Battle Through the Heavens: Xiao Yan, I am your second master.

Yun'er's talent far surpasses mine; becoming a Dou Zong won't be too difficult for her! Once she completes the final trial (the Gate of Life and Death) to succeed as sect leader, I can pass the position to her.

If I can break through to the Dou Zong level in the remaining years, that would be the best outcome. If not, then it's just fate.

Old Wang, I wonder if you can refine the Breakthrough Pill now? I've gathered the ingredients for two sets of the Breakthrough Pill, but I don't know if you...

Old Wang shook his head and sighed: "The Breaking Pill, I am willing but unable to do so now. To be honest, I am not much better than you, old man. My lifespan is almost over. I can only live for another twenty years or so before I reach the end."

"Breakthrough Pill? You'd better wait for Li'er to refine it; this old man has no hope in this lifetime."

"This..." Yunshan opened his mouth as if to say something, but couldn't utter a word.

Among the Douhuang powerhouses of the Jia Ma Empire, Ice Emperor Hai Bodong was extremely aloof, perhaps due to his personality, he had few friends.

Jia Xingtian, the guardian of the Jia Ma Empire, is overly suspicious, believing that everyone wants to take his country. His heavy-heartedness means he is destined to have no friends.

Yunshan and Wang Ming got along quite well, though no one knew it publicly.

"By the way, Old Man Wang, how about you refine a Foundation Establishment pill for my disciple?" Yun Shan asked again. He didn't want the Breakthrough Pill, but he could get Yun Yun a Foundation Establishment pill.

"The rules for alchemists!" Old Wang said calmly.

"I understand, I understand!"

The so-called rules of alchemists are that when you ask an alchemist to make medicine, you must provide the medicine yourself, and you must provide three portions of the medicine. There is no guarantee that it will be successful. Of course, it is best to succeed, but if it is not successful, you cannot blame the alchemist. Alchemy is a matter of luck, and not everyone has such a high success rate.

"I have prepared the medicinal herbs. Please help me refine a Spirit Foundation Establishment Pill." Yunshan handed a storage ring to Elder Wang, which contained the medicinal herbs.

Wang Lao infiltrated his storage ring with his soul power, took a look, nodded, and then took out two jade bottles from his storage ring.

"You're lucky, old man. When you helped Li'er establish her foundation, you still had one Spirit Foundation Establishment Pill left. You can give it to your disciple. The other bottle contains a medicinal liquid that I researched, which is about grade four."

Let her soak in the medicinal bath before taking the pills. This will help the pills be fully absorbed. The process is a little painful, though. I quite like Yunyun. If she could be paired with Li'er...

"I'll refine another sixth-grade pill for her, even a Profound Heaven Foundation Establishment Pill would be fine."

Old Wang stroked his beard and said that he quite liked Yun Yun, and it would be great if she could become his apprentice's wife.

Yunshan accepted the pills with a dark expression, his heart, like that of an old father, suddenly struck a blow.

Chapter 13, First Encounter

(The romance scenes might be too awkward to write.)

Call ~

Xiao Li didn't know how long he had been cultivating before he slowly opened his eyes. At present, his realm was at the peak of Great Dou Shi. He could break through to Dou Ling in a few days to half a year.

Xiao Li stood up and stretched, smiling as he watched the fighting spirit slowly rising within him.

'Cultivation is truly fascinating.'

"You're awake? Then please have a seat," came Old Wang's voice.

Upon hearing the sound, Xiao Li looked over and saw a young girl standing next to Yun Shan. This girl was extremely beautiful, with a serene and charming face that also carried a touch of elegance and nobility. She was sure to become a stunning beauty in the future.

"Cough cough."

Yunshan coughed and looked at Xiao Li with a dark expression. He had just finished cultivating and was staring at his disciple. What a brat!

Yun Yun looked at Xiao Li with curiosity, pondering a question: why was this boy, who looked to be about the same age as her, so much more powerful than her?

Xiao Li awkwardly scratched his cheek, then obediently sat down next to Old Wang.

'That old man from Yunshan is so stingy! It's just that I'm looking at your disciple, why are you glaring at me like that? Can't I even appreciate how beautiful that girl is?'

"Li'er, this girl is Yun Yun, the esteemed disciple of Sect Master Yun. You are about the same age, why don't you get to know each other?" Old Wang said with a smile.

Listening to Old Wang's introduction, Xiao Li looked at Yun Yun, and Yun Yun also looked at Xiao Li at this moment.

"My name is Xiao Li, and I greet the young sect leader," Xiao Li said, clasping his hands in greeting.

"Yunyun greets Master Xiao," Yunyun said, her hands clasped together.

Both sides were very polite. Xiao Li was a disciple of a sixth-grade alchemist and a fourth-grade alchemist, deserving the title of master in the Jia Ma Empire.

Although Yun Yun is still young, she is the true young sect leader of the Yunlan Sect.

