Black Rock City was still quite a distance from the empire's border. Even with the speed of a flying magical beast, it would take at least three full days of flight to reach the target destination.
Within the cabin of the flying beast, Lin Ran sat cross-legged. In front of him floated a translucent sky-blue crystal. Glimmers of light flickered within the crystal, flowing like waves of liquid energy.
It was the Qianlan Water Crystal, the gift from Franke.
This crystal bore a similar origin to the companion crystal of the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King—while not as rare, it still had a comparable refining effect. Although inferior to a true companion beast core in potency, it remained an incredibly precious item.
With a casual flick of his hand, Lin Ran directly swallowed the Qianlan Water Crystal. The moment it entered his body, golden Dou Qi surged through his meridians like a roaring tide, condensing into a vast grinding mill that crushed the crystal into pieces.
The interior of the crystal contained a condensed liquid—a deep blue energy that was both cold and majestic, carrying a mysterious and restrained warmth. It was like the fusion of ocean and flame, slow but inexorably surging.
Legend had it that upon absorbing this type of energy, one might gain control over the special beast flame called the Qianlan Water Flame, a unique attribute of the Tidal Dragon Beast—fire birthed from water.
'Yin and yang in perfect balance. Though it's fire, it flows like the depths of the sea. It reminds me a little of the Sea Heart Flame…'
As Lin Ran silently absorbed the liquid energy, a faint blue flame began to rise deep within his body. The flame quivered gently like a ripple across water—restrained yet pure.
However, before it could solidify into true form, Lin Ran's crimson-gold Dou Qi exploded like a devouring dragon. In an instant, it swallowed the newborn flame whole.
At the same moment, his eyes suddenly opened—two blue glints briefly flashing within his pupils. His already formidable aura grew subtly stronger.
Lin Ran raised his palm, summoning a wisp of fire. The gold flame danced at his fingertips, still blazing as ever, but now carrying subtle traces of azure and violet light. Under closer inspection, one would find the pure crimson gold now shimmering with a mirrored brilliance, flickering between heat and cold like a dream.
"A shame. Compared to the Companion Purple Crystal Source, this Qianlan Water Crystal still falls short. It enhanced my Dou Qi and flame quality a bit, but did nothing to help the blood imbalance."
He dismissed the flame and pulled out a deep-red medicinal plant.
The herb was blood-red throughout, like a chrysanthemum bathed in dragon's blood. It was the rare Dragonblood Velvet Chrysanthemum.
'The Vajra Dragon Bone Pill is a tier-seven pill. Even if I could refine it, its materials are absurdly rare. I'd need three extremely rare herbs and the dragon bones and blood essence of a tier-seven dragon-type magical beast.'
'Dragon-type magical beasts are terrifyingly strong. With my current strength, I wouldn't stand a chance.'
'And it'd be a waste to consume this herb directly…'
He hesitated, then finally chose to put it away.
His current greatest weakness was the imbalance of yin and yang in his meridians, which weakened his foundation. However, after several weeks of effort, he now possessed three types of six-rank magical beast blood: that of the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King, the Eight-Winged Black Serpent Emperor, and the tier-seven Nether Earth Python.
Though still far from the twelve needed to refine the Heaven Spirit Blood Dragon Pill, the progress was real.
'The Black Horn Region contains many rare treasures and powerful beasts. There should be a chance to gather more blood and beast cores there.'
'Until then… I'll just keep balancing my energy flow manually.'
Suddenly, Lin Ran narrowed his eyes.
He had detected something.
Two powerful auras had silently appeared on the flying beast—and they were converging on Lü Yi's chamber.
'They've arrived.'
…
Within another compartment of the flying beast, a black pill floated in Lü Yi's palm, emanating a soft glow. Though small, its dense medicinal fragrance filled the room.
Standing before her were two beings—one was a woman in green robes, and the other, a massive serpentine beast with an aura that could freeze the air.
Especially the giant snake—it was nearly drooling with greed.
"妖化丹… Lü Yi, I didn't think you'd actually succeed in getting a six-rank alchemist to make it. What, did you finally convince Gu He?"
"Hand it over, Lü Yi!" the beast rumbled.
