"Drip... drip..." The countless droplets of essence poured down from the sky, landing on the plaza with a crisp, rain-like sound. Though not quite considered true pills, these droplets were formed from refined energy and offered notable benefits when consumed. Suspended in the sky, Xiao Yan's eyes, even with his exceptional composure, sparkled with exhilaration. He had heard of essence rain and the emergence of high-grade pills, but had never witnessed such a phenomenon firsthand. "It... it actually worked!" Receiving one of the droplets in his hand, Xiao Yan's fingers trembled slightly. The outcome was far beyond his expectations—despite his current capabilities, the success rate for producing a ninth-rank pill had never exceeded forty percent! However, when it came down to the actual alchemy process, there was indeed a certain element of luck involved. It was rare—indeed uncommon—that a single pill should contain the energy of four immature pills. Each of the four immature pills possessed distinct medicinal properties. Although, after Xiao Yi's purification, most of their medicinal forces had been transformed into refined energy, some residual properties remained. These subtle properties, carried along with the energy, blended into the energy of Xiao Xiang's one immature pill, interacting and merging with one another. Combined with the intense refining power of the Jinglian Demon Fire, unexpected, subtle transformations emerged. Remarkably, these changes seemed to precisely compensate for certain imperfections within the immature pills, ultimately leading to the successful alchemy. The series of fortunate coincidences—if any one of them had failed—might have resulted in even Xiao Xiang absorbing the energy of three immature pills, yet still ending in failure. Yet, life has no 'if'. The world pays no heed to such empty hypotheticals; all they have truly witnessed is that Xiao Yan has actually succeeded in crafting a Nine-Rank Xuandan—a Nine-Rank Xuandan that no one had managed to produce in over several centuries—now appearing once again right before their very eyes. When the sky was aglow with thunderous clouds, the vast cauldron—stretching hundreds of zhang in height—shuddered suddenly, then surged upward with a brilliant column of light. Within that column, a luminous orb resembling a fetus or an egg could be faintly discerned. The colossal beam of light pierced directly into the thunderclouds, visible to all, instantly causing the clouds to surge and ripple violently. Waves of dark lightning, like roaring black serpents, swarmed around the beam, densely coiling and crashing down upon the luminous orb within. "Boom! Boom! Boom!" Under the thunderous impact, the entire mountain of herbs trembled, resonating with an unceasing, deafening roar. Xiao Yan stared anxiously at the luminous orb embryo, battered by the thunderous blasts across the sky. Within that orb lay the ninth-rank Xuandan—only after enduring this lightning ordeal would it fully break free and emerge. No one outside could assist; even Xiao Yan himself could only watch helplessly. Unlike ordinary pills, a ninth-rank Xuandan required the power of the lightning itself to achieve complete perfection, as the force of the thunder transformed it from within. Under Xiao Yan's tense gaze, the luminous orb within the light column not only remained unbroken but grew even more radiant, with black streaks of lightning continuously flickering across its surface. "Crack...” The intense barrage continued for nearly a dozen minutes before gradually easing. At that moment, as the thunder waned, a subtle crackling sound suddenly emerged from within the egg. Everyone's attention snapped to the egg, their eyes fixed upon it. A fine crack suddenly spread across its surface. "Crack! Crack! Crack!" As the first crack appeared, it triggered a chain reaction, causing more and more cracks to form across the egg. Faint beams of light seeped through the fissures, making the egg appear as though it were studded with glowing needles. "Boom!" As the cracks gradually climbed up the egg, a sudden black lightning surged from the sky, crashing down hard upon the egg. Instantly, the cracks rapidly expanded, and finally, with a powerful boom, the egg exploded. At the very moment of the explosion, an extraordinary aroma of medicine filled the sky, swirling and coalescing into the shapes of various herbs, spreading throughout the heavens in a most unusual manner. "Whoa!" Just as the onlookers were stunned by this celestial