Battle Through the Heavens: Obtaining the Extraction System at the Start

Xiao Ling nodded slightly at Yue Mei and asked curiously, "Commander Yue Mei, have you prepared three sets of ingredients for refining the Dou Ling Pill?"

Yue Mei gave Xiao Ling a somewhat seductive smile and said softly, "I was still short on some medicinal ingredients, but while you were selecting items from the treasure vault, Commander Hua She'er and I made an exchange. I barely managed to gather three sets of ingredients for the Dou Ling Pill. I wonder when Master Xiao Ling might have time to refine them for me."

Rubbing his chin, Xiao Ling felt a slight headache. He had no Dou Ling Pill stock left on him. Did he really have to stay behind and refine pills for Yue Mei?

Shaking his head, he decided that, in order not to waste time, he could only refine pills while riding Void Dragon.

An ordinary Fifth-grade Alchemist would need around ten days to refine a Dou Ling Pill. Xiao Ling's Alchemy Art had already reached the peak of the sixth grade. With the help of Heavenly Flames, he could refine several ingredients at once and produce a Dou Ling Pill in half a day.

The thought took only an instant. Xiao Ling replied, "Then give me the three sets of ingredients for the Dou Ling Pill. I'll refine them for you on the way."

Although Yue Mei was somewhat puzzled as to how Xiao Ling could refine pills while traveling, she still handed over the three sets of ingredients.

Xiao Ling accepted the ingredients and inspected them. Finding that nothing was missing, he nodded in satisfaction and stored them one by one in his Ring.

He nodded to Yue Mei and Zi Yan behind him, signaling them to follow, then spread his Dou Qi Wings and flew into the sky.

Zi Yan and Yue Mei followed suit, spreading their Dou Qi Wings and chasing after Xiao Ling.

After leaving the Snake People Sacred City, Xiao Ling patted Void Dragon, who was sleeping inside his sleeve. Stroking its smooth head, he smiled and said, "Little fellow, it's time for you to get back to work."

Void Dragon woke from its sleep, first licking Xiao Ling's palm before crawling out from his sleeve. It leaped into the air and appeared before Yue Mei.

Feeding it a Fourth-grade Pill, Xiao Ling said, "Grow a little bigger this time. I'll sit on your head. You don't need to fly too fast—just keep it steady."

Upon hearing this, Void Dragon nodded humanely. Then, under Yue Mei's shocked gaze, its body slowly grew larger, and its aura steadily rose. In the end, the aura of a Dou Emperor was unmistakably revealed.

Feeling the Dou Emperor pressure radiating from the black Magical Beast before her, Yue Mei asked in disbelief, "Has this Magical Beast been by your side all along?"

Xiao Ling nodded with a smile. "It has indeed been with me the whole time. As long as it restrains its aura and I help conceal it a little, ordinary people won't notice its presence on me."

With a light flap of his Dou Qi Wings, Xiao Ling landed on Void Dragon's head. Zi Yan followed his example and sat astride Void Dragon's neck.

Waving at Yue Mei, Zi Yan said playfully, "Come on up. A Kong is incredibly fast—definitely much faster than your slow flight with Dou Qi Wings."

Hearing this, Yue Mei first said to Void Dragon, "Then I'll have to trouble Your Excellency to give me a ride."

Only after seeing that Void Dragon seemed to have no objection did she slowly sit sideways on its back.

Feeling the coolness beneath her, Yue Mei could not help muttering inwardly, Riding a Sixth-Order Magical Beast really is a strange feeling. This is the first time in all my years that I've ridden such a high-level Magical Beast.

Once everyone was ready, Xiao Ling patted Void Dragon's head, pointed in the direction of the Charming Snake Tribe, and said, "Head that way. Let's send this snake woman home first."

After hearing Xiao Ling's words, Void Dragon let out a long howl to indicate its understanding. Then it twisted its body and flew toward the Charming Snake Tribe.

This time, Void Dragon did not fly nearly as fast as before. Its flight was much smoother, and those riding on it could barely feel any jolting.

