Word Count: 3,129 Words
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Xiao Yan stared in stunned disbelief at the Three Thousand Burning Flame as it bowed in submission. He was utterly speechless.
Had he just made a wedding dress for Zi Yan?! And the groom wasn't even him!!
This was a show I wrote, directed, and starred in myself. I'm the male lead, yet somehow the female lead has run off with someone else!!
Hey, screenwriter! You've got the wrong script!
Even Zi Yan, now in her true form, was dumbfounded. Her dragon eyes were wide with disbelief. She had not done a thing, yet this Heavenly Flame, which no one in the Pill Tower had managed to subdue for centuries, had just submitted to her without resistance!
"Cough, cough." Xiao Yan cleared his throat, forcing himself to speak. "Three Thousand Burning Flame, the Hall of Souls has already withdrawn. Soon, the Pill Tower giants will be free to act. You must know they've kept you imprisoned all these years hoping one of their alchemists could refine your essence and create a master who truly possessed a Heavenly Flame."
"If you leave the Star Region alone, the giants of the Pill Region will kill you on the spot."
I killed Mu Gu and arranged for your seal to be broken—if not for me, you'd already have been captured by the Hall of Souls and refined into a pill!
And this is how you repay me!
Unfair!
"Hmph. I am a Heavenly Flame of the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe. With the dragon imprint as proof, and having received dragon aura and dragon blood from a senior of the tribe in my youth, I was instructed to serve the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe loyally. Now, I pledge myself to my tribe's Dragon Queen. It is simply a matter of returning to my rightful place."
The Three Thousand Burning Flame now regarded itself entirely as part of the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe!
This wasn't entirely surprising. That Ancient Void Dragon who had discovered it so long ago had likely planted all sorts of suggestions and measures to cultivate it into the tribe's own Heavenly Flame.
If not for the internal strife that had befallen that senior, the Three Thousand Burning Flame would have been reclaimed by the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe long ago, and the Pill Tower would never have had a say in the matter.
The Three Thousand Burning Flame fixed its gaze on Xiao Yan, an intelligent light flickering in its eyes. Its voice deepened with confidence. "Besides, if Lord Dragon Queen refines me, would your Pill Tower really dare to start a war with my Ancient Void Dragon Tribe?"
The argument was sound. Even Xiao Yan, usually so quick-witted, found himself speechless.
He seethed internally. This was the difference that status and bloodline made!
Why was the seal an Ancient Void Dragon imprint and not one from my Xiao Clan?! If Ancestor Xiao Xuan had left an imprint, then I, as the Little Clan Leader, would have rightfully inherited it!
Zi Yan couldn't help but smirk as she watched Xiao Yan freeze awkwardly. A gentle hum accompanied the purple light that enveloped her body, transforming her dragon scales into a beautiful, flowing dress. Tall and slender with her purple hair streaming behind her, she stepped lightly through the empty space and landed in front of Xiao Yan, looking every bit a queen.
Though breathtakingly beautiful, her smug expression made Xiao Yan want to punch her.
"Xiao-Yan-Zi, even you have days like this!" The now-adult Zi Yan crossed her arms, the corners of her mouth curving upward in an extremely self-satisfied smile.
Xiao Yan rolled his eyes and sent a spiritual transmission. "You little troublemaker, quit fooling around. This Heavenly Flame is useless to you anyway."
Zi Yan giggled. Having grown cleverer, she no longer fell for his tricks. "Who cares if it's useful to me? I could use it to roast chicken wings!"
The thought of Zi Yan using the Three Thousand Burning Flame to grill chicken wings made Xiao Yan's blood pressure spike. Looking at her now, the only thing that hardened on him was his fist!
With the crafty glimmer in her eyes, how could he not know what this girl was thinking? He compromised, sending another transmission. "Fine, fine, I'll refine you another tier 8 pill, alright?"
Xiao Yan felt helpless. His debts just kept piling up; he still owed Xiong Zhan one too.
The moment he gave in, Zi Yan wrapped her arms around his neck. With their heads pressed together and their backs to the still-bewildered Three Thousand Burning Flame, they whispered like conspirators.
Zi Yan stretched out her hand and splayed all five fingers. "Five pills."