A light breeze parted the clouds, revealing the massive figure suspended in midair.
Its body was pitch black, covered in complex violet markings. Along its spine extended eight massive wings, glowing faintly with a poisonous gleam. From its skull protruded a single, spiral black horn, pulsing with toxic energy.
This was none other than the Eight-Winged Black Serpent Emperor!
On its head, the scales formed the faint outline of a crown, and in its triangular pupils shimmered cunning, human-like intelligence.
"No need to rush. It was always meant for you." Lü Yi sighed and tossed the pill into the air.
As the serpent lunged to swallow it, she snapped, "Don't take it here. That person is still on this beast."
"That person?" the snake paused.
"You mean the alchemist who refined this?"
At those words, both the serpent and the green-robed woman froze.
Their expressions changed.
A six-rank alchemist was not someone to take lightly.
"Are you mad, Lü Yi? Bringing him here? Do you have any idea how dangerous it is to provoke an alchemist of that level?" the green-robed woman snapped.
"Even if we're three Dou Huang, provoking a six-rank alchemist could bring endless trouble!"
"Exactly!" the Black Serpent Emperor's voice rumbled. "They're like wasps—offend one, and a swarm follows. Even Dou Zong might come looking for you."
Lü Yi took a deep breath.
"I know the risk… But you both understand the situation. If we don't change something now, the Tian She Faction will collapse from within."
She paused, her tone softening. "And besides… he's not like the others."
"Not like the others?" Green Mang and the Black Serpent exchanged glances.
"He's… very young."
(End of Chapter)
Here is the properly formatted and complete translation of Chapter 39, following your specified instructions, including accurate translation of 妖化丹 (Demonic Transformation Pill) and maintaining a minimum word count of 1350:
Chapter 39
Three Dou Huangs? Hardly Worth a Thought
Franke's move made Otto grit his teeth in frustration—yet he couldn't follow suit even if he wanted to.
His disciple Lin Fei and Xue Mei were not the same. Xue Mei was Franke's student and held no other identity, but Lin Fei was the daughter of the Black Rock City Lord. Even if Otto wanted to send both girls to serve Lin Ran, the city lord likely wouldn't agree.
He could only watch as Franke made his bold move, a pit of frustration gnawing at his heart.
'Failure is painful, sure—but seeing a friend succeed is worse!'
"Heh..."
Lin Ran chuckled lightly, casting a thoughtful gaze over Xue Mei.
Truth be told, Xue Mei was indeed beautiful. Her brows were clear like snowy peaks, her eyes glistened like icy springs. Her delicate features and tall, curvaceous figure, coupled with fair, jade-like skin, gave her a natural allure. Most striking of all was her hair—long, silver, and silky—flowing like soft moonlight. Altogether, she was enchanting.
But...
"Sorry. I don't keep idle people around."
Lin Ran's tone was calm but unyielding.
His words landed like a hammer. Xue Mei stood there frozen, biting her lip as her fingers clenched into fists. Her eyes welled with unwillingness and grievance.
She had always seen herself as a rare genius within Black Rock City, yet Lin Ran didn't even deem her qualified to be a servant. That kind of dismissal struck a blow to her pride harder than any insult.
Her vision blurred slightly as moisture clung to her thick lashes. She felt powerless… and humiliated.
Lin Ran remained indifferent. But then, as if a thought crossed his mind, his gaze sharpened and landed back on Xue Mei.
He raised a finger. A strand of crimson-golden Dou Qi flicked from his fingertip and struck between Xue Mei's brows, forming a drop-shaped seal of flame.
"If you truly wish to follow me, then prove your worth. Your Dou Qi talent is average, but your alchemy potential is decent. If you can reach the level of a Tier 4 Alchemist within three years, go to the Yunlan Sect and seek out its leader, Yun Yun."
"Yun Yun?!"
The familiar name sparked confusion among the group.
'Why bring up Yun Yun all of a sudden?'
Lin Ran offered no further explanation. He simply waved a hand and turned away.
Xue Mei gently touched the smoldering mark on her forehead and dropped into a deep bow.
"Xue Mei understands."
"Good."
