Just as Yao Chen was lost in thought, Lin Feng spoke up, his tone rather subtle.
"Elder Yao, consider this Soul Elixir a gift from me. After all, you've helped me a great deal."
This elixir, worth at least a sixth-grade pill, was being given to him for free. Logically, Yao Chen should have been happy. However, a sense of unease rose within him. Sure enough, before he could say anything, Lin Feng continued,
"However, we need to renegotiate the price regarding the Shangyunlan Sect matter, because things have taken a slight turn!"
"Lin Feng, don't try to raise the price! Five eighth-grade pill formulas are enough to get a Dou Zun to intervene!"
Seeing Lin Feng's expression, Yao Chen's face darkened. This kid's appetite was truly growing!
"Don't be impatient, Elder Yao. In business, you can certainly negotiate. Besides, let me explain the whole story, and I'm sure you'll agree to my price then."
Lin Feng didn't care about the unfriendly tone in Yao Chen's voice. This old guy was hundreds of years old. And how could someone who had become the number one alchemist on the continent and founded the Four Directions Pavilion show his emotions so openly? He just didn't want to pay such a high price.
Unfortunately, Yao Chen, no matter how clever you are, in front of me who has the information advantage, you still have to obediently drink my foot bath water!
"Elder Yao, you may not know this, but the Yunlan Sect now has more than one Dou Zong level protector. Even the former sect master of the Yunlan Sect, Yun Shan, advanced to Dou Zong with the help of the Soul Hall protector!"
Seeing Yao Chen's expression turn truly gloomy, Lin Feng continued.
"Two Dou Zong experts, and Elder Yao doesn't want to reveal his presence, so the pressure I'm facing is truly immense! Moreover," Lin Feng paused, glancing at Yao Chen, and said in a subtle tone, "If I really make a move then, I'll be at odds with the Soul Palace from now on. These mere five Grade 8 pill formulas, heh."
"Lin Feng, kid," Yao Chen closed his eyes and pondered for a while, then opened them again, his expression becoming calm, "What do you mean? Should we help Xiao Yanzi with the three-year agreement?"
"It's simple, I mean, we need more money!"
"You dishonest brat, tell me, what do you want from me this time!"
The shrewd and experienced Yao Chen wasn't so easily fooled. At this moment, he knew perfectly well that Lin Feng was eyeing some treasure of his again.
"Ten Grade 8 pill formulas, one of which must be the one used to advance the soul to the Spirit Realm. In addition, you need the resurrection method possessed by Elder Yao!"
"What do you need the resurrection method for?"
Grade 8 pill formulas are precious, but Yao Chen already knows them by heart. Moreover, with Lin Feng's current achievements, he'll likely arrive in Zhongzhou soon. Once he joins the Pill Tower, with his talent, after passing the assessment, he'll be able to freely view these formulas.
But this resurrection method is quite interesting. Could it be...?
"Old Yao guessed correctly," Lin Feng raised his eyelids, knowing what the old fox meant. "I have an elder who is currently in the same state as you, Old Yao. Presumably, you possess a method of resurrection!"
"This kid is finally going to drink my foot-washing water. My resurrection method requires the power of three different flames. Besides Xiao Yanzi's Burning Technique, who else in this world can simultaneously control multiple different flames? At that time, this kid will be completely at my mercy."
Yao Chen's face was calm, seemingly deep in thought, but inwardly he was laughing wildly. "Moreover, this kid seems to have a friend with the Calamity Poison Body. The Poison Pill method will also require three different flames. I can really fleece this kid again. Phew, that's great!"
This was, of course, because Yao Chen saw Lin Feng's potential. A Dou Zong powerhouse under twenty years old, still in the barren Northwest Continent. If he were to reach the Central Continent in the future, even becoming a Dou Zun might not be his final destination.
Coupled with his formidable talent as an alchemist, he might even have a chance to become a giant in the Pill Tower in the future. Moreover, Yao Chen had a vague feeling that he couldn't always stay by his young disciple's side to protect his growth.
Having a powerful senior brother to protect him greatly reduced the chances of his disciple's premature death.
"Since that's the case, the payment is settled," Yao Chen said, his face grim, seemingly very unhappy about being tricked again. With a flick of his hand, five sets of scrolls flew out. "The remaining payment can be collected from me after the three-year agreement ends!"
