With Zi Yan, the only witness, firmly handled by Lin Yuan, Queen Medusa immediately regained her usual composure.
She walked over to Qing Lin and noticed the faint blush still lingering on her face. Instantly, she understood that Qing Lin had clearly already learned about what had happened between her and Lin Yuan within the seven-colored space.
A slight smile appeared on her lips as she bent down and gently picked up Xiao Cai, who was lying on Qing Lin's lap.
"Qing Lin, thank you for taking care of Xiao Cai."
When facing Qing Lin, Queen Medusa's voice was calm and composed. As long as Qing Lin hadn't witnessed those scenes firsthand, she could handle the situation with the poise of a mature elder.
Hearing her words, the blush on Qing Lin's cheeks deepened.
She hurriedly stood up, waving her hands, and said softly,
"N-No need to thank me, Sister Medusa. Xiao Cai is very cute and well-behaved, she's easy to take care of. I like her very much."
Looking at Qing Lin, a trace of amusement flickered in Queen Medusa's eyes, and she couldn't help but feel the urge to tease her.
Leaning close to Qing Lin's ear, she chuckled softly.
"Hehe little Qing Lin, you should already know what happened between me and your Young Master, right? Don't worry, you'll have your turn someday."
"Ah~!"
Qing Lin let out a startled cry. Then, as if realizing something, her face instantly turned crimson, as red as if it might drip blood.
Seeing this, Queen Medusa couldn't help but laugh softly.
"What an interesting little girl To have been found by him while still so weak, this little man truly has good fortune."
Queen Medusa held Qing Lin's potential in high regard. As for her feelings, she was even willing to support them.
Her little man had ambitions of reaching the pinnacle, and Qing Lin would undoubtedly be an important aid along that path. She had no intention of holding Lin Yuan back.
In her view, she had already taken the initiative, seized the advantage, and claimed the spoils of victory first.
Since she had already tasted both the first and the best portion, she stood in an undefeated position, so being generous now didn't matter.
At this moment, Lin Yuan walked over with Zi Yan.
Looking at the three of them, he asked curiously, "What are you talking about?"
Queen Medusa glanced at Qing Lin, whose face had grown even redder, and replied meaningfully.
"Nothing. We were discussing the inheritance of the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils."
"Oh?"
Just as Lin Yuan was about to say something, Xiao Cai in Queen Medusa's arms woke up.
After waking, Xiao Cai yawned and stretched. Her small body smoothly slipped from Queen Medusa's arms to the ground.
She rubbed her eyes, looked at Queen Medusa, sniffed lightly, and a trace of confusion appeared on her face.
"Mother why do you feel a little different from before?"
Lin Yuan stepped forward, using his soul power to examine Xiao Cai's soul while smiling as he asked.
"Oh? Xiao Cai, how has your mother changed?"
Xiao Cai tilted her head and thought for a moment before answering seriously:
"Father, Mother feels warmer more like a mother."
Hearing this, Queen Medusa smiled gently and stroked Xiao Cai's head. She then looked at Lin Yuan, who was also smiling at her.
A silent understanding flowed between them.
Qing Lin, standing nearby, looked at the two of them with a mixture of envy and anticipation.
Not long after, Lin Yuan completed his examination of Xiao Cai's soul, and a trace of seriousness flashed through his eyes.
'As expected, When I heard the Queen mention Xiao Cai's condition over the past year, I already had some expectations. But I didn't think it would truly be this issue. There's a problem with Xiao Cai's soul, It seems I'll need to find time to resolve it."
Lin Yuan glanced at Queen Medusa, who immediately understood.
"This matter here is settled. Let's return to the Snake-People Holy City," she said calmly.
"Alright. Let's head to the Holy City."
Afterward, Lin Yuan and Queen Medusa joined forces to erase all traces of Lin Yuan's aura from the battlefield.
Then, the group departed, flying toward the royal capital.
Jia Ma Empire, Jia Ma Imperial Capital
At the center of the imperial capital, atop a tall tower within the royal palace.
Jia Xing Tian, dressed in a coarse robe, stood with distant eyes, gazing toward the northwestern mountain range that resembled a coiled dragon.
At this moment, a mature and coldly elegant woman walked up behind him and bowed.
"Great-Grandfather, we've mostly uncovered Yan Xiao's identity."
