Seven-Colored Heavenly Python

Apart from the good news from the Nalan Family, there was another major event: the Alchemist Grand Meeting.

The champion of this Alchemist Grand Meeting would become an Honorary Elder of the Alchemist Guild. Even the Misty Cloud Sect and the imperial family would look upon an Honorary Elder with respect.

Furthermore, the champion would receive a Sixth-grade Pill: the Spirit Fusion Pill.

It was a pill capable of fusing the soul with the body. Its effects were somewhat unconventional, but for a soul body, it was an exceptional sacred medicine. Not only could it rapidly restore Soul Power, it could also completely heal wounds the soul had suffered in the past.

Even for Yao Lao's sake, Xiao Yan would not miss out on this pill. Besides, there was another troublesome fellow on him.

Wrapped around the arm hidden within his sleeve was a slender little snake several centimeters long. Its entire body was covered in tiny seven-colored scales, and its pale violet snake eyes carried a faintly bewitching air.

An unusual, fresh fragrance lingered about its body. Though it was merely a snake, it exuded an air of elegance and nobility.

This was the Seven-Colored Heavenly Python Queen Medusa had become after her breakthrough. It had left with Xiao Yan when he obtained the Green Lotus Core Flame.

Over the past year or so, the little snake had been peaceful and well-behaved, cute and clingy. Yet today, upon hearing about this pill, it finally stopped pretending.

"Kid, get your hands on the formula for this Spirit Fusion Pill. In the future, I won't kill you!"

A faint soul message carrying a trace of seductive charm entered Xiao Yan's mind.

Xiao Yan's heart chilled. Naturally, he recognized the owner of that voice. It was Queen Medusa, hiding within the body of the Heavenly Python—a genuine Dou Zong expert.

A Dou Zong realm even stronger than Old Master Xiao's. In the entire Jia Ma Empire, there had never been word of an expert at that level!

Taking a deep breath, Xiao Yan forced himself to remain calm. After three years of training, his state of mind had become quite extraordinary; even facing a Dou Zong like Queen Medusa, he could still maintain his composure.

"You want that formula?"

After he asked, there was only silence. Queen Medusa gave no further response.

Xiao Lin's gaze sharpened slightly. He had just sensed a powerful aura, and it was clearly Queen Medusa's doing.

"Go participate in the Alchemist Grand Meeting. There is still some time before the appointed date."

After a long moment of thought, Xiao Yan finally made his decision. He would enter the competition!

Xiao Yan used his alternate identity, "Yan Xiao," to participate in the Alchemist Grand Meeting. Qing Lin followed him every day to watch him refine pills and compete, leaving Lü Man, a Dou Emperor expert, no choice but to accompany her.

Meanwhile, Hai Bodong lived leisurely while secretly mobilizing members of his family to prepare for the Three-Year Pact.

Though he was not one of the main figures in the Three-Year Pact, he was even more invested in it than the two members of the Xiao Family. He knew Xiao Lin's true strength. After this battle, the entire Jia Ma Empire would be thrown into a great storm.

The Mite'er Family needed to be prepared for that.

Finally, there was Xiao Lin, who was diligently cultivating. He had no time to follow his grandson Xiao Yan around every day, instead remaining in a guest room of the Mite'er Family and meditating in cultivation.

Seeing this, Hai Bodong could not help but speculate with a sigh.

"Still cultivating so hard at his age... perhaps that is why he is so much stronger than me..."

Of course, a sigh was only a sigh. He also wanted to meditate and cultivate, but such tedious cultivation offered no feedback at all. He could cultivate bitterly for an entire year and still not be sure whether he had grown any stronger.

In truth, at his age, without some external opportunity, the Dou Emperor realm would likely be the highest level he could attain in this life. Entering the next realm of Dou Zong was highly unlikely.

Thus, he both sighed over and envied Xiao Lin's secluded cultivation. Old Master Xiao's talent could actually still be further developed.

Above Dou Emperor lay the Dou Zong realm.

Dou Zong—the true dividing line among the continent's powerful experts. Only by successfully stepping into that realm would one possess the basic qualifications to thrive in the Middle Continent.

