Battle Through the Heavens Chapter 281-285

Chapter 281: Let Me Try

On a street that was next to the Nalan clan, Xiao Yan and Hai Bo Dong separated. Only then did Xiao Yan slowly walk toward the huge compound not far away.

As he walked closer to the house which was filled with a majestic and imposing aura, Xiao Yan was stunned to see that the entrance was actually clustered by quite a number of people. Moreover, these people were all wearing the alchemist robes and the few bright silver colored ripples on their chests proudly revealed their status and tier.

Anyone who walked down this street, where people come and go, would throw envious and respectful glances at the group of alchemists who were whispering amongst themselves. In their hearts, alchemy was an occupation which was so elevated that they were like nobility.

When faced with this considerably large powered alchemists, the Nalan clan clearly did not dare to easily slight them. Some servants were explaining something to the alchemists waiting at the entrance in a reverent and respectful manner. Only when they discovered that the other party had the qualification to enter did they let them through. Some of the alchemists whose ability had some problem could only be rejected by the smiling faced servants. Although such an action caused those alchemists that were blocked to feel dissatisfied, when they thought of Nalan clan’s strength and the relationship between Nalan Yanran and the Misty Cloud Sect, they could only bottle up their unhappiness, dust their sleeves, and leave.

After staring at the entrance for a while, Xiao Yan realized that the alchemist who were allowed to enter appeared to be tier three alchemist. On the other hand, the alchemist who were rejected were tier two along with some tier one alchemists who had come to join the fun…

Xiao Yan lowered his head and glanced at the tier two alchemist badge on his chest. He helplessly shook his head, lifted his leg and walked toward the main door which was tightly guarded.

Pushing through the human crowd, Xiao Yan took a step forward. An old man, who appeared to have the position of the housekeeper, hurriedly came forward. However, when he saw Xiao Yan’s young appearance and the tier two alchemist badge on his chest, a disappointment that was somewhat difficult to sense flashed through his muddled old eyes. Although the other party’s age had caused him to feel some shock, this tier of Xiao Yan’s did not reach the minimum requirement,

Although his heart was somewhat disappointed, the old man who had worked as a housekeeper at the Nalan clan for decades would naturally not be foolish enough to display it on his face. Immediately, he revealed a gentle smile and laughed, “This Little Brother. I am the Nalan clan housekeeper. I think that you should be here to try if you can cure our clan’s Nanlan Jie Old Sir, no?”

Xiao Yan nodded his head. He did not openly speak. His ordinary face, had a different appearance since it was covered by the ice silk dough, felt somewhat icy.

Xiao Yan’s nearly cold expression caused the old man to be at a loss. This kind of attitude was somewhat different compared to other the alchemists. A moment later, he helplessly said, “I’m sorry, Little Brother. This time around, our requirement is a tier three or higher alchemist. You… doesn’t appear to have reached the requirement, have you?”

“One’s tier cannot represent everything.” Xiao Yan’s voice was suppressed by himself until it was somewhat hoarse. His calm tone caused the old man’s eyebrows to knit slightly.

Seeing the old man’s helpless face, Xiao Yan shook his head. He took out Ya Fei’s recommendation letter from his storage ring and handed it over to the former. Inserting his hands into his sleeves, he said softly, “You should avoid erasing the last little chance your Old Sir has left. The tier of one, cannot represent everything. Didn’t Pill-King Gu He also fail to cure your Old Sir?”

Xiao Yan’s words caused the old man’s face to change slightly. After receiving the recommendation letter and seeing who had recommended this alchemist, he could not help but be somewhat astonished as he lifted his head to take a glance at Xiao Yan. He mused for a long while before clenching his teeth and steped aside to make way. Facing the guards at the door, he cried out in a low voice, “Move aside!”

“Sir, please enter. I hope that you will really be able to cure our Old Sir. If that is the case you will forever be our Nalan clan’s friend.” The old man bowed slightly toward Xiao Yan. Due to the display of Xiao Yan from before, the old man’s words were actually filled with respect. New n𝙤vel chapters are published on

Xiao Yan nodded his head slightly. His face still had the same expressionless manner. Without saying any other nonsense, he slowly walked into the main entrance and disappeared from everyone’s stunned sight.

After entering the main entrance, a pretty female servant hurriedly walked out from one corner. After which, she gently said a few words to Xiao Yan before leading the way from in front.

Xiao Yan followed behind the female servant at a neither fast nor slow pace. His gaze swept over this luxurious mansion. The towering atmosphere of the buildings caused him to secretly nod his head. Not mentioning anything else, this Nalan clan was indeed one of the three large clans of the Jia Ma Empire. This large wealth was something that the Xiao clan could never compare to.

Walking on a small path that was paved by green colored stone fragments, Xiao Yan’s eyes suddenly narrowed slightly. From his senses, numerous hidden gazes and Spiritual Strengths had shot out from hidden corners as he entered deeper into the interior of the Nalan clan, capturing every action of Xiao Yan into their eyes.

Xiao Yan carelessly raised his head and his gaze randomly drifted across the roof of a building. There were some dark black shadows hidden in the darkness of the spot. Many sharp arrow heads that were painted black to cover the reflection from the sun were slowly moving within the mansion. Any little sign of trouble would instantly cause them to send out an attack.

“The defense is really quite tight…” Xiao Yan frowned slightly and helplessly shook his head. He raised his head and watched a luxurious large hall that appeared at the end of the small path. His gaze passed through the unlatched door and was able to faintly see that there were quite a number of people standing within it.

As he slowly walked into the hall, there were some soft and private whispers that were emitted from within. He gently pushed open the door, the soft whispers in the hall suddenly ceased. After which, numerous gazes were thrown toward the door. When everyone’s gazes drifted towards the tier two alchemist badge on his chest, they were momentarily stunned. An astonishment immediately flashed across their eyes. Clearly, they all felt that it was strange that a tier two alchemist had the qualifications to enter this place.

Xiao Yan’s gaze swept across the large hall. In the spacious hall, there were ten plus alchemists wearing the same robes as he did. On their chests, they wore tier three alchemist badges. However, these tier three alchemist were mostly middle-aged. Among them, there were even two whose heads were completely white.

Ignoring those strange gazes, Xiao Yan slowly moved his gaze, finally stopping at a middle-aged man’s body which was seated on the leader’s seat in the hall. This person did not wear the long robe of an alchemist but seated in an impressive manner. As his tiger like eyes opened and closed, he had an imposing manner that was not reduced even without anger.

Xiao Yan’s gaze moved away from the middle-aged man body and finally frowning paused on a beautiful lady’s lovely body by the side. This lady was not unfamiliar to Xiao Yan, causing him to slowly exhale in his heart…

By the middle-aged man side, Nalan Yanran wearing a moon robe sat quietly. Her pretty eyes watched Xiao Yan who had just entered and a surprise similarly flashed across her pretty face.

As Xiao Yan’s gaze stared at the middle-aged man, the latter also placed his gaze on his body. When the middle-aged man saw the young appearance of the former, he was momentarily stunned. He immediately stood up, cupped his hands together and said with a smile to Xiao Yan, “This young brother, I am the Nalan Su of the Nalan clan.”

“Nalan Su?” Once this name entered his ears, the two hands of Xiao Yan in his sleeve trembled slightly. The corner of his eyes involuntarily twitched as his gaze stared intently at this seemingly heroic middle-aged man. This person was actually Nalan Yanran’s father, who was also the man who had nearly become Xiao Yan’s father-in-law…

“Yan Xiao…” Slowly suppressing the inexplicable emotions in his heart, Xiao Yan voice was slightly hoarse as he said, “Ya Fei xiao-jie of the Primer clan had recommended for me to come and try to see if I could help expel the poison from Grandfather Nalan.”

“Oh, haha, you are recommended by Niece Ya Fei? Please sit.” Hearing this, Nalan Su suddenly nodded his head and laughed.

Xiao Yan nodded lightly. He walked to the last spot in front of the numerous strange gazes and then quietly sat down. He naturally knew the meaning behind those strange gazes. What can a mere tier two alchemist do when even Pill-King Gu He cannot solve the problem?

After sitting on the chair, Xiao Yan descended into silence. However, he was still able to clearly sense that Nalan Yanran’s gaze seemed to have paused for quite some time on his body. Immediately, he frowned in his heart and silently said, “Have I been recognized? How is that possible?”

“Why does this person give me the feeling that he looks familiar?” Nalan Yanran’s pretty eyes glance at the black robed man seated in the corner. Her eyebrows were knit together as she softly muttered.

