Yao Clan

With a shift in space, the figure of Lin Hai quietly appeared outside a mountain range permeated with the rich fragrance of medicinal herbs and an ancient aura.

This was the Shennong Mountain Range, home to the Yao Clan, one of the hidden Ancient Clans.

He did not force his way in, but instead released a trace of his own aura—one tempered by the fires of great battles, and though not yet fully recovered, still vast and majestic. It was like casting a stone into a calm lake, instantly alerting the guardians of the Yao Clan's dimension.

After only a moment, ripples appeared in the space ahead. An elderly yet spirited figure stepped out first, followed by several elders with profound auras, all clad in alchemist robes.

The leader was none other than the patriarch of the Yao Clan, Yao Dan.

Yao Dan's gaze fell upon Lin Hai, flickering first with suspicion, then transforming into deep shock and a hint of reverence.

Although the details of the battle at the Heaven-Burial Mountain Range were not known to outsiders, the Ancient Clan and Soul Clan had mobilized their full strength, and the terrifying energy fluctuations that shook the Central Plains had naturally been sensed by these Ancient Clans.

Subsequent rumors had vaguely emerged: a mysterious powerhouse named Lin Hai had joined forces with the Ancient Clan to severely wound the Soul Clan and even... seal the Void Devouring Flame!

Seeing the man in the flesh, Yao Dan could feel the terrifying power within him, like a dragon coiled in an abyss, as well as that lingering, soul-stirring aura of the great battle that refused to dissipate.

"Is this Excellency Lin Hai?" Yao Dan stepped forward and cupped his hands, his tone carrying sufficient respect.

The Yao Clan elders behind him also scrutinized Lin Hai, their eyes filled with curiosity and wariness.

"It is indeed this Lin," Lin Hai nodded slightly, getting straight to the point. "I have come uninvited because there is a matter for which I seek the Yao Clan's assistance."

Yao Dan's expression turned solemn. "Please speak, Excellency. You have rendered great service to the continent; if it is within the power of the Yao Clan, we shall not refuse." He spoke with finesse, expressing goodwill while leaving himself room to maneuver.

"I need to refine a medicinal pill, the 'Ninth-Grade Lightning Tribulation Pill'," Lin Hai stated his purpose directly. "I have already prepared two sets of ingredients, and I wish to request the Yao Clan to refine it on my behalf."

"The Ninth-Grade Lightning Tribulation Pill?!" Yao Dan and the elders behind him gasped in unison.

That was a pill at the level of a Ninth-Grade Profound Pill. The difficulty of refining it was immense; even for the Yao Clan, it would require the patriarch to act personally, consuming vast amounts of mental energy, and even then, they could not guarantee a hundred percent success rate.

Yao Dan looked troubled. "Excellency Lin Hai, it is not that the Yao Clan is unwilling to help. It is just that this Ninth-Grade Lightning Tribulation Pill is extremely difficult to refine, and the consumption required..."

Lin Hai interrupted him. "As for the reward, the Yao Clan may name its price."

Yao Dan pondered for a moment, a flash of light in his eyes as he seemed to reach a decision. He lowered his voice and said, "I heard that you... sealed that Void Devouring Flame at the Heaven-Burial Mountain Range?"

Lin Hai looked at him calmly, not denying it.

Yao Dan took a deep breath, his tone carrying a hint of undisguised fervor. "If you are willing to offer one-tenth of the Void Devouring Flame's origin sub-flame as a reward, my Yao Clan is willing to go all out to open the furnace for you! Even if one set of ingredients is ruined, we will use the second to ensure the pill is completed for you!"

This demand was incredibly high!

The origin sub-flame of the Void Devouring Flame, even just one-tenth, contained the supreme mysteries of the Law of Devouring. For an alchemist, whether used to enhance soul power, comprehend the origin of flames, or assist in alchemy, it held immeasurable value!

All the Yao Clan elders focused their gazes on Lin Hai, holding their breath.

However, Lin Hai's answer was unexpectedly blunt.

"Agreed."

A single word, without the slightest hesitation.

He flipped his palm, and the orb sealing the Void Devouring Flame appeared in his hand.

His fingertips swirled with the gray-white power of creation and annihilation as he reached directly into the orb.

"Roar—!" Inside the orb, that faint black flame seemed to sense a fatal threat, letting out a silent yet terrifying roar. It struggled frantically, but it could not break free from Lin Hai's seal and extraction.

A wisp of pitch-black flame, slightly thicker than a strand of hair but condensed to the extreme and radiating an endless sense of devouring, was forcibly stripped from the main body of the Void Devouring Flame by Lin Hai!

This process felt as if a portion of the Void Devouring Flame's core had been carved out!

After this tenth of the sub-flame was stripped away, the black flame within the orb was visibly dimmer, its flickering much weaker.

Lin Hai casually tossed the wisp of Void Devouring Flame—enough to drive countless powerhouses mad—and sent it toward Yao Dan wrapped in a simple layer of energy.

"Take it."

Yao Dan's hands trembled as he took out a cold jade box he had prepared long ago, covered in countless sealing runes. He carefully guided the struggling, twisting black flame inside, then quickly closed the lid and applied dozens of seals in succession. Only then did he let out a long sigh of relief, his face filled with ecstasy and excitement.

"Many thanks for your trust, Excellency Lin Hai!" Yao Dan's tone was incredibly solemn. "Since you are so forthright, the Yao Clan will certainly not be people who break their word! Hand these two sets of ingredients to me, and please rest within the clan. This old man will personally open the furnace and refine the Ninth-Grade Lightning Tribulation Pill for you!"

Lin Hai tossed two storage rings containing all the ingredients to Yao Dan. "I leave it to you, Patriarch Yao Dan."

Yao Dan took the rings and swept his soul power through them, confirming the two sets of peerless medicinal treasures inside.

He did not delay, instructing the elders behind him, "Treat Excellency Lin Hai with the utmost hospitality; do not show the slightest neglect! This old man is going into seclusion to refine the pill immediately!"

"Yes! Patriarch!" the elders replied respectfully. Looking at Lin Hai again, their gazes were completely different, filled with awe and curiosity.

Yao Dan cupped his hands toward Lin Hai, his figure flickering as he hurried toward the highest-level alchemy chamber deep within the Yao Clan.

Having obtained one-tenth of the Void Devouring Flame's sub-flame, he could not wait to study it and use it as a major aid in his alchemy to ensure that this refinement would be foolproof!

Lin Hai, led by a respectful Yao Clan elder, headed to the guest quarters to rest.

Within the Yao Clan's dimension, the arrival of Lin Hai and the patriarch's personal seclusion to refine a Ninth-Grade Gold Pill caused quite a stir.

Everyone was waiting to see if that legendary pill would successfully come into existence.