After stepping out of the Herbalist's Guild, Xiao Yan glanced around and then strode confidently toward the aerial transport service located at the city's central district. Passing through several streets he had not been familiar with, and asking for directions along the way, it wasn't until fifteen minutes later that he finally spotted the aerial transport service standing prominently on a spacious plaza. On the plaza, several large, robust flying creatures were resting—these were known as Thick-Winged Birds. Though not classified as mythical beasts, they were genuine flying birds, known for their gentle nature and ease of domestication by humans. However, due to their relatively limited numbers, such a fleet was typically only feasible for the Empire to establish. These thick-winged birds, while not as swift as other aerial魔兽birds, excel in endurance. After a full meal, they can maintain a steady flight for nearly four to five days. Moreover, they possess remarkable carrying capacity—adult thick-winged birds can easily transport loads exceeding five to six times their own body weight over long distances. During the imperial wars, these birds would have been requisitioned by the imperial military and retained until the war concluded, after which they would return to civilian life. Thus, many of them have endured harrowing wartime experiences. ... As they entered the square, the bustling sounds surged like a flood, suddenly pouring into Xiao Yan’s ears, causing him to be momentarily stunned. The ringing in his ears persisted for several moments before he gradually regained his composure. Shaken the air vigorously, Xiao Yan looked up at the crowded square and noticed that at every thick-winged bird, a long line of people was waiting. Even by the wooden staircase beside the birds, he could see a uniformed attendant collecting ticket receipts from passengers boarding. Staring at this scene in astonishment, Xiao Yan shook his head with a wry smile after a moment, then approached a passerby to inquire about the ticketing location. Finally, he made his way to a ticket counter in the southeast corner of the square. At that moment, a long line had already formed before the counter. Seeing this, Xiao Yan had no choice but to join the line and patiently wait in silence. Throughout the waiting period, the bustling noise around him never ceased. Gently massaging his temples, Xiao Yan suddenly found himself envious of Xiao Yi Xian. Now he truly understood how convenient it was to have a flying mount—just a single bamboo whistle, and across the entire Qi Continent, you could roam freely. "Damn it. I'll definitely get a flying pet someday," Xiao Yan gritted his teeth, determinedly. "Mr. Xiao, where would you like to go?" A woman's voice broke in, asking him as he was lost in thought. "Huh?" Xiao Yan blinked, lifting his head to find that the line had now reached him. Before him, a strikingly beautiful woman in a uniform smiled professionally, inquiring about his destination. Yet, no matter how he looked at it, there was a hint of impatience in her smile. "A city near the eastern border of the Empire, close to the Tagoer Great Desert," Xiao Yan replied, glancing at the woman with a touch of mildness. Upon hearing this, the woman gave a slight pout, murmured softly a few words, then produced a ticket crafted from the special fur of a mythical beast. However, as she was about to hand it to Xiao Yan, her gaze, growing impatient with the movement, suddenly settled on the medicinal master's badge pinned to Xiao Yan's chest. At that moment, her hand froze mid-air, and under Xiao Yan's slightly furrowed brow, she swiftly withdrew the ticket as if electrified, her cheeks blooming with a sweet smile as she carefully inquired, "Sir, are you a Medicinal Master?" "Hmm... any issues?" Xiao Yan asked, frowning. "Ah, no, no," she replied with a chuckle. "According to the Empire's regulations, Medicinal Masters are entitled to free flight transport services. Therefore, please follow me—we have specially designated flying mounts reserved for Medicinal Masters." As soon as Xiao Yan nodded, the woman quickly shook her head and offered a respectful smile. Hearing this, Xiao Yan was once again taken aback. After a moment, he couldn't help but marvel—how truly noble and esteemed the position of a medicinal alchemist was! Even such a simple matter was handled so meticulously by the Empire. It was no wonder that so many people treated alchemists with deep respect and deference; the rarity and prestige of this profession far exceeded Xiao Yan's previous expectations. Under the admiring and reverent glances of those around him, Xiao Yan gently tapped his back against the Xuanzhong Chi, then followed the woman who had stepped out from the counter. Along the way, the attractive woman in uniform—whether by design or mere coincidence—walked ahead, her full hips and slender waist swaying with a vibrant, sensuous rhythm. Though her face wasn't absolutely stunning, the form-fitting uniform dress and skirt gave her a truly captivating presence that made even the most composed observer feel a subtle warmth in their abdomen. Standing behind, Xiao Yan merely glanced at her