In the blink of an eye, a full week had passed since Xiao Yan disappeared from the Bai Clan's territory. During this week, the Bai Clan and Huo Clan had searched the entire mountain range, extending their search from the outer perimeter to the core. The orders from above were to find him alive or dead. Huo Ting still believed that Xiao Yan Xiao Yan was still in the mountains. Unfortunately, a week had passed, and the search party had searched back and forth no less than five times, but they still hadn't found any trace of Xiao Yan.
In the void, the man in black had already left, while Huo Ting was forced to return to his clan to report under pressure from his family. Many in the clan even believed that his insistence was merely to cover up the mistake at the auction. Huo Ting, who was not well-liked outside and was facing constant turmoil within his family, fell into a slump because of this incident. In his heart, however, his determination to find Xiao Yan became even stronger.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yan, who was in the mountain cave, had almost fully recovered from his injuries after a week of rest. Outside, the experts sent by the Huo Clan were recalled to the clan, as they would probably no longer be at Huo Ting's disposal for the time being.
As for the Bai Clan, their deployment was entirely to coordinate with the Huo Clan's actions. From beginning to end, Bai Ying never issued any order to find Xiao Yan. All the actions of the Bai Clan's experts were left to Huo Ting's control. Now that the Huo Clan's experts have been recalled, the Bai Clan members have naturally returned to their clan.
Inside the cave, Xiao Yan slowly opened his eyes. Not long ago, his spreading Spiritual Strength clearly detected that the two families had all retreated. Although the situation seemed safe for the time being, Xiao Yan did not intend to leave. There were always exceptions. What if the departure of these two families was merely a ploy to lure Xiao Yan into a trap? Going out now would be playing right into their hands. Besides...
Xiao Yan flipped his hand and took out an exquisitely crafted jade box from his Storage Ring.
Inside this jade box is the very item Xiao Yan won at the last auction: the Jade Bone Fruit.
The Jade Bone Fruit can increase the cultivation level of a Devourer by one level, but this increase is limited to Half-Emperor experts. For example, Xiao Yan's strength has already reached the Middle Six-Star Half-Emperor. If he were to devour this Jade Bone Fruit, his strength would be further enhanced, reaching the Late Six-Star Half-Emperor.
Although both are Six-Star Half-Emperor, the difference between the mid-stage and late-stage is like heaven and earth. With Xiao Yan's current strength, after using all his methods, he can at most be compared with an ordinary Mid One-Star Dou Di expert. In fact, in the long run, Xiao Yan will inevitably fall into a disadvantageous position. However, after Xiao Yan devours this Jade Bone Fruit, his strength will increase to the Late Six-Star Half-Emperor. At that time, Xiao Yan will be able to face Late One-Star Dou Di expert with confidence. Even if he faces an opponent who Mid One-Star Dou Di again, Xiao Yan will still have the strength to fight!
Of course, these are just Xiao Yan's personal speculations at the moment. As for the true extent of his power, we will have to see how much Xiao Yan can unleash in actual combat.
After taking out the Jade Bone Fruit, Xiao Yan did not rush to devour it. Instead, with a thought, he used his powerful Spiritual Strength to call back the middle-aged man who was still obediently guarding the cave entrance.
"Hehe, sir, has the sir summoned A Bao to assign you some task?"
Upon entering the cave, the middle-aged man who called himself A Bao immediately bowed to Xiao Yan with a smile on his face. He dared not be careless in the slightest. This time, his gaze was not on the Northern King beside Xiao Yan, but on Xiao Yan himself.
The Spiritual Strength of the black-robed youth in front of him had already reached the level of Third-Tier Alchemist. Even Dou Di expert would show him respect when he saw an alchemist of this level. How could he dare to be careless? If he could establish a relationship with such a person, it would be of endless benefits to him!
"Here."
Xiao Yan casually tossed it, and a stream of light shot towards A Bao. Upon seeing this, the latter hurriedly and carefully caught it in his hand. Then, upon closer inspection, he saw that what was in his hand was a perfectly round pill.
"This is... a third-tier pill!"
Upon seeing this, A Bao was overjoyed. His eyes shone with deep excitement, and his entire body trembled slightly with elation. A third-tier pill—something he had never dared to dream of before—was now in his hands. How could he not be overjoyed?
"Don't be surprised, this is just your payment for this week. I still need to borrow your cave for a while. Once the time is up, these pills will all be yours."
As Xiao Yan spoke casually, he raised the jade bottle in his hand. Through the bottle, three perfectly round pills could be clearly seen, and these three pills were all third-grade pills.
"Please use it as much as you like, my lord. A Bao will have no complaints!"
The middle-aged man was overjoyed. Xiao Yan had offered him pills as payment, and he was so happy that he had no reason to feel dissatisfied.
The thought of obtaining three third-tier pills filled A Bao with excitement. Over the past week, although many people had loitered around his territory, no one dared to come near him. It could be said that the pill in his hand was something he had waited for without expending any effort. Now that such a good thing was presented to him again, A Bao naturally wouldn't miss it.
"My request is simple, the same as this week: as long as no one can enter here and disturb me, these three pills are yours; otherwise..."
"Rest assured, sir. With A Bao here, no one will be able to enter. A Bao will absolutely not allow anyone to disturb you!"
Before Xiao Yan could finish speaking, A Bao continued, patting his chest as he spoke, as if to say, "I've got your back." He seemed quite confident.
Xiao Yan glanced at the latter, his eyes flickering slightly, neither confirming nor denying.
Although A Bao's strength is considered strong in this mountain range, he is merely Nine-Star Half-Emperor, which is nothing in Xiao Yan's eyes, and even less so in the eyes of the Four Great Clans. If Huo Ting intends to search for Xiao Yan, A Bao's strength will be absolutely unstoppable.
After giving a few casual instructions, A Bao happily withdrew, and Xiao Yan also withdrew his thoughts, turning his gaze back to the jade box in his hand.
Whether we can leave this place or not depends entirely on this Jade Bone Fruit!