novelhk 569. Final Preparations
569. Final Preparations
Xiao Yan hadn't decided which elixir he should choose for the competition, though he had some ideas. However, since learning that the herbs needed to be found in the Pill Realm, his original plans might not be feasible. Unfortunately, the rules of the second round of the Pill Competition seemed to restrict Xiao Yan more than Ling Zhuo.
Of course, more importantly, even if he refined ordinary pills, he might not be able to defeat Ling Zhuo when he was fully prepared.
Fortunately, Xiao Yan's own soul realm has now reached the mid-stage of the Spirit Realm, and many herbs that were previously inaccessible can now be refined.
Upon hearing this, Wei Jiangyuan turned his attention to his ally, Xiao Yan: "What's wrong? Something on your mind?"
Xiao Yan also took out a jade slip, which was the original formula for the Heart Bamboo pill that Cao Ying had been responsible for writing down. Xiao Yan handed it to Wei Jiangyuan and said, "Take a look at this!"
Wei Jiangyuan placed the jade slip between his eyebrows. As his soul power swept over the dense runes within, the information he received made his expression extremely interesting.
"So that's what it is... I see... Interesting, interesting." After reading it, Wei Jiangyuan handed the jade slip to Yao Qingyu next to him.
He fell into deep thought for a moment. Xiao Yan asked, "Cao Ying recorded in this jade slip her reasons for being controlled by Ling Zhuo and her speculations about the Spirit Clan's actions. What do you think?"
"To be honest, it's quite amazing. The Spirit Clan can actually change a person through the blood of a Dou Di descendant, and continue to manipulate them after they grow up. What's even more impressive is that Cao Ying was able to deduce so much information from herself while under control. It's incredible. Ling Zhuo definitely didn't know about this, otherwise he wouldn't have allowed Cao Ying to make a deal with us."
Xiao Yan also mentioned, "I feel that it was more after Dan Chen joined the Spirit Clan that the two of them had discussions about this matter."
After all, both of them were exceptionally talented eighth-grade alchemists, and the problem lay within their own bodies; it was impossible for them to be completely oblivious. Cao Ying had also recorded all the information she had observed in the jade slip, clearly hoping that Xiao Yan would do something about it.
"So what are your thoughts? Cao Ying, all this information we have right now is fragmented. You're not hoping to break the Spirit Clan's control over them right now, are you?"
With the help of Cao Ying and Dan Chen, the difficulty of the Dan Conference will naturally decrease, but the difficulty itself is considerable. After all, the Spirit Clan's design was laid out more than twenty years ago, and cracking it on one's own may not be so simple.
Xiao Yan sat cross-legged on a blue stone, his fingertips unconsciously tracing the textured surface of his Qiankun Ring. To be honest, he was somewhat tempted, but ultimately said nothing. However, after their conversation, he no longer hesitated and began to gather the herbs that had been placed on the ground.
Regarding the choice of alchemy for the Pill Refining Conference, Xiao Yan had roughly two options in mind. One was his own self-created pill formula, which he had been constantly refining during this period. Moreover, with his experience, Xiao Yan felt that his previously chaotic thoughts were gradually becoming clearer. However, using his own self-created pill formula in such an important Pill Refining Conference still carried a great risk.
The less risky task is refining the pills needed to revive the old medicine master. These are top-grade seventh-rank pills, but with the right materials, they have the potential to be upgraded to eighth-rank. With Xiao Yan's current strength and the combined effect of his strange fire, reaching the eighth rank shouldn't be difficult. However, without changing the ingredients of the Bone-Growing and Blood-Melting Pill, its upper limit is still somewhat low.
While Xiao Yan was hesitating about which pill formula to use, Wei Jiangyuan was also looking at the storage ring in his hand, his eyes changing several times, and it was unclear what he was thinking.
……
Xiao Yan and his group weren't the only ones concerned about the final outcome of this Pill Gathering. On the other side of the Pill Realm, Ling Zhuo's subordinates were also making final preparations. However, the atmosphere, which had been harmonious and relaxed with Xiao Yan, was somewhat quiet here. Until Ling Zhuo spoke, the others could only act according to his expression.
Of course, there is another difference, which is due to the gap in information. The herbs they harvested are far superior to those of Xiao Yan and his group. At this moment, Linglang has spread out all the herbs she is satisfied with, totaling more than two hundred plants. Any alchemist who sees this situation will definitely be envious.
Ling Zhuo then instructed Yi Xu, Cao Ying, Dan Chen, and Ling Yu, "I won't restrict what you want to refine. The only requirement is that it must be at least Grade Eight. We must win this final alchemy competition beautifully!"
The group all nodded immediately. Ling Yu, in particular, had suffered repeated blows from Wei Jiangyuan's ruthless attacks during their previous encounter, and had only recently recovered after Wei Jiangyuan treated him several times. Despite his recent injuries, his complexion was still somewhat pale. More importantly for Ling Yu was the fact that his twin brother had died, a devastating blow both emotionally and in terms of combat experience.
"Young Master Ling, are we really not going to take revenge within the Pill Tower?!"
Seeing that Ling Zhuo had no intention of continuing to search for Xiao Yan and his group, Ling Yu disregarded everything and asked directly. After all, the Pill Realm was actually a relatively fair place; if any injuries or disabilities occurred there, the Pill Association wouldn't intervene. Once outside the Pill Realm, under the immense pressure from the Pill Tower, it would be extremely troublesome to harm either Wei Jiangyuan or Xiao Yan. With the Spirit Clan and the Pill Tower in such a state, the Pill Tower couldn't possibly stand by and watch them attack Xiao Yan and Wei Jiangyuan.
Seeing Ling Yu's hurried demeanor, Ling Zhuo walked up to him and patted him on the shoulder: "Right now, we must complete the clan's mission first."
"However," Ling Zhuo's tone shifted, "I promise you, Ling Luo will not have died in vain. I will make Xiao Yan and Wei Jiangyuan pay a bloody price!"
"Young Master Ling, what should we do at the Pill Gathering?" Yi Xu asked proactively.
"You don't need to do anything. Just refine your pills without making any mistakes. Leave everything to me!"
Cao Ying also advised, "Young Master Ling, Xiao Yan and Wei Jiangyuan are not to be underestimated. Although we obtained the last herb garden, I feel we still cannot control those two."
Upon hearing this, Ling Zhuo burst into laughter: "So what if they have herbs and the ability? They will definitely not achieve anything in the final pill-making competition."
Yi Xu suddenly had a feeling that Ling Zhuo was truly confident that he could control everything in the final alchemy gathering.