Staring at the elderly figure vanishing into the warped space, Xiao Yan slowly exhaled, finally freeing himself from this old master. Yet, judging by his demeanor, it seemed he wasn't ready to part so easily—future encounters would undoubtedly escalate into a true life-or-death battle. On the ground, upon seeing Master Mu Gu depart, the bear-like warrior, towering like a great tower, emitted a cold sigh and began to shrink rapidly. Within mere moments, he once again transformed into the sturdy man Xiao Yan had first encountered. Watching Bear Zhang return to his human form, Xiao Yan gently descended from the sky, setting down Zǐ Yán and bowing slightly to him. "Thank you so much, Brother Bear Zhang," he said. "Hey, big guy—he's someone I'm very close to. Calling you 'brother' is quite a compliment, and he's actually an Eighth-Rank Alchemist. Just imagine, whenever he wants, he can whip up a pill and present it to you as a gift—then you'll be in for a real treat." Ziyan, standing by, flashed two small虎teeth and gestured vigorously at Xiong Zhan, who was bristling with arms outstretched. She knew Xiong Zhan's temperament well—he often ignored strangers entirely—and she didn't want Xiao Yan to be looked down upon by this rugged man. Upon hearing Xiao Yan's openness, Xiong Zhan was once again taken aback, yet a rare sense of goodwill stirred within him. While everyone else sought to highlight their own merits, Xiao Yan had chosen to voluntarily reveal his current rank—a trait that pleased the straightforward and sincere Xiong Zhan. "However, I am currently searching for certain items. If I gather them all, perhaps by the time I leave this Dan Realm, I'll reach the eighth rank." Seeing that Xiong Zhan didn't display any disdain at his self-disclosure, Xiao Yan likewise developed a growing sense of appreciation for him. He then smoothly shifted the tone, smiling and saying, "Should I eventually attain the eighth rank, whenever Bear Zhan brother has any needs, just come to me. As long as I can assist, I will surely do so." "Ha ha, excellent! I'll remember that. When you truly reach the eighth rank of alchemist, I'm certain I'll personally come to you to seek your help." Hearing this, Xiong Zhan couldn't help but burst into laughter—his laughter resonated like thunder, echoing through the air. "Everyone, Xiao Yan needs to pass this Dan Festival, and it's said he'll need some task items too. Since you've got so many things here, why not take a look? It'd be a waste to keep them all around." Zi Yan grasped Xiao Yan's sleeve, said this to Cong Zhan, then turned and didn't look back, swiftly pulling Xiao Yan toward the summit. Seeing this, Cong Zhan opened his mouth, only to sigh—this young lady truly wasn't easy to manage. Zi Yan stepped forward first, casually waving her small hand. At once, the two seemingly fierce high-tier beast-wyrms emitted soft, mournful murmurs and quickly retreated, tailing behind, feeling a deep, innate pressure emanating from Zi Yan—so profound that they had no desire to resist at all. Observing this scene, Xiao Yan found himself pondering. These two beasts were both at the seventh stage, no weaker than the玄water tiger-jay he had previously encountered. Yet before Zi Yan, they appeared so remarkably subdued. Clearly, this girl must come from a significant lineage. Following Zi Yan swiftly through the stone hall, passing several corridors, they eventually reached the spacious courtyard within the grand hall. As Xiao Yan's feet just stepped onto the plaza, a rich, almost viscous aroma of herbs surged directly toward him, forcing him to sneeze violently. He then lifted his head and gazed at the dense array of medicinal plants spread across the plaza, his face instantly going blank with astonishment. Zi Yan smiled warmly and nodded. "Take whatever you like from here—just bring everything when you go. After all, that big one is also leaving, so staying here is really a gift to others." As soon as Zi Yan finished speaking, the bear-like warrior who had just entered stumbled slightly, his mouth twitching. Zi Yan was absolutely right—after all, they were all heading out of this place. Yet even with that thought, Bear Zhang felt his heart bleeding. "If you need anything, just pick what you like. When you leave, just leave a little behind for us," Bear Zhang said, firmly rubbing his massive hands, his expression calm and composed. Watching Bear Zhang's demeanor, Xiao Yan couldn't help but chuckle softly and said, "You're being too generous, Brother Bear Zhang. All these things here are yours. The fact that you're lending us any at all is already a great favor. How could you possibly take anything from us?" "Oh, he only asked for a little bit," Zi Yan said, laughing. "It's no problem, right?" "As she spoke, Zi Yan suddenly turned her head, a brilliant purple glow flashing across her water-clear eyes. Unlike usual, this glow seemed to take on a serpentine, dragon-like form. Upon seeing that dragon-shaped purple aura, Xiong Zhan's sturdy frame trembled subtly, a deep, ancestral pressure radiating from his bloodline making him feel as though his blood were boiling. 'This... is the pressure of the Primordial Dragon?' a look of astonishment flashed across his eyes. His straight posture now subtly bent, and he quickly smiled, saying, 'Indeed, yes! Miss Xiao Yan is absolutely right. Go ahead, take as much as you like, Brother Xiao Xiang. If you take less, that will be a sign of disrespect—then I'll definitely be furious!'” Xiao Yan opened his mouth, feeling both amused and a bit helpless—this Bear Zhang was truly interesting. With a sigh of resignation, he nodded. Then his eyes suddenly caught the one beside him, Zi Yan, who was chuckling and smiling at him. He gently tapped her smooth forehead with his fingertip. He knew that Bear Zhang’s sudden change must have something to do with her. "Since Brother Bear Zhang has said that, then I won’t be so polite anymore. Right now, I truly do need several things..." However, since Bear Zhang had already gone so far, Xiao Yan didn’t feel he could say much more. He bowed slightly and then carefully stepped through the square, carefully scanning each plant among the rare herbs piled high, searching for what he needed. The herbs gathered on this plaza represent nearly the entire collection of the Ten-Thousand-Herb Mountain Range. With their sheer variety, they leave anyone dazzled and overwhelmed. Even though Xiao Yan possessed a strong aptitude for identifying herbs, it still took him nearly half an hour to locate just three. Long-Core Nine-Leaf Rhizome... Magic-Blood Spirit Fruit Juice... Ascension Grass... These three were precisely the herbs assigned for Xiao Yan’s current mission. Yet here, at this very spot, he had successfully collected all three. Thus, his mission had been completed effortlessly and with remarkable ease. Holding the three rare herbs in his hands, even Xiao Yan himself could not help but feel momentarily stunned. He then smiled faintly, shaking his head—perhaps he was the most successful mission-completer since the beginning of the records. With these three items now stored in his jade talisman, Xiao Yan once again focused his mind upon the plaza. At this moment, what he needed most was a rare medicinal ingredient known as Tianma Feishi Jing—a substance essential for harmonizing the earth's core soul essence. As soon as he found this ingredient, he would be able to fully harmonize the earth's core soul essence, enabling his soul to undergo a true transformation and ultimately attain the legendary spiritual realm, thereby opening the door to the eighth rank. Xiao Yan's gaze moved slowly and steadily across the plaza, and as time passed under the pace of his careful inspection, it swiftly slipped away—within moments, an hour had passed. During this time, Xiong Zhan had grown impatient and turned out of the stone pavilion, leaving Zi Yan seated on the stone steps, her small hands resting on her cheek, gazing at Xiao Yan's back, occasionally yawned. Yet Xiao Yan's steps remained unhurried throughout, even as time flowed on. To identify the herbs accurately required full concentration, for many of them bore remarkably similar appearances; without careful attention, it would indeed be difficult to distinguish them.