Chapter 44: Goal Achieved

"Senior, I hope you can present all your collections of techniques and fighting skills for me to choose from," Lin Yuan made a request.

"I don't have many high-level earth-grade techniques and fighting skills on hand. Since you are so straightforward, I won't be stingy and will let you choose," Elder Yao said generously, as he wanted to ensure the transaction went smoothly. After all, if this transaction failed and the map fell into the hands of the ancient family, it would be nearly impossible to obtain it again.

Seeing the transaction was successful, Lin Yuan seized the opportunity to seek the method for the poison pill. "That's great! Speaking of which, Senior, you are the number one alchemist on the continent, so you must have a wealth of knowledge. I have a question to ask."

"Oh? What is it?"

"Senior, do you know about the 'Evil Poison Body'? Is there a way to resolve it?"

"Evil Poison Body? That's a term that brings back memories. You don't seem to have it yourself, so I assume you have friends or family who do," Elder Yao said, showing a nostalgic expression, likely recalling the Evil Poison Body he had once defeated.

"A friend of mine."

"It seems this is fate. I happen to have a scroll on the method for the poison pill, but unfortunately, the conditions to obtain it are quite harsh. If you need it, you can exchange it for the Earth Core Body Refining Milk," Elder Yao said, readily taking out the method for the poison pill. After all, this was just a collectible for him, and exchanging it for the Earth Core Body Refining Milk, which could help Xiao Yan consolidate his foundation and refine his body, was certainly worth it.

Moreover, if Lin Yuan's friend were to implement the poison pill method in the future, they might need Xiao Yan's help, who could control various types of strange fire. At that time, it would allow Lin Yuan to have a favor owed to him by Xiao Yan. Completing the poison pill method would surely make that person a strong individual, thus providing Xiao Yan with valuable connections.

"Alright, here is the Earth Core Body Refining Milk."

After Lin Yuan and Elder Yao finalized the transaction, they exchanged their items.

Elder Yao and Xiao Yan received the remnants of the demon fire map and the Earth Core Body Refining Milk.

Lin Yuan selected a fire attribute high-level earth-grade technique, the "Heavenly Fire Classic," a non-attribute high-level earth-grade technique, the "Sky Profound Classic," a high-level earth-grade fighting skill, the "Three Light Seal," a jade piece containing the inheritance of an eighth-grade alchemist from a hundred years ago, and the scroll for the poison pill method.

Both parties were satisfied with the results.

After completing the transaction, Lin Yuan was in a good mood. This transaction resolved many of his issues. He had obtained the high-level techniques to replace those for Qing Lin, the method for the poison pill to resolve Xiao Yixian's Evil Poison Body, a template for studying how earth-grade fighting skills draw upon the energy of heaven and earth, and the inheritance from the eighth-grade alchemist. When he returned to the academy next time, he could address the lack of high-level alchemy techniques in the Alchemy Department of the Jia Nan Academy. Moreover, Lin Yuan noticed Xiao Yan, after receiving the remnants of the demon fire map, cast a discreet glance at a long-dead magical beast corpse nailed to a tree not far away.

After reaching an agreement with Lin Yuan not to leak Elder Yao's situation, Xiao Yan and Elder Yao left. Xiao Yan had just broken through to one star and needed to engage in several exhilarating battles with magical beasts to hone his fighting spirit and solidify his cultivation.

After Elder Yao and Xiao Yan had left for a while, a hidden aura quietly followed Lin Yuan, which was very discreet but could be considered quite powerful even among Dou Huang.

"Is it Ling Ying? The dark attribute techniques are indeed exceptional in terms of concealment. Gu Xun'er really arranged for him to follow; she is quite attentive to Xiao Yan!" Lin Yuan thought to himself, becoming more vigilant towards Gu Xun'er. A woman who seemed somewhat possessive like this required extra caution in dealings.

Once the aura he sensed had moved away, Lin Yuan waved his hand, and a surge of fighting spirit swept over, bringing the magical beast corpse from the tree into his hands. Then, Lin Yuan removed the two eyes from the corpse, and upon closer inspection, he found that they were two polished shadow stones.

After checking, Lin Yuan confirmed that both shadow stones recorded the scene of his transaction with Elder Yao and Xiao Yan, and he nodded in satisfaction.

"The card to balance Gu Xun'er is in hand."

"With this, all my goals have been achieved."