"I naturally trust Senior Yao's reputation!"
Lin Feng thought to himself as he chuckled as he put away the five sets of pill formulas.
"That old fox is definitely plotting against me. Not only the resurrection method, but also the poison pill method, both require three different flames to succeed. And in this world, besides the Yan Clan Chief and Xiao Yan who has cultivated the Burning Technique, who else has the ability to collect three different flames at the same time? However,"
Lin Feng paused, then continued, "that old bastard Yao Chen certainly doesn't know about the Yan Clan Chief, but he's got me figured out. It's a pity, Yao Chen, you don't know that Xian'er's Calamity Poison Body has already been healed by the Netherworld Poison Fire."
"Moreover, I already have three different flames in my hands: the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame, the Netherworld Poison Fire, and the Fallen Heart Flame."
"As for that kid Xiao Yan, whether he dares to stand in front and attract the Soul Palace's firepower when he wants to collect so many different flames remains to be seen."
Thinking of this, Lin Feng and Yao Chen, the two foxes, exchanged a glance and smiled at each other. Then they felt inexplicably nauseous and quickly looked away.
"Young Lin Feng, there's only half a month left until the three-year agreement. I still won't be appearing. I have a request, and I hope you can grant it."
After reaching a deal, Lin Feng originally planned to find an excuse to get rid of this old man. However, a sentence suddenly came out of his mouth, which aroused Lin Feng's curiosity.
"Oh? Senior Yao Lao's tone is quite unusual. Please speak!"
"Xiao Yanzi has spent too much time cultivating Dou Qi, and his cultivation in alchemy is somewhat unsatisfactory."
Although Xiao Yan has reached the peak of the third-grade alchemist realm, which is already at the top of the younger generation in the Jia Ma Empire, except for Lin Feng, in the eyes of this alchemy master, it is a bit too slow.
"I would like to ask you to teach him for the next half month. After all, some things require practical experience. And in my current state, there are some things I am simply powerless to do."
This old man really thinks he is doing charity; he doesn't have that kind of time. Just as Lin Feng was about to refuse, Yao Lao, who already knew Lin Feng's nature, continued to speak.
"Lin Feng, I know you're the type who won't act until you see a tangible benefit. If you diligently teach Xiao Yanzi for half a month and provide resources to improve his alchemy skills, I'll add three more Rank 8 pill formulas to your portfolio."
Yao Chen waved his hand, and three scrolls appeared before Lin Feng, this time displaying remarkable generosity.
"Haha, I've always remembered Elder Yao's help. It's only right that I help Brother Xiao Yan. Elder Yao, you're too kind,"
Lin Feng said with a smile. If it weren't for the way he deftly put away the three Rank 8 pill formulas, Yao Chen wouldn't have shown such disdain. Of course, Lin Feng didn't care; he had a large family to support and couldn't afford to be concerned with saving face.
"Alright, now that the transaction is complete, I won't be an eyesore here!"
"Take care, Elder Yao!"
Watching Yao Chen's soul disappear, Lin Feng happily reclined on the sofa made of high-grade magical beast hide.
"Another dozen or so Grade 8 pill formulas acquired, satisfying. However, judging from that old fox Yao Chen's behavior, he has quite a few treasures. It seems I need to find something for Xiao Yan to do, otherwise how can I squeeze that old fox dry?"
Many plans flashed through Lin Feng's mind, but he ultimately ruled them out one by one.
"Fine, Xiao Yan has plenty to do, no need to add anything unnecessary. Just strengthen yourself, and that old fox Yao Chen will come knocking on your door."
"Elder Yao, your resurrection method is in hand, take a look!"
After thinking for a while, Lin Feng reached out and released the seal on a storage ring on his finger. A soul slowly floated out—it was Yao Tianhuo. As for why he sealed it, one reason was to prevent Yao Chen from discovering it; another was that regardless of Yao Tianhuo's performance in the original story, Lin Feng only truly believed in his own strength.
Of course, Yao Tianhuo also had a tacit understanding about this; after all, he was already on the pirate ship. Moreover, although he only knew a rough outline of the secrets deep within the magma, he was already completely convinced. He believed that once Lin Feng grew stronger, he might even have a sliver of a chance to enter the Transcendent Realm.
