radicalducati 502. Roughly completed.
502. Roughly completed.
Xiao Yan smiled genuinely: "Yes, I'm looking forward to it too."
A weapon that could only be fully forged using a medicine cauldron ranked third on the Heavenly Cauldron Ranking and a ninth-tier magic core would likely be the strongest weapon on the entire continent. Xiao Yan was also wondering to what extent his abilities would surge when he used the new version of the Xuan Heavy Ruler.
Seven days after the magic core inlay was completed.
As Haika brought down the final hammer blow, and the magic core was fully formed, Haika said in a low voice, "Everyone except Tang Zhen can stop."
The group exchanged glances and tacitly withdrew their flames. The Xuan Heavy Ruler, still dark red in the center of the forging platform, remained. However, Xiao Yan could already see that the Xuan Heavy Ruler had grown significantly larger, now even bigger than Xiao Yan himself, as it had been forged by melting down the entire core of the medicine cauldron.
Haika collapsed, utterly exhausted, and refused Xiao Yan's timely assistance. Disregarding his image, he said to the others, "For the remaining time, we need to use flames to maintain a constant temperature for forty-nine days. Only Tang Zhen needs to stay here."
This was agreed upon from the beginning. After all, the Pill Gathering was about to begin, and it was impossible for all three giants of the Pill Tower and Xiao Yan to stay here. Tang Zhen was, after all, the only person besides Xiao Yan who possessed a different kind of fire, so having him stay to nurture the Xuan Heavy Ruler was the best choice.
"Then I'll have to trouble you two here." Xiao Yan looked at Haika and Tang Zhen with gratitude.
Haika waved his hand casually, it was unclear whether he lacked the strength to respond or if his eyes were only on the Xuanzhong Ruler.
Tang Zhen smiled slightly: "Young friend Xiao Yan, you can rest assured. Although my fire control skills are not as good as yours, I can still release flames continuously for more than forty days with such a simple technique."
As soon as Xiao Yan and his companions stepped out of the forging room, they saw several people from the Pill Tower waiting outside. Haika's disciples were trying their best to stop them from entering. After all, Haika had given a strict order, and things were already in chaos outside.
As the forging room doors opened, several elders of the Pill Tower rushed forward, finally breathing a sigh of relief upon seeing Xuan Kongzi at the front: "Guild Master, the Dan family has also left!"
These few words startled everyone present. Xuan Kongzi frowned deeply. He had thought that with Xiao Yan's successful ascent to the top of the Heavenly Talent Ranking, the Spirit Clan would not make any moves until the Pill Gathering. He had not expected that the Pill Clan would be attracted so quickly.
"President, what should we do now? What about the Dan family?"
A complex emotion flashed in Xuan Kongzi's eyes. He truly felt guilty towards the Dan family, so he didn't harbor any resentment towards them for turning against him. He simply sighed softly, "Let's discuss this further when we get back..."
He then turned to Xiao Yan and instructed him, "Young friend Xiao Yan, the Pill Gathering is imminent. If there's nothing important, try to stay inside the Pill Tower."
Xiao Yan nodded. Although Xuan Kongzi's words implied concern that he might also defect to the Spirit Clan, they were still genuinely concerned for him, and he had no reason to refuse. Right now, what he needed to do most was to use this last month to intensify his alchemy and soul skill training; whether or not he left the Pill Tower was irrelevant.
As for the news of the Dan family's defection, he was genuinely pessimistic upon hearing it, as it meant losing another ally and gaining another adversary. Since the Dan family had chosen to join the Spirit Clan, the eighth-grade alchemist girl would surely recover and join the battle at the Pill Gathering.
Currently, the Spirit Clan has six Rank 8 alchemists on the surface: Ling Zhuo, Elder Mu Gu, Yi Xu, Hua Qingyu, Cao Ying, and Dan Chen.
Although neither the Tianming Sect nor the Hua Sect has explicitly stated their intention to join the Spirit Clan, they have practically declared themselves members of the Spirit Clan. As for his true ally, Wei Jiangyuan is now his only remaining ally.
In the current atmosphere, fighting alone is not good news, especially when one's opponent is the Spirit Clan, a family descended from the Dou Di.
"I must master the Hidden Shadow Needle technique as soon as possible," Xiao Yan thought to himself.
The Pill Gathering is not just a simple alchemy competition. Before the final Pill Gathering begins, there will be two challenges that test the alchemists' overall abilities. Only by passing both challenges can one qualify to participate in the final Pill Gathering.
In the second challenge, private duels between contestants are not prohibited. Given the current atmosphere, whether he encounters Ling Zhuo or Elder Mu Gu, a major battle is inevitable. Xiao Yan currently only possesses the strength of a two-star Dou Zun, making encounters with either of them somewhat risky. If he could refine the Hidden Shadow Needle, even if he couldn't kill them on the spot, at least he could escape without trouble.
……
"That's the situation." After returning to his residence, Xiao Yan still sought out Little Fairy Doctor to analyze the current situation.
"With their own prodigies being controlled by others, coupled with the immense benefits offered by the Spirit Clan, it's actually quite normal for the Dan family to turn to the Spirit Clan. There are so many alchemists in the Pill Tower, yet Dan Chen hasn't recovered, which shows that they really have no other choice."
Little Fairy Doctor's gaze fell on Xiao Yan. After taking a sip of tea, she analyzed, "Compared to the Cao family, the Dan family has been quite generous, persisting for so long. Even your combined efforts with Wei Jiangyuan were ineffective, which may have finally prompted them to make their decision."
"So you're saying we shouldn't have gone?"
"Yes and no. If we don't find out the truth, how can we feel at ease attending the Pill Gathering? The essence of this matter is that Cao Ying and Dan Chen's appearance was wrong." Little Fairy Doctor's tone at this moment also had some sympathy, which was sympathy for those whose fates were also uncertain.
"So, the Spirit Race's methods are indeed formidable."
"The Dou Di family has endured for a longer period than we imagined. The Spirit Clan's foundation is incomparable to that of the Pill Tower. Moreover, they have the advantage of cunning against the unsuspecting. The Pill Tower's predicament was actually destined from the moment the Spirit Clan set their sights on them. Without you and Wei Jiangyuan, they would be in real trouble."
Little Fairy Doctor gently advised, "Wei Jiangyuan has been hiding and hasn't made a move yet. You are the one the Spirit Clan will directly target. I know the Strange Flame is important to you, so I don't advise you to leave now, but you must promise me that you will be careful in everything you do."
"Okay!" Xiao Yan replied earnestly.
Looking at the resolute face before her, Little Fairy Doctor was filled with inner turmoil. Just as Xiao Yan was about to leave to cultivate, she finally pleaded, "Xiao Yan!"
"Hmm?" Xiao Yan looked at Little Fairy Doctor with some confusion. In his memory, Little Fairy Doctor rarely called him that.
"Try this tea." Little Fairy Doctor also handed the teacup to Xiao Yan, who noticed that her fair wrist was trembling slightly.
He then took a sip of tea and analyzed the situation based on his alchemist's instincts.
"Purple-leaf plum, Soothing vine heart... why are these things supposed to be consumed during pregnancy?"