phenomenon, a brilliant streak of light suddenly flashed into the sky, then surged forward like a lightning bolt, swiftly racing toward beyond the medicinal mountain. Behind its form, a rich, dense fragrance of pills flowed out, so thick and tangible it seemed solid. "A Nine-Rank Xuandan!" "It's fleeing!" "As the light and shadow appeared, the entire mountain erupted into excitement. Countless people suddenly rose to their feet, their eyes blazing with fervor, fixed on the luminous figure in the sky. Deep within their gazes burned a hunger—under the allure of the ninth-rank spiritual elixir, few could remain composed. A massive energy palm, carrying intense wind pressure, suddenly descended from the sky, crashing hard upon the shimmering light. The force of the palm dispersed the radiance across the figure's surface, and as the glow faded, a trembling, bare silhouette emerged clearly before everyone's eyes. The woman had long, flowing black hair and a delicate, graceful frame. Her large, beautiful eyes, filled with fear, gazed at Xiao Yan with a pathetically tender expression, evoking a strong sense of protective instinct among the onlookers. "Just emerging into the world, and already employing such a method to bewitch others—indeed, a Nine-Rank Phoenix Pill, no exaggeration," Xiao Yan remarked, his gaze fixed upon the beautiful woman revealed in her bare form. He smiled gently and continued, "Pills don't have a gender; thus, this appearance must have been newly formed just a moment ago." Upon hearing Xiao Yan's words, the woman, who had been radiating such delicate vulnerability, was startled and quickly stepped back, her form retreating with urgency. Xiao Yan stepped forward, instantly appearing before the woman. With a swift finger tip that flashed like lightning, he pressed it onto her forehead, and at once a soul seal emerged. As the seal formed, the woman's body trembled, then gradually became translucent, transforming into a round pill the size of a dragon's eye, radiating various fragrances throughout its form. Xiao Yan retrieved a jade bottle from his storage amulet, set several layers of soul seals upon it, and then carefully placed the ninth-rank immortal pill inside. The man within possessed an exceptionally vast energy reserve, though he lacked the knowledge to harness it effectively—otherwise, even Xiao Yan would have found it difficult to capture him so easily. As Xiao Yan stored the pills in his storage relic, many people below expressed disappointment, yet he paid them no heed, turning instead to gaze at Houn Xuizi, who was still engaged in fierce combat with the Northern King. A smile played on his lips as he waved his hand, and the Northern King withdrew, hovering beside him with a calm, indifferent expression. "Godfar Elder waved his hand, and the green sea of flames in the sky instantly transformed into a stalk of medicinal herb, settling into his hands. He turned to Xiao Yan, smiling. "This disciple of Yado's truly is exceptional. I should have known this earlier—back then, I simply let Yuo Wan Gui wander about unchecked..." Hearing these words, the numerous Yado elders exchanged complex glances, each silently sighing. Even with their pride, such moments could no longer be ignored. "Yado Clan Head, Xiao Yan still has one more matter to request today," Xiao Yan said, glancing at the elder before turning to the foremost Yado Clan Head, Yado Dan, and bowing respectfully. "I already know what you wish to say," Yado Dan replied, his expression equally thoughtful. He took a deep breath and looked toward the elder, saying, "Given today's events, perhaps you are truly the most outstanding talent among the Yado clan. Then, let the ancestral stele bear your name." "Thank you, Yado Clan Head." "The old pharmacist's hands trembled slightly—after a lifetime of striving, his lifelong dream had finally come true today. Even with his unwavering composure, his heart surged with indescribable excitement." "Ah, Pharmacist Dan, I also have a request for you today," said Houn Xushi, who had just exhaled in relief, suddenly speaking with an oddly composed expression. "Hmm?" Pharmacist Dan's brow furrowed slightly, his gaze fixed on Houn Xushi's face, a subtle sense of alertness rising within him. "Go on," said Houn Xushi, his smile growing more peculiar. He licked his lips, and the words that followed caused a wave of sudden shock across the entire Pharmacist clan. "I would like to temporarily borrow the Tu She Ancient Emperor's Jade from the Pharmacist clan!"