Just as Xiao Yan had expected, Xiao Yi Xian brought him to the small valley from the original story.
The valley was well hidden, making it difficult for outsiders to discover or enter.
Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian had only managed to enter because Xiao Yi Xian had once treated a Tier One Magical Beast.
The valley's scenery was beautiful. All kinds of rare medicinal herbs grew there, their rich fragrance mingling with the dense mist hanging above the valley.
"This place is really nice. Xiao Yi Xian, your place is really nice," Xiao Yan praised.
Xiao Yi Xian lifted her chin and gladly accepted the compliment.
"Let's live here from now on. You teach me alchemy, and I'll take care of your food, clothing, and daily needs. How about it?"
"Of course."
Having received his answer, Xiao Yi Xian skipped toward the small wooden house in the center of the valley.
Clearly, this was not her first time here. It was something like her secret base.
Realizing this, Xiao Yan rubbed his nose, unsure how he felt.
Even in the original story, Xiao Yan had only been brought to a place like this after saving Xiao Yi Xian twice and wiping out the Wolf Head Mercenary Group.
How had things progressed this quickly after he had only gone through one adventure with Xiao Yi Xian? He could not make sense of it.
Unable to figure it out, Xiao Yan stopped thinking about it.
This was a good place, just right for him to properly improve his strength.
Since he intended to deal with the Amethyst Winged Lion King, a flying Dou Technique was the highest priority.
Next came Earth Rank Dou Techniques. It was time to try learning one.
He had no intention of learning the Lower Earth Rank Dou Technique Yao Lao had taught in the original story, Flame Splitting Wave Ruler.
He preferred the feeling of fists striking flesh.
Among the Dou Di Inheritance he had received, Earth Rank Dou Techniques were the lowest tier and the most numerous.
Xiao Yan searched through his memories and chose a Lower Earth Rank Dou Technique called Flame Burst Fist.
This fist technique suited those with fire-attributed Dou Qi. It condensed fire-attributed Dou Qi onto the user's fist, then erupted violently after striking an enemy.
Unlike Flame Splitting Wave Ruler, this Dou Technique lacked long-range, wide-area attacks, but its single-target explosive power was far stronger. It suited him perfectly.
Xiao Yan made up his mind. Once he had gotten started with Flame Burst Fist and mastered the Purple Cloud Wings, he would go straight out and crush the Amethyst Winged Lion King.
If he remembered correctly, Yun Yun would soon seek out the Amethyst Winged Lion King to exchange for Purple Spirit Crystal on behalf of her beloved disciple, Nalan Yanran, triggering a great battle.
When that time came, he could play the mantis stalking the cicada while the oriole waited behind. It would save him a great deal of trouble.
Time passed day by day in cultivation.
Xiao Yan had mastered the Xuan Rank flying Dou Technique Purple Cloud Wings on his very first day in the valley.
His stronger soul power prevented the remnant soul of the Purple Cloud Eagle within the flying Dou Technique from interfering with him, allowing him to quickly master it.
He therefore spent all his remaining time learning the Lower Earth Rank Dou Technique Flame Burst Fist.
Yao Lao was puzzled about where this fist technique had come from, but he did not ask.
He and Yao Lao had reached an unspoken understanding; both kept some secrets of their own.
Xiao Yan had read the original story, so he knew what Yao Lao was hiding and was not curious in the slightest.
Yao Lao, on the other hand, was filled with curiosity about the source of Xiao Yan's inheritance. Whether it was the Body Tempering Medicinal Bath, the secret art for purifying one's bloodline, or this Lower Earth Rank Dou Technique, he desperately wanted to know.
But as Xiao Yan's teacher, Xiao Yan had never taken the initiative to ask about his private matters. How could he have the nerve to ask about Xiao Yan's?
To suppress his curiosity, Yao Lao simply devoted all his attention to pill refinement.