"Five!!" Xiao Yan exclaimed in shock, then quickly lowered his voice when he realized he had spoken too loudly. He glanced at the Three Thousand Burning Flame, only relaxing when he saw it was still confused.
He glared at Zi Yan, his voice low and annoyed. "Five my ass! Do you have any idea how much time and effort it takes to refine a single tier 8 pill? And you can't just keep eating them! Even if you're royalty of the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe, you can't just gorge yourself on medicinal pills like candy!"
Zi Yan felt he had a point. Five was indeed a bit much. She folded down one finger. "Four, then. I'll bring some back for my tribe."
Xiao Yan rolled his eyes, took her slender jade hand, and bent down three more of her fingers. "One."
Zi Yan pouted and shook her head vigorously. "That's not enough! This is the Three Thousand Burning Flame we're talking about. It was left by a senior of my tribe. If I give it to you, how can I explain it to my people?"
"Don't forget, I already owe you one from the Pill Realm. That makes two tier 8 pills. Here's the deal: after I refine the Heavenly Flame, I'll immediately ask the Pill Tower for recipes and make them for you. At least one will be potent enough to summon five-colored Pill Lightning. How about it?" Xiao Yan cut straight to the chase, employing his best bargaining trick. "Take it or leave it. I have plenty of Heavenly Flames. I'm not desperate for this one."
Seeing his resolute expression, and considering that the Heavenly Flame was only somewhat useful and not worth risking their relationship, Zi Yan finally nodded and clapped his hands together. "Deal!"
Meanwhile, the poor Three Thousand Burning Flame had no idea it had just been sold out by its newly acknowledged Dragon Queen!
With a soft hum, Zi Yan shifted back to her petite loli form. The two conspirators, having struck their deal, turned to face the Three Thousand Burning Flame, both wearing suspiciously matching smiles.
Zi Yan clasped her hands behind her back, looking every inch a queen as she gazed at the Three Thousand Burning Flame. "Xiao Qian, after careful consideration, this Queen has decided to let you follow Grandmaster Xiao Yan."
[TL/N: 小千 (Xiǎo Qiān) - "Little Thousand".]
!?
The Three Thousand Burning Flame's expression twisted in disbelief. Every alchemist in the Pill Tower had knelt and begged for its power. Even those so-called giants had initially made all sorts of promises, pleading with it as if worshipping an ancestor. Without its permission, even a Dou Saint would be unable to forcibly refine it; it would simply detonate within the attacker's body, ensuring mutual destruction.
I've finally submitted, and now you don't want me?!
Xiao Yan coughed lightly, his eyes clear as he met the Three Thousand Burning Flame's gaze. "Xiao Qian, don't see me as just a human. Like you, I am also a member of the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe!"
!?
Not just the Three Thousand Burning Flame, but even Zi Yan turned her head in surprise. How come this Queen didn't know about this?!
Xiao Yan smoothly explained, "You've misunderstood something. The Ancient Void Dragon Tribe and human alchemists aren't opposing forces. For example, I often refine pills for Zi Yan, making me essentially a semi-official alchemist of the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe."
Realization dawned on Zi Yan's face. That actually made sense. Her rapid improvement was indeed largely thanks to Xiao Yan.
"Right, right! Xiao Yan is our tribe's exclusive alchemist! Following him is the same as helping the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe. When his alchemy improves, our tribe's strength improves too!" Zi Yan quickly joined the swindle.
In reality, Zi Yan hadn't even been home once. She knew jack shit about the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe!
The Three Thousand Burning Flame fell into contemplation. What Zi Yan said seemed reasonable!
The main factor was Zi Yan's royal bloodline. The dragon who had discovered the Three Thousand Burning Flame had left behind an imprint and some dragon blood for the sole purpose of ensuring it would one day belong to the tribe.
For magical beasts, the word of their ruler was absolute.
Though the Three Thousand Burning Flame possessed intelligence, it was no match for the cunning of these two schemers.
"Since the Dragon Queen has spoken, and you are indeed our tribe's alchemist, I shall lend you my power."
Wild joy surged in Xiao Yan's heart. He almost laughed out loud. They had actually pulled it off!
Of course, it wasn't entirely a lie. While Zi Yan held no real authority within the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe and was merely a nominal Dragon Queen, her bloodline was genuine. And though Xiao Yan had never set foot on the Ancient Void Dragon's islands, his frequent pill-refining for Zi Yan was also true.
