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"Dou Zong, huh~" Fa Ma sighed deeply, a complex expression flickering across his face.
At this point in his life, he had lost hope in most things. The only aspiration he still clung to was breaking through this bottleneck by advancing into Dou Zong.
Yet being stuck at the peak of Dou Huang had plagued him for far too long. He had no confidence at all in succeeding.
Wei Yang gently sipped his tea, his brows furrowing slightly.
Fa Ma's situation might just be solvable with a single Zong Breaking Pill.
This pill was a Tier 7 medicinal pill, and its rarity and value spoke for themselves.
Wei Yang had one in his possession—but unfortunately, he had left it back in the Black-Corner Region, in Ah Da's hands. It was meant to be used in exchange for the Bodhisattva Body Transformation Saliva.
Otherwise, he would have readily given it to Fa Ma.
The Zong Breaking Pill could slightly increase the chance of stepping into Dou Zong.
And even that small chance, to someone who had long been trapped by a bottleneck, was nothing short of a lifeline.
After all, the only thing they might be missing was that single opportunity.
"Let's not talk about this anymore."
Fa Ma waved his hand with a smile, trying to shift the mood. "Hai Bodong came to see me this morning. It's about the Yun Lan Sect. I want to hear your thoughts."
"Hai Bodong wants to arrange a meeting with us. It seems he wants to ally the Imperial Family, our Alchemist Association, and the three major clans to launch a strike against Yun Lan Sect and wipe them out completely," Fa Ma explained.
"That's the Association's business. You're the Association President—you can make the decision. Why ask me?" Wei Yang responded indifferently.
"What's your stance on it, then?" Fa Ma pressed.
"Me?" Wei Yang paused and then said calmly, "I came back this time to settle scores with Yun Shan. It's a personal grudge between me and him. It has nothing to do with the Association."
"As for whether or not the Association wants to get involved, and whether it should get involved—that's something you and the Elders need to discuss."
"Do you have confidence?" Fa Ma stroked his beard, the light in his old, cloudy eyes flickering faintly.
"Confidence?" Wei Yang thought for a moment. "If it's just Yun Shan, then of course."
"If it's just?" Fa Ma's pupils contracted. "You mean… there's another force or powerhouse backing him?"
"Mm," Wei Yang nodded slowly. "At the moment, there appears to be a mid-level Dou Zong standing behind him."
"If that's all, I can handle it. I'm just concerned there might be other unexpected variables."
"I see…" Fa Ma's brows furrowed tightly, his heart growing heavier.
To think that Yun Lan Sect had a mid-level Dou Zong in the shadows. That was something Fa Ma had never anticipated.
That old bastard Yun Shan really hid himself well.
"Whether or not to get involved—you major powers will have to decide that yourselves." Wei Yang said casually. "As for me, I'm definitely heading up Yun Lan Mountain."
"But I want to remind you of one thing. If Xiao Yan and I fail this time, things will simply return to how they were before we came back," Wei Yang said with a half-smile. "And all of you will still be left with no other choice… isn't that right?"
"…You're not wrong," Fa Ma let out a bitter laugh and nodded. "I know what I have to do."
He slowly stood up, stretched his old bones, and chuckled, "Looks like this old bag of bones of mine is going to have to fight one more time. Fine. That bottled-up frustration from before—I've been holding it in for too long."
"Don't be so dramatic. The main force will be Xiao Yan and me. You big factions just need to follow behind us, wave your flags, and shout a few slogans. No need to go all-out," Wei Yang waved his hand casually and said, "Once we deal with Yun Shan and that mysterious Dou Zong, the rest will just be small fry—easily crushed."
"With your words, I feel a lot more assured." Fa Ma nodded with a smile.
Over the next few days, the various major factions in the imperial capital began to form a faintly unified front.
The Imperial Family, the Alchemist Association, and the three major clans began to mobilize their forces, summoning all their scattered powerhouses back in preparation for the great battle that loomed on the horizon.
And such large-scale movements by so many major powers naturally did not go unnoticed by the outside world.
As a result, a foreboding sense of an impending storm spread across the land.
