"Teacher," Yun Yun said, bowing to Yun Shan.
"Old Yun," Xiao Li said, cupping his fists in greeting. After all, Yun Shan had treated him quite well before, even if he always had a gloomy expression. But there was nothing he could do; he had, after all, stolen someone's prized possession, and no one would be in a good mood about that.
"Hmm~ an eight-star Dou Wang, with an exceptionally rich fire-attribute Dou Qi in his body. It seems you've had a fortuitous encounter, young man. I'm afraid it won't be long before you surpass this old fellow."
Yun Shan slowly stood up, and in the blink of an eye, he was beside Xiao Li. A nine-star Dou Huang had, more or less, already touched upon the superficialities of spatial power.
"No matter what your future achievements may be, you must not let Yun'er down. If I ever learn that Yun'er has suffered any grievances with you, I will stake my life to get justice for her."
Yun Shan said sternly. As the Sect Master and a teacher of the Cloud Mist Sect, such words might seem a bit excessive, but Yun Shan was not just a teacher; he was more like a father. This was a father's warning.
"Old Yun, rest assured, I will never let Yun'er down," Xiao Li said seriously.
Hearing this, Yun Shan's stern expression gradually softened.
"Old Yun, since you've agreed to Yun'er and my relationship, then you might find this useful." Xiao Li took out an extremely cold jade box from his storage ring.
"This is?"
"It is precisely a Break-Sect Pill! My Alchemy has greatly improved, and this Break-Sect Pill can be considered one of the betrothal gifts for when I marry Yun'er in the future."
Xiao Li said with a grin. As an Alchemist, one must know how to make many friends, especially powerful ones. In Xiao Li's opinion, besides his family and teacher, Yun Shan was the one with the best relationship with him in the Jia Ma Empire.
This was mainly due to the relationship with Yun Yun. As long as Xiao Li and Yun Yun remained together for a long time, Yun Shan would definitely be a great help to Xiao Li.
As for whether the Cloud Mist Sect wasn't one of the culprits in the future destruction of the Xiao Family? Please, that was many years in the future, and the Hall of Souls was the mastermind behind it. At this point in time, the Hall of Souls hadn't extended its reach yet.
Xiao Li remembered that Protector Wu was an Earth-Grade Protector. In the Hall of Souls, all Dou Zongs were Protectors, and Dou Zuns were Venerable Elders.
Protectors were divided into three Ranks: Heaven, Earth, and Human, corresponding to high-level Dou Zongs, mid-level Dou Zongs, and low-level Dou Zongs.
Yun Shan was unlucky back then; he impulsively attempted to Breakthrough to Dou Zong but failed. Not only did his cultivation regress sharply, but he also suffered a backlash. Protector Wu saved Yun Shan's life, and Yun Shan had no choice but to work for him.
Moreover, everyone knows the methods of the Hall of Souls; it's impossible for them not to leave something behind. Accepting the power of the Hall of Souls naturally comes with a price. Didn't you see Yun Shan's Soul and the Souls of the Cloud Mist Sect Elders directly extracted?
Xiao Li's gift of the Break-Sect Pill to Yun Shan now would allow Yun Shan to Breakthrough to Dou Zong earlier. Calculating the time, it would be about twenty years. In twenty years, Yun Shan should be able to Breakthrough to a three-star Dou Zong on his own. By then, even if Protector Wu came, it would be impossible for him to directly confront Yun Shan.
There is a fundamental difference between a Dou Zong and a Dou Huang. A Dou Zong doesn't need to offend another Dou Zong unless their cultivation difference is enormous; otherwise, they wouldn't fight to the death.
Furthermore, Xiao Li was confident in his Alchemy. As long as he Breakthrough to Dou Huang, he would likely be able to start refining Rank 7 Pills. However, Pill Lightning was very troublesome, and Xiao Li needed a Dou Zong expert to help him resist it.
So, who in the Jia Ma Empire was suitable? Only Yun Shan, of course.
As long as he could refine Rank 7 Pills, Xiao Li didn't believe that with his support as a Seventh-Rank Alchemist, Yun Shan couldn't defeat a mere Hall of Souls grunt... "Hiss—"
Yun Shan gasped, his hands trembling as he took the jade box from Xiao Li. How long had he yearned for the Break-Sect Pill? And now, it was in his hands?
Yun Shan's original plan was to wait for Yun Yun to complete her training in the Gate of Life and Death and become the Sect Master, then he would go into seclusion to Breakthrough to Dou Zong. However, Breakthrough to Dou Zong carried risks.
If the Breakthrough succeeded, then it succeeded, and he would become a true powerhouse of the continent. Dou Zong was the watershed for powerhouses; only a Dou Zong could be considered a powerhouse!
If the Breakthrough failed, he would not only suffer the backlash of the Breakthrough but also experience a drop in his cultivation.
