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High in the sky, Qian Renhan concealed his presence and aura with Dou Qi, while his spiritual sense swept across the entire Jia Ma Holy City. Aside from the most magnificent Jia Ma Imperial Palace, three other equally massive and lavish mansions stood out, each with distinct architectural styles. These were the estates of the three great clans of the Jia Ma Empire.
Qian Renhan was searching for one of them—the Nalan Clan. The reason was simple: the Nalan Clan possessed the Seven Illusion Blue Spirit Saliva, a rare item capable of restoring spiritual power. Back then, Xiao Yan had assumed the alias "Yan Xiao" and approached the clan just to obtain this item to treat Yao Lao.
Qian Renhan intended to use it as a bargaining chip to trade with Yao Chen—for knowledge of the Dou Qi Continent, rare medicinal ingredients, and heavenly treasures.
Even if Yao Chen were awake now, his soul power would be only a fraction of its original strength—barely one-tenth. After all, he had once been the publicly acknowledged top alchemist on the continent. How could his soul strength be anything less than Heaven Grade? And a Heaven Grade soul was fully capable of resisting a Dou Zun-level expert. However, Yao Lao's current displayed strength was only at the level of a Dou Zong.
Moreover, while observing a group of Dou Shi and Da Dou Shi besieging a lion-like beast, Qian Renhan noticed something surprising—their so-called Xuan-rank techniques, like the Wind Spirit Split-Mind Sword and the Green Wood Sword Art, were actually comparable in power to the first move of his Asura Sword Technique: Annihilation. This realization left him speechless.
It suggested that his Asura Sword Technique was likely just at the Xuan-rank level. So, what rank was his Tianming Skill then? On the Dou Qi Continent, the most sought-after things were cultivation methods and Dou Techniques. Just a token of goodwill could be a clever ploy to reap major benefits. And Yao Lao was no fool.
Inside the Nalan residence, an old man with a shriveled face, thin frame, and mostly blackened skin sat on a chair, his expression full of suffering. His hair was completely white—at a glance, it was obvious he had been poisoned.
Soon, a middle-aged man dressed in luxurious robes hurried into the room.
The elder asked, "Su'er, what's the matter?"
The middle-aged man replied angrily, "Father, that girl Yanyan ran off to the Xiao family to annul her engagement!"
The old man leapt to his feet in fury and shouted, "What?! Why didn't you stop that foolish girl? Of all times to go annul the engagement, she chose now—after Xiao Yan has been a cripple for three years? Once word gets out, what will people think of our Nalan Clan? They'll say we despised Xiao Yan for becoming a good-for-nothing and decided he wasn't worthy of our clan! Do you realize how much damage this will do to our reputation?!"
The middle-aged man responded with a bitter expression, "Father, Yanyan acted on her own—I had no idea. By the time I heard the news, she was already on her way to the Xiao household!"
"What?!"
Upon hearing this, the old man clutched his chest as if poison had reached his heart. His eyes rolled back, and he collapsed to the ground.
"Father!"
"Father!"
The middle-aged man cried out in alarm.
"I can save him."
Startled, the middle-aged man turned around and saw Qian Renhan floating in mid-air. His face paled in shock. "A Dou Zong expert!"
"Junior Nalan Su greets Senior!"
With his white hair and the aura everyone assumed belonged to a Dou Zong-level cultivator, Qian Renhan easily gave off the impression of being a powerful elder with exceptional longevity—much like Yun Shan.
Qian Renhan gave a slight nod and said, "His Dou Qi has scattered, and the poison is attacking his heart. He likely has no more than three years left—unless treated by an alchemist with a Heavenly Flame. Otherwise, in the entire Jia Ma Empire, I may be his only hope."
"Please save my father, Senior. The Nalan Clan is willing to pay any price," Nalan Su said respectfully. He truly believed Qian Renhan wouldn't lie—after all, the title "Dou Zong" spoke for itself.
Qian Renhan replied, "I want a map—as detailed and large as possible—one million gold coins, and the Seven Illusion Blue Spirit Saliva."
