Chapter 134: Return to the Magical Beast Mountain Range

"Fifth rank already?" Elder Yao was visibly stunned as he looked at the significantly larger Blue Eagle.

It was well known that while magical beasts possessed far greater physical strength than humans of the same rank and had much longer lifespans, their cultivation speed was excruciatingly slow before they could take human form.

It was precisely because of this inherent limitation that the Dou Qi Continent hadn't become a world dominated by magical beasts.

Even if this Blue Eagle was exceptionally gifted and incredibly lucky to have encountered Xiao Yan—receiving a cultivation method tailored for its physique as early as the first rank—how much time had passed?

Only about two years!

In such a short span, even a genius with an abundance of cultivation resources would find it impossible to progress from the Dou Zhe level to the Dou Wang level!

Of course, a monstrous prodigy like Xiao Yan was perhaps a once-in-tens-of-thousands-of-years occurrence.

The so-called "geniuses" in the eyes of ordinary people were nothing more than slightly above-average individuals when compared to Xiao Yan.

"This consumed a ridiculous amount of resources," Xiao Yan said with a wry smile as he watched Xiao Lan preen its feathers with its beak.

The cultivation of magical beasts differed greatly from that of humans. Due to their robust physiques, they could consume pills almost endlessly to accelerate their growth.

As long as the energy provided by the pills was sufficient, breakthroughs in rank would come naturally.

Fortunately, with resources spanning nearly two imperial regions, Xiao Yan had ample materials to refine the necessary pills.

Additionally, this was also largely due to his continuous development of new pill formulas and his flawless success rate in pill refinement.

Hearing the two discussing it, Xiao Lan turned its head and let out a crisp cry—as if to say it hadn't consumed that much.

The Little Fairy Doctor flicked her jade-like fingers, sending a green pill resembling a pebble arcing through the air.

The moment the pill appeared, Xiao Lan's eyes lit up. It caught the pill mid-air and swallowed it whole.

As its cultivation method smoothly activated, Xiao Lan shuddered in pleasure.

A pill of that size could only be consumed and digested by a massive and sturdy magical beast.

The Little Fairy Doctor smiled faintly. "Xiao Lan is faster and can get you back to the Jia Ma Empire more quickly. Besides, it's about time to deliver pills to Xiao Hong as well."

"Mm, I'll go pack my things." Xiao Yan twisted the Bone Flame Ring on his finger and headed toward his cultivation quarters.

After storing some materials in the Bone Flame Ring, he picked up a sack and began filling it with the neatly arranged spatial stones on the table.

Elder Yao, who had followed him, frowned in confusion. "Why are you collecting so many spatial stones?"

"Just some random research." Xiao Yan stuffed half the sack before turning to Elder Yao's soul form with a serious expression. "Master, even though the Flame Mantra has been greatly modified, the resurrection method can still be used."

At the mention of his resurrection, Elder Yao stopped questioning the odd collection and spoke slowly, "Refining a body capable of housing my soul is no simple task."

"First, a Bone Growing Blood Merging Pill comparable to an eighth-tier pill. Second, the essence blood of a seventh-rank magical beast. Third, at the very least, the skeleton of a Dou Zong powerhouse."

Seeing Elder Yao raise three fingers, Xiao Yan nodded slightly. "I've already obtained a Dou Zong-level skeleton. Though the other two items are extraordinary, it's time to start working toward them."

The Bone Growing Blood Merging Pill was essentially a deluxe, upgraded version of the "Yama Bows His Head" pill—a super elixir rumored to revive even those hanging by a thread, applicable across a far broader range of cultivation levels.

Now, just recalling the process of refining "Yama Bows His Head" gave Xiao Yan a headache.

That pill had consumed countless rare materials gathered by the Xiao family and taken years of effort.

It was undoubtedly the most time- and energy-consuming project in his alchemical career thus far.

As for the essence blood of a seventh-rank magical beast, there were two known sources in the northwestern region: the remains of a Heavenly Demon Phoenix, and Queen Medusa after her evolution.

However, using the latter's blood could lead to… ethical complications.

Elder Yao thought hard before recalling the traitorous Dou Zong.

"That one with the centipede tattoo on his face?" The mere thought of the old man's hideous appearance made Elder Yao grimace. "That's just too ugly."

Who knew Elder Yao was so appearance-conscious? Xiao Yan stroked his chin. Aside from his own extraordinary talent, his looks might have also played a role in Elder Yao's decision to take him as a disciple.

After some consideration, Elder Yao added, "Seventh-rank magical beasts can take human form. Once you obtain the essence blood, you might as well bring the corpse along too. If all else fails, even the body of a magical beast would be better than that old man."

Xiao Yan chuckled in agreement. Hoisting the sack, he bid Elder Yao farewell once more.

After calling for Xiao Lan, he set off on his journey back to the Jia Ma Empire.

The Little Fairy Doctor's beautiful eyes remained fixed on the shrinking figure in the sky, filled with reluctance.

Though Xiao Yan hadn't explicitly stated it, she could sense that his return to the Jia Ma Empire wasn't just about refining a sixth-tier pill.

It would likely be a long time before they met again.

And by then, Xiao Yan's strength might have reached heights even she would have to look up to.

As a wind-attribute magical beast trained in speed-enhancing techniques, Xiao Lan completed the journey—which would have taken days—in less than half a day, bringing Xiao Yan back to the hidden valley in the Magical Beast Mountain Range.

A massive crimson wolf lay sprawled on the grass, drawing in wisps of heaven and earth energy with each breath.

Xiao Yan hopped off the eagle's back and took a few steps forward, surprised. "Xiao Hong is about to break through to the fifth rank too."

"That's much better than you, you glutton." Xiao Yan glanced back at Xiao Lan.

Thanks to its proximity to the Little Fairy Doctor, who occasionally fed it pills like earlier, Xiao Lan had consumed far more resources than Xiao Hong.

Xiao Lan, currently munching on a White Orchid Fruit—roots, leaves, and all—hastened its chewing speed in annoyance at Xiao Yan's remark.

After carefully surveying the valley, Xiao Yan nodded in satisfaction. The spatial seal set up by Elder Yao had further enriched the concentration of heaven and earth energy here.

In such an energy-dense environment, the medicinal herbs had grown even more luxuriantly.

Additionally, with Xiao Hong's rising strength, the valley's surroundings were now guarded by a few second- and third-rank magical beasts.

After gathering some herbs not yet stored in the Bone Flame Ring, Xiao Yan spread his wings and flew toward the waterfall valley where Elder Yao had once cultivated.

Now that the Profound Yellow Flame and other Heavenly Flames had matured, it was time to devote more effort to developing new ones.

(End of Chapter)

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