To those close to her, Cai Lin was always outwardly tough but inwardly soft. Even though Yao Yao had grown so much, she rarely took the initiative to send Chen Xiao a telepathic message.
Therefore, this unusual situation must have a reason!
Chen Xiao didn't delay any further. After greeting Hai Bo Dong, he directly carried his daughter to the backyard.
Upon arriving in the backyard, he saw Little Fairy Doctor, Qing Lin, and Cao Ying chatting around the Volcanic Stone Flame. Yao Yao's interest was immediately piqued. She jumped down from Chen Xiao's arms and happily ran over.
Chen Xiao smiled and paid her no mind. After nodding slightly to the three women, he walked straight towards Cai Lin's courtyard.
Pushing open the door, he saw Cai Lin standing by the window, gazing at the sunset clouds gradually sinking into the horizon. Her figure was graceful, her skirt gently swaying in the evening breeze.
Hearing footsteps, she slowly turned around, her beautiful eyes holding a hint of contemplation and an almost imperceptible firmness.
"You're here."
"What's wrong?" Chen Xiao walked over and naturally took her hand, his fingertips touching the familiar coolness. "You sent a telepathic message specifically; is something the matter?"
Cai Lin clasped his hand back, remained silent for a moment, then asked softly, "Half a year ago, you mentioned that there might be an opportunity for me within the Nine Nether Earth Python Race in the Beast Region. Can this be confirmed?"
As they were already an old married couple, Cai Lin didn't beat around the bush, directly voicing her thoughts.
Chen Xiao was slightly taken aback, then understood.
It seemed that his and Little Fairy Doctor's breakthroughs during the day had sparked her desire.
He showed a look of certainty on his face and said, "It can be basically confirmed. When we went to the Ancient Ruins last time, we entered the territory of the Nine Nether Earth Python Race and understood it much better. Below the Nether Serpent Vein, there is a Nine Nether Yellow Spring. The opportunity there can definitely cause your strength to soar. However, you need to be mentally prepared, as it will likely take quite some time to digest this opportunity."
Cai Lin nodded gently, her gaze drifting in the direction of Yao Yao in the courtyard. A gentle smile touched her lips.
"I know, but I want to get stronger quickly. At least I don't want to fall too far behind you and the others. The situation in the Central State is becoming increasingly chaotic. I don't want to just watch you all charge forward when something happens, while I can only worry helplessly from the pavilion."
She paused, her tone becoming more serious. "Moreover, Yao Yao is growing up day by day. As her mother, I need to have enough strength to protect her. I can't rely on you for everything."
Chen Xiao's heart stirred, and he gently pulled her into his embrace. "I understand your feelings. Don't worry, as long as I'm here, Yao Yao will never be in danger. However, I do support you wanting to improve your strength. Just tell me when you're ready."
Cai Lin nestled in his arms, her gaze fixed on the outside of the courtyard.
Yao Yao was darting around the three women, her crisp laughter echoing, her little face full of happiness.
Looking at this scene, Cai Lin suddenly felt that having a few more sisters around wasn't a bad thing. The corners of her lips curved into a soft arc, and her voice became much softer.
"The sooner, the better."
"With you and Little Fairy Doctor watching over Yao Yao, I can rest assured."
Chen Xiao nodded. After a moment of thought, he flipped his palm and produced a colorful pebble, handing it to Cai Lin.
The pebble was about the size of half a fist, with seven clear patterns on its surface, emitting a faint, special energy.
"The Nine Nether Earth Python Race is quite powerful. We'll need to make some preparations before setting off. I'll contact the Grand Elder of Green Mountains shortly and ask him to accompany us. Once the Grand Elder arrives, we'll depart."
"This is a Nine-Colored Original Stone. Keep it with you; it might be useful when you enter the Nine Nether Yellow Spring."
The so-called Nine-Colored Original Stone was actually a mutated, special spirit stone with deep ties to the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python.
