After a brief pause, he added, "I suppose Senior Yao believes I have some talent in alchemy. So, she made one of the conditions in her task for me to reach at least Tier-6 Alchemy."
Cao Lian froze. "Tier-6?"
For a moment, she simply stared at him.
Then she repeated the words as though trying to confirm she had heard correctly. "Goddess gave you a task that requires reaching Tier-6 Alchemy?"
When Li Yan nodded, Cao Lian shook her head and laughed helplessly. "Li Yan, you truly never miss an opportunity to surprise me."
Her reaction contained more excitement than disbelief.
If Yao Fuhuo had set such a condition, then it meant she genuinely believed Li Yan possessed the potential to reach that level.
That realization alone was astonishing.
At that moment, footsteps echoed from the entrance.
Ji Hong returned.
"Li Yan, I've finished discussing the matter with the elders."
He walked over and glanced at the Golden Feather Peacock Flame. "We reviewed the sect's historical records and previous transactions before deciding on a price."
He paused briefly. "However, the amount is considerable. Frankly, none of us is certain you can afford it. Because of that, the elders suggested simply giving it to you."
Li Yan was not surprised.
Judging from the prices of the Tier-1 and Tier-2 Beast Flames, he had already anticipated that a Tier-3 Beast Flame would be extraordinarily expensive.
Still, he shook his head. "I appreciate the offer, Elder Ji, but I'd like to know the actual price."
Ji Hong sighed.
He had expected that answer. "Very well. The final valuation is one million four hundred thousand Shadow Points."
Even Li Yan felt a hint of surprise. The figure exceeded his own estimate. Beside him, Cao Lian also appeared somewhat startled.
A Tier-3 Beast Flame truly belonged among the sect's most valuable treasures.
Li Yan remained silent for a moment before summoning his Dark Gold Disciple Badge. A stream of Qi flowed into it.
Soon, a set of numbers appeared on its surface.
526,930 Shadow Points.
It was already an impressive amount for a disciple at his rank.
Most of it had been accumulated through the enormous number of Tier-3 beast corpses he had sold during Yao Fuhuo's last task.
Unfortunately, it was still far from enough.
Li Yan's thoughts quickly turned toward possible solutions.
He could continue earning Shadow Points until he accumulated the required amount.
Or he could accept the elders' offer and receive the flame as a gift, but what about his principles?
He can make a partial payment now and settle the remaining balance later.
As the possibilities ran through his mind, another thought surfaced.
The beast cores.
Unlike the beast corpses, those had never been sold.
Yao Fuhuo had already verified them as proof of his completed tasks and explicitly allowed him to use them however he wished.
A faint smile appeared on Li Yan's face.
He still possessed nearly a thousand Tier-1 beast cores, over five thousand Tier-2 beast cores, and more than ten thousand Tier-3 beast cores.
Their value may help him cover the expense of the Beast Flame. But he only knows the price of the Tier-1 beast core, which is 50 Shadow Points for each. With a thousand, the total value of them reached 50,000 Shadow Points.
Looking toward Ji Hong, he asked, "Elder Ji, what are the sect's selling prices for Tier-2 and Tier-3 beast cores?"
Ji Hong and Cao Lian immediately understood his train of thought. Both of them remembered the beast cores Li Yan had collected to complete Yao Fuhuo's tasks.
What they did not know was that Yao Fuhuo had left every one of those cores in his possession.
Ji Hong answered without hesitation. "A Tier-2 beast core sells for one hundred Shadow Points. A Tier-3 beast core sells for two hundred and fifty Shadow Points."
Li Yan's eyes brightened slightly.
His calculations were already complete.
Five thousand Tier-2 beast cores would be worth more than five hundred thousand Shadow Points.
Ten thousand Tier-3 beast cores would add another two and a half million.
Together with his current balance, the total value would far exceed the price of the Golden Feather Peacock Flame.
For the first time since hearing the price, Li Yan felt completely at ease.
Not only could he afford the Beast Flame, but once those cores were converted into Shadow Points, he would likely become one of the wealthiest disciples in the sect's five ranks.
But Li Yan had no intention of converting all of his beast cores into Shadow Points.
Many of them were valuable alchemy ingredients, and he would need a considerable number in the future. Whether for his current practice or for completing Yao Fuhuo's task, preserving resources was far more practical than selling everything.
After making his decision, he stored the Dark Gold Disciple Badge back into his storage ring.
Then he waved his hand. The very next moment, a large pile of beast cores appeared within the hidden chamber.
Thousands of Tier-3 beast cores of various elemental affinities formed a small mountain on the floor, filling the room with dense spiritual fluctuations.
Li Yan looked toward Ji Hong. "Elder Ji, according to the valuation you mentioned, these are five thousand six hundred Tier-3 beast cores."
"That should be sufficient to cover the cost of the Golden Feather Peacock Flame."
Both Ji Hong and Cao Lian were momentarily surprised by the sheer quantity before them.
Although they already knew Li Yan possessed a vast collection of beast cores, seeing such a number gathered in one place still left a strong impression.
Ji Hong quickly recovered and nodded.
Without further discussion, he waved his hand and stored all five thousand six hundred beast cores into his storage ring.
"Good." His expression softened slightly. "Li Yan, from this moment onward, the Golden Feather Peacock Flame belongs to you."
He glanced toward the display counter. "As for refining and using a Beast Flame, you can study the relevant records in the Alchemy Section on the fifth floor of the Shadow Knowledge Pavilion."
Li Yan nodded.
Before he could speak, Cao Lian added, "Even after reading those records, there may be practical details that books cannot explain."
