Two Sixth-Grade Pills? Refined in One Day?

After Xiao Yan left the hall, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li were still standing where they had been.

The two exchanged a glance, both of them stunned.

"Big brother, do you think third brother can really refine a Sixth-Grade Pill?" Xiao Li asked.

Xiao Ding fell silent for a moment. "Third brother doesn't make empty boasts."

"But it's a Sixth-Grade Pill," Xiao Li said. "Across the entire Jia Ma Empire, you could count the alchemists capable of refining one on your fingers."

"I know," Xiao Ding said. "But since third brother said he could do it, he definitely will."

Xiao Li thought it over, then nodded.

"Third brother has changed so much over the years."

"That's right," Xiao Ding said. "He was talented before, but he wasn't nearly as composed as he is now."

"And now?" Xiao Li asked.

"Now?" Xiao Ding smiled. "Now, I truly can't see through him."

Xiao Li said nothing.

That younger brother who had once been called a good-for-nothing had now grown to a height they could scarcely imagine.

He killed Dou Wang experts without batting an eye.

He said he would refine a Sixth-Grade Pill as casually as if it were nothing.

With that bearing and those abilities, how could he seem like a fifteen-year-old boy?

"Stop thinking about it." Xiao Ding patted Xiao Li on the shoulder.

Outside the hall.

Xiao Yan walked out, with Qing Lin following behind him.

She lowered her head and hesitated, but eventually hurried after him.

"Young Master Xiao Yan."

Xiao Yan stopped and looked at her.

"Thank you," Qing Lin said. "Thank you for saving me, and for not looking down on me."

Her eyes were slightly red.

Ever since she was little, people had looked down on her countless times.

Because of her Snake-Person Tribe bloodline, people pointed at her wherever she went.

But Xiao Yan was different.

He had never looked at her strangely.

"Don't worry about it," Xiao Yan said.

Qing Lin nodded firmly.

Xiao Yan said nothing more and turned toward a quiet spot.

Qing Lin stood where she was, watching his back, her heart filled with gratitude.

In a corner of the courtyard.

It was quiet there, and no one would disturb him.

Xiao Yan sat cross-legged and took medicinal ingredients from his Storage Ring.

Snow Spirit Ganoderma, Ten-Thousand Year Fire Lotus, Ice Crystal Orchid...

One Sixth-Grade medicinal ingredient after another was laid out on the ground.

All the ingredients the system had just issued were already in his Storage Ring.

Xiao Yan took a deep breath, and a flame gathered in his palm.

The green flame flickered in his hand, its heat immense.

Xiao Yan picked up the Snow Spirit Ganoderma and tossed it into the flame.

The medicinal ingredient slowly melted in the fire, turning into a pool of emerald-green liquid.

The flames burned away every impurity, leaving only the purest medicinal essence.

Xiao Yan focused completely, controlling the flame's temperature.

There was no room for the slightest mistake when refining a Sixth-Grade Pill.

Qing Lin stayed by his side.

She watched Xiao Yan refining the pill, her eyes full of curiosity.

"Young Master Xiao Yan," Qing Lin said softly.

"Hmm?" Xiao Yan didn't look up.

"Can you really help the two regiment leaders break through to Dou Wang?"

"I can," Xiao Yan said.

Qing Lin nodded and fell silent.

She stood there, watching quietly.

Her curiosity grew stronger and stronger.

A Sixth-Grade Pill.

What did that even mean?

Although her cultivation wasn't high, she had spent a long time with the Desert Iron Mercenary Group and had heard a few things.

Across the entire Jia Ma Empire, the alchemists capable of refining Sixth-Grade Pills could be counted on one hand.

Young Master Xiao Yan was only fifteen.

Qing Lin murmured to herself.

Xiao Yan paid no attention to her astonishment, keeping all his focus on the flame.

One medicinal ingredient after another went into the fire.

Each ingredient required a different refining time and temperature.

Drawing on the experience in his mind, he refined them methodically.

Time passed second by second.

After an unknown length of time, all the ingredients had been refined.

Several pools of liquid in different colors hovered above the flame.

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Xiao Yan's forehead.

The most crucial step was the fusion.

He slowly brought the pools of liquid together, his focus fixed on the progress of each one as they merged.

The liquids fused bit by bit, their mixed colors gradually turning pure white.