"Well done, Yao Ye. To find this out in such a short time is impressive."
Jia Xing Tian nodded in approval before turning around and asking in a deep voice:
"Tell me, this top genius who seemed to appear out of nowhere, Yan Xiao what is his true background?"
Hearing this, a strange expression appeared on Yao Ye's face.
"Great-Grandfather Yan Xiao is most likely Xiao Yan, one of the two main figures in the Three-Year Agreement."
Jia Xing Tian was startled.
"Xiao Yan? The one who was publicly rejected by Nalan Yanran of the Nalan Clan and made that Three-Year Agreement? Wasn't he the one who became unable to cultivate Dou Qi, a cripple?"
"Great-Grandfather, Xiao Yan recovered his talent three years ago and shed the title of 'waste.' In fact, his talent has become even more terrifying than before."
"In one year, he broke through five stages of Dou Qi. In less than a year and a half, he became a four-star Dou Practitioner and passed the assessment of the Jia Nan Academy."
"However, he did not enroll and instead took leave to travel and train."
"Now, he is already a Dou Grandmaster and a Third-Grade alchemist."
As she spoke, even Yao Ye couldn't help but marvel, a trace of admiration flashing in her eyes.
Jia Xing Tian was deeply shocked.
"Yan Xiao really is Xiao Yan? His talent is truly that monstrous?"
"Most likely," Yao Ye nodded.
"Many details and timelines match, his name, his relationship with Ya Fei, and the subtle hostility he shows toward Nalan Yanran and the Misty Cloud Sect."
At the mention of Ya Fei, Yao Ye couldn't help but lightly bite her lip.
In every aspect, she was no inferior to Ya Fei—yet Xiao Yan seemed much closer to her.
Jia Xing Tian pondered for a moment before speaking in a deep voice.
"It seems that this young man's visit to the imperial capital isn't just for the Alchemist Grand Meeting, he's also here to fulfill the Three-Year Agreement."
He let out a strange chuckle.
"Three years to become a Dou Grandmaster and a Third-Grade alchemist. With such talent, that old man Nalan will regret it to death."
"And to grow this fast, he likely has a powerful backer."
"Yao Ye, what do you think?"
After a moment of thought, Yao Ye spoke seriously.
"Great-Grandfather, we should do everything possible to win Xiao Yan over."
"Because of Nalan Yanran, Xiao Yan is naturally hostile toward the Misty Cloud Sect, which aligns him with our royal family."
"More importantly, his potential and what he has yet to reveal, make him worth investing in."
"So, what do you plan to do?" Jia Xing Tian asked with interest.
Yao Ye steadied herself and replied.
"Three things. First, support him publicly during the Three-Year Agreement..Second, show favor to the Xiao Clan, including his two elder brothers in Shi Mo City. Third, build a close relationship with Xiao Yan himself, ideally through marriage."
"Based on the information we've gathered, Xiao Yan values loyalty deeply. If we invest enough in him, once he rises, he will repay us generously. He may even help us deal with that person in the future."
Hearing this, Jia Xing Tian nodded in satisfaction.
"Very good. You will handle the latter two matters with full effort."
"As for the Three-Year Agreement, I will act accordingly when the time comes."
"For now, set aside official duties. You and Yue'er should interact more with Yan Xiao. A talent like him, if he can be brought into our royal family, that would be ideal."
"Yes, Great-Grandfather," Yao Ye replied respectfully.
Afterward, she seemed as though she wanted to say something, but in the end, she chose to remain silent.
Not long after, an order was issued from the Jia Ma Imperial Capital.
The City Lord of Wu Tan City was to be transferred to the capital for appointment, while Xiao Zhan, the head of the Xiao Clan, was appointed as the new City Lord of Wu Tan City.
At the same time, on a hillside outside the Jia Ma Imperial Capital.
Xiao Yan, dressed in a black alchemist's robe, stood before a fiery red medicinal cauldron. His expression was focused as he carefully controlled the Heavenly Flame Fury Dragon Flame, nurturing the pill within.
Before long, a rich medicinal fragrance rose from the cauldron. Upon smelling this familiar scent, joy appeared on Xiao Yan's face.
With a suction force from his palm, a blue-green pill shot out from the cauldron and landed in his hand.