Legend had it that these original stones could only appear in the place where a Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python had died. Absorbing the blood of a Heaven Swallowing Python, a Seven-Colored Original Stone would nurture a unique energy, making it a great tonic for the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python.
The one Chen Xiao took out now was actually a Nine-Colored Original Stone, which he had pre-paid for.
Chen Xiao's memory of the specific details regarding Cai Lin's opportunity in the Nine Nether Yellow Spring was not very clear. He was unsure if this Nine-Colored Original Stone had played a role.
However, to be safe, pre-paying for one for Cai Lin to carry was definitely not wrong.
Furthermore, Chen Xiao had no other urgent needs at the moment. It was best to use the pre-payment opportunity. Keeping one general pre-payment chance in reserve was enough.
His consciousness sank into his mind, and the pre-payment information in his mind naturally changed.
[Current Pre-pay Options -
Talismans: (0/1)
Heavenly Treasures: (0/1)
General: (1/1)]
[Follow-up for pre-paying the Spirit Nurturing Dust Pill Recipe: Enter the Heavenly North Ruins to obtain the pill recipe.]
[Follow-up for pre-paying the Nine-Colored Original Stone -
① Go to the hidden sect Yellow Maple Valley in the Central State and obtain it from its Elder, Duanmu Yang.
② Go to Sound Valley and obtain it from its disciple, Flororo.
③ Go to the southern part of the continent, the territory of the Tian Ming Clan.
④ Go to the hidden sect Sacred Dragon Sect on the Eastern Sea Coast and obtain it from its Elder, Hua Yunfei.]
There was no need to elaborate on the follow-up for the Spirit Nurturing Dust. However, the Nine-Colored Original Stone surprised Chen Xiao.
It seemed quite a few were still left on the continent.
The stall owner who had been lucky for Cai Lin at the original trajectory space trading fair had not mentioned it in his pre-payment information, or perhaps he had, but Chen Xiao couldn't be sure.
After all, the stall owner's identity was a mystery. He might have been the Elder of Yellow Maple Valley, or someone else.
Cai Lin accepted the Nine-Colored Original Stone and examined it for a moment. A bright smile bloomed on her cold and beautiful face, and she said with a hint of teasing, "The world only knows that the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python's place of death might produce Seven-Colored Original Stones. They don't know that if the bodies of a hundred Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Pythons simultaneously perish in one place, there's a chance to birth Eight-Colored or even Nine-Colored Original Stones."
"However, the simultaneous demise of a hundred Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Pythons in one location is almost a fairy tale. That's why ordinary people only know of Seven-Colored Original Stones and are completely unaware of the existence of Eight-Colored and Nine-Colored varieties."
"Furthermore, the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python's true peak isn't called that, but rather the Nine-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python. However, within the Heaven Swallowing Python clan, it seems only the ancestral pythons with the most potent bloodlines have ever reached this realm. This is a memory ingrained in the bloodline inheritance of the Heaven Swallowing Pythons, unknown to outsiders. I didn't expect you to be an exception."
In Cai Lin's impression, Chen Xiao seemed to know everything. No matter the matter, regardless of the field involved, he could always explain it.
This knowledge, inconsistent with his age, clearly hid secrets.
This was something Cai Lin and the other women, including Little Fairy Doctor, could sense, but they never pried.
Because of this preconceived notion, seeing Chen Xiao fail to recognize the Nine-Colored Original Stone now actually gave Cai Lin a chance to show off in front of him, which made her feel quite delighted.
Upon hearing this, Chen Xiao was taken aback, and it wasn't an act.
His surprise stemmed from Cai Lin's words giving him an idea.
If the Nine-Colored Original Stone truly required the demise of a hundred Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Pythons to appear, then the four Nine-Colored Original Stones listed in the advance information…
Did that mean there were now four such fortuitous opportunities on the continent, like the Nine Nether Yellow Spring?
