Elder Huo and the Guide to Middle Continent

Four streaks of light streaked across the sky, passed through the Peace Town surrounding Jia Nan Academy, and finally landed at the familiar and vibrant Jia Nan Academy Entrance.

The towering walls, lush trees, and the faint scent of youth and striving in the air contrasted sharply with the bloody chaos of the Black Corner Region, making one unconsciously relax.

"Finally back." Great Elder Su Qian looked at the familiar scene before him and a gentle smile appeared on his face, his tense nerves from the journey finally relaxing.

"Great Elder, Big Brother Lin, you're back!" The Inner Academy Students, who had already received the news, excitedly came forward, looking at Lin Ming and the others with reverence. Although Lin Ming's deeds in the Black Corner Region had not yet been fully publicized, his Dou Zong strength and legendary past in the academy had already made him an idol that countless students looked up to.

Lin Ming nodded slightly to the enthusiastic students, then said to Su Qian, "Great Elder, I'll go pay my respects to my teacher first, and then I'll come to the Inner Academy to find you later."

Su Qian understood. "Of course, Elder Huo will be very happy to know you're back. You go ahead, I'll go take care of some academy affairs first."

After settling Xiao Yi Xian in his courtyard, Lin Ming moved swiftly and headed towards the Alchemy Department. As for Zi Yan, she had been at the academy longer than Lin Ming, so he didn't need to worry about her.

The Alchemy Department was still filled with the Medicinal Fragrance. Under the guidance of their Instructor, many students were intently manipulating the flames and refining medicinal materials.

Lin Ming's arrival did not cause much of a commotion. He concealed his aura and, like an ordinary student, walked straight to the tallest building, which was also where his teacher, Elder Huo, lived and conducted research year-round.

Just as they reached the attic door, the heavy wooden door creaked open automatically, and a loud, delighted voice came from inside. "You brat, you finally know how to come back? Standing at the door like a gatekeeper? Come on in!"

Upon hearing that familiar voice, Lin Ming couldn't help but smile sincerely as he stepped inside.

Inside the Pavilion Hall, an elderly man dressed in Red Alchemist Robe, with fiery red hair and beard, a ruddy complexion, and a vigorous spirit, put down a scroll of pill formulas and looked at him with bright eyes, his gaze filled with undisguised satisfaction and joy. This was his teacher, Elder Huo, the pillar of the Jia Nan Academy Alchemy Department.

"Master, your disciple has returned." Lin Ming bowed respectfully.

"Good, good! It's good that you're back!" Elder Huo strode forward, patted Lin Ming's shoulder forcefully, and, feeling the Abyssal and Vast Aura emanating from him, laughed heartily, "Haha! Dou Zong! Good lad! You've only been gone a few years? And you've already broken through to Dou Zong! You've really made me proud! Looks like you've been quite a handful out there!"

Elder Huo was straightforward and hot-tempered, and extremely protective of the disciples he recognized. Seeing his disciple achieve such success made him even happier than if he had broken through himself.

A warm feeling welled up in Lin Ming's heart. He recounted some of his experiences after leaving the academy, omitting some of the dangerous details, to his teacher. These included his transaction with the renowned Venerable Yao, his trip to the Chu Yun Empire to help Xiao Yi Xian, the Border War, the Black Corner Region Auction, and the Annihilation of Magic Flame Valley.

Hearing about the many trials Lin Ming had gone through, including his dealings with the Venerable Yao and the Soul Hall, Elder Huo's expression changed several times before finally letting out a long sigh, "You brat, you're really a worry. Sigh, you've really grown up!"

Lin Ming stayed with Elder Huo for three days. During these three days, everyone in the Alchemy Department could feel their flames showing fear, the temperature in the air rose by several degrees, and a strong Medicinal Fragrance lingered for a long time.

Three days later, Lin Ming bid farewell to his teacher and arrived at the Assembly Hall in the center of the Inner Academy. Great Elder Su Qian was already waiting there, and beside him stood a young girl dressed in a light blue dress.

