Reaching the pinnacle from Doupo

Chapter 644 Retreat
After leaving the strange realm where the Heavenly Pill Stele was located, Lin Yuan transformed into a stream of light and flew straight back to the Heavenly Nether Valley.

Upon arrival, Lin Yuan did not disturb Dan Chen and Xin Lan, who were diligently cultivating. He quietly went to the deepest part of Tianyou Valley, a small valley sealed by layers of barriers, to prepare for some time of seclusion to properly digest the many inheritances he had recently acquired.

Looking at the high-grade medicinal herbs scattered throughout the valley, he couldn't help but think of the medicinal garden given to him by the Heavenly Pill Saint, and his eyes sparkled with anticipation.

The herb garden, which had been transformed by a semi-emperor and then sealed off for thousands of years, is truly captivating.

Shaking his head, Lin Yuan suppressed his burning desire, took a deep breath, and then took a step forward, his figure flashing out like a ghost, landing on the blue stone platform in the center of the valley.

Just then, the void behind him trembled slightly, rippling outwards.

Immediately afterwards, the girl's cunning voice, like a clear bird's song, drifted out from the ripples and echoed in Lin Yuan's ears.

"My dear brother, look how happy you are! You've struck it rich this time!"

Before he could finish speaking, a delicate purple figure emerged from the ripples in space, tightly embracing Lin Yuan from behind. Her smooth, jade-like skin gently caressed Lin Yuan's cheek, her breath sweet and fragrant, her warm breath tickling Lin Yuan's ear.

Feeling the firm yet soft touch against his back, Lin Yuan's lips curled up slightly, forming a gentle and indulgent smile.

"Hehe, this time you've really struck it rich, and you'll get a share too!"

He took Zi Yan's slender hand that was wrapped around him, gently pulled her in front of him, and said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Zi Yan's eyes lit up instantly.

"You've really struck it rich!" She grabbed Lin Yuan's arm tightly with both hands, shaking it back and forth, and said excitedly, "Tell me quickly, what's happened these past few days? What kind of fortune did you make, so I can share in your joy..."

Her playful appearance, coupled with her lively eyes, made her look like a little animal waiting to be fed.

"Okay, then I'll tell you..."

Looking at Zi Yan's charming appearance, Lin Yuan couldn't help but flick her forehead lightly, and then told her all about his experiences in the Heavenly Pill Stele space.

He also informed Ziyan of the locations of the three medicinal herb gardens and how to enter them.

"Tsk tsk, three thousand-year-old herb gardens, that alchemy master was really generous... With those, our shortage of medicinal herbs will be much smaller!" Upon hearing this, Zi Yan excitedly spun around on the spot, her purple hair flying with the movement, creating a kind of lively beauty.

Seeing the girl's joyful expression, Lin Yuan was also somewhat infected by it, so he released his Thunder Illusion Body.

"Zi Yan, I need to go into seclusion for a while. You and Lei Huanshen should go over there and take a look first."

"In those herb gardens, prioritize searching for these herbs... These herbs are used to make two kinds of ninth-grade treasure pills with quality close to the Xuan Dan. Taking them should be of great help to your later breakthrough to the Seven Star Dou Sheng."

As he spoke, he placed his fingertip on Zi Yan's brow and transmitted information about thousands of medicinal herbs to her using the method of soul communication.

Although the elixir had limited effect on Zi Yan, it was not entirely useless.

The combined effects of two Grade 9 precious pills, which are close to the Xuan Dan level, are equivalent to 20-30% of the effects of a single Xuan Dan. This is enough to give her a boost when she breaks through her cultivation level and increase her chances of breaking through to the Seven Star Dou Sheng level!
Having now obtained the supreme inheritance of the Pill Tower, Lin Yuan was confident that he could refine those two pills within a year.

"Okay, I'll go take a look first."

When it came to matters of great importance concerning her own cultivation, Zi Yan immediately became serious and nodded earnestly.