She smiled faintly. "If you encounter any difficulties, come find me. I'll guide you personally."
Li Yan nodded, "Thank you, Elder Cao."
Ji Hong then walked toward the display counter holding the Golden Feather Peacock Flame. After releasing several restriction seals, he opened the glass enclosure.
A gentle wave of warmth spread through the hidden chamber. The golden flame floated quietly in the air, rainbow-colored traces shimmering within its core.
Ji Hong turned toward Cao Lian. Without needing any explanation, she immediately understood his intention. With a wave of her hand, a specially crafted jade box appeared from her storage ring.
Ji Hong accepted it and carefully guided the Beast Flame into the container. Only after the flame was securely sealed inside did he close the lid.
He then handed the jade box to Li Yan.
A faint smile appeared on his face. "I hope this helps you complete your task more quickly."
Li Yan accepted the jade box with both hands. "Thank you, Elder Ji. Thank you, Elder Cao."
The two elders nodded.
Soon afterward, the three left the hidden chamber and returned to Cao Lian's personal room.
After exchanging a few final words, Li Yan took his leave and departed from the Alchemy Hall.
Outside, the cool night breeze greeted him.
Rather than returning to his residence, he headed directly toward the Shadow Knowledge Pavilion.
His previous access period had already expired, so upon arrival, he paid Elder Shen Tao for another month of access before proceeding to the fifth floor.
The fifth floor was as quiet as ever.
Li Yan entered the Alchemy Section and began searching for information related to Beast Flames.
To his surprise, there were only three books dedicated specifically to the subject. Still, considering the rarity of Beast Flames, the number was understandable.
He brought the books to a reading table and began studying.
Hours passed in silence.
Page after page, he absorbed every piece of information regarding Beast Flame classifications, refinement methods, fusion procedures, risks, advantages, and control techniques.
Li Yan remained focused until he was confident he had extracted every useful detail from the books.
Only after he had fully understood did he return the volumes to their original shelves.
With that, his theoretical understanding of Beast Flames was finally complete. The only thing remaining was the actual refinement of the Golden Feather Peacock Flame itself.
*****
The first rays of dawn filtered through the vast canopy of the ancient tree, painting the treehouse in soft gold.
Warm light slipped through the windows and spread across the wooden floor, while outside, leaves rustled gently beneath the morning breeze. The distant calls of birds echoed through the forest, welcoming the arrival of a new day.
Li Yan sat cross-legged in the center of the treehouse, his expression calm and focused. After leaving the Shadow Knowledge Pavilion, he had returned here directly through the teleportation crystal.
He had already studied everything the pavilion contained regarding Beast Flames. There was no reason to delay any longer.
Now, it was time for the actual refinement of the Golden Feather Peacock Flame.
With a wave of his hand, a jade box appeared before him. The moment it emerged from his storage ring, a faint warmth spread through the treehouse. Thin strands of golden light leaked from the seams of the container, causing the surrounding air to shimmer slightly.
Li Yan lowered his gaze toward it.
"The Golden Feather Peacock Flame."
A trace of anticipation appeared in his eyes.
This would become his primary flame for the foreseeable future. While it could never compare to a Heavenly Flame, it was still a Tier-3 Beast Flame specifically suited for alchemy. For his current cultivation and needs, it was more than sufficient.
According to the records he had studied, Beast Flames were considerably easier to refine than Heavenly Flames.
Heavenly Flames possessed a soul, consciousness, instincts, and, in some cases, even full spiritual intelligence. Beast Flames were different. Although they retained certain traits inherited from their original beasts, they lacked true awareness.
As long as a cultivator possessed sufficient cultivation and followed the correct refinement method, refinement was generally straightforward.
Generally.
Li Yan knew his situation was somewhat unusual.
His cultivation was still relatively low compared to the tier of the Golden Feather Peacock Flame.
Although his Fire Immunity eliminated the danger of being burned, refinement was not solely a matter of enduring heat. A powerful Beast Flame possessed an inherent spiritual resistance that would still require effort to overcome.
Placing both hands on the jade box, Li Yan slowly opened it.
Click.
A soft click echoed through the treehouse.
The lid lifted.
Golden radiance immediately spilled outward.
A small flame hovered quietly above the open box. It was no larger than a fist, yet it illuminated the entire treehouse with a warm, elegant glow. Golden fire danced silently in the air while faint rainbow-colored traces occasionally emerged among the flames, resembling peacock feathers shimmering beneath sunlight.
The flame displayed no signs of aggression.
Instead, it floated peacefully above the jade box, radiating an aura of purity and refinement.
Li Yan extended his Spiritual Sense and carefully examined it.
The flame felt stable.
Pure.
Controlled.
Unlike many Beast Flames described in the records, there was no violent or destructive nature hidden within it.
"It truly was born for alchemy."
Without further delay, Li Yan formed several hand seals and began circulating the absorption method he had learned.
The Qi within his lower dantian stirred.
Streams of Darkness, Fire, and Earth Qi flowed through his meridians before merging in accordance with the refinement technique. Their opposing attributes gradually stabilized one another, transforming into a flow of energy specifically suited for Beast Flame absorption.
A thin thread of Qi extended from Li Yan's fingertips.
Slowly, it touched the Golden Feather Peacock Flame.
The flame trembled lightly.
Golden ripples spread across its surface.
Li Yan remained completely focused. He neither rushed nor attempted to dominate the flame through force. The records had repeatedly emphasized the same principle: forcing a Beast Flame into submission often damaged its essence and reduced its future usefulness.
Patience was far more effective than brute strength.