Chapter 612 Discussion and Planning

As Zhu Li transformed into the original form of the Taixu Ancient Dragon, the dark purple dragon body hovered above the sky, and its dragon claws tore through the rolling thunderclouds.

The moment the nine-colored pill thunder struck down, the dragon breath that came out of his mouth condensed into a beam of energy, which exploded with a deafening roar when it collided with the thunder.

Xiao Ling stood below with his hands behind his back, looking at the surging energy storm in the air, a smile on his lips. With the help of this semi-saint powerful man, the eighth-grade nine-colored thunder tribulation could naturally be easily resisted.

After the last ray of lightning dissipated, Zhu Li turned back into human form, with arcs of lightning still lingering on his purple robe.

He shook off the lightning on his shoulders and laughed loudly, "Little Xiao Ling, your elixir is of extraordinary quality. It actually triggered the Nine-Colored Thunder Tribulation. I'm afraid that if it were put in the outside world, it would also attract the envy of countless people."

Xiao Ling chuckled when he heard this, his sleeves fluttering in the night breeze, "Senior Zhuli, if you don't mind my shallow skills, if Ancient Dragon Island needs you to make pills in the future, just let me know, and I will naturally not refuse."

Before he finished speaking, he caught a glimpse of a nine-colored light escaping from the gap in the alchemy furnace. The eighth-grade pill that had just been formed was now wrapped in a tremendous medicinal power and turned into a stream of light, trying to escape into the clouds.

Xiao Ling just tapped his fingertips, and several golden chains condensed in the air, wrapping around the pill like a dragon.

Although the elixir was full of spirituality, it could not break free of the shackles formed by mental power and could only make a buzzing sound unwillingly.

With a flick of his fingers, the pill fell into his palm obediently. The fragrance of the pill flowing on the surface made people feel relaxed physically and mentally.

"What a clever little fellow." Xiao Ling chuckled, and with his other hand he had already taken out a white jade pill bottle with cloud patterns carved all over it. A soft white light appeared at the mouth of the pill bottle, and the pill was sucked into it. The runes at the mouth of the bottle flickered, and the medicinal power was completely sealed.

Then, he raised his hand and waved it lightly. The white jade pill bottle turned into a streak of light and sank into the storage ring. His movements were smooth and flowing, showing the calm demeanor of a high-level alchemist.

After hearing what Xiao Ling said, Zhu Li stroked his beard and laughed, his eyes full of admiration: "Haha! Since Xiao Ling has said so, then our Ancient Dragon Island will not be polite when we need you in the future! As for the reward, Ancient Dragon Island will never owe you anything."

Taixu Ancient Dragon has an innate talent for treasure hunting, so the number of rare treasures collected in Ancient Dragon Island over the years is countless.

However, most of the natural treasures were swallowed directly by the tribesmen, and their medicinal effects were not fully exerted.

But if there is help from a high-level alchemist like Xiao Ling, refining these natural treasures into pills can bring great benefits in terms of taste and energy absorption.

Thinking of this, Zhu Li looked at Xiao Ling with more appreciation.

Xiao Ling did not care too much about the reward. After exchanging a few casual words with Zhu Li, he led him to find a quiet courtyard in Xingyun Pavilion.

He raised his hand to lift the ban, signaling Zhu Li to move in safely. Xiao Ling then stopped disturbing him and allowed the strong man from Ancient Dragon Island to rest here.

After settling Zhu Li down, Xiao Ling immediately took off into the air and flew towards Lingyue Peak.

The sound of wind breaking through the air was whistling in his ears. As Xiao Ling rushed forward, he suddenly saw a ray of golden light wrapped in the fragrance of elixir seeping out from the crack in the void.

A familiar breath made Xiao Ling let down his guard. He instinctively extended his mental power to touch him, and in an instant, Yao Chen's consciousness surged like a tide.

A few brief words were transmitted through the air, the general meaning of which was that Yao Chen asked Xiao Ling to meet him.

The moment he withdrew his mental power, Xiao Ling pondered in his heart.

With Yao Chen's perception, he naturally could not hide the sound of Zhu Li tearing through the void and breaking into the star realm.

It must be that Yao Chen recognized Zhuli Taixu Ancient Dragon's identity and knew that the visitor had a deep connection with Zi Yan and had no ill intentions, so he hid in the dark and watched the situation develop, and did not show up directly.

Thinking of this, Xiao Ling's fighting spirit surged, and he turned around and flew towards the direction where Yao Chen lived, and the sound of breaking through the air became more and more fierce.

In the mountains behind Xingyun Pavilion, green bamboos surge like the sea.

The mist that lingers all year round wraps around the bamboo branches, dyeing the green into a hazy ink-like color.

When the wind blows, the bamboo leaves rustle against each other, interweaving into a song with the sound of the spring water flowing between the rocks. Occasionally, a bird flies by, startling a few dew-covered bamboo leaves, which fall into the deep pool and create ripples.

A streak of red-gold light streaked across the sky, piercing through the mist like a comet's tail.

Xiao Ling tapped the air with his toes, and his flying speed gradually slowed down until he fell lightly to the ground.

