Chapter 229 Yun Yun Arrives
Xiao Zhan felt the change in the surrounding aura and his breathing gradually returned to normal. He learned that this was actually a puppet refined by Xiao Ling, which made him admire Xiao Ling's ability even more.
Xiao Zhan's curiosity drove him to ask, with a hint of expectation in his words: "Xiao Ling, this is the first time I've seen this puppet, can you give me a detailed introduction?"
Xiao Ling smiled slightly, approving of Xiao Zhan's thirst for knowledge. His voice was calm and full of confidence: "Of course, clan leader. This guy is called Earth Demon Puppet. It is an ancient puppet that I carefully refined using secret methods. Since the materials required for refining are extremely rare, I only have this one on hand."
He continued to explain: "Although the Earth Demon Puppet cannot use fighting spirit to perform fighting skills, it has an extremely hard physique and almost infinite strength. It has no sense of pain and no emotions. Once it is engaged in battle, it is like a cold and ruthless killing machine."
Xiao Ling's words revealed his pride in the Earth Demon Puppet. He continued, "The Earth Demon Puppet is very powerful, enough to deal with ordinary five-star Dou Zong. I plan to leave this Earth Demon Puppet in the Xiao family. With it, the safety of the Xiao family will be greatly guaranteed, and I can also handle some other matters without worry."
After hearing what Xiao Ling said, Xiao Zhan looked at the Earth Demon Puppet with even more passion. He knew in his heart that with this puppet as the Xiao family's top combat power, the Xiao family's position in the surrounding empires would be unshakable, and they would no longer fear any challenge from their enemies.
Xiao Zhan had previously guessed that Xiao Ling might take out some precious treasures as the Xiao family's trump card, but he never expected that Xiao Ling could actually take out a combat puppet with the strength of a five-star Dou Zong. Such a powerful helper was undoubtedly a timely help for the Xiao family, which had no top combat power except Xiao Ling, and it gave him an incredible surprise.
After taking a deep breath, Xiao Zhan calmed his excitement and said to Xiao Ling: "Xiao Ling, on behalf of the entire Xiao family, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to you for everything you have done for the Xiao family. With the protection of the Earth Demon Puppet, the future of the Xiao family will surely be even more brilliant." His words were full of longing for the future and gratitude to Xiao Ling.
Xiao Ling smiled slightly, waved his hand, and said indifferently: "Patriarch, no need to thank me. This is also my way of repaying the Xiao family for their kindness to me. Besides, I will embark on a journey to Zhongzhou in the near future. I am afraid that I will not be able to provide more shelter for the Xiao family. Next, you can refine this earth demon puppet according to my instructions."
Xiao Luxian smiled awkwardly. He understood what Xiao Ling meant. This might be the last thing Xiao Ling could do for the Xiao family. The future destiny of the Xiao family would ultimately be in their own hands.
Although he wanted to keep him in his heart, he also knew that Xiao Ling was leaving in pursuit of a higher realm, which he could not and should not stop.
As for the "affection" mentioned by Xiao Ling, Xiao Zhan thought it was just referring to the blood connection between the Xiao family and Xiao Ling, and the Xiao family's care for him when he was young. However, he did not expect that the "affection" Xiao Ling was referring to was actually a more profound item, the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade that had been passed down in the Xiao family for many years.
The benefits that this gift will bring to Xiao Ling in the future are far more complex and profound than blood ties and the grace of upbringing.
Then, under Xiao Ling's careful guidance, Xiao Zhan bit the tip of his tongue and forced out a drop of blood containing soul power. This drop of blood, as bright as a ruby, slowly floated out and landed precisely on the forehead of the Earth Demon Puppet, gradually penetrating into it, and finally condensed into a striking dark red blood mark.
With the perfect fusion of essence and blood, the originally dark and hollow eyes of the Earth Demon Puppet began to emit a subtle agile light. It slowly moved its still stiff neck, lowered its head and stared at Xiao Zhan below, then knelt on one knee, lowered its head, and expressed its submission to Xiao Zhan.
Witnessing this scene, Xiao Ling on the side asked softly: "Patriarch, please sense it first, can you control this Earth Demon Puppet now?"
Xiao Ling's questioning voice rang in his ears. Xiao Zhan closed his eyes lightly and began to sense quietly.
