Battle Through the Heavens: Obtaining the Extraction System at the Start — Part 32

Thank you all for your support, and thank you to the editor for your care. This book would be going premium tonight at eight o'clock.

There would be five chapters released at once, totaling ten thousand words. From then on, updates would be no fewer than six thousand words a day.

This was my first time writing a book, so my writing was fairly ordinary.

There were many things I had done wrong. Feel free to point them out, and I would humbly accept them.

I hoped everyone would continue to support me. My deepest thanks! ^O^

After thinking of his own father, Xiao Zhan could not help thinking of his son, Xiao Yan. Although his son's talent had failed him, as long as Xiao Ling made a move, he would surely be able to cure this strange ailment.

Xiao Ling had written in his letter that once he met Xiao Yan, he would personally examine Xiao Yan's condition and resolve the issue with his talent.

In Xiao Zhan's eyes, a Sixth-grade Alchemist was capable of anything. As long as Xiao Ling examined him personally, there was no way he would fail to uncover Xiao Yan's problem.

Thus, in Xiao Zhan's heart, it was only a matter of time before Xiao Yan regained his talent. He had never once considered that Xiao Ling might fail to see what was wrong with him.

Thinking of this, Xiao Zhan planned to settle the matters before him quickly, then go tell his youngest son the good news.

He gestured to the crowd and said, "That is all I needed to explain. Go back and pack your belongings."

After hearing Xiao Zhan's orders, everyone left the Council Hall and headed toward their own courtyards.

They had to pack their things quickly. They would be living in the Imperial Capital from now on, and some clansmen who had grown up in Wutan City had never even visited the legendary Imperial Capital.

Once most of the clan members had left, Xiao Zhan said to the three elders beside him, "Three Elders, I'll leave the matter of selling the Xiao Family's shops to you. I have some personal business to attend to, so I won't stay any longer."

After receiving affirmative replies from the three elders, Xiao Zhan walked over to Xiao Yan, patted his shoulder, and said happily, "Yan'er, come with me. I have some good news to tell you."

Xiao Yan had just been about to leave when Xiao Zhan stopped him. Hearing that there was good news for him, his curiosity was piqued.

Before long, the two arrived at Xiao Zhan's small courtyard. Along the way, Xiao Yan kept wondering what the good news could be. Though he felt it might have something to do with recovering his talent, he did not dare let himself think in that direction. If he began to hope, only to be disappointed in the end, it would hurt even more.

Once they were seated across from each other, Xiao Zhan smiled gently at Xiao Yan. He did not intend to keep him guessing and said directly, "Yan'er, do you still remember your cousin Xiao Ling?"

When his father mentioned Xiao Ling, Xiao Yan's heart skipped a beat, further strengthening the speculation in his heart.

After thinking for a moment, he replied, "Cousin Xiao Ling and I weren't especially close. Back when he was still in the family, we sparred a few times. When I was little, I had some prejudices against him. Only after I grew up did I realize that he was quite a sincere person."

Xiao Zhan nodded and continued, "Actually, Xiao Ling has always cared about you. That prescription meant for Master Mitchell wasn't something I asked him for. After learning about your situation, he sent it over on his own initiative."

Xiao Yan was somewhat surprised to hear this hidden detail. Even he himself had thought that his father had either privately used the resources Xiao Ling sent back to treat him or written to Xiao Ling to ask for them.

After all, he and Xiao Ling were not close. Even if Xiao Ling had learned that his talent had vanished, he probably would not have cared much.

Seeing Xiao Yan's astonished expression, Xiao Zhan smiled and decided not to keep him in suspense any longer. "In fact, Xiao Ling also mentioned you in his letter. Once we move back to the Imperial Capital and Xiao Ling finishes the matters at hand and returns to the Xiao Family, he will personally examine you. He also told me that he already has a rough understanding of your situation. If nothing unexpected happens, he can help resolve the issue with your cultivation talent."

At those words, Xiao Yan nearly jumped to his feet. The excitement on his face was impossible to conceal. His fists clenched so tightly that the flesh turned white. Even when his nails dug into his palms, he did not notice in the slightest.

Xiao Zhan fully understood upon seeing this. Going from a genius to a cripple was not something an ordinary person could bear. The fact that Xiao Yan had not given up on himself and still cultivated diligently every day was already something most people could not manage.

Inside the Bone Flame Ring, after hearing the father and son's conversation, Yao Chen stroked his somewhat translucent beard and muttered to himself in a voice only he could hear, "That brat called Xiao Ling is truly shamelessly boastful. He dares make such claims without even examining him first. With this old man's methods and the special nature of the Bone Flame Ring, no one without a Spirit Realm soul could detect even the slightest trace of me. Still, I'm becoming rather eager to meet that brat."

In Yao Chen's view, in a remote place like the Northwest Continent, it was impossible for a fifteen-year-old to possess a Spirit Realm soul. Without peerless talent or heaven-defying fortune, such qualifications could only appear in the top geniuses of those ancient clans.