“Hehe, I think that everyone here is clear what kind of problem that our Nalan clan is stuck with. My father had been struck by the ‘Searing Poison’, it’s reputation is renowned for how potent it is. Now, the poison has erupted and he can finally no longer suppress it. Pill-King Gu came once before, but he was still unable to do anything. Although he said that a ‘Heavenly Flame’ needs to be used to remove the poison from my father’s body, it’s just that an alchemist who possesses a ‘Heavenly Flame’ is far too rare. Trying to find one is really far too difficult. Therefore, we can only try other methods. Everyone here can be considered among the more established alchemist grandmasters in the Jia Ma Empire and each of you have your unique ability. Therefore, I would like to invite everyone to try and see if you have any other solution?” Nalan Su took a look around as he laughed with a somewhat gloomy voice.

“I will not say any other nonsense. As long as you can help cure my father. You will definitely not be disappointed with the reward!” Nalan Su waved his large hand and pointed to a side door. He said, “My father is in there. I would like everyone to take turns and give it a try.”

Hearing the words, the ten plus alchemist in the large hall exchanged glances with each other. A moment later, an old man with a flowery white head stood up with a smile and took the lead in entering the side room. However, after ten minutes, he shook his head and walked out. He returned to his seat and spoke to Nalan Su with an awkward smile, “I’m sorry, Clan Head Nalan, that ‘Searing Poison’ is really far too stubborn. I have refined over ten plus antidote pills, but all of them had no effect.”

Hearing the old man’s words, Nalan Su and Nalan Yanran by the side sighed in disappointment. They exchanged glances with one another, smiled bitterly and shook their heads.

Behind the old man, the ten plus alchemists took turns to enter the side room. However, after over ten minutes, all of them walked out with embarrassment. Clearly, they did not have the ability to remove the potent poison that even Gu He could do nothing about.

As each of the alchemist walked out with embarrassed faces, the disappointment on Nalan Su’s and Nalan Yanran’s faces also grew increasingly dense. When the last alchemist walked out from within, their emotions finally sank slowly. On one side, Nalan Yanran’s pretty eyes became slightly red.

In the large hall, the ten plus tier three alchemists were no longer as pleased and prideful as before. Their embarassed old faces remained silent.

Following everyone’s silence, the atmosphere in the hall also gradually became depressing. A long while later, Nalan Su sighed and forcefully said with a smile, “Thank you everyone. It looks like my father’s life is fated to have this calamity. Although you have failed, I will still ask the housekeeper to give all of you a great recompense.”

Hearing these words which were expelling people in disguise, everyone smiled bitterly and shook their heads. They stood up and left. In this kind of atmosphere, they really did not have the face to stay behind for the recompense.

“Let me try…”

Those indifferent words were suddenly emitted from the corner of the room, interrupting the silent atmosphere. The young tier two alchemist walked out with a calm face. His calm voice caused everyone in the hall to give him a sidelong glance.

Chapter 282: Stubborn Bone, Clenching Teeth, Enduring Humiliation

Eyeing the young alchemist who slowly walked out from the corner, everyone’s expression in the hall became blank. A ridicule immediately surfaced on the few tier three alchemists from before who could do nothing. Even a tier three alchemist could do nothing. What ability did a tier two alchemist like him have?

Nalan Su stared at the young man who had walked forward. He turned around and exchanged glances with Nalan Yanran. Each of them saw shock within the other person’s eyes. Clearly, the action of this young tier two alchemist had fallen out of their expectations. The reason for them not sending him out before was because they gave Ya Fei face. Honestly speaking, they did not have any expectation for this young alchemist.

Although one should not be judged by their appearance, but the other party was after all only a tier two alchemist. This kind of level was only at the initial stage of the alchemist skill. Could they rely on a beginner to expel the ‘Searing Poison’ that even Pill-King Gu He could do nothing about?

“This Little Brother, you…” Nalan Su stood up. Although he did not think that the young man in front of him had any hidden ability but out of habit, he still said cautiously, “Do you have the confidence to cure my father?”

Xiao Yan slowly walked to the center of the room. He glanced at Nalan Su and said indifferently, “May I ask, does Pill-King Gu He have the confidence to cure him?”

“Uh…” Hearing this, Nalan Su became sluggish for a moment. Immediately he shook his head with embarrassment. “If Pill-King Gu He was able to cure him, why would we need to spend such great effort to seek medical treatment from all over the place?”

“Since even Pill-King Gu He doesn’t have absolute confidence, then isn’t the words that Nalan clan head said to me a little…” Xiao Yan hoarse voice carried a little ridicule as he coldly said.

Nalan Su opened his mouth slightly. His original intention was to investigate the foundation of the young man in front of him. He did not expect that the other party would give such a sharp response. Immediately, he was somewhat caught off-guard and did not know how he ought to respond.

“Sir has misunderstood father. He is not to go against you. It is just that my grandfather’s condition is becoming increasingly worse. We do not have much extra time to waste. Therefore, it is only natural for us to be a little more careful. Please do not take it to heart.” During the exchange where Nalan Su became stunned, Nalan Yanran, who was seated beside him, gently pulled Nalan Su’s clothes with her hand before quickly smiling calmly and spoke to Xiao Yan.

“Do you think that the time you have wasted just now is only a little?” As his gaze stopped at the pretty lady’s body who caused Xiao Yan’s fists in his sleeves to tightened involuntarily, his voice was still as calm as an old well. Not only did he not loosen himself because of the other party’s beauty, but he also had an extra iciness that was not difficult to sense.

Hearing Xiao Yan’s words, the expression of the ten plus alchemists in the large hall could not help but become ugly. These words of Xiao Yan undoubtedly meant that they had just wasted the little time Grandfather Nalan had left to live. Immediately, a white haired old man’s face became flush red and he could not help but reprimand, “Where has this light-weight brat come from? You actually dare to act so presumptuous. What right do you, as a tier two alchemist, have to say such things to us?”

Once the old man’s reprimand left his mouth, the surrounding few alchemist also nodded their heads in indignation. Immediately, their gazes stared at the young man, who had his back facing them, with ill will.

Seeing the young man in front of her whose expression was as indifferent as a block of ice, Nalan Yanran’s eyebrows were slightly pressed together without being noticed. If he really had the ability, she did not mind that he was a little arrogant. However, if he was the kind of person who did not have any real ability yet liked to go around boasting, she would loathe him from the bottom of her heart.

“From your tone, it seems that you have some confidence of your ability…” Nalan Su recovered. He stared at Xiao Yan and said in a deep voice, “But you should also know that regardless of how talented you are, the current you is merely a tier two alchemist…”

Nalan Su did not complete saying everything when his voice suddenly stopped. At the same time, the temperature in the large hall was suddenly raised. The tier three alchemist who originally wore mocking faces had all opened their mouths slowly at this moment. They were filled with disbelief as they stared intently at the young man in the middle of the hall… where two clusters of green colored flame were rising from his palms.

Beside the leader’s seat, Nalan Yanran eyed the green colored flame that rose on the young man’s hand. Her hand slowly covered her red sleek mouth. Shock and unrestrained joy danced within the pair of autumn watery eyes.

“Everyone should recognize this right?” Ignoring the silent atmosphere around him, Xiao Yan lowered his head and eyed the two green colored flames that were dancing lively on his palm like little spirits as he faintly asked.

“Heavenly Flame?” As they deeply inhaled a mouthful of somewhat hot air, the ten plus tier three alchemist who had dealt with flames everyday instantly recognized the identity of the cluster of green colored flame. Their faces were slowly covered by shock. Numerous amazed and fanatic gazes stared intently at the rising and shrouding green colored flame.

“Little Brother… this… is this a ‘Heavenly Flame’?” The shock gradually withdrew from Nalan Su’s eyes. The unrestrained joy on his face was difficult to hide.

“Now, can all of you stop this pointless nonsense?” The calm faced young man lowered his head, fiddled with the green colored flame and said with an indifferent tone.

Although Xiao Yan’s current words were still as rude as before, none of those tier three alchemist dared to display their unhappiness and ridicule on their faces. An alchemist who was able to possess a ‘Heavenly Flame’ would have a future that was almost limitless in the alchemist world. Even Pill-King Gu He had never possessed a ‘Heavenly Flame’. It could be imagined just how rare and precious this thing actually was. If one wanted to possess a ‘Heavenly Flame’, one not only needed good luck but also a huge strength behind him as support. In other words, behind this young looking tier two alchemist, there must definitely be a teacher whose strength and power was extremely great…

“Sir, I will apologize for my father’s earlier slight. Please!” Standing up, Nalan Yanran bowed to Xiao Yan. Her etiquette was impeccable.

