Chapter 444: Triple-Born Lotus

Unlike the Nine-Tailed Fox, the Eight-Tailed Ice Fox found it more challenging to reach the level of a Dou Saint. Breaking through to the three-star Dou Saint realm required more than just bloodline advantages for an Eight-Tailed Fox like the one before him. There must be significant opportunities involved.

However, Xiao Ming had no intention of digging any further. After all, everyone had their own path and destiny.

After a brief conversation, the Nine-Tailed Fox Saint gained a better understanding of Xiao Ming's character and the purpose of his visit.

Instead of answering immediately, the Saint posed a question, "I wonder which force in the Central Plains Mr. Xiao Ming comes from?"

Xiao Ming frowned slightly upon hearing the question.

The Fallen Spirit Ice Source was abundant in ice attribute energy, making it an excellent training ground for ice attribute magical beasts. Therefore, the beast clans in this area were relatively strong.

However, the Fallen Spirit Ice Source was isolated from the outside world, and little was known about it. Similarly, the Fallen Spirit Ice Source knew little about the outside world, except for being more familiar with the nearby Ice Crystal Mansion and some powerful forces in the Central Plains.

Now, someone was asking him about his affiliation. Could it be that the other party suspected him of having ulterior motives regarding the Snow Leaf White Lotus seeds? Perhaps they wanted to determine whether his backing was strong enough, and if not, they might silence him.

Seemingly understanding Xiao Ming's doubts, the Nine-Tailed Fox Saint smiled and explained, "When I was young, I once traveled outside the Fallen Spirit Ice Source and had some understanding of the forces in the Central Plains. I'm just curious and asking casually."

"I see." Xiao Ming nodded and decided to reveal his origin, "I am an Elder of the Central Plains' Pill Tower."

"No, I should say I am the leader of the Heavenly Court Alliance."

"The Heavenly Court Alliance?"

The Nine-Tailed Fox Saint showed a hint of puzzlement. He had never heard of such a force before.

"The Heavenly Court Alliance is a coalition formed by more than a dozen major forces, including the Pill Tower, Flower Sect, Sound Valley, and Burning Flame Valley, among others," Xiao Ming explained.

Surprise flickered across the Nine-Tailed Fox Saint's face. He had heard of these forces mentioned by Xiao Ming. They were all top-level forces in the Central Plains. Apart from their Nine-Tailed Ice Fox Clan, the other races within the Wind and Snow Sacred Temple were incomparable to these forces.

Now, all these forces were united, along with the Pill Tower. They were not something their Wind and Snow Sacred Temple could contend with!

Furthermore, the fact that Xiao Ming could become the leader of this alliance and reach the Dou Saint realm at such a young age was truly awe-inspiring.

Indeed, the Nine-Tailed Fox Saint knew that Xiao Ming was young. He didn't need to sense it through bones; the aura emanating from Xiao Ming lacked the decadence characteristic that they, the old fogeys, possessed.

Initially, he had thought Xiao Ming might be from some Ancient Clan, but it turned out to be a different origin altogether.

Hu Yu, standing behind the Nine-Tailed Fox Saint, was also surprised, her red lips slightly agape. As the Saintess of the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan, she had read some information about external forces.

In terms of power and influence, the Xiao Ming in front of them could be considered one of the most prominent figures on the Dou Qi continent, right?

"So, it's Alliance Leader Xiao in person. My previous behavior was truly disrespectful." The Nine-Tailed Fox Saint showed his respect with a gesture. From the previous information, it was clear that Xiao Ming was the leader of the Heavenly Court Alliance and also a member of the Pill Tower, a neutral force.

Considering how openly Xiao Ming had acted, sending Hu Yu back and straightforwardly requesting the Twelve-Grade Snow Leaf White Lotus seeds, it was evident that he conducted himself with transparency, making him worthy of friendship with their Wind and Snow Sacred Temple.

Xiao Ming waved his hand, indicating that it was of no importance, and then brought up the matter of the Twelve-Grade Snow Leaf White Lotus seeds once again.

The Nine-Tailed Fox Saint finally responded directly this time, "This Twelve-Grade Snow Leaf White Lotus seed, my Nine-Tailed Ice Fox Clan doesn't have it, and it's impossible for the Wind and Snow Sacred Temple to possess it either."

'What a joke, if we had that thing, I would have consumed it long ago. Keeping it around wouldn't help with cultivation, so why would I keep it until now?' he thought somewhat amused.