Then, as if remembering something, she said in a deep voice, "By the way, didn't you ask me to assess the difficulty of repairing the Pill Realm? I have the results... I can rebuild the core of the Pill Realm in some time, but it will consume some of my source energy, and I will need to recuperate for a few years after it is completed."

"You don't need to get involved in repairing the Pill Realm!" Lin Yuan shook his head and said seriously, "You are my biggest trump card. How can I let you be injured or exposed because of such a trivial matter?" "I plan to invite one Dou Sheng from each of the Ancient, Flame, and Thunder clans to help with this matter."

“Intentionally owing them favors is also a way for me to increase their sunk costs, thereby deepening our bond and cooperation with them.”

"One day they'll understand that these days, the one who owes money is the boss!"

At this point, a sly smile appeared on Lin Yuan's face—if he owed Gu, Yan, and Lei dozens of precious pills or several profound pills that he hadn't refined, and if anyone tried to attack him, those three races would probably be the first to object.

The reason of repaying the three clans for their assistance in repairing the Dan Realm can also serve as an excuse to carry out Hun Xuzi's "poison pill" plan.

After all, those who offer unsolicited favors are either up to no good or are thieves.

Without a good excuse, Lin Yuan's initiative to help the Gu, Yan, and Lei clans refine ninth-grade pills would not only make them look down on him, but also arouse their suspicion.

In addition, going out to repay favors can also serve as a reason for being away from home for an extended period.

Otherwise, it would be somewhat unreasonable for him, as the master of the Pill Tower, to not be stationed there.

Upon hearing Lin Yuan's explanation, Zi Yan revealed the same sly smile and said, "I see, so you're going to be a debtor... Hehe, that sounds interesting! I won't disturb your seclusion, I'll go check out those three herb gardens first."

As she spoke, she flicked her sleeve, and a dark rift appeared in the void not far ahead.

"Go ahead." Lin Yuan patted Zi Yan's shoulder. "I'll be staying at the Pill Tower for a month or two this time, so you'll have plenty of time to explore there."

"But remember, whether those top experts are friends or foes, you must be extremely careful when entering the secret realms they leave behind."

"Before you go in yourself, let my Thunder Illusion form go and scout ahead."

"Lei Huan Shen is now at the Dou Sheng level, which is enough to complete the exploration. You can send it to explore the places left behind by Senior Jing Lian Yao Sheng."

"You are too important to me. Don't go into those places until you've confirmed it's safe."

Lin Yuan is a suspicious person. Neither the Heavenly Pill Saint nor the Pure Lotus Demon Saint can gain his absolute trust. To explore the places they left behind, we must be cautious and not let those around us take unnecessary risks.

The Thunder Illusion Body, already at the Dou Sheng level, is the best consumable... Even if it's lost, it's alright; it can be reconstituted with some effort!
"Don't worry, I know."

Zi Yan blinked, stepped forward and pecked Lin Yuan on the face, then without hesitation, flew into the crevice, followed quickly by Lei Huan Shen.

As the two entered, the spatial rift slowly dissipated.

Lin Yuan watched Zi Yan leave, then withdrew his gaze, created numerous clones, and sat cross-legged on the bluestone platform. He closed his eyes and sank his consciousness into the depths of his mind, rummaging through his memories and comprehending the ninth-grade inheritances of the Medicine Clan and the Pill Tower.

Although he is currently unable to refine Xuan Dan and Jin Dan, the advanced techniques and secret methods inherited from the Xuan Dan and Jin Dan lineages are still of great benefit for refining precious pills.

However, they are extremely difficult to master and require a lot of effort.

Fortunately, Lin Yuan is extremely skilled in the art of creating clones, and now he can create more than a hundred clones, making him exceptionally efficient at digesting inheritance and absorbing knowledge.

As Lin Yuan entered into deep thought, time began to pass rapidly.

His alchemy skills, under the combined effect of various factors, improved rapidly at a speed unimaginable to ordinary people...

　I got home a little late today and also had some writer's block, so I only managed to write this much.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)