Xiao Yan did not reply her. He glanced at Nalan Su by the side who was smiling awkwardly before walking past Nalan Yanran and headed for the side room.

Seeing Xia Yan who was walking to the side room, Nalan Su faced the middle of the hall said something with a smile toward the ten plus alchemists. After which, he waved his hand and beckoned the housekeeper to serve them before quickly following behind Nalan Yanran.

Xiao Yan walked closer to the side room. A faint and gentle lamp light shone out. He slowly pushed open the door and the resulting room was extremely large. In the middle of the room, there was a big bed. An old man with a shriveled face was lying on it. Surrounding the bed were a few female servants who were busy with things here and there. When they heard the door opening, their gazes turned over. Immediately, however, they began to once again take care of the old man who had entered an unconscious state.

Xiao Yan slowly walked near the bed. His gaze swept across the bed and realized that a large gray-black colored patch was faintly contained on the old man’s face. The quiet face that was deep asleep actually had some aura of death.

“It is indeed very serious…” Glancing at the face of the old man who had his feet half in the grave, Xiao Yan said softly.

“That’s right, I’m afraid that the ‘Searing Poison’ is something that even a Dou Huang would not dare to easily touch. After being able to survive for so many years, my father is already at his limit.” Nalan Su, who had closely followed behind Xiao Yan sighed and shook his head. He immediately said carefully, “Little Brother, looking at the situation, is there any prospect of him being healed.”

Beside him, Nalan Yanran nodded slightly. A pair of bright eyes stared intently at the tall, indifferent face of the young man by her side.

“I do not have any other methods. Therefore, I can only follow the method that Pill-King Gu He had spoke about: Inserting the ‘Heavenly Flame’ into Old Sir’s body and slowly expeling the poison.” Xiao Yan shook his head and calmly said.

“In that case, won’t the danger level be very large?” Hearing this, Nalan Yanran was somewhat hesitant as she said softly.

“I don’t have even a fifty percent chance of succeeding.”

Xiao Yan lazily spoke. He glanced at Nalan Yanran by the side, whose pretty face had changed a little, and coldly laughed, “Looking at this state of Old Sir, I think that he won’t be able to last more than two days. Do you want to let him die in the torment of the poison or do you want to take the risk and see if he can be saved. You can decide on whatever option you want. As for jokes on whether I have the confidence, it is better not to say them.”

Xiao Yan’s cold laughter contained a hidden ridicule that caused Nalan Yanran to frown slightly. Her pretty face was somewhat ugly. With her status, there was really no one who dared to speak to her in this manner in all these years.

“Hurry up. I don’t have much excess time to waste.” Xiao Yan dusted his sleeves and said blandly while ignoring Nalan Yanran’s expression.

“Ah, since it is like this, then we will rely entirely on Little Brother. If you are really able to cure my father, you will forever be a good friend of our Nalan clan.” Nalan Su clenched his teeth and mused for a while before violently nodding his head as he said in a deep voice.

“Make way. Don’t disturb me.” Xiao Yan randomly waved his hand and sat by the side of the bed. His right hand was extended slightly and a green colored flame shrouded it. Instantly, it caused the temperature in the room to soar.

Seeing that Xiao Yan was preparing to act, Nalan Su pulled Nalan Yanran and hurriedly took a few steps back. At the same time, they waved away all the female servants in the room.

Xiao Yan used one hand to support and lift Nalan Jie up. He randomly glanced at this person who was rumored to be an extremely good friend of his grandfather back then. Although after being eroded by poison for such a long time had caused the old man’s already shriveled face to become somewhat inhuman, one could still faintly see some unruliness that was similar to his name.

As Xiao Yan’s left hand gently patted on Nalan Jie’s shoulders, a hidden force convulsed the clothes of the latter’s body into powder, revealing a skinny body that was like a skeleton shelf.

Eyeing this skinny body, Xiao Yan involuntarily shook his head despite his character. The eyes of Nalan Yanran at the side became somewhat red and moist. A mist that was usually rarely seen lingered in her eyes, causing this lady, whose status was extremely elevated to appear a little pitiful.

Xiao Yan slowly extended his middle finger. A wisp of green colored flame was shrouding the tip of it. He stared at the green colored flame and calmly said, “I am about to begin. I have already said, inserting the ‘Heavenly Flame’ into Old Sir’s body is an extremely dangerous thing. Therefore, you should all prepare for the worst case scenario…”

Hearing this, Nalan Yanran’s and Nalan Su’s expressions changed slightly. However, they could only smile bitterly and nod.

Xiao Yan slowly extended his Spiritual Strength out of his body and wrapped the wisp of green colored flame within it. He did his best to suppress its extremely high temperature and slowly pressed it on Nalan Jie’s back.

When Xiao Yan’s finger pressed on it, the green colored flame let out a ‘puff’ sound as it entered Nalan Jie’s body. The body of the latter, who originally had no feeling of his surroundings, suddenly shivered at this moment.

Xiao Yan’s finger pressed on Nalan Jie’s back. His eyes narrowed as his Spiritual Strength controlled that wisp of green flame. It swiftly passed through some of the main Qi Paths and gradually approached those bones of the latter which were covered by the ‘Searing Poison’.

With the help of the extension of the Spiritual Strength, the condition within Nalan Jie’s body appeared in Xiao Yan’s mind. Xiao Yan sensed the bones that had nearly become jet-black and his eyebrows were gradually knit together. The poison had already spread deep into Nalan Jie’s body and had far exceeded his expectations…

“Looks like it is impossible to expel all the poison in one go. I think it is better to choose a simmering flame to remove the poison…” Xiao Yan muttered in his heart. After which, his Spiritual Strength wrapped around the green colored flame and slowly moved closer to the jet-black bones that were covered by the poison. When it was closing in, Xiao Yan’s Spiritual Strength also began to gradually relax. The green colored flames’ temperature quietly began to rise.

As the temperature of the green colored flames rose, a painful feeling gradually surfaced on the originally numb faced Nalan Jie. His shriveled hand was also tightly clenched and the veins on his arm stirred.

The green colored flame that was covered by the Spiritual Strength stopped rising once it reached a certain temperature. Xiao Yan slowly inhaled the somewhat heated air and hesitated for a moment. He then clenched his teeth and controlled the green colored flame until it covered one of the jet-black bones.

“Ah…” On the bed, Nalan Jie, who had both his eyes tightly closed, suddenly opened them. He let out a hoarse and intensely painful roar from his mouth. His ferocious and imposing presence, woke up as though it was the brief moment of clear consciousness before death.

“Grandfather…” Eyeing the old man who had suddenly opened his eyes and roared, Nalan Yanran and Nalan Su hurriedly shouted.

“I am helping you expel the poison. If you are able to withstand this intense pain, it should be possible to remove the ‘Searing Poison’. However, if you can’t then there is nothing that I can do.” Xiao Yan glanced at the perspiration-filled face of Nalan Jie and faintly said.

Hearing the voice behind him, Nalan Jie tilted his head around slightly. He eyed that young and indifferent face and his mind was black. Immediately he clenched his teeth and laughed: “Little Fellow, are you the one who saved me?”

“I didn’t say that I can definitely save you. If I am a little absent minded, you might end up dying in my hands.”

“Ha ha, this life of mine is originally retrieved from death. Little Fellow, you can do as you please. Even if you kill me, no one would dare blame you.” The corner of Nalan Jie’s mouth twitched, withstanding the intense pain in his body as he laughed in a heroic manner.

“Grandfather, what nonsense are you saying?” At the side, Nalan Yanran let out a slight sigh and scolded involuntarily as she eyed Nalan Jie who had awoken from his comatose state.

“You damn girl. You actually have the face to come back? During these three years, had you not gone to the Xiao clan to end the marriage agreement back then, would I have become too angry to train, which resulted in the ‘Searing Poison’ reducing me to such a state?” Nalan Jie angrily stared at Nalan Yanran. Before his furious roar fell, the corner of his mouth, which was twitching, emitted another dry howl. He turned his head around, eyed the suddenly frowning unfamiliar young stranger and laughed bitterly: “Little Fellow, why all of a sudden..”

“Be quiet.” Xiao Yan’s icy voice which contained some imperceptible anger caused the three people in the room to become somewhat stunned. Immediately, they helplessly quieted down.

Eyeing that cold expressionless young man which was like a cluster of ice, Nalan Yanran secretly let out her tongue. She once again turned around and eyed Nalan Jie’s bitter expression. Her heart had some laughter. In all these years, this fellow was the only one who dared to speak in such a manner to the irritable and grumpy old man.

As these few people became quiet, the atmosphere in the room secretly became quiet.