But then, he considered that it was possible these four Nine-Colored Original Stones originated from the same place, merely scattered to different locations over the vast expanse of time.
Considering this possibility, the fervor in Chen Xiao's heart cooled slightly.
Otherwise, if he were to find four such opportunities, he might be able to elevate Cai Lin directly to the level of a peak continental powerhouse!
Chen Xiao seemed to have fully processed Cai Lin's words and said, with sudden realization, "So there are so many intricacies to this. Then, is this original stone an eight-colored or a nine-colored one?"
Cai Lin smiled without answering. Under Chen Xiao's gaze, she lightly grazed her fingertip across her jade finger, and a drop of her blood landed on the original stone.
Instantly, after the seventh colorful pattern on the smooth stone's surface, a new colored pattern slowly emerged!
"To distinguish the color of such an original stone, one must use the blood of a Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python. As we can see, this is an eight-colored original stone."
Cai Lin gazed at the patterns on the original stone, her eyes shining.
For a Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python, a Seven-Colored Original Stone was already a great tonic, and this one before her was actually eight-colored!
Relying solely on this original stone, even without seeking opportunities in the Nine Nether Earth Python Race, she was confident she could advance to Dou Zun!
"The world is vast and full of wonders…" Chen Xiao exclaimed. Seeing Cai Lin about to put away the original stone, he quickly stopped her, "Wait a moment, what if it's nine-colored?"
Cai Lin couldn't help but give him a charming, rolling of her eyes, and chuckled, "Nine-Colored Original Stones are immense fortunes, they aren't so easily found…"
Before she could finish speaking, she suddenly stopped, her autumn-water-like eyes widening slightly.
She saw that after the eighth colorful pattern on the original stone in her jade hand, a new, extremely faint, tiny pattern had appeared silently!!!
"Nine-colored…"
"It's truly a Nine-Colored Original Stone!"
After a moment of stunned silence, Cai Lin looked up at Chen Xiao, trying to find some clue on his face.
But Chen Xiao also had a look of astonishment, his expression utterly convincing.
Seeing this, Cai Lin couldn't help but smile, her gaze so gentle it seemed to drip with water.
Regardless of whether Chen Xiao knew the secret of this original stone beforehand, his willingness to take it out was already a profound gesture.
Even if he had known all along and deliberately feigned ignorance just to bring her joy, wasn't that also a unique form of affection?
Cai Lin's fingertips gently brushed over the faint yet real ninth pattern, and the cool original stone seemed to be imbued with a touch of warmth.
She carefully put away the Nine-Colored Original Stone and looked up, her eyes still brimming with a smile, "It seems I've gotten a great bargain this time."
...
They did not sleep all night.
As the first rays of dawn broke in the east, Chen Xiao opened his eyes and immediately began contacting the Grand Elder of Green Mountains.
Currently, the Nine Nether Earth Python Race was under the control of Yao Xiaotian. This man would even scheme against his own brother, his depravity comparable to Medicine Emperor Han Feng.
Chen Xiao truly did not wish to deal with such a person, nor did he feel at ease letting Cai Lin undergo her secluded cultivation in the Nine Nether Yellow Spring while he was in power.
Therefore, before Cai Lin entered the Nine Nether Yellow Spring to receive her inheritance, the situation within the Nine Nether Earth Python Race had to be changed.
This task, while sounding difficult, was actually very simple.
As long as Chen Xiao could release Yao Ming, who was currently imprisoned, the rest would naturally not require his further effort.
And to achieve this, the combat strength of the Dou Sheng expert, Grand Elder of Green Mountains, was indispensable.
After all, no matter how many trump cards Chen Xiao possessed, he alone would have absolutely no way to infiltrate and rescue someone under the watch of a Dou Sheng.
After contacting the Grand Elder, Chen Xiao withdrew. After tidying himself up, he flickered and left Qifeng Mountain.
He reappeared moments later in the Northern Heaven Desert.
"Brother Hei Qing."
