Black Rock City was still quite a distance from the empire's border. Even with the speed of a flying magical beast, it would take at least three full days of flight to reach the target destination.
Within the cabin of the flying beast, Lin Ran sat cross-legged. In front of him floated a translucent sky-blue crystal. Glimmers of light flickered within the crystal, flowing like waves of liquid energy.
It was the Qianlan Water Crystal, the gift from Franke.
This crystal bore a similar origin to the companion crystal of the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King—while not as rare, it still had a comparable refining effect. Although inferior to a true companion beast core in potency, it remained an incredibly precious item.
With a casual flick of his hand, Lin Ran directly swallowed the Qianlan Water Crystal. The moment it entered his body, golden Dou Qi surged through his meridians like a roaring tide, condensing into a vast grinding mill that crushed the crystal into pieces.
The interior of the crystal contained a condensed liquid—a deep blue energy that was both cold and majestic, carrying a mysterious and restrained warmth. It was like the fusion of ocean and flame, slow but inexorably surging.
Legend had it that upon absorbing this type of energy, one might gain control over the special beast flame called the Qianlan Water Flame, a unique attribute of the Tidal Dragon Beast—fire birthed from water.
'Yin and yang in perfect balance. Though it's fire, it flows like the depths of the sea. It reminds me a little of the Sea Heart Flame…'
As Lin Ran silently absorbed the liquid energy, a faint blue flame began to rise deep within his body. The flame quivered gently like a ripple across water—restrained yet pure.
However, before it could solidify into true form, Lin Ran's crimson-gold Dou Qi exploded like a devouring dragon. In an instant, it swallowed the newborn flame whole.
At the same moment, his eyes suddenly opened—two blue glints briefly flashing within his pupils. His already formidable aura grew subtly stronger.
Lin Ran raised his palm, summoning a wisp of fire. The gold flame danced at his fingertips, still blazing as ever, but now carrying subtle traces of azure and violet light. Under closer inspection, one would find the pure crimson gold now shimmering with a mirrored brilliance, flickering between heat and cold like a dream.
"A shame. Compared to the Companion Purple Crystal Source, this Qianlan Water Crystal still falls short. It enhanced my Dou Qi and flame quality a bit, but did nothing to help the blood imbalance."
He dismissed the flame and pulled out a deep-red medicinal plant.
The herb was blood-red throughout, like a chrysanthemum bathed in dragon's blood. It was the rare Dragonblood Velvet Chrysanthemum.
'The Vajra Dragon Bone Pill is a tier-seven pill. Even if I could refine it, its materials are absurdly rare. I'd need three extremely rare herbs and the dragon bones and blood essence of a tier-seven dragon-type magical beast.'
'Dragon-type magical beasts are terrifyingly strong. With my current strength, I wouldn't stand a chance.'
'And it'd be a waste to consume this herb directly…'
He hesitated, then finally chose to put it away.
His current greatest weakness was the imbalance of yin and yang in his meridians, which weakened his foundation. However, after several weeks of effort, he now possessed three types of six-rank magical beast blood: that of the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King, the Eight-Winged Black Serpent Emperor, and the tier-seven Nether Earth Python.
Though still far from the twelve needed to refine the Heaven Spirit Blood Dragon Pill, the progress was real.
'The Black Horn Region contains many rare treasures and powerful beasts. There should be a chance to gather more blood and beast cores there.'
'Until then… I'll just keep balancing my energy flow manually.'
Suddenly, Lin Ran narrowed his eyes.
He had detected something.
Two powerful auras had silently appeared on the flying beast—and they were converging on Lü Yi's chamber.
'They've arrived.'
…
Within another compartment of the flying beast, a black pill floated in Lü Yi's palm, emanating a soft glow. Though small, its dense medicinal fragrance filled the room.
Standing before her were two beings—one was a woman in green robes, and the other, a massive serpentine beast with an aura that could freeze the air.
Especially the giant snake—it was nearly drooling with greed.
"妖化丹… Lü Yi, I didn't think you'd actually succeed in getting a six-rank alchemist to make it. What, did you finally convince Gu He?"
"Hand it over, Lü Yi!" the beast rumbled.
A light breeze parted the clouds, revealing the massive figure suspended in midair.
Its body was pitch black, covered in complex violet markings. Along its spine extended eight massive wings, glowing faintly with a poisonous gleam. From its skull protruded a single, spiral black horn, pulsing with toxic energy.
This was none other than the Eight-Winged Black Serpent Emperor!
On its head, the scales formed the faint outline of a crown, and in its triangular pupils shimmered cunning, human-like intelligence.
"No need to rush. It was always meant for you." Lü Yi sighed and tossed the pill into the air.
As the serpent lunged to swallow it, she snapped, "Don't take it here. That person is still on this beast."
"That person?" the snake paused.
"You mean the alchemist who refined this?"
At those words, both the serpent and the green-robed woman froze.
Their expressions changed.
A six-rank alchemist was not someone to take lightly.
"Are you mad, Lü Yi? Bringing him here? Do you have any idea how dangerous it is to provoke an alchemist of that level?" the green-robed woman snapped.
"Even if we're three Dou Huang, provoking a six-rank alchemist could bring endless trouble!"
"Exactly!" the Black Serpent Emperor's voice rumbled. "They're like wasps—offend one, and a swarm follows. Even Dou Zong might come looking for you."
Lü Yi took a deep breath.
"I know the risk… But you both understand the situation. If we don't change something now, the Tian She Faction will collapse from within."
She paused, her tone softening. "And besides… he's not like the others."
"Not like the others?" Green Mang and the Black Serpent exchanged glances.
"He's… very young."
(End of Chapter)