279: Li Ao

When Li Ao and Gu Xun'er emerged from the depths of the Ancestral Shrine, the sunlight outside perfectly pierced through the unique spiritual mist of the Medicine World, scattering upon the verdant Peaks of the Myriad Medicine Mountain Range, a scene full of vitality. However, there was no trace of relaxation in their hearts.

"Senior Yao Yan is already waiting in the myriad medicine cauldron furnace Hall," a Medicine Clan steward respectfully reported.

Li Ao nodded and said to Xun'er, "Xun'er, I'll go check on Xiao Yi Xian. The subsequent protection and monitoring of the Ancestral Shrine still require you and Clan Chief Yao Dan to make more detailed arrangements, especially to guard against possible ulterior moves by the Hun Clan."

"Don't worry, Brother Li Ao," Xun'er replied, her eyes clear. "The 'Soul Purifying Mirror' refining blueprint and some core runes sent by Father have already been given to Clan Chief Yao Dan. Combined with the Medicine Clan's own Formations, it's enough to construct a more stringent Soul Seal detection network. I will also stay in contact with Elder Gu Ling and monitor the movements of the Ruins Hall and Xiao Yan in the Beast Region."

The two acted separately. Li Ao followed the steward to the "myriad medicine cauldron furnace Hall" located on the other side of the Medicine Clan's core Forbidden Ground, while Xun'er went to the Medicine King Hall to continue discussing Alliance defense details with Yao Dan.

The myriad medicine cauldron furnace Hall, rather than a hall, was more like an Alchemy sacred land transformed from a massive natural Immortal Cave. The core of the hall was not ordinary fire, but a three-legged, two-eared, ancient and vibrant azure giant Cauldron phantom, formed by drawing upon the earth's core fire veins and the Origin life essence of the Medicine World—this was the manifestation of the "myriad medicine cauldron furnace." On the body of the Cauldron, patterns of plants, insects, fish, sun, moon, and stars slowly flowed, as if containing the power of creation and vitality from the beginning of heaven and earth. Just standing in the hall, one could feel all pores open and the Qi in the body circulate with renewed vigor.

At this moment, beneath the Cauldron phantom, Yao Yan and two other Medicine Clan Elders, whose auras were profound and eyes gleamed, were already in position. Xiao Yi Xian, dressed in a simple white robe, stood quietly to the side, her expression serene yet resolute. Medusa stood a little further away, her enchanting eyes fixed on the Cauldron, with concern but more so trust in her companion.

"Young friend Li Ao, you've arrived," Yao Yan said, nodding to Li Ao. "Everything is ready. This is Elder Yao Lin, who specializes in the 'Spirit Nurturing Chapter' of the Medicine Soul Art, and is best at nourishing the Soul and harmonizing spirit and flesh; this is Elder Yao Xun, who has profound attainments in guiding life essence and stimulating Physique potential. With the three of us as Protectors, and with the power of the myriad medicine cauldron furnace, we will surely help Young Miss Xiao Yi Xian thoroughly solidify her Foundation and induce deeper changes in her Chaos Poison Body."

Li Ao saluted the two newly met Elders: "Thank you for your trouble, Seniors." He walked up to Xiao Yi Xian and said gently, "Xian'er, don't be nervous, relax your mind and just cooperate with the guidance of the three Elders. This is a place of creation, and it will be of great benefit to you."

Xiao Yi Xian smiled faintly, her eyes like autumn water: "Big Brother Li, don't worry, I understand. This is a rare Opportunity, and I will do my best." Since her revival, though her power had recovered and even surpassed before, there was always a trace of uncertainty in her heart stemming from her "new life." Now, that feeling would be completely erased.

"Good, enter the Cauldron," Yao Yan said solemnly, his hand Seals changing. The massive azure Cauldron phantom vibrated slightly, and streams of ethereal, life-filled azure light descended from its mouth, gently enveloping Xiao Yi Xian. Xiao Yi Xian closed her eyes, allowing the light to guide her, her figure slowly rising, finally submerging into the Cauldron phantom.

In an instant, the Cauldron body's patterns shone brightly, and the life essence and medicinal power within the entire Immortal Cave surged frantically, forming an azure vortex that encircled the Cauldron. Vaguely, it seemed as if a Small World had formed within the Cauldron, with illusory plants growing, sun and moon rotating, and endless life essence and medicinal power transforming into sweet dew and radiant light, pouring into the white-robed figure at the center.

Yao Yan, Yao Lin, and Yao Xun sat in a triangular Formation around the Cauldron, their expressions solemn, their hand Seals connected. Vast Soul Power and pure wood-attribute Dou Qi surged out, merging into the Cauldron phantom, and began to guide the immense energy in an extremely gentle yet efficient manner, cleansing Xiao Yi Xian's entire body and Soul Origin, bridging that last tiny gap between spirit and flesh, and slowly pushing her unique Chaos Poison Body Origin towards a deeper Awakening.

Li Ao and Medusa waited quietly beside them, able to sense that Xiao Yi Xian's aura within the Cauldron was becoming increasingly condensed and perfectly harmonious at a stable and solid pace, and subtly gaining an indescribable Chaos Dao rhyme, as if it could dissolve all poisons yet also give birth to all poisons.