Two months could feel both long and short.

Over those two months, Xiao Yan experienced many things. He entered the Alchemist Grand Meeting, took first place, and secured the position of Honorary Elder.

He met the powerful Dou Emperors of the Jia Ma Empire and saw even more magnificent sights.

Yet none of it could compare to the final destination of those three years of cultivation: the Misty Cloud Sect.

During those two months, Xiao Lin never emerged from seclusion and continued cultivating. Several times, he released powerful Dou Emperor fluctuations.

Fortunately, Hai Bodong and Lü Man, both Dou Emperors, joined forces to suppress his aura.

At the same time, the two of them could not help but wonder just how far Old Clan Head Xiao's cultivation had reached. It was simply too terrifying.

Hai Bodong recalled something.

On the Dou Qi Continent, human lifespans were limited. However, if one advanced in rank before reaching the end of one's lifespan, that limit could be extended considerably.

When the previous Misty Cloud Sect Leader, Yun Shan, passed the position of sect leader to Yun Yun, he had been an eight-star Dou Emperor.

At that time, he still had quite some time left before the end of his lifespan. Few had heard his name over the years, but not hearing of him did not mean he had fallen.

There was a very high chance that if Yun Shan was still alive, he had already reached the Dou Zong realm!

"And Old Master Xiao..." Hai Bodong was uncertain who was stronger, Old Master Xiao or Yun Shan.

But he was certain that, on that day, the entire Jia Ma Empire would change because of it!

That day, he brought a token to Xiao Yan.

It was an ancient, grand-looking cloud-white letter. A white cloud was painted upon its surface, with a long sword plunged into the cloud, its sword aura sharp and fierce.

"From the Misty Cloud Sect?" Xiao Yan raised a brow in surprise as he looked at that distinctive emblem.

"Mm." Hai Bodong nodded and waved the letter in his hand. "This is an invitation from the Misty Cloud Sect to some of the influential leaders and experts in the Imperial Capital."

"An invitation?"

"You can probably guess why. It is because of that so-called Three-Year Pact between you and Nalan Yanran tomorrow. The Misty Cloud Sect is currently inviting prominent figures to visit the sect tomorrow. I imagine they are trying to build momentum for Nalan Yanran, their future young sect leader. After all, if she wins, her prestige will rise enormously—not only within the Misty Cloud Sect, but outside it as well."

Hai Bodong smiled.

"Isn't the Misty Cloud Sect being far too arrogant? What if Nalan Yanran loses? Who will be disgraced then? Did Yun Yun get her head caught in a door?" Xiao Yan sneered.

"Perhaps this has little to do with Yun Yun. From what I know, Yun Yun likely isn't in the Misty Cloud Sect at the moment. All sect affairs are being handled by the Misty Cloud Sect's Elder Council." Hai Bodong spread his hands.

"Not in the Misty Cloud Sect? This Three-Year Pact is an extremely important agreement for Nalan Yanran. At a time like this, her teacher is actually absent?"

Xiao Yan froze in astonishment upon hearing that.

"According to the information I received, Misty Cloud Sect Leader Yun Yun seems to have been seriously injured for quite some time and has been recuperating. And it isn't just her. Even Pill King Gu He has not shown himself for a long time."

"For the past year, Pill King Gu He hasn't refined a single pill."

Hai Bodong had his suspicions, but he did not dare be certain.

Xiao Yan also keenly sensed something. He remembered that, back when they were in the desert with the Snake People Clan, Gu He seemed to have hired a Dou Emperor expert...

In Qing Lin's room, she heard the conversation between Xiao Yan and Hai Bodong outside the window. Closing the window, she wore a trace of solemnity on her little face as she looked at Lü Man, who sat alone nearby drinking tea, and softly said:

"Tomorrow, I want to protect Young Master Xiao Yan! I won't let him get hurt!"

Hearing this, helplessness appeared in Lü Man's beautiful eyes. The little girl claimed she wanted to protect him, but in reality, she was putting pressure on Lü Man.

"Fine. White Fang and I will accompany you to the Misty Cloud Sect, but Old Master Xiao alone is enough to suppress us..."