flowing rapidly through the meridians and then into the Dantian.
In the Dantian, the color of the Dou Qi seed was gradually deepening, faintly showing a trend of becoming darker. This Dou Qi seed was condensed by Xiao Yan after countless hardships. It was the most powerful Dou Qi he possessed, without exception! Dou Qi continuously gathered in the Dantian, and the volume of the Dou Qi seed gradually increased, its color becoming darker and darker, as if it could explode at any moment.
Xiao Yan’s heart tightened. He quickly stabilized his mind, controlling the Dou Qi, continuously gathering and compressing it. Finally, the black Dou Qi seed stopped growing and became a bead as black as ink. The surface of the bead faintly glittered with a dark glow, emitting an extremely terrifying aura. This bead was Xiao Yan’s Dou Qi seed! And the Dou Qi seed was finally successfully condensed!
Xiao Yan suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze sharp, a triumphant smile on his lips. “Finally, it’s finally successfully condensed! Dou Qi seed!” Xiao Yan rejoiced in his heart. Condensing the Dou Qi seed was the symbol of stepping into the Dou Master realm. Now, he had finally reached the Dou Master level! Although it was only a one-star Dou Master, it was already enough. Xiao Yan believed that with his talent, ascending to a two-star Dou Master would only be a matter of time. Xiao Yan raised his head and looked at Elder Yao’s floating soul body.
Respectfully, he said: “Thank you, Medicine Elder! If it weren’t for your help, I’m afraid…”
Medicine Elder’s soul body waved his hand and smiled, saying: “You and I are master and disciple, why be so polite? My disciple, you have finally lived up to my expectations.”
Xiao Yan’s heart warmed, and he looked gratefully at Medicine Elder’s soul body.
Xiao Yan has finally reached the Dou Shi level. He must improve his strength as soon as possible and strive to reach the Dou Zong level that Medicine Elder expects as soon as possible.
However, the most important matter now is to go to the Xiao Family’s Medicine Refining Pavilion for a trip! Xiao Yan pondered to himself, then stood up and walked out of the medicine refining room.
Stepping out of the medicine refining room, Xiao Yan smelled the fragrance of earth and soil filling the air, and his mood instantly became much more cheerful.
Xiao Yan returned to his room, sat cross-legged on the bed, took out the jade slip containing the control method of the [Soul Puppet], and began to study it carefully.
The control method of the [Soul Puppet] is extremely difficult, but Xiao Yan’s comprehension ability is extremely strong. In just one night, he has comprehended it seven or eight out of ten.
“No wonder Medicine Elder said this Soul Puppet is a unique secret technique of alchemists. Controlling it with the powerful spiritual power of an alchemist is naturally like a fish in water!” Xiao Yan muttered to himself, a look of sudden realization on his face.
Immediately, Xiao Yan took out the jade slip of [Battle Breaking Firmament] and flipped through it.
[Battle Breaking Firmament] is a high-level Earth-tier Dou Technique with powerful might, but it is also extremely difficult to cultivate.
Xiao Yan only took one look and felt a sharp pain in his mind. He quickly put away the jade slip and dared not look again.
“With my current soul power, I cannot yet bear the might of high-level Earth-tier Dou Techniques. I must wait until my soul power reaches a higher level before I can barely display it.” Xiao Yan pondered to himself, but his expression did not change in the slightest.
Xiao Yan took out the successfully condensed “Yin-Yang Profound Dragon Pill” and slowly stroked the patterns on the surface of the pill, his eyes full of fervor.
The Yin-Yang Profound Dragon Pill, the might of a low-level Earth-tier Dou Technique. Thinking of this, Xiao Yan was filled with excitement.
With the Soul Puppet, [Battle Breaking Firmament], and the Yin-Yang Profound Dragon Pill, Xiao Yan’s strength has indeed soared.
Xiao Yan put away the three treasures and then walked out of the room, preparing to head to the Xiao Family’s Medicine Refining Pavilion.
The Xiao Family’s Medicine Refining Pavilion is located in the back mountain of the Xiao Family, personally managed by the Great Elder of the Xiao Family. It is a vital location of the Xiao Family, and ordinary clan members can hardly get close.
Xiao Yan arrived near the Medicine Refining Pavilion and, from a distance, saw that the surroundings of the Medicine Refining Pavilion were full of patrolling Xiao Family guards.
Xiao Yan cautiously avoided the line of sight of the patrolling guards, climbed over the wall, and entered the Xiao Family’s Medicine Refining Pavilion.
Inside the Medicine Refining Pavilion, a rich herbal fragrance permeated the air. Xiao Yan inhaled greedily, and instantly felt refreshed and happy.
The interior of the Medicine Refining Pavilion is divided into nine levels. The higher one goes, the more precious the medicinal herbs.
Xiao Yan tiptoed and slowly walked up the stairs. Occasionally, Xiao Yan would stop, casually pick a herb, and throw it into his storage ring. Although these herbs were precious, they were extremely tempting to Xiao Yan.
On the fourth floor, Xiao Yan finally stopped. He felt that in a cabinet in the middle of this floor, a very powerful medicinal force was faintly emitting.
Xiao Yan approached the cabinet, cautiously opened it, and inside lay a dark green jade slip. On the jade slip was carved a simple and unadorned character “Profound,” emitting an extremely powerful aura.
“Profound-tier high-level Dou Technique! [Profound-tier High-level Dou Technique Scroll]!” Xiao Yan’s pupils suddenly contracted, and a stormy sea surged in his heart.
A Profound-tier high-level Dou Technique, hidden on the fourth floor!