Chen Xiao greeted as he looked at the sturdy figure standing silently in the distance, seemingly sensing something with his eyes closed.
Hei Qing opened his eyes. Seeing Chen Xiao arrive, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, followed by a smile. "Chen Xiao, are you here to see me?"
Chen Xiao nodded slightly, stepped forward, and led Hei Qing to a mountaintop. He casually set up a barrier, isolating them from the wind, sand, and prying eyes outside. He then produced a table, set it up properly, and invited Hei Qing to sit down for a drink.
"I've come to visit you this time mainly because there's a small matter I'd like to trouble you with."
"Just say what you need."
Hei Qing tilted his head back and drained the wine in his cup, feeling incredibly refreshed.
He had been staying in the Northern Heaven for quite some time, spending his days searching for the Northern Heaven Ruins, a task that was both tedious and dull.
Although Zi Yan had entrusted him with this mission, and he hadn't slacked off, he couldn't help but feel bored.
If Chen Xiao had other plans, it would suit him just fine.
Chen Xiao smiled and got straight to the point, "I heard Zi Yan mention a Void Thunder Pool in the Void Dimension before?"
"There is indeed such a place; I've been there a few times," Hei Qing nodded. "But that Void Thunder Pool is even more boring than searching for ruins. There's nothing but a sea of lightning, and it's quite dangerous inside. The Black Demon Thunder, which can kill Dou Zun experts, is everywhere. With my current strength, I wouldn't dare venture too deep."
"That's exactly right!"
"What do you mean?" Hei Qing asked, confused.
Chen Xiao chuckled softly, "Brother Hei, you know that over the years I've acquired twenty to thirty Heavenly Demon Puppets. The weakest of these puppets can rival a Dou Zong, and the strongest can contend with a mid-stage Dou Zun. The reason for this significant gap in their strength is that the most powerful ones have undergone numerous purifications by Pill Lightning, tempered by the power of lightning."
Upon hearing this, Hei Qing slowly began to understand.
"I get it. You want me to take those puppets to the Void Thunder Pool?"
"Exactly. Brother Hei, what do you think? I'll temporarily hand over the control of those puppets to you. All you need to do is let them enter the sea of lightning on their own and observe from a distance."
"If you put it that way, there's no danger at all. Alright, I'll make the trip for you!"
Picturing it in his mind, Hei Qing immediately nodded in agreement.
Both Zi Yan and the Green Mountains' Grand Elder had instructed him to follow Chen Xiao's arrangements.
Coupled with their existing friendship, and the fact that it wasn't a dangerous or troublesome task, Hei Qing naturally had no reason to refuse.
Besides, he could also visit Eastern Dragon Island along the way.
"Then I'll trouble you, Brother Hei!" Chen Xiao raised his cup in thanks.
He had originally planned to have Cao Ying help improve the puppets. This way, she could help the Pill Hall handle Pill Lightning and simultaneously enhance their strength, a win-win situation.
However, Cao Ying was now pregnant and had temporarily put aside her alchemy. Within the Pill Hall, the only seventh-grade alchemists were the few who had been brought over from the Cao Family.
If they were to rely on them to improve the Heavenly Demon Puppets, the speed would be too slow.
Therefore, Chen Xiao changed his approach and thought of the Void Thunder Pool in the Void Dimension!
This place was actually a fortuitous opportunity. At its deepest point, it contained the only Nine Profound Golden Thunder on the current continent!
In the original timeline, Xiao Yan had used a portion of the Nine Profound Golden Thunder's power to refine a Thunder Tribulation Pill, which allowed him to increase his strength by one star at the Dou Sheng realm.
Chen Xiao was not an alchemist and did not have the capability to covet the Nine Profound Golden Thunder at this time. However, the Black Demon Thunder in the sea of lightning could be utilized first.
If twenty to thirty puppets could all be upgraded to the Heavenly-grade Heavenly Demon Puppet level, it would be a force capable of shocking the Central State!
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