In the neat room, the young boy on the bed slowly opened his eyes, his face reflecting a sense of bitterness and sorrow. After a long while, he gently exhaled. While Xiao Yan stared blankly at the ceiling, a surge of information suddenly flowed into his mind. He remained calm, lying in bed as the information poured into his consciousness. Only after a while did he begin to read the final assistance prepared by the medicine master before he fell asleep—this time specifically tailored for him. After carefully reading through the entire regimen, he noticed a prescription for a fifth-rank pill at the end, named Fu Ling Zi Dan. Clearly, the medicine master had been concerned that, should he fall into deep sleep, Xiao Yan’s current strength might not be sufficient to contain Hai Bo Dong. Thus, he had specially transmitted the prescription, urging Xiao Yan to gather the required ingredients over the coming year to ease Hai Bo Dong’s concerns. "Master, please rest assured," Xiao Yan said. "I will find ways to help you recover your spiritual strength as soon as possible." "This message, brimming with the elder pharmacist's care and dedication, made Xiao Yan's nose tingle and his fists tighten as he murmured softly. Taking a deep breath of the fragrant sandalwood air, Xiao Yan's heart gradually calmed, his thoughts swirling and stirring. Now that the elder pharmacist was asleep, everything rested on his own shoulders. Without the elder's backing, he lost his leverage over Haibo Dong. Though Haibo Dong carried the latent fire toxin implanted by the elder, only the elder could activate it. Now that the elder was asleep, the toxin had lost all effectiveness. As for the Fuling Zizhan Pill—a five-grade pill—Xiao Yan's current abilities were still insufficient to produce it. Thus, this final means of balancing Haibo Dong also fell silent. With these constraints gone, and should Sea Wave Dong be made aware of it, not only would the agreement for that year be forcibly nullified, but he might even demand the return of the incomplete map he currently holds—stripping it from his very hands. Though this may sound somewhat base, Xiao Yan clearly understood that cooperation typically thrived when both parties were of comparable strength. Until the old medicine master served as his safeguard, Xiao Yan had to prepare for the worst. At present, the only asset he could confidently present was the Qinglian Earth Heart Flame. Although the old medicine master had left behind the Bone Spirit Cold Flame within his ring for Xiao Yan to use, the rare Lotus of Buddha's Wrath Flame—requiring the fusion of two distinct flames—had proven daunting. After attempting it once, Xiao Yan simply lacked the courage to invoke it a second time. The first time, he had the old medicine master's protection; but what of the second? Who knows—maybe one misstep and I'll actually be blown apart by the very things I've created... Recalling the mess that had unfolded after the old doctor fell into deep sleep, Xiao Yan shook his head in growing frustration. Yet, after pondering these matters thoroughly, he firmly committed several key points to memory. First and foremost, he must never let Hai Bo Dong know that he would no longer be able to achieve the strength of a Duke-level cultivator, nor reveal that he lacked the ability to craft Fuling Purple Pills. Second, he must make every effort to locate rare, celestial treasures capable of rapidly restoring spiritual energy—only then, when the old doctor awakens again, could these latent threats be contained. With these two most urgent tasks firmly etched in his mind, Xiao Yan finally exhaled in relief, struggling to sit up and leaning gently against the back of the bed. As he placed his hands on the mattress, something cool and smooth suddenly wrapped itself around his arm. Wrapped in this cool, smooth substance, Xiao Yan was caught off guard, his heart trembling. With a sudden motion, he lifted his left hand and pulled the blanket aside. There, coiled around his arm, was a small, adorable seven-colored snake. Sensing the light, it raised its long neck, its pale purple eyes fixed steadily on Xiao Yan. After a moment, a warm, affectionate expression appeared in its gaze, and it gently rubbed its head against Xiao Yan's arm, repeatedly. Staring straight at the Sky-Devouring Python, now radiating a deeper, more vibrant hue due to its evolution, especially noticing the human-like warmth in its eyes, Xiao Yan's heavy心情—weighed down by the elder's prolonged sleep—suddenly lightened. A radiant joy surged across his face. Gently cradling the small, multicolored snake, he smiled warmly, kissed it firmly on the head, and whispered, "My dear, you've truly awakened at the perfect moment..." The elder had once mentioned that after this evolution, the multicolored Sky-Devouring Python could now match even the might of a Battle Rank Champion. Though perhaps still a step short of a Battle Rank Emperor, Xiao Yan would never forget that within the Python's body lay an even more formidable soul—the Queen Medusa! Although currently the Queen Medusa's consciousness is suppressed by the Tian-Shen Python, Xiang Yan is well aware that should the Python ever face a life-threatening situation, the formidable woman who once sealed Hai Bo Dong for several decades would break free from this suppression and forcibly take control of its body. Thus, as long as Xiang Yan nurtures a deeply intimate bond with the