"No, nothing, let's continue."
Hun Changqing forced himself to remain calm and said to Medusa. Zi Yan's actions had truly caught Hun Changqing off guard. He hadn't expected Zi Yan to be so bold, daring to make such a small move right under Medusa's nose. However, this feeling also gave Hun Changqing a strange feeling.
Medusa looked at the somewhat strange Hun Changqing, a hint of doubt flashing in her beautiful eyes. She knew that when she had done things with Hun Changqing before, he had never acted so strangely, and seemed a little distracted. Hun Changqing's appearance made Medusa slightly dissatisfied. She twisted her body abruptly and said in a complaining tone,
"What are you thinking about? Concentrate!"
Hun Changqing glanced at Zi Yan, who was standing beside him with a bright smile and an excited expression. His lips twitched slightly, and then he nodded to Medusa, explaining.
"I was thinking about something, nothing, let's continue."
Hun Changqing then had no time to pay attention to the troublesome Zi Yan beside him. He engaged in another fierce battle with Medusa while enduring Zi Yan's harassment.
Thus, Hun Changqing spent several days in a state of torment and intense excitement, finally subduing Medusa despite Zi Yan's constant interference. At this moment,
Medusa's face was no longer as gloomy as it had been a few days ago; instead, it was radiant, filled with a bright smile. If it weren't for the fact that the Old Man of Eagle Mountain in the Underworld Palace had almost completely reassembled the previous members of the Underworld Palace, and only Medusa was needed to directly target and take over the three sects, Medusa wouldn't even want to take the stamina-restoring pill and would have preferred to sleep comfortably in Hun Changqing's arms.
However, with the important matter at hand, Medusa was well aware of the priorities. After resting briefly, she donned her dark red palace gown again. Thinking of the three sects she was about to visit, although she didn't know their situation, she figured there would be some who would put up a stubborn resistance. A cold killing intent flashed in Medusa's beautiful eyes, and an aura of majesty and killing intent emanated from her, making her appear like a queen about to go to war. She then looked at Hun Changqing and said,
"Elder Eagle Mountain has already sent me a message. The members of the hall have assembled. I will go and take charge of the situation before heading to receive those three sects."
Hun Changqing nodded as he looked at the fully prepared Medusa, then added a reminder.
"Go ahead," Medusa said. "Although I wiped out the high-ranking members of those three sects this time, there's no guarantee they won't have some hidden trump cards. Don't be careless on your trip. If anything unexpected happens, don't worry about the lives of those Netherworld Palace members. Send me a message immediately to buy some time. I'll construct a spatial passage and rush over right away."
Medusa, sensing the concern in Hun Changqing's words, nodded and smiled charmingly.
"Don't worry, I'll be careful. Besides, those sects clearly intended to completely annihilate the Netherworld Palace last time. They even contacted people from the Soul Palace. They've naturally revealed all their trump cards. It's uncertain if they'll have any left."
Hun Changqing nodded and said nothing more. Medusa smiled gently at Hun Changqing, then turned and walked towards the door of the secret chamber.
After Medusa's figure completely disappeared from the secret chamber, Hun Changqing finally breathed a sigh of relief. He then reached out and gently waved his hand towards the void in the room. Instantly, countless silver specks of light rose from every corner of the room, slowly ascending into the sky before dissipating.
As these specks of light vanished, Hun Changqing's illusory illusion, which had lasted for several days, was also dispelled. Zi Yan's figure slowly appeared on the soft bed, which was even more disheveled than it had been a few days prior.
Hun Changqing's gaze towards Zi Yan was filled with hostility. He grabbed Zi Yan's delicate pink ear and spoke in a fierce and stern tone, emphasizing his words.
"You rebellious disciple, you've got some nerve! You've been having a lot of fun these past few days, haven't you? I shouldn't have helped you hide your identity. I should have let Medusa teach you a lesson, show you how to behave properly."
Zi Yan immediately became displeased upon hearing this. Her previously smiling face turned into a pout as she angrily retorted,
"You stinky master, weren't you having a blast these past few days? Now that stinky woman's gone, you're turning your back on me and criticizing me!"
"You—"
Hun Changqing was speechless, pointing a finger at Zi Yan, wanting to say something, but unable to utter a word, because what Zi Yan said was indeed true.
