He's actually a Dou Sheng?

[Ding! Detecting that the host's hypothesis possesses a certain degree of rationality, the system reminds the host that the upper limit for the ten-thousand-fold favorability return is the Ninth-Grade Golden Pill. Even if the value overflows, it will still only return a Ninth-Grade Golden Pill.]

An emotionless electronic voice boomed in his ears, and these words were filled with profound meaning.

What does that mean?

Zhang Nian was stunned for a moment. The upper limit of the ten-thousand-fold favorability return is the Ninth-Grade Golden Pill, but my hypothesis is somewhat reasonable—meaning that if I want to obtain an Emperor-Grade or higher pill, I must increase the intimacy level after the favorability?

This wretched system...

He complained in his heart and temporarily hid this thought away; he didn't need it yet. The most critical issue at the moment was that more than a month had passed, yet Ya Fei still hadn't awakened. During this period, Zhang Nian had checked on her situation, but found no abnormalities within the energy layer. He couldn't help but feel puzzled. Could it be that the medicinal power of the Ninth-Grade Treasure Pill was too potent, and combined with Ya Fei's low cultivation and thin bloodline, this situation occurred?

Compared to the dull atmosphere on Ya Fei's side, Yao Ye's situation was much better. Through the system's feedback, after half a month of nourishment by the medicinal power, Yao Ye's strength had already reached a Five-Star Dou Spirit and was still progressing steadily. He believed that in another month or two, she would be able to emerge from seclusion. As for Cailin, after a month of cultivation with almost no rest, her strength had reached a Six-Star Dou Emperor; the speed of her progress was staggering.

She was, after all, a Nine-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python, a legendary existence, and with the help of the cultivation cheat, the Fallen Heart Flame, such speed was only logical.

Hmm?

Faintly, Zhang Nian sensed something amiss. A trace of spatial power had locked onto this place. Although it was separated by a barrier, as a Dou Sheng, he still sensed it keenly.

He looked up at the sky and said calmly, "What is meant to come will come eventually."

His tone revealed confidence. Yes, at this moment, Zhang Nian was fully prepared. He immediately circulated his Dou Qi and shouted, "No one is allowed to step outside the barrier today. Once I leave, Cailin will be responsible for supervising all matters in the sect, especially that girl Zi Yan, who loves running outside the most!"

In a certain room, Zi Yan stuck out her tongue and looked around helplessly. Just as she heard Zhang Nian say he was going out, she had already stepped one foot out of the room. Ever since traces of intruders were discovered outside the barrier a month ago, the entire sect had entered a semi-closed state. Even the Miteer supply teams were forbidden from entering, with Zhang Nian going out to collect supplies at fixed times and quantities.

It could be said that Zi Yan had been stifled during this period.

"Swish!"

A figure appeared at the doorway. Zi Yan looked at the person and scratched her head, smiling slightly, "Oh, Sister Cailin, why are you here?"

"Master said that no one is allowed to leave while he is away from the sect." Glancing at the precocious Zi Yan, Cailin did not give her a chance.

"Oh..." She rubbed her hands, wondering to herself when Master would take Sister Cailin with him when he went out...

At this moment, above the Jia Ma Empire, the sky became illusory. A crack appeared silently in the sky and slowly opened to both sides. Before long, two clusters of black mist emerged; they were none other than the Second Tianzun of the Soul Hall, Gu You, and the Vice Hall Master, Hun Qing.

"This Jia Ma Empire is truly barren. This place should be the capital of the empire, but the highest cultivation here is only at the peak of the Dou Emperor. A bunch of ants." The moment Gu You emerged, he released his soul perception and quickly figured out the details of this city.

"Heh, Gu You, it's not as simple as you think. Look at that barrier in the distance."

Hun Qing pointed to the distant, illusory mountain, which was exactly where Zhang Nian's sect was located. The two figures then flew toward it. Because above the barrier in the direction Hun Qing pointed was the milky-white flame that Mo Ke had once mentioned. To further verify the truth of the matter, the two exchanged glances and tacitly decided to go and take a look.

After all, there were quite a few flames in the Heavenly Flame Ranking that were white in color, such as the Yin-Yang Dual Flames ranked twenty-first, where the Yang flame is white. Furthermore, the Fallen Heart Flame ranked fourteenth appears milky-white when it is extremely dense, and the Bone Chilling Flame ranked eleventh is the same. Of course, if it were any of these, their trip would have been in vain.

The strength of Dou Sheng experts was displayed at this moment. The distance that looked very far, which would take a Dou Emperor at least an hour to fly, was reached in an instant by the two of them.

Arriving close by, they finally saw the flame above clearly. The milky-white flame was burning fiercely in the air. Not only was the space around the flame illusory, but its powerful aura was also undeniable. Just from this one look, they could at least conclude that this flame was definitely a Heavenly Flame and its ranking was not low.

"It shouldn't be the Bone Chilling Flame, nor does it look like the Fallen Heart Flame. After all, the Fallen Heart Flame would constantly release heart-fire, but this flame does not. The Bone Chilling Flame would reveal traces of cold air, which also doesn't fit the characteristics. Looking at the holy aura faintly revealed, as if it could purify everything, it really does look a bit like the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame..."

Gu You frowned, and the black mist on his body actually began to dissipate slowly under the light of the fire. Both of them noticed this strange situation and immediately stopped hiding, withdrawing the black mist that shrouded them.

"Indeed. I think this Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame must have appeared not long ago, so it only has the form but its power has not yet condensed, and the energy is still slightly insufficient. It seems the person inside took advantage of this."

Hun Qing nodded, acknowledging Gu You's analysis, and then spread his hands, sending an invisible energy rushing toward the barrier in front of him.

"Thud~"

A dull sound came, and Hun Qing's expression changed. He had assumed it was a barrier set up by a Dou Zun, so he hadn't used his full strength. Unexpectedly, the sensation of the rebound force caught him off guard. This barrier didn't look like it was set up by a Dou Zun, but rather a high-level Dou Sheng?

"Since the two of you have come to someone else's doorstep, why not even say hello?"

A cold voice came, and Hun Qing and Gu You were slightly startled. A person had suddenly appeared in the sky, and they hadn't sensed it at all! This meant that the person's strength was far superior to theirs??

"A Dou Sheng expert?"

"It's actually a Dou Sheng!!"

Gu You looked at that young face, his voice trembling as he spoke. No one would have expected that this tiny Jia Ma Empire would actually hide a Dou Sheng expert. But why didn't the other party open up a space?

Hun Qing's face was also filled with tension. The moment this person appeared, his years of combat experience told him that this person was extremely dangerous...

I'm afraid this trip will be ominous...