Some sharp-minded individuals, after recalling the earlier bloody conflict between Yun Lan Sect and the Mittel Clan, began to piece things together.
But given how serious the matter was, most people chose to keep their mouths shut, afraid to invite trouble.
Some especially cautious individuals had already packed up their belongings overnight and fled the imperial capital at first light the next morning, determined to get away from this hotbed of disaster.
However, what left many people somewhat puzzled was that—while the major powers were summoning their strongest from all corners—the Yun Lan Sect remained eerily calm. It was as if the storm brewing outside had absolutely nothing to do with them.
And so, time passed amidst this growing tension, like fine sand slipping through one's fingers.
In the blink of an eye, the day secretly chosen by the major powers for the decisive battle… was tomorrow.
Nightfall – Alchemist Association
Faint moonlight gently poured over the entire courtyard.
Several shade-loving medicinal herbs slowly stretched their leaves under the glow, absorbing the moon's essence as if meditating.
A light breeze drifted through, carrying with it a gentle herbal fragrance that filled the courtyard. Just breathing it in was enough to make one feel calm and refreshed.
In the courtyard, Wei Yang walked barefoot, hands clasped behind his back, completely immersed in this moment of peaceful tranquility.
Suddenly—
Swoosh—
A faint sound of wind-cutting rang out from behind him.
A moment later, a familiar voice followed with a soft chuckle, "Brother Wei, strolling around at this hour? You certainly know how to enjoy yourself."
Wei Yang didn't stop walking and replied with a trace of annoyance, "I was enjoying myself—until you showed up."
"Uh…" Xiao Yan was momentarily speechless, then helplessly shook his head and caught up with Wei Yang. "Tomorrow's the day of our agreed battle. For some reason, I've been feeling a bit unsettled, so I came to see you."
"You're feeling it too?" Wei Yang's footsteps paused for a moment before he continued walking.
"You mean… you're also getting that feeling?" Xiao Yan was stunned. His expression turned serious.
If it were just him, he might've chalked it up to nerves or coincidence.
But for someone like Wei Yang to feel the same… that couldn't be ignored.
In a world like this—where fantasy and power reigned—one's sixth sense was very real.
It often acted as an omen… a warning.
A sign of danger.
And for someone of Wei Yang's strength to feel restless… the danger they were about to face must be beyond imagination.
"I suspect that Hall of Souls Protector from the Jia Ma Empire has gone off to find reinforcements from nearby empires," Wei Yang stopped walking, raising his head to gaze at the moon overhead, his voice soft.
"Mhm." Xiao Yan's expression turned grave as he nodded. He too had a similar hunch buried deep in his heart.
Wei Yang shook his head with a hint of frustration. "I didn't think that guy would be so cautious. I barely showed my face, didn't even reveal my true strength, and yet he was so alert that he ran off to find help… seriously."
"I think…" Xiao Yan hesitated briefly before smiling bitterly, "It's probably because the Hall of Souls places far too much importance on my Xiao Clan. They can't allow even the slightest mishap."
He knew full well it was because of the Tuo She Ancient God's Jade in his possession.
But he couldn't tell Wei Yang the truth—so he could only glance at him with guilt in his heart.
"…I overestimated myself," Wei Yang muttered, visibly regretful.
Not bringing along Du Jiao was the biggest mistake he had made so far.
And now, he found himself in a very difficult position.
He strongly suspected that the enemy had gone to bring back reinforcements—and likely more than just one.
That… was going to be troublesome.
Du Jiao was tens of thousands of miles away in the Black-Corner Region. Even if he tried to summon him now, it would be too late.
But abandoning everything, running off by himself—leaving Xiao Yan and the Jia Ma Empire behind—was something Wei Yang simply couldn't do.
"Brother Wei, there's one more reason I came to see you tonight." Xiao Yan's gaze flickered with hesitation, but soon firmed up as he spoke.
"Oh?" Wei Yang turned slightly to look at him, raising an eyebrow. "You've made up your mind?"
"Yes." Xiao Yan nodded solemnly. "Please give me the Sea Heart Flame."
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