Dou Ling Pill

Enforcement Team Council Hall.

Wu Tianlang sat cross-legged, the air suffused with a faint scent of blood and medicine.

"Old Man, now that you're back, you need to recover properly. Don't personally chase after those rats from Earthflame Gate for the time being."

Qin Han frowned.

Wu Tianlang slowly opened his eyes. His gaze remained sharp as a blade, though deep within it lay an exhaustion that could not be concealed.

He waved a hand dismissively. "It's nothing. Those sneaky bastards can't do anything to me."

Then he sighed softly. "Besides... I've been stuck at the peak of Dou Wang for far too long."

He rose to his feet, took the tea Qin Han had poured for him, and took a sip. "Last time at the Fallen Fire Sect, I forcibly took a palm strike from that monster. Though I was severely injured, the impact of that genuine Dou Zong power actually allowed me to vaguely touch that barrier."

He tugged at the corner of his mouth in self-mockery. "At my age, my Qi and Blood are beginning to decline after reaching their peak. If I still can't break through to Dou Emperor, then... I likely won't have many years left.

"These past six months, hunting Earthflame Gate outside was both for revenge and to force myself onward—to seek that sliver of opportunity for a breakthrough amid life-and-death battles."

Qin Han's heart jolted.

He had never heard Wu Tianlang speak in such a blunt, even somewhat desolate tone.

"You're in the prime of life. Your limit is still far away. Focus on recovering first; there will always be chances to break through."

As he spoke, he took two smooth jade bottles from his Storage Ring.

"The white one contains Jade Marrow Regeneration Pills. They work wonders on hidden internal injuries and damaged Meridians—exactly what you need right now. You should recognize what's in the other bottle."

Wu Tianlang's gaze fell upon the jade bottles, lingering especially on the second one. A glimmer flashed through his eyes.

Dou Ling Pill.

When consumed by a Dou Wang expert, it could directly raise one star. It was something countless peak Dou Wang experts dreamed of obtaining.

He reached out and picked up only the milky-white jade bottle, then pushed the Dou Ling Pill back. "I'll take the Healing Pills. As for this Dou Ling Pill... keep it for yourself.

"This thing is practically useless when it comes to breaking through the Dou Wang Barrier. You're still young and exceptionally talented. You'll have use for it in the future."

Qin Han did not move, merely looking at Wu Tianlang. "Even if it only increases the odds by one percent, it's worth trying."

He patted the Storage Ring on his hand. "Don't worry. This came from Yun Qianhang's Storage Ring. I'm not short one pill."

He paused, a teasing smile curling across his lips. "Besides, I don't exactly have few enemies in the Black Corner Region now.

"If you break through to Dou Emperor sooner, I'll at least have a more reliable mountain at my back."

His words were half joke, half sincerity.

Wu Tianlang stared steadily at him. He looked at this boy whom he had personally watched grow from an Outer Academy youngster in need of his protection into an Inner Academy prodigy capable of standing on his own—and even helping him in return. Ripples inevitably spread across the lake of his cold, hardened heart.

After a long while, he suddenly burst into hearty laughter. The laughter tugged at his injuries and made him cough several times, yet much of the gloom on his face dispersed.

He no longer refused. Stretching out a large hand, he firmly seized the jade bottle containing the Dou Ling Pill.

"Good! I'll accept this gesture from you, brat! I'll try to build this mountain nice and solid for you as soon as possible!"

Seeing him accept it, Qin Han smiled as well.

Just then, a respectful report came from outside the door. "Elder, Chief, people from the Xiao Clan have arrived. They're in a great hurry."

Qin Han nodded to Wu Tianlang and walked out.

The moment he left the stone house, he saw two men and a woman hurrying across the Training Ground toward him.

The leading young woman was tall and slender. Her straight, long jade-like legs were especially eye-catching beneath her tight trousers. Her steps were brisk and vigorous, carrying a heroic air. It was Xiao Yu.

