Reaching the pinnacle from Doupo

Chapter 550 Profound Spirit Saint Essence Pill, Nine Netherworld Yellow Spring Pill, Transaction
"A ninth-grade pill? Senior, you're incredibly generous!" Lin Yuan raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes: "But why did you choose me to refine it?"

"Hehe, perhaps it's fate!" The old doctor smiled, pondered for a moment, and said.

"Originally, I was hesitating whether to make a trip to Saint Pill City to ask the Grand Elder of the Lesser Pill Tower for help in refining it together... Now that you've come to discuss cooperation, and with your half-saint cultivation and Heavenly Realm Soul, you've met the basic theoretical requirements..."

"I am well aware of your talent in alchemy! We both possess extraordinary flames, and if we join forces this time, we have a 40% chance of success..."

"Of course, it doesn't matter if it doesn't work out!"

"Regardless of the outcome of this medicine-making process, it will not affect the cooperation we just discussed."

"I have devoted all my resources to this alchemy, preparing a full five portions of medicinal herbs... Even if we fail three times in a row, we can, depending on the circumstances, ask the Grand Elder to join us."

"Young Lin, what do you think? Opportunities to get a ninth-grade pill formula for free are rare!"

As if that wasn't enough, the old doctor gritted his teeth and continued to raise the price: "If you can succeed in the first three times, as a reward, I can give you the remaining medicinal herbs."

Having witnessed Lin Yuan's growth, Elder Yao understood his alchemy skills better than the three giants of the Pill Tower—the young man before him had completed the leap from Dou Wang to Half Saint and from the peak of the fifth rank to the eighth rank in just eight years.

What's even more remarkable is that this young man's strength is a flawless kind of strength; he has virtually no weaknesses in combat, alchemy, knowledge, strategy, temperament, talent, and wit.

In fact, when Yao Lao was training Xiao Yan in recent years, he subconsciously guided him to develop in the same direction as Lin Yuan.

Because this is the perfect template.

Despite his young age, he already possesses terrifying strength and a spirit that matches that strength—the spirit of a powerful figure who sees the entire continent as a chessboard!
Looking at the composed young man sitting opposite him, Yao Lao had a strong premonition that if he could get his help, there was a good chance that the refining of the ninth-grade precious pill would succeed.

Of course, he also wanted to see where the limits of the person he had never been able to understand lay!
Surely this kid, whose cultivation is only at the half-saint level, has alchemy skills far surpassing mine, the 'Medicine Saint,' and can refine ninth-grade pills on his own?
Haha, how could that be?!
A half-saint can refine a ninth-grade pill, something even the Medicine Emperor ancestor couldn't achieve.

Shaking his head, Yao Lao suppressed his distracting thoughts and stared intently at Lin Yuan, awaiting the latter's answer.

Hearing Yao Lao's words, Xiao Yan was taken aback at first. After regaining his senses, he subconsciously looked at Lin Yuan, a complex look unconsciously appearing in his eyes—this old 'rival' is not only terrifyingly powerful in cultivation, but also so skilled in alchemy?
In the six months since returning to the Starfall Pavilion, Xiao Yan has made terrifyingly rapid progress with the full help of his teacher and the abundant resources within the pavilion.

It can be said that this was the period in which he made the fastest progress since he began his cultivation.

In the past six months, not only has his cultivation level improved dramatically, reaching the Dou Zong level by a full five stars, but his soul level also successfully broke through to the early stage of the Spirit Realm a month ago.

He also deeply felt how powerful his teacher's alchemy skills were!
With the tremendous improvement he had made over the past six months, Xiao Yan thought he had caught up with Lin Yuan to some extent, but he never expected that the gap between the two would widen rather than decrease.

Compared to the advancements of Sainthood and Heavenly Realm, my own improvement is far too insignificant.

Thinking of this, Xiao Yan bit his lip and a hint of dejection flashed in his eyes—to regard Lin Yuan as an opponent to be surpassed was simply torture!
Xiao Yan is never worried about his opponents being stronger than him. As long as he improves quickly enough, he will eventually surpass them.

Nalan Yanran felt the same way, and so did everyone else! Even Gu Yao, Gu Zhen, Hun Feng… these once seemingly unattainable members of the imperial clans, he could now clearly see their backs, and he was confident that he could surpass them in the future…

But Lin Yuan, a peer who was just like him and came from the borderlands, made Xiao Yan feel particularly powerless.

Despite her exceptional talent, her diligent practice, and the early support of her teachers, why is the gap between her and Lin Yuan widening?

Even with the smoothest cultivation, it's difficult to progress from the peak of the Dou Zong realm to a half-saint within ten years!
When the two first met in the Monster Mountain Range, one was a fighter and the other was a king; at most, they were only four or five years apart.

"I can't give up, I still have a chance!" Shaking his head, Xiao Yan forced away the slight dejection in his heart, quickly composed himself, and thought to himself, "My teacher said that the key to cultivation is not how fast you go, but how far you go..."

