Chapter 296: Dou Ling Pill, Mo Ya
The next morning, as the first rays of sunlight shone down from the horizon, the quiet Black Emperor City became bustling again.
Last night, fearing that the Heavenly Snake Mansion's Great Elder would notice something, Qing Lin didn't stay long to talk with Mo Yu. However, their brief conversation allowed Mo Yu to get a general understanding of her current situation.
The fact that the Heavenly Snake Mansion was forcing Qing Lin to marry the son of their leader greatly displeased Mo Yu. There was no way he would agree to such a thing. However, since the Heavenly Snake Mansion was a dominant force in the northwest continent, and the Great Elder was a powerful two-star Dou Zong (Dou Ancestor), Mo Yu didn't act rashly. He planned to find an opportune moment to both free Qing Lin from the forced marriage and perhaps even take over the powerful Heavenly Snake Mansion.
As these thoughts crossed his mind, Mo Yu rubbed his chin, lost in deep contemplation…
Two days passed by quietly. During this time, though Qing Lin learned from Mo Yu about the strength of his Yuan Mansion, the two didn't meet privately again to avoid unnecessary complications. Meanwhile, Mo Yu patiently waited for the Black Emperor Sect's chief alchemist, Qi Shan, to finish his closed-door alchemy session. Finally, on the morning of the third day, a servant from the Black Emperor Sect arrived to inform him that Qi Shan had emerged from seclusion.
"Oh, the Black Emperor Sect's chief alchemist has finally finished his retreat. Time to get started on my task," Mo Yu said with a stretch.
Behind him, the Yao brothers followed closely. Yao Da spoke respectfully, "Master, have you noticed how much busier the Black Emperor City has been recently? I've heard that many of the strong people coming here are all seeking out Qi Shan."
Hearing this, Mo Yu raised an eyebrow in surprise. "What? Is Qi Shan such a hot commodity that so many people are looking for him?"
Although Qi Shan was a renowned sixth-tier alchemist with great standing in the Black-Corner Region, he wasn't the only one of that rank. In fact, Han Feng's alchemy skills were undoubtedly superior. So, Yao Da's words piqued Mo Yu's curiosity—was there something more going on?
"Heh, Master, it's not just because they want his alchemy services. Most of these powerful people are here for something else," Yao Da said with a smile.
"What could that be?" Mo Yu asked.
"I've heard that during Qi Shan's recent alchemy retreat, he successfully crafted several highly sought-after pills. These pills are irresistible to any Dou Wang (Dou King) expert."
"Oh? What kind of pills?" Mo Yu's interest was sparked.
"The Dou Ling Pills!" Yao Da and his brothers answered, their faces lighting up with excitement.
"Dou Ling Pills?" Upon hearing this, Mo Yu raised his eyebrows, and a strange gleam flashed in his eyes.
It was the Dou Ling Pill!
This pill, though a peak fifth-tier elixir, could surpass even some sixth-tier pills in its effects. Its main purpose was to allow a Dou Wang expert to increase their strength by one full star without any side effects.
For a Dou Wang, advancing by one star typically required years of effort, unless they were prodigies like Mo Yu or Xiao Yan. The Dou Ling Pill could save years of work with just one dose. Its allure for Dou Wang experts was obvious.
No wonder the Black Emperor City had become so lively. The news of the Dou Ling Pill must have sent waves throughout the Black-Corner Region, attracting Dou Wang experts from all over.
Moreover, this pill was particularly suitable for Mo Yu at the moment. Ever since he depleted the energy from the Profound Thunder contained in the Godly Seal, his cultivation had noticeably slowed down without its assistance, something that had frustrated him.
He had grown used to rapid progress, and now, being forced to slow down felt unbearable.
The Dou Ling Pill, with its power to increase a Dou Wang's strength by one star, immediately piqued Mo Yu's interest. Not only would it help compensate for the loss of the Profound Thunder's energy, but Mo Yu also had a special artifact in mind.
In Mo Yu's possession was a treasure called the Glazed Treasure Urn, a support-type artifact. While it didn't offer any offensive capabilities, its effects were extraordinary. If a pill were placed inside the urn, it could significantly amplify the pill's potency, even doubling its effects!
This meant that one Dou Ling Pill, after being enhanced by the Glazed Treasure Urn, would be equivalent to two Dou Ling Pills!
Normally, a Dou Wang could only take one Dou Ling Pill in their lifetime to increase their strength by one star. However, the enhanced version of the pill wouldn't have this limitation.
Mo Yu calculated that by taking a Dou Ling Pill enhanced by the urn, he could likely gain two stars and reach the level of a seven-star Dou Wang!
A seven-star Dou Wang, combined with Mo Yu's deep foundation and formidable strength, would be more than capable of holding his own against, or even defeating, low-tier Dou Huang (Dou Emperor) experts.
A smile tugged at Mo Yu's lips as he said, "Well, we can't miss this opportunity. Let's go check it out."
With that, Mo Yu opened the door and headed toward the Black Emperor Pavilion's grand hall, followed closely by the Yao brothers.
After about ten minutes, the four of them arrived at their destination.
As they entered the vast, square-like hall of the Black Emperor Pavilion, Mo Yu silently admired the sheer size and grandeur of the place. The Black Emperor Sect truly knew how to impress.
The hall was bustling with people. Groups of powerful individuals sat together, most of them sitting with their respective factions, while others, who preferred to keep to themselves, sat alone. These solo experts were usually quite strong and known for their unpredictable tempers—cross them, and violence could erupt at any moment.
Mo Yu also noticed that the vast majority of people in the hall were Dou Wang experts. Hidden behind their gazes was a barely concealed heat, no doubt due to the Dou Ling Pill.