The moment the drop of soul blood merged into the puppet's forehead, he clearly felt that his soul seemed to be split into two halves, one half still dominated his body, and the other half had a subtle connection with the earth demon puppet in front of him. At this moment, he had an indescribable feeling in his heart, that the puppet seemed to have become an extension of his will, and would obey every one of his instructions without reservation.
Even if it was asked to launch an attack on the puppet maker Xiao Ling, the puppet would do it without hesitation.
Xiao Zhan opened his eyes, his gaze was like lightning, he pointed at a thick stone pillar in the center of the meeting hall, and ordered the Earth Demon Puppet: "Go, smash that stone pillar."
The Earth Demon Puppet received the order and without hesitation, it shook violently, leaving a pit formed by the burst of power. Its figure was like an arrow from a bow, and it instantly arrived in front of the stone pillar, swinging its giant arm simply and directly, and punching out.
The punch was extremely fast, accompanied by a dull sound of breaking through the air, as if even the surrounding space was shaking.
Immediately afterwards, a loud noise echoed in the hall. The stone pillar carefully carved from hard marble was instantly broken into countless pieces and flew everywhere under the punch of the Earth Demon Puppet. The spectacular scene moved people.
Xiao Zhan witnessed all of this and gained a more intuitive understanding of the power of the Earth Demon Puppet. At the same time, he also felt sincere admiration for Xiao Ling's refining skills.
Afterwards, Xiao Zhan continued to control the Earth Demon Puppet to complete several precise movements, verifying its flexibility and obedience. After being convinced that the puppet was powerful and controllable, he put the Earth Demon Puppet into his storage ring with a thought, and his movements were smooth and natural.
After this personal experience, Xiao Zhan truly felt the amazing power contained in the Earth Demon Puppet. At this point, the worries in his heart have disappeared.
Even though Xiao Ling, the top fighter in the family, was about to leave, he no longer worried about the safety of the Xiao family. With the protection of the Earth Demon Puppet, the Xiao family was able to resist any external threats.
Seeing that Xiao Zhan was already able to skillfully control the Earth Demon Puppet, Xiao Ling nodded slightly and then said, "Patriarch, the Earth Demon Puppet is indeed powerful, but it should be used as the Xiao family's secret weapon. It should not be easily revealed to others unless it is absolutely necessary."
Xiao Zhan agreed with what he said, nodded seriously, and responded: "I will keep your words in mind. If such power is easily shown to others, it will definitely cause unnecessary covetousness and disputes."
Xiao Ling was quite satisfied with Xiao Zhan's prudence and wisdom. The Earth Demon Puppet was a secret trump card he gave to the Xiao family. If Xiao Zhan used this power rashly for trivial matters, Xiao Ling would think he was short-sighted and foolish.
After handing over the control of the Earth Demon Puppet to Xiao Zhan, Xiao Ling had no intention of staying any longer. After discussing some matters with Xiao Zhan in a relaxed manner, Xiao Ling stood up and announced in a calm tone: "Chief, I have explained everything I should explain. It is getting late now, and I should also embark on my journey."
Seeing this, Xiao Zhan did not try to persuade him to stay, but asked directly: "Xiao Ling, after you leave this time, will you return to the Xiao family in the future?"
Xiao Ling thought about this question for a while, and then answered calmly: "I can't explain it clearly now, we'll see the situation when the time comes. But even if I come back again, the next time will be the last time. This time I leave the Northwest Continent and set off for Zhongzhou."
In Xiao Ling's plan, if he failed to obtain the strange fire during this trip to explore the remains of the Guiling Master, he would try another way. He planned to carry out precise strikes against the high-level forces of the Luoyan Empire, the Mulan Empire, and the Chuyun Empire, and eliminate their core forces in one fell swoop.
Afterwards, he would turn to the major powers in those countries, plunder their accumulated resources, and add some inventory to his own pocket.
If Xiao Ling was lucky enough to find the Turtle Spirit Earth Fire in the cave of Venerable Turtle Spirit, he planned to return to the Xiao family first and then devour the strange fire.
After he has completely refined the Turtle Spirit Earth Fire and his cultivation has greatly increased, he will then plan to fight against the Three Kingdoms Alliance.
Regardless of the outcome of this treasure hunt, before leaving the Northwest Continent, Xiao Ling was determined to plunder a batch of resources that the three kingdoms had collected over the years.
