“Exchange pills for troops?”
Chi Yan almost suspected that she had misheard.
Unable to stop herself, she asked again. When she saw Mu Wanwan nod firmly, she said, “Yes. Is that possible?”
Chi Yan propped up her chin. Her fiery red hair fell beside her ears as she carefully examined Mu Wanwan from head to toe.
Only after a long while did she chuckle.
“Are you serious? You truly won’t leave with me? If you wait any longer, the forces of the dragon and witch clans will arrive, and it really will be too late.”
Mu Wanwan looked at her with slight confusion.
“Mm. I’m not leaving.”
Chi Yan swept back her hair, her tone filled with helplessness.
“Fine. Follow me.”
Mu Wanwan stood up.
Mengmeng flapped his wings behind her, waddling along on his plump little body as he followed the two women.
Although Yifa’s Xianqing Pavilion appeared newer and larger than the city’s other buildings, its interior was considerably smaller than the Xianqing Pavilions Mu Wanwan had previously visited.
Chi Yan led her into a storage room and opened a hidden compartment. She tossed several spatial pouches in front of her.
“There are many seeds inside, but they’re all mixed together. You’ll have to identify them yourself.”
Her tone was colder than before.
After throwing the seeds to Mu Wanwan, she walked to the side, crossed her legs, and sat down.
“Thank you.”
Mu Wanwan looked at her gratefully. After hesitating, she asked, “Could you first help me release the recruitment notice? I’ll begin refining pills immediately.”
Mr. Dragon had entered the inheritance grounds, and she did not know when he would return.
She still hoped to release the notice as early as possible. The more assistance that arrived, the better.
Chi Yan nodded.
“Fine. I agree. However, when I return in two hours, you must give me pills equivalent in value to a fourth-rank treasure.”
Two hours.
Mu Wanwan gritted her teeth and nodded.
As long as she focused completely on refining, she should be able to manage it.
Looking at Mu Wanwan’s still-pale face, Chi Yan regretted her words almost immediately.
When she saw Mu Wanwan take out a mediocre pill furnace and pick up the large, plump chirp beside her, she raised an eyebrow.
“What are you planning to do?”
Mu Wanwan looked up at her.
“I’m going to have Mengmeng supplement the pill flame.”
“Chirp! Chirp, chirp~”
Chi Yan: “…”
“What in the world?”
Since when could a titmouse breathe fire?
Was he a titmouse born with a fire-attribute talent?
“Do whatever you like.”
Chi Yan stared into Mengmeng’s black eyes for two seconds before turning and leaving.
She needed to inform her master and the approaching demon forces that Mu Wanwan had decided to remain behind.
…
The door closed.
Mu Wanwan handed the pill furnace to the increasingly intelligent Mengmeng and asked him to maintain the pill flame. She then opened the carelessly stored spatial pouches and took out the seeds inside.
There were not many varieties of pills that she usually refined.
Most were pills needed by the dragon and chirp in her family. Since she also possessed very few pill recipes, she had only attempted to refine a small number of low-ranking and function-specific pills.
As a result, she was still unfamiliar with many spirit plants.
The seeds Chi Yan had brought out were extraordinarily varied.
In addition to the plants commonly found throughout the dragon territories, there were seeds from the sea and even several plant varieties from the Demon Realm.
Mu Wanwan took a deep breath.
She stared at the seeds before her, which had only been crudely separated into piles according to rank, and tightly gripped the little dragon horn glowing faintly around her neck.
Her wood-attribute spiritual energy and spiritual sense spread out, enveloping the room.
They resembled threads glowing with green light. Working together, they rapidly separated the seeds according to rank and effect while removing every damaged seed that had already lost its vitality.
She needed to refine enough pills and recruit sufficient forces as quickly as possible.
Streams of green light interwoven with her spiritual sense.
Using an almost absurdly extravagant method, she rapidly stimulated the seeds into growing.
Even after Chi Yan reached the place from which messages were transmitted, she still had not entirely recovered from her surprise.
