Support me at patreon for 60+ advanced chapters :
patreon.com/YaoIk
**
Although Du Jiao was a Rank 7 Magic Beast, Wei Yang naturally wouldn't extract its blood essence.
The blood essence was the core of a magic beast's survival and growth—comparable to the blood and marrow in a human's body.
Once removed, the magic beast would die instantly.
So, if one wanted to obtain the blood essence of a Rank 7 Magic Beast, they had to hunt and kill one—and, of course, the higher the tier, the better.
Beasts of such level were extremely rare in Black-Corner Region at the moment.
As for the various rare and exotic medicinal ingredients needed to refine the Bone Growing Blood Fusing Pill, gathering them would also be a tremendous challenge.
Wei Yang let out a soft sigh, put the scroll away, and turned to Ah Da.
"You've read the contents as well, haven't you?"
"Yes, Master. I've memorized them carefully," Ah Da replied respectfully.
"This isn't something that can be rushed," Wei Yang said. "For the sake of your future, we can't cut corners on the materials to forge your body—the higher the quality, the better. That will benefit you in the long run. So we'll take our time."
Wei Yang continued, "You want to be reborn and immediately return to your former peak—or even surpass it—not start over from a low-level Dou Zun and slowly climb back up, right?"
"I understand," Ah Da nodded firmly.
"In the meantime," Wei Yang instructed, "while you move in the shadows across the Black-Corner Region, gather information—but also start collecting the ingredients needed for the Bone Growing Blood Fusing Pill whenever possible."
"I'll have Xian'er and myself refine some high-grade pills from time to time and give them to you. You'll be responsible for selling them quietly, or trading them for what we need. Also, although Qingshan City is being managed publicly by Sha Qi, keep an eye on him. If he steps out of line—kill him."
"Understood."
Wei Yang waved his hand. "Go."
"Yes." Ah Da bowed, then slowly exited the chamber.
…
Time flowed like water.
In the blink of an eye, nearly a year had passed.
It had now been exactly one year since Wei Yang and his companions arrived in the Black-Corner Region.
Over the past year, not much had changed in this chaotic land—it was still the same as ever.
The only difference was a strange rumor that had quietly spread among the higher-ups of some major powers.
According to the rumor, a mysterious peak Tier 6 alchemist had appeared in the Black-Corner Region, whose alchemy skills were said to rival the Medicine Emperor Han Feng.
Though this rumor remained unconfirmed, it was enough to draw serious attention from the region's major factions.
After all, the appearance of a peak Tier 6 alchemist was a power that could shift the balance of the region.
In the past year alone, two Mighty Huang Pills, three Dou Spirit Pills, and two Three-Line Green Spirit Pills had surfaced on the black market.
This was like tossing a deep-sea bomb directly into the Black-Corner Region.
Every time such pills appeared, bloody conflict would erupt, and countless people would die trying to obtain them.
Even here in the Black-Corner Region, pills of this level were incredibly rare.
Especially the Mighty Huang Pill—sometimes, one might not see a single one in an entire year or two.
Many Dou Huang experts had become red-eyed with greed, going mad in pursuit of them.
Even powers outside the Black-Corner Region had caught wind of the news and began sending strong experts to seize them.
Not long ago, a clash between Dou Huang-level powerhouses even broke out over one.
These pills had all come from the same source—a mysterious peak Dou Huang expert.
No one knew his exact identity or background. Every time he appeared, he was completely shrouded in a black robe, his appearance completely hidden.
He carried a chillingly cold aura, was a peak Dou Huang, and seemed connected to a peak Tier 6 alchemist—a dangerous combination that few dared provoke.
Thus, every time he showed up, the major factions had to treat him with the utmost courtesy.
Each of his appearances was accompanied by the sale of a high-grade pill, drawing countless pursuers in his wake.
At the same time, this figure had also begun to quietly dismantle the monopolistic hold that the Medicine Emperor Han Feng had enjoyed for so long.
Many people had long since grown resentful of Han Feng in secret—but hadn't dared voice it openly.
After all, he had been the only peak Tier 6 alchemist in the Black-Corner Region, and could occasionally even refine Tier 7 pills if luck was on his side, earning him the lofty title of Medicine Emperor.
You go begging for alchemy, and you still have to see if the other party is in the mood—how could you dare offend them?
