Chapter 292: Updating the Battle Power Unit

Word Count: 2,813 Words

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"Zong Breaking Pill!!!"

"The Zong Breaking Pill, that peak tier 6 pill on par with a tier 7 pill?!"

It was apparent that everyone present had heard of the Zong Breaking Pill's reputation. Even the elderly Jia Xing Tian flushed, his breathing quickening. Evidently, he had not only heard of it but had even fantasized about it!

Yao Ye steadied herself first and asked in a solemn, earnest tone, "Grandmaster Xiao Yan, Elder Jia has indeed never used such a pill before. In fact, our Jia Ma Imperial Family lacks the means to acquire such a precious pill."

"Since Grandmaster Xiao Yan is asking, could it be that..."

Jia Xing Tian and Hai Bodong stared fixedly at Xiao Yan. Their usual dignified composure maintained in front of others was entirely gone. They seemed to be waiting for Xiao Yan to simply say: Yes, I can refine it.

There was no need to elaborate on Jia Xing Tian; he had been yearning for a Zong Breaking Pill. As for Hai Bodong, he was now a 7-star Dou Emperor, and Xiao Yan had previously promised him a Mighty Huang Pill. With that, he could quickly reach the peak of 9-star Dou Emperor. Once he possessed a Zong Breaking Pill, there would be a genuine chance of taking that decisive step into the Dou Ancestor realm!

Unfortunately, they first saw Xiao Yan slowly shaking his head.

Just as the two were about to sigh—thinking that given Xiao Yan's young age, refining a Zong Breaking Pill would be impossible—they heard him calmly say, "I haven't attempted to refine a Zong Breaking Pill before. If I were to try, I'd estimate about a 30% success rate. It would require some luck and multiple attempts."

! ! ! ! !

Those words made the duo whip their heads up. They fully grasped Xiao Yan's meaning. One set of ingredients for the Zong Breaking Pill wouldn't be enough; they might need three sets, along with a bit of luck.

When requesting an alchemist to refine pills, preparing two to three sets of ingredients was customary. After all, alchemy wasn't like cooking; it was not a guaranteed success, and repeated attempts were how one improved the odds.

For this reason, the more skillful the alchemist, the higher the success rate—and the more bountiful the return. If one succeeded on the first attempt despite having prepared multiple sets, they earned those extra ingredients along with the commission.

This was more than just a profitable business. High-tier alchemists were like treasure hoarders, amassing numerous rare ingredients.

Xiao Yan himself didn't have a single set of ingredients for the Zong Breaking Pill. He estimated that without using the Black Demon Cauldron, his success rate would indeed be around 30%.

If not for his Flame Mantra having reached the Low Tian Class, he wouldn't have dared to make such a bold claim. The Low Tian Class Flame Mantra gave him the fire control equivalent to an 8th-tier alchemist, a downright terrifying level of mastery.

"30%... You actually have a 30% success rate!" Yao Ye stared at Xiao Yan with surprise filling her beautiful eyes. She murmured, "Even newly advanced 7th-tier alchemists don't have a 30% success rate when refining the Zong Breaking Pill."

Xiao Yan turned to see Yao Ye staring intently at him. Seeing this queen who usually maintained her regal composure reveal such an expression, he couldn't help but laugh.

Yao Ye's cheeks flushed slightly when she realized that Xiao Yan found her reaction amusing. She shot him a glance with a hint of girlish annoyance.

"Your Majesty Yao Ye, I wonder if the Imperial Family can provide three sets of ingredients for the Zong Breaking Pill," said Xiao Yan seriously. "Since I proposed the Yan Alliance Treaty and have been away for two years, it's time I contributed something to the alliance."

Xiao Yan clearly meant he wouldn't charge any labor fee for refining the pill, but they would need to provide the necessary ingredients.

As for Hai Bodong, there was no need to say more. Xiao Yan had already prepared to give him a Mighty Huang Pill to increase his strength and planned to help him break through to Dou Ancestor in the future. He still felt somewhat guilty for having taken Hai Bodong's map fragment of the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame. Not to mention, Hai Bodong had assisted him many times, even standing by his side against the Dou Emperor from the Sky Serpent Mansion.

The value of the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame's map fragment couldn't be compared to a few Mighty Huang Pills or Zong Breaking Pills.

As for the Snake-People Tribe, there was no need to elaborate. Over the past two years, who knew how many pills he had given Medusa? Half of the Core-Fire Lotus Seeds had been consumed by her, and he'd invested great effort to help her refine the Heavenly Flame Serpent Body.

Most importantly, he had been taken advantage of!

Damn it! Medusa, you owe me a lot!

"It can be done!" Yao Ye didn't hesitate. Even if it meant exhausting the Imperial Treasury and all the resources of the Imperial Family, they would find a way to collect three full sets of ingredients for a Zong Breaking Pill.

This was an opportunity that might not come again in a lifetime.

"Please give us some time. We'll gather the three sets for the Zong Breaking Pill as soon as possible!" Yao Ye promised confidently.

"Alright. But please do so quickly. In a few days, I need to head to the Chu Yun Empire to attend to some matters," Xiao Yan pondered for a moment before saying.