Yun Shan had witnessed his master, Yun Yan, the seventh Sect Master of the Cloud Mist Sect, fail to Breakthrough to Dou Zong, causing her cultivation to drop to an eight-star Dou Huang, and she died not long after.
At this moment, the Break-Sect Pill played a crucial role. This Elixir did not have the effect of increasing strength, but it could give a Peak Dou Huang expert an additional 10% chance of success when advancing to Dou Zong. Furthermore, it ensured that even if the person failed to Breakthrough to Dou Zong, their strength would remain stable at the level before the attempt, without experiencing a drop in Rank!
This kind of efficacy made countless Peak Dou Huang experts envious.
Many Peak Dou Huang experts failed to Breakthrough to Dou Zong, possibly just lacking a Break-Sect Pill. They failed due to fear during the Breakthrough. With a Break-Sect Pill as a safety net, they would have no worries and could bravely advance, making success more likely.
"This, this old man cannot accept it. I cannot accept a reward without merit. This old man is not one to gain without effort. If you give this to me, this old man would feel unworthy." Yun Shan's reason ultimately triumphed over greed, and he pushed the Break-Sect Pill back.
"Oh~ Old Yun, how can you say that? Your Breakthrough to Dou Zong will be of great benefit to me. Once you Breakthrough to Dou Zong, this young man will have to rely on you much more in the future."
Xiao Li hadn't expected Yun Shan to be so principled at this moment. This was even better, indicating that Yun Shan was more worth investing in!
"What do you mean?" Yun Shan was puzzled.
"This Break-Sect Pill was refined by me. Old Yun, you know what quality a Break-Sect Pill is, right? It's a Rank 6 Peak Elixir. My Alchemy is about to Breakthrough to Rank 7.
However, Rank 7 Pills already possess some preliminary sentience, and most importantly, refining Rank 7 Pills will attract Pill Lightning. I currently don't have the ability to resist Pill Lightning.
So, I need Old Yun to help me resist the Pill Lightning. Of course, it won't be for free. I will refine some Elixirs suitable for cultivation as compensation for Old Yun. Old Yun, what do you say?"
Xiao Li's words greatly moved Yun Shan. He had never seen a Rank 7 Pill before, but the books said that Rank 7 Pills indeed attracted Pill Lightning, and its power was considerable. Even a Dou Zong expert could be injured if they were not careful; how could a mere Dou Huang resist Pill Lightning?
'He wants me to help him resist Pill Lightning after I Breakthrough to Dou Zong. This brat has a good plan, huh? Forget it, he can't possibly abuse this old body of mine.'
Yun Shan thought to himself. After a moment of deliberation, he finally decided to help Xiao Li. After all, their relationship might become even closer in the future. According to Yun Yun's thoughts, she might have already decided on Xiao Li for this lifetime.
Yun Shan glanced at Yun Yun holding Xiao Li's hand, feeling a bit displeased.
"In that case, this old man will shamelessly accept it." Yun Shan took the cold jade box containing the Break-Sect Pill.
Breaking through to Dou Zong was not an overnight matter. Yun Shan felt that he hadn't yet reached the Peak of Dou Huang. After the Strongest Tournament, Yun Shan would then prepare to Breakthrough to Dou Zong. With the Break-Sect Pill, Yun Shan's confidence increased significantly.
Xiao Li smiled. He had finally completed a crucial step. With Yun Shan's ability, one Break-Sect Pill should be enough, right? If not, he could refine another one for him. As a Dou Huang expert who was about to Breakthrough to Dou Zong, Yun Shan should have collected the medicinal ingredients for the Break-Sect Pill.
"Yun'er, take Young Friend Xiao Li to tour the Sect. This master needs to Cultivate." Yun Shan waved his hand, his meaning clear: he wanted the two of them to deepen their relationship.
"Yes." Yun Yun cupped her hands in greeting to Yun Shan, then left with Xiao Li.
The two arrived at Yunlan Plaza again. The massive stone tablet in the plaza was eye-catching.
First Sect Master of the Cloud Mist Sect: Yun Potian
Second Sect Master: Yun Yanrou
...Sixth Sect Master: Yun Ao Kong
Seventh Sect Master: Yun Yan
Eighth Sect Master: Yun Shan
Yun Yun's name was not on it. She was still the Young Sect Master. Once she passed the final test to become Sect Master and completed the trial of the Gate of Life and Death, she would become the ninth Sect Master of the Cloud Mist Sect.
"Hmm? Yun'er, why is there an extremely rich cold ice Dou Qi in the sky above?"
Xiao Li suddenly felt a dense aura of cold ice at the Peak of Yun Lan Mountain. Xiao Li, who cultivated fire-attribute Dou Qi, was particularly sensitive to this opposing attribute.
"Oh! That was generated during the battle between Senior Ice Emperor and Teacher. That battle ended with Teacher's victory," Yun Yun replied.
'Oh~ So it's the Refreshing Brother, huh? My apologies, my apologies.'
"