644: Chiyan Pass

The convoy sped forward under Cang Bai's command, quickly leaving Black Stone Pass far behind.

After confirming that the so-called "guards" arranged by the Nine Nether Sect had disappeared, the light and shadow on Yao Delong's body subtly twisted once more, restoring him to his exceptionally handsome original appearance.

He straightened his robes, gave a deep bow to Yun Ruoning with a solemn expression, and spoke with utmost sincerity:

"Escaping this time was entirely thanks to Young Miss Ruoning's full assistance! This Yao, is infinitely grateful!"

"If not for catching a ride with your guild's convoy, even if my Illusion Technique were several times more exquisite,"

"it would have been nearly a pipe dream to leave the Xuan Ye Dynasty, where the Nine Nether Sect has spread an inescapable net, unscathed!"

His words revealed a clear understanding of the situation and heartfelt gratitude.

"Haha, Fellow Daoist Yao, you overstate it!" Yun Ruoning laughed heartily and waved her hand with a free-spirited air.

"We are old acquaintances, after all; we've walked side-by-side at the auction and in White Cloud City. Besides..."

A trace of disdain flashed in her eyes. "The Nine Nether Sect acts overbearingly in the Xuan Ye Dynasty, killing at the slightest provocation. I, Yun Ruoning, have always despised such behavior."

"If it weren't for my father's strict orders to personally complete this transaction involving core resources from the Demon Realm, I wouldn't want to set foot in this ghostly place for a single moment!"

She changed the subject and looked at Yao Delong with a beaming smile and a hint of mischief:

"However, being able to 'pick up' Fellow Daoist Yao as a traveling companion on this dull return journey has certainly added quite a bit of unexpected fun!"

"It's much more interesting than looking at the guild's account books!"

Yao Delong's face flushed slightly at her teasing. He rubbed his nose and chuckled self-deprecatingly:

"Haha, Young Miss Ruoning, please don't make fun of me. It's truly embarrassing; if my strength were sufficient,"

"how could I fear those petty scoundrels of the Nine Nether Sect? Why would I need to rely on others' help to escape?"

Upon hearing this, Yun Ruoning looked at him with her bright eyes, her tone carrying an unprecedented certainty:

"Fellow Daoist Yao, you are mistaken! Looking at the entire Eastern Region today, the experts qualified to challenge you are probably few and far between!"

"The battle outside Jinling City was earth-shaking in its power and has long since spread far and wide."

"This trip to Xuan Ye, being able to make even the Nine Nether Sect's Vice Sect Master Ye Wushang suffer a setback, is more than enough to prove your strength and methods!"

"Fellow Daoist, you are no longer that old man who calculated every penny for a single Spiritual Plant at the auction!"

Her tone carried deep emotion and a faint, almost imperceptible trace of admiration.

Yao Delong laughed, but his mind was clear as day.

Ye Wushang's nearly humble attitude toward the White Cloud Merchant Guild today, and the fact that a Void Refinement Mid-stage expert like Cang Bai was willing to be driven by Yun Ruoning,

like a loyal servant, all indicated the terrifying power represented by this "Young Master"!

The White Cloud Merchant Guild and Yun Ruoning's Family—their Foundation was by no means as simple as it appeared on the surface!

The merchant caravan traveled north and, several days later, finally arrived at the northwestern border pass of the Ba Xia Dynasty—Crimson Flame Pass.

Compared to the grim Evil Qi of Black Stone Pass, Crimson Flame Pass appeared more majestic and grand. The armor of the border guards reflected crimson light under the sun, exuding an aura of masculine vigor.

Once through the pass, they would be in the relatively stable heartland of the Ba Xia Dynasty.

Yao Delong took the initiative to halt the caravan and cupped his fists to Yun Ruoning:

"Fairy Yun, I will always remember your life-saving kindness. Not far ahead is 'Skyfire City.' It seems your guild has a branch there as well and needs to hand over some goods, right?"

"Why not take a few days to rest there and let me fulfill the duties of a host, as a way to repay your kindness?"

Seeing the sincere gratitude in Yao Delong's eyes and knowing he wasn't just being polite, Yun Ruoning nodded with a smile:

"Very well. The caravan does need to unload a batch of spiritual materials unique to the Eastern Region here. Then Ruoning will trouble Fellow Daoist Yao."

