Traversing the main avenues and side paths of the Spirit Controller Alliance, Lin Xiao was eventually led by Ye Fenghua alone to his private courtyard. This area was heavily guarded, a place even the vice leaders rarely stepped foot in.
“No wonder it’s the Alliance Leader’s private courtyard—the spiritual energy here is double that of the outside!” Entering the simple, ancient room, Lin Xiao couldn’t help but marvel inwardly.
“At sixteen, reaching third-grade intermediate spirit controller status, able to refine fourth-grade elixirs, and wielding spiritual energy—I can’t imagine what kind of figure your master must have been to raise a prodigy like you,” Ye Fenghua said, his tone a mix of admiration and probing as he looked at Lin Xiao. His curiosity about Lin Xiao’s master rivaled his interest in Lin Xiao himself.
“To be honest, Alliance Leader, my master has already passed away,” Lin Xiao said plainly.
It was the truth—the Heaven-Devouring Spirit Emperor, half a master to him, had been consumed by him in a sense.
“Passed away…” Ye Fenghua froze, staring at Lin Xiao in surprise.
“For such a figure to have passed, what a pity. With even the explosive elixir recipe in his possession, your master must have been a renowned figure in his time!” Ye Fenghua sighed with deep regret.
“In truth, my master wasn’t much different from you, Alliance Leader. He just left behind more recipes. As for the explosive elixir recipe, if you want it, I’d have no issue giving it to you,” Lin Xiao said casually.
The explosive elixir recipe wasn’t particularly precious to him.
Moreover, refining it required specific herbs—not just any recipe would do. Handing it to Ye Fenghua wouldn’t hurt, and it might even earn him a favor.
“What? You—you mean you’d give me the explosive elixir recipe?” Even a figure like Ye Fenghua, the top spirit controller, couldn’t stay calm, his voice trembling with disbelief.
“Yes,” Lin Xiao nodded, showing no trace of reluctance, as if it were a trivial thing.
“Chi!” Ye Fenghua took a deep breath, his face alight with uncontainable excitement, solemnly promising, “Heimu, whatever you need, just say it. As long as I can manage it, as long as the Spirit Controller Alliance can provide it, I’ll make it happen!”
“You’re too serious, Alliance Leader. My master hoped the explosive elixir could be carried forward,” Lin Xiao said, spinning a tale, “To be frank, I do need help. I have many enemies. If I’m ever in danger, I hope you’ll lend a hand.”
“Oh? Someone’s out to get you?” Ye Fenghua blinked, caught off guard.
Lin Xiao nodded. Sharing the explosive elixir recipe was his way of securing the alliance’s support. Facing two great families, Ye Fenghua’s aid could tip the scales in his favor.
“Perhaps,” Lin Xiao sighed, adding, “Of course, if it’s inconvenient, you don’t have to step in.”
“Heh, what are you saying, young friend? Am I, Ye Fenghua, the sort to forget righteousness for profit? You’re willing to give me the explosive elixir recipe—if I ignored your troubles, how could I live with myself?” Ye Fenghua nodded firmly, “Rest assured, whenever you need help, I’ll be there without hesitation!”
“And now that you’re part of the Spirit Controller Alliance, anyone who opposes you opposes us. That alone is reason enough for me to act if necessary.”
“Then I’ll thank you, Alliance Leader!” Lin Xiao nodded, then added, “By the way, you’ve been at fourth-grade advanced spiritual power for quite a while, haven’t you?”
Ye Fenghua paused at the question, a wry smile crossing his face, “Years now. The higher the spiritual power, the harder it is to advance. This step might take a long time. Reaching fifth-grade spirit controller status is tough!”
Lin Xiao nodded slightly. Ascending to fifth-grade spiritual power was exponentially harder than third or fourth grade. Many were stuck at that threshold, which was why the empire had no fifth-grade spirit controllers—only Ye Fenghua had reached fourth-grade advanced.
“I happen to have a recipe that boosts the odds of breaking into fifth-grade spiritual power by fifty percent—the Jade Spirit Elixir. It’s not much use to me yet, so I’d like to give it to you. If you can find the herbs and refine it, with your foundation and talent, you might leap to fifth-grade spirit controller in one go,” Lin Xiao said again.
This was the real bait for Ye Fenghua, his trump card.
“What? A recipe to boost the odds of reaching fifth-grade spiritual power?” Sure enough, Ye Fenghua’s eyes blazed at the mention of the Jade Spirit Elixir.
He’d been stalled at fourth-grade advanced for years, exhausting every method without success. At this rate, reaching fifth-grade might take another decade.
Now, Lin Xiao was offering a recipe with a fifty percent chance!
Ye Fenghua’s heart surged like a tidal wave. Even a ten percent chance would spur him to scour the land for herbs.
Lin Xiao nodded calmly, and Ye Fenghua’s excitement flared, “Heimu, whatever you need in the future, just ask. I’ll back you with all I’ve got!”
“If I need help, I won’t hesitate to ask,” Lin Xiao replied, refraining from further requests. Ye Fenghua’s intent was clear—he’d almost certainly aid Lin Xiao in a crisis.
He then handed over the Thunderclap Evil Fire Elixir and Jade Spirit Elixir recipes. Ye Fenghua’s enthusiasm left Lin Xiao both amused and bemused.
Perhaps only he’d seen this peerless master so flustered.
Recipes truly were a spirit controller’s lifeblood—no one could resist.
Before leaving, Lin Xiao requested privacy, and Ye Fenghua promptly issued a stern order to the alliance. The entire organization tightened its security.
After Lin Xiao left, Ye Fenghua immediately mobilized the alliance, offering hefty rewards to dispatch scores of members to hunt for the Jade Spirit Elixir’s herbs.
The herbs became the alliance’s top priority. Members from various branches returned, joining the search.
The alliance even offered bounties for the herbs externally, startling other factions with their fervor.
Lin Xiao had anticipated Ye Fenghua’s reaction and paid it little mind.
Back in his room, he shut the door tight, retreated to a corner, and eagerly retrieved the Serpent Blood Void-Breaking Elixir from his storage ring.
“Serpent Blood Void-Breaking Elixir—here’s hoping it works on my Blood Dragon anomaly dantian!” With a deep sigh, Lin Xiao sat cross-legged and swallowed it.
As it slid down his throat, it felt like a burning coal. A searing heat hit him, and as it reached his stomach, a terrifying energy began to surge.
His dantian sea boiled, the ferocious energy flooding through his flesh and blood, a trace of potent blood essence seeping into his entire body.
