When Wind and Clouds Gather, the Dragon Soars

Xiao Yan followed the sound and looked over. Seeing Zhang Xuanchen appear, he hurried forward.

After his master awakened, he told his father about his recovery.

His father had then spent over half the Lineage's wealth to refine a portion of Crimson Stamen Spirit Liquid for him.

After drinking it, his cultivation directly broke through to the Qi Refining Third Layer.

He then took the Crimson Stamen Spirit Liquid formula and boarded a First-grade Mid-tier artifact Flying Boat, setting off for Xuanxiao Mountain.

After arriving, he learned that Zhang Xuanchen was stationed at Fire Maple Mountain and hurried over without stopping.

The journey had taken seven days in total.

He cupped his fists in thanks. "I still have to thank you, Brother Zhang. Without you, I never would have held on until this day."

"Hahaha, why be so polite? Though I did not personally see you write that Divorce Letter, I heard it loud and clear.

"And it was precisely because of that that I thought highly of you. Have you come here for something today?"

Zhang Xuanchen flicked his sleeve, signaling that Xiao Yan need not be so formal.

Hearing the words of the youth before him, Xiao Yan felt even more grateful. He immediately took out a sheet of white paper from his Storage Bag, densely covered in writing.

He said, "Brother Zhang, this is a First-grade Top-tier spirit liquid formula that an ancestor of the Xiao Clan obtained while traveling abroad. It is of immense benefit to Qi Refining cultivators and has no side effects.

"You only need to spend a few days stabilizing your cultivation after taking it. I copied out a version for you. Please accept it as a token of my gratitude."

"Xiao Yan, what do you take me, Zhang Xuanchen, for? Could it be that you do not consider me a friend?"

Naturally, Zhang Xuanchen could not accept it outright. Only by declining a few times could he maximize the effect and make things most secure.

Seeing Zhang Xuanchen grow angry, Xiao Yan hurriedly said, "Brother Zhang, do not misunderstand. You saved my Xiao Clan from fire and water. I offer you this spirit liquid formula under my father's orders, as a token of gratitude.

"And my Xiao Clan is still weak. We simply cannot bring out the value of this spirit liquid formula. If you refuse it, I will have no way to answer to my father or the clan members."

As he spoke, he once again extended the formula toward Zhang Xuanchen, looking as though he would not leave unless it was accepted.

Left with no choice, Zhang Xuanchen accepted the formula and read through it.

The contents were highly detailed, with the extraction and refinement steps clearly recorded. Even a First-grade Top-tier alchemist could prepare it.

Looking at Xiao Yan, he said in delight, "This spirit liquid formula will be of immense help to me. It can greatly increase my cultivation speed. Brother Xiao, I will not speak any more words of thanks.

"If you ever need help, come find me at the Zhang Family or Yunhua Immortal City. Whatever I can help with, I certainly will!"

Seeing that his formula had made Zhang Xuanchen so delighted, Xiao Yan was startled inwardly.

This formula was even more valuable than he had imagined.

Luckily, he had not handed it over to the other Zhang Family members back then.

He secretly sent a voice transmission to his master:

"Master, you are truly amazing. A spirit liquid formula you created yourself actually shocked the son of the Clan Leader of a Golden Core Family so much."

"Of course, of course. Brat, you still have much to learn."

After ending the voice transmission, Xiao Yan looked at Zhang Xuanchen and smiled. "It is good as long as it helps you."

"After all, I am a First-grade Top-tier alchemist. I have some discernment. The value of this Crimson Stamen Spirit Liquid formula is far greater than the formula for a First-grade Top-tier pill. If placed in an Auction, a conservative estimate would be ten thousand Low-grade Spirit Stones.

"By the way, now that your body has recovered, what plans do you have for the future?"

Zhang Xuanchen deliberately mentioned his identity as an alchemist, putting on a little display before that person to deepen his impression. There was no harm in it; perhaps he might even receive some guidance in the future.

He then shifted the topic to Xiao Yan.

Hearing that Zhang Xuanchen was also an alchemist, Xiao Yan was slightly surprised.

But only slightly. Given the other party's status, such accomplishments were perfectly normal.