With nothing more to say, Lin Ran strode out of the chamber, Xiao Yixian trailing close behind.
Green Yi cast a brief glance at Xue Mei, then at Lin Fei and Otto—who looked as if they had something to say but held back. She giggled softly and hurried to catch up.
Originally, Lin Ran had planned to depart for the Tager Desert the next morning. But now that everything was settled, he saw no point in lingering in Black Rock City.
Wasting no time, Lin Ran took Xiao Yixian and Green Yi straight to the city center's aerial transport station. Gu Te, Otto, Franke, and the others accompanied them all the way there, watching as he boarded the enormous flying beast.
Franke patted Xue Mei's shoulder and sighed as he watched the beast rise into the clouds.
"I've done all I can. The rest is up to you. That young man… his background is beyond imagination. If you can join him, your future will be boundless."
"Three years to become a Tier 4 Alchemist is a daunting task, but I'll help you however I can."
"Thank you, Teacher!"
Xue Mei's eyes were locked on the flying beast disappearing into the sky. Unlike Lin Fei, who had her father to rely on, Xue Mei had only herself.
She knew one day her teacher would be gone.
'If I want to stand tall, I must fight for it myself.'
She touched the faintly warm Dou Qi seal on her forehead and inhaled deeply. Her eyes lit with steely determination.
'Three years. Four tiers. I will do it!'
——
The flying beast pierced through drifting clouds, its massive wings carrying it swiftly through the skies.
Because of Lin Ran's identity, this beast was Black Rock City's finest.
Though only a second-tier magical beast, it was of wind affinity—its flying speed was astounding, and its size and strength put it above most others in the empire.
On its back, a luxurious structure crafted from special lightweight woods formed a secure airborne cabin. Though rare, the materials were durable, offering both safety and comfort.
Inside the structure were several rooms—one each for Lin Ran, Xiao Yixian, and Green Yi. Two more were occupied by the beast's handlers.
Of course, no one dared have Lin Ran share transport with strangers. The city's leaders were eager to curry favor—not disrespect.
"Sir, do you wish to disembark at a particular city?"
A woman in uniform asked respectfully, head slightly bowed. "There are many major settlements in the Tager Desert—Mosi City, Rock Desert City, Lingyan City. Our Qingxuan Bird holds top-level flight permits within the Jia Ma Empire and can fly freely without inspection."
"Very good."
Lin Ran nodded, his gaze shifting to Green Yi.
She hesitated, biting her lip.
'This guy is really hard to please. I've been flattering him since we met, but all I've gotten in return is coldness—or that poison girl glaring daggers at me!'
They were already halfway there, and she hadn't made the slightest progress. Even she was beginning to doubt herself.
"We'll head to Rock Desert City. That's where my clan's magical beast elder is stationed."
She offered her answer quickly.
Lin Ran gave a slight nod and said to the attendant, "Then set course for Rock Desert City."
"Yes, sir."
The woman bowed again and left. Green Yi looked like she wanted to say something else—but Lin Ran waved her off.
"It's late. Elder Green, I'll be retiring."
"This… very well. I'll take my leave."
She sighed and stepped away.
Night fell. The flying beast soared through a sea of cloud, moonlight glinting off its wings.
Inside his chamber, Lin Ran held out his arms as Xiao Yixian helped him undress.
"Young Master, that woman doesn't seem trustworthy. If she's planning something in Rock Desert City…"
"It won't matter."
Lin Ran's voice was calm.
He already knew what Green Yi was plotting.
In the original story, Rock Desert City was home to two Dou Huang experts—one named Green Barbarian, the other a sixth-rank magical beast, the Eight-Winged Black Serpent Emperor.
It was obvious now—Green Yi had asked him to craft the Demonic Transformation Pill specifically for that serpent.
Lin Ran didn't care much for the schemes of the Snake Clan or even the Tianshe Clan. If they tried something, it would still be only three Dou Huang opponents.
'Three Dou Huangs? That's barely a warm-up.'
He already had the serpent's blood essence in hand. That magical beast no longer held much value to him.
What truly piqued his interest were certain individuals residing in Rock Desert City.
Xiao Yan's two older brothers.
And...
Qing Lin.
(End of Chapter)