It was just a little bit of truth mixed with a little bit of bluff.
"Rest assured, I'm only borrowing your power temporarily. After a hundred years when I reach old age, I will set you free. I can even refine a pill to help you obtain a body of flesh and blood and become a true Ancient Void Dragon." Xiao Yan also made promises, knowing the Three Thousand Burning Flame needed some incentive.
The Three Thousand Burning Flame nodded with satisfaction. It seems alchemists can be good or bad after all. Truly worthy of being our Ancient Void Dragon Tribe's exclusive alchemist!
Zi Yan rubbed her chin and pursed her lips. For some reason, she felt like she had forgotten something important.
…
Not long after Venerable Tian Huo and the others departed the Star Region following Mu Gu's death, the four Tianzuns of the Hall of Souls received the order to withdraw, leading all their forces out of Holy Pill City.
Aside from the Tianzuns, numerous Protectors from the Hun Clan had been hunting alchemists throughout the city, which now lay in utter devastation. If not for the Dou Venerate guardians within the Dan and Cao Clans, and the many other factions who had stepped forward to defend the city, the casualties would have been even more catastrophic.
"Strange... why did they suddenly retreat?" Xuan Kong Zi watched as the four Tianzuns departed through a spatial passage, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
They had arrived abruptly and left just as suddenly.
"I don't know. Let's check on the Star Region first," Tian Lei Zi said, shaking his head. He too could not fathom the Hall of Souls' intentions.
Meanwhile, at the Star Region entrance, Qiu Ling and the others were at their wits' end.
"Open the Star Region, now!" Little Fairy Doctor's face was an icy mask of killing intent. Wisps of gray poison gas seeped from her body, poisoning the very space around her.
Cao Ying and the others stared in disbelief. Was this really the gentle, serene woman who always followed quietly behind Xiao Yan?!
Qiu Ling felt the crushing pressure of a 5-star Dou Venerate and found himself trapped. He forced a bitter smile and cupped his fists. "Venerable, please, remain calm. If we open the Star Region now, it will collapse completely. The resulting spatial turbulence and the Three Thousand Burning Flame will destroy all of Holy Pill City!"
Impatience flickered in Little Fairy Doctor's narrowed eyes. She slowly raised her hand, a terrifying concentration of Woeful Poison forming in her palm. The palpable danger made even First Elder Qiu Ling's expression change dramatically!
"Move. You are no match for me." Little Fairy Doctor's voice was cold, but beneath it lay a deep, unspoken fear of loss.
Seeing Qiu Ling hesitate, she didn't. Without a moment's pause, she unleashed her Woeful Poison at the Star Region's protective barrier, ready to tear it open by force.
BOOM!
At the last possible second, Xuan Kong Zi arrived, tearing open a spatial rift that diverted the terrifying poison away.
Qiu Ling quickly explained the situation. Both Xuan Kong Zi and Tian Lei Zi listened with expressions of surprise and a hint of admiration.
Xiao Yan had faced the Three Thousand Burning Flame and the Hall of Souls alone?! It was madness!
Xuan Kong Zi glanced at the killing intent radiating from Little Fairy Doctor before turning to Qiu Ling. "What is the current state of the Star Region?"
Qiu Ling shook his head gravely. "With the seal broken, the Star Region's spatial structure has collapsed. We've done all we can to reinforce it, but the battle between the Three Thousand Burning Flame and the Hall of Souls has left the situation inside... catastrophic. If we open the Star Region..."
His words caused not only Little Fairy Doctor but also Cao Ying and Dan Chen to turn pale.
Even if the Heavenly Flame and the Hall of Souls did not kill him, who could possibly survive in such an environment?!
Xuan Kong Zi looked at Little Fairy Doctor and sighed. "The Star Region is collapsing. We are doing our best to reinforce it. Once it is stabilized and the seal is reshaped to suppress the Three Thousand Burning Flame, we will enter immediately to rescue him."
He understood her feelings. He could see the profound terror hidden in her eyes.
The tragedy of Xuan Yi and Venerable Yao had struck a raw nerve. Like Xuan Yi, Little Fairy Doctor had only one pillar of support in her heart.
