Yao Lao was momentarily speechless. He was, after all, a kindhearted man, no match for Xiao Jue's shamelessness. With a wave of his hand, he handed him three jade bottles.
"These are three Earth Core Pills. I'm keeping one to help Xiao Yan devour the Azure Lotus Earth Core Fire's seed fire later."
The so-called seventh-grade Earth Core Pill is, to a certain extent, a weaker version of the eighth-grade Azure Lotus Pill. One is refined using the Azure Lotus Platform, and the other
using lotus seeds. Both improve physical fitness, enhance talent, and strengthen fire-attributed Dou Qi. However, while the eighth-grade Azure Lotus Pill grants the Azure Lotus Fire Spirit Body, the Earth Core Pill only enhances fire-attributed Dou Qi and strengthens affinity with the Azure Lotus Earth Core Fire.
These two pills don't require any specific strength to use, somewhat resembling foundation-building elixirs.
Xiao Jue asked, "Is the next step to have Xiao Yan devour the Azure Lotus Earth Core Fire's seed fire?"
"That's right," Yao Lao nodded. "Let Xiao Yan devour the Azure Lotus Earth Core Fire's seed fire. By the time he and Nalan Yanran fulfill their three-year agreement, Xiao Yan's strength should have risen to four-star Grand Master."
Xiao Jue nodded and smiled, "See you later in the Imperial Capital. After Xiao Yan devours two seed fires, you'll probably have to let him hone his skills for a while longer, and teach him alchemy. I'll meet you in the Imperial Capital."
"Okay."
Yao Lao returned the Yin-Yang Cauldron to Xiao Jue. Xiao Jue then found Xiao Ding, Xiao Li, and Xiao Yan, bid them farewell, and told Xiao Yan that after reuniting in the Imperial Capital, he would head towards Yancheng.
The Mo family's secret technique allowed one to transplant magical beast parts onto one's own body. Xiao Jue thought of the future, when Feng Qing'er had fused with the ancient Sky Phoenix's skeleton.
Xiao Jue, a human fused with the essence of a demonic beast, was transformed into a demonic beast, possessing the bloodline and true form of the Phantom Fire Scorpion Dragon. Who knows if the artifact left by the Yin-Yang Sage has any flaws? Xiao Jue, prepared for a rainy day, plans to visit the Mohist School to learn about their secret technique.
While the Yin-Yang Sage's legacy is certainly impressive, it's nothing more than an ant casually slain by Xiao Xuan. The one thing that will ultimately propel Xiao Jue to the top of the Dou Qi Continent is the Dragon and Phoenix Origin Fruit. Therefore, the bloodline of the Phantom Fire Scorpion Dragon is extremely important to him.
...
A streak of light flashed across the night sky, and high above, a silver moon gradually set.
Yancheng, located in the eastern province of the Jiama Empire, boasts a wide thoroughfare, making it the only route from within the empire to the eastern provinces. Its strategic location makes it the largest city in the eastern province, constantly guarded by imperial forces.
Beyond the imperial forces, the most powerful force in Yancheng is naturally Xiao Jue's target: the Mohist School!
Due to the Mohist family's dominant monopoly, nearly 60 percent of Yancheng's industries belong to the Mohist family. Even after deducting necessary taxes and the vast sums of money acquired through connections, their annual profits continue to enrich the Mohist family.
While a large tree attracts the wind, with the Yunlan Sect as its backing, even the Jiama Empire's royal family is reluctant to trouble the Mohist family.
Consequently, with this unbridled growth, the Mohist family has practically become the dominant force in Yancheng. Were it not for the three other families holding it back in the eastern provinces, the Mohist family would likely have expanded its influence to other major cities long ago.
Despite this, in recent years, relying on its powerful backing, the Mohist family has steadily held the three major families in check, projecting a dominant position.
After a day of high-speed flight, Xiao Jue finally approached Yancheng. As the silver moon gave way to a blazing sun, the outline of a vast city, emanating a fierce aura, finally came into view.
Illuminated by the sunlight above, the vast city in the distance resembled a ferocious ancient beast crouching on the ground.
Xiao Jue flew over the city and descended from the sky. At the city gate, dozens of heavily armed soldiers lined the walls, their sharp gazes scanning the passersby.
Upon seeing Xiao Jue, they all lowered their heads, treating him as a mysterious Dou Wang. Some even went to their superiors to report the mysterious Dou Wang's arrival.
"Wow, what a grand display! The Mo Clan truly deserves to be the largest family in Yancheng,"
Xiao Jue heard several men in mercenary uniforms whisper among themselves, perhaps out of boredom.
"Hey, it seems next week is the birthday of Mo Clan's Great Elder, Mo Cheng. I heard that not only are many forces in the eastern region coming to celebrate, but even the Yunlan Sect has sent people."
"Oh? The Yunlan Sect is sending people too? Mo Cheng is so proud of himself."
A mercenary curled his lips in disdain. "While the Mo Clan may be powerful, they mean nothing to the Yunlan Sect. If they didn't pay such a huge annual tribute to the Yunlan Sect, would they condescend to deal with the Mo Clan?"
"Hey, that's right." Several mercenaries seemed to have little regard for the Mo Clan either, chuckling in agreement.
Xiao Jue couldn't help but curl his lips. That idiot Mo Cheng had already died at his hands, and yet the Mo Clan was still preparing a birthday banquet for him?
At that moment, the sound of horse hooves echoed from not far behind him. Turning his head, he saw several men and women on fine horses galloping towards him.
The dust kicked up along the way, infuriating the people waiting in line. However, when their angry gazes turned to the first figure on horseback, they forced themselves to swallow their anger.
The first rider was a young woman, wearing a tight red dress that perfectly encapsulated her slender figure. Her face was quite pretty, and a small crystal pendant adorned her smooth forehead. The slight movement of her crystal pendant added a touch of spirit to her face, which already held a hint of savagery.
The red-dressed woman's gaze didn't linger on the inconvenience her horse-riding caused the people in line. After a sideways glance, she held her head high and said to Xiao Jue, "How dare you get out of the way? How dare you block my way?"
Xiao Jue asked curiously, "What's your relationship with Mo Cheng?"
The red-dressed woman couldn't help but frown. A young man next to her scolded, "Linglin is the second daughter of the Mo family. Boy, get out of the way quickly, or don't blame us if you get hit by a horse."
"I heard that the head of the Mo family was bullied by Mo Cheng. They must not have a good relationship." Xiao Jue looked playful. With a slight wave of his hand, Mo Linglin flew down from the horse and was embraced by Xiao Jue.
(End of this chapter)