Li Yan stepped inside and immediately found himself in a much larger chamber.
Rows of wooden display counters stretched along both sides of the room. Each counter stood roughly three feet tall and supported a square glass case.
Within every glass case floated a Beast Flame.
Li Yan's eyes swept across the chamber.
More than twenty display counters had been arranged inside, though only twelve currently held Beast Flames. Each flame possessed a unique appearance, color, and aura.
Cao Lian stopped beside the entrance. "These are all the Beast Flames currently held by the sect."
Ji Hong added from beside her, "And every one of them is naturally born. Not a single flame here was created artificially."
Li Yan nodded and approached the nearest display. Inside the glass case, a small orange flame floated, flickering gently without emitting any heat.
A jade tag beneath it displayed its information.
Ember Rat Flame
Tier-1 Beast Flame
Price: 15,000 Shadow Points
Li Yan raised an eyebrow slightly. "If even a Tier-1 Beast Flame costs this much, then the higher-tier flames will be far more expensive."
Without lingering, he moved to the next display.
A quiet gray flame floated within the second glass case.
Ash Owl Flame
Tier-1 Beast Flame
Price: 23,000 Shadow Points
The flame burned steadily and silently, giving off an unusually calm feeling.
Cao Lian and Ji Hong remained where they were, allowing Li Yan to inspect the collection at his own pace.
He continued moving from one display to another.
Hornet Stinger Flame.
Iron Ant Flame.
Moss Toad Flame.
Shadow Raccoon Flame.
Frost Gecko Flame.
Each possessed its own characteristics and refining specialties. Some excelled at stable temperature control, while others were valued for their persistence or unique elemental traits.
The prices varied considerably.
Even among Tier-1 Beast Flames, the cheapest cost 15,000 Shadow Points, while the most expensive approached 40,000. The differences largely depended on the species from which the flame originated and the practical advantages it offered during combat and refining.
On the opposite row of displays, Li Yan found the sect's collection of Tier-2 Beast Flames.
The first flame immediately drew his attention.
A violet flame floated quietly within its glass case, its surface rippling like liquid poison.
Violet Venom Spider Flame
Tier-2 Beast Flame
Price: 280,000 Shadow Points
Li Yan's eyebrows rose slightly. Even with his current wealth, this looks like a far-from-trivial amount.
He continued onward.
Ironshell Crocodile Flame.
Moonfang Wolf Flame.
Gale Eagle Flame.
Crimson Horn Serpent Flame.
Every flame possessed unique characteristics, and its price reflected both its rarity and practical value.
The Tier-2 Beast Flames ranged from one hundred and twenty thousand to nearly three hundred thousand Shadow Points. The differences depended on the species they originated from and the advantages they provided during refining or combat.
After inspecting every display, Li Yan found himself disappointed.
None of them suited his needs.
He turned toward Cao Lian and Ji Hong, who had quietly allowed him to examine the collection without interruption.
"Elder Cao," Li Yan asked, "are these all the Beast Flames possessed by the sect?"
Cao Lian nodded. "Yes. Why? Did none of them catch your interest?"
Li Yan shook his head. "Not particularly. I don't believe any of them would be especially useful to me."
A trace of curiosity appeared in Cao Lian's eyes. "What do you mean?"
Before Li Yan could answer, Ji Hong spoke. "I think Li Yan's judgment is correct."
Cao Lian's gaze turned toward him.
"You've seen his alchemy results before," Ji Hong continued. "With his Superior-Level darkness affinity, he can easily overcome the benefits of these Beast Flames. That's what separates him from ordinary alchemists."
His gaze swept across the displayed flames.
"Most of these Beast Flames are valued for combat enhancement or aggressive elemental properties. The few suitable for alchemy are still not particularly compatible with Li Yan's situation."
Cao Lian considered his words before nodding slowly.
"That makes sense." She then asked, "In that case, what should we do?"
Li Yan let out a small chuckle. "To be honest, I'm beginning to regret declining Senior Yao's earlier offer."
Cao Lian could not help but agree. "If anyone could easily find a suitable Beast Flame, it would be her."
The room fell silent for a moment before Ji Hong suddenly spoke. "Lian'er, are you planning to step down from your position within the next few years?"
The unexpected question caught both Li Yan and Cao Lian off guard.
Cao Lian narrowed her eyes.
"Husband, are you suggesting that I'm getting old?" A faint chill entered her voice.
Ji Hong immediately raised both hands. "No, no. That's not what I meant."
His expression turned unusually serious, yet there was a hint of worry. "You've misunderstood, dear."
Li Yan watched the exchange with amusement.
Outside this room, one was the Sect Leader, while the other commanded the entire Alchemy Hall. Yet in private, they behaved no differently than an ordinary husband and wife.
The sight revealed a side of them that few people would ever witness.
Seeing Cao Lian's expression soften slightly, Ji Hong quickly explained himself.
"I was only asking because if you have no intention of leaving your position anytime soon, perhaps we can give Li Yan the Beast Flame reserved for the next Head of the Alchemy Hall."
For a brief moment, Cao Lian stared at him.
Then her eyes brightened.
"That's right." She looked genuinely pleased. "I completely forgot about that flame."
Turning toward Li Yan, she said, "We possess a Tier-3 Beast Flame that has been kept in reserve for the future Head of the Alchemy Hall. You can examine it first and decide whether it suits you."
Li Yan was genuinely surprised. "A Tier-3 Beast Flame?"
After a moment of hesitation, he shook his head. "Wouldn't that interfere with the sect's plans? I think it would be better if I—"
"You don't need to worry about that." Ji Hong interrupted him before he could finish.
"We still have plenty of time to acquire another one in the future."