“Ah, how unexpected. Such a young person is actually able to possess a ‘Heavenly Flame’, something that even Grandmaster Gu He covets…” After the quiet atmosphere continued for a long while, Nalan Su pulled Nalan Yanran and stepped a little back. He eyed the tall back of the young man by the bedside and could not help but tilt his head and whisper to Nalan Yanran.

“Ah, he is indeed very amazing. Looking at his age, it should be around the same as mine, yet he actually possess the legendary ‘Heavenly Flame’… I have heard how terrifying this thing is from Elder Gu He. The last time that they went to the Tager Desert to search for the ‘Heavenly Flame’, they unfortunately still returned empty handed despite such a huge line-up. From this, it can be seen just how ferocious this thing actually is.” Nalan Yanran nodded slightly. An admiration flashed across her pretty eyes. She was originally the top amongst those of the same age. After training at the Misty Cloud Sect for so many years, she had never seen a person of the same age who could surpass her. Yet this young man named Yan Xiao was the first person at the same age as her to cause her to feel an admiring emotion. Perhaps this was a kind of approval between outstanding people.

“Why? Do you feel that he is very good?” Nalan Su glanced at his daughter’s expression and teasingly said.

“What nonsense are you saying? He doesn’t know how to respect someone at your age.” Nalan Yanran threw him a disdain look and shook her head somewhat helplessly.

“Yes, talking about this, it seems that there is not even a month’s time left to the Three Year Agreement between you and that little fellow from the Xiao clan.” Nalan Su smiled before withdrawing it suddenly and sighed.

“…” Nalan Yanran was quiet. A moment later, she nodded slightly and softly said: “There are thirteen days more.”

“It has been three years. You have also become more mature compared to before. Now, you should be able to know just what kind of great humiliation and trouble your emotional and impulsive action had brought to the Xiao clan and Xiao Yan, no?” Nalan Su eyed one side of his daughter’s smooth and beautiful face and said.

Nalan Yanran was quiet. Her delicate hand pulled aside the black hair on her forehead. A long while later, she said softly: “I know that my action back then had brought them a lot of trouble. However, I also know that I am not wrong… The Three Year Agreement is about to arrive. I will be waiting for him.”

“I heard that ever since a year ago, Xiao Yan had left Wu Tan City. However, according to what I know, before he left, the young man who was once a useless youth had already recovered the training talent he had in the past. Ah… a year later, I wonder just to what extent he has grown to.” Nalan Su smiled bitterly and shook his head. He watched the quiet Nalan Yanran by his side. A long while later, he finally said in a soft and deep voice: “This time around, it seems that you have really seen wrongly… back then I said: Don’t look down on this Xiao clan young master who had become a useless person. Before he was thirteen, his training speed had caused a countless number of people to be shocked…”

Nalan Yanran’s delicate hand drifted onto her black hair on her forehead and remained quiet. A moment later, she calmly said: “I will comply with the Three Year Agreement. If I win, all the things that happened in the past would be written off. If I lose, I, Nalan Yanran, had also said that I will be his slave and let him handle me as he wants to.”

Nalan Yanran gently bit her red sleek lips. She slowly lifted her pretty face. Her gaze was somewhat blurry. Three years ago, the young man’s cold chatter at the Xiao clan’s hall once again surfaced in her mind.

“The river flows thirty years east and thirty years west, don’t you dare bully me because I’m poor now!”

“This contract, isn’t a contract to release the marriage but rather, I am divorcing you from the Xiao Clan!”

“From now on, you, Nalan Yanran, have no relations with the Xiao Clan!”

Three years ago, the young man who carried the name of being a useless person still had a stubborn bone under the pressure of the Misty Cloud Sect, this big being. He clenched his teeth, endured the humiliation and waited in solitude, breaking free of the cocoon and transforming into a butterfly…

Chapter 283: Expelling the Poison

Inside the quiet room, Nalan and her father were talking in hushed tones, occasionally turning their gazes toward the two men by the bed. After some time, their whispers slowly stopped when they saw the sweat rolling off the old man’s face and blue veins popping on his arm. The Nalans looked at each other and saw anxiousness and restlessness in each other’s eyes.

Xiao Yan’s face remained calm despite the growing restlessness in the room, his fingers pointed at Nalan Jie’s back trembling slightly. The faint green flame was constantly being controlled by his spiritual strength and its high temperature was being used to slowly expel the “Searing Poison” that had already invaded the bones.

The green flame wrapped itself around the periphery of the pitch-black bone. Although it seemed to cling to the surface, upon looking closely one would observe that they were separated by a very small gap. The Heavenly Flame’s temperature was too high, if it were to directly come in contact with Nalan Jie’s bones, even if he were a Dou Wang level powerhouse, he would instantaneously receive a severe wound or even die.

The blazing high temperature of the flames slowly permeated the pitch-black bones, causing smoke to slowly emanate from them.

With the continued roasting of the flame, a black mist quietly seeped out of the bones, but before it could escape, it was swiftly surrounded by the green flame and under its terrifying temperature, this “Searing Poison” which could even threaten a Dou Huang, was roasted into nothingness.

However, when Xiao Yan used the ‘Heavenly Flame’ to incinerate these black colored mists, he found that some black colored unknown thing actually slowly adulterated together with the ‘Heavenly Flame’ at the moment that the black colored mist was about to volatilize. Immediately afterwards, they became still within the fire.

As the time was spent quietly, the section of the pitch-black bone that was wrapped by Xiao Yan’s green flame was, with a speed visible to the naked eye, gradually restored to its normal color.

On the outside, at this time, Nalan Jie’s body had been drenched with sweat. His old face, while twitching uncontrollably, was emitting a slight sound of sucking in cold air from between his teeth.

“Little… little brother, is it done? Huh?” Nalan Jie’s trembling voice came out hoarsely as blue veins on his arm twitched as if they were small snakes.

Xiao Yan’s forehead was densely covered with sweat. Handling the Heavenly Flame with such precision for a long time was highly draining and was a large burden on his spiritual strength. He heard Nalan Jie’s question and slowly replied in a soft voice, “Since you are at the limit of your endurance, we shall stop here for this expelling poison session. The extent that the poison was embedded in your body had far exceeded my expectations. I wanted to expel it in one go, but it seems like that is not going to be possible so we can only choose to slowly take our time……”

“Can the ’Searing Poison’ truly be fully expelled?” When Nalan Jie heard his reply, he could not hide the authentic surprise in his voice. Even after having lived for so many years, if given a choice between life and death, everyone will choose the former.

“Looking at the current progress, totally curing it does not seem to be a problem.” Xiao Yan said with an cold voice.

“Haha, I did not expect little brother to have such skills despite his young age. I really don’t know which hidden expert of this world can raise this kind of great disciple” Nalan Jie hurriedly nodded while laughing hoarsely. “Then we will do as little brother recommends.”

“Oh, by the way, what is little brother’s name?”

“Yan Xiao… stop talking, I am withdrawing the ‘Heavenly Flame.” Xiao Yan frowned. He bent his fingers slightly and the green colored flame that was shrouded around the bone began to slowly withdraw. Finally, it returned to Xiao Yan’s body one wisp at a time. Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m nov𝒆lb(i)n.c(o)m

When the last wisp of green colored flame returned to his body, Xiao Yan sighed in relief. He wiped off the cold sweat on his forehead. Suddenly, his face changed slightly, but it was quickly recovered. Pretending that nothing had happened, Xiao Yan glanced at the tip of his finger which had turned black. He pursed up his lips and inserted his hands back into his sleeves without anyone noticing.

“Little brother Yan Xiao, how is it?” Eyeing Xiao Yan who appeared to have stopped expelling the poison, Nalan Su hurriedly took two steps forward and asked.

“We’ll end today’s treatment here. With this progress, I think that we would require at least seven days in order to remove all of the poison.” Xiao Yan glance at Nalan Jie, whose face appeared a little better than before, as he voiced his thoughts.

“Little brother, thank you very much. As long as you are able to cure my father, the Nalan clan will definitely give remunerations that won’t be disappointing!” Eyeing the slight luster on Nalan Jie’s old face, the weight pressing on Nalan Su’s heart finally fell. The importance of Nalan Jie to the Nalan clan was similar to the importance Mo Cheng had to the Mo clan. Although the Nalan clan would not be brought to its knees if it lost this supporting beam, the distance it had with the other two large clan would definitely be progressively pulled apart.

“Tomorrow, I will continue to come here. I will take my leave today.” Xiao Yan glanced at the color of the sky outside, turned around and spoke to Nalan Jie.

“Little brother, in order to save some trouble, why don’t you come and stay at the Nalan clan’s home?” Hearing Xiao Yan’s words, Nalan Jie hurriedly smiled and said warmly.