Thinking of Xiao Ling returning home to examine Xiao Yan, Yao Chen began making plans.

After some time, once Xiao Ling had examined Xiao Yan, if Xiao Ling still could not help Xiao Yan regain his talent, Yao Chen would reveal himself and take Xiao Yan as his disciple. Not only could he use Xiao Ling's reputation to elevate his own image in Xiao Yan's eyes, he could also make his presence known when Xiao Yan was at his lowest. At that point, he could make up some excuse about having just awakened, ensuring Xiao Yan's first impression of him would not be too poor.

After all, Xiao Yan had been his original target. Unless there was an enormous difference between them, Yao Chen did not intend to give up on Xiao Yan. But if Xiao Ling's talent reached a certain standard, Yao Chen would not be unable to abandon Xiao Yan and follow someone else instead.

At the end of the day, Yao Chen had not even exchanged a single word with Xiao Yan yet. Though they might become exemplary master and disciple willing to sacrifice themselves for each other in the future, they had not gone through those experiences now, much less developed any feelings.

Moreover, Yao Chen's primary goal now was to find someone to cultivate the Fen Jue and refine the most perfect body for him. Finding someone capable to follow also aligned with his own intentions.

Rather than Xiao Ling examining Xiao Yan's body, Yao Chen saw this as more of a test for Xiao Ling.

After calming down from his excitement, Xiao Yan finally felt the faint warmth coming from his palms. Still, he could not be bothered with that now.

Xiao Yan asked impatiently, "Father, when are we leaving for the Imperial Capital?"

Xiao Zhan walked up to Xiao Yan, patted his shoulder, and said with a smile, "There's no need to rush. You've already waited two and a half years. What are a few more days? Just pack the things you need to take. Don't cultivate for the next few days either. Relax and take a walk around Wutan City. This is the place where you grew up, and unless something comes up, we probably won't return here again."

Hearing Xiao Zhan say this, the impatience in Xiao Yan's heart gradually subsided, and his clenched fists loosened.

A few more days would make no difference. It would be better to adjust his mindset first. The past two and a half years had been far too stifling.

Xiao Yan bowed to Xiao Zhan and said, "All right, Father. Then I'll go pack my things first."

After saying that, he hurried away. He had been too excited to notice earlier, but now Xiao Yan finally felt the pain in his palms. With his current shallow cultivation, he was still unable to ignore such injuries.

Watching Xiao Yan's departing back, Xiao Zhan felt deeply gratified. He murmured softly, "Even after two and a half years at rock bottom, I believe you can still become a strong man. My, Xiao Zhan's, son has never been trash."

Night fell, and the sky was dotted with diamond-like stars. A crescent moon brushed against the Milky Way, scattering faint light across the earth and adding a touch of mystery and romance to the silent night.

Thanks to Void Dragon's pitch-black scales, it was difficult for people on the ground to spot its figure even when they looked up at the sky. After flying continuously for an entire day, Xiao Ling and the others had reached the outskirts of the Tagor Desert.

Atop Void Dragon's head, Xiao Ling's hand seals changed continuously as he controlled the flames within the Medicine Cauldron before him, nurturing the embryonic pill inside.

What he was refining was the Fifth-grade Pill, the Dou Ling Pill. To avoid wasting time, Xiao Ling had refined all the medicinal ingredients he had received from Yue Mei into pills during the flight. He had already finished one Dou Ling Pill, and the embryonic pill before him was being refined from the final batch of ingredients.

Once the pill fully formed and released a ripple of energy, Xiao Ling casually dispersed it and placed the pill into a Porcelain Bottle he had prepared beforehand. With a flash of white light, it vanished into his Ring.

Zi Yan, who had been sitting nearby with her chin propped on her hand as she watched, rubbed her eyes and yawned. "Xiao Ling, I ate a bit too many medicinal ingredients today. I need to rest for a while."

Seeing her like this, Xiao Ling said helplessly, "Who told you to eat so many pills today? Those were supposed to last you a week, yet you swallowed them all in one day."

Hearing Xiao Ling's words, Zi Yan scratched her head and looked away, saying guiltily, "There was nothing to do sitting on Void Dragon's back all day. There aren't even many decent medicinal ingredients in this desert. I was bored, so I ate all those pills."

Xiao Ling sighed, but he could understand. Zi Yan was not an ordinary cultivator. She did not raise her cultivation through training, but simply by eating medicinal ingredients. Zi Yan, who had never seriously cultivated much in the first place, could not focus on cultivation even when she had nothing to do. All she could do was eat the pills in her hand.

Xiao Ling picked up a map and studied the route marked upon it. After locating their current position, he discovered that Stone Desert City was not far away. Seeing this, he made a plan.

He rubbed Zi Yan's head and said, "Once we reach Stone Desert City, I'll arrange a place for you to get some proper rest."

Feeling his hand stroking her head, Zi Yan nodded and replied, "Then hurry up. I'm really sleepy."