Xiao Ling sat cross-legged and took the Medicine Cauldron out of his Ring. He then removed the ingredients for refining the Dou Ling Pill one by one and arranged them beside him.

Taking a deep breath, he emptied his mind and placed his hand on the cauldron's fire inlet. The Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame within his body traveled through his meridians from his Dou Crystal, surged out, and leaped into the Medicine Cauldron.

At once, a scorching heat spread through the surroundings. Had Xiao Ling not restrained it, this Medicine Cauldron might not have been able to withstand the burning of the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame.

The moment Xiao Ling summoned the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame, Yue Mei behind him could not help feeling uncomfortable all over. The Snake People Race had naturally cold constitutions and were rather resistant to Fire Attribute energy, let alone Heavenly Flames, the most scorching things on the Dou Qi Continent.

Staring at the golden flame within the Medicine Cauldron before Xiao Ling, Yue Mei muttered inwardly, I never expected him to possess a Heavenly Flame. No wonder his Alchemy Art is already so advanced at his age. Her Majesty previously sent people to search the Tagor Desert for Heavenly Flames, but after all this time, there hasn't been the slightest news. Xiao Ling truly is lucky to have refined such a wondrous treasure of heaven and earth.

Thinking of this, Yue Mei shook her head again. Her Majesty should be about to consume the Sect Breaking Pill and attempt to break through to Dou Zong. That means she no longer needs to risk her life using Heavenly Flames to evolve her bloodline and break through to Dou Zong, eliminating many hidden dangers. Still, I must inform Her Majesty that Xiao Ling possesses a Heavenly Flame...

With a thought from Yue Mei, a small snake crawled out from her sleeve. It nodded at her, then flew toward the Sacred City.

Naturally, Xiao Ling noticed Yue Mei's actions, but he did not care. Once Mu Tie relayed the information back to the Imperial Capital, anyone with some standing would naturally learn that he possessed Heavenly Flames. One more member of the Snake People Race knowing would make no difference. With his abilities, he could come and go freely around the Jia Ma Empire.

At most, Medusa might want to borrow his Heavenly Flames to evolve her bloodline. Whether Xiao Ling would agree was another matter.

Even if he did agree, he could gain a Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python as a pet. What was there not to like?

If Medusa behaved herself, Xiao Ling would not mind nurturing her. Later, she could even go to the Nine-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python nest to receive its inheritance. Reaching the Dou Saint realm would be easy enough. The Nine-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python's talent was among the very best of all Magical Beast races.

If Medusa refused to follow his arrangements when the time came, Xiao Ling could simply extract her soul and raise the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python himself. At most, for Zi Yan's sake, he would refine a body for her.

No longer dwelling on things that had yet to happen, Xiao Ling focused on the Medicine Cauldron before him. Using Soul Perception, he controlled stalk after stalk of medicinal ingredients as they floated into the cauldron, beginning to extract their medicinal essence with Heavenly Flames...

Jia Ma Empire, Imperial Capital.

This was a quiet little courtyard built at the very edge of the Imperial Capital. Within the Jia Ma Empire, only a handful of people knew who lived here. Mu Tie, who had served the imperial family for most of his life and now served as the Grand Commander of Town Ghost Pass, was one of them.

Inside a study in the courtyard, countless books were piled upon the desk. An elderly man dressed in hemp robes sat in a chair behind it, flipping through a book with one hand while raising a cup of tea to his lips with the other. He took a gentle sip, looking exceedingly relaxed.

This hemp-robed old man was none other than Jia Xing Tian, the current protector of the Jia Ma Empire and a Dou Emperor Peak expert.

Just then, the sound of shoes striking the ground came from the corridor outside. The footsteps were extremely hurried, clearly indicating that someone had urgent information to report.

With a wave of his hand, Jia Xing Tian used a stream of Dou Qi to open the study door. A figure clad in armor appeared at the entrance.

Seeing the man, Jia Xing Tian asked in puzzlement, "Mu Tie, shouldn't you be guarding the border at Town Ghost Pass? Why have you come to the Imperial Capital to find me?"

Jia Xing Tian's voice was not loud, yet it clearly reached Mu Tie's ears.