“There’s no need for that. I have my own matters to settle.” Xiao Yan shook his head indifferently. He ignored the three of them, lifted his leg and walked toward the exit.

“Uh… since it’s like this, girl, go and see our little brother off.” Seeing that Xiao Yan left so decisively, Nalan Jie was momentarily at a loss. He immediately helplessly ordered.

“Ok.” Nalan Yanran nodded slightly, eyed the thin back in front of her before slowly following.

…

As Xiao Yan slowly walked on the small path that was paved by stone fragments, he stared at the front with an expressionless face. It was as though the Nalan clan princess that was following beside him did not exist.

Being shoulder to shoulder with Xiao Yan, Nalan Yanran eyes would occasionally glance at the young man who was ignoring her. Her pretty face might have be calm, but she was somewhat stunned and a little depressed in her heart. Although she was not really concerned, this was still the first time in so many years that she had been disregarded in such a manner. She had originally thought that her character was quite proud. She did not expect that this person in front of her was even more arrogant.

However, Nalan Yanran also clearly knew that although this young man in front of her, who was called Yan Xiao, was arrogant, he did indeed have the capital to be so. At such a young age, he was already able to control the terrifying ‘Heavenly Flame’ that even a Dou Huang was extremely afraid of. It was sufficient for him to triumph over the generation of similar age to him. Therefore, even Nalan Yanran could not help but feel an admiration at the same time she felt somewhat stifled.

“Yan Xiao, although I am uncertain how an alchemist banishes poison, but inserting that terrifying ‘Heavenly Flame’ into a person’s body should require extremely precise flame controlling ability, right? This controlling ability of yours appear to be much stronger than many tier three alchemist that I have seen.” Nalan Yanran was finally unable to bear the depressing atmosphere and took the lead to softly inquire.

“Perhaps.” Xiao Yan looked steadily forward, his voice was extremely cold and indifferent.

“Then why don’t you go and take the test for a tier three alchemist?”

“Placing one’s strength on one’s chest for everyone to clearly see. This kind of action… I’m not as foolish as that.” Xiao Yan’s lazy soft voice contained a ridicule. He tilted his head slightly and glanced at Nalan’s chest area that was tightly wrapped by the moon colored dress. Immediately, he returned the question, “Aren’t you also not wearing a rank badge?”

“Teacher had said that the so called rank badge is merely a false appearance. Moreover, even I am unsure just exactly what class my strength belongs to. It drifts up and down far too much.” Nalan Yanran smiled and said.

“Drifts up and down far too much? What do you mean?” Hearing this, Xiao Yan’s heart moved a little as he softly asked without leaving a trace.

“…I’m sorry, I cannot leak some of the secrets of the Misty Cloud Sect.” Nalan Yanran shook her head in a slightly apologetic manner and did not reveal the reason.

Xiao Yan’s eyebrows were pressed lightly together before immediately relaxing. He nodded silently as he walked with nicely paced footsteps. The corner of his eyes drifted to Nalan Yanran beside him whose footsteps were quite elegant as she walked. He hesitated a moment. Then his Spiritual Strength was suddenly slowly extended out of his body and shrouded around her, wanting to test if he could probe her true strength. Although Yao Lao had said that there was something on Nalan Yanran which prevented the probing using Spiritual Strength, Xiao Yan still wanted to personally confirm it.

Xiao Yan’s Spiritual Strength lingered around Nalan Yanran’s body. A long while later, he sighed quietly in his heart. From his senses, the surface of her body appeared to be covered by a layer of energy film which completely isolated the probing Spiritual Strength.

After slowly withdrawing his Spiritual Strength, Xiao Yan’s eyebrow suddenly twitched slightly. He turned his head over and eyed Nalan Yanran who was calmly looking at him. His fist under his sleeves tightened slightly as he said in a faint voice, “What happened?”

“Mister Yan Xiao appears to be very concerned about my strength?” Nalan Yanran stared at Xiao Yan and smiled and said with a deeper meaning, “Although I am not an alchemist. I was naturally born to be extremely sensitive to Spiritual Strength…”

“I have long heard that the eldest miss of the Nalan clan is a strong competitor for the next Misty Cloud Sect Leader. Therefore, my hand became itchy and could not resist wanting to probe. It’s really unexpected that I was discovered despite being so careful. You have my admiration.” Xiao Yan helplessly shrugged his shoulders and smiled as he said.

“Ke ke, is that so?”

As Nalan Yanran smiled, her pretty eyes stared intently at that ordinary looking face. For some unknown reason, her heart seemed to have a strange faint feeling. However, she was unable to grasp what exactly this strange feeling was. For the moment, she knit her eyebrows into a little knot.

=

“We’ve arrived. Nalan xiao-jie need not see me off further. I will go back by myself. Goodbye.” As Xiao Yan walked out of the door, he tilted his head toward Nalan Yanran who had her eyebrows knit. He cupped his hands together and shook it toward her. Without waiting for her reply, he walked out of the main door by himself and into the street where people came and went.

“This fellow is really a very proud, arrogant and strange person…” Staring at the back which was appearing and disappearing in the human flow, Nalan Yanran shook her head slightly and helplessly whispered. Immediately, she turned her body around and entered the Nalan clan’s mansion.

Chapter 284: Unexpected Surprise, Black Finger

Xiao Yan slowly walked past a few streets before stopping outside an inn. After which, he entered and climbed to the second story. He walked toward the area outside the quiet room, knocked gently on the door and directly entered.

Hai Bo Dong was seated cross-legged on a chair in the spacious room. He had his eyes closed and a faint white colored cold mist was hovering over his body. As he inhaled and exhaled, the cold mist moved along the gap on his nose and entered his body. With his body being filled with energy, a faint layer of warm jade like glow seeped out of his old face.

“He really deserves to be a Dou Huang. Although his age is much older than Nalan Jie, looking at his vitality, he would likely at least be able to live for another fifty years if no accidents happen. If he is lucky enough to break through and become a Dou Zong, he would likely enter the old monster like category.” Xiao Yan closely closed the door and gently walked into the room. He glanced at the bright and energetic face of Hai Bo Dong. When he compared it with Nalan Jie, whose entire body was shrouded by a deathly aura he could not help but sigh emotionally in his heart.

Although the noise that Xiao Yan made was extremely slight, it was undoubtedly as clear as thunder for a strong person like Hai Bo Dong. Immediately, the icy cold air around his body was swiftly absorbed into his body to be stored. Hai Bo Dong then opened his eyes and swiftly looked around the room while carrying a coldness. Only when his gaze shifted over Xiao Yan’s body did the cold air finally began to gradually withdraw. At the same time, the sharp and imposing manner surrounding the exterior of his body also quietly returned into his body. He glanced at Xiao Yan’s tired face and opened his mouth to ask, “Have you settled it?”

“The poison is deeply embedded in Nalan Jie’s body. Although I have temporarily eased up the poison, it would at least require seven days in order for the ‘Searing Poison’ to be completely removed.” Xiao Yan sat on the soft bed and lazily replied.

“Oh…” Hai Bo Dong nodded his head smiled and said with some surprise, “Looks like the extent of your control over the ‘Heavenly Flame’ is quite good. You are actually able to complete such a high difficulty treatment. This method of inserting the ‘Heavenly Flame’ into another person’s body is something that even most famous alchemist grandmasters don’t dare to easily use.” Being a Dou Huang, Hai Bo Dong naturally clearly knew just how large a risk one must take when inserting the ‘Heavenly Flame’ or any flame into a one’s body to expel a poison.

“I was merely lucky.” Xiao Yan shook his head. He knew that most of the credit for him being able to control the ‘Green Lotus Core Flame’ with such familiarity was because he consumed the ‘Fire Lotus Seed’ some time ago.

Xiao Yan removed his shoes and sat cross-legged on the bed. He wiped his tired face, Then he extended his palm out of his sleeves and with a frown, eyed his slightly blackened fingertip. After which, his hands slowly formed the training seal and gradually closed his eyes.

As he entered the training mode, Xiao Yan’s mind swiftly went to where the vortex was. His mind moved slightly and a wisp of green colored flame spurt out from within the Acceptance Spirit. He wrapped it with Dou Qi and slowly spiraled it above the vortex.

Xiao Yan’s mind continued to observe this cluster of green colored flame that was repeatedly writhing. A long while later, the green colored flame violently writhed under Xiao Yan’s control. The temperature suddenly rose. Following the rise in the temperature, the faint black colored fog actually appeared out of nowhere in the middle of the flame.

