Battle Through the Heavens: Xiao Yan, who was kidnapped to another world

"So, are we really just going to let him figure out how to persuade the Cao and Dan families on his own?" On the way out, Xuan Yi turned back to look at Xiao Yan and asked Xuan Kongzi.

"It would be best if we could persuade them," Xuan Kongzi shrugged. "If that doesn't work, we'll step in again."

“That’s true.” Xuan Yi nodded.

In any case, they can provide whatever the Dan and Cao families want...

*

"Our Dan family has only one request..." A few days later, in the Ye family's conference room, the Dan family head looked at Xiao Yan opposite him and said with utmost seriousness.

"Hmm." Xiao Yan nodded. Although they had compiled a small number of pill formulas in the past few days, it should still be enough to meet the requirement that the strongest alchemist is an eighth-grade, six-color alchemist.

"After you help the Ye family overcome this crisis..." The Dan family head took a deep breath, "get engaged to Chen'er."

"But..." Xiao Yan blurted out instinctively, then suddenly realized something was wrong. "Um... what were you saying just now...?"

"I'm engaged to Dan Chen," said Dan Luo, the head of the Dan family and Dan Chen's grandfather, calmly.

"...Doesn't the Dan family need high-level pill formulas?" After a moment's hesitation, Xiao Yan asked.

“That is indeed what we need,” Danluo nodded. “However, compared to high-level pill formulas, we need high-level alchemists even more…and it would be best if they were still relatively young.”

"...Even if we get engaged, I would never hand over the pill formulas I've collected to you." Xiao Yan paused briefly before speaking, realizing that Dan Luo's idea was that once he became a member of the Dan family, his pill formulas would belong to the Dan family.

"I said, a high-level and young alchemist will suffice," Danluo said calmly. "The pill formula isn't the key point!"

"Nothing left to discuss?" Xiao Yan's eye twitched slightly as he asked.

“Of course,” Danlo said firmly.

I'm so upset.

G2's elimination was so disheartening; I couldn't write a single word for ages after watching the final moments. I'm posting this as a leave of absence; I might not be able to write anything today.

Chapter 381 Deception

"Thank you for making this trip," Xiao Yan nodded to Dan Luo. "If you have nothing else to do, please leave now."

Upon hearing this, Danluo's expression froze slightly, but quickly returned to normal. If Xiao Yan's soul power hadn't been strong enough, he might not have been able to detect that subtle expression.

“The Bai family has always stood on the same side as my Dan family,” Dan Luo seemed to realize that Xiao Yan had noticed the change in his expression at that moment, so he stopped trying to persuade him in a roundabout way. “If I leave, even if you reach an agreement with the Cao family, you will at most get three votes from the five major families.”

Besides, do you really think you can persuade the Cao family? If it weren't for your interference, the Ye family's business would have lasted at most three years before being overtaken by the Cao family..."

"Hey, old man Dan, how dare you speak ill of the Cao family to my face like this?" Dan Luo was interrupted by a somewhat aged voice before he could finish his last few words.

“However… what you said isn’t entirely wrong,” an old man in blue robes said, stroking his chin. “Boy, if you hadn’t interfered, when that old man Ye Chong couldn’t hold on any longer, our Cao family would have been able to take over the Ye family under the guise of a marriage alliance. Tell me, how are you going to compensate me?”

"Because of Yang Fire?" Xiao Yan looked at Cao Min, the head of the Cao family, and asked calmly.

Long before the Dan and Cao families arrived in Ye City, Xuan Kongzi had told Xiao Yan that the Cao family had a strong pursuit of artificial strange fire in recent years. Thinking back to the Earth Core Pearl he found at the Yang Fire Altar of the Ye family... or more precisely, at the Earth Core Pearl beneath the Yang Fire Altar, which could create Yang fire when exposed to sunlight, Xiao Yan had a vague guess.

Today, after Cao Min made no attempt to conceal his feelings for the Ye family, Xiao Yan became even more certain of his guess.