"Seven days... No, three days! We will definitely gather all three sets of ingredients within three days!"

After discussing more details about the Yan Alliance and gathering further intelligence on the Chu Yun Empire, the high-level assembly came to an end.

Naturally, when it was over, Xiao Yan gave Hai Bodong a Mighty Huang Pill and promised that once the latter's cultivation reached the required level, he would refine a Zong Breaking Pill for him as well.

This made Hai Bodong grin so widely that his mouth went crooked. He inwardly sighed that his beauty trap had been used marvelously.

That same day, Xiao Yan left Zi Yan in the care of Little Fairy Doctor. Then, together with Xiao Ding, the two brothers flew toward the Misty Cloud Sect.

The current Misty Cloud Sect was almost unrecognizable from when Xiao Yan had first arrived. When he left the Jia Ma Empire, the Misty Cloud Sect was on the verge of disbanding. Panic filled everyone's hearts; most of the remaining disciples, deacons, and elders had left. Only a few seekers of the Dao without any backing remained.

Now, having joined the Yan Alliance and undergone two years of recovery, the sect had regained much vitality. Many shops had reopened throughout Misty Cloud City.

After experiencing that great calamity, the Misty Cloud Sect's atmosphere had changed significantly. Those who had relied on their backgrounds had left. Under Yun Yun's leadership—following Xiao Ding's suggestion—the sect began transforming into a true holy land for cultivation.

Admission no longer depended on one's backing, and even talent and strength were secondary. Instead, diligence and character were prioritized. Although this wouldn't instantly restore the sect's previous fame as the number one congregation of geniuses in the Jia Ma Empire...

In the long run, the Misty Cloud Sect would become an unbreakable iron fortress, achieving unity from top to bottom.

Of course, that was just on the surface. The Hall of Souls hidden within the Misty Cloud Sect remained, with Xiao Li in charge of delivering the required number of souls at regular intervals.

As for how these souls were obtained—whether from the battlefield, dealing with death row prisoners in the Jia Ma Empire, or hunting magical beasts—it didn't matter. Xiao Yan didn't inquire about it at all.

In this world, benevolence was something only those with absolute strength could afford. Right now, even the Yan Alliance struggled to protect itself.

It was rare for the family to reunite. Xiao Yan spent a rare, leisurely time with his elder brothers and father, chatting freely about life and drinking until none remained sober.

When Xiao Li inquired about Xun Er, Xiao Yan didn't conceal anything and briefly recounted what had happened. Learning that she had been taken back by her clan and that even Xiao Yan was helpless against the power behind her, his brothers could only offer their earnest comfort.

The time at home allowed Xiao Yan to catch his breath. For two days, he put cultivation aside and stayed at the Xiao Clan's residence, enjoying a young master's life, occasionally instructing the clan's disciples in the courtyard.

But soon, his short weekend came to an end.

BOOM!

From the direction of the Gate of Life and Death within the Misty Cloud Sect, a fierce gust of green wind erupted. A giant whirlwind soared into the sky, and a powerful Dou King aura blasted forth, shaking the entire area.

"That's coming from the Gate of Life and Death!"

"This aura... it's Senior Sister Nalan!"

"So strong! What is Senior Sister Nalan's current cultivation level?!"

Looking at the towering cyan whirlwind, Xiao Yan pinched the bridge of his nose with a helpless expression. He guessed that his aura from refining a high-grade tier 6 medicinal pill the previous night might have leaked out. This would have alerted Nalan Yanran, who was cultivating in seclusion within the Gate of Life and Death.

Xiao Yan looked toward Nalan Yanran amidst the cyan pillar of light. She gazed back at him while holding Yun Po Tian's personal sword in her right hand. With a resounding clang, she slashed through the whirlwind, revealing a pair of cyan Dou Qi wings behind her.

Without doubt, her cultivation had soared at an astonishing speed with the inheritance of Yun Po Tian. Moreover, two years ago, Xiao Yan had sold her many pills, allowing her cultivation to rise even more rapidly. At that time, her cultivation had been even a star higher than his.

'A 5-star Dou King... Heh, this time, I'm one step ahead.' Xiao Yan crossed his arms and raised his chin, gazing at Nalan Yanran in midair with a confident smirk.

Seeing the look in his eyes, Nalan Yanran knew exactly what he was thinking. She pointed her sword at him and said coldly, "Xiao Yan! Let's have another duel!"

Having a higher cultivation didn't guarantee victory; hadn't she lost before even when her cultivation was higher?

With Yun Po Tian's inheritance, her eyes carried a hint of coldness. Her once melodious voice now held a chilling edge, like a sharp blade piercing one's heart, sending a shiver down the spine.

Yun Po Tian's greatest strength had always been his sword techniques. The fact that the Misty Cloud Sect's highest-grade Dou Techniques were all sword techniques was testament enough.

Nalan Yanran's bright, gem-like eyes brimmed with battle spirit as she looked at Xiao Yan. She no longer harbored any resentment toward him, but her stubborn nature compelled her to challenge him again. She treated Xiao Yan as the target she must surpass.