“What a potent poison. Not only is it able to withstand the temperature of the ‘Heavenly Flame’, but it is also able to quietly merge with it. If it was not for my very high compatibility with the ‘Green Lotus Core Flame’, I’m afraid that I may not have even sensed it… It really lives up to its reputation of being a potent poison that even a Dou Huang fear.” Xiao Yan muttered in his heart as he watched the black colored fog.

“I should purify them. Otherwise, if this thing remains in my body, it is a ticking time bomb that may well suddenly explode anytime. The result…” Xiao Yan mused for a moment, fretting with his mind. The green colored flame that was wrapped around the black fog began to fluctuate as though it was bubbling. The hot temperature repeatedly rose.

While he was expelling the poison for Nalan Jie, Xiao Yan’s ‘Heavenly Flame’ temperature had only been turned to a moderate degree as he was afraid that he would accidentally incinerate Nalan Jie into ashes. Now that he was purifying the poison fog in his own body, he naturally need not be that careful given the extent of his compatibility with the flame.

As the green colored flame’s temperature swiftly rose, the clusters of black colored fog also began to form ripples. However, this ‘Searing Poison’ was not an ordinary thing after all. Even under such high temperature, it was still quite firm and did not immediately disappear.

Under the grilling at such high temperature, the black colored fog’s size slowly shrunk. In the end, those threads of black colored fog actually began to merge together into a deep black colored bead. Slight glows flashed in the interior of the bead as though it contained a surging energy.

The strange change of the ‘Searing Poison’ caused Xiao Yan to be stunned. He stared blankly at the black colored bead rolling in the green colored flame. From the probing of his mind, he could clearly sense that this black colored bead actually contained a powerful energy within it.

“What is happening? It’s impossible for the ‘Searing Poison to possess such energy…” Xiao Yan doubtfully muttered in his heart. He stared intently at that dark black bead as the temperature of the green colored flame abruptly soared once again. The exhaustion as a result of the high temperature was something that Xiao Yan’s Spiritual Strength had some difficulty withstanding.

As the green colored flame grilled once again, the black colored bead finally began to stir. Its surface trembled slightly and threads of black colored fog began to seep out of the bead’s body. After which, it was incinerated by the flame and purified into nothingness. New n𝙤vel chapters are published on

Threads of black colored fog were repeatedly emitted from the body of the bead. The color of the bead also gradually turned from a darker black color to a lighter black color…

Eyeing the bead’s color that was slowly changing, Xiao Yan’s heart sighed in relief. At the same time he increased the purification speed.

When the last thread of black colored fog rose from the bead’s body, the dark black bead had actually turned into a flickering pale-white colored glowing small round ball. Winding around the seemingly transparent film on the surface of the bead, one could see rolling waves of rich liquid energy inside.

“What pure energy…”

Xiao Yan was stunned as he stared at the small transparent round ball. A long while later, he frowned slightly and muttered in his heart to himself, “Logically speaking, a poison like the ‘Searing Poison’ would definitely not possess such pure energy. Don’t tell me… this energy is someone else’s?”

“It is Nalan Jie’s…”

The sudden thought caused Xiao Yan’s heart to jump. It was a long while later before he calmed down. He mused for a long time and he gradually felt relief. The ‘Searing Poison’ had stayed hidden in Nalan Jie’s body for so long. Since it eroded his body, it was plausible that it would also swallow some Dou Qi. After this had continued for a long time, it might have ended up storing quite a terrifying amount of it. This might be something that Nalan Jie may be unhappy about but for Xiao Yan, who had accidentally brought the ‘Searing Poison’ into his body, it was a windfall from the heavens. According to the degree of purity of this energy, it was possible for Xiao Yan to completely refine and absorb it.

Faced with this unexpected windfall, some secret delight surfaced in Xiao Yan’s heart after he was momentarily blank. Given his character, it was naturally impossible for him to return this to Nalan Jie. Therefore, this abundant energy was considered as interest and he kept it.

As his mind spun, a wisp of green colored flame agglomerated into a tiny flame needle head. After which, Xiao Yan gently pressed this needle flame onto the transparent bead’s body. Immediately, the bead burst apart with a bang. A huge amount of liquid energy that looked a little blue flowed out from it. Just as it was about to scurry in all directions. it was forcefully controlled by Xiao Yan who was already prepared and began to have the energy circulate along the Qi Paths routes.

When this liquid that was filled with energy completed one cycle, that pale-blue color in the liquid had already totally been removed. It turned into a pure energy that anyone could absorb.

Although this energy was currently already very pure, Xiao Yan still cautiously used the ‘Heavenly Flame’ to refine it once more until the latter actually began to faintly show signs of being a little viscous. Only then was he reassured and poured it into the vortex.

After this liquid energy entered the vortex, it was swiftly transformed into the same color as the vortex. Then, it began to separate, trembling and transforming into droplets which were entirely of the same size. They were then tossed into the vortex.

Feeling the sense of the vortex being filled, Xiao Yan could not help but quietly shake his head. This energy that had been poured in this time around had actually added nearly twenty plus drops of pure liquid energy into the vortex. According to this kind of efficiency, if he could absorb the same amount of energy for another three times, he would likely leap to a seven star Dou Shi in less than half a month.

“It really is worthy of being the energy that was agglomerated in a Dou Wang’s body. Just a mere small portion of it actually had such a density…” Xiao Yan quietly praised in his heart. After which, he slowly opened his eyes and gently exhaled.

Within the room, Hai Bo Dong’s gaze watched Xiao Yan intently. When he saw Xiao Yan opening his eyes, he could not help but say with a smile, “It seems that you have suddenly become a lot stronger.”

Although Xiao Yan’s change was not too drastic, it was naturally extremely easy for Hai Bo Dong sensing ability to detect the former’s change,

“Yes.” Xiao Yan nodded his head as he lowered his head to see his finger. His face changed involuntarily. He could see that the tip of his middle finger on his right hand was still shrouded by a black colored circle.

“What happened? Didn’t I completely removed the ‘Searing Poison’?” Xiao Yan’s face was somewhat ugly as he stared at the fingertip that was black and said in a deep soft voice.

“What is it?” Seeing Xiao Yan’s expression, Hai Bo Dong was at a lost. He walked forward. When he saw the black colored finger, his expression similarly changed. With a frown, he said, “This is… ‘Searing Poison’? How did you get it into your body?”

“I don’t know. I did not expect that this thing could actually endure the grilling of my ‘Heavenly Flame’.”

“Impossible. An ordinary ‘Searing Poison’ would definitely not be able to withstand the ‘Heavenly Flame’. As for this transformation now… perhaps it was because the ‘Searing Poison’ had stayed hidden in Nalan Jie’s body for too long, which had created some sort of unique mutation…” Hai Bo Dong frowned tightly. He mused for a long while before he slowly said to Xiao Yan, “Can you try and see if there is anything wrong with your body?”

Xiao Yan nodded his head. His right hand was extended and opened. A green colored Dou Qi suddenly rose from it and two people’s gazes stared intently at the Dou Qi.

Under the observation of the two of them, the rising green colored Dou Qi rolled for a while before some black colored marks faintly appeared on its surface.

“Tsk tsk, it actually intruded into your Dou Qi. It really is worthy of being called ‘Searing Poison’… how terrifying.” Eyeing those black colored marks, Hai Bo Dong involuntarily shook his head and said, “How do you feel?”

“There doesn’t seem to be anything wrong…”

Xiao Yan frowned and his face was filled with incomprehension. He rolled his hand slightly. The Dou Qi that was contaminated with the black colored mark also followed his hand’s motion and did not bring any harm to Xiao Yan. Instead, he felt that the strength of the Dou Qi appeared to have become stronger.

“Uh… I also don’t know what exactly is happening. But looking at the situation now, it seems that the ‘Searing Poison’ does not have any intentions of poisoning you. Perhaps… it has already been refined into something you can use?” Hai Bo Dong shook his head and said.

Xiao Yan pursed up his lips. His gaze intently watched the green colored Dou Qi that was mixed with some black colored markings. Following his intent to move, the green colored Dou Qi abruptly writhed. However, the black colored markings were completely forced to swarm toward the middle finger of his right hand. From his manner, it appeared that he was trying to force it out.

The black colored markings swarmed into his middle finger. An instant later, his entire finger had actually turned into an incomparably black color. Its deep appearance faintly emitted a quiet glow and was extremely strange.

“How poisonous!” Seeing that Xiao Yan’s finger had turned dark black, Hai Bo Dong’s expression changed drastically. He cried out involuntarily, “Didn’t you say that you have refined it? Why does it still possess such a potent poison?”

Xiao Yan’s expression also repeatedly changed. How could he have expected that a simple removal of poison would actually end up putting him into this state.