The girl appeared to be only in her early twenties, with a beautiful face and elegant demeanor, like a newly blossoming blue lotus. However, deep within her eyes lay a hint of worry and resilience beyond her years. Her aura wasn't particularly strong, probably at the Dou Ling level, yet Lin Ming could sense that her Soul Power was considerably stronger than that of an ordinary Dou Ling.

"Lin Ming, you've arrived." Su Qian greeted him with a smile, then pointed to the Blue-Clad Girl beside him, "This is Ye Xin Lan, from the Ye Family, one of the five great families of the Middle Continent Five Great Families of Pill Tower. Xin Lan's grandfather and I have been friends for many years."

"Xin Lan greets Big Brother Lin." Ye Xin Lan stepped forward and bowed slightly to Lin Ming. Her voice was clear and crisp, carrying a hint of nervousness and anticipation. She had already learned from Su Qian about the young man's amazing strength and Alchemy Talent.

"Miss Ye, there's no need for such formalities." Lin Ming nodded, already understanding.

In the original novel, Xiao Yan Xin Lan Yan to the Middle Continent, and Xin Lan Lin Ming had a general understanding of the Ye Family's situation. On the way back to the Jia Nan Academy, Lin Ming told Great Elder Su Qian about his upcoming trip to the Middle Continent. Now it seems that, due to the changes brought about by his arrival, Great Elder Su Qian is now having Xin Lan guide him! Perhaps he's also hoping to help the Ye Family as well.

As Lin Ming returned the greeting, Su Qian sighed and said to Lin Ming, "Lin Ming, since you've decided to go to the Middle Continent, where you're unfamiliar with the place, having someone to guide you will make things much easier. Xin Lan is the best choice. However... the Ye Family's current situation is somewhat special."

At this point, Great Elder Su Qian looked at Xin Lan, indicating that she should speak for herself.

Ye Xin Lan took a deep breath, a hint of sadness flashing in her beautiful eyes, but it was quickly replaced by determination. "Big Brother Lin, to be honest, my Ye Family is one of the Great Elder positions in the Pill Tower, but in recent years, our family has suffered a decline in talent, and our alchemy skills have been lacking. We have long lost the glory of our ancestors. According to the Pill Tower Rules, if no one from my Ye Family can rank among the top three of the Five Great Families in the Next Pill Gathering and retain their Elder Seat... they will be stripped of it."

She raised her head, her gaze fixed intently on Lin Ming, a desperate plea in her eyes. "Grandpa Su said that your Alchemy Talent is unparalleled in his life, that you have already reached the Seventh Grade Realm at such a young age. Xin Lan requests that Big Brother Lin, on behalf of the Ye Family, participate in the next Pill Gathering held by the Pill Tower, to help our Ye Family retain our Elder Seat. If Brother Lin can agree, the entire Ye Family will do everything in our power to repay Big Brother Lin!"

Lin Ming listened quietly, his expression calm. As a transmigrator, knowing the Ye Family's situation, agreeing to Ye Xin Lan's request meant that he would be drawn into the power struggle between the Pill Tower Giant as soon as he entered Middle Continent, and would have to face challenges from the other Four Great Families and countless Yao Tian.

However, the benefits are equally obvious. He can quickly establish himself in the Yao Realm of the Middle Continent, gain the support of a family that, although declining, still has a strong foundation, and legitimately access the core resources of the Pill Tower. This is extremely attractive to him.

Risks and opportunities coexist.

Looking at Ye Xin Lan's expectant yet slightly desperate eyes, and Great Elder Su Qian's hopeful gaze, Lin Ming pondered for a moment. He wasn't a saint; overall, the advantages far outweighed the disadvantages, especially considering Great Elder Su Qian's influence.

"Alright, I promise you." Lin Ming finally spoke, his voice steady and powerful. "I will participate in the next Pill Gathering as a member of the Ye Family, and I will do my best to retain the Elder Seat for the Ye Family."

