140: Xiao Yan tells the truth

From the outside, the valley didn't seem remarkable, but once you stepped inside, you discovered a hidden paradise.

The space within the valley was vast, with numerous trees, and as far as the eye could see, there were piles of white bones.

Typically, spiritual treasures like Earth Core Body Tempering Fluid are coveted not only by humans but also by Demonic Beasts.

This was because Lin Xiu's previous appearances had always led to unfavorable outcomes.

Therefore, Xiao Yan showed an even more proactive attitude than them, unfurling his Purple Cloud Wings and using his flight advantage to help search.

He only hoped they would quickly get the fake Earth Core Body Tempering Fluid and leave.

Before long, Xiao Yan successfully found a cave entrance, and from the surrounding aura, he could tell it was somewhat similar to the Snow Demon Sky Ape outside.

"I found it!"

Xiao Yan's shout immediately called Lin Xiuya and the others over.

"This seems to be the Snow Demon Sky Ape's cave. Since it knows about the Earth Core Body Tempering Fluid, it probably doesn't stray too far from here normally."

Lin Xiuya deduced this from some scattered fur and tracks on the ground.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go in and find it quickly."

Hearing this, Yan Hao was the first to enter, with the others following closely behind.

"Junior Brother Xiao Yan, thank you. Without you, we probably wouldn't have found this place so quickly."

Lin Xiuya gave him a smile.

There was actually such a warm-hearted junior brother in the Academy.

Unfortunately, the initiator of this operation was Han Yue, and Xiao Yan hadn't contributed much.

If he were to suggest giving him a share, the others definitely wouldn't agree.

"You're welcome, Senior Brother."

Xiao Yan smiled, feeling somewhat unnatural.

However, Lin Xiuya's attention was entirely on the Earth Core Body Tempering Fluid and he didn't notice anything amiss.

Subsequently, the group successfully found a hidden entrance beneath a pile of white fur.

Upon entering, the first thing they saw was an underground world covered in stalactites.

"I read in a book that Earth Core Body Tempering Fluid is formed by the condensation of Earth's power. Everyone, let's focus on finding the place with the densest Earth's power."

Seeing the bewildered looks on everyone's faces, Han Yue spoke up.

For the sake of the Earth Core Body Tempering Fluid, she had put in some effort and specifically researched it.

Lin Xiuya and the others nodded, dispersed, and then someone found a direction.

The group rushed to the end, and their gazes were immediately stunned by an enormous stalactite.

This stalactite was connected to the mountain's dome at one end, hanging down for a full hundred meters, and its width required two people to embrace it.

At the very bottom, a flickering light could vaguely be seen, as if liquid was gathering.

Directly below it was a bluestone with a concave groove, filled with milky white liquid.

A faint white mist drifted above it, and everyone couldn't help but take a deep breath.

The Qi entering their bodies through their mouths and noses made their limbs and bones feel a tingling sensation.

"Earth Core Body Tempering Fluid!"

"It's really here, holy cow! This stuff only gathers one drop a year. How long must this much have accumulated?"

Fervent gazes converged on the milky white liquid. Lin Xiuya, Yan Hao, and the others present all had somewhat uncomposed expressions.

"Don't touch it casually; it must be stored in a jade bottle."

Han Yue, worried that others might contaminate the Earth Core Body Tempering Fluid, quickly stepped forward and took out seven jade bottles from her naring.

The others rubbed their hands, crowding around, their eyes fixed on Han Yue's actions, fearing even a single drop would be lost.

After filling seven bottles, each halfway, the Earth Core Body Tempering Fluid in the groove was almost at the bottom.

Seeing that there was still a little left, Han Yue hesitated, then took out another jade bottle and put the remaining tiny bit into it.

"Junior Brother, take this bit. You helped earlier."

Han Yue handed the jade bottle to Xiao Yan.

He had thought about saving her before, and since there was a bit left, she might as well give it to him.

There were roughly three drops inside, which was clearly insignificant compared to the dozen or so drops in the other seven jade bottles.