She had not expected Mu Wanwan to remain behind.
She had assumed that all humans were like that person and cared only for themselves.
The image of a refined, handsome face suddenly flashed through her mind.
Strands of fierce flame spilled from Chi Yan’s palms as though releasing anger that had nowhere else to go. The silent flames leaked from the cracks in her palms, and she gave a somewhat self-mocking smile.
Now, it seemed that perhaps not every human was the same.
At the very least, Mu Wanwan was not.
The Dragon Lord was truly fortunate to have found a lover who refused to abandon him.
Chi Yan’s face turned cold.
She stopped recalling those decayed memories from the distant past and quickly transmitted the message.
Leng An replied almost immediately.
“Senior Sister, Uncle Mo Teng and Eldest Senior Brother have already joined the demon forces. I’ll pass the message to them now. They should reach Yifa by tomorrow night at the latest.”
Chi Yan raised an eyebrow but was not particularly surprised.
When their master had first spoken to her, he had instructed her to respect Mu Wanwan’s decision.
After thinking for a moment, Chi Yan also published the notice recruiting forces in exchange for pills.
Then, after further consideration, she added another line:
**The pills possess the ability to alleviate curses.**
The two sides had already openly fallen out. There was no longer any reason to maintain vague pretences.
Mu Wanwan and the Dragon Lord’s location had already been exposed. They might as well reveal everything completely.
After all, there were far too few people on the continent willing to oppose the dragon and witch clans.
Although the witch clan had long been infamous throughout the continent and the Azure Dragons were arrogant and domineering, most people merely ignored their actions.
Simply offering pills might not be enough to convince anyone to risk their lives.
But after adding that final line, many desperate individuals suffering from curses might be willing to come.
At the very least, some of Yifa’s demons would be tempted.
Chi Yan contacted several more people.
Estimating that the allotted time had passed, she returned towards the room where Mu Wanwan was refining pills.
Before she even reached the door, Chi Yan smelled a medicinal fragrance that soothed much of her irritation.
With her cultivation, she could clearly sense that these were merely fourth-rank pills.
Surprise flashed through her eyes.
If a fourth-rank pill alone could produce such an excellent effect, it was no wonder her master had taken an interest in the girl’s talent.
*Click.*
A faint noise sounded.
Chi Yan watched the door open a narrow crack.
In the next moment, a small porcelain bottle floated through the gap, supported by spiritual energy, and stopped before her.
There was another *click*, and the door closed again.
Chi Yan: “…”
She carefully opened the bottle.
Three fourth-rank pills lay quietly inside.
Chi Yan chuckled.
Three pills whose effects far surpassed ordinary fourth-rank pills in only two hours.
That was genuinely impressive.
Chi Yan stored the pills away. After thinking for a moment, she took out some spirit stones from her spatial pouch and gently pushed them through the gap beneath the door.
Three fourth-rank pills were excessive as payment.
She would supplement the difference with spirit stones, then keep one pill to serve as bait for the desperate demons.
…
As soon as the Xianqing Pavilion’s notice spread, Jiu Qing and Uncle Chen immediately departed with the demons willing to accompany them.
Before entering the Demon Realm, the journey was tolerable, and the temperature remained relatively comfortable.
However, once they crossed into the Demon Realm, the environment became dreadful.
Yifa was located near the Abyss at the edge of the continent.
By taking a route behind the demon territories, they could avoid the most prosperous areas of the Demon Realm and enter Yifa directly.
However, the extreme climate at the continent’s border was nearly unbearable.
The moisture in the air froze into sharp blades of ice beneath the low temperature. Carried by the fierce winds that swept past from time to time, they struck the spiritual-energy barriers surrounding the beastfolk and demons.
The snow fell heavily.
If they paused for even a short time, they risked being frozen in place.
The furry demons fared somewhat better, since their coats offered at least a little protection against the cold.
However, the demons who possessed strong combat abilities but weak physical endurance suffered terribly.
