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

Seeing Zi Yan looking somewhat upset, Xiao Ling laughed. "They're just medicinal ingredients. Once I return to the Xiao Family, plenty of people will definitely deliver them right to our doorstep."

"Really? But why would they take the initiative to bring us medicinal ingredients?" Zi Yan's eyes lit up as she asked curiously.

"Xiao Ling is a Sixth-grade Alchemist. Unlike Gu He, the Guest Elder of the Misty Cloud Sect, he has no established allegiance. Since this is his first time arriving at the Imperial Capital, the higher-ups of those factions will certainly want to build a good relationship with him. The most suitable congratulatory gift for an Alchemist is naturally precious medicinal ingredients. If they wish to ask Xiao Ling to refine pills, they will naturally need to prepare enough ingredients and compensation worthy of his status. Altogether, that would not be a small sum." Xiao Yi Xian, standing behind them, explained it to Zi Yan.

After spending several days together, Xiao Yi Xian had also become familiar with Xiao Ling and the other three. Through his experiences in the Black Corner Region and his knowledge of the original story, Xiao Ling told Xiao Yi Xian many things she had never heard before. During those days of learning, Xiao Yi Xian had gained a much better understanding of the world beyond Qingshan Town.

After listening to Xiao Yi Xian's explanation, Zi Yan's eyes grew brighter and brighter. She was already imagining herself lying in a pile of medicinal ingredients, stuffing all kinds of tasty herbs into her mouth without pause.

As he looked at the Jia Ma Imperial Capital drawing ever closer, Xiao Ling released the Soul Power from between his brows. After probing the area, he discovered the Xiao Family residence, which had only recently moved to the Imperial Capital, near its central district.

Rubbing his chin, Xiao Ling pondered silently, I'll probably rarely return to the Xiao Family in the future. Since this is my first arrival at the Imperial Capital, I need to show off some of my strength first and intimidate the various factions here. That way, after I leave the Xiao Family, those arrogant fools won't think the Xiao Family is easy to bully.

With a thought from Xiao Ling, the Void Dragon beneath him began to transform. It was clearly the Mega Evolution that Xiao Ling rarely used in front of outsiders.

The central district of Jia Ma Holy City was filled with numerous powerful residences. At its very heart stood a resplendent golden palace—the residence of the Jia Ma Royal Family, the strongest faction in the Jia Ma Empire on the surface.

Around it stood the Alchemist Guild, the Nalan Family, the Mu Family, the headquarters of the Mitel Auction House, and other such establishments. Without a Dou Wang-level expert in one's family, it was simply impossible to establish a residence here. This showed just how valuable the central district of the Holy City was.

Just then, the clear blue sky abruptly changed as wind and clouds gathered. A domineering aura spread recklessly in all directions.

The bustling central district of the Jia Ma Imperial Capital instantly became restless at the emergence of that aura.

As the aura spread, powerhouses from every faction within the Jia Ma Imperial Capital sensed it.

In the span of a few breaths, several elderly men with Dou Qi Wings on their backs appeared together in the skies above the city center.

"What exactly is this newcomer, to arrive with such an imposing presence?" Jia Xing Tian stroked his beard and muttered quietly.

He was the strongest among them, as well as the first to arrive.

Hai Bodong narrowed his eyes as he watched the scene in the sky. "Why does this aura feel strangely familiar?"

"If the newcomer means harm and a fight breaks out, we Alchemists are not skilled in such matters." The speaker had an Alchemy Furnace atop his head and a pair of small Dou Qi Wings spread behind him. He was Fama, president of the Jia Ma Empire's Alchemist Guild.

Behind the three were Mu Zhan, Clan Leader of the Mu Family, and Nalan Jie, the former Clan Leader of the Nalan Family. Both were Dou Wangs. How they would proceed depended on the plans of the three Dou Emperors before them.

As they considered the matter, a black dragon head broke through the clouds and extended halfway out. It raised its head and let out a piercing roar. Golden ribbon-like appendages extended from the upper and lower jaws on either side of its head, fluttering in the wind with awe-inspiring majesty.