"Thank you for your kindness, Senior Sister, but since I said I was just looking, I won't go back on my word."

Xiao Yan refused with a serious expression.

One who eats another's food speaks softly, and one who takes another's hand is short.

It was better not to have these fake Earth Core Body Tempering Fluid.

Otherwise, if he were to take the real Earth Core Fluid behind their backs later, he might feel guilty.

"Don't want it?"

"Junior Brother, you're a true man!"

"I, Yan Hao, will be your friend. If you encounter any trouble in the Inner Academy in the future, you can come to me."

The few people present were all stunned.

Damn it, was there really someone in this world who wasn't interested in Earth Core Body Tempering Fluid?

But from another perspective, it also showed that Xiao Yan was a person with principles.

Not only did Yan Hao feel that Xiao Yan was worth befriending, but the others also thought Xiao Yan was very good.

Xiao Yan subtly touched his nose and smiled, "Since we've obtained the Earth Core Body Tempering Fluid, let's hurry back. The space down here is huge, like a maze. If Senior Brother Lin Xiu were to come in and couldn't find us, getting lost would be troublesome."

Hearing this, the others also felt that Xiao Yan made sense, and they each divided the Earth Core Body Tempering Fluid.

As for the extra bit, after consulting everyone's opinion, Han Yue poured it into Lin Xiu's share.

If Lin Xiu hadn't acted this time, they wouldn't have had the chance to come down here.

The group began to return the way they came.

Xiao Yan walked at the very front.

He was afraid he wouldn't be able to suppress his inner excitement and would laugh out loud, making them notice something unusual.

Although he tried very hard to control himself, the corners of his mouth still involuntarily turned upward.

"Don't get carried away; you haven't truly gotten the item yet."

Yao Chen wasn't trying to discourage Xiao Yan, primarily because he was afraid he would be overcome with joy and then suffer misfortune.

Sometimes, the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment.

This kind of disparity was the most tormenting.

"Teacher, now, as long as we stop Lin Xiu from getting near the Earth Core Body Tempering Fluid, won't everything be fine?"

Xiao Yan thought to himself.

I won't even give you a chance to get close, so if you can still distinguish between real and fake Earth Core Fluid.

Could it be that you can foresee the future?

Lin Xiu, you snatched my Three Thousand Lightning Movement and Yin-Yang Mysterious Dragon Pill before; this time, it's my turn to win a round back!

Yao Chen seemed to have guessed Xiao Yan's thoughts and fell silent.

As the group left, the underground cave returned to darkness, falling into a deathly silence.

"Whoosh..."

Suddenly, a faint breathing sound emerged, followed by a glimmer of green light.

The light emanated from a cluster of flames that resembled a small calf.

The faint green glow illuminated a handsome young man's face, and the slight curve of his lips revealed a meaning that was hard to decipher.

"No good deed goes unpunished; the ancients truly didn't deceive me!"

Lin Xiu retracted his gaze from the direction Xiao Yan and the others had left and glanced at the stalactite a hundred meters above.

He had found it a bit strange when he learned that Xiao Yan only wanted to "look" earlier.

Later, while sorting the ape meat, he suddenly remembered that there seemed to be a passage in the original work about the true and false Earth Core Fluid.

Thus, Lin Xiu silently followed behind them.

By relying on the Guiyuan Art's concealment effect, coupled with his cautious actions, he had remained undetected the entire time.

"Xiao Yan and Old Yao's attention were probably focused on Han Yue and the others, as well as the Earth Core Fluid."

Lin Xiu chuckled, and with a flash, he arrived above the stalactite.

There was a platform here, and he could feel a rich Earth's power.

"I never thought the attribute points I added to alchemy would manifest here."

When Lin Xiu upgraded his Alchemist Rank, he didn't gain information about Medicinal Pill refinement; instead, he gained considerable insight into natural spiritual treasures and various collection and harvesting methods.

If not for this knowledge, it would probably have taken a lot of effort to find the Earth Core Body Tempering Fluid.

Moreover, there were also precautions for excavation and collection, which he would have been completely ignorant of.