Xiao Yan showed a fortunate expression and quickly took the jade slip into his hand, stuffing it into his storage ring.
Then, Xiao Yan continued to go up. On the seventh floor, Xiao Yan found another jade slip. On the jade slip was carved a character “Dou,” emitting an extremely powerful aura.
This jade slip is a scroll of a low-level Earth-tier Dou Technique!
Xiao Yan was extremely excited and quickly put it into his storage ring.
Then, Xiao Yan arrived at the ninth floor!
The ninth floor is the most important part of the Medicine Refining Pavilion. As soon as Xiao Yan stepped into the ninth floor, he felt a strong herbal fragrance rushing towards him, making even his breathing much smoother.
In the center of the ninth floor, there was a simple stone platform. On the stone platform lay a blue [object] about the size of a fist.
A medicine pill.
The medicine pill emitted a faint blue glow, containing extremely potent medicinal power.
Xiao Yan’s pupils sharply contracted, and he exclaimed: “This is a High-Tier Earth-grade Pill! The [Heavenly Soul Blood Fusion Pill]!”
Xiao Yan’s eyes were filled with shock. The Heavenly Soul Blood Fusion Pill was a legendary pill that could even enhance the soul strength of Dou Di experts! Even ordinary Dou Zong experts would experience a significant increase in their soul strength after consuming it.
“Why is the Heavenly Soul Blood Fusion Pill hidden here? Could it be that the Xiao family has a Dou Zong expert?” Xiao Yan was somewhat puzzled before another guess arose in his heart.
Xiao Yan approached the stone platform and cautiously picked up the blue pill, stuffing it into his storage ring. Such a precious pill could be sold for a fortune even if he didn’t need it.
Xiao Yan searched the ninth floor again and finally, in a corner, he discovered another stone platform. On the platform, a crystal-clear bead, the size of a fist, lay quietly.
The bead emitted a seven-colored radiance, containing an extremely terrifying power.
“This is… the Exalted Flame Crystal Core!” Xiao Yan’s pupils finally contracted sharply, and a look of ecstatic joy appeared on his face.
The Exalted Flame Crystal Core was a treasure sought after by alchemists. It contained the core of the fourth-ranked Exalted Flame on the Dou Qi Continent, the [Cyan Lotus Earth Heart Flame]! Possessing the Exalted Flame Crystal Core meant Xiao Yan could qualify as an alchemist and even refine High-Tier Earth-grade pills!
Xiao Yan was overjoyed and quickly stepped forward, grabbing the Exalted Flame Crystal Core into his hand and stuffing it into his storage ring. The trip to the Alchemy Pavilion had yielded such rich rewards! One scroll of Low-Tier Earth-grade Dou Technique, one scroll of High-Tier Xuan-grade Dou Technique, one High-Tier Earth-grade Pill, and most precious of all, one Exalted Flame Crystal Core!
Xiao Yan trembled with excitement, his heart filled with longing for the future. With these treasures, Xiao Yan believed he would surely be able to look down upon the Dou Qi Continent!
Xiao Yan put away his storage ring and prepared to leave. Then, the Alchemy Pavilion suddenly trembled violently, and with a “boom,” the roof of the ninth floor of the Alchemy Pavilion collapsed!
Xiao Yan’s expression drastically changed, and he quickly used the [Soul Puppet] control method to summon his puppet. The puppet’s body trembled violently, a strange light flashed across its face, and it punched the collapsing roof. With a “bang,” a large hole was blasted through the roof!
Xiao Yan leaped up and escaped through the large hole. After escaping the Alchemy Pavilion, Xiao Yan sprinted towards the Xiao family compound. The sudden collapse of the Alchemy Pavilion would surely alert the Xiao family, and Xiao Yan had to leave quickly.
Xiao Yan stopped in a corner of the Xiao family compound and then put the [Soul Puppet] into his storage ring. Afterward, Xiao Yan sat down cross-legged and entered a state of cultivation.
Half an hour later, Xiao Yan opened his eyes, a look of satisfaction on his face. After condensing the Dou Qi seed, Xiao Yan’s cultivation efficiency greatly increased, nearly ten times faster than before. Streams of powerful Dou Qi continuously poured into his body, coursing through his meridians before being absorbed by the Dou Qi seed.
Xiao Yan felt the volume of the Dou Qi seed slowly increasing and its color deepening. Xiao Yan clenched his fist, feeling the abundant power within his body, his heart filled with confidence. Dou Shi! He had finally reached the Dou Shi level!
Xiao Yan stood up and walked out of the Xiao family compound. By this time, the news of the Alchemy Pavilion’s collapse had spread throughout the entire Xiao family. The Xiao family members were discussing spiritedly, guessing who had broken into the Alchemy Pavilion and even caused the roof of the ninth floor to collapse.
The Great Elder of the Xiao family had a grim expression and dispatched numerous guards in all directions to search for the thief who had broken into the Alchemy Pavilion.
In a secluded alley, Xiao Yan finally stopped. He took out his storage ring and summoned the [Soul Puppet] again. The puppet stood faithfully beside Xiao Yan, motionless.
Xiao Yan nodded with satisfaction. With the [Soul Puppet], he could practically walk sideways in Wutan City.
Xiao Yan slowly walked out of the alley and headed outside Wutan City. Xiao Yan knew that the small pond of Wutan City could no longer contain the great god that he was. Only by leaving Wutan City and heading to a wider world could he find opportunities to improve his strength.
Xiao Yan tilted his head, looking at the clear blue sky, his eyes filled with anticipation for the future. Dou Qi Continent, I, Xiao Yan, am coming! Xiao Yan slowly uttered a few words.