The gold coins of the Dou Qi Continent were made of the same material as the Gold Soul Coins of the Douluo World. However, Qian Renhan's soul tool only stored Gold Soul Coin cards, and not many of those either. After all, this soul tool was a relic from the ancient Douluo era, and its storage capacity was limited. Who carries around physical cash when cards are available?
"As you command, Senior."
Nalan Su immediately hurried off to make the preparations. For that price, hiring a Dou Zong expert was a bargain. Nalan Jie, the elder in question, was a Dou Wang-level powerhouse, one of the top ten experts in the Jia Ma Empire, and also its Lionheart Marshal—the true pillar of the Nalan Clan. Even if it cost half their fortune, saving him would be worth it.
As Qian Renhan watched Nalan Su's retreating figure, he couldn't help but feel like a country bumpkin had just entered the big city. He knew the price he asked was too low, but there was no going back—he had already spoken.
Stretching out his hand, Qian Renhan channeled his Dou Qi and pressed his palm onto Nalan Jie's back. The fabric beneath his palm was instantly burned away, revealing a dry, blackened body.
Dark Dou Qi surged as Nalan Jie suddenly opened his eyes. His entire body seemed frozen, an icy chill pierced straight into his mind like ten thousand needles stabbing through his body, causing him to scream out in pain involuntarily.
Qian Renhan's power as a Fallen Angel represented the ultimate darkness of the Douluo World—a force entirely opposite to flame. Because of this, he possessed the ability to devour the branded poison within Nalan Jie's body.
Moments later, Qian Renhan extended his hand and drew in a mass of pitch-black venom, along with the majority of Nalan Jie's Dou Qi. It was absorbed into his own body, then refined into pure energy and stored in his dantian.
"Thank you, Senior, for expelling the poison. I, Nalan Jie, am endlessly grateful."
Though weak, Nalan Jie clasped his fists and expressed his heartfelt thanks. The pained cries from earlier had drawn Nalan Su to the scene, and he had already informed Nalan Jie of what had transpired.
Qian Renhan gave a slight nod and turned his gaze to Nalan Su. Understanding the silent command, Nalan Su waved his hand, and several graceful maids entered, each carrying a silk-covered tray. Upon them were a variety of medicinal herbs and several gold coin cards.
Nalan Su respectfully introduced, "Senior, here is a card containing ten million gold coins, the Seven Illusion Blue Spirit Saliva, and the Snow-Pearl White Lotus Goji."
Inwardly, Nalan Jie praised Nalan Su's foresight. The items presented were worth nearly half of the Nalan Clan's entire wealth. But as long as they could form ties with a Dou Zong powerhouse, what did it matter?
Nalan Jie also respectfully added, "Senior, I know these trifles are nothing in your esteemed eyes. For someone like me to receive your personal aid is a blessing brought upon by generations of virtue. The price of a Dou Zong's intervention would exceed even the entire Nalan Clan—please, accept these humble tokens."
"Where there are people, there will be strife. Open conflict, hidden battles, currying favor, and power struggles..." Qian Renhan mused inwardly. Though only 25 years old and having spent most of his time cultivating, he had still served as a pope for several years. How could he not see through the Nalan Clan's intentions?
"No need. I'll only take the payment I originally asked for."
Hearing this, the father and son exchanged a glance, disappointment flashing in their eyes. But they did not press the matter and respectfully complied.
"Senior," Nalan Jie reminded, "though the Seven Illusion Blue Spirit Saliva can be stored in a Na Ring, it must be exposed to sunlight for at least one hour daily. Otherwise, it will wither on its own. Please be sure to remember this."
Qian Renhan nodded slightly. After accepting the Seven Illusion Blue Spirit Saliva, the map detailing the Jia Ma Empire's territory extending into the Black-Corner Region, and the one million gold coin card, he stepped forward—and vanished from the Nalan estate, flying swiftly in the direction of Wu Tan City.
(End of Chapter)