After identifying the guardian beast hidden within the deep pool, Xiao Yan scanned the surroundings before silently retreating nearly nine hundred meters, then selecting a spot with favorable wind direction leading toward the pool. From his storage seal, he withdrew a tree, its body a clear icy blue, about half a foot in height. At the tree's summit rested a blue fruit the size of a clenched fist. As soon as this fruit appeared, the surrounding air grew noticeably moist, and a powerful surge of water-based energy flowed out like a tide. This tree was known as the Water-Drunk Cloud Immortal Tree, and the fruit on it was called the Water-Cloud Fruit. The fruit contained an exceptionally dense concentration of water energy, exerting a compelling attraction—almost fatal—on certain water-type beasts. Due to the immense energy within, the fruit produced a unique essence known as the "drunken nectar," which was remarkably potent. Even when consumed by a seven-tiered beast, this nectar would gradually induce a state of drowsiness, eventually leading to a state of dormancy. What Xiao Yan truly needed was the wine-juice contained within the Shui-Zui Yun Immortal Tree. "Ah, for the sake of obtaining the elixir of spiritual essence, I'll have to part with this...," Xiao Yan carefully buried the tree beneath the ground, deliberately arranging the surrounding soil to match, so that from a distance it appeared as though the tree had always grown there. The burial site was some distance away from the deep pool, as Xiao Yan knew that a seventh-rank beast already possessed considerable intelligence. If a treasure of such significance suddenly appeared beside it, the creature would surely raise suspicion. Though the distance was not close, Xiao Yan was confident that the beast would eventually be drawn out—his personal observation of the wine-juice's appeal to aquatic beasts had been firsthand. After burying the water-spirited cloud immortal, Xiao Yan moved swiftly, leaping onto a towering tree, his body concealed among the lush foliage. Through the gaps in the branches, he gazed steadily at the tranquil deep pond, his aura now completely withdrawn. As Xiao Yan grew still, the forest itself grew profoundly quiet. The pond remained utterly motionless—no ripple stirred its surface. "Hush…." Another nearly hour had passed, and suddenly, in the otherwise quiet forest, a delicate sound of rippling water emerged. At that instant, the eyes of Xiao Yan, which had been slightly closed, snapped open, and his gaze instantly shifted toward the deep pool. There, ripples began to spread out from the pool's surface. "It's finally time to make its move..." Xiao Yan chuckled softly, a touch of excitement stirring within him. With his current strength, confronting this Xuan Shui Tiger-Jelly was no great challenge—but the current location wasn't ideal for a prolonged battle. Should any other beasts be drawn in, things could quickly turn complicated. As the ripples on the pool's surface grew in number, a powerful presence gradually came into focus within Xiao Yan's awareness. "Indeed, a seventh-rank Xuan Shui Tiger-Jelly," he noted, raising a brow at the sensation. "Plash... plash..." Not long after that breath appeared, a dark silhouette suddenly burst from the deep pool, sending ripples of water cascading in its wake. This creature, though not particularly large—only about two meters in height—was covered entirely in blue scales, intricately patterned like tiger stripes, exuding a fierce aura. Its massive, sharp maw gleamed with a cold radiance, and its pair of piercing, serpentine eyes continuously scanned the surroundings. Upon seeing this emerging Xuan Shui Hu Jiao, Xiao Yan nodded slightly. Though modest in size, once it entered battle mode, it could swell to a hundred meters in height, and a single tail swipe would send the entire mountain soaring. For some reason, this Xuan Shui Hu Jiao had not yet transformed into human form. Its several long tendrils swayed continuously. After a while, its gaze shifted toward the forest—where Xiao Yan had planted the Shui Yi Yun Xian Tree. This Xuan Shui Tiger-Jelly clearly demonstrated great caution. Even though it detected an irresistible aroma, it did not show any signs of urgency. After hesitating briefly before the deep pool, it suddenly opened its massive maw, expelling a beam of blue light that instantly transformed into an energy shield, encasing the large stone containing the Dan Ling Jiang within. Only after establishing this protective layer did it flick its tail, launching itself through the air and swiftly moving toward the forest. Observing its careful demeanor, Xiao Yan was momentarily struck by surprise—indeed, a seventh-rank beast, its intelligence far surpassed that of ordinary creatures. As the Xuan Shui Tiger-Jelly entered the forest, following the subtle fragrance, it wandered for a while before finally locating the Water Soothing Cloud Immortal Tree that Xiao Yan had buried in a somewhat secluded spot. When it saw this Cloud Immortal Tree, a surge of deeply human-like joy flashed across the dragon's eyes. Yet surprisingly, instead of immediately attacking, the dragon waved its tail, and suddenly, a delicate blue water curtain swiftly expanded outward in all directions from its center. Observing this maneuver, Xiao Yan was slightly startled, and with a subtle mental focus, his soul energy quietly surged forth, fully enveloping the dragon's body. As his soul energy completely wrapped the dragon, the water curtain passed gently over its form, though no further disturbances were caused. After expanding nearly a hundred meters, the water curtain gradually slowed and then vanished into numerous wisps of mist. After a thorough inspection, the dragon finally felt at ease. It opened its massive jaws, sending a water curtain to fully enclose the Cloud Immortal Tree, which it then swallowed whole. With a tail flick, it drifted gracefully back toward the deep pool. Xiao Yan, hidden among the branches, chuckled softly upon seeing this person finally speak. With a subtle flick of his finger, he gestured. As Xiao Yan moved his finger, the water cloud fruit, wrapped in the water mist, trembled slightly and then gradually split open, releasing streams of juice that dripped down slowly. The sudden rupture of the water cloud fruit caught the Xuan Shui Tiger Dragon's attention. It paused momentarily, then suddenly grasped the meaning. A brilliant blue light surged forth from within its body. "Boom!" The light had barely emerged when it abruptly ceased. The Xuan Shui Tiger Dragon's body crashed to the ground, a rich, intoxicating fragrance spreading out from within. "Whoosh!" As soon as the Xuanshui Tiger-Jelly touched the ground, Xiao Yan knew the effects of the Shuiyun Fruit had taken hold. With a sudden movement, he launched himself like a flash from the tall tree, appearing on the massive stone within a few flickers. He then delivered a powerful punch, shattering the water curtain. With his fingers curled together, he shaped the flames into sharp spines, piercing the stone and forcefully excavating the hollow section. Xiao Yan's expectations had not been misplaced. Not long after he had escaped the deep pool, a thunderous roar erupted, shaking the very heavens and earth—so powerful that even from a distance, Xiao Yan could still hear the ground trembling, clearly the Pyro-Whale Dragon Tiger unleashing its fury. For this, Xiao Yan could only quietly smile to himself and hasten his departure, swiftly leaving this tumultuous area. Deep within the grand hall constructed of massive stones, there lay a vast open courtyard. At this moment, the courtyard was filled with countless medicinal herbs arranged neatly and orderly. Should Xu Xiao and his companions arrive here, they would undoubtedly be stunned—each item on display would be enough to draw the admiration of many alchemists. Yet here, these items were as common as cabbage. "What's all the fuss about? Wait until I've had my fill and find someone—I'll take you out of here. Don't worry, it's not exactly breaking space; that's my specialty..." The petite figure mumbled while eating, clearly dissatisfied with the big man's concern.