After they got to know each other, that was the end of it. They sat down next to their respective teachers without saying a word.

Yunshan & Wang Ming: ...

"Ahem, Li'er, you are now a nine-star Great Dou Master, and it will only take you half a year to break through to Dou Ling."

Meanwhile, Sect Master Yun's disciple is going to continue training in the Monster Mountain Range for another six months, and you will be in charge of training her during this period.

"Your master and Sect Master Yun have important matters to attend to. Remember, you must not provoke the powerful figures of the Magical Beast Mountain Range! Remember this!"

After giving instructions for what to do next, Yunshan nodded with a dark expression.

As for why Yunshan agreed to Elder Wang's decision, it was because Elder Wang offered too much! Elder Wang quoted a price for one Imperial Pill.

The Imperial Extreme Pill is a top-grade sixth-rank pill. Its function is simple: it can allow a Dou Huang powerhouse to increase their level by one to two stars in a relatively short period of time. Moreover, the Imperial Extreme Pill has another function: strengthening the body and bones. The residual medicinal power after the power is increased will help the person who takes it to strengthen their body once more.

Although Master Wang's success rate in refining the Imperial Elixir is not high now, he has indeed succeeded in refining it before.

Yunshan has never taken the Imperial Extreme Pill before. Any Dou Huang would be attracted to the Imperial Extreme Pill.

But Yunshan was a shrewd old fox. He knew his precious disciple was probably doomed, so he raised the price! He added another Rank 6 Imperial Wind Spirit Pill.

Mr. Wang: Deal!

. . . . . .

After giving his instructions, Old Wang gave Yunshan a look, then transformed his fighting spirit into wings and left.

Yunshan's face darkened, but he quickly composed himself and said to Yunyun, "Yun'er, Master Wang and I have some things to take care of. You should train with Xiao Xiao and follow his arrangements."

"Young friend Xiao Li, Yun'er's safety is in your hands. If she gets hurt, you know the consequences!"

Xiao Li quickly bowed and said, "This junior will definitely take good care of the young sect leader!"

Whoosh!

The next moment, Yunshan also unfolded his battle qi wings and flew away.

Only Xiao Li and Yun Yun remained in the cave, staring at each other with wide eyes.

"Ahem, well, Young Sect Master, let's not stand here, let's sit down. It's not too late to rest for a day before going on our training," Xiao Li said with a cough.

Yunyun is still not quite sure what happened. Why did the teacher just leave like that? Her training isn't finished yet.

Xiao Li scratched his head. He really didn't know how to find topics to talk about, so he decided to just do his own thing. Since he had been assigned by the teacher to protect Yun Yun, he should make sure to prepare thoroughly.

Xiao Li took out the Blue Flame Cauldron, and then took out some medicinal herbs he had collected, preparing to refine medicine.

"Are you trying to concoct medicine?" Yun Yun asked, watching Xiao Li's series of actions.

"Ah."

"I just heard President Wang say that you have the cultivation of a nine-star Grand Dou Master? How old are you this year? You don't look much older than me," Yun Yun continued to ask.

"Fifteen, almost sixteen."

"I'm fourteen. You're only a year older than me? Yet your cultivation level is so much higher than mine." Yun Yun felt somewhat frustrated because she had displayed astonishing talent since she began cultivating.

Yunshan often praised her, saying that she would surpass the previous sect leaders of Yunlan Sect in the future.

"It's all thanks to my teacher's guidance; I've never run out of elixirs. Even so, my talent would only be so-so if I put myself in the center of that continent."

Xiao Li shrugged and said that he believed he had some talent, but he was not worthy of being called a genius. He might be overthrown one day. Anyway, he was just here to lie low and wait for Xiao Yan to rise.

The genius corrector is Xiao Yan; all he needs to do is take care of himself in his old age.

"I heard from my teacher that the Northwest Continent is barren, while the Central Plains is where geniuses gather. Our Yunlan Sect's founder, Venerable Potian, came from the Central Plains."

"I will take Ancestor Potian as my goal and lead Yunlan Sect to a new peak!" Yun Yun's eyes seemed to be filled with flames.

"Then I wish you good luck. As for me, I also have things I want to accomplish. You want to defend your sect, and I want to protect my family. In that case, our goals are quite similar. Let's work together!"

Xiao Li said with a smile that the Xiao family is his home now, and it is a good home. He does not want any evil spirits to destroy it.

"mutual encouragement!"

Xiao Li smiled. Little Yunyun was indeed adorable. He then placed the medicinal herbs into the Blue Flame Cauldron, released purple flames from his right hand, and began refining pills.

"By the way, Young Sect Master..."

Yun Yun interrupted Xiao Li, saying, "Calling me Young Sect Master is too formal. Just call me Yun'er. Master Xiao is a year older than me. May I call you Brother Xiao Li?"