Although Hun Changqing wasn't afraid of Medusa discovering Zi Yan, the thrill of Zi Yan hiding in the shadows while he was with Medusa, occasionally darting around to provoke him, was indescribable. Hun Changqing had no complaints about Zi Yan's behavior these past few days.
Seeing Hun Changqing's discomfitured expression, Zi Yan smiled smugly, then said to him in a teasing tone,
"Hehe, Master, you're speechless now, aren't you? You hypocritical, stinky master! If you really let that stinky woman teach me a lesson, how could you act like this? Besides, Zi Yan is a Primordial Dragon, a magical beast, a dragon! I don't need that stinky woman to teach me how to be a person!"
"Alright, alright, stop your nonsense."
Hun Changqing waved his hand at Zi Yan. At this point, there was no point in saying anything more, so he had no patience to argue with Zi Yan any longer. He spoke to her with a slightly impatient tone.
"You've caused me so much trouble this time, I'm already being lenient by not punishing you. You've given me so many excuses. You have to break through to the peak of Dou Huang before you can come out. Otherwise, don't even think about me taking you to Zhongzhou to find the clan of the Ancient Void Dragon. Don't even think about growing up. Behave yourself and act like a child." Hun Changqing's words were filled with endless malice as he fiercely threatened Zi Yan. He felt that if he didn't discipline Zi Yan's unruly nature, she would inevitably cause serious trouble in the future.
"What! Peak Dou Huang!"
Zi Yan exclaimed in shock. Her eyes widened in disbelief. She was only a six-star Dou Huang! Even if she considered herself exceptionally intelligent and talented, breaking through from six-star Dou Huang to peak Dou Huang would take a considerable amount of time! The thought of spending the next six months, even a year, in a dark, secluded chamber, cultivating day and night without any joy, sent a shiver down Zi Yan's spine. She felt her future was filled with despair and utter darkness.
"Master, no! Do you know how big the difference is between a six-star Dou Huang and a peak Dou Huang?! You want me to directly break through to peak Dou Huang in seclusion?!"
"The pills I gave you have all been tested and are the most suitable for you. They were specially refined for you. With these pills, and considering your talent, which is already far beyond that of ordinary Void Ancient Dragons, you only need to be careful and avoid causing me unnecessary trouble. You can easily break through to the peak of the Dou Huang realm. So, this matter is settled. If you don't reach the peak of the Dou Huang realm before you leave seclusion, then you can go find your Void Ancient Dragon clan's territory yourself!"
Hun Changqing's words were not... To be honest, the Pill Tower has a long history in Zhongzhou. Back when the Ancient Void Dragons hadn't disappeared from Zhongzhou, they had a significant connection with the Pill Tower. Otherwise, why would the Three Thousand Burning Flames, originally belonging to the Ancient Void Dragons, be in the Pill Tower now? The Ancient Void Dragons, being magical beasts, had virtually no talent for refining pills, so they made many deals with the Pill Tower for the sake of their members' cultivation. Yao Chen, as an elder of the Pill Tower, naturally possessed pills suitable for the Ancient Void Dragons.
When Yao Chen heard that Hun Changqing had taken on a disciple from the Ancient Void Dragons, he was extremely surprised. When Yao Chen first encountered the pills suitable for the Ancient Void Dragons, the entire clan had already vanished. Yao Chen even thought he would never be able to refine such pills in his life. He never expected Hun Changqing to give him such a pleasant surprise.
Yao Chen was initially amazed by Hun Changqing's incredible luck, then diligently refined the pill. He frequently observed Zi Yan while she cultivated, though Zi Yan remained completely unaware. Yao Chen, a peak Dou Zun soul, could easily conceal his abilities from the minor Dou Huang. Therefore, when Medusa summoned Yao Chen to fight against Shi Tian and the other Dou Zun, it was the first time Zi Yan had seen him.
With Yao Chen observing, Hun Changqing had a good understanding of Zi Yan's cultivation progress. With her talent and the pill, breaking through to the peak Dou Huang level in a short time wouldn't be a problem.