The moment she finished speaking, Zi Yan felt her entire body go limp and fell into Xiao Ling's arms.

Seeing this, Xiao Ling held her in his embrace. Looking at the Purple Energy radiating from around her body, he said helplessly, "We'll be at our destination in a few minutes. Stay awake a little longer. Remember this lesson—next time, you can't eat so many medicinal ingredients at once."

Lying in Xiao Ling's arms, Zi Yan replied drowsily, "Got it, got it. I definitely won't eat so much at once next time."

After signaling Void Dragon to accelerate, Xiao Ling steadied Zi Yan's body and turned his gaze toward Stone Desert City.

After several minutes of flight, the outline of a massive city located on the eastern outskirts of the Tagor Desert gradually appeared in Xiao Ling's sight.

Looking at Stone Desert City in the distance, Xiao Ling let out a breath of relief. Fortunately, Zi Yan had not completely fallen asleep yet. She was merely sleepy, so she should still be able to walk a few steps.

If he entered the city carrying an unconscious little girl and someone misunderstood, then spread the news around, people might think that he, Xiao, had a taste for little girls.

They landed several hundred meters from Stone Desert City and put away Void Dragon. Xiao Ling took Zi Yan's hand and entered Stone Desert City.

Compared with the cities inside the Empire, cities in the desert possessed a greater sense of simplicity and solidity. Perhaps because it was close to the Tagor Desert, the defenses here were far more stringent than those within the Empire. Fully armed soldiers could be seen patrolling everywhere throughout the city.

His Soul Perception spread outward, and the entirety of Stone Desert City appeared in Xiao Ling's mind like a flat map. In a courtyard in the southern part of the city, he discovered an aura from the Snake People Race that felt familiar to him.

Having found his destination, Xiao Ling took Zi Yan's hand and headed south. After turning through several streets, a courtyard nearly comparable in size to the Xiao Family estate in Wutan City entered his view.

Above the courtyard, a flag fluttered in the wind. The words Desert Iron Mercenary Group were emblazoned upon it, faintly exuding an aura of blood and iron.

This was the mercenary group established by Xiao Yan's two brothers in the original story. Xiao Ling planned to let Zi Yan rest here for a while, while also taking Qing Lin away, who was currently serving here as a Maid.

Outside the compound, several burly men stood upright with weapons in hand. Their sharp gazes swept back and forth over the pedestrians passing outside the gates. Judging by the faint scent of blood emanating from their bodies, they were true iron-blooded men who had fought their way through life and death, not rookies who thought themselves Mercenaries simply because they wore weapons at their waists.

As Xiao Ling and Zi Yan approached the Desert Iron Mercenary Group, the leading brawny man noticed the movement and turned his gaze toward them. Seeing that Xiao Ling and Zi Yan were both rather refined in appearance, he assumed they were some young master and young lady who had come to hire Mercenaries.

He stepped forward to block their path and said, "Young Master, it is already late. The brothers in the mercenary group have all gone to rest. If you wish to hire Mercenaries, come back tomorrow to discuss it."

Xiao Ling shook his head, then handed the man a token with the characters Xiao Ling on one side and Xiao Family on the other. He explained, "Your mercenary group's leaders are Xiao Li and Xiao Ding, correct? My name is Xiao Ling, and I come from the Xiao Family of Wutan City. I suppose I could be considered their cousin. I'm passing through Stone Desert City this time, and my companion is feeling unwell. Since my two cousins have a place here, I planned to stay for a while and catch up with them. I'll first accompany my companion to rest, then I'll go meet my two cousins."

After hearing Xiao Ling's explanation, the brawny man understood his purpose. Although he did not know whether the two leaders truly came from the Xiao Family of Wutan City, this youth had produced a family token and did not seem to be lying.

After returning the token to Xiao Ling, the leading brawny man arranged for another man to lead Xiao Ling and Zi Yan toward the lodging area. He himself headed toward the leaders' residence, intending to report the matter.

Xiao Ling put the token into his Ring, took Zi Yan's small hand, and followed the man through the compound. Before long, they arrived at the mercenary group's residential area.

Xiao Ling took out a Second-grade Pill from his Ring and handed it to the man. "I'll get my companion settled first. Wait here for a while, then take me to meet your leaders."

The man accepted the pill and tucked it into his pocket. His expression became more respectful as he nodded at Xiao Ling to show that he understood.

After finding a room with no one nearby, Xiao Ling led the sleepy Zi Yan inside.

The moment Zi Yan entered the room, she swayed her way into the bedroom.

"Xiao Ling, good night..." Zi Yan mumbled drowsily. Then she walked over to the bed, lay down directly, and fell asleep.

Xiao Ling followed her into the room. Seeing that Zi Yan was already asleep, he walked over, spread out the blanket on the bed, and covered her with it.

He briefly looked around the room. Though it was not particularly luxurious, it had been cleaned quite thoroughly and gave off a fairly pleasant feeling.

Now that Zi Yan had begun resting, Xiao Ling planned to go meet his two cousins.