Aunt Hua nestled on Uncle Chen’s back after he transformed into his beast form. The leaves of her original form trembled from the cold. Even while using a large amount of spiritual energy to protect herself, she still felt frozen.
Jiu Qing was also in poor condition.
She had remained weak since losing two of her tails. Although she had not suffered any particularly severe or fatal injuries, her resistance to the cold had diminished considerably.
If even they were struggling, the weaker demons were suffering far more.
For various reasons, not everyone in the group had originally volunteered to come.
A considerable number had only decided to accompany Jiu Qing after learning that pills could be obtained in Yifa.
Many among them were afflicted by curses, while others had been poisoned with gu.
Their situations resembled those Uncle Zong and Aunt Yun had once faced.
They had nearly exhausted their fortunes and possessed no other options.
Although they did not wish to offend the dragon and witch clans, continued delay would only lead to death.
Gritting their teeth, they chose to risk everything and travel to Yifa.
Their bodies had already been weakened by their conditions.
Travelling through this vast, frozen demon territory was therefore extraordinarily painful.
“How about this?”
Mo Teng, accompanied by another special lifeform, was walking at the front of the group.
After observing the condition of the demons behind him, he said, “Everyone, climb onto me.”
As he spoke, his body rapidly expanded.
Enormous vines extended outwards, wrapping around the furry demons and half-demons who were nearly unable to continue.
The thick vines coiled together to form a large green “house.” Mo Teng released some of his spiritual energy and sealed every gap in its walls.
His current appearance was rather peculiar.
He resembled a treant dragging a house behind him.
“Thank you, Uncle Teng.”
Jiu Qing tightened her clothing around herself. Ice crystals clung to her beautiful face.
“Why don’t you go inside as well?” Aunt Hua asked, watching Jiu Qing tremble from the cold.
Jiu Qing shook her head and stubbornly answered, “I’m fine.”
She was now the ruler of the demon tribes.
It would be inappropriate to appear so weak before her people.
Besides, if word reached home, that tailless Wu Jin might mock her.
A fluffy nine-tailed fox would never admit defeat!
“…”
Aunt Hua could not be bothered arguing with her. She covered her leaves and curled back into herself.
Neither Uncle Zong nor Aunt Yun had accompanied them this time.
One had suffered severe injuries, while the other had not yet recovered her third-rank cultivation. Both still needed proper rest.
Before the group departed, they had even imitated human customs and written an excessively sentimental letter for Aunt Hua to deliver.
Hopefully, everything would proceed smoothly.
Aunt Hua looked at the grey sky and sighed.
…
Meanwhile, as the news continued to spread, countless desperate humans, demons, and even members of other races began considering whether they should travel to Yifa.
The Undersea Merfolk Kingdom
First Prince Hai Xize reclined against his bed.
Terrifying curse marks covered half his face, and his once-beautiful platinum-blond hair had become dull and lifeless.
Hai Jiu leaned beside the bed.
“Brother, are you truly going?”
“Mm.”
Hai Xize stroked his younger sister’s long hair.
“Hai Ren is going anyway, so I’ll ask him to take me. Your brother has already become like this. I’m willing to try any opportunity.”
As he spoke, he clenched his other hand.
The surrounding seawater formed a small whirlpool.
“Then I’m going too.”
Hai Jiu bit her pearly teeth.
“I’m going with you!”
Hai Xize froze.
“What would you go for? Remain here beneath the sea.”
Hai Jiu shook her head, unwillingness flashing through her eyes.
“Brother, you were cursed by a creature from the Abyss because you were protecting our people. I need to accompany you and take care of you.”
Hai Xize was somewhat moved.
“Your brother doesn’t need you to look after him.”
Hai Ren stood nearby with his arms crossed, watching Hai Jiu coax Hai Xize until he was completely persuaded.
He silently sighed.
How was Jiu’er going in order to care for him?
She merely wanted an adventure and to see what the Dragon Lord’s pill-refining wife looked like—and how that woman could possibly have surpassed her.