Immediately afterward, the Magical Beast's body emerged completely from the clouds. Its body was long and slender, its hide like black gemstones. Red ring-shaped markings covered its back and shoulders, while three sharp claws on each of its limbs gleamed with chilling light.

Its ruby-like eyes calmly swept over the five elderly men before it as though they did not exist, without the slightest emotional fluctuation.

Feeling the aura emitted by the black Magical Beast, Jia Xing Tian frowned. In his perception, this Magical Beast's presence was not much weaker than his own. It should be a Sixth Rank Peak Magical Beast, yet it gave him an acute sense of danger. If they fought, his chances of victory would be extremely low.

A Magical Beast with such profound cultivation should understand human speech. It would be better to first ask about its purpose rather than make an enemy of it.

Just as Jia Xing Tian was preparing to speak, a voice broke the silence.

"Master Xiao Ling, I didn't expect you to reach the Jia Ma Imperial Capital so quickly. I thought you would need more time to settle matters in the Tagor Desert." Hai Bodong flapped his ice-blue Dou Qi Wings and flew toward the Void Dragon.

The moment the Void Dragon appeared, Hai Bodong sensed the four figures atop it. He was very familiar with three of their auras: Master Xiao Ling, who had refined his Po E Dan, as well as the two little girls Xiao Ling kept by his side. Though he did not know why there was another young girl now, that had nothing to do with him.

Hearing this, the other four elderly men also turned their gazes toward the Void Dragon's head. Four figures stood there, and the young man in the center made them suddenly understand.

They had naturally seen Xiao Ling's portrait before. They simply had not expected that this genius youth, renowned throughout Jia Ma, had tamed such an unknown Sixth Rank Magical Beast.

"Elder Hai, it has been a long time. Seeing how energetic you are, it seems you've recovered quite well." Xiao Ling, standing atop the Void Dragon's head, spoke calmly.

"Haha, the pill refined by Master Xiao Ling naturally had extraordinary effects." Hai Bodong laughed heartily, then pointed toward the elderly men behind him. "The one wearing glasses is Jia Xing Tian, protector of the Jia Ma Royal Family. The one with the Alchemy Furnace atop his head is Master Fama, president of the Alchemist Guild. That is Mu Zhan, Clan Leader of the Mu Family, and that is Nalan Jie, former Clan Leader of the Nalan Family..."

Once Hai Bodong had introduced them all, Xiao Ling came to recognize the people before him. They were all influential figures within the Imperial Capital.

Xiao Ling exchanged a few pleasantries with the old men before preparing to leave for the Xiao Family.

Just as Xiao Ling was about to depart, Jia Xing Tian put on a broad smile and said, "Master Xiao Ling, when do you think we can proceed with the matter of refining the pill we discussed before?"

Hearing Jia Xing Tian's question, Xiao Ling suddenly remembered. He had nearly forgotten about it.

Xiao Ling nodded slightly and smiled at Jia Xing Tian. "Let me return to my family first. Send three portions of medicinal ingredients over tomorrow, and I can begin refining it for you."

"Very well. Master Xiao Ling has been away cultivating since childhood, so you must miss your family dearly. I will not disturb you further. Tomorrow, I will send someone to deliver the ingredients to your residence." Jia Xing Tian smiled as he stroked his beard.

At that, Xiao Ling nodded to Jia Xing Tian and bid Hai Bodong farewell before riding the Void Dragon toward the Xiao Family residence.

After Xiao Ling left, Fama looked at Jia Xing Tian curiously. "Old Jia, what kind of pill did you ask Master Xiao Ling to refine?"

Jia Xing Tian merely smiled mysteriously without answering Fama's question. He flapped his Dou Qi Wings and returned to the imperial city.

"If I'm not mistaken, it should be a Sect Breaking Pill." Stroking his beard, Hai Bodong spoke calmly.

At the words "Sect Breaking Pill," Mu Zhan showed no reaction at all. Mu Tie had already mentioned the matter to him.

Nalan Jie and Fama's pupils contracted. The Sect Breaking Pill was a Sixth-Grade Peak Pill that could increase the chances of a Dou Emperor Peak expert breaking through to Dou Zong. They had not expected Xiao Ling's Alchemy Art to be so formidable.