Her face was full of anxiety. Though she usually maintained the bearing of an elegant older sister outside, she could not hide her concern now.

Xiao Ning followed at her side. His features were delicate, and his brows were tightly furrowed as well.

On the other side was Xiao Mei. Her youthful figure had already grown graceful, and her pure face carried a natural charm. Her eyes were slightly red, showing that she too was frantic with worry.

The moment the three saw Qin Han emerge from the stone house, they immediately rushed over.

"Qin Senior!"

Xiao Yu's voice trembled. "We heard that Brother Xiao Li came to Jia Nan Academy? Where... where is he? Are his injuries serious?"

Qin Han understood their feelings and pointed toward the western side of the compound. "He's at the infirmary. He's already been settled in."

Before he had even finished speaking, the three hurriedly thanked him and sprinted toward the infirmary.

After considering it, Qin Han followed after them.

Inside the infirmary, Xiao Li lay on a clean bed. His face was still pale as paper, but his breathing had become much steadier. A senior alchemist from the Outer Academy was packing up his things nearby.

Xiao Yu and the other two rushed to the bedside. Seeing Xiao Li unconscious and wrapped in bandages, they were filled with worry.

They had already learned from letters sent by the clan that the Xiao Clan and the Misty Cloud Sect had become mortal enemies, forcing the entire clan to relocate to Mocheng.

Yet Xiao Li, who should have been protecting the Xiao Clan, had appeared severely injured in the Black Corner Region. It could only mean that something else had happened to the Xiao Clan.

Standing at the doorway, Qin Han said to Xiao Yu and the others, "Don't worry. The alchemist has already examined him. His injuries are serious, and he was poisoned by a mixture of toxins, but his condition has stabilized. His life isn't in danger. He just needs time to rest and purge the poison."

Only then did the three relax slightly, though they still remained closely by the bed.

Before long, several hurried sets of footsteps came from outside.

Qin Han turned around and saw several familiar faces.

At the front was a young man in black robes with black hair. His features were handsome, but his face was marked by travel-weariness, and his eyes were bloodshot. It was Xiao Yan, who had rushed over from the Inner Academy the moment he received the news.

Xuner, Hu Jia, Wu Hao, and the others followed behind him.

Xiao Yan spotted Qin Han by the door at once, as well as Xiao Li lying on the bed inside.

His pace suddenly quickened. He rushed forward, cupped his fists heavily toward Qin Han, and said in a hoarse, urgent voice, "Qin Senior! I can never repay this great kindness. Let me first..."

Qin Han waved his hand understandingly and stepped aside to clear the way. "No need for courtesy. We can talk later."

Xiao Yan gave him a grateful look and said no more.

Xuner gave Qin Han a slight nod in greeting before following them inside.

Seeing the reunion within, Qin Han did not go in to disturb them.

He returned to Wu Tianlang's stone house and spoke to him once more.

"The Strong Ranking Competition is about to begin, so I'm heading back to the Inner Academy first," Qin Han said. "Once the competition is over, I'll come see you again. Old Man, remember to take your pills. Don't be stingy with them."

Wu Tianlang leaned back in his chair and waved him off. "Get lost, brat. You're so damn long-winded. Bring back a good ranking from the competition. Don't disgrace yourself!"

Qin Han smiled and said no more. He turned and left the Enforcement Team's grounds, his figure becoming a streak of light as he sped toward the Inner Academy.

Whether Wu Tianlang could break through or not was not something that could be settled overnight. There would be no results in the short term.

The Strong Ranking Competition was less than a month away. With Qin Han's current strength, the Inner Academy had long ceased to have any opponents for him.

If there were still any students capable of threatening him, it could only be Xiao Xun'er, who had never revealed her true strength.

But those were not what concerned Qin Han. What worried him was the eruption of that damned Fallen Heart Flame after the competition, as well as the great war with the Black Corner Region.

To be safe, he still needed to further refine one or two trump cards—for instance, the Great Sun Burning Heaven Seal, which he had yet to begin cultivating.