"Yang Fire..." Upon hearing Xiao Yan's words, Cao Min narrowed his eyes slightly. "What do you mean?"

The Cao family's desire to create artificial strange fire was no secret in the Pill Domain, just like the Ye family's Yang Fire was famous in the Pill Domain. Everyone knew about it. However, unlike the Ye family's Yang Fire Altar, which was known to everyone as being unable to leave the Yang Fire Altar, everyone only knew that the Cao family wanted to create artificial strange fire, but no one knew how far the Cao family had come in this regard.

After noticing Cao Min's expression, Danlu raised an eyebrow. He had only wanted to put pressure on Xiao Yan, to force Xiao Yan to accept his proposal... or to beg him to say the second option. He did not expect that he would accidentally hit the Cao family's sore spot.

Cao Min also understood that his performance would let Dan Luo know about some of his plans, but he was now more curious about what this calm-looking young man in black robes knew.

What did we learn? It's nothing more than that the Ye family's Yang Fire Altar is not impossible to replicate. As long as we have the Earth Core Pearl and can create an altar or house that can gather sunlight like the Ye family's, we can continuously generate Yang Fire.

However, Xiao Yan would not reveal this information unconditionally.

"So, these are the Cao family's conditions?" Xiao Yan asked rhetorically.

Upon hearing this, Cao Min's eyes twitched violently, then he forced a somewhat awkward smile. "No, I think my requirements should remain the same as Old Man Dan's... Become the son-in-law of the Cao family, otherwise, forget it!"

Upon hearing Cao Min's words, Xuan Kongzi, who had been listening in, suddenly didn't know what to say. Although he didn't know what the Cao family's initial demands would be, Xiao Yan's actions... directly turned the situation from being able to persuade both families at the same time into having to choose one of them.

"The next Pill Gathering is about to begin, isn't it?" Xiao Yan turned his head to look at Xuan Kongzi and asked.

"Ah...right, the next Pill Gathering will be held in a little over three years." Xuan Kongzi, who hadn't expected to have anything to do with him, nodded after a brief moment of surprise.

Upon hearing the words "Dan Hui" (Alchemy Gathering), Dan Luo and Cao Min were also momentarily taken aback, before quickly realizing what was happening. After the Dan Hui, there would be an almost public event where the top ten finishers would have the opportunity to come into contact with and subdue the Three Thousand Burning Flames!

"Does the Alchemist Tournament not restrict the alchemist level of the participants?"

Just as the two of them had expected, Xiao Yan asked the question directly.

“Well…” Xuan Kongzi looked at Dan Luo and Cao Min, waiting for them to continue.

Danluo and Cao Min pursed their lips. Unlike Xiao Yan, who had been informed by Xuan Kongzi, they only knew that Xiao Yan was Yao Lao's disciple, that Xiao Yan wanted the Three Thousand Burning Flames, and that Xiao Yan was already an eighth-grade nine-color alchemist.

If given enough time, they might be able to find information about Xiao Yan's childhood in the Northwest Continent, but that would be about it.

Although the two of them could say that "the five major families can convene the Pill Tower Conference and restrict the level of participants," that would completely break ties with Xiao Yan. Even without considering Xiao Yan's own alchemy level, they had to consider the existence of Elder Yao behind him. Moreover, with Xiao Yan's alchemy level, he was fully capable of joining the Pill Tower and becoming an elder...

“It’s only a little over three years until the Pill Gathering,” Xiao Yan said, looking at Dan Luo and Cao Min. “Even if this deal doesn’t go through, it’s just a matter of waiting three years for me… Or do you two think that someone will be able to subdue the Three Thousand Burning Flames or that someone else will appear who can refine Rank 8 Nine-Colored Pills within these three years?”

On the Dou Qi Continent, there are quite a few alchemists who can refine grade eight nine-colored pills, but most of them belong to the Medicine Clan, and most of the others have joined the Pill Tower, or even become members of the Pill Tower's core institutions. It is unrealistic to ask them to participate in the Pill Gathering. Putting aside whether the Dan family and the Cao family can afford to invite them, it is simply impossible for these people to have the audacity to participate in the Pill Gathering, which is meant to make young alchemists famous, given their status.

