"Boom!"
In a fierce collision, the sound of thunder pierced the heavens and earth. The Northern King stood tall in the air, deflecting the Pill Lightning that crashed down on his head with the power of a single punch. As the thunder's power raged over his body, his empty eyes slowly rose, staring intently at the unprecedented thunderbolt that was once again rapidly descending from the sky. He then stomped his foot on the void, and as space collapsed, his purple-gold body collided violently with the thunderbolt.
"Bang!"
With a single strike, the Northern King was forced back nearly a hundred feet. The violent lightning followed closely behind, and the crackling sounds echoed across the sky like roars. Its power seemed determined to tear the Northern King apart.
Pill Lightning closed in, and the Northern King's body stood like an iron tower. With a flash, he appeared in front of the giant black lightning almost in the blink of an eye. His right arm swung, and in the instant the clang rang out, his iron fist suddenly clenched. Silver lightning leaped and swirled around his arm until it completely enveloped his arm.
"Tsk tsk, what a peculiar puppet. It can even mobilize the power of thunder to fight."
Seeing the silver lightning crackling around the Northern King's body, the Grand Elder, who was watching from below, couldn't help but exclaim in surprise. Xiao Siyu, standing beside him, also showed a serious expression and said:
"Such a puppet is simply the most terrifying weapon. It has no emotions or consciousness, yet it can wield the power of thunder. In its own right, it is absolutely invincible!"
After speaking, the alluring woman's bright eyes flickered, and she looked at the puppet's master with a strange gaze, pursing her lips as she said:
"You and the people around you are already monstrous, but how come even the things you possess have such heaven-defying power?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan was slightly taken aback, then grinned and said jokingly:
"Aren't you right beside me? Someone who can simultaneously reach your level in cultivation and alchemy is a rare breed indeed, practically a phoenix feather on the entire continent."
"Aren't you one of them?"
Xiao Siyu pursed her red lips, her smile quite captivating. Xiao Yan chuckled softly and sighed, then said in a low voice:
"Me? I'm not like you..."
"Boom!"
Just as the former was about to reply, the Northern King in the sky, his clenched fist did not pause at all. The moment he swung it out, the surrounding void collapsed suddenly in a sonic boom. In the pitch-black Endless Void, there was an arm wrapped in the power of lightning. The invisible spatial ripples sank into the darkness, and the terrifying power went straight towards the lightning!
A punch imbued with earth-shattering power landed directly on the black lightning. In that instant, the entire world seemed to freeze. A moment later, a heart-shaking explosion swept across the sky.
The massive Pill Lightning exploded inch by inch before the nearly stunned eyes of the many Xiao Clan experts present, then transformed into countless tiny thunder snakes. Just as they were about to dissipate, a strange suction force arose within the Northern King's body, absorbing and devouring all the thunderous power.
As this immense power of thunder continued to surge forth, the Jin Lin covering the Northern King's body grew increasingly dense and lustrous. Finally, just as the thunderclouds were about to dissipate, the Northern King's body began to undergo some strange transformation...
Upon realizing this, Xiao Yan frowned slightly and shouted, summoning the Northern King back.
"Hiss..."
Upon reaching him, Xiao Yan and the other two noticed that the Northern King was completely covered in Long Lin, as if he were wearing a suit of armor. Upon closer touch, a faint, imperceptible force of repulsion emanated from him.
What surprised Xiao Yan the most was that at this moment, the Northern King's hands gradually swelled and stretched until they transformed into a pair of dragon claws. As the strange phenomenon gradually stabilized, the ferocious aura emanating from his body also reached its peak.
At this moment, the Northern King's combat strength has clearly reached the Peak Yuan Zong Sect!
Three days have passed since the Pill Lightning of that day dissipated.
Xiao Yan learned from Xiao Siyu that the Pill Gathering approaching when he emerged from seclusion that day. The clan had decided to send an elder to lead the two of them to the Pill Tower five days later. They should take the remaining time to rest and make preparations for their departure.
Taking a rare moment of leisure, Xiao Yan and Bai Hua sat in the pavilion of the villa, chatting and laughing, their gazes occasionally drifting to the two girls playing and laughing not far away.
Feeling the lively and fun atmosphere among the girls in the house, Xiao Yan couldn't help but sigh with emotion. At the same time, he felt much more relaxed. Years of traveling had kept Xiao Yan's mind constantly tense. Being able to sit down like this, completely unguarded and relaxed, was an extremely luxurious thing.
"So, now that your alchemy level has broken through to the high-level seventh rank, how confident are you of winning the Pill Gathering?"
Bai Hua took a sip of tea and smiled.
"What confidence do you have? The Pill Tower Grand Gathering is a grand event in the hearts of alchemists across the entire continent. Such an event will naturally attract many High-Level Alchemist, and may even draw some reclusive alchemy masters. Standing out from among these people is no easy task."
Xiao Yan shook his head slightly, tapping the jade cup lightly on the bluestone table. Then, changing the subject, he fixed his gaze on Bai Hua and said:
"But for you, with my ancestors no longer in the clan after my departure, you'll have no one to take care of you, and things will likely become much more complicated."
"Hehe, don't worry. That thing has been inside me for so long, I have some experience dealing with it. Besides, I have the Formation Plate left by Xiao Xuan. At the very least, I can control the Pill Transformation Ring to some extent. I will make sure nothing happens to me before you come back."
Upon hearing this, Bai Hua smiled calmly, a hint of composure appearing on her face. However, deep in her eyes, there remained an indelible trace of desolation.
As if sensing Bai Hua's state of mind, Xiao Yan slowly took a deep breath and comforted her:
"Don't be too nervous. Even if I can't get back in time, the clan leader and the eldest elder are still there to oversee things. I'll ask them to help look after things. As for the Heaven Inquiry Pill, I will find it no matter what when I go to the Pill Tower!"
"At that time, the problem in your body will be completely resolved!"
The next day.
Warm sunlight poured down from the sky, illuminating the entire Xiao Clan. Under the archway Ancient Chen Hall, several figures stood upright.
"Alright, that's enough for now."
Xiao Yan looked at Bai Hua and Lian'er in front of him, then at Xiao Chuhang and the others who had followed behind, and couldn't help but smile, saying.
Everyone was silent. They bowed deeply to Xiao Yan and were about to leave when Xiao Chuhang suddenly said:
" Xiao Yan, although this journey will be long and arduous, you represent my Xiao Clan. No matter what, you must bring back the championship!"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan was taken aback at first. His gaze slowly swept over the people in front of him, and seeing the hopeful look in their eyes, he was slightly moved. Then, he nodded heavily.