Following the faint scent of elixir, passing through the winding bamboo path, an open space suddenly appeared within sight.

The white jade pavilion blooms like a lotus on the clear pond, and the nine-curve corridors are connected in a winding manner.

Yao Chen was leaning against the pillar of the pavilion, his white robe fluttering in the night breeze. His fishing rod was swaying slightly, but there was no bait on the line. He was using the world as hooks to fish for the moon in the water, showing the demeanor of a master.

The gilded tea set on the stone table was emitting wisps of white mist. The aroma of the magical tea mixed with the coolness of the magical medicine at the bottom of the pond formed a halo of light around the pavilion.

Xiao Ling walked closer along the winding bamboo path, his eyes swept over Yao Chen who was leisurely fishing in the pavilion, and the corners of his mouth twitched unconsciously.

"Why do these seniors like to act so mysterious?"

He secretly complained in his heart. If someone else saw this, they would probably worship Yao Chen as a god on the spot. However, Xiao Ling, who had been with this man for many years and knew his true nature well, felt that the scene before him was inexplicably inconsistent.

Sensing Xiao Ling's presence, Yao Chen paused the fishing rod in his hand, slowly reeled in the line and placed the fishing rod on the green jade table. When he turned around, the corner of his robe brought in the fragrance of tea.

He looked at Xiao Ling approaching, chuckled, and pointed to the stone bench opposite: "Xiao Ling, you are here, come and sit down."

Xiao Ling responded softly, and sat down on the stone bench with his sleeves fluttering.

Yao Chen picked up the gilded teacup and took a sip, then asked, "I noticed earlier that a guest from Ancient Dragon Island had entered the Star Realm and went to look for you, so I didn't stop him."

The teacup made a slight sound when it hit the stone table. "But what happened to Zi Yan?"

With Yao Chen's soul perception, it would only take a thought for him to find out the content of the conversation between Xiao Ling and Zhu Li.

But with Yao Chen's personality, and the fact that he had no intention of exploring Xiao Ling's privacy, he naturally disdained such prying. That was why he asked at this moment.

Facing Yao Chen's inquiring gaze, Xiao Ling did not hesitate at all and told him the reason why Zhu Li came this time, the dilemma of Zi Yan's absorption of the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, and the key to the need for an eighth-level or higher Heavenly Demon Phoenix Demon Core. After that, Xiao Ling sighed softly, and his fingertips unconsciously stroked the edge of the wooden table:

"Zi Yan is like a close relative to me. I will find a Heavenly Demon Phoenix Magic Core of the right grade for her no matter what. And since this will help Zi Yan's cultivation, the higher the quality of the magic core, the better."

"The magic core of the Sky Demon Phoenix? This is not something that can be easily obtained, especially high-quality ones. It is really scarce. Even this old man has never obtained such a treasure..."

Yao Chen stroked his chin, his silver-like brows slightly furrowed, and the spiritual mist in the teacup lingered around his fingertips.

He looked up at the swaying moonlight in the pool, and said with a hint of hesitation:

"If it's an ordinary item, with your reputation in Zhongzhou and a generous reward, there might be a chance. But for a Heavenly Demon Phoenix Core above the eighth level..."

After a pause, Yao Chen tapped the stone table with his fingertips, making a clear sound:
"Looking across the Douqi Continent, there are only a handful of people who can hold such a treasure. Even if they succeed by chance, who dares to trade openly? The Sky Demon Phoenix Clan is vindictive, and even Danta has to be wary of them. Who is willing to cause such trouble now?"

"Indeed." Xiao Ling nodded, his expression becoming more serious. "It seems that instead of spreading the news and looking for someone to trade with, and passively waiting in the open, it is better to take the initiative. This is the key to breaking the current situation."

What Xiao Ling meant by taking the initiative to attack was naturally to target the royal family of the Sky Demon Phoenix Clan.

What he was planning in his mind was to seize the high-quality magic cores from the hands of these pure-blooded descendants of the ancient Sky Phoenix. He would even go so far as to face the elite of the Sky Demon Phoenix clan and fight for his life to get what he needed.

Under normal circumstances, even with Xiao Ling's courage and strength, although he could not be said to be afraid, he would not rashly provoke this difficult tribe.

The patriarch of the Sky Demon Phoenix Clan, Huang Tian, ​​is a top-notch powerhouse at the five-star Dou Sheng level. There are even many other ninth-level elders in the clan. Although Xiao Ling is not afraid of power, he also knows the principle of avoiding its edge and will never make such a big enemy without reason.

However, at this moment, thinking of Zi Yan getting into trouble on Ancient Dragon Island because of absorbing the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, in order to help Zi Yan resolve the crisis, the pros and cons that needed to be weighed and the threats that needed to be guarded against on a daily basis no longer seemed important at this moment, and Xiao Ling naturally didn't care about so much.

How could Yao Chen not sense the deep meaning in Xiao Ling's words? He held his chin with his hand, pondered for a moment with a deep gaze, and slowly said:

"This matter is extremely risky. The Sky Demon Phoenix Clan is very powerful, and the clan leader Huang Tian is a five-star Dou Sheng. He should not be underestimated. However, since you have made up your mind, I can't persuade you any more."

