Yao Clan

As space shifted, Lin Hai's figure quietly appeared outside a mountain range steeped in the rich scent of medicinal herbs and an ancient aura.

This was the Shennong Mountain Range, home to the Yao Clan, one of the reclusive Emperor Clans.

He did not force his way in. Instead, he released a trace of his own aura, tempered by battle. Though he had yet to recover, it remained vast and powerful, like a stone tossed into a still lake. In an instant, it alerted the guardians of the Yao Clan Space.

In barely a moment, ripples spread through the space ahead, and an elderly figure, weathered yet vigorous, stepped out first. Several old men followed, their auras unfathomably deep and their robes those of alchemists.

The one at the head was none other than the Yao Clan's patriarch, Yao Dan.

Yao Dan's gaze fell on Lin Hai. A flicker of surprise crossed his face, then gave way to deep shock and a hint of awe.

The battle in the Heaven-Burial Mountain Range had been kept from outsiders in detail, but the Ancient Clan and Soul Clan had committed their full forces, and the terrifying energy fluctuations that shook the Central Plains had naturally reached the other Emperor Clans.

Rumors had also trickled out afterward: a mysterious powerhouse named Lin Hai had joined forces with the Ancient Clan, dealt the Soul Clan a heavy blow, and even... sealed Nihility Devouring Flame!

Now that Yao Dan saw him in person, he could feel all the more clearly the terrifying power within him, like a hidden dragon lurking in the depths, as well as the lingering aura of battle that made his soul quiver.

"Would you happen to be Lord Lin Hai?" Yao Dan stepped forward and cupped his hands, his tone full of respect.

The Yao Clan elders behind him also sized Lin Hai up, their gazes filled with curiosity and apprehension.

"Indeed. I am Lin Hai." Lin Hai gave a slight nod and got straight to the point. "I've come unannounced to ask the Yao Clan for help with something."

Yao Dan's expression grew serious. "Please, go ahead. You have rendered a great service to the continent. If it lies within our power, the Yao Clan will not refuse." His words were carefully chosen, expressing goodwill while leaving room to maneuver.

"I need a pill refined: a Ninth-Grade Lightning Tribulation Pill." Lin Hai stated his purpose plainly. "I've prepared two sets of medicinal ingredients and would like the Yao Clan to refine it for me."

"A Ninth-Grade Lightning Tribulation Pill?!" Yao Dan and the elders behind him all sucked in a sharp breath.

It was a Ninth-Grade Profound Pill, extraordinarily difficult to refine. Even for the Yao Clan, it would require the patriarch himself to take charge and consume a tremendous amount of mental energy, with no guarantee of success.

Yao Dan looked troubled. "Lord Lin Hai, it's not that our clan is unwilling to help. It's just that the Ninth-Grade Lightning Tribulation Pill is exceedingly difficult to refine, and the resources required..."

Lin Hai cut him off. "The Yao Clan can name its price."

Yao Dan pondered for a moment. A gleam flashed in his eyes, as if he had made up his mind. Lowering his voice, he said, "I've heard that... in the Heaven-Burial Mountain Range, you sealed Nihility Devouring Flame?"

Lin Hai looked at him calmly and did not deny it.

Yao Dan drew a deep breath, unable to hide the fervor in his voice. "If you're willing to offer one-tenth of Nihility Devouring Flame's source Child Flame as payment, the Yao Clan will do everything in its power to refine the pill for you! Even if one set of ingredients is ruined, we'll use the second to produce your pill!"

It was an extraordinarily high price!

Even one-tenth of Nihility Devouring Flame's source Child Flame contained the supreme mysteries of the law of devouring. For an alchemist, its value was immeasurable, whether used to strengthen the soul, comprehend the origin of flames, or refine pills!

The eyes of every Yao Clan elder instantly fixed on Lin Hai. They held their breath.

Yet Lin Hai's reply was unexpectedly straightforward.

"Agreed."

One word, without the slightest hesitation.

He flipped his hand, and the sphere sealing Nihility Devouring Flame appeared in his palm.

Gray and white forces of creation and annihilation curled around his fingertips as he reached straight into the sphere.

"Roar—!" Within the sphere, that tiny black flame seemed to sense an imminent threat. It let out a voiceless roar of utter terror and struggled frantically, yet it could not escape Lin Hai's seal or his grasp.

A wisp of black flame, slightly thicker than a strand of hair yet condensed to the utmost, radiating an endless urge to devour, was forcibly peeled away from Nihility Devouring Flame's main body by Lin Hai!

The process was like gouging out a portion of Nihility Devouring Flame's very core!

After one-tenth of its Child Flame had been separated, the black flame within the sphere visibly dimmed, its flickers growing feebler.

Lin Hai casually tossed the wisp of Nihility Devouring Flame Child Flame—the kind that would drive countless powerhouses mad—and wrapped it in a simple layer of energy before sending it to Yao Dan.

"Take it."

Yao Dan's hands were nearly trembling as he took out a Cold Jade Box he had prepared long ago, covered in countless sealing runes. He carefully drew the writhing black flame inside, then promptly shut the lid and laid down dozens of seals in quick succession. Only then did he let out a long breath, his face alight with joy and excitement.

"Thank you for your trust, Lord Lin Hai!" Yao Dan spoke with utmost solemnity. "You've been so straightforward; the Yao Clan would never go back on its word! Hand the two sets of ingredients over to me, and please rest in the clan for a while. I'll personally fire up the pill furnace at once and refine the Ninth-Grade Lightning Tribulation Pill for you!"

Lin Hai tossed Yao Dan two Storage Rings containing all the ingredients. "I'll trouble you with this, Patriarch Yao Dan."

Yao Dan caught the rings and swept them with his soul power, confirming that they held two sets of medicinal ingredients, each a peerless treasure.

Without further delay, he instructed the elders behind him, "Treat Lord Lin Hai with the utmost hospitality. Do not slight him in the least! I'm going into seclusion at once to refine the pill!"

"Yes, Patriarch!" The elders replied respectfully. When they looked at Lin Hai again, their gazes had completely changed, filled with awe and curiosity.

Yao Dan cupped his hands toward Lin Hai. Then, with a flicker of his figure, he hurried toward the highest-grade pill-refining chamber deep within the Yao Clan.

Having obtained one-tenth of Nihility Devouring Flame's Child Flame, he could hardly wait to study it and use it as a powerful aid in refining the pill, ensuring the process went flawlessly!

Under the respectful guidance of a Yao Clan elder, Lin Hai went to rest in the guest quarters.

Lin Hai's arrival, along with the patriarch personally going into seclusion to refine a Ninth-Grade Golden Pill, stirred up quite a commotion throughout the Yao Clan Space.

Everyone waited in anticipation, wondering whether that legendary pill would truly be brought into the world.