"To tame a Heavenly Flame at such a young age, he truly is no ordinary person. If he were willing to join the Alchemist Guild, I would step down from my position as president without hesitation." Fama sighed as he stroked his beard.

Meanwhile, upon hearing the words Heavenly Flames, Nalan Jie felt hope rise within his heart. Since Xiao Ling has tamed a Heavenly Flame, he should be able to cure the Branded Poison in my body. Considering the marriage contract between the Nalan Family and the Xiao Family, Master Xiao Ling should not refuse my request. Still, I need to prepare suitable compensation. I'll visit him in a few days and ask him then.

After chatting for a while longer, the elderly men returned to their respective factions. News of Xiao Ling's arrival in the Holy City quickly spread throughout the Imperial Capital.

Not long afterward, Xiao Ling returned to the Xiao Family. Upon receiving the news, the family's elders were overjoyed.

After several days of flying, Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin both felt somewhat tired. Xiao Ling first arranged accommodations for the two of them within his own courtyard, then took Zi Yan to the Xiao Family Council Hall.

The Council Hall was filled with elders of the Xiao Family whose cultivation had reached Da Dou Shi.

Xiao Zhan sat in the Clan Leader's seat, while Xiao Ling sat directly across from him. Zi Yan did not want to sit beside a group of old men, so she sat on Xiao Ling's lap.

"Haha, Xiao Ling, you've finally returned to the family. We waited and waited, and at last, you've come back." Xiao Zhan looked at Xiao Ling with a face full of smiles.

"I finished handling matters outside, so naturally I had to return to the Xiao Family first. I'm also happy to see the Xiao Family getting better and better." Xiao Ling nodded with a faint smile.

The First Elder seated nearby spoke at this moment. "The Xiao Family owes its current position to your help. Otherwise, we would still be in Wutan City. How could we possibly have returned to the Imperial Capital?"

Xiao Ling shook his head and waved a hand. "I am also a member of the Xiao Family. This is what I should do. The Clan Leader and all the elders have also put in considerable effort to manage the Xiao Family so well."

Taking out a Ring, Xiao Ling placed it on the table. He glanced around at the elders before speaking to Xiao Zhan. "There are some Cultivation Techniques and Combat Skills I acquired inside. They can be used to fill the Dou Qi Pavilion."

He then took several Porcelain Bottles from the Ring and placed them before himself. "These contain five fifth-grade Spirit Breaking Pills I refined. They can increase the chance of a Da Dou Shi Peak expert breaking through to Dou Ling by fifty percent. Although the family has returned to the Imperial Capital, our own strength is still too weak. This cannot continue for long."

After hearing Xiao Ling's words, the elders all felt somewhat ashamed. They had always been receiving Xiao Ling's gifts—Cultivation Techniques and Combat Skills, cultivation resources, all of which Xiao Ling had sent back to the Xiao Family from Jia Nan Academy for them to use.

Aside from sharing blood ties with Xiao Ling and taking care of him somewhat when he was young, they had never done much to help him.

At that moment, Xiao Zhan stood and bowed to Xiao Ling. "Xiao Ling, you have contributed so much to the Xiao Family, yet the Xiao Family has no way to repay you. If you wish to become the Clan Leader of the Xiao Family, I, Xiao Zhan, would have no complaints. I would immediately pass the position on to you."

Seeing this, Xiao Ling hurriedly waved his hand and sent out a stream of Dou Qi to help Xiao Zhan up. "Clan Leader, I am still young and cannot remain in the Xiao Family often. I am not someone who enjoys handling affairs either. You should continue serving as Clan Leader."

Hearing Xiao Ling's refusal, Xiao Zhan thought for a moment. Then he reached toward his neck, removed a Jade Pendant, and walked before Xiao Ling. "Xiao Ling, since you do not wish to become the Clan Leader of the Xiao Family, I will not force you. This Jade Pendant has been passed down through the Xiao Family since our ancestors. Though I do not know its origins, it must be extraordinary to have been passed down for so long. Your talent is exceptional, and your future is limitless. Perhaps you will one day unravel its secrets."