If she had not witnessed Xuan Yi's fate, perhaps she could have waited. After all, Xiao Yan possessed Heavenly Flames and might well survive in that environment.
Seeing two giants—two peak Dou Venerate experts—blocking her path, Little Fairy Doctor retracted her poison, as if realizing she could not break through and had given up. Her eyes suddenly became calm, but it was a calm filled with terrifying resolve.
"Open the Star Region. I am going to save Xiao Yan."
"We still can't—" Before First Elder Qiu Ling could finish, Little Fairy Doctor's patience ran out.
Without another word, she retrieved an ice-blue poison pill from her storage ring. This was a Woeful Poison Pill Xiao Yan had refined using Venerable Bing's poison and various other ingredients. She swallowed it without hesitation!
The instant they saw her swallow that mysterious pill, both Xuan Kong Zi and Tian Lei Zi felt their hair stand on end! An extreme sense of danger spread through their entire bodies!
"Everyone, scatter!!"
SCREECH!!!
Suddenly, a mass of dark green flames erupted. These special flames carried terrifyingly potent poison gas, forming into an enormous bird that shot straight into the sky!
BOOM!
A massive vortex appeared overhead as poisonous clouds blotted out the sun. The Thousand-Eyed Night Zhen spread its wings, its thousand eyes gazing down upon all of Holy Pill City!
The moment they were met by that gaze, most people in the city felt their Dou Qi freeze. Their muscles grew rigid, as if petrified, leaving them unable to move or circulate their power!
"The Woeful Poison Body!"
"No, this is different from an ordinary Woeful Poison Body! What is this?!"
The expressions of Xuan Kong Zi and the others changed drastically! Little Fairy Doctor had never displayed her power since arriving in Holy Pill City, only occasionally strolling around with Xiao Yan, so even Xuan Kong Zi and the others did not know she possessed the Woeful Poison Body.
The poison pill Xiao Yan had refined was so perfect that Little Fairy Doctor could completely control her Woeful Poison Body without any leakage. Even the Pill Tower giants couldn't detect it.
Tian Lei Zi stared at the monstrous bird above, a chill running down his spine. With all his knowledge, he could not identify what it was. It had traces of the Ghostly Poison Flame, yet it resembled a magical beast, but not quite—it was more like a Pill Beast!
At the words 'Woeful Poison Body,' everyone present, including Dan Chen and Cao Ying, felt their hearts shake. This woman possessed the Woeful Poison Body?!
Wasn't it said that those with it would explode upon reaching the Dou Venerate realm? She was already a 5-star, and her strength was still rising!
With her Woeful Poison Body fully activated, Little Fairy Doctor's hair turned snow-white, her eyelashes fading to gray. Her eyes became a blind, piercingly cold white, completely unfocused!
The Poison Fairy had become emotionless!
"Open the Star Region." This was the third and final time she would say those words.
Things don't happen more than thrice.
For a moment, the two giants' faces darkened. They had never imagined the woman following Xiao Yan possessed such terrifying power!
If they fought her, forget the Three Thousand Burning Flame—all of Holy Pill City would become a city of death. The current Little Fairy Doctor was clearly beyond reason.
"Open the Star Region," a woman's voice cut in. The aged Xuan Yi appeared from a spatial passage. Seeing her, Little Fairy Doctor's eyes regained a sliver of focus.
Xuan Yi looked at the desperate woman and shook her head inwardly. If she could choose again, she would have done the same as Little Fairy Doctor. If she had held on tighter back then, been more reckless, perhaps her own story would have ended differently. Regret would otherwise last a lifetime.
Little Fairy Doctor did not want to become a second Xuan Yi.
"Immediately evacuate everyone and open the Star Region—"
Qiu Ling had not even finished speaking when a loud tearing sound echoed. A giant dragon claw, wreathed in the Three Thousand Burning Flame, ripped open the Star Region's barrier from within.
"Eh? Why is it so lively out here? What are you all doing?" A familiar voice drifted out from the opening. A white-robed figure stepped through the rift the flame had created.
Xiao Yan was speechless. He had specifically told that girl Zi Yan to let Little Fairy Doctor know he was fine, but she had forgotten. They had nearly had a disaster on their hands!