"The Dan family needs a young alchemist who can win the Dan Competition championship," Danluo finally relented, "This is the minimum requirement."

Xiao Yan nodded slightly, at least this time he wasn't allowed to join the Dan family.

“Heh, the champions of previous alchemy competitions must at least be able to refine grade eight two-color pills,” Cao Min also agreed, but before stating his conditions, he also 'reminded' him, “the strongest of the younger generation of the Dan family, Dan Chen, is only a peak grade seven alchemist.”

"Isn't Cao Ying from your Cao family the same?" Danluo glanced at Cao Min. "Three years, let Chen'er surpass Cao Ying, that's my requirement."

Peak of the seventh rank?

To be honest, Xiao Yan was somewhat taken aback when he heard the two mention this level. After all, when he met Dan Chen and Cao Ying a few days ago, he knew that their soul power had reached the Spirit Realm, and not just the initial stage. Logically speaking, they should already be able to refine eighth-grade pills...

As if seeing through Xiao Yan's doubts, Dan Luo calmly uttered two words: "Dan Lei".

“And then there’s Dan Chen’s physical condition,” Cao Min grinned. “Ying’er is lacking in strength and also lacks control over her soul power, but Dan Chen has a physical problem in addition to these two issues. If this problem isn’t resolved, let alone three years, even thirty years might not be enough for him to refine an eighth-grade pill!”

Danlo did not deny it.

Just like Cao Ying became Xuan Kongzi's disciple, Dan Chen's master also came from the main branch of the Pill Tower, and was even a member of the Pill Tower's core organization. However, even so, that person was unable to solve Dan Chen's physical problems.

"Chen'er's health cannot be improved by taking pills or practicing body-refining techniques," Dan Luo said, as if unwilling to mislead Xiao Yan. He also explained the problem with Dan Chen's body. "Putting aside pills... Chen'er cannot practice any body-refining techniques."

"Unable to cultivate any body-refining techniques?" Xiao Yan frowned slightly, then realized, "Not even to temper the body?"

There are countless body-refining techniques on the Dou Qi Continent, but the foundation of any body-refining technique is the ability to undergo tempering of the body by spiritual objects from heaven and earth or other elixirs. Dan Luo's words clearly indicate that Dan Chen cannot withstand such tempering.

"If Chen'er hadn't taken enough pills to improve her physical condition, she wouldn't even have been able to break through to the Dou Wang level," Danluo said calmly.

As soon as he said that, Xiao Yan's expression became even more uneasy. He had taken "enough" of pills to improve his physical fitness to the point where he could break through to the Dou Wang level without affecting his subsequent Dou Qi improvement.

"Besides Dan Chen..." Xiao Yan wanted to know if there were any other options besides Dan Chen.

“Aside from Chen’er, the strongest among the younger generation of the Dan family is only a seventh-grade alchemist in the early stage,” Dan Luo said calmly. “His soul power has not yet reached the late stage of the mortal realm. If you want, I can call him over.”

If Xiao Yan had already reached the Great Perfection of the Mortal Realm, he could directly raise his soul power to the Spirit Realm. In that case, he might be able to refine eighth-grade pills in three years. However, if he hadn't even reached the early stage of the Mortal Realm...

'Phew, I'll just hand that over.' Xiao Yan sighed. Compared to raising Dan Chen's soul power from the mid-mortal realm to the spirit realm, it was much simpler to teach her the Azure Dragon Transformation Technique, a cultivation method that could improve physical fitness simply by absorbing enough energy.

“I understand. Then let’s choose Dan Chen,” Xiao Yan nodded calmly. “I will go to her after the transaction is over.”

"As long as Chen'er's condition improves, I will vote in favor at the meeting." Dan Luo nodded calmly. The future of the Dan family belongs to Dan Chen. As long as Xiao Yan can solve Dan Chen's problem, voting is not worth mentioning at all—moreover, no one in the Dan family has the ability to subdue the Three Thousand Burning Flames.

