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**
"Come in." Wei Yang, seated cross-legged on the meditation cushion, tidied his robes slightly before speaking.
Creaaak~
The heavy doors slowly opened. As the slightly blinding sunlight poured in, dispelling the hall's dimness, two curvaceous and graceful female figures stepped into the hall one after the other, illuminated by the golden light.
One had an ethereal, peerless beauty with an air of noble authority.
The other, voluptuous and fiery, her pretty face carrying a cold charm.
Their serpentine tails gently swayed behind them as they glided forward into the hall.
"Mister Wei, thank you for your hard work." Queen Medusa offered a light bow before asking, "That commotion just now—what was it?"
Behind her, Yue Mei, following one step behind, was filled with eager anticipation, her gaze practically burning with curiosity.
"You got lucky. The first pill came out as a superior-grade." Wei Yang picked up the small jade bottle on the table and casually tossed it over.
Medusa reached out carefully to catch it, then shot Wei Yang a playful glare before gently opening the bottle.
As a rich medicinal fragrance wafted out, one could clearly see inside the jade bottle a single blue-green pill. It was smooth and plump, its surface covered in intricate pill lines, quietly resting within.
"Pill lines… it's really superior-grade!" Medusa's eyes instantly lit up, a trace of joy curving her lips into a smile.
Behind her, Yue Mei stretched her neck, trying to get a look, her eyes blazing with desire.
If she could consume this pill, there was a high chance she could leap two full stars in strength—breaking directly into the high-tier Dou Wang level!
Medusa closed the lid of the jade bottle and sealed it with a few inscriptions before carefully storing it away.
"Mister Wei truly lives up to being a Tier 6 alchemist. Your alchemy skills are indeed profound—respect!" she said with a slight nod, her tone showing some sincere admiration.
Then, with a wave of her hand, five jade bottles and two jade boxes floated in front of her.
As they appeared, the previously heat-filled hall—still carrying residual warmth from the pill refinement—suddenly cooled significantly.
Even with a layer of sealing inscriptions, the five jade bottles were visibly radiating threads of cold energy.
"Mister Wei, these are the five portions of Ice Spirit Cold Fountain you requested, along with two aged Sand Daturas," Medusa said with a gentle smile.
Xiao Yan's expression couldn't hide his excitement at the sight.
The Ice Spirit Cold Fountain—there was no need to explain its value.
And the Sand Datura—this Tier 6 medicinal herb was one of the key ingredients for refining the Tier 6 Breaking Adversity Pill.
With both in hand, their goals for this trip to the snake tribe were basically fulfilled.
Wei Yang casually waved his hand, drawing the items over to himself. After a quick scan with his spiritual sense to verify them, he nodded and stored them away.
This was all part of their previous agreement: Wei Yang would first refine one Dou Spirit Pill, and in return, Medusa had to deliver the first batch of promised items.
A mutual test of trust, in a sense—and both sides were clearly satisfied.
"The remaining two Dou Spirit Pills, I'll probably be able to finish refining in three days. When are you planning to borrow the Heavenly Flame?" Wei Yang sipped his tea and asked casually.
Medusa's expression turned serious, her earlier smile fading. "I'll still need to make some preparations and arrangements beforehand. It may take some time…"
Wei Yang frowned slightly. "My time is limited. I can't stay in your Snake-People territory for too long."
"Ten days! Please allow me ten days, Mister Wei. I'll be ready then!" Medusa immediately replied.
"Ten days… fine." Wei Yang nodded. "That's barely acceptable. It's settled then. Ten days from now, I'll hand over the other two Dou Spirit Pills. In return, you'll first take him to your medicinal treasury and let him choose ten herbs freely. After that, I'll let you borrow the Heavenly Flame."
As he spoke, he pointed to Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan licked his lips, his eyes flashing with eagerness.
"...Of course." Medusa's mouth twitched slightly, forcing out a strained smile.
She was bleeding inside.
Letting an alchemist walk into the medicinal vault and pick any ten herbs they wanted?
That cost... was truly hard to swallow.
Behind her, Yue Mei's face had already darkened, looking as if her heart had been cut in half.
The excitement the two women had felt earlier now seemed to plunge straight into the abyss.
That was their clan's treasure vault, after all!
...
With a sense of unease and mixed feelings, the two women finally left.
They would return ten days later.
Creaaak~
As the great doors closed behind them, only Xiao Yan and Wei Yang remained in the grand hall.
At this moment, Yao Lao once again emerged, floating into view.
"Bro Wei!" Xiao Yan rubbed his hands together, unable to hide his excitement as he looked at Wei Yang expectantly.
"Heh." Wei Yang waved his hand, and two bottles of Ice Spirit Cold Fountain, along with two jade boxes containing Sand Daturas, landed gently on the table. "Here, this is your share."
This had been agreed upon beforehand.
Wei Yang would take three shares of the Ice Spirit Cold Fountain.
Xiao Yan would take two shares, along with the two Sand Daturas.
"Haha! Ice Spirit Cold Fountain—finally!" Xiao Yan didn't even glance at the Sand Daturas. He instantly grabbed a bottle of Ice Spirit Cold Fountain in each hand, his face brimming with excitement.
The final component needed to refine the Green Lotus Core Flame was finally in his grasp!
He grinned widely, completely unfazed by the chill seeping from the bottles. A thin layer of frost had already begun spreading over his palms from the intense cold.
Yao Lao nodded with satisfaction—but deep in his eyes, there was still a trace of worry.
Refining a Heavenly Flame... was simply far too dangerous.
Especially with Xiao Yan's current strength—only at the two-star Dou Shi level.
Even someone at the same level refining a Heavenly Flame would be risking death.
Let alone someone refining a flame as powerful as the Green Lotus Core Flame, whose might could rival that of a Dou Huang...
Even ten days from now, with Queen Medusa's assistance in weakening it first, it would still be a life-and-death gamble!
After spending two years with Xiao Yan, Yao Lao had gradually come to truly accept him in his heart—seeing him as the true inheritor of his legacy.
So, at this moment, he felt torn.
"Wei kid..." Yao Lao looked toward Wei Yang, hesitating.
Wei Yang glanced at the excited Xiao Yan, then turned to Yao Lao. "Senior, are you worried about Xiao Yan?"
"Yes... refining a Heavenly Flame is no child's game." Yao Lao sighed. "Xiao Yan's current level is far too low. No matter how much preparation is made, it doesn't change the reality that the Green Lotus Core Flame's power far exceeds his own."
"If possible, I wish he'd hold off—at least wait until he reaches the peak of Da Dou Shi, or even steps into Dou Ling. That would increase his odds of success by at least thirty percent."
"Master..." At this point, Xiao Yan had calmed his emotions, the smile on his face slowly fading. He forced a bitter smile. "Master… the Three-Year Agreement is almost here—less than ten months remain…"
"With my current strength at only two-star Dou Shi, even in ten months, I'll at most reach seven- or eight-star Dou Shi. As for cultivation techniques... if I don't rely on a Heavenly Flame, how am I supposed to face Nalan Yanran?"
"I must win the Three-Year Agreement!" Xiao Yan clenched the jade bottles in his hands, determination etched into his face as he gritted his teeth. "So refining the Green Lotus Core Flame is my only option right now!"
"Master, you don't have to try to persuade me anymore. This is a decision—and a choice—I've made myself."
"Rather than be humiliated in front of everyone ten months from now by Nalan Yanran of the Yun Lan Sect, trampled beneath her feet... I would rather die in the flames of a Heavenly Flame!"
"That's why I must refine it. If I fail—then let me die a man!"
Xiao Yan's voice was resolute, cutting like steel.
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