"Moreover, once I meet the ancestor Xiao Xuan in the Heavenly Tomb and obtain the inheritance of the Xiao Clan, it's not impossible for me to surpass him!"

Thinking of this, he took a deep breath, and his eyes became firm again.

On the other side, Lin Yuan listened to the conditions offered by the old medicine master and agreed after a moment's thought: "Okay, I'm quite interested in refining a ninth-grade pill together!"

Although he had refined a ninth-grade Thunder Tribulation Pill, there was no need to refuse such an opportunity to continue practicing.

Practicing ninth-grade alchemy is incredibly expensive!

"Excellent!" The old apothecary's eyes lit up with joy. He flipped his hand, and a scroll of ancient, dark blue material appeared in his palm. "The recipe for the Profound Spirit Saint Essence Pill recorded in this scroll has miraculous effects on the cultivation of half-saints. If you and I can successfully refine it, it will greatly increase the speed at which we advance to the Battle Saint realm."

As the old apothecary stroked the ancient scroll, he was filled with emotion. He had paid a considerable price to obtain this pill formula from a reclusive family.

For this, he owed a great favor, which he would have to repay after advancing to the rank of Dou Sheng.

"Take these next two days to familiarize yourself with this pill formula, and I will also prepare to refine the pills!" The old medicine master gritted his teeth and handed the pill formula in his hand to Lin Yuan, who was sitting opposite him.

"A ninth-grade elixir, the Profound Spirit Saint Essence Pill?"

Lin Yuan raised an eyebrow as he took the ancient scroll, his eyes sparkling with interest—he didn't have many ninth-grade pill formulas, and this scroll wasn't among them.

Unexpectedly, this unexpected visit yielded some pleasant surprises.

However, Lin Yuan did not rush to look at the pill formula. Instead, he put it away and continued to look at the old medicine master sitting opposite him.

"Senior Yao, please speak frankly."

Seeing that the old doctor seemed hesitant to speak, Lin Yuan casually waved his hand and said with a smile.

"Lin Yuan, I would like to make a deal with you." After a moment's thought, Yao Lao said seriously, "I would like to exchange a scroll of ninth-grade pill formula for a Heaven-rank fighting technique."

"There is a ninth-grade elixir called the Nine Yin Yellow Springs Pill. If you infuse this pill into a strange fire, the extreme yin power contained within it can significantly weaken the strange fire for a period of time. If you intend to subdue the Pure Lotus Demon Flame in the future, that pill might come in handy..."

"Oh?" Lin Yuan raised an eyebrow and chuckled, "Senior actually possesses such a wondrous pill formula?"

"Not yet!"

The old doctor shook his head, then changed the subject: "But I have a way to get my hands on that pill formula. If you are interested in making a deal, I can get started."

After returning from the Tianyun Mountains, Xiao Yan made a suggestion to Yao Lao—to exchange for a Heaven-Rank Battle Technique from Lin Yuan!

Meanwhile, Yao Lao, who had been searching everywhere for a Heaven-Rank Dou Technique without success, couldn't wait until the Space Trade Fair five years later (it would be best for Xiao Yan to have a Heaven-Rank Dou Technique for self-defense before entering the Heavenly Tomb), so he took the matter to heart and began inquiring about things that might sway Lin Yuan. After spending several months, he learned about the Nine Yin Yellow Spring Pill through various channels.

However, Yao Lao was not in a hurry to make a move to exchange for the Nine Yin Yellow Spring Pill formula. After all, if Lin Yuan had no need to trade for this formula, wouldn't he have exchanged it for nothing?

Such a "specialized" elixir, if it cannot be sold, can only be kept as a collectible.

Starfall Pavilion is in a period of rapid development, so it's understandable to spend resources to exchange for Profound Spirit Saint Essence Pills, but to exchange them for a high-level collection scroll is something that Elder Yao would never do.

He originally planned to visit the Pill Tower in a few months, partly to ask the Grand Elder of the Lesser Pill Tower for help with pill refining, partly to discuss related matters with Lin Yuan, and also to visit Xuan Yi and show off his cultivation to Xuan Kongzi and the others...

Unexpectedly, before I even set off for the Pill Tower, Lin Yuan had already come to my door to discuss cooperation. This is a great opportunity!

If this collaboration goes through, then it will be a profitable deal.

After all, compared to the formulas for common grade nine pills, these unconventional formulas are relatively less valuable, and it's not easy to exchange them for a Heaven-rank fighting skill.

"Hehe, alright, I agree to this deal!" Lin Yuan chuckled, accepting Yao Lao's request without any hesitation: "I will provide three low-level offensive Heaven-rank combat techniques; you may choose one from them..."

As he spoke, he thought for a moment, then flicked his fingers, and three scrolls—one black, one purple, and one red—flew out from the Nether Sea Ring and landed lightly on the table in front of the old doctor.