Xiao Ming was left speechless after hearing this. If you didn't have it, just say so directly. All this beating around the bush and questioning made him think it was some top-secret matter and that the Fox Saint was verifying his identity.

If Xiao Ming had a worse temper, he might have started swearing!

Seeing Xiao Ming's expression, the Nine-Tailed Fox Saint smiled.

"We, the Nine-Tailed Ice Fox Clan, naturally don't possess the lotus seeds of the Twelve-Grade Snow Leaf White Lotus..." 

"... We only have the Eleven-Grade Snow Leaf White Lotus," the Fox Saint explained.

"I'm aware of that, but the lotus seeds of the Eleven-Grade Snow Leaf White Lotus don't hold much value for me," Xiao Ming shook his head.

"Then what if I tell you that this is a Triple-Born Lotus, and it has just reached the Eleventh Grade not long ago?"

"What!"

This time, it was Xiao Ming's turn to be astonished – a Triple-Born Lotus? As an alchemist, he knew how rare it was for the Snow Leaf White Lotus to have twin births, with only one in a hundred thousand lotuses exhibiting this characteristic.

A Triple-Born Lotus was even rarer, and the chances of it reaching the Eleventh Grade were much lower than the appearance of a Twelve-Grade Snow Leaf White Lotus.

Of course, the effects of an Eleven-Grade Triple-Born Lotus were still not comparable to a Twelve-Grade's; only the central three lotus seeds could barely match the effects of the Twelve Grade.

But for him, it was already more than enough!

Therefore, Xiao Ming immediately stood up and clasped his fists, saying, "Fox Saint, I wish to exchange for the three central lotus seeds of this Triple-Born Lotus. I can currently refine Ninth-Tier Treasure Pills. You can make any request, and I will do my best to fulfill it."

'Treasure Pill Grandmaster!'

The Nine-Tailed Fox Saint didn't expect that, in his excitement, Xiao Ming would reveal yet another identity. Treasure Pill Grand Masters were exceedingly rare on the entire continent, not exceeding the number of fingers on one's hand.

How did this man in front of him achieve all this – being so young, possessing high Dou Qi cultivation and formidable alchemy skills?

Could it be that he had misunderstood, and the Xiao Ming in front of him was actually some unknown old monster?

But that didn't make sense either.

In fact, Xiao Ming was feeling a bit guilty for claiming to be a Treasure Pill Grand Master since he had never actually refined any Treasure Pills.

He just had a feeling that he could refine the Treasure Pills now, although the chances were a bit low.

However, now, in order to increase his bargaining chip, he still said it.

After all, what he wanted was not just one lotus seed, but the three most crucial ones. If he could add some bargaining chips, why not?

"Ahem, Nine-Tailed Fox Saint, I wonder what you think?"

"Alliance Leader Xiao, you're asking for three of the most crucial lotus seeds right from the start, and I can't make that decision," the Nine-Tailed Fox Saint looked troubled. He had planned to offer only one lotus seed as a reward, and that was what he initially intended.

After all, the Wind and Snow Sacred Temple was not under the sole control of the Nine-Tailed Ice Fox Clan.

Although the Nine-Tailed Ice Fox Clan was the most powerful, rules and fairness still applied.

Even though the other races within the Wind and Snow Sacred Temple might not be as strong as the Nine-Tailed Ice Fox Clan, they were interconnected, and the Fox Saint couldn't unilaterally take all of the temple's treasures without consideration.

"I can at most offer one core lotus seed as a token of gratitude for saving Yu'er," the Nine-Tailed Fox Saint said.

Upon hearing that he could get one, Xiao Ming's expression eased a bit, and he tried to ask again.

"Can't we trade for the others? I have some wealth to spare, and if possible, I hope the Fox Saint can accommodate my request."

"That... I'm afraid it's not possible..." the Nine-Tailed Fox Saint shook his head. But he seemed to think of something, hesitated for a moment, and said,

"However, if you really want to trade, you can talk to the other races during this Wind and Snow Ceremony. If you can convince them, it might be possible."

Xiao Ming was delighted to hear this and was about to express his gratitude when a deafening voice echoed through the palace, causing the entire place to tremble.

Boom!

"Jie jie jie! Wind and Snow Sacred Temple, hand over the Eleven-Grade Snow Leaf White Lotus, and the old me might spare your lives!"