While in Battle Through the Heavens, one can pre-appoint oneself as an emperor.

Seeing the two people standing there, caught in a dilemma, Chen Xiao waved to them.

The two didn't move an inch, shaking their heads vigorously, their eyes filled with undisguised fear as they looked at Zi Yan.

Although they had never actually fought Zi Yan, they had witnessed last year how the top ten on the rankings were brutally beaten by her. Those punches, though they didn't land on them, left a significant psychological scar on many of the senior students.

From that time on, this little girl, who looked quite young, became the person that all the senior students in the inner courtyard least wanted to provoke. The rumors became more and more bizarre, making many people turn pale at the mere mention of her name.

"Come here."

Zi Yan expressed her dissatisfaction.

The two hesitant individuals dared not delay for a moment, forcing smiles as they approached, but unsure how to greet them, they could only manage a dry laugh.

"What happened to the medicine you left over?"

Zi Yan didn't understand what he meant, but she still took it out of the ring and handed it to Chen Xiao.

Chen Xiao nodded slightly and handed it to the woman from the medicine gang.

"I heard from the captain of the Black Fiend Squad that you're an alchemist, what rank?"

"Second...second rank."

The woman glanced nervously at Zi Yan, who stood beside her and didn't seem as terrifying as the rumors suggested, and answered truthfully.

"That's enough. Ziyan and I won't delve into the purpose of your visit today. However, we have a small request: please refine these medicinal herbs. You don't need to refine them into pills; just condense them into ordinary pills. This should be the simplest basic skill for an alchemist, and it shouldn't take long."

Upon hearing Chen Xiao's words, Zi Yan's eyes lit up, and she instantly understood his plan.

She had considered having alchemists handle the herbs before, but the people in the inner courtyard would run away as fast as they could when they saw her. In addition, the origin of many of her herbs was unclear, so in order to avoid them being sent back to the herb management warehouse, she could only endure the bitterness and eat them.

"It's not difficult."

"As long as it's not difficult, hurry up and make it delicious. I'll protect you guys in the inner courtyard from now on."

Zi Yan urged him on, her big eyes narrowing into slits with anticipation.

Anyway, this was Chen Xiao's bad idea, so even if Su Qian settles the score later, she won't be able to cause any trouble for her.

Thinking this, Zi Yan chuckled.

Under the "coercion" of the two men, the woman named Rongrong could only reluctantly agree, take out the alchemy cauldron from her storage ring, and begin refining the essence of the medicine on the spot.

This step is indeed not difficult; it is the foundation for every alchemist. In addition, the medicinal materials that Zi Yan brought out today were not the kind that were very difficult to refine. Therefore, it only took less than ten minutes to condense seven or eight pills.

Grabbing the still-warm pill, Chen Xiao took some saccharin from his storage ring, coated it with it, and then tossed it to Zi Yan.

Zi Yan took it and swallowed it eagerly, making the two people opposite her tremble.

"It tastes pretty good!"

The compliment made the two of them breathe a sigh of relief.

Now, this little grudge between us should be wiped clean, right?

Under the expectant gazes of the two, Chen Xiao pulled Zi Yan aside and whispered a few words in her ear.

Soon, Zi Yan walked over with her hands behind her back in a very professional manner and asked the woman a question.

"What's your name?"

"Chen Rong".

"Very good, I'll remember you. From now on, you'll be in charge of refining pills for me. It won't take up much of your time. In return, I guarantee that no one in the inner courtyard will dare to bully you."

Chen Rong was in tears. With the support of the Medicine Gang, few people dared to provoke her.

"Can I refuse?"

"Hehe, of course you can, but you don't want me to cause him trouble later, do you?"

Zi Yan looked at Fu Jun with ill intention.

Seeing this, the young alchemist from the medicine gang could only agree with a bitter face.

"Go ahead, I'll come find you again tomorrow."

Zi Yan gave the man a satisfied look, and in a great mood, she waved her hand to send him away.

"I've discovered a problem. While this method makes the taste much better, it makes it too fast to consume. My daily herb consumption will likely increase exponentially. I'm planning to go to the herb management warehouse... no, to the mountains to get some more herbs. Do you want to come?"

"No, I have something to do. I'll definitely do it next time."

Chen Xiao waved his hand in refusal.