"This black scroll is called the Great Creation Palm!"

"This purple scroll is called the Divine Finger of Astounding Divinity!"

"This red scroll is called the Myriad Transformations Heavenly Flame Palm!"

Looking at the three scrolls that exuded a mysterious aura, Yao Lao was also taken aback.

Holy crap, you can even choose?!
After regaining his senses, he looked up slightly at the calm-looking young man sitting opposite him and had a better idea of ​​just how wealthy the latter was.

How did this guy amass such a fortune in just a few years?
The old apothecary clearly remembered that before they came to Zhongzhou, Lin Yuan still needed to exchange cultivation techniques, combat skills, pill formulas, and secret methods with him...

"Young Lin, the formula for the Nine Yin Yellow Spring Pill is not currently in my possession!" Taking a deep breath, the old doctor calmed down and said.

"It's alright, I trust your character, senior." Lin Yuan waved his hand. "You'll be facing the Soul Palace soon, so you'll need to improve your combat strength. You can practice these Heaven-Rank Battle Techniques first. As for the pill formula... let me think about it. Just hand it over to me within three years!"

"In that case, I won't stand on ceremony!"

Yao Lao didn't mince words. He turned his head to look at Xiao Yan, whose eyes were burning with desire, and said gently, "Little Yan, take a look and choose the one that suits you best..."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan's eyes flashed with a look of wild joy, but he quickly suppressed it.

"Teacher... I... you should choose!"

With a reluctant glance over the three scrolls, Xiao Yan looked slowly at the kind old man beside him and said softly.

The old master withdrew his gaze from the Myriad Transformations Heavenly Flame Palm and glanced at his disciple with a smile: "Silly boy, are you being too polite with your master?!"

"In four or five years, some ancient clans will hold coming-of-age ceremonies, and there will also be martial arts competitions between ancient races. You brat, don't you want to compete with those imperial clan disciples for Xun'er? Don't you want to seek justice from the ancient demon who attacked you?"

"Moreover, for a semi-saint level expert, even a Heaven-rank fighting skill is not enough to determine the outcome if there is no difference in rank."

"These three volumes of fighting techniques are all about the same to me."

"So, when you choose, don't worry about your teacher. Just choose the one that suits you... For low-level Heaven-rank fighting techniques, compatibility and proficiency are very important at the Dou Zun level!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan felt a surge of warmth in his heart. "Teacher!" Immediately, he stopped being coy and began to carefully examine the three fighting techniques.

Lin Yuan, watching this scene of true teacher-student harmony, smiled faintly.

However, he no longer feels envious of it.

This kind of warm and innocent master-disciple relationship is not suitable for a ruthless person like myself. A master like Hun Xuzi is more suitable for me, as I can scheme against him without any psychological pressure.

So, while refining his plan to "kill his master and collect gold coins" in his mind, he waited with great interest for Xiao Yan's choice.

The three fighting techniques that Lin Yuan presented contained a little something of his own ulterior motive.

The Divine Shock Finger, obtained from the Dragon Island Treasure Vault, is the most powerful, no less than the Ancient Clan's Annihilation Finger; the Myriad Transformations Heavenly Flame Palm, obtained from the Demon Saint's inheritance, is most suitable for fire attribute cultivators; the Great Heavenly Creation Palm, obtained from the Dou Sheng Ruins, is unremarkable, but has a connection with Xiao Yan in the original timeline.

Under the watchful eyes of Lin Yuan and Yao Lao, Xiao Yan took a deep breath, raised his hand, and slowly reached out towards the purple scroll, the scroll of the Divine Finger!

However, just as he was about to touch the scroll, he seemed to remember something and paused slightly.

"Brother Lin, I'd like to make a deal with you!" Xiao Yan withdrew his hand, pondered for a moment, and then looked intently at Lin Yuan. "I guarantee that the reward for this deal will be substantial, but the risks are considerable. Are you... willing to take the gamble?"

Sensing Xiao Yan's sudden transformation and sharpness, like a young tiger unleashed from its cage, Lin Yuan raised his eyebrows slightly.

"A bet? That sounds interesting!"

He picked up the teapot and poured Xiao Yan a cup, saying, "Brother Xiao, I admire your current 'momentum'! Sit down, and tell me in detail about the cooperation you mentioned..."

Xiao Yan glanced at Yao Lao beside him and saw a face full of satisfaction and encouragement. He clasped his hands in greeting, calmly sat down at the table, and took the tea that Lin Yuan had poured for him, drinking it all in one gulp.

He put down his teacup, his gaze turning slightly solemn as he looked directly into Lin Yuan's deep, dark eyes, and finally spoke slowly.

"Brother Lin, I want all three of these fighting techniques you've brought out!"

"If possible, I also need a Heaven-Rank cultivation technique. As for the price, I'm willing to offer three times... no, five times its value, but it will have to wait until five years from now, when I return from the Heavenly Tomb..."

(End of this chapter)