The caravan entered Skyfire City. Yun Ruoning went to the White Cloud Merchant Guild's branch to handle the handover matters,

while Yao Delong borrowed a quiet Alchemy room with a powerful protective Formation from Cang Bai within the branch.

He sat cross-legged, closed his eyes to concentrate for a moment, and adjusted his state to its Peak.

Immediately, an ancient and profound phantom of a Pill Formula appeared in his Sea of Consciousness—it was the god-shattering pill obtained from the Moyang Sect!

With the experience of his first successful refinement and the subtle improvements in his control over fire and medicinal properties, this Alchemy process was smooth and efficient!

What originally would have taken seven or eight days to refine took less than four!

The fourth day, at dusk!

An indescribable, majestic medicinal power, mixed with a strange fluctuation that nudged the rules of heaven and earth, suddenly erupted from the Alchemy room! It instantly triggered celestial phenomena!

Rumble!

Above Skyfire City, the originally clear dusk sky suddenly grew dark!

Heavy leaden clouds gathered rapidly. Deep within the cloud layer, dazzling silver electric snakes slithered wildly, emitting muffled thunders!

An awe-inspiring heavenly might locked onto the Alchemy room!

The Tier 7 Peak Medicinal Pill—the god-shattering pill—was about to be born! The Pill Tribulation descended!

Countless Cultivators in the city were startled and looked up at the sky, their faces filled with horror:

"A Tier 7 Pill Tribulation?! Which Alchemy Great Grandmaster is opening their furnace to refine medicine here?!"

Inside the Alchemy room, Yao Delong's expression was calm as water. Looking at the rolling and roaring silver tribulation lightning about to strike,

he didn't even bother to stand up. He simply raised his arm casually and pointed a finger toward the ceiling of the Alchemy room!

Buzz!

A pale golden Finger-qi, condensed to the extreme and containing a hint of the true intent of the Law of Destruction, silently pierced through the protective Formation and shot straight into the core of the tribulation cloud!

Boom-crack!

The fierce silver tribulation lightning that struck down was like hitting an invisible barrier,

it let out a shrill wail and was actually pierced through and annihilated by that seemingly casual Finger-qi!

The rolling tribulation cloud filling the sky seemed to be torn apart by an invisible giant hand, vanishing instantly! Sunlight once again bathed Skyfire City!

With a mere gesture, the Pill Tribulation was reduced to ashes!

Yao Delong placed the perfect pill—crystal clear throughout, with nine profound pill patterns flowing on its surface and emitting an aura that made the Soul throb—into a jade bottle.

With a flicker of his body, he appeared in the VIP room of the branch where Yun Ruoning was handling her affairs.

"Fairy Yun." Yao Delong handed the jade bottle to Yun Ruoning, his tone gentle yet carrying an unquestionable weight,

"This pill is a small token of my respect, given to thank you for your life-saving grace and for escorting me."

"This pill is named 'divine breaking.' Its wonderful use is that it can help Soul Transformation Cultivators, after stabilizing their Realm,"

"break through another minor Realm in a short time, saving years or even decades of hard work!"

"The god-shattering pill?!" Yun Ruoning stood up abruptly, her beautiful face filled with shock!

As an elite Disciple of the Moyang Sect, she had naturally heard of the Sect obtaining this ancient Pill Formula!

She also knew how demanding the requirements for the consumer were—the Foundation must be thick and flawless, and the talent must be top-notch!

Otherwise, taking it forcibly would be like drinking poison to quench thirst, destroying one's own path!

But who was Yun Ruoning? A peerless Genius with a Spiritual Power Affinity of ten!

Cultivated from childhood by her Family with the top resources and the strictest standards, her Foundation was profound,

and her talent was so outstanding that she was a rarity in the entire Eastern Region!

This god-shattering pill was practically a heaven-sent Opportunity tailored specifically for her!

What's more, the god-shattering pill before her had nine pill patterns, and its aura was perfectly harmonious; it was clearly the finest among pills!

Its value was far beyond that of an ordinary god-shattering pill!