Chapter 55: The Ten Thousand Poisons Desert, Yan Li is Captured

"Miss, Sect Leader Yun has arrived."

"Teacher." Nalan Yanran was delighted and said, "Take me to her quickly."

The maid led the two to the courtyard where Yun Yun was temporarily staying.

As soon as they entered the courtyard, they saw a woman in a green dress standing gracefully under the moonlight, her skirt swaying gently in the breeze, exuding an air of nobility and elegance.

"Teacher," both of them greeted.

The woman in the green dress lowered her head and gradually turned around, revealing a stunningly beautiful face that captivated their eyes.

Yun Yun nodded to them, then turned her gaze to the young man with a radiant smile on his face, a faint smile appearing on her red lips.

The three of them sat down in a pavilion within the courtyard.

"It's only been two months, but both of you have made significant progress in your cultivation, especially Yan Ran, who has already reached the level of a Dou Grand Master."

With Nalan Yanran present, Yun Yun couldn't focus all her attention on Chen Mo, so she discussed their cultivation progress instead.

"Thank you for the praise, Teacher. I was able to break through to Dou Master with a lot of help from my junior brother," Nalan Yanran shared some details with Yun Yun.

Yun Yun had already grown accustomed to Chen Mo frequently bringing out new and interesting things, so when Nalan Yanran mentioned the Three-Pattern Azure Spirit Pill, Yun Yun wasn't surprised.

"I only helped a little. The breakthrough was mainly due to Senior Sister's own efforts," Chen Mo said with a smile, scratching his head. After a moment of thought, he took out a treasure map he had acquired at an auction from his Storage Ring.

"By the way, Teacher, do you know where this map points to?"

Chen Mo had also shown it to Jia Lao, but even Jia Lao didn't know.

Yun Yun unfolded the map and examined it carefully. Suddenly, her expression turned serious, and she asked Chen Mo, "Where did you get this treasure map?"

"I just acquired it at an auction," Chen Mo replied. Seeing Yun Yun's sudden change in expression, he asked, "Teacher, is there a problem?"

"The location marked on this treasure map is in the Cloud Empire, and the Cloud Empire and the Jia Ma Empire are sworn enemies," Yun Yun pointed out the critical issue.

For an ordinary person, going to the Cloud Empire might not be a problem.

But as a powerful figure from the Jia Ma Empire, or a highly talented and renowned prodigy, entering the Cloud Empire and being discovered would surely lead to a deadly ambush.

As for recruitment, those who are not of our kind will always have different intentions.

Chen Mo didn't pay much attention to Yun Yun's warning.

After all, I'm not from the Jia Ma Empire.

Moreover, the Cloud Empire and the Jia Ma Empire are roughly equal in strength, with at most one Dou Ancestor. If they dare to offend me, I'll have their emperor replaced.

"Then, Teacher, where exactly in the Cloud Empire is this?" Chen Mo asked urgently.

"Sigh, I knew I couldn't stop you," Yun Yun brushed aside the strands of hair in front of her forehead, her beautiful face showing a hint of helplessness.

"It's in the Ten Thousand Poisons Desert of the Cloud Empire," Yun Yun said.

"The Ten Thousand Poisons Desert!" Nalan Yanran's expression changed upon hearing this.

"What's wrong?"

"Rumors say that the Ten Thousand Poisons Desert is filled with poisonous creatures, and the air above the desert is shrouded in toxic smoke that never dissipates. Even the people of the Cloud Empire, who are skilled in using poison, dare not enter the Ten Thousand Poisons Desert lightly," Nalan Yanran explained what she knew to Chen Mo.

Chen Mo fell silent for a moment.

As expected, the system either doesn't give tasks or gives tasks that are never easy.

The matter was temporarily concluded, and they didn't discuss it further.

Since the location was already known, they could plan carefully when the time came.

"It's getting late, everyone should go back and rest."

Late at night, a figure sneaked into the courtyard where Yun Yun was staying.

"Sister Yun Yun, it's been two months. Did you miss me?"

"What do you want?"

...

Before dawn.

Chen Mo, holding his waist, sneaked back to his room.

As the first light of dawn broke in the east, the quiet streets began to fill with figures clad in Alchemist Robes, appearing in twos and threes.

These usually rare and noble professions seemed as common as cabbages today, emerging from various inns and streets.

They all headed in the same direction.

For today was a grand event in the Jia Ma Empire—the Alchemist Convention, held once every eight years.

Chen Mo planned to catch some more sleep, but before he could lie down for more than an hour, he was disturbed by a knock on the door.

Opening the door, he found Nalan Yanran.

"Junior Brother, what's wrong? Didn't sleep well last night?" Nalan Yanran asked, puzzled by Chen Mo's haggard appearance.

"Ah, I stayed up late refining some pills and went to bed very late," Chen Mo replied with a yawn.

Nalan Yanran didn't suspect anything and, after helping Chen Mo freshen up, they headed towards the door.

At the entrance of the Nalan residence, they coincidentally ran into Yun Yun.

"Teacher, I was just looking for you. So you were already here waiting for us," Nalan Yanran said.

"Yes, yes," Yun Yun replied, while secretly glaring at Chen Mo behind Nalan Yanran.

They had agreed to keep it simple, but he still managed to complicate things.

The Alchemist Convention was not held at the Apothecary Guild but at the Royal Square, which could accommodate tens of thousands of people.

Chen Mo's participation formalities had been completed the moment he arrived in the capital; all he had to do was attend.

Arriving at the Royal Square, Chen Mo was awestruck by the scene before him.

Outside the square, fully armed troops were stationed, and the system indicated the presence of dozens of Dou Kings.

"I heard that over four thousand people have registered for this year's Alchemist Convention."

"In previous years, the number never exceeded two thousand, but this year it has more than doubled," Yun Yun whispered, noticing Chen Mo's astonishment.

"Four thousand people..." Chen Mo was shocked by the number. Alchemists were a rare profession, yet here they seemed as common as dirt.

"We've caught a spy from the Cloud Empire."

"I heard he's the vice president of the Cloud Empire's Apothecary Guild, named Yan Li."

"Isn't he in his forties? How did he get in?"

"Who knows? Our country and the Cloud Empire are sworn enemies. For the vice president of their Apothecary Guild to dare come here and even cheat by hiding his age, he probably won't end well."

At that moment, a commotion broke out in the crowd ahead. A middle-aged man in an Alchemist Robe was subdued by Jia Lao and then escorted out by the imperial guards.

Later, it was learned that all Cloud Empire alchemists who came to participate were under special surveillance from the moment they entered the capital and registered.

During this surveillance, Yan Li, who had disguised himself as a youth using the Appearance Restoration Pill, was exposed.

To avoid alerting the enemy, the royal family had secretly arranged for his capture at this moment.

"I was planning to expose it, but it seems my help isn't needed anymore," Chen Mo thought to himself.

The three of them arrived at the VIP section.

Here, Chen Mo saw almost all the notable powerhouses of the Jia Ma Empire.

Upon seeing Chen Mo, most people greeted him with a friendly smile, except for a few who remained expressionless.