I and countless versions of myself simultaneously travel through time.

Ye Yan picked up his teacup, took a slow sip, and suddenly said, "Xiao Yan, you could actually fight another round. Since the three-year agreement is all about fighting anyway, what difference does it make whether you fight one more or one less?"

Xiao Yan's eyes widened, his lips twitching: "Senior, are you... really that shameless?"

"Shameless?" Ye Yan raised an eyebrow and smiled nonchalantly. "I call this flexibility. Besides, I came here to help you solve the secret of your declining battle qi."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhan abruptly raised his head, a glimmer of hope flashing in his eyes: "Senior, is there really any hope for my son?"

Ye Yan put down his teacup, stood up, and said calmly but firmly, "Yes."

That single word was like a reassuring pill, making Xiao Zhan almost kneel down on the spot.

"Come with me."

Ye Yan turned and walked outside. Yun Yun and Xiao Yan exchanged a glance and quickly followed.

The three of them walked through the path behind the Xiao family's mountain and came to a secluded cliff.

Here, ancient trees reach for the sky, vines entwine, and the air is filled with a faint aroma of herbs.

Ye Yan stood on the edge of the cliff, looking down at the dense forest below, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.

He knew this place all too well.

Of all the transmigrators who come to the Doupo world, eight out of ten obtain the Burning Technique here.

The back mountain of the Xiao family, where the herbalist hides, is a must-visit spot for time travelers.

"Xiao Yan, take out the ring on your hand." Ye Yan turned around, his gaze falling on the ancient black storage ring on Xiao Yan's right hand.

Xiao Yan was taken aback and subconsciously touched the ring: "How did you know, Senior?"

"Just take it out."

Xiao Yan hesitated for a moment, but ultimately chose to trust Ye Yan.

He took off his storage ring, held it in his palm, and handed it to Ye Yan.

Ye Yan took the ring, examined it for a moment, then suddenly looked up, a wide grin spreading across his face: "Hehehehehehe."

The laughter was cold and piercing. As the fighting spirit surged, Ye Yan's figure suddenly twisted and transformed into a Soul Palace protector shrouded in black robes with a sinister face!

Surrounded by black energy and exuding overwhelming spiritual pressure, he was exactly the kind of hawk and hound that had stepped out of the Soul Palace!

Xiao Yan's face turned deathly pale, and he abruptly took several steps back: "You..."

"Hehehe." Ye Yan laughed even more wildly, black energy surging at his fingertips as he made a move to probe into his storage ring.

The storage ring shuddered violently, and an aged voice boomed from within: "Stop!"

A phantom-like, aged figure floated out of the ring. With white hair and a gaunt face, it was none other than Yao Lao. However, at this moment, his face was ashen as he stared intently at the "Soul Palace Protector" before him and said in a deep voice, "The people of the Soul Palace have quite a keen sense of smell."

Ye Yan stared at Yao Lao for three seconds, then suddenly burst out laughing.

The black aura dissipated, his appearance returned to normal, and he became the calm and collected Ye Yan again.

"Yao Chen, it's been many years. How have you been?" Ye Yan greeted him with a smile.

The old doctor was stunned.

Xiao Yan was stunned.

"You..." Yao Lao stared at Ye Yan for a long time before finally realizing, "You're not from the Soul Hall?"

"Of course not." Ye Yan shrugged. "I was just kidding."

The old doctor's face went from ashen to purplish-brown, and then from purplish-brown to helpless.

In all his years of life, this was the first time he'd been so thoroughly humiliated. The crucial question was, how exactly did this guy manage to fake that aura of the Soul Palace?

Ye Yan certainly wouldn't tell him that this was another benefit of soul devouring.

After devouring Protector Wu's soul, he not only obtained the Soul Palace's techniques and memories, but he could also perfectly replicate that cold aura.

It's used to scare people; it works every time.

"Senior, this...who is this person?" Xiao Yan stammered, looking at Yao Lao and then at Ye Yan, his mind completely blank.

"Yao Chen, a ninth-grade alchemist, was once the number one alchemist on the continent, known as the Medicine Venerable, and the master of the Starfall Pavilion." Ye Yan introduced him casually, then added, "But now, he's just a wisp of a soul, sealed in this ring of yours, barely surviving by absorbing your battle qi."

Wow, that's amazing.

盒。

The old doctor's lips twitched.

Xiao Yan's expression changed drastically. In a flash, he suddenly remembered the strange things that had happened over the past three years: his cultivation had regressed and his fighting spirit had been constantly being lost. It turned out that the culprit had been right in his hands all along!

He thought it was some kind of female ghost causing trouble, but it turned out to be a grumpy old man.

"Old man, you've already chosen your own death!" Xiao Yan's anger flared, and he was furious.

At this moment, just like Tang San, he became enraged!