“It appears to be within my control and does not have any sign of biting me.” A long while later, Xiao Yan, who did not sense anything wrong shook his head slightly. He extended his middle finger and suddenly lifted his head to eye Hai Bo Dong.

“What do you plan to do?” Seeing Xiao Yan’s strange expression, Hai Bo Dong hurriedly took a step back.

“Help me test what kind of effect this thing has…” Xiao Yan parted his mouth and smiled. Immediately, without waiting for Hai Bo Dong’s reply, his finger abruptly pierced at the latter.

“Brat, don’t play around. This is the ‘Searing Poison’. Damn…” Hai Bo Dong’s footsteps retreated repeatedly. He eyed Xiao Yan who had swiftly and abruptly charged over. All he could do was helplessly cursed and extended his hand. A mysterious ice mirror appeared in front of him.

Carrying the charging momentum of his body, Xiao Yan pierced his finger at the ice mirror without dodging or pulling back. At the point where the two came into contact, threads of black vapor seeped out from Xiao Yan’s finger. The ice mirror, which was sufficient to block a blow from a Da Dou Shi, was swiftly corroded and formed a deep hole. Xiao Yan’s finger passed through the ice mirror and abruptly moved sideways. The tough mysterious ice mirror was actually cut open…

Seeing that Xiao Yan broke open his ice mirror so easily, Hai Bo Dong’s expression changed. His body dodged aside and he leaped up onto the crossbeam. After which, he lowered his head and helplessly cried lowly at Xiao Yan, “Bastard. Can you not randomly play around with this thing? That is ‘Searing Poison’. Even with my strength, it would be very troublesome if I were tainted with that thing.”

Xiao Yan smiled at Hai Bo Dong. He then lowered his head to see the strange finger. The emotion in his eyes was somewhat exciting. The destructive strength of the ‘Searing Poison’ had far exceeded his expectation. This strange type of attack that had come in a baffling manner caused Xiao Yan to feel some fear in his heart on top of being secretly pleased.

Although this black finger’s destructive strength was not weak, its original form was something transformed from the ‘Searing Poison’ that even Hai Bo Dong was extremely fearful of. This ‘Searing Poison’ may currently seem to obey Xiao Yan’s orders, but how would he know if this terrifying thing would suddenly erupt in the future. Recalling how even Nalan Jie, who had the strength of a Dou Wang, was turned into that miserable manner by the ‘Searing Poison’, the corner of Xiao Yan’s mouth began to shiver slightly.

Seeing Xiao Yan’s manner, Hai Bo Dong was also clear of the former’s fear. He quickly came down but still maintained quite a bit of distance from Xiao Yan. In a comforting tone, he said, “You need not be overly worried. I think that the ‘Searing Poison’ in your body should have undergone some kind of mutation. Otherwise, such a situation would not appear… but regardless of how it changes, you have the ‘Heavenly Flame’ to protect your body. Basically, you will not end up in the same state as Nalan Jie.”

“Haha, perhaps you should rejoice. As you stumble around, you actually ended up possessing a kind of extremely strange ability. In the future, this black finger, may well cause many people to fall under your hands.”

“Ah, hopefully…”

Xiao Yan sighed and could only nod with a bitter smile. Following his intentions, the black color on the dark black finger gradually subsided. A moment later, it completely returned to its normal color.

Chapter 285: To Scour For Treasure

At the place where two streets intersected, stood a very large building, which was perpetually shrouded by a faint medicinal pill-like fragrance. Above the towering main door was a plaque with ‘The Alchemist Association’, three ancient looking flamboyant large words. It twinkled with a pale-silver glow that caused the passersby to involuntarily throw it a respectful gaze.

Being the headquarters of the Jia Ma Empire Alchemist Association, even the emperor would have to be modest and courteous when he came to this place. After all, the people that lived within this building could create a force that was sufficient enough to shake the entire empire. They belonged to the most respected occupation in the entire Dou Qi continent.

At the large door of the Alchemist Association, numerous alchemists who were usually rarely seen were entering with hurried footsteps. Their bodies had different colored alchemist robes which proudly represented their tier.

Standing by the large door, Xiao Yan raised his head to look at the extremely majestic and imposing looking Alchemist Association Headquarters. He could not help but praise and shake his head. Such an imposing presence really lived up to its position as the head of the dragon for the alchemists in the Jia Ma Empire.

“Are you planning on participating in the Alchemist Grand Meeting?” Hai Bo Dong, who stood beside Xiao Yan raised his head and also looked at the Alchemist Association which was even more crowded and lively than usual before tilting his head as he inquired.

“We’ll see. If there is a reward that can move me, I may participate. If there isn’t…” When Xiao Yan said to this point, he waved his hand. Clearly, if there was no reward that moved him, he would naturally not want to be involved in this troublesome matter.

“It’s up to you. This kind of Grand Meeting is an event that is indispensable for you alchemists. There are many alchemists from other countries that have also hurried over.” Hai Bo Dong nodded his head. He then patted Xiao Yan’s shoulders and said, “Since it’s like this, you should enter by yourself. I wish to go settle some things and meet some old acquaintances.”

“You are going to the Primer clan, right?” Xiao Yan glanced at Hai Bo Dong and laughed.

Hai Bo Dong smiled but did not directly reply. He waved his hand at Xiao Yan before turning around and slowly walked along the street on the left side.

Eyeing the old back which was slowly absorbed into the human flow, Xiao Yan softly muttered, “Looks like he has quite a deep relationship with the Primer clan…”

After deliberating for a moment, Xiao Yan shook his head slightly. He threw out all these questions within his mind. Regardless of whether Hai Bo Dong had an old relationship with the Primer clan, it did not have much to do with him. Xiao Yan once again eyed the horizontal signboard that carried an ancient aura before lifting his feet and shoving into the Alchemist Association.

The current Xiao Yan still had the ice silk mask covering his face and he wore a tier two alchemist occupational robe. His ordinary manner was very inconspicuous.

Stepping into the main entrance of the Alchemist Association, a rich pill fragrance pounced onto his front. The fragrance caused people to involuntarily inhale a breath and with a refreshed feeling they would lift their eyes to check their surroundings.

The interior of the Alchemist Association was extremely spacious. It was roughly divided into three areas, the east, south and west. On the eastern side of the large hall, there were many square counters that were neatly constructed using large amounts of green granite. Some alchemists wearing long robes were seated behind these counters while many different kinds of medicinal ingredients, jade bottles, scrolls, etc, were placed on top of these counters. Looking at the appearance, it seemed to belong to the region for trading and the place to scour for treasure.

The southern part of the large hall, on the other hand, had quite a number of cauldrons which were burning. Some alchemists were behind the cauldrons, controlling the flame with serious expressions. Completely surrounding them were some low tier alchemist. As they pointed out different things to one another, they were softly exchanging their refining experience.

The western side of the hall was undoubtedly quieter compared to the other two sides. At the aisle, there were even some guards standing. It appeared that only alchemists who had reached a certain tier had the qualifications to enter. When some low tier alchemist occasionally passed by, they would throw over a respectful and envious gaze.

Standing at the entrance, Xiao Yan watched the large hall which was filled with lively energy. He could not help but watch somewhat stupidly. A long while later, he gradually recovered and shook his head with a bitter smile.

Xiao Yan slowly walked into the hall. His gaze wandered all around. After hesitating for a moment, he lifted his leg and headed to the trading and scouring treasure region. With the experience of accidentally scoring the ‘Vacuum Palm’ Dou Skill back at Wu Tan City, he was extremely interested in scouring for hidden treasure in such a vast dump.

After walking into the eastern area, Xiao Yan slowly walked in front of the square counters placed all around. His gaze contained curiosity as he weighed these many rare medicinal ingredients and other things that he had never seen before.

Although this place was named as a trading and treasure scouring area, the people who were selling here did not shout out loudly like the shop owners at the marketplaces. All of them sat on their chairs in a laid-back manner. Occasionally, their gaze would glance over at the people standing in front of their counter. If they felt that the other party may have some economic foundation, some of the alchemists who were selling would stand up and converse with them. However, most of them still lazily shrunk back onto their chairs. This kind of laid-back and lazy manner totally did not look like a merchant selling something. Of course, they were not merchants. What they needed was not the gold coins or other treasures that the merchants coveted. Instead, they wanted to exchange their things for other items.

If one wanted to obtain the necessary medicinal ingredients or medicinal pill from their hands, one must take out a rare and unique treasures that they were interested in.