In view of the fact that the Three Kingdoms Alliance was involved with the Soul Palace, Xiao Ling became even more determined in this idea. If he didn't seize such a good opportunity, when would he seize it?
Xiao Ling's answer touched Xiao Zhan. He sighed softly, with a hint of envy and expectation in his tone: "Zhongzhou is indeed a stage suitable for you to show your talent. With your talent, you should venture into that wider world."
"Haha, with cousin Xiao Yan's qualifications, he will definitely go to Zhongzhou in the future. Before I go to Zhongzhou this time, I will ask Xiao Yan if he is interested in going with me. If he is willing, I will bring him with me." Xiao Ling smiled and responded lightly.
The two chatted for a while, and just as Xiao Ling was about to get up and leave, there was a sudden knock on the door outside the meeting room. Then, a man's voice came through the door: "Report to the clan leader, I have an urgent matter to report immediately."
Xiao Zhan was very familiar with the voice and immediately knew who it was. He responded loudly, "Payne, what's the matter? Come in and tell me in detail."
The guard outside the door said "yes" and then pushed the door open to enter the meeting room. When the guard Payne saw Xiao Ling and Xiao Zhan, he immediately bowed respectfully: "Patriarch, Master Xiao Ling." Xiao Zhan then asked: "Tell me, what is so urgent?"
Payne nodded and reported back: "The current leader of the Yunlan Sect wants to see Master Xiao Ling and is currently waiting in the reception room."
Xiao Ling was slightly surprised by the news delivered by Payne. He originally guessed that the reason why Yunlan Sect did not seek him to refine pills was probably because it was difficult to collect the medicinal materials for the sixth-grade peak pills.
After all, the Yunlan Sect has a sixth-grade alchemist named Gu He. Although he cannot refine top-level sixth-grade elixirs, refining ordinary sixth-grade elixirs is no problem for him.
However, the personal visit of Yun Yun, the current leader of the Yun Lan Sect, to the Xiao family seemed to indicate a new turn of events.
It is very likely that they have already collected all the materials to refine sixth-grade top-level elixirs such as Huangji Pill or Pozong Pill, and hope that Xiao Ling will refine them.
It's just that the Yunlan Sect chose to make the request when Xiao Ling was about to set off. This timing undoubtedly made Xiao Ling feel speechless.
Xiao Ling already had a specific plan in mind. If the reward offered by the Yunlan Sect was attractive enough and they were polite enough to ask him to help, then it would not be a bad idea to exchange a finished pill with them. After all, Xiao Ling still had a few pills in stock.
However, if the reward offered by the Yunlan Sect is of average value, or their attitude is not very friendly, Xiao Ling will not bother to waste time with them.
"Since Yun Yun, the leader of the Yun Lan Sect, has come to the Xiao family in person, I should go and meet her in person." Xiao Ling said, standing up from his seat calmly, turning to Payne, and ordered in a calm tone, "Payne, please take me to the reception room to meet her."
Payne immediately nodded in agreement, made a very neat gesture of invitation, and said respectfully: "Master Xiao Ling, please follow me."
Then, he led Xiao Ling through the Xiao family's corridor and walked towards the reception room.
On the way to the reception room, Xiao Ling cast a questioning look at Payne and asked calmly, "Payne, did you see anyone else just now? Is it only the leader of the Yunlan Sect, Yun Yun, who is traveling with him, or is there someone else accompanying him?"
Hearing Xiao Ling's question, Payne hesitated for a moment, then replied: "Master Xiao Ling, from what I saw, it was indeed only the Yunyun Sect's Sect Master Yun Yun who came to visit, and I did not see any other accompanying personnel."
Hearing Payne's reply, Xiao Ling couldn't help but feel a little curious. Although he had been to the Jia Ma Empire many times, he had never had the opportunity to see Yun Yun, the leader of the Yun Lan Sect who was widely known among the people.
He had also heard from his clan members that the last time Sect Master Yun Yun came to the Xiao family was to accompany Nalan Yanran to cancel her engagement with Xiao Yan. However, Xiao Ling was busy refining the Azure Lotus Earth Core Fire at the time and therefore missed the meeting.
During this private meeting with Yun Yun, Xiao Ling was able to witness with his own eyes the extraordinary charm of the only female Dou Huang of the Jia Ma Empire.