Python, should Hai Bo Dong suddenly turn against him or face an unavoidable fatal crisis, the Queen Medusa within the Python will become his lifeline. Reflecting on the crucial role the Python will play in his future, Xiang Yan's gaze softened, and with a gentle touch, he caressed the smooth scales of the creature. From his naga ring, he withdrew a bottle of companion purple crystal essence. Upon seeing the appearance of the crystal essence, the Tian-Shen Python's pale purple eyes instantly brightened, and its tail continuously brushed against Xiang Yan while it emitted urgent, pleading hisses. Watching the growing allure of the Purple Crystal Nectar toward this little one, Xiao Yan finally exhaled in relief, feeling a subtle sense of gratitude—had it not been for his fortunate possession of the very food that the Sky-Devouring Python particularly favored, he might have truly struggled to establish such a close bond with it. With careful precision, he used the hollow jade stick to draw a few drops of the nectar and gently poured them into the Python’s mouth. Observing its adorable, closed-eyed, contented chewing motions, Xiao Yan couldn’t help but smile. He then stored the nectar, placed the satisfied Sky-Devouring Python beside his pillow, and after a brief pause, retrieved a mild, low-grade healing pill from his storage amulet, slowly swallowing it. Closing his eyes, he felt the gentle energy spreading and dissolving within his body. Though the energy was exceptionally soothing, the nearly shattered meridians still sent waves of sharp, intermittent pains through him, causing a slight twitch at the corners of his mouth. Regarding the current fragility of the meridians, Xiao Yan shook his head with a sigh, allowing the gentle energy to fully dissipate, and gradually found himself gaining a bit more strength within his body. As Xiao Yan closed his eyes, a sudden creak of the door opening echoed through the room. Several figures, softly conversing among themselves, stepped in gently. Upon seeing Xiao Yan sitting up on the bed, they all paused, startled, before rushing over with joyful expressions. "Little Yan! You've finally awakened! You've been unconscious for five days!" Xiao Li, who had rushed in first, exclaimed with great delight. "Five days?" Xiao Yan blinked, then shook his head with a wry smile. "Still holding up, then?" Xiao Ding approached, his eyes bright with joy and a warm smile. "Still alive for now," Xiao Yan managed, offering a small smile. "Such a hidden talent! I never thought you'd actually manage to defeat the Grand Elder of Mo Family." Xiao Li patted Xiao Yan’s thigh and laughed heartily. “Hehe, that’s what Sea Master told us—though only our two brothers know this. The others haven’t been informed.” Observing Xiao Yan’s expression of surprise, Xiao Ding pointed to the elderly man behind him, who was smiling quietly, and explained. “Sea Master, thank you so much. If it weren’t for your timely rescue, I might have truly perished.” Gazing deeply at the elder behind Xiao Ding, Xiao Yan, for the first time, felt the immense pressure exerted by a Duke-level powerhouse—without the old medic as a backup, the strength of such a being was truly overwhelming. “Hehe, it was nothing at all. In fact, Xiao Yan, I must admit I’m quite impressed. The explosion you created that day—wow, absolutely astonishing.” With a warm smile, Sea Master waved his hand in thanks and raised a big thumbs-up to Xiao Yan. The admiration in his laughter was genuine, not feigned. “I was just suddenly filled with enthusiasm,” Xiao Yan said, shaking his head with a wry smile. "I know you must have been absolutely fevered back then—no normal person could have pulled off something like this," Hai Bo Dong joked, his gaze sweeping over Xiao Yan before he furrowed his brows, "Your injuries seem quite severe." "Ha, as long as I still have a breath, I can make myself tougher than a cockroach." Xiao Yan smiled calmly. "You can even possess two such things simultaneously—now that's something I don't doubt at all." Seeing Xiao Yan's calm demeanor, not overly concerned about his own injuries, Hai Bo Dong nodded slightly. Indeed, this man clearly had a solid reserve of strength. After a few polite exchanges with Hai Bo Dong, Xiao Yan turned to Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, listing several herbs and instructing them to gather them quickly. Once Xiao Ding and Xiao Li had nodded and departed, Xiao Yan turned back to Hai Bo Dong, smiled gently, and, with a look of curiosity, took out a pen and paper from his storage amulet, writing down several names that immediately conveyed their rarity. "Master Hai, this life-saving debt I no longer need to hold back with formalities. These herbs are the primary ingredients for refining the Fuling Zidan. I'm giving them to you. Whenever you happen to encounter any of them in the future, make every effort to secure them. Once I have all the necessary herbs, I'll begin refining the medicine for you." With a gentle smile, Xiao Yan handed the paper to Hai Bo Dong. "Looking at Hai Bo Dong's bold and resolute demeanor, Xiao Yan smiled and nodded, handing him several herbs from the prescription. It truly was a sound decision—both calming him and earning his trust." "Now, it's time to focus entirely on recovery. The journey to Yunlan Sect in just two months isn't far off anymore..." Leaning gently against the back of the bed, Xiao Yan murmured softly to himself.