In the days that followed, the entire Snake-People Holy City was immersed in an atmosphere of jubilation.
Colorful banners fluttered from towering buildings, music echoed through the newly paved streets, and Snake-People warriors patrolled with pride instead of vigilance.
Medusa's successful breakthrough to the Dou Zong realm had not only elevated her personal status but had also transformed the tribe's standing across the Northwest Continent overnight.
Yet amidst this celebration, Xiao Yan remained completely detached.
He shut himself inside a rented stone chamber on the edge of the trade district, rarely stepping outside except when absolutely necessary. While others drank and celebrated, he refined pills day and night, his furnace never cooling.
The moment a batch was completed, he would head straight to the Wanbao Pavilion, exchange the pills for sacrificial coins, and immediately pour those coins into ancient refining texts.
Time, for him, had become unbearably precious.
Stacks of jade slips and yellowed manuscripts filled his room. Every night, Xiao Yan immersed his soul power into them, absorbing unfamiliar concepts at a frightening pace. Compared to alchemy—which emphasized harmonizing medicinal properties—the path of refining focused on structure, resonance, and the guidance of energy through matter itself.
The more he read, the more unsettled he became.
This was not a side path.
This was a complete system.
On the fifth day, after finishing the last batch of texts, Xiao Yan once again arrived at the Wanbao Pavilion.
"Apologies, honored guest," the clerk said with a respectful bow, his expression apologetic. "All refining-related goods were sold out yesterday. At present, the entire Holy City is out of stock."
Xiao Yan's brows knit together slightly. "When will the next batch arrive?"
The clerk hesitated. "That depends on the next merchant caravan. With the recent surge in demand, I truly cannot give an exact time."
Xiao Yan lowered his voice. "Then where do these goods come from?"
The clerk straightened instantly, pride flashing across his face. "From the Sacrificial Shop, of course."
His tone turned almost reverent. "The main branch is in Sacrifice City, within the Black-Corner Region. On this Douqi Continent, there is no treasure the Sacrificial Shop cannot supply."
Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow, half-jokingly probing, "Even strange flames?"
The clerk froze for a split second, then slapped his chest confidently. "Definitely!"
Whether or not he truly knew, in his heart, the Sacrificial Shop had already become synonymous with omnipotence.
Xiao Yan fell silent.
Before he could think further, an overwhelming aura suddenly descended upon the Holy City, pressing down like a mountain. The pressure locked directly onto the Wanbao Pavilion's direction.
"Peak Dou Zong," Yao Chen's voice sounded instantly, grave and alert. "Judging by the aura, it's either Jia Xingtian or the former Yunlan Sect Master."
Xiao Yan looked up just in time to see an old man in dark-gold robes stride inside. Though white-haired, his posture was upright, his presence commanding. Years of authority clung to him like an invisible crown.
Without hesitation, the man produced a storage ring and placed it on the counter.
The manager personally inspected the contents, then solemnly brought out a sealed jade box.
The moment it opened, a rich medicinal fragrance flooded the hall.
"Po Zong Pill…" Yao Chen murmured, his voice trembling slightly. "And flawless quality at that."
Silence filled Xiao Yan's mind.
"To refine such a pill," Yao Chen continued slowly, "the alchemist's attainments are no weaker than mine in my prime."
Xiao Yan clenched his jaw. The pieces were coming together too quickly—Medusa's breakthrough, the sudden appearance of Po Zong Pills, the Sacrificial Shop's shadow looming behind everything.
Not long after, another figure arrived.
Gu He.
The Pill King's appearance caused immediate ripples throughout the Holy City. He went straight to the palace, requesting an audience with Medusa.
Xiao Yan's heart tightened.
The only reason Gu He would come was the Green Lotus Core Flame.
He did not dare approach the palace. The last time he had tried, he had sensed an invisible energy field—an absolute kill zone. One misstep, and his concealment would collapse instantly.
Hours later, Gu He emerged, his expression dark.
Xiao Yan had just begun to relax when he noticed a familiar figure among the escort—
Yun Zhi.
Seizing the moment when she broke away to visit the Wanbao Pavilion, Xiao Yan followed her quietly.
"Miss Yun Zhi," he called softly.
She turned, surprise flickering across her eyes. After a brief exchange, Xiao Yan asked the question burning in his heart.
Yun Yun hesitated, then lowered her voice. "…The strange flame has already been given away. To an elder named Ning Fengzhi. He's already departed for the Black-Corner Region."
The words struck like thunder.
Xiao Yan staggered, steadying himself against the wall. All his waiting, all his calculations—gone.
Forcing a bitter smile, he cupped his hands. "Thank you for telling me."
Yun Yun seemed to want to say more, but ultimately only sighed. "Take care." She turned and left, her figure vanishing into the Pavilion.
Xiao Yan stood there for a long time.
Then he turned away.
"The Black-Corner Region again," Yao Chen said solemnly. "Everything converges there. If you want answers—and the strange flame—you must go."
Xiao Yan nodded.
That very day, he liquidated everything he owned. Pills, materials, spare items—gone. Letters were hastily written and entrusted to mercenaries.
An hour later, he stood at the flying-beast stables.
"Black-Corner Region. Sacrifice City," he said quietly. "Fastest route."
"Alliance Express," the manager replied. "Departing in fifteen minutes."
As the Iron-Winged Griffin took flight, Xiao Yan looked down one last time at the metallic city below.
No regret.
Only resolve.
If the World had changed—
Then he would chase it to the very center.
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