Declaration of War from Afar

A playful smile suddenly appeared on Huo Yuhao's lips as he looked towards the Alchemist Guild headquarters, "He not only found out—he's also congratulating you."

"What?" Xiao Yan and Hai Bodong were both taken aback.

Huo Yuhao didn't explain, but simply raised his chin, gesturing for the two to look in the direction of the Alchemist Guild.

At this very moment -

Boom!!!

A dazzling beam of light, even thicker and more refined than the one Xiao Yan had shone during the day, with a far greater energy fluctuation, suddenly shot into the sky from the headquarters of the Alchemist Guild!

The beam of light pierced the sky, instantly tearing apart the sunset and illuminating a large part of the sky as if it were daytime! The medicinal fragrance and energy ripples contained within it slowly dissipated after a long time!

"Oh my!" Hai Bodong immediately jumped off the small chair, almost spilling his juice, his little face showing an excited expression as if he wanted to stir up trouble.

"That kid Gu He is trying to outdo you! This is blatant provocation, a declaration of war! Can you tolerate this?"

Huo Yuhao nodded in agreement, adding, "Judging from the range of the fragrance and energy ripples, the quality of Senior Gu He's pill is probably much higher than the one you refined this afternoon, Xiao Yan."

As Xiao Yan gazed at the gradually dissipating pillar of light in the direction of the Alchemist Guild, he showed no sign of discouragement; instead, his eyes blazed with Xiong Zhan!

He slammed his hand on the railing and laughed loudly, "Hahaha! Good! Since Brother Gu He is in such high spirits, how can I not keep him company to the end!"

Before he finished speaking, Xiao Yan's figure flashed and he appeared on the dome of the tallest building in the Mittel Auction House!

The night wind rustled his robes. With a wave of his hand, a heavy, ancient-looking medicine cauldron, exuding a powerful aura, crashed onto the roof!

"Hai Bodong!" Xiao Yan's voice was filled with fervent fighting spirit. "Prepare the medicinal herbs for me!"

Hai Bodong excitedly waved his little fists, his smile almost reaching his ears, "Haha! This is more fun! Beat that brat Gu He down and steal his title of ' Pill King '! I, Mittel, have plenty of medicinal herbs!"

Alchemist Guild.

The energy ripples subsided slowly. Gu He gently cupped his palm and carefully placed a pill the size of a longan, perfectly round, and surrounded by a cyan aura into a jade bottle. Several mysterious Pill Pattern were faintly visible on the surface of the pill.

"Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!" Fama, the president of the Alchemist Guild, clapped his hands and laughed, his eyes full of praise, "The Pill Pattern are solid, and the pill halo is contained. The quality of this Dou Ling Pill- Strengthening Pill has reached the top grade! Grandmaster Gu He will soon become Seventh Grade alchemist, won't he?"

Gu He didn't show much pride. He stood up, bowed to Fama, and said calmly, "President Fama is too kind. Gu He is still far from worthy of such praise."

His gaze swept over the jade bottle, carrying a hint of barely perceptible weariness.

The two exchanged a few more words about the details of the Yao Huo and the blending of medicinal herbs. Fama then changed the subject, his expression becoming more serious. "By the way, I just returned from the Imperial Family banquet. That girl Yao Ye let slip that the Imperial Family intends to wage war against the Chu Yun Empire."

Gu He's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

Fama continued, "They hope our guild can provide support. And," he looked at Gu He, "the Imperial Family has specifically requested that you become an honored elder."

"Offering sacrifices to the elders?" Gu He remained silent for a moment, then slowly shook his head. "Guild Master, it's best for us alchemists to stay out of such matters."

Gu He paused, gazing at the distant horizon outside the window, a hint of longing in his eyes. "Moreover, after Sect Master Yun's wedding, I plan to head to the Central Plains Pill Tower."

The Imperial Palace of the Jia Ma Empire.

Not long after the banquet ended, Princess Yao Ye of the Jia Ma Empire strode across the courtyard and stopped in front of a quiet room.

--

"Great-grandfather? Are you still cultivating?" Yao Ye asked softly.

The door to the quiet room slid open silently. The purple-haired old man, who was sitting cross-legged on the futon, slowly opened his eyes. A glint of light flashed in his eyes, which then returned to their deep depths.

Night has fallen. What was the result? Which company is willing to place a bet?

Tianye entered the quiet room, briefly organized the results, and then reported to his superior, "The major families serving in the military, Mu Family..."

The Nalan Family and others have all clearly stated their willingness to cooperate in sending troops.

The Mittel Family's attitude was ambiguous, only promising financial support. As for the Alchemist Guild, Fa Ma Master Fama said further discussion was needed.

Jia Xingtian nodded expressionlessly. "This was all expected."

Yao Ye's face showed a strange expression. "The most surprising thing is the Misty Cloud Sect."

"Oh?" Jia Xingtian raised an eyebrow, his voice tinged with mockery. "Those arrogant fellows, they actually dared to 'condescend' to attend this banquet? Who is it?"

"It's Misty Cloud Sect, the Grand Elder of the Yun Leng." Yao Ye's speech quickened slightly. "What's even stranger is that Yun Leng explicitly stated his willingness to fully support this military operation!"

"Full support?" Jia Xingtian's eyes flashed with a sharp light, then darkened again. "Hmph, it seems they want to take this opportunity to extend their reach further and grab a bigger slice of the pie, after all, that guy Yun Shan broke through without a word."

Jia Xingtian tapped his fingers on his knee, as if remembering something troubling him. He clenched his fist tightly, his tone unusually resentful. "That bastard Hai Bodong! We've known each other for so many years! Since he returned to the Mittel Auction House, he hasn't seen me even once!"

Yao Ye's lips curled into a mischievous smile as he whispered, "Great-grandfather, according to the guards, Senior Hai Bodong— "

It seems there's a "minor problem" with her body, turning into----"

Boom-!!!

Before the words were even finished, a powerful energy surge, like an invisible tsunami, suddenly swept in from the direction of the Alchemist Guild. The strength of this surge was so great that even from a great distance, the windows vibrated and rattled!

Jia Xingtian and Yao Ye both changed color at the same time, their gazes piercing through the window like lightning, directed towards the source of the energy burst!

"This is... Sixth-Grade Pill?" Yao Ye exclaimed in surprise, her eyes filled with astonishment and doubt.

Jia Xingtian slowly rose, his aura surging. He gazed at the gradually dissipating energy glow above the Alchemist Guild, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes. "It's Gu He. This fluctuation—it seems his alchemy skills have improved again."

Tianye quickly added, "Intelligence indicates that Grandmaster Gu He had a falling out with the Misty Cloud Sect some time ago. He should have resigned from his position as an elder of the Misty Cloud Sect."

"Grandmaster Gu He has been residing at the Alchemist Guild recently. I have sent an envoy there, hoping to persuade him to accept the position of the Imperial Family Honor."

"An envoy?" Jia Xingtian frowned and decisively shook his head. "No. I'll go myself!"

Before he finished speaking, a surge of powerful Dou Qi erupted from Jia Xingtian's body, instantly condensing into a pair of earth-yellow Dou Qi Wings behind him!

With a deep, booming sound, Jia Xingtian's figure soared into the sky, speeding towards the Alchemist Guild!