Furthermore, the old Dragon Emperor Zhu Kun was not someone to be trifled with. While Lin Feng and Zi Yan were in seclusion, he had already imprinted a restriction deep within Zhu Kun's soul. If Zhu Kun even uttered the thought of revealing the location, he would immediately explode and die.
"The body of a Dou Zong powerhouse, the body of a seventh-tier magical beast, the Bone-Growing Blood-Melting Pill, three strange flames..."
Muttering to himself, Yao Tianhuo's emotions unconsciously surged with excitement. Hundreds of years had passed; was he about to be resurrected again?!
"Hahaha, Lin Feng, if you resurrect me, I will certainly protect you from now on."
Although he had already agreed to become Lin Feng's subordinate, it was merely a temporary measure at the time, and after the incident with the old Dragon Emperor, and now possessing the method of resurrection, Yao Tianhuo's words proved his true submission.
Unaware of what was happening within the Dou Di Space, Lin Feng was overjoyed. Although he was now a Dou Zong expert, the gap in Dou Qi cultivation widened significantly at the end. With a powerful Dou Zun protecting him, the probability of his cultivation failing midway was greatly reduced.
"Hahaha, Lin Feng, it seems that as long as I obtain one more Strange Flame, my resurrection is just around the corner!"
Lin Feng smiled slightly upon hearing Yao Tianhuo's words.
"Elder Yao, we have already collected the three Strange Flames," Lin Feng said slowly, seeing Yao Tianhuo's puzzled expression, explaining about Little Fairy Doctor.
"The Calamity Poison Body... Back then, I also had a friend with the Calamity Poison Body! Unfortunately, she didn't have the luck to obtain the Netherworld Poison Flame."
Yao Tianhuo sighed, then waved his hand, sending out a set of scrolls.
"This is a sealing technique I painstakingly created to delay the outbreak of its poisonous body. I'll pass it on to you!"
Lin Feng slowly unrolled the scroll, his face lighting up with joy after only a cursory glance. Little Fairy Doctor already possessed the Netherworld Poison Fire, so she didn't need this sealing technique. However, for Lin Feng, whose primary method was the Five Elements Sealing Technique, this technique was extremely beneficial.
With this, Lin Feng was confident that the power of the Five Elements Sealing Technique could be elevated to another level. Combined with the array principles of the Five Wheels Fire Technique, "Perhaps, once I truly master it, the Five Elements Sealing Technique could be considered a high-level Earth-rank combat skill."
After calming himself down, Lin Feng said to Yaotianhuo beside him.
"Elder Yao, there's no need to rush the resurrection. The strange fire has been collected, and the blood essence of a seventh-tier magical beast is a piece of cake for me, who is already a Dou Zong."
As he said this, Lin Feng looked at Yao Tianhuo, who was listening attentively, and a thoughtful look flashed in his eyes.
"As for the Blood-Regenerating Bone-Melting Pill, with my current level of alchemy, the only thing lacking is the medicinal materials. As for the body of a Dou Zong, Elder Yao, what body can compare to your own original body?"
"What do you mean? My body has endured hundreds of years of vicissitudes, leaving only a skeleton. How could it possibly be resurrected?"
"Elder Yao need not worry. Among the pill formulas I possess, there is a seventh-grade pill that can regenerate flesh and blood in a lifeless body. When Elder Yao uses his own body to revive, his strength will surely be no less than before."
"Hahaha," Yao Tianhuo thought for a moment, then was also attracted by the scene described by Lin Feng, "In that case, I thank you, Master!"
"Elder Yao, you are too kind!"
Dawn arrived unnoticed, dispelling the terrifying darkness, and a man dressed in black with an ordinary face slowly arrived at the entrance of the Alchemist Guild headquarters. Although everyone at the entrance was discussing Master Lin Feng's alchemy yesterday and the lucky few, his mind was recalling the events of last night.
This man was none other than Xiao Yan in disguise. After Yao Chen returned yesterday, he had been protecting Xiao Yan as he continued his secluded cultivation to break through. Not long after, with the support of Lin Feng's powerful pills, Xiao Yan successfully broke through to the level of an eight-star Great Dou Master.
After a brief period of adjustment, Xiao Yan slowly opened his eyes. Before he could fully appreciate the power of an eight-star Great Dou Master, a slightly ethereal soul appeared before him.
"Teacher!"
"Little Yan!"
(End of Chapter)