After Xiao Yan handed over the bronze badge, the rest of the journey became much simpler.
During this time, Xu Qinghe tried to probe Xiao Yan's background, but was evaded by the latter's vague answers. When asked about his past, Xiao Yan easily deflected the question by saying that he was studying at the North Sea Academy.
Xu Qinghe was clearly skeptical of what Xiao Yan said, but this only made him more interested in Xiao Yan's true origins. After all, even his teacher was very tight-lipped about this.
Along the way, Xiao Yan's injuries had recovered considerably thanks to the large number of pills he had. When he felt the abundant Origin Qi filling his meridians again, his gaze towards Xu Qinghe finally became sharper.
Ultimately, this is a world where strength speaks volumes. Origin Qi, Spiritual Strength, and the Power of the Great Dao are all indispensable. Once you lose these, no matter how powerful you are at your peak, you can only submit to whatever comes your way.
As the two ventured deeper, after about a day, they came upon a boundless lake before them. However, describing it as a lake seemed more like describing it as an ocean.
Under Xiao Yan's observation, the lake was actually formed by the accumulation of rich medicinal fragrance!
Xu Qinghe and Xiao Yan stood high in the sky, both looking down at the lake below, marveling at it.
"It is said that when this secret realm was first created, it was a vast and extremely fertile mountain forest. The exit of the secret realm was located in the center of the forest. Anyone who gathered enough Fragrance-Nurturing Pill could gain the qualification to pass by simply throwing them into the cauldron in the center. However, as Suiyue passed, countless Fragrance-Nurturing Pill -Nourishing Pills were thrown into the cauldron. As the fragrance of the pills became more intense, it gradually condensed into streams, until it converged into a lake, almost submerging the entire mountain forest. Now, as long as the required number of Fragrance-Nurturing Pill are thrown directly into the lake, one can directly gain the qualification to pass."
Xu Qinghe finished speaking, he raised his hand and shot out streams of light from his Storage Ring, which then plunged into the lake below. After a short while, the lake water surged and churned, and then with a whoosh, a special water talisman shot out from the water and disappeared into his palm in a flash.
Xu Qinghe extended his palm to Xiao Yan, and a thin layer of watermark in his palm faintly condensed into the character "Dan" which lingered for a long time.
"This item is proof of your passage; Mr. Xiao Yan, you might as well give it a try."
Xiao Yan nodded upon hearing this, and repeated the actions the former had just taken, and indeed got the same result.
After exchanging pleasantries, the two finally parted ways. At this moment, Xiao Yan was still concerned about Xiao Siyu's safety. If Xu Qinghe hadn't been there, he would have investigated her carefully long ago. The fact that they parted now made Xiao Yan very worried about Xiao Siyu. After all, the two of them had encountered several powerful experts at the Yuan Zun level along the way. Although Xiao Siyu was protected by the Northern King, it was still inevitable that Xiao Yan would worry about her.
After a short while, Xiao Yan found a small island in the lake. After confirming that there were no signs of life on the island, he quickly leaped in and hid inside.
Although Xu Qinghe had said before parting that there were powerful Pill Tower experts supervising this lake area and that no one was allowed to make a move, Xiao Yan had personally experienced the Fu Kui's bizarre methods and naturally did not have much trust in such so-called rules. It was always better to be cautious in everything.
Inside a makeshift cave, Xiao Yan sat cross-legged on the ground, calmly concentrating. With the combined support of his still-powerful Soul Power and the earth's vein energy, he quickly made contact with the Soul Imprint within the Northern King's body near the lake. Upon confirming that Xiao Siyu was safe and sound, Xiao Yan finally breathed a long sigh of relief, and his long-held anxiety eased considerably.
The best feeling in life is nothing more than a close call.
All that remains is to patiently wait for the Northern King and Xiao Siyu to arrive and reunite; this trip to the secret realm will then be considered a safe one.
Although such thoughts arose in his mind, Xiao Yan's fear of the Fu Kui did not diminish in the slightest.
With this thief's cultivation level of Five-Star Yuan Zun, I am currently unable to contend with him no matter what. Even if I use all my trump cards, I may not be able to seriously injure him. Even the Northern King, whom I rely on, can only be easily suppressed in front of him. It seems that if I cannot advance my cultivation level, I will still be doomed to die if I meet him in the future.
Upon realizing this, a solemn expression immediately appeared on Xiao Yan's face. He turned his hand over to look at the water talisman in his palm. The importance of winning the Pill Gathering was self-evident at this moment.
Determined to avenge their previous defeat, winning the Pill Gathering crown is a must!
However, before that, something else made Xiao Yan feel slightly excited.
Whether it was the sheer power of the Ten Thousand Seas Return to the Ruins Returning to the Void Secret Technique or the perfect timing of this opportunity, Xiao Yan was astonished to discover, using the lingering Soul Power within his body, that he had actually touched the barrier between himself and Tier Eight Alchemist. This perception was undoubtedly much clearer than it had been in the Pill Sea Illusion Realm. Perhaps he could seize this opportunity to break through to the Tier Eight Soul in one fell swoop. If he succeeded, it would be an absolute boon to his victory in the Pill Gathering!
To avoid a repeat of the previous failure, Xiao Yan did his best to adjust his condition to its peak, stabilizing his aura completely. As for the remaining injuries in his body, he could only rely on the pills that had not yet been fully refined.
Not satisfied with doing all that, Xiao Yan then thought of the Daoist Xuankong's Storage Ring that he had just obtained.
The collection of Yuan Zun Venerable, Tier Eight Alchemist, might yield something that could benefit one's Spiritual Strength.
Just as expected!
Soon, Xiao Yan pulled out a scroll of secret techniques from the scroll with a look of delight.
" The Spirit Absorption Secret Technique..."
Looking at the words on the ancient scroll, Xiao Yan muttered a sentence and then poured his Spiritual Strength into it. After a full quarter of an hour, he withdrew his Spiritual Strength and put it back into his Storage Ring. Not long after, when Xiao Yan withdrew his Spiritual Strength, his tightly furrowed brows reflected his inner emotions.
Judging from this scroll of secret techniques, it does indeed meet Xiao Yan's current expectations. This scroll of Spirit Absorption Secret Technique is of great help to alchemists in breaking through to the Soul Realm, and can greatly increase the chances of breaking through to the Soul Realm. However, the use of this secret technique has a decisive prerequisite: it requires the use of several special materials. Fortunately, judging from the reserves in Daoist Xuankong's Storage Ring, most of the materials required for the secret technique have been prepared, except for one core material that is missing... Soul-Binding Stone.