At this moment, Xiao San's eyes turned red.

Seeing this, Ye Yan understood.

Falling from the pedestal of genius to become a laughingstock, the sheer magnitude of the disparity and humiliation is enough to change anyone beyond recognition.

"Little child, I didn't mean to harm you..." Yao Lao coughed awkwardly. "Absorbing your fighting energy was a last resort. I was betrayed by a villain back then, and my physical body was completely destroyed. Only a wisp of my soul remained in this storage ring. If I hadn't absorbed external energy, I would have been completely destroyed long ago."

Ye Yan waved his hand, too lazy to listen to his explanation, and cut straight to the point: "Yao Chen, I want to cooperate with you."

"Cooperation?" Yao Lao narrowed his eyes, sizing up the young man before him. A sixth-level Dou Zong, a mid-stage Heavenly Realm soul cultivator, and also wielding the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame—this strength and foundation would make him a powerful figure even in the Central Continent.

Why would he want to collaborate with me?

"Burning Blade." Ye Yan cut to the chase. "Your condition is that I'll help you kill Han Feng."

The old apothecary's pupils contracted, and his expression changed drastically: "You even know about Han Feng?"

"I not only know Han Feng, I also know who harmed you and where your body was suppressed." Ye Yan spoke slowly and deliberately, his tone as calm as reciting a menu. "So, stop beating around the bush and just say it: are you in or not?"

The old doctor remained silent for a long time.

He stared into Ye Yan's eyes, trying to find a clue, but all he saw was a bottomless calm.

This young man seemed to have seen through everything beforehand, even knowing every word he was about to say.

"You know the origin of the Burning Technique?" Yao Lao asked tentatively.

"Created by the ancient emperor Tuoshe, it devours strange flames to evolve, ultimately helping the ancient emperor break through to the Dou Di realm," Ye Yan said casually. "You found it back then, so you obtained this technique. It's a pity you didn't practice it yourself, but it benefited that ungrateful wretch Han Feng."

The old doctor was completely speechless.

This person has either read the script or he is the script himself.

"Did you travel back from the future?" the old doctor suddenly asked.

Ye Yan smiled but didn't answer. He simply extended his hand: "Give me the storage ring, and I'll take the Burning Technique. I'll refine the eighth-grade pill for you. In exchange, I'll take care of reviving you."

"An eighth-grade pill?" The old medicine master frowned. "Are you sure you can refine it?"

"A soul at the mid-stage of the Heavenly Rank, plus the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame, plus your guidance, Yao Chen, what do you say?" Ye Yan's tone left no room for argument.

After pondering for a long time, the old doctor finally nodded.

He took out an old scroll from his storage ring and handed it to Ye Yan.

Ye Yan opened the scroll, quickly scanned it, and nodded in satisfaction. The second half of the scroll.

And all the insights and experiences of an eighth-grade alchemist.

The Burning Executioner's Blade is in hand.

Standing aside, Xiao Yan watched Ye Yan and Yao Lao complete the transaction with ease, and saw the legendary cultivation technique being passed between the two. The urge to become stronger grew stronger in his heart.

He had a premonition that his life would be completely changed starting today.

Ye Yan put away the scroll and patted Xiao Yan on the shoulder: "Cultivate well. I'll be waiting for you at the Yunlan Sect in three years."

The group returned to the Xiao family hall, where Xiao Yan suddenly stepped forward: "I want to fight another battle!"

Nalan Yanran rolled her eyes: "This is boring. You can't beat me. Come back in three years."

Ye Yan laughed and took out several exquisite jade bottles from his storage ring: "Don't rush, I have some good stuff here, beauty pills. Take them and you'll have a radiant complexion and stay young forever."

He then pulled out several jade bottles of different colors, cleared his throat, and said, "These... 'Dragon Yang Bone Strengthening Pill,' 'Nine Heavens Rejuvenating Dew,' and 'Overlord Golden Pill,' you know the effects."

The Xiao family members: "..."

Yun Yun, expressionless, pulled Ye Yan out: "Let's go."

"Wait, wait, wait!" Ye Yan was being pulled out, but he didn't forget to turn back and call out, "Xiao Yan, train hard, I have faith in you. Don't forget that your Uncle Ye invested in you and gave you a storage ring that can guarantee your advancement to Dou Huang."

"Xiao Yan will remember this for the rest of his life." Xiao Yan knelt on the ground and kowtowed, and Ye Yan nodded with extreme satisfaction.

At last.

The Yunlan Sect members transformed their fighting spirit into wings, soared into the sky, and flew towards Qingshan Town.

Following behind Ye Yan, Yun Yun couldn't help but ask, "Where do we go next?"

"The Monster Mountain Range." Ye Yan gazed at the distant, rolling mountains, a hint of anticipation flashing in his eyes. "Come with me; there are good things there."