The flame's temperature shifted constantly, rising and falling.

At last, all the medicinal liquids fused completely.

The flame in Xiao Yan's hand abruptly drew inward.

Two pills hovered in midair.

They were perfectly round and radiated a faint glow.

The Ascension Pills had been successfully refined.

Standing nearby, Qing Lin saw the pills take shape, and her eyes lit up.

"Success!" Qing Lin exclaimed, unable to contain her excitement.

Xiao Yan reached out and caught the two pills in his hand.

He exhaled and stood up.

"Let's go."

Qing Lin nodded firmly and followed behind Xiao Yan.

The next day.

The Desert Iron Mercenary Group's hall.

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li sat in the seats of honor, listening to a subordinate's report.

"Regiment leaders, we've finished taking over all of the Sand Mercenary Group's businesses," a subordinate said. "We've also finished counting the personnel. One hundred and twenty-three are willing to stay. The rest have been dismissed."

Xiao Ding nodded. "What about the Sand Mercenary Group's territory?"

"We've taken control of that too," the subordinate said. "It's even larger than we expected. There are more than a dozen shops alone."

Xiao Li smiled. "We made a fortune this time."

Xiao Ding smiled as well.

The Sand Mercenary Group had operated in the desert for many years, building up considerable wealth and property.

Now it all belonged to the Desert Iron Mercenary Group, and their strength had multiplied several times over.

"Big brother, with all this, the Desert Iron Mercenary Group's position in the desert will be even more secure," Xiao Li said.

Xiao Ding nodded. "We have third brother to thank."

"That's right," Xiao Li said. "Without him, we never could've done it so smoothly."

Just then, Xiao Yan walked in from outside.

"Third brother." Xiao Ding rose to his feet.

"Big brother, second brother," Xiao Yan said.

"Perfect timing," Xiao Li said with a smile. "We've finished taking over all of the Sand Mercenary Group's businesses."

"The Desert Iron Mercenary Group's strength has multiplied several times over."

Xiao Yan nodded, unconcerned.

He took two pills from his Storage Ring and placed them on the table.

"These are Ascension Pills."

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li both froze.

"Third brother, what did you say?" Xiao Li asked in disbelief.

"Ascension Pills," Xiao Yan said. "After taking one, you can break through directly to Dou Wang."

Xiao Ding picked up a pill and examined it closely.

It was perfectly round and radiated a faint glow.

The aura it gave off was unquestionably beyond that of an ordinary pill.

"Third brother, it's only been one day..." Xiao Ding's voice wavered.

"One day was enough," Xiao Yan said.

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with shock.

Two Sixth-Grade Pills in a single day.

What did that mean?

Not a single alchemist in the entire Jia Ma Empire could do that.

"Third brother, what rank of alchemist are you?" Xiao Li couldn't help asking.

Xiao Yan didn't answer.

Seeing that he wouldn't say, Xiao Li didn't press him further.

He picked up an Ascension Pill and swallowed it at once.

As the pill entered his stomach, a vast surge of medicinal power exploded inside him.

Xiao Li's expression changed instantly.

He felt the Dou Qi in his body surge wildly, as if the Dou Qi in his meridians had been set alight.

"This..."

Xiao Li had no time to speak. He immediately sat down cross-legged.

The aura within him began to swell.

It rose faster and faster.

Xiao Ding stood to one side, watching Xiao Li's transformation, his eyes full of shock.

He could clearly feel Xiao Li's aura rising at a terrifying speed.

Four-Star Dou Ling.

Five-Star Dou Ling.

Six-Star Dou Ling.

Xiao Li kept his eyes shut, veins bulging on his forehead.

The medicinal power surged through his body, remodeling his meridians and Dou Qi.

His aura kept climbing.

Xiao Ding clenched his fists, his palms slick with sweat.

Peak Dou Ling.

His aura stalled for a moment, then surged again.

One-Star Dou Wang.

Xiao Li opened his eyes, and a formidable aura burst from his body.

The tables and chairs in the hall shuddered.

Xiao Li took a deep breath, feeling the abundant power within him.

Dou Wang.

He had broken through to Dou Wang.

"Third brother." Xiao Li rose to his feet and looked at Xiao Yan, his eyes slightly red.

"Thank you."

Xiao Yan replied calmly, "We're family. There's no need to thank me."