Looking at the Jade Pendant Xiao Zhan held out before him, Xiao Ling hesitated briefly before taking it into his hand. "Since this is the Clan Leader's kindness, I will accept it."

Seeing Xiao Ling accept the Jade Pendant, Xiao Zhan smiled as well. If this Jade Pendant could help Xiao Ling someday, it would count as a form of repayment from the Xiao Family.

After chatting with the elders for a while longer, Xiao Ling took Zi Yan back to the courtyard the Xiao Family had built especially for him.

The courtyard was quite spacious and had every facility one could need. The residence was even larger than the four-person dormitory he had in Jia Nan Academy. As Xiao Ling walked through the Xiao Family grounds, his was the only courtyard so luxurious.

"Xiao Ling, is there something wrong with that Jade Pendant?" Zi Yan looked at Xiao Ling, her eyes full of confusion.

Others might not have noticed, but Zi Yan had spent five years with Xiao Ling. The instant Xiao Ling saw that Jade Pendant, she noticed a change in his expression.

Xiao Ling stroked Zi Yan's silky purple hair and laughed softly. "As expected, I can't hide it from you, you clever little thing."

He spread open his palm, revealing the Tou She Ancient God Jade resting quietly upon it. Xiao Ling stared solemnly at the ancient jade and said in a deep voice, "This is both the most precious treasure on the Dou Qi Continent and the most dangerous thing upon it."

Gather all eight pieces of the Tou She Ancient God Jade, and one could open Tou She Ancient God's Cave Mansion and achieve the realm of Dou Emperor.

In the original story, the Xiao Family was massacred because of it. The Stone Clan, Yao Clan, and Spirit Clan were all completely refined by Nihility Devouring Flame because they possessed the Tou She Ancient God Jade.

Even Zi Yan's father, Dragon Emperor Zhu Kun of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan, had coveted the Ancient Emperor's Cave Mansion and been schemed against by Tou She Ancient God. He had been trapped within the Ancient Emperor's Cave Mansion for thousands of years. If not for the Soul Clan's thousand-year plan to gather all eight pieces of the Tou She Ancient God Jade, he likely would have found it difficult to escape. Otherwise, he could only remain trapped before the Ancient Emperor's Cave Mansion for life, guarding the cave mansion for Tou She Ancient God.

"Why do you say that? How can it be precious and dangerous at the same time?" Zi Yan looked at Xiao Ling, her curiosity growing.

Xiao Ling placed the Tou She Ancient God Jade back into the System Space and spoke calmly. "You'll understand what I mean in the future."

Hearing Xiao Ling's explanation, Zi Yan scratched her head. "I'll understand in the future? What does that mean? Xiao Ling, you can't just say half of what you want to say."

In the Xiao Family's rear courtyard, within Xiao Yan's small courtyard.

Xiao Yan sat in a chair before his desk, carefully reading the book in his hands.

The book was titled Compendium of Pharmacology. It was a gift Princess Yao Yue had given Xiao Yan earlier.

Since Xiao Yan had no friends within the Xiao Family, and Yao Yue had come to the Xiao Family alone without any acquaintances, the two became friends over those few days. Once they grew familiar with each other, Yao Yue also learned more about Xiao Yan.

During their journey to the Imperial Capital, they happened to discuss Alchemists. When Yao Yue learned that Xiao Yan's Dou Qi attribute was fire mixed with a trace of Wood Attribute, giving him the talent to become an Alchemist, she gave him this copy of Compendium of Pharmacology.

Yao Yue's exact words at the time had been, "Since you currently cannot cultivate Dou Qi, you should first learn some knowledge about Alchemy Art. Once your talent recovers, perhaps you can become an Alchemist."

Xiao Yan also had thoughts of becoming an Alchemist. Leaving aside anything else, it was precisely because his family had produced a Sixth-grade Alchemist like Xiao Ling that it had risen so rapidly.

Now that Xiao Yan could not cultivate Dou Qi either, and there were no computers or mobile phones from his previous life on the Dou Qi Continent, he had nothing better to do. He might as well spend some time learning the basics of Alchemy Art. Perhaps after his talent recovered, he truly could become a respected Alchemist, just as Yao Yue had said.