He looked toward the Azure Nether Mountain Range, his voice carrying a touch of lofty spirit. "I want to go out and travel. The South Sea Immortal Continent is vast, with countless opportunities. I, Xiao Yan, want to contend for them too. Staying in the Lineage will not let me grow stronger quickly."

This was his master's idea, and also his own.

Only by becoming stronger could he control his own fate and protect those he wished to protect.

"Good! How could a golden-scaled fish remain trapped in a pond? Once wind and clouds gather, it transforms into a dragon! I look forward to the day you make your name known!"

Everyone had a different path to walk.

This was the path Xiao Yan had chosen.

And Zhang Xuanchen also had his own path to walk!

Xiao Yan was deeply moved. At this moment, he already regarded Zhang Xuanchen as a kindred spirit.

He cupped his fists toward Zhang Xuanchen.

"Then I shall borrow Brother Zhang's auspicious words! Until we meet again!"

After saying this, he summoned his First-grade Mid-tier artifact Flying Boat and sped toward the sea of stars.

At this moment, Zhang Xuanchen seemed to recall something and shouted at Xiao Yan, "If you obtain any rare Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures during your travels and intend to sell them, remember to give the Xuanxiao Merchant Guild first consideration! We will certainly offer you a fair price!"

He knew that the protagonist would encounter all kinds of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures every time he ventured out.

He could even come across quite a few rare treasures and strange beasts that the outside world might not see once in a century.

Naturally, Zhang Xuanchen had to seize the opportunity.

"Rest assured, Brother Zhang!"

Xiao Yan waved goodbye from atop the Flying Boat.

"The younger generation is formidable indeed. That brat is no simple person. He has likely already noticed that you carry a fortuitous opportunity." Burning Ruin Venerable looked at Zhang Xuanchen, a trace of appreciation flashing through his eyes.

"Ah? How is that possible? Then why did he not ask?"

"That is precisely what makes him extraordinary. And that ice-attribute cultivator you mentioned.

"He had already entered the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage at around twenty years old. If I am not mistaken, he should possess an ice-attribute Heavenly Spirit Root."

"How could that be possible?"

"Nothing is impossible! Since that Zhang brat has shown you goodwill, befriend him. It will only benefit you!"

"Of course. We can be considered friends now!"

"Hehe, you are not qualified to be his friend yet!"

"Old man! You..."

After Xiao Yan left, Zhang Xuanchen returned to the spirit fields. After casting the Cloud Rain Technique over all of them once, he returned to the wooden hut, opened the Crimson Stamen Spirit Liquid formula, and studied it carefully.

The required spirit herbs were not precious. The Spirit Medicine Garden on the Zhang Family's Xuanxiao Mountain grew all of them.

The main ingredients were First-grade Top-tier Fire Stamen Flowers, First-grade Top-tier Fire Dragon Fruits, and Crimson Flame Grass. The supplementary ingredients were several First-grade Low-tier and Mid-tier spirit herbs that could be bought from any herb shop.

"This spirit liquid formula is indeed excellent. Even a Foundation Establishment Lineage would fight over it in the outside world. Although its grade is not high, it is quite useful for younger disciples.

"Today is the seventh day. A clan member will come to collect the spirit chicken eggs. Perfect—I can have him take this formula back to the Lineage. When he comes again next week, he can bring me several dozen, or even a hundred, sets of ingredients."

Just as he was pondering this, the familiar voice rang out in his mind once more.

[Immortal Fate Information (Ding Top-tier): In the First-grade Mid-tier spirit fields of Fire Maple Mountain, within the area where Fire Spirit Grass is planted, seventeen mutated spirit herbs, Fire Fluff Grass, are growing.]

Fire Fluff Grass produces abundant seeds. Continuously feeding Warm Velvet Chickens with Fire Fluff Grass seeds gives them a chance to advance to First-grade Mid-tier, and the corresponding Warm Velvet Eggs will be raised to First-grade Low-tier.

Holy crap?

Was the limit of Warm Velvet Chickens not First-grade Low-tier?

They could actually advance to First-grade Mid-tier!

Thinking of the thirty thousand Warm Velvet Chickens on Fire Maple Mountain, even if half of them advanced to First-grade Mid-tier, that would be a fortune in the making!