"Forty-nine days..." Li Ao murmured to himself. During this period, he needed to preside over the Medicine Clan, on one hand ensuring Xiao Yi Xian's ritual was undisturbed, and on the other, finalizing more Alliance details with the Medicine Clan and the Gu Clan, and preparing for the trip to the Yan Clan.

Meanwhile, inside the Medicine King Hall.

Gu Xun'er and Yao Dan's discussion was nearing its end. Suddenly, a pale golden jade talisman on Xun'er's waist, used for emergency contact, vibrated slightly. She swept it with her Divine Sense, and her expression slightly condensed.

"Clan Chief Yao Dan, a secret report from the Gu Clan," Xun'er looked up, her voice solemn. "Our scouts near the Yan Realm have sent news that in the past three days, the spatial fluctuations around the Yan Realm's periphery have increased abnormally in frequency, with more than one hidden force attempting to infiltrate or spy, and the method... is suspected to be from the Hun Clan. Additionally, within the Yan Clan, several minor 'accidents' seem to have occurred, causing two Elders who were inclined to ally with our Gu Clan and Brother Li Ao to temporarily go into seclusion, while Young Miss Huo Zhi, who has considerable prestige among the younger generation, has been unusually active recently."

Yao Dan's brows furrowed: "The Hun Clan's reach is truly fast! That old fellow Yan Jin has a fiery temper and won't tolerate any sand in his eyes, but sometimes he's also overly confident, and his control over the clan might not be as strict as he imagines. Huo Zhi... this woman has excellent talent and high aspirations, but her past behavior showed no obvious inclinations. If she really has a problem..."

"In any case, the trip to the Yan Clan might be more complicated than expected," Xun'er tapped the table lightly with her fingertip. "The Hun Clan clearly doesn't want to see the Alliance expand, and will certainly cause trouble, sow discord, disrupt, and possibly even... create incidents to escalate conflicts, leading us to direct confrontation with the Yan Clan."

Yao Dan nodded: "It seems that Hall Master Li Ao's 'meeting gift' needs to be even heavier. At least, it needs to make that old stubborn Yan Jin willing to sit down and listen to us, and give him an irrefutable reason to investigate internal hidden dangers."

"Father also has this intention," Xun'er said. "He has ordered someone to retrieve a partial record rubbing from the Gu Clan's treasury concerning an abnormal riot and suppression of the Red Lotus Karma Fire in ancient times. Perhaps it can inspire the Yan Clan in comprehending their Legacy fire. It will be delivered to me in a few days and can serve as another bargaining chip."

"Red Lotus Karma Fire?" A gleam flashed in Yao Dan's eyes. "The Yan Clan's Legacy fire is infinitely powerful, but it is said to be extremely violent and difficult to control. The Gu Clan actually has records of such a thing... Good, this adds a few more points of certainty."

After discussing for a while longer, Xun'er took her leave and went to the Guest Courtyard. She needed to inform Li Ao of the new developments concerning the Yan Clan as soon as possible.

At this moment, Li Ao, after sensing Xiao Yi Xian's stable condition in the myriad medicine cauldron furnace Hall, quietly retreated to a quiet room outside the hall. He sat cross-legged, not continuing to Cultivate Dou Qi, but sinking his mind into his inner Origin space.

There, besides the slowly rotating nirvana star core and ancient talismans, there was also a purplish-gold Dragon Soul, the Void Thunder Dragon Royal Clan Soul, sealed by layers of Power of Gui Xu, constantly emitting silent roars and flashes of lightning.

"A Peak eighth-tier Royal Clan Dragon Soul, containing both Void and Thunder Laws..." Li Ao's consciousness body gazed at this powerful and unruly Soul body. "It's time to find a true resting place for you."

The "silent ruin" blade embryo was initially forged with countless rare Materials, supplemented by the Dao of Nirvana, possessing infinite potential, but always lacked a finishing touch, a "spirit." This Void Thunder Dragon Soul was undoubtedly one of the best choices. Once successfully refined into a blade spirit, "silent ruin" would not only gain sentience and its power would skyrocket, but it would also possess the terrifying ability to traverse the Void Realm and summon Nirvana Divine Thunder.

"However, refining a Royal Clan Dragon Soul into a blade spirit is no small matter. It requires at least one top-tier Material that can stabilize the Soul body and harmonize the violent Qi of the Dragon Soul, preferably one containing spatial attributes... It also requires an excellent Artifact Refining environment to draw upon sufficiently powerful thunder energy to complete the final spirit tempering..."

Several names of rare heavenly and earthly treasures flashed through Li Ao's mind, and he finally settled on one: "Void Gazer Crystal? This item is indeed rare, perhaps... the Thunder Clan might have some in stock? Or, those ancient spatial trade fairs..."

He made a note of this as an important matter to pay attention to later. For now, he needed to focus on handling the affairs of the Medicine Clan and the Yan Clan.

Just as he exited his inner vision, Xun'er's soft voice came from outside the quiet room: "Brother Li Ao, there's new news about the Yan Clan."

Li Ao opened his eyes, a glint flashing and disappearing.

A storm was gathering from all directions, converging on this seemingly calm Medicine World. And his path was destined to cut a clear sky through the eye of the storm.