"Is that so? Of course, that's fine. Don't treat me like some kind of master. I'm not worthy of that title. Let's just be equals," Xiao Li said with a smile.

"Mmm." Yun Yun gave a sweet smile, a smile that made Xiao Li feel somewhat dazed.

"Ahem, Yun'er, your current cultivation level seems to be five-star Dou Zhe, mainly cultivating the wind attribute, right?" Xiao Li felt like he was about to be won over by this girl. No wonder Gu He was so madly in love with her.

"Yes."

"Then you're lucky. A while ago, I was gathering herbs and found a Wind Spirit Fruit. It would be perfect to use it as the main ingredient to refine a Grade 4 pill, the Wind Spirit Gathering Qi Pill."

We're still missing a Tier 3 wind-attribute magic core.

Xiao Li said with a smile.

"A fourth-grade pill? I'm only a fighter right now, taking a fourth-grade pill should be dangerous, right?" Yun Yun suddenly said.

Although she can take some pills, the grade must not be too high. Grade four pills are a bit too high, as most of them are for Grand Masters.

"This is not a big problem. I will condense some more medicinal liquid to help you absorb the pills. Taking the pills while soaking in the medicinal bath will have the best effect and will not harm your body."

Xiao Li patted his chest and assured him. What a joke! He's an alchemist; surely he can solve this kind of problem?

Chapter 14, Yun Yun's Thoughts

Xiao Li was very confident in his ability to refine pills, as he thoroughly enjoyed the process. Whether it was a second-grade or fourth-grade pill, Xiao Li approached it with utmost seriousness.

Yun Yun watched Xiao Li refine pills, watching the purple flames in his hands surge and churn in the cauldron.

"Yun'er, have you taken the Qi-Nourishing Pill?" Xiao Li asked.

"Never taken it."

"Alright, I'll refine a Qi-Nourishing Pill for you," Xiao Li said with a smile, then focused his mind on the medicine cauldron.

The Qi Nourishing Pill is a third-grade elixir that affects both Dou Zhe and Dou Shi levels. A Dou Zhe can take it to increase their cultivation by two to three stars. A Dou Shi can take it again to increase their cultivation by one star.

Most importantly, the Qi-Nourishing Pill is mild in nature and can be taken as long as one is not in the Qi-Fighting stage.

Xiao Li refined a lot of Qi-Nourishing Pills for the Xiao family back then; refining them is something anyone can do!

Time passed by, and Xiao Li quickly finished refining a batch of Qi-restoring pills. In a dangerous place like the Monster Mountain Range, it was always better to have as many Qi-restoring pills as possible.

"Brother Xiao Li, if I may be so bold, when you become a sixth-grade alchemist in the future, could you help my teacher refine a Breakthrough Pill?"

After watching Xiao Li finish refining the medicine, Yun Yun spoke up.

"Oh? A Breakthrough Pill? You're asking for it for Sect Master Yun? Why not ask for it for yourself?" Xiao Li asked.

"Because the teacher's obsession is to break through to the Dou Zong level. Only by becoming a Dou Zong can the shame of the Yunlan Sect be washed away. Breaking through to the Dou Zong level is really too difficult. I read the sect's classic texts."

My grandmaster suffered a backlash from forcibly breaking through to the Dou Zong realm and passed away not long after. The Breakthrough Pill can increase the chance of advancing to the Dou Zong realm by 10%, and even if the breakthrough fails, it can stabilize the strength at the level before the breakthrough.

Knowing my teacher's temperament, I will definitely go into seclusion to break through once my cultivation level improves. I don't want my teacher to end up like that, so I beg you, if possible, to refine a Breakthrough Pill for my teacher."

As Yun Yun spoke, she knelt down directly in front of Xiao Li, begging him for help.

"No, no, no, let's talk this out. Why are you acting like this? Fine, I agree, but you'll have to bring your own medicine."

Xiao Li quickly helped Yun Yun up.

"Why bother?" Xiao Li murmured.

Upon hearing Xiao Li's words, Yun Yun earnestly replied, "Everything I have is thanks to my teacher. My teacher took me into the sect, raised me, and taught me cultivation. Yun Yun doesn't consider herself a good person, but as a disciple, I still have to respect my teacher."

"Respecting teachers and valuing the Way? Very good! It seems that Sect Master Yun has an extremely outstanding disciple," Xiao Li remarked.

A mentor-like figure, like a father figure—not only Yun Yun has one, but Xiao Li does too! Old Wang, I will definitely heal you! I will!

On the hilltop not far away,

Yunshan and Wang Ming stood side by side, and Yunshan's nose felt a little sore.

"Alright, stop being so serious. You have a good disciple. There's no one else here but me. You can cry for a while." Old Wang handed a silk handkerchief to Yunshan.

"Get out! Do you think I'm the kind of person who cries at my age?" Yunshan said angrily, taking a deep breath.