When Hai Jiu had failed to recognise Mu Wanwan and the Dragon Lord during their previous visit, she had been delighted by the excellent effects of their pills.
But when she learned that Mu Wanwan now intended to use pills to recruit troops, she had mocked her endlessly in front of Hai Ren.
“The dragon’s wife certainly can’t be an accomplished alchemist. She definitely isn’t as talented as the mermaid I met while pretending to be the Pavilion Master.”
Jiu’er had not stopped to consider how there could coincidentally be two people who both refined pills, purchased information regarding the dragon and witch clans, and intended to travel to Yifa.
His younger sister was genuinely too innocent and wilful.
Her obsession with certain matters was, to put it bluntly, no different from a child who had never grown up.
Perhaps taking her along and allowing her to experience the world would not be entirely bad.
Hai Ren watched Hai Xize, the hopelessly indulgent older brother who had already been completely persuaded, and sighed helplessly.
…
A Small Town in the Demon Realm
A tall, bull-headed demon furiously slammed his fist onto an elf’s stall.
“Feng, why are you closing your stall from tomorrow onwards?!”
The bull-headed demon was angry.
He had only recently found a reasonably priced stall selling delicious Shasha Fruits that could quench his thirst and improve his poor appetite.
Yet now, the stall was suddenly closing.
His voice was deafening.
A gust of foul-smelling air sprayed from his mouth and blew the elf’s long hair into disarray.
The elf appeared accustomed to it. His expression did not change.
He extended a hand that looked slender compared to the demon’s claw and pushed it away.
“An old acquaintance needs help.”
He raised his eyes slightly, revealing pale-blue irises.
The skin surrounding them was perfectly clean, without any ugly birthmarks.
The bull-headed demon continued complaining.
Feng simply stuffed the remaining Shasha Fruits into his hands.
“Give me three demon coins.”
Noticing that the elf seemed displeased, the bull-headed demon finally paid and left.
After all, the stallholder was not someone to provoke.
The elf had arrived in the town half a month earlier, yet his strength already surpassed that of the town’s most powerful female demon.
Feng calmly packed his belongings and silently pushed his cart back towards his home at the edge of town.
“You’re leaving?”
A female demon’s voice came from the doorway.
Feng turned and faced her two heads, each wearing a different expression, then nodded.
The demon crouched.
One head was filled with sadness, while the other wore a faint, indifferent smile.
“Will we meet again?”
Feng opened the door.
“If I survive, I’ll return when the Curled Blue Flowers bloom again.”
The female demon seemed to recall something.
She shook her heads and threw him a beautiful stone-shaped sweet.
The sorrowful head spoke.
“Take it.”
“Thank you.”
Feng caught it and thanked her.
The demon shook both heads before leaving.
Feng held the sweet in his hand and walked naturally into the courtyard.
A small stone monument stood at its edge.
The elf bent down and stroked its rough surface.
“Lan’er, your brother is leaving.”
Guilt filled his eyes.
“If only I hadn’t taken you away from the capital back then.”
She might never have transformed or grown stronger, but perhaps she would not have died.
Lan’er might still be alive and well.
And he would not have chosen to fall completely and become a dark elf.
But it was already too late for everything.
“Do you remember the older sister who bought our vegetables?”
Feng took out a silver coin stained with blood that could no longer be washed away.
“She’s in danger. Your brother is going to help her, so I have to leave.”
“If I have the chance, I’ll return to visit you.”
Feng buried the silver coin in the soil and forced a faint smile.
**Author’s Note:**
Little Angel Readers, holding a knife against Trashy Mu’s neck: “Why isn’t the chapter five thousand words long?!”
Trashy Mu began cooing like a pigeon:
“Coo, coo, coo.”
**Nomad: Noooooooo! I was looking forward to seeing them again and hoping their previous appearance wouldn’t be their only one. How can Lan’er be dead?! TT
This author really has a habit of killing off little sisters. First Uncle Tie’s sister, and now our poor little Lan’er.
*Holds the author hostage.* Quick, bring her back!!**
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