Returning to the Imperial Capital

"Feed this medicinal liquid to Xiao Lan. It will help with its advancement. Magical beasts generally consume herbs containing violent medicinal power. While directly consuming finished pills cannot temper its body, they can store up energy for it. You must know that a magical beast's advancement requires an enormous amount of energy. This can shorten the time it takes to advance," Gu He explained when he saw Xiao Yi Xian looking over in confusion.

Xiao Yi Xian walked to the Blue Eagle's neck and lay against its head, bringing the medicinal liquid to Xiao Lan's beak. Xiao Lan swallowed the liquid along with the jade bottle. Gu He carried Xiao Yi Xian back onto Xiao Lan's back; the wind atop the Blue Eagle's head was still too strong.

Soon, emerald-green light began to appear around the Blue Eagle's body, and it visibly became more energized. With a flap of its wings, its speed increased once again.

"It seems the effect is quite good. Feed Xiao Lan pills regularly from now on. I believe it will soon reach the second tier," Gu He said with a nod upon seeing the results.

"I'll thank Master on Xiao Lan's behalf." Xiao Yi Xian gratefully stroked the feathers on the Blue Eagle's back.

"If Xiao Lan can grow stronger, I can leave without worry for a while."

"Where is Master going?" Xiao Yi Xian grew anxious when she heard that Gu He was leaving.

"Now that I've advanced to Dou Huang, the resources in the Small Valley are no longer enough for me to improve further. This trip to the Imperial Capital is also to exchange for some materials. After that, I plan to try my luck in the Black Corner Region."

"That extremely chaotic place? Even I've heard of its fearsome reputation in Qingshan Town!"

"That is only true for the weak. For those at the Dou Huang level, there is still order there. And as long as a Dou Huang does not court death, he can live quite comfortably in the Black Corner Region. Of course, if he provokes some of the ancient factions there, even a Dou Huang will have to kneel." Gu He patiently explained the situation in the Black Corner Region to Xiao Yi Xian, allowing her to see it from another perspective. In the eyes of a Dou Huang, the Black Corner Region was merely a fine place to seek fortune.

Thanks to the Blue Eagle's burst of speed, the outline of the Imperial Capital appeared before them in less than a day.

Gu He gave Xiao Yi Xian one final warning. "Once we reach the Imperial Capital, do not tell anyone that I've broken through to Dou Huang."

"Oh! No wonder I thought Master had become much weaker. So you didn't want them to know you had already broken through. Are some of those people your enemies?" Xiao Yi Xian asked in sudden realization. After being strengthened by the Soul Awakening Pill, Xiao Yi Xian's Soul Power had also increased greatly, allowing her to vaguely sense Gu He's strength.

"They are not exactly my enemies. It is simply a way to survive: always keep a trump card in reserve. Besides, I don't want my true enemies to know my cultivation level. After all, they are far too powerful." Gu He sighed as he rubbed Xiao Yi Xian's hair.

"Master, you've messed up my hair." Xiao Yi Xian slapped away Gu He's mischievous hand and pouted in complaint.

Gu He smiled and gently shook his head.

Though it was somewhat arrogant, Gu He still planned to have Xiao Lan fly directly into the Imperial Capital.

As the soldiers below the Imperial Capital prepared to attack Xiao Lan, Gu He spread his Dou Qi Wings and flew to one side.

"A Dou Wang expert."

"This is no longer something we can handle. Report it immediately."

"Damn it! Which overbearing Dou Wang is this, showing the Empire so little respect by riding a magical beast directly into the Imperial Capital?"

"Dou Wang experts really are imposing!"

Ignoring the soldiers below as they descended into chaos, Gu He guided Xiao Yi Xian in controlling the Blue Eagle as they flew straight toward the Miter Auction House.

Most people in the Imperial Capital had already noticed the unfamiliar magical beast flying through the sky. Some timid people who had not yet reached the Dou Zhe level hurriedly left the area beneath its flight path. Those confident enough in their own strength, however, followed its trajectory, wanting to see who was so unafraid of death as to allow an unfamiliar magical beast to fly through the Imperial Capital. After all, only experts at the Dou Wang level or above, or magical beasts bearing special markings, were permitted to fly over the Imperial Capital.

The magical beast soon landed in an open area not far from the Miter Auction House. Gu He wrapped an arm around Xiao Yi Xian's slender waist and jumped down, then said to the nearby Miter guards, who looked as if they faced a great enemy, "Go summon your Great Elder. Tell him Gu He has something to discuss with him!"

Since arriving at the Monster Mountain Range, Gu He had not worn the robes unique to alchemists, so the people below had not recognized him at first. Upon hearing that the man before them was the renowned Pill King Gu He, the guards immediately put away their weapons and respectfully said, "Please wait a moment, Master. I will notify him at once."

Gu He said to Xiao Yi Xian, who had already steadied herself, "This is the largest auction house in the Imperial Capital. The Mite'er Family runs it. Their Great Elder is a Dou Wang expert and also a friend of mine. If you encounter any trouble in the Imperial Capital in the future, you may seek his help."

The report quickly reached the higher-ups. No one dared slight the name of Pill King Gu He, and Miter Tengshan soon appeared at the entrance.

"Old Gu, I've missed you terribly! You disappeared for nearly a year without sending any news at all." Teng Shan strode over, his usually stern face now filled with delight.

Seeing Teng Shan's sincere expression, Gu He felt warmth rise in his heart as well. He introduced Teng Shan and Xiao Yi Xian to each other.

"This is the disciple I took in at the Monster Mountain Range, Xiao Yi Xian. This is the head of the Mite'er Family I just told you about. Call him Uncle Teng Shan."

"Haha, what an exceptionally lovely little girl. This is a small token from Uncle Teng Shan. You must accept it." As Teng Shan spoke, he took out a jade bottle filled with milky-white liquid and handed it to Xiao Yi Xian.

Gu He was moved when he saw the liquid in the jade bottle. "Old Brother Teng Shan, you're giving my disciple something so precious. Xiao Yi Xian, thank Uncle Teng Shan properly. This is Earth Core Body Tempering Milk. Once diluted, it will be enough to help you swiftly break through to the Dou Master realm and greatly improve your physical constitution."

"Thank you, Uncle Teng Shan." Following Gu He's instructions, Xiao Yi Xian respectfully bowed to Teng Shan.

Hearing that Gu He intended to use the Earth Core Body Tempering Milk as an auxiliary cultivation item for his disciple, who was only at the Dou Zhe level, Teng Shan's mouth twitched. He could only curse him inwardly for being so wasteful. Such a precious item was normally saved until one was breaking through to Dou Ling or even Dou Wang, while he also envied the wealth of alchemists.

"Old Gu, what are you planning to do during your short stay in the Imperial Capital?" The two walked ahead toward the entrance as they talked, while Xiao Yi Xian followed closely behind them.

"I wouldn't come without a reason! I found a decent place in the Monster Mountain Range and cultivated in seclusion for some time. Along with what I used up while refining pills, I've run out of medicinal ingredients. So I've come to trouble you again, Old Brother."

Sensing that Gu He's Dou Qi was far stronger than it had been several months ago, Teng Shan's expression changed. "Old Brother, you really did find a treasure ground. But your talent is equally astonishing. You rose three stars in such a short time. It puts an old fellow like me, who hasn't advanced even one star in years, to shame!"

I'm changing the update schedule. From now on, new chapters will be released at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.