Cao Lian nodded in agreement.
Without wasting further words, she walked toward the front wall of the chamber. A series of hand seals flowed from her fingertips.
Moments later, a gray formation emerged across the wall's surface. Ancient patterns lit up one after another before the wall quietly split apart, revealing a hidden passage beyond.
"Follow me."
Cao Lian stepped forward first.
Li Yan and Ji Hong followed behind her.
As they entered the concealed corridor, rows of Qi lamps embedded within the walls gradually illuminated, casting a soft glow through the hidden chamber ahead.
The hidden chamber was much smaller than Li Yan had expected.
At its center stood only two display counters.
Multiple layers of formations protected both, and the spiritual fluctuations emanating from them far exceeded those of the Beast Flames outside.
The counter on the left contained a dark crimson flame streaked with black strands. The flame burned with a fierce, oppressive aura, as though a dormant beast lay hidden within it.
The flame on the right was entirely different.
Golden fire floated calmly within the glass enclosure. Faint rainbow-colored traces occasionally flowed through it, giving it an elegant and almost sacred appearance.
Cao Lian gestured toward the crimson flame. "This is the Abyssal Lion Flame."
Her voice carried a trace of pride. "It is reserved for the future Sect Leader because of its powerful offensive properties."
She then turned toward the golden flame. "And this is the Golden Feather Peacock Flame. It is reserved for the future Head of the Alchemy Hall because of its exceptional compatibility with alchemy."
Li Yan examined both flames carefully.
The Abyssal Lion Flame was undoubtedly powerful, but his attention naturally settled on the Golden Feather Peacock Flame.
Even from a distance, he could sense its refined and stable nature.
Its aura was gentle, yet profound. The more he observed it, the more suitable it seemed.
After a moment, he noticed something unusual. Neither display contained a price tag.
"Elder Cao," Li Yan said, "I believe the Golden Feather Peacock Flame is highly suitable for me. However, I don't see a listed price."
Cao Lian exchanged a glance with Ji Hong.
Ji Hong smiled faintly. "As we mentioned earlier, this flame was never intended for sale."
"It was reserved as a future gift for the next Head of the Alchemy Hall. Naturally, there was no reason to assign it a price."
He paused before continuing. "However, I know your character well enough to understand that you won't accept it for free."
Li Yan smiled slightly but said nothing.
Ji Hong shook his head helplessly. "Give me some time. I'll discuss it with the other elders and determine an appropriate value."
Li Yan nodded. "That is fine. But I hope the price reflects its true worth. I don't want any special treatment."
"You have my word." Ji Hong summoned his Platinum Badge before leaving the hidden chamber.
Soon, only Li Yan and Cao Lian remained. For a few moments, silence filled the room.
Then Cao Lian looked toward him. "Li Yan, may I ask you something?"
Li Yan nodded, "Of course."
"How has your alchemy progressed recently?"
Li Yan fell silent.
It had already been nearly a year since he began practicing alchemy. The question itself was simple, but the answer was not.
Seeing his hesitation, Cao Lian seemed to understand part of his thoughts.
A faint smile appeared on her face. "I know you're different from most disciples."
"You rarely speak about your achievements, and you've been deliberately concealing your progress from the sect."
Li Yan was genuinely surprised by her words.
Cao Lian continued calmly. "Don't misunderstand. Everyone has their own secrets."
Her gaze moved toward the Golden Feather Peacock Flame before returning to him.
"But among everyone in this sect, I am one of those who sincerely wish to see you reach heights on the Alchemy path that the rest of us could only dream of."
"The day I learned you had chosen the path of alchemy, I saw something unusual."
"A possibility. A hope." Her voice softened slightly.
"The outside world needs great alchemists far more than it needs powerful cultivators. Alchemy saves lives, changes destinies, and creates opportunities where none exist."
"I don't know how far you can go, but I believe your path may lead somewhere extraordinary."
Li Yan found himself unexpectedly moved by her sincerity. There was no ambition hidden behind her words.
No ulterior motive.
Only genuine hope.
After a brief silence, he let out a slow breath. "Elder Cao, thank you."
He looked directly at her. "You are correct. I have been hiding my true progress. Not because I distrust the sect, but because I wish to avoid unnecessary attention."
Cao Lian nodded. She had already suspected as much.
Li Yan continued. "If Elder Cao promises to keep this matter confidential, I will tell you the truth about my alchemy progress."
Without hesitation, Cao Lian answered. "I promise. Not even Ji Hong will hear it from me."
Li Yan studied her expression for a moment before nodding.
Then he spoke plainly. "I'm currently practicing Tier-3 pill recipes."
The hidden chamber fell silent.
For the first time since their conversation began, Cao Lian completely lost her composure.
Her eyes widened. "Tier-3?"
Li Yan nodded.
The confirmation left her speechless.
She stared at him for several moments before finally finding her voice. "Li Yan..."
"You mean you've already reached the level of a Tier-3 Alchemist?"
Another nod.
Cao Lian drew a slow breath.
A year.
Not even a full year had passed since he had begun alchemy. Yet he had already reached a level that countless alchemists spent at least five years pursuing.
For a moment, she could only look at him in silence, struggling to reconcile the calm young man before her with the unbelievable talent he had just revealed.
Li Yan could only smile faintly.
The reaction was understandable.
After all, he had merely revealed that he was practicing Tier-3 pill recipes. If Cao Lian learned that he was already working on Peak-Level Tier-3 pills, her shock would likely be even greater.
After a brief pause, he added, "I suppose Senior Yao believes I have some talent in alchemy. So, she made one of the conditions in her task for me to reach at least Tier-6 Alchemy."
Cao Lian froze. "Tier-6?"