He wasn't that stupid. Elder Su Qian couldn't possibly be unaware that Zi Yan had stolen the inner courtyard's medicinal herbs.

The reason they didn't expose it was simply because they tacitly approved it; this was purely the treatment given to their own people.

He had only been in the inner courtyard for a few days. Although he had some talent, in the eyes of the Grand Elder, his status was far inferior to that of Zi Yan. He should be aware of his own limitations.

"Okay, I'll come visit you again in a few days~"

...

After watching Zi Yan leave, Chen Xiao turned around and went into the pavilion.

After greeting Cao Hui and the others who had just moved in that day, Chen Xiao returned to his room and locked the door.

"Advance payment, three thousand thunderbolts!"

As soon as Chen Xiao had a thought, he felt a scroll appear strangely in his arms.

Reaching out, he took it out; it was a roll of paper, entirely silver, with a row of eye-catching small characters on the side.

A low-level Earth-rank movement technique, Three Thousand Thunderclaps!

"This time, the pre-emptive battle seems different from before..."

As Chen Xiao fiddled with the scroll in his hand, a thought suddenly struck him.

He had anticipated Yan's counterattack before, but at that time it was just a flow of information flowing into his mind.

But this time, it’s the real thing.

After a moment's thought, Chen Xiao had a guess in his mind: this might be related to the special nature of the Three Thousand Thunderclaps.

To cultivate the Three Thousand Thunder Movements, one needs to rely on the wisp of wind and thunder power sealed within the Wind and Thunder Pavilion, but Xun'er's Swallow Counterattack does not have such a demanding condition.

Without much hesitation, Chen Xiao opened the scroll and took a look.

"Three Thousand Thunderclaps is the highest-level movement technique of our Wind and Thunder Pavilion. After mastering it, one's movements become as swift as lightning, almost impossible to see with the naked eye. Even a Great Battle Master who masters it can fight against a Battle Spirit expert and remain invincible. Even when facing a Battle King expert, there is a chance to escape!"

"The Three Thousand Thunder Movements are divided into three levels: Thunder Flash, Thunder Instant, and Three Thousand Thunders. When one cultivates to the final level, Three Thousand Thunders, one can move through space silently and effortlessly, achieving instantaneous teleportation."

"Only by cultivating the Three Thousand Thunder Movements to its peak, reaching the Three Thousand Thunder Realm, can one begin cultivating our Pavilion's high-level Earth-rank combat technique, the Three Thousand Thunder Illusionary Body!"

Looking at the description on the scroll, even Chen Xiao, who already knew about the Three Thousand Thunderbolts, couldn't help but feel excited.

This is exactly what he lacks at the moment!

Once he learns it, he will truly have a trump card to fight enemies of higher levels, greatly enhancing his ability to survive!

"Starting tomorrow, we will cultivate according to the plan given by the Grand Elder, and at the same time, wait for a thunderstorm!"

Cultivating Earth-rank combat skills is extremely difficult and requires careful attention to methods and techniques.

These three thousand thunders will be easier to succeed if you start practicing on a rainy day!

...

At the same time.

Jia Ma Empire, Wu Tan City, Xiao family's back mountain.

Xun'er sat on the grass behind the mountain, explaining to Qinglin the issues that needed attention during her cultivation.

Although she is still at the fighting power stage on the surface, in terms of knowledge, she is far superior to even Xiao Zhan, so she is more than capable of teaching Qinglin.

Xun'er spoke very clearly, but when she looked up, she found that Qinglin, who had always been serious and well-behaved, was distracted again today.

"Azure Scales~"

"Oh, I'm sorry, Sister Xun'er, I was daydreaming."

"It's alright, let's stop here for today. Go back and pack your things, we're leaving tomorrow morning," Xun'er said with a smile, shaking her head.

Upon hearing this, a look of surprise appeared on Qinglin's pretty face. She had not forgotten what Xun'er had said, that she would go to Canaan College before leaving.

The little girl immediately cheered joyfully and ran towards her residence.

She can't stay in the Xiao family for even a day!

Watching Qinglin's cheerful figure disappear into the distance, Xun'er smiled gently.

Only after Qinglin's figure was out of sight did Xun'er whisper an instruction to someone in the shadows.

"Elder Ling, please ask Uncle Xiao Zhan to come over. It's time to have a frank talk before he leaves."