Moreover, in Hun Changqing's memory, the Heavenly Mountain Blood Pool in Zhongzhou seemed to be about to open. The Heavenly Mountain Blood Pool could not only help peak Dou Huangs break through to the Dou Zong level but also cleanse the marrow and bones, although it was of no use to Hun Changqing.
But for Zi Yan, this was nothing short of an opportunity. The Heavenly Mountain Blood Pool would not only strengthen her physique, but also allow her to absorb the Dragon-Phoenix Origin Fruit more thoroughly after obtaining it in the Demonic Beast Realm. That's why Hun Changqing was so strict with Zi Yan, pushing her to break through to the peak of the Dou Huang realm in a short time. It wasn't just for his own peace and quiet, but also for Zi Yan's own good. After Zi Yan reached the peak of Dou Huang, he would take her to the Central Continent, just in time for the opening of the Heavenly Mountain Blood Pool, allowing her to gain a great fortune.
Moreover, the Heavenly Mountain Blood Pool wasn't far from the Starfall Pavilion, founded by Yao Chen and his old flame, Venerable Feng. Given Hun Changqing's relationship with Yao Chen, he might even be able to gain a position within the Starfall Pavilion. It's worth noting that the Pill Tower deeply resented the Soul Palace's forces that specialized in hunting the souls of alchemists with soul power far exceeding that of ordinary people.
If Hun Changqing were to go to the Pill Tower as the Soul Hall's representative, forget about making a deal; he'd be lucky to avoid being killed by the Pill Tower's Dou Sheng. However, with the Starfall Pavilion and Shen Fan, who has close ties to Yao
Chen, Hun Changqing would have a legitimate identity in Zhongzhou, in addition to his Soul Hall identity. This would not only make things easier for him but also allow him to openly and legitimately trade the Heavenly Demon Puppet capable of withstanding heavenly lightning and the Sea Heart Flame to the Pill Tower.
This would not only allow Hun Changqing to gain a considerable fortune from the Pill Tower but also earn their friendship. Although Hun Changqing doesn't lack pills with Yao Chen by his side, Yao Chen hasn't fully recovered yet, and is still struggling with eighth-grade pills. After all, eighth-grade pills require more than just skillful technique and abundant soul power; they demand a long period of soul power and Dou Qi consumption, and one must also consider the terrifying pill lightning that follows.
While Hun Changqing could alleviate the problem of Dan Lei by refining the Heavenly Demon Puppet, Yao Chen's current soul form couldn't withstand the energy consumption of eighth-grade pills. Therefore, without the Pill Tower, Hun Changqing could only look on with envy at the eighth-grade pills he coveted.
With the Pill Tower's support, however, Hun Changqing would find it much easier to obtain any kind of pill he desired. Unlike other members of the Soul Hall who suffered from the Pill Tower's exclusion and lacked access to pills, forced to desperately complete tasks within the Soul Hall to earn enough contribution points to exchange for a pill—a pill randomly selected from a few lucky viewers by Elder Mu Gu, whose side effects were unknown.
Therefore, Hun Changqing had already planned his trip to the Central Continent. If Zi Yan reached the peak of the Dou Huang realm, it would maximize his gains. Thus, Hun Changqing remained unmoved by Zi Yan's slightly pleading tone, his expression still very serious, assuring her that he wasn't joking.
Zi Yan stared at Hun Changqing's face, unable to detect a trace of jest, and realized he was serious. All her remaining hope vanished, and she sighed deeply, weakly saying to Hun Changqing,
"I know."
"Knowing? Why aren't you going to cultivate? How long do you intend to stay here?"
Hun Changqing raised an eyebrow, directly dismissing her. Whatever the reason, he didn't want Zi Yan left in his room any longer.
"Oh,"
Zi Yan looked at Hun Changqing with a pitiful expression, then slowly climbed off the bed, dejectedly walking towards the door of the secret chamber.
Once Zi Yan left the secret chamber, Hun Changqing finally breathed a sigh of relief. He felt as if the world had instantly become quiet; he was finally free from Medusa and Zi Yan, and could finally do his own thing.
However, after Hun Changqing casually cleaned the stains in the secret chamber with his energy, he was about to head to his cultivation spot to begin formally refining the Heavenly Demon Puppet when he suddenly received a message from Hai Bodong. This message caused Hun Changqing's brows to furrow slightly.