He took out a jade bottle, stored the pill inside, and let out a long breath, a faint smile appearing on his face.
"A Fourth-Grade medicinal pill, Qi Gathering Powder. Success."
Just as Xiao Yan was feeling delighted, the jade bottle in his hand suddenly flew out and landed before Yao Lao.
Seeing this, Xiao Yan immediately became nervous.
"Teacher, how is it?"
During this period, Yao Lao had been extremely strict in teaching him alchemy, so strict that Xiao Yan felt somewhat intimidated.
"During the fusion and nurturing stages, your flame control had two minor errors, which lowered the pill's quality by one level."
"However well done, my disciple."
"Xiao Yan, congratulations. You are now a Fourth-Grade alchemist."
Looking at Xiao Yan's tense expression, Yao Lao revealed a satisfied smile.
This disciple of his was outstanding in both talent and temperament.
Hearing Yao Lao's words, Xiao Yan was overjoyed.
After three years of day-and-night companionship, this teacher, like both mentor and father uttering the words "well done" meant far more to Xiao Yan than all the praise he had received in recent months.
Since arriving at the imperial capital, Xiao Yan had once again experienced the feeling of being placed on a pedestal.
However, he was no longer the naïve youth of Wu Tan City who would lose himself in others' admiration.
Having glimpsed true heights, Xiao Yan had already set his ambitions and was steadily walking toward the true peak.
Whether it was the prosperity of the imperial capital or its beauties, they were merely scenery along the journey.
Thinking of this, Xiao Yan found himself missing that elegant and refined girl even more. He gazed toward the direction of the Black-Corner Region from afar.
"Xun'er the Three-Year Agreement is approaching. Wait for me!"
Seeing this, Yao Lao recalled the items that girl had sent and couldn't help but feel relieved.
'Fortunately, Xiao Yan hasn't been dazzled by the splendor of the Jia Ma Imperial Capital. Otherwise, it would have been difficult to explain things to that little girl.'
'But that girl is truly generous, she gave away something like a Heavenly Soul Branch without hesitation.'
'In that case, during the Three-Year Agreement, if that brat from the Misty Cloud loses his temper and dares to attack Xiao Yan despite the Jia Ma Empire's support, I can personally step in and resolve it.'
'Still although that girl is deeply devoted, it won't be easy for Xiao Yan to gain recognition from her clan.'
Thinking of this, Yao Lao said sternly.
"Little Yan, thinking about your little girlfriend again? Then you'd better work harder. Being worthy of her is no simple matter."
"Teacher, is Xun'er's background really that powerful? Even you the greatest alchemist on the continent seem wary."
Yao Lao chuckled lightly.
"Heh Little Yan, your girlfriend's background is far more terrifying than you can imagine."
"So don't harbor any illusions. If you cannot demonstrate sufficient strength and potential, the two of you will never succeed."
"I understand, Teacher!"
Xiao Yan clenched his fists, determination filling his eyes.
"I will overcome every obstacle step by step and become someone worthy of Xun'er."
"Then focus on what's ahead. Your first challenge is the Alchemist Grand Meeting held once every eight years in the Jia Ma Empire. With your current alchemy skills, you might not even secure first place, you still need to improve."
"Yes, Teacher!"
Snake-People Holy City, Alchemy Hall
After a year, Lin Yuan returned once again, dragging the unconscious Han Feng with him. He threw him onto the center of the hall.
This time, his return to the Snake-People Empire was low-key. Only a few individuals, such as Yue Mei, knew that the Alchemist Elder had returned.
He also noticed that the city seemed much emptier than before.
After settling everyone down, Queen Medusa also arrived at the Alchemy Hall.
She looked at Lin Yuan, a hint of tension appearing in her eyes.
"From the look in your eyes earlier is there something wrong with Xiao Cai?"
"Mm."
Lin Yuan nodded and said in a deep voice.
"From what you told me yesterday, I already had an idea. Xiao Cai's drowsiness isn't just due to her personality or digesting medicinal power, it's also because her soul strength is incomplete."
"Sleep is the simplest way to reduce soul consumption and nourish her soul."
"Incomplete soul strength?"
Queen Medusa frowned slightly.
"I don't know much about the soul Is it because of the evolution secret technique from back then?"
"Exactly."
Lin Yuan confirmed her guess and continued.