Seeing this, Mo Yu couldn't help but shake his head and smile. He hadn't fully realized the Dou Ling Pill's massive appeal until now. Xiao Yan, in the original story, had such mastery over pill-making that he made the Dou Ling Pill seem as common as water. However, Mo Yu, being a weapon refiner and not proficient in alchemy, could now appreciate the true value of such pills.
"Perhaps it's time for Yuan Mansion to recruit a high-level alchemist," Mo Yu mused. Though he excelled in weapon forging, it was becoming clear how essential alchemy was for power growth.
His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a brawl breaking out in the hall. Shouts and cheers echoed as onlookers enjoyed the commotion.
Shaking his head again, Mo Yu sighed. The Black-Corner Region really doesn't know peace.
Shortly after entering the hall, a graceful maid approached them. After respectfully verifying their identity, she smiled and guided them to their accommodations.
The Black Emperor Pavilion was vast, capable of housing a thousand people. Rooms were divided into three categories: Heaven, Earth, and Human. Mo Yu and his group, due to their status, were assigned to the most luxurious Heaven-level accommodations.
Seeing this, many people in the hall were surprised and curious. The Heaven-level area was reserved for only the most powerful factions or figures in the Black-Corner Region. For Mo Yu, who appeared so young, to be granted such a place sparked much speculation about his background.
Ignoring the curious and scrutinizing gazes, Mo Yu remained calm. As long as he had a quiet place to work on his tasks, the level of his accommodations didn't matter much.
After weaving through the lively hall, Mo Yu found a table near a window, where a breeze from the lush forest outside helped muffle the noise around them.
Just as they sat down, a maid promptly brought over tea. The Black Emperor Sect's hospitality was flawless. They clearly went to great lengths to impress the powerful individuals who had gathered here from all corners of the Black-Corner Region.
As Mo Yu sipped his tea, his thoughts wandered back to Qing Lin. He wondered if she would be attending the event.
As if responding to his thoughts, a tall, graceful figure in a green robe appeared in the hall.
The woman had an exquisitely beautiful face, a full and shapely figure, and her emerald-green eyes exuded a captivating, enchanting aura.
Instantly, many eyes in the hall were drawn to her.
Seeing her alluring appearance and unique, otherworldly aura, many of the men's eyes lit up with desire and lust.
"Hmph!"
At this, the white-haired elder behind Qing Lin let out a cold snort. Instantly, the temperature in the hall seemed to drop, and a chilling aura swept through the space.
"Dou Zong!"
Sensing the elder's power, the faces of everyone in the hall changed drastically. No one had expected this elder, who looked like a mere servant, to be a Dou Zong powerhouse!
Those who had been eyeing Qing Lin greedily quickly withdrew their gazes, understanding that it was unwise to provoke someone they couldn't afford to offend.
"Hehe, Great Elder Bai Han, Miss Qing Lin, what an honor to have you both here at our Black Emperor Sect," a voice suddenly rang out.
A white blur flashed, and a white-robed man appeared in the hall.
The newcomer looked young, perhaps around 26 or 27. His white robes were spotless, and his graceful demeanor gave him an air of elegance. He had a handsome face with a hint of femininity.
As soon as this man appeared, he immediately became the center of attention. People in the hall whispered among themselves, surprised by his presence.
"Isn't that Mo Ya, the young master of the Black Emperor Sect?"
"Even he's come out. I've heard that Mo Ya, despite being under 30, has already reached the level of a six-star Dou Huang (Dou Emperor). Even some of the elders in the sect can't match his strength."
"He's a terrifyingly talented individual. It's said that the sect has high hopes for him. He might very well reach the Dou Zong (Dou Ancestor) stage."
Hearing the whispers around him, Mo Yu, who had been sipping his tea, glanced at Mo Ya, his interest piqued.
Mo Ya's talent was remarkable, second only to Xiao Yan. To reach the six-star Dou Huang level at such a young age was indeed impressive.
However, after a brief observation, Mo Yu quickly lost interest. While Mo Ya's talent was noteworthy in the Black-Corner Region and even on the northwest continent, in the grander scheme of things, particularly in the Central Plains, it wasn't as remarkable. There were geniuses in the ancient clans and first-tier sects who far surpassed him.
Satisfied with his assessment, Mo Yu turned his attention back to Qing Lin.
She was much more captivating than Mo Ya's display of power.
After years apart, Qing Lin had shed her youthful innocence and was now blossoming into a beautiful, mature woman.
As Mo Yu discreetly observed her, Qing Lin, who had just entered the hall, began scanning the room, as if searching for something.
When her eyes landed on Mo Yu, who was leisurely sipping his tea, her emerald eyes brightened, and a smile spread across her face. Just as she took a step toward him, Mo Ya's voice rang out again.
"Miss Qing Lin, this must be your first time at our Black Emperor Sect. I'm Mo Ya, the young master. Why don't I show you around?" Mo Ya offered with a polite smile, though his eyes betrayed a fiery interest.
Being the young master of the Black Emperor Sect, Mo Ya was well aware of Qing Lin's background and power. The more he learned, the more fascinated he became with her.
A woman this exceptional could only be worthy of him.
"I must have her," he thought to himself.
Qing Lin's face darkened with annoyance at being interrupted. "No need. I have someone I need to accompany," she replied coldly.
With that, she stepped forward and, under the gaze of everyone present, headed toward the section of the hall reserved for the highest-ranking guests.
Rejected, Mo Ya's face turned grim, his eyes becoming cold and calculating.
Beside him, the white-haired elder, Bai Han, narrowed his eyes as he looked in the direction Qing Lin was heading.
There, sitting calmly, was a silver-eyed youth.
(End of Chapter)
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