During Xiao Yan’s slow walk, Xiao Yan was able to feast his eyes on the many different kind of rare and unique medicinal ingredients and medicinal pills. Among the medicinal ingredients, he even saw a few of the medicinal ingredients needed to refine the ‘Spiritual Recovery Purple Pill’. Being driven by curiosity, he went forward and inquired. It was unexpected that the old man selling merely glanced at him and indifferently mentioned a tier four medicinal pill. Therefore, Xiao Yan could only helplessly withdraw. Although those medicinal ingredients were indeed very rare, it was obviously impossible for Xiao Yan to take out a tier four medicinal pill to exchange for them. In any case, he would not need to be overly concerned about the issue of the medicinal ingredients. After he went back, he would tell Hai Bo Dong and let him think of a solution.

As Xiao Yan slowly walked around this area of boundless treasures, he looked left and right and had made quite good gains in knowledge. The most popular spot in the scouring treasure area was undoubtedly where a somewhat old man took out a kind of pink colored flame seed. The fire seed was contained in a large transparent jade bottle. It writhed slightly and emitted some peach scent.

This kind of flame was named ‘Peach Blossom Flame’. It only existed within a rank five wood affinity Magic Beast, Kui Wood Beast’s body, which was quite rare. It was of similar grade when compared to the Amethyst Winged Lion’s Purple Flame but it was much more docile and thus, also easier to tame it. Of course the flame’s temperature and its destructive power was naturally weaker than the Purple Flame. Even if this was the case, the ‘Peach Blossom Flame’ flame seed also caused many alchemists in the scouring treasure area to covet it. Some of those who had some economic foundation would step forward one after another to inquire. However, the price that the old man wanted seemed to be very high. Therefore, until now, no one had successfully managed to obtain the bottle of ‘Peach Blossom Flame’.

Standing in the crowd, Xiao Yan stroked his chin. He eyed the ‘Peach Blossom Flame Seed’ on the counter. He frowned and mused for a moment before deciding to give up that thing. Currently, this kind of flame did not have much use for Xiao Yan, who possessed both the ‘Heavenly Flame’ and the Purple Flame. Therefore, he didn’t need to pay such a high price to obtain something he didn’t need.

After musing in this manner, Xiao Yan dispelled the thought of exchanging for it. He stood outside and merely watched the fun.

After many people had successively failed to trade, many people knew their limits and chose to give up. However, they did not immediately leave. Instead, they still stood on the spot and eyed that enchanting and blooming pink colored flame.

Seeing those peoples’ comical expressions, Xiao Yan was a little dumbfounded as he smiled involuntarily and shook his head. He was about to turn around to leave when a silver colored shadow suddenly shoved out of the crowd. Under the full view of everyone, she hurried to the side of the rock counter. Her pretty eyes shone brightly as she stared at the pink colored flame.

“It’s her?” Eyeing the lady who wore the silver colored dress, Xiao Yan was momentarily blank as he said softly, “Is she also here to participate in the Alchemist Grand Meeting?”

The silver robed lady that had shoved her way out of the crowd was shockingly the lady called Xue Mei whom Xiao Yan had met back at Black Rock City. She was also the personal disciple of Frank, the Branch Chairman of the Black Rock City’s Alchemist Association Branch.

This woman who was usually a little icy appeared to have a great liking for this pink colored flame. She held the transparent jade bottle with both hands. Her manner, which suggested she liked it too much to put it down, caused Xiao Yan to helplessly shake his head. This foolish woman. By revealing such a manner now, was she not obviously asking the other party to open his mouth and ask for an exorbitant price?

Indeed, when he saw Xue Mei’s manner, a smile was pulled onto the old man’s face. His voice was indifferent as he said, “Miss, do you want to exchange for this ‘Peach Blossom Flame’ flame seed?”

“Yes, what do you want?” Xue Mei nodded her head and randomly asked.

“A medicinal formula for a tier four medicinal pill that has clear spiritual traces.” The old man said with a smile.

“Black…” Hearing the old man’s words, Xiao Yan could not help but shake his head and curse quietly in his heart. Just a medicinal formula for a tier four medicinal pill was even rarer than this ‘Peach Blossom Flame’, much less the request for the spiritual trace on the medicinal formula to be clear. It should be known that every medicinal formula for any medicinal pill was written using one’s Spiritual Strength. Each time it was read once, the spiritual trace within it would fade. Basically, a scroll of medicinal formula could only be read about up to five times before it would gradually become blurry. When one read it at such an instance, one would have to use his own ability to try and figure out some vague portions. In this way, it would undoubtedly waste a lot of time and effort.

TL: The ‘black’ is the incomplete word, meaning an unscrupulous merchant Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m nov𝒆lb(i)n.c(o)m

The making of a medicinal formula scroll required at least a tier four alchemist’s strength. Moreover, the chances of failure were extremely high. Therefore medicinal formulas for medicinal pills were not simply randomly recorded by just holding a paper and pen as one would imagine. Some of the things that related to the flame temperature, the richness that the ingredients must be refined to, the response from the mixing of different ingredients etc were extremely complicated like chemistry formula. If they were to be written on a paper, it would cause anyone to have blurry sight and a giddy head. Therefore, these medicinal formulas all used Spiritual Strength to be composed. As long as someone obtained the medicinal formula, one would only need to use his Spiritual Strength to scan over it in order to deeply imprint all the necessary things from this medicinal formula into his mind, just like a brand.

Hearing the request of the old man, Xue Mei’s face obviously changed. Clearly, the other party’s request placed her in a difficult situation. However, she appeared to be poor at something like bargaining. Adding this to the overly great liking for the pink colored flame, she actually nodded her head in front of Xiao Yan stunned eyes after musing for a moment.

“This foolish woman. She is actually willing to take out a tier four medicinal formula? Ah, That Frank would likely be so distressed that he would die…” Xiao Yan smiled bitterly and shook his head. He suckled his tongue at the degree of this lady’s generosity.

Seeing that Xue Mei nodded her head so easily, the old man was also at a loss. He immediately asked half believingly, “You agreed?”

Xue Mei did not say any more nonsense. She drew out a scroll from her storage ring and threw it at the old man. After which, she held the transparent jade bottle with both hands as though this had already become hers.

The old man scrambled to receive the scroll. He swiftly inspected it and then used his Spiritual Strength to quickly probe into it. A joy immediately surfaced on the old man’s face.

Seeing the expression of the two of them, Xiao Yan sighed and shook his head. He glanced at Xue Mei who was hugging the ‘Peach Blossom Flame Seed’, loving it too much to put it down. Xiao Yan skimmed his lips. He did not have any intention of going over to greet her. Instead, he turned around and headed to the outside of the scouring treasure area.

Before he was about to leave the scouring treasure area, Xiao Yan’s footsteps suddenly stopped at a corner that was close to the door. He tilted his head and eyed a somewhat tattered rock counter by the corner. He frowned slightly, hesitated for a moment and slowly walked over.

Behind the rock counter was a skinny man whose appearance was a little wretched. Due to the medicinal ingredients that were displayed being not too rare, there were very few people who had come over to examine them. Therefore, his face had some bitterness. When he saw Xiao Yan slowly walking over, he was a little blank. His eyes became much brighter when his eyes drifted over to the tier two alchemist badge on Xiao Yan’s chest. He hurriedly stood up and eyed Xiao Yan fawningly.

“Sir, what do you need?” Seeing Xiao Yan stopping in front of the rock counter, the man hurriedly asked.

Xiao Yan glanced at the man in front of him and asked with a smile, “Are you still a trainee alchemist?”

Having his ins and outs being seen through, the man nodded his head with embarrassment. He was somewhat envious as he eyed Xiao Yan’s young face. With a bitter smile, he said, “Yes. My talent for refining medicine isn’t very good. After training for so many years, I am still at the alchemist trainee stage.”

Xiao Yan carelessly smiled. As he eyed this man whose age appeared to be considered middle-aged, Xiao Yan felt somewhat touched in his heart. With the support of Yao Lao, he had an extremely smooth time on the alchemist path. He had almost never met any major setbacks. With the experience from his predecessor, he had taken a lot less detours. Now that he had seen this person in front of him, Xiao Yan finally understood that advancing as an alchemist was not as easy as he had imagined.

Clearly sensing the man’s envious gaze, Xiao Yan’s heart rejoiced and sighed. He lowered his head and swept across the rock counter. Some of the medicinal ingredients that were stored in the jade bottles were even a little wilted. They naturally could not satisfy Xiao Yan’s discerning eyes. Therefore, he automatically omitted them. His hand slowly moved along the things on the rock counter one at a time. Finally, under the somewhat disappointed gaze of the skinny man, it paused above a piece of black colored broken jade that looked extremely unattractive…

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