As for why Yun Yun is the only female Dou Huang in the Jia Ma Empire, it is because Xiao Ling did not classify Xiao Yixian as a member of the Jia Ma Empire. Although Xiao Yixian spent more than ten years in the Jia Ma Empire, her strength really leaped after following Xiao Ling, and she also achieved a breakthrough to the Dou Huang realm at Canaan College. Therefore, if Xiao Yixian really needs to be classified, she should be regarded as a member of Canaan College.
Xiao Ling nodded slightly and responded in a calm tone: "Okay, I understand." Then he fell silent and did not ask any other questions.
Seeing this, Payne also remained silent, just silently following Xiao Ling, concentrating on guiding the direction of progress. The two walked slowly along the corridor of the Xiao family mansion, with only their footsteps echoing in the quiet air.
……
The Xiao family's reception room was spacious and solemn, with only a woman sitting alone on a chair. This woman was none other than Yun Yun, the current leader of the Yunlan Sect.
Yun Yun sipped her tea, her face remaining calm as usual, but deep down in her heart she could not hide a trace of anxiety and uneasiness.
This time she came to the Xiao family alone and requested to meet with Xiao Ling. Her purpose was to ask Xiao Ling to refine two precious pills. One was the Breaking Sect Pill, which was prepared by her teacher, Yunshan, the previous leader of the Yunlan Sect; the other was the Imperial Pill, which she prepared for herself.
There are actually two reasons why she didn't visit earlier, but chose to set foot in the Xiao family at this moment.
First of all, the medicinal materials necessary for refining Huangji Pill and Pozong Pill are extremely difficult to find.
Since the Gama royal family and the Miter family had already begun collecting the medicinal materials for the Pozong Pill, there were basically few medicinal materials left for refining these two kinds of pills within the Gama Empire.
Under such circumstances, the Yunlan Sect paid a huge price to gather three sets of materials for refining the Sect-Breaking Pill, and only recently was it completed.
Secondly, although the materials for refining the Po Zong Dan had not yet been gathered, Yun Yun originally planned to ask Xiao Ling to refine an Huang Ji Dan first.
However, when Gu He, the guest elder of Yunlan Sect, learned about it, he confidently assured her that he could refine it himself and there was no need for her to bother asking Xiao Ling.
Although Yun Yun had some doubts in her heart, she knew that although Gu He's alchemy skills had reached the sixth level, he did not yet have the ability to make the peak sixth-level elixir.
However, considering that Gu He had known her for many years, and since Xiao Ling became famous in the Jia Ma Empire, Gu He had devoted himself to improving his alchemy skills, and even reduced the number of times he came to find her and disturb her.
Therefore, Yun Yun thought that Gu He's alchemy skills had improved during this period, so she gave two batches of Huangji Pills' medicinal materials to Gu He, hoping that he could successfully refine them.
However, as time went by, the medicinal materials were used up and the pill was not refined. This made Yun Yun feel extremely helpless. If Gu He had not paid out of his own pocket to compensate for the medicinal materials for two batches of Huangji Pills, Yunlan Sect would have been unable to gather the required materials again.
Yun Yun gently placed the teacup on the table. She looked through the transparent tea and seemed to see her master's aging face. An indescribable sadness welled up in her heart.
She knew in her heart that if she could not break through to the Dou Zong realm, her master's life would be like a candle in the wind, which could be extinguished at any time. And with her master's current state, it would be a foolish dream for him to cultivate to the Dou Zong realm alone.
Yun Yun also got the news that today was the day Xiao Ling planned to leave the Jia Ma Empire. She came to ask Xiao Ling to refine the elixir at this time, which undoubtedly posed a problem for Xiao Ling. After all, refining the elixir also took a long time. Even if Xiao Ling had the strange fire, in her opinion, it would take at least two or three days to refine a sixth-grade peak sect-breaking elixir.
If Xiao Ling was unwilling to change the original plan and insisted on leaving today, Yunshan might not have the chance to break through to the Dou Zong level and could only helplessly wait for the end of his life.
Therefore, Yun Yun came with a firm determination. She silently swore in her heart that no matter how great the cost, she would keep Xiao Ling and ask him to refine a precious sect-breaking pill for her master.
In her heart, even if it requires her to pay a price beyond her bottom line, she would do it at all costs.
(End of this chapter)