After that, he picked up the teacup and took a sip. Amid the aroma of tea, his voice was steady and powerful, "However, if you encounter any crisis, just inform me. With my current strength, I am confident that I can protect you."

After hearing what Yao Chen said, Xiao Ling felt warm in his heart, and a smile appeared on the corner of his lips: "Haha, with you as my trump card, I will rely on you if I encounter any difficult problems. I will definitely not be polite to you when the time comes!"

He tapped the stone table with his fingertips, his tone somewhat teasing, "But, I also hope that everything goes smoothly this time, and that you, Master Yao, won't have to do anything at all. That would be best!"

"Haha, you brat!" Yao Chen laughed heartily, waved his sleeves, and had a bit of indulgence in his eyes.

"Forget it, I won't keep you any longer. You know what's going on in this matter. It's best to be careful and follow your plan."

Xiao Ling smiled and nodded, and chatted with Yao Chen for a while about his recent experience in alchemy.

As the night deepened, he stood up and bowed, "Master Yao, I will take my leave now."

Yao Chen nodded slightly and watched the young man's figure pass through the bamboo forest. Only when the familiar breath gradually faded away did he pick up the fishing rod again and continue his leisurely life.

The dusk cast a layer of silver gauze over Lingyue Peak. Xiao Ling walked through the path lined with flowers and saw the figures of Qinglin and Xiao Yixiang in the courtyard from afar.

The two women's fighting spirit surged. When Qinglin raised her hand, the green fighting spirit condensed into the shadow of a giant snake, and Xiao Yixian's green light condensed into a poisonous blade. The collision of their moves stirred up waves of air.

Seeing Qing Lin and Xiao Yixian fighting fiercely in the arena, with the surging fighting spirit creating gusts of strong wind, Xiao Ling gave up the idea of ​​going up to talk to them.

He did not want to disturb the two people's practice, so he just raised his hand to greet them from a distance, then walked quickly along the main road paved with bluestone slabs towards the main house.

After entering the main house, Xiao Ling went straight into the bedroom. He leaned back on the soft bed, his dark robe casually scattered. The shadows of bamboos swayed outside the window, filtering the moonlight into tiny silver spots.

Xiao Ling stretched out his arms, letting go of the tense breath in his body, and slowly leaned on the cushion. As his body and mind completely relaxed, the thoughts of planning the matter of the Sky Demon Phoenix Demon Core flooded through his mind like a tide.

He closed his eyes and concentrated, beginning to carefully deduce a plan in his mind on how to obtain a high-quality Heavenly Demon Phoenix Demon Core.

As his thoughts were surging, Xiao Ling suddenly felt a slight fluctuation in the space around him, and a jade slip engraved with a phoenix pattern was shaking continuously.

His eyes narrowed slightly, and his spiritual sense enveloped it like a tide. He recognized that this was the exclusive jade slip for communicating with Feng Qing'er. After Feng Qing'er returned to the Sky Demon Phoenix Clan, this jade slip became the bond that maintained the connection between the two.

Every once in a while, Feng Qing'er would always pass on the latest developments through jade slips, and Xiao Ling also learned a lot about the internal situation of the Sky Demon Phoenix Clan through this.

With the help of the rare cultivation resources that Xiao Ling specially prepared for her, Feng Qing'er's cultivation improved steadily.

Shortly after returning to the Sky Demon Phoenix Clan, she went into seclusion to push her realm forward, breaking through to the eighth level in one fell swoop.

This achievement attracted the attention of the entire Sky Demon Phoenix Clan, and the clan members discussed the amazing talent of this young descendant.

Although Feng Qing'er is still slightly inferior to the geniuses who truly stand at the top of the clan, her current achievements alone have already opened up a huge gap between her and ordinary clan members, making her a well-deserved genius in the new generation of the Sky Demon Phoenix Clan.

As he pondered this, Xiao Ling's mind moved slightly, and a ray of consciousness probed into the space on his body. With a flash of white light, the jade slip engraved with the phoenix pattern had landed steadily in his palm.

Rubbing the warm touch of the jade slip, his gaze became increasingly deep, thoughts running through his mind. Perhaps Feng Qing'er could become a key helper in seizing the high-quality Heavenly Demon Phoenix Demon Core.

Of course, the "help" that Xiao Ling had in mind was definitely not to attack Feng Qing'er and seize her magic core. After all, Feng Qing'er was his. No matter how important Zi Yan was in his heart, no matter how urgent the matter was, he would never do such a shameless thing as taking the magic core from Feng Qing'er.

However, on second thought, Feng Qing'er was, after all, a descendant of the Sky Demon Phoenix Clan, and what he was planning now was to seize the magic core from her people, and he even wanted Feng Qing'er to assist him. This contradictory situation gave Xiao Ling an indescribable sense of weirdness in his heart.

But soon, his eyes narrowed, his teeth clenched, and he put the entanglement behind him.

In order to solve Zi Yan's troubles and allow her to better utilize the effect of the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, Xiao Ling no longer cared about so many things.

For Zi Yan's sake, the Sky Demon Phoenix Clan can only suffer.

(End of this chapter)