"This time, I will definitely defeat you."

"Confident, aren't you? Not bad," replied Xiao Yan calmly across the distance. He couldn't help but chuckle upon hearing her declaration.

You're even more confident than Liu Ling!

"I don't mind sparring with you, but you can't just challenge me whenever you feel like it. Where would I put my face? Besides, you've already lost to me once. We agreed you'd become my servant; how about calling me 'Young Master' first?" Xiao Yan had seemingly embraced the role of a carefree young master over the past two days, his words carrying a hint of teasing.

"I'll call you that if I lose," Nalan Yanran lifted her proud chin and declared.

"How about this? If you win, we'll write off our previous agreement, and I'll even give you a Dou King Pill. If I win, you have to help me with something," Xiao Yan's eyes gleamed as he smiled, as if plotting something.

"What is it?"

"Never mind that. I promise it won't be anything immoral."

Nalan Yanran's gaze sharpened. Since she had already lost once, she might as well go all in. With her mind made up, she nodded firmly. "All right!"

Confronting her sword-like stare, Xiao Yan merely said in a level tone, "So be it. It's been two years. Looks like it's time to update my 'battle power unit.'"

Currently, Liu Qing was his battle power unit. However, from what he could see now, Nalan Yanran—who had received the inheritance of a Dou Venerate—clearly possessed strength surpassing Liu Qing.

Moreover, Xiao Yan himself had also received the inheritances of two Dou Venerates—Venerable Yao and Venerable Tian Huo. This was a good opportunity to test just how formidable Venerable Tian Huo's inheritance was.

With a whoosh, black and white Dou Qi wings formed behind Xiao Yan as he slowly ascended into the sky. Since both were Dou Kings, their battlefield naturally shifted to the skies.

"Wow, who is that young man? He's so young, yet already a Dou King!"

"Don't you know? That's Grandmaster Xiao Yan, the initiator of the Yan Alliance Treaty and the youngest champion of the Alchemist Grand Meeting!"

"I heard that Grandmaster Xiao Yan once had a marriage arrangement with Senior Sister Nalan. But after he defeated her in a duel, they agreed to annul the engagement."

"What? He broke off an engagement with Senior Sister Nalan? Is he crazy? If it were me, I'd jump at the chance to marry into the Nalan Clan!"

Many of the newly admitted disciples in the Misty Cloud Sect gazed upon Xiao Yan with envy or jealousy, especially those self-proclaimed geniuses who admired Nalan Yanran. They considered themselves dragons among men, all vying to become her suitors.

However, today, the woman whom countless young men regarded as their dream goddess had not only been defeated before but had her engagement broken off? How could this not make them jealous!

"Hmph! This time, Senior Sister Nalan will surely win!" some of the young talents muttered indignantly, unable to hide their grievance.

Hovering in midair, Xiao Yan did not underestimate his opponent and took out the Heavy Xuan Ruler. Using Nalan Yanran as his battle power unit wasn't to belittle her; rather, it was acknowledging her strength. It meant she was formidable enough to make him take her seriously.

Using someone as a battle power unit was essentially distinguishing between when to take a fight seriously and when not to.

A loud clang rang out as Nalan Yanran gripped the Cloud Slaying Black Sword in both hands. She took a deep breath, and her entire demeanor transformed. Sword intent surged from her, and tiny whirlwinds swirled around her body like tangible blades. They were eerily cold and seemed capable of beheading an opponent in a single stroke!

No matter where they went, those at the Dou Venerate realm were respectfully addressed as 'Venerable'. This was a testament to the immense power of that level, a power transcending the realm of mortals.

In the blink of an eye, Nalan Yanran vanished from sight, her speed too swift for the naked eye to follow.

"What a terrifying agility technique!"

The agility technique Nalan Yanran used was definitely not inferior to the Three Thousand Lightning Movement. After all, the Three Thousand Lightning Movement was just the foundational technique of the Wind Lightning Pavilion's strongest movement skill, the Three Thousand Lightning Illusionary Body.

Clang!

Sparks flew as her black sword collided with the Heavy Xuan Ruler. Xiao Yan smiled slightly. As fast as she was, she could not escape his Spiritual Strength perception.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Three consecutive clashes echoed as Xiao Yan countered with horizontal sweeps, upward strikes, and downward chops. The Heavy Xuan Ruler, weighing as much as a thousand pounds, broke through all techniques, forcing Nalan Yanran to retreat repeatedly!

From the Cloud Slaying Black Sword in her hand burst a black glow, dark as midnight yet glaring like a blazing sun.

"Wind's Peak—Dazzling Sunset!"

Seeing such a sword-intent-laden technique, some of the older Dou King elders of the Misty Cloud Sect were deeply moved, while the younger generation of geniuses all turned pale.

"As expected of the Cloud Slaying Black Sword, the personal weapon of Founder Yun Po Tian, capable of cutting down all beings." Many people felt a chill down their spines as they witnessed the terrifying and unparalleled power carried by the black sword thrusting forward.

Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes. If she didn't possess such strength, she wouldn't be worthy of being his updated battle power unit.

"Flames, come forth! Flame Splitting Tsunami!"