Chapter 144: Mysterious Black Fragment

Xiao Yan detected a suspicious yet familiar figure with his enhanced Spiritual Perception.

If it weren't for his Spiritual Strength advancing by another level, given the distance and the figure's concealment abilities, he wouldn't have been able to detect him.

Shaking his head helplessly, Xiao Yan quietly opened the window, unfolded his Eagle Wings, enveloped himself with Spiritual Strength to prevent being sensed, and silently flew into the air.

At that moment, in an inn a kilometer away, a mysterious figure was secretly observing Xiao Yan's every move from afar.

The figure was entirely wrapped in a pitch-black robe. He slightly raised his head, and the moonlight revealed a swarthy, aged face.

This person was none other than Ling Ying, whom Xun Er had dispatched to 'protect' Xiao Yan.

"How has this kid's Spiritual Strength cultivation improved so quickly?"

"Sigh, to monitor a little Dou Grandmaster kid, I have to stay so far away to avoid being detected. Looks like I'm really getting old." Ling Ying gazed from afar. He didn't even dare to get close to eavesdrop on Xiao Yan's conversations.

"Old Ling is still robust and vigorous. How could you be considered old?"

! ! ! ! ! !

Suddenly, a voice came from above the inn. Ling Ying's scalp instantly went numb because he recognized whose voice it was!

'How is this possible!! I didn't even notice!!' Ling Ying was going crazy! He had been monitoring Xiao Yan all along. Although he couldn't get too close, his peak Dou Emperor strength allowed him to sense things from very far away.

Yet, even at such a distance, Xiao Yan not only discovered him but also stealthily approached without him noticing—even when the other party was right above the inn!

Xiao Yan's voice, infused with Spiritual Strength, drifted over: "Old Ling, would you mind coming up for a chat?"

Ling Ying suddenly felt a bit aggrieved. He had flown all the way from Jia Nan Academy to Jia Ma Sacred City. Even as a peak Dou Emperor, it had still taken him two days to arrive.

He hadn't even been monitoring Xiao Yan for two days, and he had already been discovered! How frustrating!

He now didn't even know how he was going to explain this to Xun Er.

Bracing himself, Ling Ying transformed into a shadow and appeared on the inn's rooftop, where he saw the black-eyed, black-haired youth waiting with a smile.

Ling Ying felt a chill in his heart upon seeing that smiling expression and hurriedly said, "Young Master Xiao Yan, this was my own idea and has nothing to do with the Young Miss."

Xiao Yan let out a chuckle and said, "Old Ling, you're really not good at lying, are you? I didn't even say anything, yet you've already confessed."

Clearly, an elite Dou Emperor like Ling Ying might not have lied more than a handful of times in his entire life.

"Old Ling, don't be so nervous. I'm not here to make a fuss. I'm actually glad that Xun Er is concerned about my safety. Although I don't like being monitored, if it can put Xun Er's mind at ease, Old Ling can continue to follow me until I complete the duel with Nalan Yanran."

"After the duel, Old Ling can return to report my safety, and help me deliver a letter to Xun Er. Once the duel is over and I've settled my clan affairs, I'll soon return to Jia Nan Academy to advance to the Inner Academy with her, so she doesn't need to worry about me," Xiao Yan said softly with a gentle smile.

Ling Ying wore a wry smile. He was a dignified peak Dou Emperor, the strongest Dou Emperor of the Gu Clan! And you want me to be a messenger pigeon?!

Nodding helplessly, Ling Ying said, "I understand, Young Master Xiao Yan. Your Spiritual Strength is truly formidable. You managed to detect me even at such a great distance."

After briefly inquiring about Xun Er's recent situation, Xiao Yan returned to his room with peace of mind. He also informed Ling Ying that he would be visiting the Alchemist Association the next day.

As soon as he entered his room, the expression on Xiao Yan's face became solemn. 'Fortunately, my Spiritual State has improved. Otherwise, if Ling Ying discovered that I was searching for the Hall of Souls, it might bring unnecessary trouble.'

Back when he was in Wu Tan City, Hun Huzi had come looking for something and had always deliberately avoided Xun Er, all because of the faction behind her.

According to Xiao Yan's speculation, the Hun Clan to which Hun Huzi belonged likely had a competitive relationship with Xun Er's clan; both sides were vying for something.

'I'll slowly search for the Hall of Souls after completing the duel with Nalan Yanran.'

Xiao Yan had deliberately told Ling Ying that he would return after the duel to make him leave first. If he directly drove Ling Ying away, it might arouse suspicion.

…

Xiao Yan left his room early the next morning. In any case, he had to at least put on a show for Ling Ying to see.

"Little Yan, heading out so early?" The bare-chested Nalan Jie was exercising and working up a sweat in the courtyard.

After a few days of recuperation, his body had recovered a lot; he had gained some muscle and no longer looked emaciated.

Xiao Yan nodded and said, "Mm, I want to refine a pill, but I need some hard-to-find medicinal ingredients. So today, I plan to visit the headquarters of the Alchemist Association to see if I can find them, and perhaps pick up some good items."

Nalan Jie wiped his sweat and said, "Alright. By the way, I've already spoken to the Alchemist Association. In a few days, there will be an internal test. If you're interested in participating in the Alchemist Grand Meeting, you can go directly to the Alchemist Association for an internal test. If you pass, you can directly enter the final elimination stage."

"Got it."

Leaving the Nalan Mansion, at the intersection of several streets in Jia Ma Sacred City, an extremely large building shrouded all year round in a faint mist of pill fragrance stood there.

The two grand, ancient words 'Alchemist Association,' written in flamboyant strokes, glowed with a faint silver light, causing passersby to involuntarily cast reverent gazes toward it.

As the headquarters of the Alchemist Association in the Jia Ma Empire, even the emperor himself would have to show respect upon arriving here. After all, the power wielded by the residents of this building was enough to shake the entire empire. They belonged to the most esteemed profession on the Dou Qi Continent.

Alchemists, who were rarely seen on ordinary days, could be found everywhere here. Their robes of various colors proudly proclaimed their tiers.

Xiao Yan even saw several 4th-tier alchemists accompanied by their apprentices, though each of these 4th-tier alchemists was a white-haired elder.

Fortunately, the Alchemist Association wasn't just a gathering place for alchemists; it was also a marketplace where alchemists set up stalls. So ordinary people in need of pills could enter to make purchases.

Stepping into the grand entrance of the Alchemist Association, a rich fragrance of medicinal pills wafted over, causing one to involuntarily take a light breath and feel refreshed.

Thump!!!

The moment Xiao Yan stepped into the Alchemist Association, his heart suddenly pounded, and a throbbing sensation emanated from the depths of his soul.

"What is this feeling!?"

"The Soul Command Token? No, this isn't the Soul Command Token."

A mysterious heartbeat spread throughout his entire body. It was the first time in his life that he felt such a unique sensation!

Following the guidance of this sensation, Xiao Yan walked to a very secluded corner, where a skinny, somewhat wretched-looking man was setting up a stall to sell his wares.

On the stall were scattered various worthless medicinal ingredients. Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes and looked at an inconspicuous, black, broken jade fragment placed at the edge of the stone platform.