But people are often like that—not afraid of having too little, but afraid of unfairness.
They may act respectful on the surface, but in secret? Who knows how much resentment they've harbored against you?
Now, with the sudden appearance of a peak sixth-tier alchemist, many couldn't help but privately celebrate—some even nearly laughed aloud, their hearts full of schadenfreude.
The era of the Medicine Emperor Han Feng's absolute monopoly had finally come to an end!
At the very least, they now had another channel to acquire high-grade pills. What's more, the quantity of such pills surfacing on the market had increased as well.
Whereas before, one might not even see a single one in a year or two—now, in just under a year, two Mighty Huang Pills and three Dou Spirit Pills had already appeared in succession. This kind of output—who wouldn't be thrilled?
…
Inside the manor.
Pavilions and towers, gracefully upturned eaves, winding bridges over flowing water, the air gently perfumed by flowers.
Wei Yang walked slowly along a garden path, hands behind his back. His expression was calm, but a trace of worry flickered in his eyes.
Every now and then, his gaze would drift uncontrollably toward the depths of the endless mountain range in the distance.
Xian'er had left a few days ago to enter seclusion and attempt her breakthrough to Dou Zong.
She hadn't allowed Wei Yang to accompany her, saying she was confident in her breakthrough and would return in a few days. So she took only Du Jiao and quietly departed.
Now that several days had passed with no word, Wei Yang couldn't help but feel a bit anxious.
It was simply a case of deep care breeding worry.
After all, she was his wife, who had walked beside him through thick and thin, sharing life's struggles.
Even though he knew nothing would likely go wrong, the days without news still caused concern and longing to creep into his heart.
Xian'er was already a Tier 5 alchemist. Once she successfully broke through to Dou Zong, her soul power would increase again, and it wouldn't be long before she reached peak Tier 5.
As for Wei Yang, over the past year, he had also successfully stepped into the peak Tier 6 alchemist level. Those two Mighty Huang Pills that caused such massive upheaval and bloodshed in the Black-Corner Region had been refined by his hand.
The three Dou Spirit Pills? He had casually refined them as well.
As for the two Three-Line Green Spirit Pills, one had been refined by Xian'er during the Alchemist Grand Meeting, and the other was a spontaneous attempt she made after advancing to Tier 5.
Just then a figure in light cyan robes quickly approached.
"Young Master," Qing Lin called softly.
Wei Yang paused and turned to look at her.
As time passed, Qing Lin—now seventeen—had grown ever more beautiful and graceful.
"Qing Lin," Wei Yang smiled and asked, "Did Du Jiao send back news?"
"Mhm," Qing Lin nodded, smiling. "Du Jiao said Sister Xian'er is still in seclusion. But not long ago, there was a surge of Dou Zong-level aura from her retreat location. So it's very likely she has already succeeded."
Hearing this, Wei Yang nodded repeatedly with a smile. "Good. That's great."
He also quietly let out a breath of relief.
"Heehee~ Young Master, I successfully refined a peak Tier 2 pill this morning," Qing Lin stepped forward, hugging his arm and gently shaking it, her voice carrying a hint of pride and seeking praise.
Seeing Qing Lin acting playfully rare as it was, Wei Yang chuckled and wrapped an arm around her slender waist, pulling her into his embrace.
"Well done," Wei Yang praised with a smile. "Already at peak Tier 2? Seems like you've really been working hard lately."
"Heehee~" Hearing his praise, Qing Lin beamed with happiness and satisfaction.
"You little rascal." Wei Yang laughed, reaching up to tousle the back of her head.
Currently, Qing Lin was already a Seven-Star Dou Wang.
Seventeen years old and already a Seven-Star Dou Wang—astonishing.
As for Wei Yang himself, he had just broken through to Four-Star Dou Huang not long ago.
Twenty-two years old and already a Four-Star Dou Huang—not bad at all.
But—Wei Yang had been cultivating for sixteen years already!
He possessed a Heaven Grade cultivation technique, a Heavenly Flame, and no shortage of resources.
Yet this… this was the difference.
In the path of Dou Qi, Wei Yang really didn't have much to show for himself—at least compared to Xian'er and Qing Lin, that was undeniably true.
Fortunately, his talent in soul power was truly outstanding.
-----------------------------------------------------
Support me at patreon for 60+ advanced chapters :
patreon.com/YaoIk