Setting Out for the Tagor Desert!

Fifth-Rank Pills had already entered the ranks of mid-tier pills.

Any pill above the fourth rank would trigger a unique celestial phenomenon upon completion.

The energy ripples erupting now were the completion phenomenon of the Blood Lotus Pill.

The pill continued to spin above the medicinal cauldron, and the fragrance leaking from it grew increasingly rich.

The Blood Lotus Pill had now reached the moment of completion, its most critical stage.

The main reason Lei Luo had chosen to ask Otto and Frank for help in Black Rock City was safety.

Given the Alchemist Association's lofty status, even if others discovered it, no one would dare attempt to seize it.

Moreover, an Alchemist's rank was closely tied to their strength. An Alchemist capable of refining a Fifth-Rank Pill was at least a Dou Ling powerhouse.

How many people in all of Black Rock City would dare challenge the dignity of a Dou Ling powerhouse?

Nor could anyone challenge the prestige and connections of two Fourth-Rank Alchemists.

That was why this was the safest place.

When the Blood Lotus Pill was fully formed, a thin scarlet blood mist unexpectedly rose around it.

With a flick of his hand, he collected the pill into a jade bottle.

"Senior Otto, Senior Frank, this junior thanks you both," Lei Luo said with cupped hands.

Though the two were somewhat exhausted, they still smiled. "It's nothing. Come to think of it, we old fellows should be thanking you instead."

"After this, the two of us old fogies will be one step closer to the fifth rank."

Seeing that they were in good spirits, Lei Luo smiled as well. "Then this junior will offer my congratulations to you both in advance."

After saying that, the three of them burst into laughter as though by mutual understanding.

Now that the Blood Lotus Pill had been successfully refined, there was no reason for Lei Luo to remain in Black Rock City any longer.

After gathering some supplies, Lei Luo planned to bid everyone farewell and head for the Tagor Desert.

Once Otto and Frank learned that he was leaving, they did not try to make him stay. They merely asked him to participate in the Alchemist Convention under Black Rock City's name.

Having received favors from the two of them, he naturally did not refuse and readily agreed.

That very day, after hearing that Lei Luo was leaving, both Xue Mei and Lin Fei came to the aerial transport station.

Lei Luo felt somewhat troubled as he looked at the two girls' reluctant expressions.

Before the lively Lin Fei could speak, the usually shy Xue Mei said softly to Lei Luo, "You must come to the Alchemist Convention in the Imperial Capital when the time comes. I'll be waiting for you there..."

After saying that, she lowered her head to stare at the tips of her shoes without another word.

With a long sigh, Lin Fei pouted at Lei Luo. "You're not allowed to forget us. Come to Black Rock City and play with us when you have time."

Lei Luo smiled and nodded. Then he turned and walked into the plaza, gradually vanishing into the crowd.

Only after Lei Luo had left did Lin Fei nudge Xue Mei. "Silly girl, you like him so much, yet you won't say it."

"If he forgets us, you won't even have a place to cry!"

Hearing Lin Fei's words, Xue Mei's eyes reddened slightly. She said softly, "He won't. I believe him. Besides, won't we meet again at the Alchemist Convention?"

Lin Fei spread her hands, her gaze flickering as though she were lost in thought.

After entering the plaza, the first thing Lei Luo saw was more than a dozen enormous flying birds.

They were called Thick-Wing Birds and were not a type of magical beast.

They were gentle by nature. Though they were not particularly strong or fast, they possessed exceptional endurance.

As long as they were fed once, they could maintain a steady speed in flight for several days.

They could be considered the finest tools in the transportation industry.

After asking where tickets were sold, Lei Luo headed toward the ticket counter.

Looking at the long line before him, Lei Luo could only obediently queue up and wait.

Although Alchemists enjoyed special privileges, Lei Luo still intended to wait until it was his turn.

After a long while, when Lei Luo finally reached the counter, he gave the ticket-selling woman a glance.

She was a stunning woman dressed in a uniform, asking Lei Luo questions with a professional smile.

However, that smile seemed to contain a hint of impatience.

Lightly tapping the counter with his fingers, he replied, "Desert City, on the eastern border of the empire."

The woman curled her lips, wrote out a ticket slip, and handed it to Lei Luo.

However, he did not reach out to take it. He merely smiled at the beautiful woman.

The woman immediately realized what was happening.

When she saw the badge on Lei Luo's chest representing his status as a Third-Rank Alchemist, her eyes widened at once.

"My lord, according to imperial regulations, Alchemists may use the aerial transport service free of charge.

"So please come with me. We have flying mounts specially prepared for Alchemists."

The woman spoke with an extremely respectful smile.

Then, beneath everyone's envious gazes, Lei Luo left with the woman.

After crossing the plaza, a flying beast much smaller than a Thick-Wing Bird appeared before them.

Unlike the Thick-Wing Bird, however, this was a wind-attributed flying magical beast, likely at the first rank.

A house built from special wood had been securely constructed on the flying magical beast's back.

This type of wood was extremely light and remarkably sturdy, though its production was somewhat scarce.

It was clearly very expensive.

Inside the massive house on the magical beast's back were several small rooms, naturally occupied by Alchemists.

"My lord, this is the flying magical beast bound for Desert City on the eastern border of the Jia Ma Empire. That is the city closest to the Tager Desert."

The uniformed woman spoke respectfully to Lei Luo.

"Mm." Lei Luo gave a slight nod and prepared to board it.

Just then, a faintly resentful voice sounded beside him.

"My lord, since this is your first time riding a flying beast, you may not know the empire's rules. Not only do we charge Alchemists no fees, and provide exclusive flying magical beasts for them.

"Every Alchemist may also choose a maid to attend to them personally."

The woman's eyes were seductive as she spoke, and her body nearly pressed against Lei Luo's.

However, he clearly had no interest in this somewhat loose woman.

After all, if he wanted someone, weren't Xue Mei and Lin Fei a hundred times better than her?

Ignoring all the woman's hints, Lei Luo tapped the ground with the tip of his foot and floated onto the flying magical beast's back.

After finding an empty room, he walked inside, utterly ignoring the intensely resentful gaze behind him.

There were not many rooms in the house, only six. Before long, Lei Luo felt the room begin to tremble.

As the magical beast slowly flapped its enormous wings, its massive body gradually rose into the air.

Finally, with a shrill cry, the flying magical beast shot into the sky and swiftly flew toward its destination!

Though this flying magical beast was much faster than a Thick-Wing Bird, it would still take three or four days to reach Desert City.

After closing the door, Lei Luo began cultivating in earnest.

Since he had only recently broken through to the Da Dou Shi realm, he was not in a hurry to advance further.

After all, he had too many ways to increase his strength. There was no need to rush.

He still had a top-quality Three-Pattern Green Spirit Pill and a Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill. By conservative estimates, they should allow his strength to leap three stars.

Lei Luo planned to take both pills after dealing with the Green Lotus Core Flame!