Mu Tie, standing outside the door, first caught his breath. Then he cupped his hands toward Jia Xing Tian and said, "I have come to report an important matter."

Hearing Mu Tie's response, Jia Xing Tian immediately became attentive. He set down both his tea cup and book, then asked, "Tell me, then. What kind of important news could make the Grand Commander of Town Ghost Pass come in person? If you cannot give me a satisfactory explanation, I will have to charge you with abandoning your post without permission."

Mu Tie did not delay after hearing Jia Xing Tian's question. He said directly, "Xiao Ling, the 'greatest genius in a thousand years of the Jia Ma Empire' whose name spread throughout the Imperial Capital years ago, returned to the Jia Ma Empire three days ago. His cultivation has now broken through to Dou Wang, and he is also a Sixth-grade Alchemist. A Dou Wang expert accompanied him, whom he called his companion. Xiao Ling has now headed eastward into the Jia Ma Empire, though his precise location remains unknown."

Hearing Mu Tie's account, Jia Xing Tian, who had remained calm until then, instantly sharpened his gaze. "Is what you say true?"

Mu Tie nodded and replied solemnly, "Absolutely true. I personally saw him flying with Dou Qi Wings. He showed me a Sixth-grade Alchemist badge, and he also used Heavenly Flames."

Narrowing his eyes, Jia Xing Tian fell into thought. He did know something about a figure like Xiao Ling.

When news had spread from Wutan City back then, Xiao Ling had already left the Jia Ma Empire to study at Jia Nan Academy in the Black Corner Region.

Later, after Xiao Yan's talent rose, Jia Xing Tian became wary because Xiao Yan had an engagement contract with the Nalan Family, while Nalan Yanran, the Miss of Nalan Family, had joined the Misty Cloud Sect and become Yun Yun's personal disciple.

He conducted a more detailed investigation into Xiao Ling's past and even questioned several members of the Xiao Family. Unfortunately, aside from cultivation, Xiao Ling had only spent time with a young girl from the clan. The two had gone to Jia Nan Academy at a young age. Other than his appearance, nothing useful had been found. Jia Xing Tian could only regret not discovering this genius sooner.

It had to be said that the Xiao Family's deliberate concealment of Xiao Ling's talent had indeed spared him quite a bit of trouble while he was still weak. Although they could not completely block information regarding Xiao Ling, those who heard it believed the claims had been exaggerated. After all, the Jia Ma Empire had never produced such a genius in all these years.

Stroking his grizzled beard, Jia Xing Tian muttered to himself, "Now that Xiao Ling has risen to prominence, I wonder whether it will be a blessing or a disaster..."

Remembering what Xiao Ling had told him earlier, Mu Tie hurriedly added, "Xiao Ling also said that he wants the imperial family to help him with a few matters. In return, he can refine pills for the imperial family."

"Tell me in detail, then. How does he need the imperial family's help, and what compensation is he offering?" Jia Xing Tian asked curiously. Xiao Ling had yet to show any inclination toward any faction. Even if they could not recruit him to the imperial family's side, maintaining friendly relations would bring no harm.

After recalling Xiao Ling's instructions, Mu Tie said, "Xiao Ling seems to want to bring his family to live in the Imperial Capital. He hopes the imperial family can escort the Xiao Family members here. His reward is this: as long as three sets of ingredients for the Sect Breaking Pill are gathered, he can help the imperial family refine one Sect Breaking Pill."

After listening to Mu Tie, especially upon hearing the words "Sect Breaking Pill," a glimmer of light seemed to appear in Jia Xing Tian's slightly clouded eyes.

The courtyard fell silent again as Jia Xing Tian seemed to digest this unbelievable information.