Ye Xin Lan was taken aback at first, then a surge of joy welled up in her heart, and tears welled up in her beautiful eyes. She bowed deeply, her voice choked with emotion, "Big Brother Lin Ming! On behalf of the Ye Family, Xin Lan is deeply grateful!"

Su Qian breathed a sigh of relief, a relieved smile appearing on her face, "That's excellent! With Lin Ming's help, the Ye Family might truly have a chance to turn things around this time."

Lin Ming waved his hand. "However, I need some time to prepare. We'll set off for the Middle Continent in a month."

"I'll leave it all to Big Brother Lin!" Ye Xin Lan quickly replied. The next Pill Gathering is still almost three years away, so this month won't be a problem at all.

With the agreement made, Ye Xin Lan took her leave with high hopes to prepare for the arrangements. Su Qian also went to handle academy affairs, leaving Lin Ming alone in the main hall.

Without delay, he returned directly to his quiet courtyard. After exchanging a few words with Xiao Yi Xian, she learned that Lin Ming was about to begin refining the Heavenly Demon Puppet and immediately began to Protector Lin Ming.

He focused his mind on his Storage Ring and took out the Black Scroll he had obtained from the Old Ghost Di Mo — the Heavenly Demon Puppet Refinement Method!

The scroll felt cold to the touch, its material neither gold nor wood, exuding an ancient aura. As his Soul Power invaded it, a flood of complex and obscure information poured into Lin Ming's mind, including the Puppet's level classification, crafting materials, Refinement Techniques, Rune Engraving, and Control Incantations, among other things.

"Heavenly Demon Puppet are divided into three grades. Human Demon Puppet are bronze in color and comparable to Dou Emperor; Earth Demon Puppet are silver in color and comparable to Dou Zong; Heavenly Demon Puppet are gold in color and comparable to Dou Venerate..." Lin Ming studied it carefully, his eyes shining with admiration. This Puppet Art is indeed profound. If he could successfully refine it, it would undoubtedly be a great help.

However, Lin Ming did not intend to pursue the highest level of Heavenly Demon Puppet in his first attempt. After all, if he wanted to directly refine the highest level Heavenly Demon Puppet that could reach the Dou Venerate, he could only use that Half-Saint Remains. But Lin Ming intended to use that Half-Saint Remains to refine a body for Elder Yao.

Of course, if we really use the Half-Saint Remains, other materials probably wouldn't be as good as the Half-Saint Remains, and thus wouldn't be able to unleash the full power of the Half-Saint Remains.

If it weren't a top-tier Heavenly Demon Puppet, but merely Earth Demon Puppet, Lin Ming didn't think this Puppet would be of much help to him at the Dou Zong stage. Furthermore, since this was his first time crafting one, after considering all these factors, Lin Ming decided on the following materials for the crafting:

Body: The complete corpse of Xie Bi Yan, Peak Four-Star Dou Ancestor Zong. This Old Monster's body is strong enough and contains potent poison. Although it doesn't greatly enhance the Puppet itself, it is more than sufficient as material for initial practice.

Magic Core: The Magic Core of a Seventh Order Dark Demonic Star Fiend Tiger. This was obtained by killing Dark Demonic Star Fiend Tiger Deep within the Monster Mountain Range. It is full of energy and its attributes are biased towards Darkness and Fiendish Qi. It is quite compatible with the coldness and poisonous attributes of Xie Bi Yan. As Energy Core, it can match the body well and bring out the power of the Puppet.

Soul: The Soul Body of Iron Protector. This was selected from the four captured members of the Soul Hall (Spear Executive, Protector Wu, Iron Protector, and Xuan Protector). His strength was at the Three-Star Dou Ancestor, making him one of the two weakest among the four. Using his soul as the "catalyst" and Control Core of the Puppet was most suitable, and even if there were some losses during the refining process, there was no need to feel sorry for him.