Using the remnants of the Pure Lotus Demon Fire to exchange for techniques sufficient to cultivate to Dou Zun and the inheritance of an eighth-grade alchemist was something Lin Yuan had decided long ago. The key focus of this operation was how to maximize the benefits of this transaction without drawing excessive attention from Gu Xun'er too early. Lin Yuan believed he had basically achieved the latter, as through the Sky Network centered around the Bi She San Hua Tong, it appeared that Xiao Yan and Elder Yao had merely encountered him by chance, making it impossible to discern his calculations from the outside.

As for the former, these two shadow stones were a significant gain.

In this Dou Qi continent, there were many powerful individuals who had ideas about the Pure Lotus Demon Fire, and the images Lin Yuan possessed were enough to provoke some of them into action. After all, the strong in the Dou Qi continent valued strength over reason. If they had doubts, they wouldn't mind taking matters into their own hands to confirm through coercion. The allure of the Pure Lotus Demon Fire was immense, enough to make these individuals act.

Given Xiao Yan's obsession with strange fire, it was destined that he would never give up the remnants of the Pure Lotus Demon Fire. Thus, the information that he possessed the remnants would become his Achilles' heel for a long time. Once leaked, it could lead to life-threatening consequences.

With the images in hand, Lin Yuan had grasped Xiao Yan's Achilles' heel for a long time.

Considering Gu Xun'er's feelings for Xiao Yan, Xiao Yan's life and future were undoubtedly her top priority. In this situation, Lin Yuan, who held Xiao Yan's Achilles' heel, had ample room to negotiate or strategize with Gu Xun'er. Even the two maps divided by Hai Bo Dong could serve as excellent bargaining chips when necessary. As the princess of the top power in the Dou Qi continent, the Ancient Clan, Gu Xun'er could offer far more valuable items than Xiao Yan. Once the demon fire remnants were in Xiao Yan's hands, this trading channel would be opened.

Watching the direction in which Xiao Yan and Elder Yao departed, Lin Yuan's gaze was deep.

"Xiao Yan, that map will be kept in your hands for now. You must guard it well for me. What role will you play in the grand scheme of this world in the future? It's something to look forward to!"

Lin Yuan held no ill feelings towards Xiao Yan; in fact, he admired him somewhat. However, for Lin Yuan, Xiao Yan might become a rival in his imperial path, a pawn in his various schemes, or perhaps an inconsequential figure. All of this would need time to verify, but it did not prevent Lin Yuan from valuing Xiao Yan now and expressing his respect through his prior planning and calculations.

"The tasks here have been completed; it's time to return to the valley to continue cultivating my techniques." After confirming that there were no oversights, Lin Yuan spread his wings and flew towards the valley where Qing Lin was.

Upon returning to the valley, Lin Yuan landed lightly. He waved his hand in front of him, and the flesh on his face shifted, returning to his original appearance.

To be safe, Lin Yuan had still worn a disguise during his meeting with Xiao Yan and Elder Yao, using a face that was different in appearance but similar in age. This way, even if Gu Xun'er wanted to investigate him, it would be much more difficult. After all, Ling Ying would not be able to detect his strange fire, and any investigation would have to rely on his appearance at that time as the main clue.

After Lin Yuan landed, Qing Lin immediately approached him with a bright smile on her face. "Young Master, welcome back."

Lin Yuan understood; he had spent quite a bit of time with Qing Lin, and her current expression was one of longing for praise.

Upon closer inspection, Lin Yuan noticed that Qing Lin had already reached four-star Dou Shi and was not far from five-star Dou Shi. After crossing the Dou Qi stage to become a Dou Shi, the Bi She San Hua Tong seemed to have unlocked its limitations, and Qing Lin's cultivation speed began to accelerate further, achieving four-star strength in less than two months.

Lin Yuan ran his hand through Qing Lin's smooth hair and said with satisfaction, "Qing'er, you did very well this time. Not only have you made great progress in your cultivation, but you also helped me a lot by controlling the Sky Network. I may need your assistance like this often in the future. Do you have any wishes? I will fulfill anything within my ability."

"Really?" Qing Lin's eyes lit up, and as she looked at Lin Yuan, she seemed to think of something, suddenly becoming dazed. Her face flushed, and she quickly looked down at the ground, shaking her head vigorously. "Qing'er has no wishes; being able to help Young Master is Qing'er's wish."

(End of Chapter)