Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Jin Shi slightly exhaled, glanced at Jin Gu at his side, hesitated briefly, before slowly said, "The Tian Shan Blood Pond indeed has some miraculous effects that can help individuals break through their current bottlenecks, though the probability is not very high. It primarily benefits those who have reached the peak of the Dou Huang stage for an extended period. As for your strength, I observe that you have only recently entered the nine-star level. Therefore, even if you enter the Tian Shan Blood Pond, achieving a breakthrough to Dou Zong will still present considerable challenges." Xiao Yan nodded—this was indeed a concern he had harbored. He held the Tian Shan Blood Pond in high regard, which was also the reason he had come here, risking being captured by the Feng Lei Pavilion. "Then, regarding the method Master Jin Shi mentioned?" Xiao Yan gently rubbed his fingers on the stone table, calming the agitation in his mind, and spoke softly. "The volcanic crater at the summit of Tianmu Mountain is the spot within the entire Tianmu Mountain range where energy is most concentrated, and the Tian Shan Blood Pond itself is formed by the coalescence of an immense amount of such energy. Yet this is not its most refined aspect." Jin Shi's gaze settled firmly upon the vast crater, and he spoke in a measured tone. "Each energy tidal surge may cause the majority of the energy to condense into the red liquid within the Tian Shan Blood Pond; however, a small portion settles downward and eventually infiltrates the deepest core of the pond. Though this fraction is scarce, it may have become exceptionally pure through the accumulation of time. Nevertheless, it is unfortunate that, despite its immense potential, this region is also the most intensely afflicted by fire-toxin." As he concluded, a deep sense of bitterness seemed to intensify on Jin Shi's face. "Did the fire-toxin within Senior Jin Shi's body originate precisely in that very place?" Xiao Yan's expression subtly shifted, asking. Jin Shi sighed and nodded in agreement. "Even with the strength of elders like Jin Shi, they couldn't withstand the erosion of the Tianshan fire toxin. Xiao Yan, with only nine-star Emperor-level strength, how could he possibly resist?" Xiao Yan frowned, unable to help it. "For others, it's indeed too daunting to venture deep into the Tianshan blood pool. But for you, who possesses the unique fire, this isn't such a great challenge. Though the Tianshan fire toxin clings to you like a persistent shadow, it still hasn't found any effective way to counteract the unique fire." Jin Shi smiled gently. Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan's eyebrows lifted slightly. Since entering Tianshu Mountain, he had never displayed his unique fire—how did Jin Shi know he possessed it? "My Phylax mouse clan has a particularly keen sense of smell, especially sensitive to the energy within the human body. I've seen the unique fire before, so I naturally recognize its powerful, distinctive aroma," Jin Shi said, seemingly anticipating Xiao Yan's thoughts. Xiao Yan felt a moment of clarity and said, "So the elder's intention is for me to go to the bottom of the Tian Shan Blood Pool, harness the energy there, and break through to the Battle Emperor level?" Jin Shi nodded slightly, glanced at Xiao Yan, and said, "That was the place discovered by my Golden Mouse clan. Many of my Golden Mice sacrificed themselves to open it up. Thus, it remains a secret sanctuary of ours—even the others, like Feng Qing'er, are completely unaware of it, aren't they?" Slowly crossing his fingers, Xiao Yan pondered for a while before lifting his eyes to meet Jin Shi's gaze and said, "That works, but only after I successfully emerge from the bottom of the Tian Shan Blood Pool can I assist you in expelling the poison." Jin Shi's eyes narrowed slightly, and he said slowly, "I'm not untrustworthy, but as the saying goes, 'words aren't enough.' How can I be certain, merely on your word, that you truly possess the ability to eliminate the Tian Shan Fire Poison from within my body?" "This is Tianmù Mountain, the territory of the Shījīn Shǔzú. With Jīnshí and Jīngǔ, two senior elders, stationed here, I doubt they'll believe a young lad like you can simply escape so easily," Xīo Yīn smiled. Upon hearing this, Jīnshí slightly turned his head and exchanged a glance with Jīngǔ. After a moment, he nodded gently, saying, "Then, believe in you once. I hope you'll truly fulfill your word. Should you fail to meet the conditions required by this exchange hall, don't come blaming me..." By the end of the words, a subtle tone of reservation—almost a hint of threat—was evident. Yet Xīo Yīn only smiled. Though the Tianshān Fire Toxin within Jīnshí's body was severe, it was far from impossible to eradicate. Seeing Xīo Yīn remain unopposed, Jīnshí raised his hand, and a beam of golden light swept toward him. "Below the Tianshān Blood Lake, my Shījīn Shǔzú has established a spatial mirror. You must Xiao Yan grasped it firmly, glanced at it, and was amazed to find it was a dark golden mouse skull. Nodding, he stored it in his storage relic and smiled, saying, "Then I'm truly grateful to Master Jinshi. Should I succeed in breaking through to the Sovereign Realm here, I'll take care of the Tianshan fire toxin within Master Jinshi's body." "Very well. Then you go back now—the energy tide is about to reach its peak. At that time, the Tianshan Blood Pond will rapidly replenish, and that will be the optimal moment for your breakthrough." Master Jinshi said. Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan smiled and stood up, bowing respectfully to both of them before turning and walking out of the stone pavilion toward the volcano's crater. Watching Xiao Yan's retreating figure, Master Jinshi sighed, saying, "The bottom of the Tianshan Blood Pond was only recently discovered by my golden-mouse clan. If it weren't for the fire toxin, it would greatly strengthen our clan's power. Unfortunately, now it will have to be enjoyed by a stranger." "Stop fussing. With your current strength, you've already been reduced to this state even at the bottom of that blood pool—other members of your clan would likely perish instantly the moment they descended. Though it's a treasure site, it's also a deadly hazard." Jin Gu sighed. "Though I've been plagued with fire toxicity, I've risen from a five-star to a seven-star cultivator within just ten years. That pace is several times faster than in other regions—by any measure, it's not a loss at all." Jin Shi smiled. "If it weren't for meeting Xiao Yan, you'd probably not survive past three years. As for the seventh-rank alchemists from the Central Plains region, if they were to be summoned, the cost would surely be higher than what it would take to summon him..." Jin Shi smiled and stood up, his gaze directed toward the volcanic crater, saying, "Originally, I had hoped to use the depths of that blood pool to cultivate our clan's elite warriors. But now, it seems we'll have to reconsider and plan more carefully." With those words, Jin Shi sighed, his voice carrying a hint of resentment—being able to guard such a treasure yet unable to utilize it. That, truly, was the most frustrating feeling. A white-robed man with a slightly cold demeanor in his expression scanned the crowd, finally pausing on Nalan Yanran, and chuckled. Upon hearing his words, the others' expressions flickered, yet none spoke up. As for Nalan Yanran herself, her dark brows slightly furrowed, her jade hands gently stroking the white fox in her arms, she spoke calmly, "With my current strength, reaching this point has indeed been quite difficult. However, since he has taken the trouble to bring me here, I naturally cannot simply withdraw now. Xiang Yan can make me step down willingly, but you—well, you don't believe that." "It's merely borrowing someone's strength—what's so impressive about that? To sacrifice your own ground to become someone else's prize, only to be manipulated at will—how convenient is that?" the white-robed man coldly remarked. As for the disputes unfolding in the midst, Feng Qing'er, Mu Qinglun, and the other three remained uninvolved. With their own strength, no one dared to shift the conversation onto their shoulders, so they all turned their gaze toward the volcanic crater. Hearing the sharp remarks from the robed man, Lan Yanran's delicate features instantly turned icy. A powerful surge of qi erupted from within her, and she stared at him with blazing eyes. Yet before she could act, a gentle hand lightly rested upon her fragrant shoulder, and that reassuring smile once again reached her ears. "It seems our conversation hasn't been very smooth, has it?" Upon hearing this voice, even Feng Qing'er and the others swiftly turned their gaze to the figure standing behind Lan Yanran—Xiao Yan—eyes filled with a mixture of unusual emotions. "I'll take it from here," Xiao Yan smiled gently at Lan Yanran and then stepped forward steadily, his gaze fixed on the robed man, his smile now carrying a subtle coldness. "Do you think she should step down?" When Xiao Yan appeared, the man in white's expression grew noticeably displeased, yet under everyone's watchful gaze, he could not retreat—only managed to force a cold laugh: "She never reached this point through genuine strength. Shouldn't she have given up her spot?" "Are there others who think the same?" Xiao Yan turned his head slightly, his gaze slowly sweeping across the crowd, speaking softly. Though the faint undercurrent of danger in Xiao Yan's eyes had not prompted any comment from Feng Qing'er or the others, the two remaining attendees dared not meet his gaze, and thus remained silent. "Only eight spots are available, yet we have nine people here!" The man in white, seeing this, couldn't help but draw his lips into a tight line and snapped, "Now!" Xiao Yan nodded slightly, then took a gentle step forward. A deep thunderous sound echoed, and a fleeting shadow appeared—by the time the sound faded, Xiao Yan had materialized like a ghost right before the man in white. For Xiao Yan, the bearded man had always remained vigilant. Thus, as the thunder roared, his face suddenly paled, and he swiftly retreated. Yet, just as his foot stepped back, a figure appeared like a persistent shadow, advancing with the force of wind and thunder. A fist, blazing like lightning, struck the bearded man squarely in the chest—his defenses still unprepared.