105: Head to Saint Dan City!

Cao Dan also chimed in, his tone coaxing as he looked at Ye Xinlan: "Xin Lan, returning to the Cao Clan with me is the Righteous Path. I can teach you how to refine seventh-grade pills, allowing you to become an Alchemist respected by everyone in the Pill Domain. If you follow him, you can only ever be an ordinary person!"

Ye Xinlan frowned tightly and stepped forward, saying, "My choice has nothing to do with you. I will never acknowledge the Cao Clan's marriage contract. Big Brother Jiang is the Ye Clan's benefactor; you shouldn't speak to him like that."

Jiang Luo patted Ye Xinlan's shoulder, signaling her to calm down, and his gaze turned colder when he looked back at Cao Dan: "If the Cao Clan truly wants trouble, I'll be ready anytime. But the Pill Gathering is imminent. If you continue to bother us here, don't blame me for being impolite."

Cao Dan looked at Jiang Luo's firm attitude. Although angry, he was also wary of the strength Jiang Luo displayed when slaying a Dou Zun, so he could only grit his teeth and leave a threat.

"Fine! I'll wait for you at the Pill Gathering! When that time comes, I will let everyone see how foolish your and the Ye Clan's choice was!"

After speaking, he led the Cao Clan members away resentfully. Before leaving, the Gray-Robed Elder gave Jiang Luo a deep look, his eyes full of caution.

Watching the Cao Clan members leave, Ye Zhong breathed a sigh of relief, but still worried: "Lord Jiang Luo, the Cao Clan has deep influence in the Pill Domain. I fear they will trip us up at the Pill Gathering."

"No matter," Jiang Luo said with certainty. "The Pill Gathering Assessment relies on Genuine Alchemic Skill. Even if the Cao Clan tries tricks, they may not succeed. For the next few days, we will focus on preparation. I will teach Xin Lan some refining techniques for seventh-grade pills; that will be enough to handle the assessment."

In the following days, Jiang Luo and Ye Xinlan studied Alchemic Arts in the Refining Room every day, and Ye Xinlan improved rapidly.

Ye Zhong, meanwhile, was busy contacting other forces in the Pill Domain to secure more support for the Ye Clan.

As the Pill Gathering approached, the entire Pill Domain became increasingly lively. Countless Alchemists poured into Ye City. Figures carrying Medicine Baskets could be seen everywhere in the streets and alleys, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of medicinal materialss.

Finally, the day arrived to depart for Holy Pill City.

Early in the morning, in front of the Ye Clan Gate, the Clansmen lined up neatly, their eyes fixed on Jiang Luo, Ye Zhong, and Ye Xinlan.

Ye Zhong instructed the Clan Elders to guard the Residence and pay attention to the Hall of Souls' movements; Jiang Luo also instructed Venerable Skyfire and Xiao Yi Xian: "Old Yao, Xiao Yi Xian, Qing Lin. You three stay here to hold down the fort. If anyone from the Hall of Souls comes, show no mercy."

Venerable Skyfire nodded: "Little Friend, go ahead. This old man can now control seventy percent of his strength and will surely protect the Ye Clan."

After making arrangements, the three headed to the Spatial Wormhole Plaza on the north side of Ye City.

Ye Zhong looked at the old wormhole and sighed with emotion: "When the Ye Clan was flourishing, the wormhole was guarded by a Dou Zun. Now it looks quite dilapidated."

"After the assessment is over, I will send people to repair the wormhole and build a passage leading to my Sect." Jiang Luo's words warmed Ye Zhong's heart.

Boarding the black Spatial Small Boat that Ye Zhong took out, the three sailed into the wormhole.

The Spatial Passage inside the wormhole was narrow and monotonous, illuminated only by the faint blue light emanating from the boat. Surrounding them was endless darkness and howling Spatial Turbulence, occasionally punctuated by the "bang bang" sound of floating debris hitting the boat.

Seeing this, Jiang Luo took out several Rare Medicinal Ingredients from his storage ring and placed them on the stone platform in the center of the Cabin.

There was the "nether flower" containing Yin-Cold Power, the "bone spirit grass" radiating golden patterns, and the "Heavenly Poisonous Scorpion Dragon Beast Essence Blood" contained in a Jade Bottle, emitting a faint metallic scent.

"Look at this 'nether flower.' Its petals contain extremely strong Yin-Cold Power. If placed directly into the Pill Furnace, it will clash with the Yang Attribute of other medicinal materialss. You must first use a Gentle Flame to bake away thirty percent of the Cold Air, and while baking, you must constantly use Soul Power to comb the petal patterns to prevent the Medicinal Properties from being lost."

Jiang Luo condensed a wisp of weak Pill Fire on his fingertip and gently brushed it over the nether flower's petals, demonstrating the key Operational Points.

Ye Xinlan leaned closer to the stone platform, watching intently. She nodded and took notes occasionally, asking questions promptly when she didn't understand, such as "How do you determine that thirty percent of the Cold Air has been baked away?" and "How should the intensity of Soul Power injection be controlled?" Jiang Luo answered each question patiently, sometimes even letting her try it herself, and then pointing out the flaws in her operation.

The small boat sped through the Spatial Passage. After about Half a Day, a bright light finally appeared ahead.

Qingling City has arrived.