Gu He: In the Jia Ma Empire, is there anyone whose alchemy can surpass mine?

Gu He: In the Jia Ma Empire, Could Anyone's Alchemy Surpass Mine?

Misty Cloud Sect.

As the most powerful sect in the Jia Ma Empire, the Misty Cloud Sect was established atop a majestic mountain barely a dozen li from the imperial capital.

Because of the Misty Cloud Sect, this mountain was also known as Misty Cloud Mountain.

A single mountain had been named after a sect, which showed just how extraordinary it was.

Misty Cloud Mountain was steep, with cliffs on three sides and only one path leading to the summit. It was a perilous stronghold that was easy to defend and difficult to attack.

Moreover, Misty Cloud Sect disciples patrolled the entire mountain at all times. The whole mountain was practically a small fortress.

Only two li from the foot of Misty Cloud Mountain, fifty thousand imperial cavalry were stationed there.

Though these fifty thousand cavalry were ostensibly there to guard the capital, anyone could see the truth.

The empire's ruler was guarding against this ferocious tiger so close to the capital.

The sheer scale of the Misty Cloud Sect was evident from this alone.

At this moment, outside the sect's main hall, a refined-looking middle-aged man strode inside with a trace of urgency.

This man was Gu He, an elder of the Misty Cloud Sect and, publicly, the greatest alchemist in the Jia Ma Empire.

The moment he heard that Yun Yun had returned to the sect, Gu He hurried over.

"Sect Leader!"

Yun Yun was also in the main hall.

As soon as Gu He entered, he hastily greeted her before turning to look at her.

"Sect Leader, did you obtain the Amethyst Crystal during this trip? I heard that an extremely terrifying battle broke out in the Monster Mountain Range a few days ago. That should have been you and the Amethyst Winged Lion King, right?"

Yun Yun's gaze wavered. She shook her head and silently indicated that she had not obtained the Amethyst Crystal.

Ever since leaving the Monster Mountain Range, she had been somewhat absent-minded.

Gu He sighed upon hearing this, assuming Yun Yun's mood was due to her failure to obtain the Amethyst Crystal.

If he had the Amethyst Crystal, he could refine an Amethyst Pill for Yanran to take.

But the next moment, Yun Yun blinked, and a faint smile suddenly appeared on her face. "Although I didn't obtain the Amethyst Crystal, I happened to acquire a pill from a young alchemist that is even better than the Amethyst Pill."

Gu He raised his brows skeptically. Just as he was about to question Yun Yun, she continued.

"I already gave the pill to Yanran. At least so far, its effects have been excellent. There have been no side effects, and her cultivation has improved very steadily."

"It was practically too perfect to be a pill."

Yun Yun's voice was filled with praise.

After all, every medicine carried some poison.

Though most pills had mild medicinal effects, they more or less contained pill toxins.

Taking them occasionally was fine, but long-term, excessive consumption could easily damage one's foundation.

Yun Yun did not advocate Nalan Yanran taking pills. However, Nalan Yanran had been determined to raise her cultivation quickly, and Yun Yun trusted Gu He's alchemy skills. That was why she had taken the initiative to help him find the Amethyst Crystal.

But the pill Gu Fei had given her was different. She had not sensed even the slightest toxicity from it.

It was mild and harmless, as though it had no side effects at all.

In less than a month, once she had fully digested the pill's power, Nalan Yanran would likely be able to smoothly break through to the Da Dou Shi realm.

Seeing Yun Yun praise another alchemist so highly, Gu He could not help frowning.

How remarkable could a pill refined by a young man possibly be?

Besides, for a Dou Shi seeking to reach the Da Dou Shi realm, his Amethyst Pill was already the best choice.

Where had this young man obtained the pill formula?

However, when Gu He personally examined Nalan Yanran afterward, he found that her cultivation had indeed advanced remarkably after taking the pill.

Her aura had clearly become much more profound, and her Dou Qi was extremely stable, as though it had been cultivated through solid, genuine practice.

The effects of this pill had indeed exceeded those expected of the Amethyst Pill.

"..."

This result made it difficult for Gu He to say what had been on his mind.

Previously, when Yun Yun had asked him to refine pills, he had proposed one condition: Yun Yun had to accompany him to the Tagor Desert to search for Heavenly Flames.

Yun Yun had readily agreed at the time, promising Gu He that once he successfully refined the Amethyst Pill and gave it to Nalan Yanran, she would help him search for Heavenly Flames.

But now, before he had even refined the Amethyst Pill, Yun Yun had already obtained a better and gentler pill from someone else. This made Gu He reluctant to bring it up.

After all, he was the one who had failed to keep his promise. How could he have the nerve to demand payment?

Gu He's lips moved. Though Yun Yun was somewhat slow to catch on, she had seen enough to know what he wanted to say.

"Elder Gu He, don't worry. I'll still help you with what I promised before!"

"Consider it thanks for all the help you've given the Misty Cloud Sect."

Yun Yun spoke coolly.

After all, Gu He had contributed greatly to the Misty Cloud Sect. One had to know that the pills of the Pill King were exceedingly hard to obtain outside.

When Gu He refined pills for the Misty Cloud Sect, he usually charged only a very small fee, or, as on this occasion, asked the other party to accompany him outside and fight once.

After all, although Gu He was skilled at refining pills, his strength was still insufficient for self-protection.

Choosing several powerful "bodyguards" and exchanging the pills he refined for their services was his best option.

As the sect leader, although Gu He had failed to help her this time, it would be unreasonable for Yun Yun not to lend him a hand.

"Then many thanks, Sect Leader!"

Gu He was overjoyed. He then said, "The sooner this is done, the better. We'll set out tomorrow."

Yun Yun readily agreed.

In Stone Desert City.

With Gu Fei's help, Hai Bodong finally recovered his Dou Emperor cultivation.

The seal had been broken, and he could feel the long-lost abundance of power throughout his body.

Yet Hai Bodong still did not dare attack Gu Fei. With great reluctance, he handed over the half of the fragmentary map as he had promised.

Moreover, he also gave Gu Fei a map he had drawn himself, one that possibly marked the location of the Heavenly Flames.

Of course, Gu Fei did not actually need the location of the Heavenly Flames.

Because he knew that the Heavenly Flames had already been taken by the Medusa Queen.

Going there to search now would only be a wasted trip.

What Gu Fei needed was merely a map of the desert.

"Very good! Thank you."

Gu Fei accepted it with a smile, then left the Ancient Map shop with Xiao Yi Xian.

Next, they would truly enter the desert.

Stone Desert City could only be considered the outer edge of the desert. Where they were heading was the depths of the desert, where no humans lived.

The climate there was harsh, the heat intense, and water scarce. Thus, Gu Fei began taking Xiao Yi Xian around Stone Desert City to purchase supplies.

Water was indispensable in the desert, and they also bought some food.

Xiao Yi Xian obediently followed behind Gu Fei. He did not make her carry anything, instead storing it all in his Storage Ring.

After gathering their supplies, they left the city, climbed onto Lion King's back, and set off once more for the depths of the desert.