"Alright, I agree."
"Then, happy cooperation."
Xiao Zhitian and Yun Shan exchanged smiles.
Xiao Zhitian waved his hand in the void. "Since our cooperation is settled, I'll return them to you."
Shui Ye appeared instantly, tossing the seven unconscious individuals he carried onto the ground, and Yun Yun emerged from a spatial rift.
Yun Shan looked at the appearing Shui Ye, his expression turning grave. This was a genuine high-level Dou Zong—not a secret technique Xiao Zhitian had used.
"This is Old Shui Yan," Xiao Zhitian explained to Yun Shan with a smile. Seeing it, Yun Shan shivered, realizing that the young man's true strength was unfathomable.
"What's wrong with them?" Yun Shan asked, glancing at the people lying on the ground.
"They shouldn't be conscious in our current situation. You can wake them later. The rest is up to you."
After speaking, Xiao Zhitian led Old Shui out of the hall. As he passed Yun Yun, he subtly winked and mouthed, "I'll come find you later."
Yun Yun reluctantly glanced at Xiao Zhitian, then walked to Yun Shan. "Teacher, I've disappointed you."
"It's fine." Yun Shan narrowed his eyes. Being an old fox, he sensed that the relationship between Xiao Zhitian and Yun Yun was more complicated than it appeared, but he didn't ask.
Yun Shan woke Gu He and the others. Yun Yun briefly explained that they had been rescued, then they boarded the flying magical beasts they had arrived on and departed Serpent-People City.
Except for Yun Yun and Yun Shan, the others looked back at the shrinking Serpent-People City with terror, vowing never to return.
Xiao Zhitian stood atop a rooftop, watching Yun Yun fade into the distance.
"If you're reluctant, you can go after her," Medusa appeared beside him, her tone playful.
"Now that everything is resolved, I can help you begin your evolution tomorrow." Xiao Zhitian ignored her question, changing the subject.
"Mm… I've been waiting for a long time." Queen Medusa nodded lightly. "Tell me, do you think I'm more beautiful, or is Yun Yun more beautiful?"
Xiao Zhitian froze at her question, nearly losing his footing.
He placed a hand on her forehead. "No fever… why are you talking nonsense?"
He looked down to see Medusa's murderous gaze. "My pill cauldron is about to give birth. I'm leaving first."
Xiao Zhitian activated Void Piercer Art fully, appearing fifty meters away in an instant. Within breaths, he vanished from sight.
"Hehehe…"
Watching him flee, Medusa let out a giggle. At this moment, her charm and smile could mesmerize anyone.
"Hmph, you fickle little guy. Do you think I don't know about you and Yun Yun?"
Meanwhile, Xiao Yan—disguised as a Snake-Person under the cover of Venerable Yao—had already sneaked into Serpent-People City, having taken a pill to mask his aura.
Xiao Zhitian, having left the scene, wandered leisurely through Serpent-People City. Queen Medusa had commanded that he be treated as an honored guest, and because of his previous assistance to the Snake-People Tribe, he quickly gained their approval.
"Hall Master, there's a human aura ahead," Old Shui whispered from the void.
Xiao Zhitian looked in the indicated direction and saw a Snake-Person resembling Xiao Yan moving stealthily.
He didn't confront Xiao Yan but instead used his soul power to send a message to the storage ring in his hand.
As night fell, Xiao Zhitian stood on a rocky wasteland west of Serpent-People City, gazing at the starry sky.
A soul body appeared behind him, eyes full of admiration. "You've already broken through to Dou Ling? And your soul power seems extraordinary as well."
"Just luck. I broke through to Dou Ling half a month ago." Xiao Zhitian only spoke of his cultivation realm, not his soul realm.
In the Alchemist world, soul power was crucial. To become a higher-level Alchemist, one must strengthen the soul. Without a fortuitous encounter, cultivating soul power could take years—unless one was a genius.
Given Xiao Zhitian's age and his soul power at the late Mortal Realm, he could at least become a peak Level 7 Alchemist in the future. With enough opportunities, becoming a Grade 8 Alchemist was achievable.
Venerable Yao noticed Xiao Zhitian avoided discussing soul power and didn't press further.
"Xiao Zhitian, tell me—why did you ask me to come here?"
Xiao Zhitian turned to Venerable Yao, smiling. "I want to make a deal with you, senior."
Venerable Yao raised an eyebrow, stroking his long beard with a smile. "What kind of deal? I'm not interested in ordinary matters."
Xiao Zhitian looked him in the eyes, enunciating each word carefully. "The Green Lotus Core Flame—number nineteen on the Strange Fire ranking list."
Venerable Yao paused, eyes fixed on him. "Are you serious?"
"Of course. I don't play tricks. While different fires are valuable, I don't need it that much. There's no need to take unnecessary risks. If I'm careless, I could burn to ashes. Better to monetize it," Xiao Zhitian shook his head, chuckling.
Venerable Yao agreed. A genius has a future only if he is alive; a dead genius is just… dead.
"Hoo, tell me, what do you want in return?" Venerable Yao straightened his posture.
"A Heaven-tier Dou Technique without attribute restrictions."
Xiao Zhitian knew the fires were vital to Venerable Yao—for cultivating Xiao Yan or for building his own physical body. To revive himself, Venerable Yao needed three different fires; each was crucial. Only twenty-three existed worldwide, many already claimed.
Although Venerable Yao had changed many views through Xiao Yan, his greatest goal remained his own revival.
Xiao Zhitian didn't doubt that Venerable Yao had valuable items. This old fox was incredibly good at hiding things. When Xiao Yan was a Dou Zhe, he was tricked into cultivating the Burning Technique—obviously, Venerable Yao had more treasures.
"Do you think Heaven-tier cultivation techniques are like cabbages? Are you crazy?" Venerable Yao nearly lost his balance, astonished by Xiao Zhitian's proposal.
Old fox, come on… keep up the act for me.
"I don't believe a dignified Grade 8 Alchemist like you wouldn't have a Heaven-tier Dou Technique."
Xiao Zhitian smiled. "Senior, you know in the Central Plains, a mature different fire can be exchanged for a Heaven-tier cultivation technique. My offer is fair—I'm only asking for a Heaven-tier Dou Technique. I'm not asking for too much."
Venerable Yao's expression turned serious. He floated in the void, studying Xiao Zhitian silently. Xiao Zhitian met his gaze confidently, smiling.