With the Blood Lotus Essence and Ice Spirit Flame Grass they had gathered earlier, along with supplementary ingredients he had long prepared in his Storage Ring, he could refine another Blood Lotus Pill.
A Blood Lotus Pill was a necessity for absorbing a Heavenly Flame.
Xiao Yan could not refine a Tier 5 Medicinal Pill, but Yao Lao could do so easily. He directly refined one for him.
Thus, Xiao Yan now possessed two Tier 5 Blood Lotus Pills. Together with the Ice Spirit Cold Spring that the Xiao Clan had collected for him long ago and kept in his Storage Ring, if he encountered two Heavenly Flames now, he could absorb both at once.
Of course, that was only wishful thinking.
How rare were Heavenly Flames?
Even Xiao Yan only knew the locations of those Heavenly Flames that had appeared in the original story.
As for the Green Lotus Core Flame, once his plans in the Magical Beast Mountain Range succeeded and his cultivation improved, he would go directly to Medusa and seize the Heavenly Flame by force.
Otherwise, as in the original story, it would be far too risky and dependent on luck.
He had no intention of gambling.
Therefore, Xiao Yan's goal was to accumulate enough gains in the Magical Beast Mountain Range and raise his strength to a level where, with Yao Lao possessing him, he could defeat Medusa.
At present, he had made some progress.
More than a month had passed in the small valley.
Xiao Yan had already gotten started with Flame Burst Fist.
However, because he did not have enough Dou Qi, he could only use it three or four times in a single battle.
Fortunately, Yao Lao's possession was his trump card. When Yao Lao possessed him, every aspect of his abilities would greatly improve, allowing this Earth Rank Dou Technique to display its true power.
Aside from his progress in Dou Techniques, Xiao Yan had not stopped advancing in alchemy or cultivation.
Advancing from a Seven-Star Dou Master to an Eight-Star Dou Master had happened naturally.
As for alchemy, his success rate in refining pills had improved somewhat. He was only lacking a rise in cultivation before breaking through to the next tier.
In contrast, neither his physique nor his soul power had improved much.
"Young Master Xiao, dinner's ready! Come quickly!" Xiao Yi Xian called from the small wooden house.
Xiao Yan, who had been practicing Dou Techniques outside, stopped throwing punches and returned to the wooden house.
Sitting across from Xiao Yi Xian, Xiao Yan asked, "How is your study of alchemy going? Haven't given up yet?"
Xiao Yi Xian puffed out her cheeks. "Why do you always start by saying something I don't want to hear?"
"I've already given up. Happy now?"
Xiao Yan rubbed his nose. "Don't be angry. I didn't mean to."
"You're clearly gifted in poisoncraft. Why insist on getting so caught up in being an Alchemist?"
Xiao Yi Xian looked somewhat dejected. "I suppose it was admiration."
"But I've accepted my fate."
"I just don't have the talent to become an Alchemist. Sigh."
Xiao Yan comforted her, "It's fine. Even if you can't refine pills yourself, you can have me refine them for you."
"As a good friend, you won't need to provide me with three portions of ingredients, and I won't charge any processing fee. I'll refine pills for you for free."
Warmth filled Xiao Yi Xian's heart. "Hehe, then I won't hold back."
The meal ended amid cheerful conversation.
Xiao Yan stepped out of the wooden house and looked toward the depths of the Magical Beast Mountain Range.
Judging by the timing, Yun Yun should be arriving in the Magical Beast Mountain Range soon. I've been waiting so long that I'm getting impatient.
Suddenly.
Within Xiao Yan's field of vision, purple and pale green radiance collided in the sky above the depths of the Magical Beast Mountain Range.
"Finally!" Xiao Yan's eyes lit up. His back spread open, and the Purple Cloud Wings unfurled instantly.
Xiao Yi Xian walked out of the wooden house. Just as she stared blankly at Xiao Yan suddenly flying away, she heard the words he left behind: "I have something to take care of outside. I'll be back soon!"
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