"What are the Cao family's demands?" After reaching a consensus with Danluo, Xiao Yan looked at Cao Min and asked.

"Everything you know about Yang Fire, and..." Cao Min paused for a moment before saying, "If you successfully subdue the Three Thousand Burning Flames, my Cao family needs a child flame of the Three Thousand Burning Flames."

The sub-fire of the Three Thousand Burning Flames?

Upon hearing this, Danluo looked at Cao Min in surprise, "You've given up?"

As mentioned before, the Cao family's obsession with artificial flames is not a secret in the Pill Domain. In the past, the Cao family would not care about news of flames, but today they actually said they wanted a sub-flame of the Three Thousand Burning Flames.

"And your answer?" Cao Min ignored Danluo's question and looked directly at Xiao Yan, asking.

“I refuse,” Xiao Yan said calmly. “Using something that we may not be able to obtain as part of a deal is not my style.”

Although that's what he said, Xiao Yan was actually worried that separating a sub-flame from the Three Thousand Burning Flames would affect the advancement of the Burning Technique and might also affect his strength improvement after absorbing the Three Thousand Burning Flames.

"Then tell me, besides this, what else can you offer?" Cao Min chuckled and asked in return.

"Man-made strange fire".

"Heh, how many Blood Demon Flames do you think my Cao family has created?" Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Cao Min sneered, "When it comes to understanding artificial flames, no one on the entire continent surpasses my Cao family..."

He couldn't continue speaking because a crimson flame appeared before Cao Min. In the very center of the flame, a demonic beast whose form was indistinguishable roared at him. Amidst the churning flames, Cao Min faintly heard sounds that resembled both a dragon's roar and a phoenix's cry.

"what is this?"

Upon seeing the flame, Cao Min instinctively assumed it was the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame, ranked twenty-second on the Strange Flame Ranking, since the color matched and there was even the shadow of a magical beast in the very center of the flame.

However, he quickly realized that if this was the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire, why would Xiao Yan want the Three Thousand Burning Flames? It's common knowledge that a person cannot devour two different kinds of strange flames!

Xuan Kongzi, standing to the side, looked at Xiao Yan with a strange expression. Unlike Dan Luo and Cao Min, he knew that Xiao Yan's Burning Technique advanced by devouring different flames. Therefore, he thought that Xiao Yan was using the fused flames to deceive Cao Min.

"I don't have any strange fire, so it's not my problem that I can't see through it." Xuan Kongzi looked away, as if it wasn't his business.

"Dragon Phoenix Demon Flame," Xiao Yan, not understanding Xuan Kongzi's meaning, reversed his hand and withdrew the crimson flames back into his body, "This artificial flame, created through a special technique and two special materials, is... no weaker than your Blood Demon Flame, is it?"

Cao Min did not answer. When the Dragon-Phoenix Demon Flame appeared, the Blood Demon Flame within his body fluctuated for a moment. If his soul power had not been strong enough, the Blood Demon Flame might have escaped.

"All the information about Yang Fire, and that special technique for creating artificial strange fire..." Xiao Yan didn't mind and said, "What do you think?" His storage ring flashed slightly, and a technique appeared in Xiao Yan's hand.

"...Deal!" After a long silence, Cao Min grabbed the cultivation manual that Xiao Yan handed to him.

True Fire

Four large characters were printed on the cover of the exercise manual.

Chapter 382 Ancient Celestial Phoenix?

Where are you headed?

A few days later, Xuan Kongzi, who had come to Ye City from the Pill Tower, bumped into Xuan Yi and Xiao Yan, who was about to leave.

"Have you received news about the Soul Infant Fruit?" Xuan Yi looked at Xiao Yan with some curiosity.

"No, actually I'm planning to ask you two for a favor..." Xiao Yan, who was about to head to the headquarters of the Pill Tower, breathed a sigh of relief. "Soul Infant Fruit? Is there already news about the Soul Infant Fruit?"