"During your evolution, even with the assistance of the Heavenly Soul Pill and other methods, your soul was essentially split in two."
"You inherited the majority of the soul strength, while she only received a small portion."
"So that's why, after condensing a body from the soul, I reached the Seventh-Grade, while Xiao Cai is only at the Fifth-Grade?" Queen Medusa asked thoughtfully.
"Precisely."
"Originally, Xiao Cai shouldn't have been able to become an independent entity. But because I improved the evolution method and personally gathered her spirit, she was able to be born as an independent life."
"However, her soul still has inherent deficiencies."
A trace of seriousness appeared on Queen Medusa's face.
"Lin Yuan, do you have a way to solve this?"
Lin Yuan gave her a reassuring smile. Reaching out, he gently smoothed her furrowed brows.
"Don't worry. Over the past year, my research into the soul has progressed greatly. For me now, solving this problem isn't difficult."
"In fact, I already have several solutions in mind."
He nudged the unconscious Han Feng with his foot.
"Among the pill formulas I seized from this guy, there's one that can solve this problem. And the main ingredient happens to be the Soul Origin Fruit."
"Previously, we obtained two Soul Origin Fruits in the Mu Lan Empire. One was used to refine the Heavenly Soul Pill, this remaining one can now be put to use."
"Perhaps this is some kind of fate."
"Fate, huh…"
Hearing this, Queen Medusa finally relaxed.
She glanced at Han Feng.
"So, who is this unlucky fellow you've set your sights on?"
"Han Feng."
"On the surface, he's a Sixth-Grade alchemist but in reality, he's a Seventh-Grade alchemist. I captured him when leaving the Black-Corner Region."
"Thanks to him, resources for raising you and Xiao Cai have become plentiful."
Hearing this, Queen Medusa rolled her eyes at him.
She was a dignified Dou Ancestor and the Queen of the Snake-People, did she need him to support her?
"Still a Seventh-Grade alchemist…"
She examined Han Feng carefully. It was her first time seeing one, though certainly not in such a manner.
Her thoughts briefly turned to the Heavenly Soul Fusion Blood Pill, but she quickly dismissed the idea.
When the time came, Lin Yuan would likely already be a Seventh-Grade alchemist himself.
Suddenly, as she probed Han Feng, she sensed a vast hidden power within him.
Having evolved through the scorching of a Heavenly Flame, she was particularly sensitive to such destructive energy.
"There's a deeply hidden destructive force within him it feels somewhat similar to the Green Lotus Core Flame. Could it be that he also possesses a Heavenly Flame?"
"Mm."
"That's one of the reasons I captured him—and also one of the reasons he's still alive. But that ends now."
"Since we've arrived here, it's time to deal with him."
Lin Yuan's deep gaze fell upon Han Feng—and the Sea Heart Flame within him.
During this period, Lin Yuan had already completed his research on Han Feng's incomplete Flame Mantra, as well as the portions he had reconstructed himself. He had also conducted numerous experiments on him.
Aside from the Sea Heart Flame and his Seventh-Grade alchemist soul, Han Feng was no longer of much use.
"Your Majesty, later, set up five layers of spatial barriers around this hall, completely isolate its aura."
"I need to conduct some experiments here."
Seeing Lin Yuan's serious expression, Queen Medusa nodded.
"I'll handle it immediately."
As her voice fell, space rippled slightly, and her figure vanished as she moved swiftly into action.
"My Queen really is decisive and efficient."
Lin Yuan then turned his gaze back to Han Feng.
Two methods of transplanting a Heavenly Flame existed across the continent: forcible extraction and inheritance.
Naturally, he intended to use the former.
Forcible extraction required the target to be completely unable to resist.
Once the Heavenly Flame was successfully extracted, the host would gradually die as the flame left their body.
Of course, nothing was absolute, at the Dou Venerate level and above, even if a Heavenly Flame was forcibly extracted, it would not necessarily be fatal.
But for someone like Han Feng, who cultivated an incomplete Flame Mantra, such an extraction would undoubtedly be lethal.
Thinking of the secret technique for extracting Heavenly Flames that he had obtained from Han Feng, Lin Yuan revealed a pleased smile.
"Han Feng to die by the very secret technique you collected yourself—"
"Now that is quite an interesting ending."
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