briefly before turning his gaze away. Not being particularly enthusiastic, he had no interest in pursuing any further interaction with this woman whose demeanor was notably free-spirited. After traversing a corridor, a massive beast, whose size was not much smaller than that of a thick-winged bird, came into view within Xiao Yan’s line of sight. Surveying the creature’s sturdy and imposing appearance, Xiao Yan was slightly surprised to discover that it was a flying beast. Assessing its aura, the creature appeared to be at a first-level rank, though Xiao Yan could clearly sense the flowing wind-energy surrounding it—indicating that it was a wind-type flying beast, known for its swift flight capabilities. On the beast’s back, a house constructed from a special type of wood was securely built. This wood was both lightweight and exceptionally sturdy, though it was produced in relatively limited quantities. Inside the house, there were several smaller rooms. Xiao Yan glanced briefly and noticed that two of them already had occupants, and from the robes they wore, it was clear that both were alchemists. "Sir, this is the flying beast heading toward Mo City, the eastern border city of the Gamma Empire—the city closest to the Tago尔 Desert." The woman in uniform stopped beside the flying creature and said politely. "Hmm." Nodding slightly, Xiao Yan lightly tapped his foot on the ground, and with a graceful motion, he floated onto the broad back of the giant bird, then entered a vacant room, glancing back at the lingering, somewhat resentful gaze from behind. Xiao Yan, who had never before ridden such a flying creature, naturally didn't know that, as a noble alchemist entitled to such high-level personal service, the concept of "personal attendance" was something every man would surely understand. The manner in which the woman had behaved earlier was clearly intended to make Xiao Yan choose her as a traveling attendant—yet unfortunately, Xiao Yan seemed uninterested, and thus, her heartfelt intentions were simply overlooked. With a bright, piercing cry, the flying beast surged skyward under the trainer's command, swiftly gliding toward the eastern reaches of the Empire. Seated at the window in the room, Xiao Yan gazed out at the drifting clouds, and suddenly, the words "airplane"—once distant and somewhat unfamiliar—surfaced in his memory. He shook his head with a wry smile, pushing them aside. Then, he settled into a meditative posture on the chair and gradually entered his state of cultivation. The Black Rock City was quite far from the Empire's border; even at the swift pace of this flying creature, it would take at least three full days of flight to reach it. Xiao Yan certainly didn't want to waste such precious time. As the bright daylight gradually darkened, Xiao Yan was suddenly awakened from his meditation by a series of unusual sounds. Gently opening his eyes, he noticed that the moonstone placed within the room had begun to emit a soft glow, gradually banishing the darkness outside. Exhaling a long, heavy breath, Xiao Yan looked helplessly at the room on his left, where the man's labored breathing and the woman's alluring moans poured in like a magical assault, incessantly reaching him. "Damn it..." he murmured, suddenly understanding why the woman had been constantly hovering before him today—she must have been offering this kind of service. Shaking his head in resignation, Xiao Yan couldn't continue his meditation in this state. With a sigh, he retrieved the Blood Lotus Essence, the Ice Spirit Flame Grass, and the third-tier magical core from his storage ring, placing them gently on the table. Then, he lightly tapped his dark ring, and instantly, Yao Lao drifted out of it, swaying slightly. "Now you want to prepare the Blood Lotus Pill?" Yao Lao asked, glancing at the three materials on the table. "Yes," Xiao Yan replied, "better prepare now. After all, Master once mentioned that, if one is lucky, one might unexpectedly encounter the Strange Fire at any moment." Xiao Yan smiled and nodded. Upon hearing this, the herbal elder chuckled lightly, without hesitating. He floated his form to the table, gave a slight nod, and said, "That's good. The Blood Lotus Pill is indeed a top-tier pill of fifth rank—requiring about two days to prepare. Since we now have the time, let's make the most of it..." "Fifth-rank pill?" Xiao Yan was slightly surprised. He hadn't expected the Blood Lotus Pill to reach such a level. In all of the Jia Ma Empire, perhaps only the Pill Master Guo He could produce such a pill. "Pay close attention," the elder advised. "Observing the process of crafting a high-tier pill up close will be highly beneficial to you." With that, he slowly extended his palm, and instantly, a crisp, pale flame rose gently from within it. Gazing at the dense clusters of pale flames, Xiao Yan couldn't help but lick his lips—this was indeed the异fire he had longed for ever since. With a gentle gaze upon the pale flames hovering in his palm, as they gradually rose and swelled, Yaolao exhaled softly, then tossed the third-stage magic nucleus into the flames. Thus, the refinement of the Xuelian Dan officially commenced at this lofty height.