After a long silence, he lifted his tea and took a sip before muttering, "The Sect Breaking Pill is a Sixth-Grade Peak Pill capable of helping a Dou Emperor Peak expert break through to Dou Zong. I never expected this child to be able to refine Sect Breaking Pills at such a young age. His talent is truly terrifying. He deserves the title of 'the greatest monster in a thousand years of the Jia Ma Empire.' It seems that because he cannot remain with his family often, he wants the imperial family to take better care of them. But given the engagement between the Third Young Master of Xiao Family, Xiao Yan, and Nalan Yanran, the Miss of Nalan Family, why does he not seek help from the Nalan Family and the Misty Cloud Sect? There must be some hidden circumstances we do not know about. Now that Xiao Yan's talent has faded, perhaps Nalan Yanran no longer thinks highly of him. Could it be..."

Jia Xing Tian was an old hand who had lived for many years. From the few words Xiao Ling had revealed, he could infer that Xiao Ling harbored some prejudice against the Misty Cloud Sect.

Having figured out a few things, Jia Xing Tian suddenly felt enlightened. The urgent matter was to establish communication with Xiao Ling and build a good relationship.

Moreover, escorting the Xiao Family members to the Imperial Capital was not worth mentioning. It would only require sending out a few people.

As for safety, no one in the Jia Ma Empire currently dared to openly oppose the imperial family.

Besides, Jia Xing Tian himself greatly desired the Sect Breaking Pill. If he could take one, perhaps he could break through to Dou Zong within his lifetime and extend his lifespan by a hundred years.

With this thought, Jia Xing Tian decided to act immediately.

He said to Mu Tie, "You have rendered a great service this time. You may go to the Merit Office and claim a top-tier reward. I must handle some matters first. After receiving your reward, do not forget to return to Town Ghost Pass quickly. If the Grand Commander is absent when the enemy army suddenly attacks, it will be disastrous."

As his words fell, Jia Xing Tian spread a pair of earthy yellow Dou Qi Wings and flew rapidly toward the Imperial Palace.

Watching Jia Xing Tian depart, Mu Tie could not help sighing in relief. This matter is finally settled. My days of travel were not in vain. The letter sent to the Xiao Family should arrive soon as well. I need to explain things to the family head first. Once the Xiao Family moves to the Imperial Capital, we must establish good relations with them immediately.

After flying for some time, Jia Xing Tian arrived deep within the Imperial Palace, beside an ancient-looking training ground.

He looked toward a woman on the platform, where she was swinging a long spear with heroic grace.

This woman was Yao Ye, the current Princess Royal of the Jia Ma Empire.

Seeing Jia Xing Tian appear beside the training ground, Yao Ye stopped practicing her Dou Technique and walked over to him. She asked curiously, "Great Grandfather, why have you come to see Ye'er today? Is something the matter?"

Jia Xing Tian did not answer immediately. Instead, he led Yao Ye to a nearby pavilion.

After brewing two cups of tea, he passed one to Yao Ye. He then lifted the other cup, took a sip, and said, "The genius who once became famous throughout the Jia Ma Empire, Xiao Ling of the Xiao Family in Wutan City, has returned after studying at Jia Nan Academy. He is now a Dou Wang expert and a Sixth-grade Alchemist. Based on my estimation, his pill-refining ability has already surpassed Gu He's. I have come to assign you a task concerning him."

After hearing Jia Xing Tian's account, Yao Ye found it hard to believe. Xiao Ling was still so young, yet his cultivation was several major realms above hers. He was even a Sixth-grade Alchemist. According to her Great Grandfather, his attainments in pill refinement might even surpass Gu He, the Guest Elder of the Misty Cloud Sect.

Still, having received an exceptional education since childhood, Yao Ye quickly accepted the fact. Since her Great Grandfather had personally confirmed it, the information had to be true. She asked curiously, "Does the matter you wish Ye'er to handle concern Xiao Ling?"

Jia Xing Tian nodded slightly and told Yao Ye everything Mu Tie had reported to him.

After Yao Ye had digested the information, Jia Xing Tian said, "Go prepare three sets of ingredients for refining the Sect Breaking Pill. If any ingredients are lacking, exchange with the major factions in the Imperial Capital. You must have everything ready before Xiao Ling arrives in the Imperial Capital!"

Hearing Jia Xing Tian's instructions, Yao Yue nodded and answered, "Do not worry, Great Grandfather. I will take care of the medicinal ingredients."