"Thank you, Miss Wu Xuan!" Tang Yan cupped his hands in thanks.

With their previous cooperation as a foundation, signing the contract went swiftly. Afterward, Wu Xuan smiled charmingly. "Young Master Tang, it is a pleasure working with you. Should you wish to collaborate on Pills in the future, the doors of the Myriad Pill Pavilion will always be open to you."

"I certainly will." Looking at Wu Xuan, Tang Yan felt somewhat curious about her identity.

Logically speaking, an Alchemist in the Yun City Myriad Pill Pavilion did not hold much authority. Yet, the jade token Wu Xuan gave him allowed the withdrawal of fifty million taels of silver from any Myriad Pill Pavilion. Such a generous gesture was likely something even Ge Ming could not offer so readily.

Throughout their negotiations, Wu Xuan's demeanor was steady and dignified, as if her decisions could fully represent the entire Myriad Pill Pavilion.

Her status within the Myriad Pill Pavilion might actually be higher than Ge Ming's!

"Does Young Master Tang have the time? We could share a few cups of wine," Wu Xuan asked with a smile.

"I am leaving Yun City tomorrow, and there are still many matters left unresolved." Tang Yan smiled and declined. "There will be ample time ahead. Let us catch up another day."

"There will be opportunities." A meaningful glint flashed through Wu Xuan's eyes.

After taking his leave from the Myriad Pill Pavilion, Tang Yan breathed a sigh of relief. He had paved the way for the Tang Family's future. Now, all he needed to do was refine more Pills to aid Old Master Tang and Uncle Mo in their cultivation.

After sweeping through the medicinal herb shops in Yun City, Tang Yan hurried back to the Tang Family and immediately threw himself into his Pill room.

After checking the types of medicinal herbs he currently possessed and considering his own strength, Tang Yan decided to refine the Spiritburst Pill.

Compared to the High Spirit Pill, this Pill was far more difficult to refine, as its grade reached the Third Rank High Grade. Had it not been for Tang Yan's seasoned experience, it would be extremely difficult to succeed.

Early the next morning, Tang Yan collected the refined Pills and smoothly stored his Pill Cauldron into the Spatial Spirit Ring.

Just as he stepped out of the room, he saw Tang Ling standing at his door, waiting once again.

"Grandfather." Tang Yan's nose tingled slightly.

"Ha, a man's ambitions should span the world; it is time for you to go out and temper yourself!" Patting Tang Yan's shoulder, Tang Ling's eyes were also somewhat red.

Tang Yan took a deep breath. Handing over the prepared porcelain bottle, he said, "This is the Spiritburst Pill. It is quite suitable for your current cultivation, Grandfather. You can take one every twenty days."

"Good! Good!" Old Master Tang solemnly tucked it away.

The two walked shoulder to shoulder toward the main gates. Along the way, the old man constantly reminded Tang Yan of what to watch out for while traveling, his imposing bearing as a clan patriarch entirely gone. In this moment, Tang Ling was nothing more than a nagging old man.

When they reached the Tang Family's main gates, Tang Yan discovered that the entire family was already waiting for him.

"Eldest Young Master, do your best!" Uncle Mo said, his face full of affection.

"I will, everyone can rest assured!" Tang Yan was moved.

"Go on, it's getting late!" Tang Ling led over a Green-Maned Horse.

Tang Yan mounted the horse in one smooth motion and spurred it forward at a gallop.

At a distant intersection, he suddenly turned his head. He could still faintly make out a blurry figure...

Arriving at the City Lord's Manor, Lin Dongxue was already prepared. Seeing the beauty dressed in a crisp black martial outfit, Tang Yan's eyes lit up.

"Alright, it's getting late. Set off!" Lin Xiao waved his hand.

"Is Dongxue going alone?" Seeing that only Lin Dongxue was holding the reins of a sorrel horse while Lin Xiao showed no intention of traveling, Tang Yan asked curiously.

"The Liu Family has just been destroyed, leaving everything in chaos. I must stay behind to hold the fort. You two go on ahead." Lin Xiao gave Tang Yan a deep look. "I entrust Dongxue to you!"

"Rest assured, Lord Lin. I will protect Miss Lin's safety with my life!" Tang Yan promised solemnly.

Lin Xiao laughed heartily. Patting Tang Yan's shoulder, he declared, "Travel with peace of mind! As long as the City Lord's Manor stands, the Tang Family will stand."

The two men exchanged their promises and shared a knowing smile.

Tang Yan led Lin Dongxue, and they quickly set off toward Fang City.

Two days later, they arrived at Fang City.

Upon reaching the City Lord's Manor, Tang Yan guided Lin Dongxue inside. As the champion of the Eastern Region Grand Competition, Tang Yan was no stranger to the people here. Once he produced his Token, the guards at the gates immediately led them in.

Entering the main hall, Tang Yan took a closer look and realized the others had already arrived.

Although there was still half an hour until the agreed time, the two of them were the last to arrive.

"My apologies, we are late," Tang Yan cupped his hands.

"The two of you had to travel from far-off Yun City. Making it before the agreed time is an achievement in itself; how could it be considered late? Since everyone is here, let us not delay any further and head to the Azure Dragon Academy together," Mo Bin said with a smile.

Seeing no objections, Mo Bin let out a sharp whistle toward the sky. Several crisp cries echoed from afar as three dark silhouettes swooped down.

"These are Azure Cranes. They serve as transport and are exceedingly fast," Mo Bin introduced as the three Azure Cranes landed.

Looking at the cranes, whose feathers were a pure, flawless pale cyan, the group could not help but marvel.

"Everyone, get on. Tang Yan will ride with me. Wan Fei and Lin Dongxue will share one, and you two will take the last." After making the quick assignments, Mo Bin was the first to leap onto an Azure Crane.

With its wings fully spread, the Azure Crane measured five meters in length. Accommodating two people was by no means cramped.

Once everyone was seated, Mo Bin cupped his hands toward the group below. "City Lord Fang, thank you for your hospitality these past few days. Farewell!"

"Elder Mo, whenever you visit the Eastern Region again, feel free to stop by my Fang City. Safe travels!" Fang Wentian replied, his face beaming.

After a few pleasantries, Mo Bin issued another whistle. The three Azure Cranes obeyed, spreading their wings and soaring rapidly into the sky.

In the blink of an eye, they reached an altitude of a hundred meters. Despite their tremendous speed, the flight was incredibly smooth, without the slightest discomfort.

"Elder Mo, how long will we have to fly to reach the Azure Dragon Academy?" Tang Yan asked curiously.

"The Azure Dragon Academy is located in the Imperial Domain. It will take at least two days of flight," Mo Bin said with a faint smile.

Tang Yan was secretly startled. The Azure Cranes were incredibly fast, and flying at high altitudes meant they could travel in a straight line without any detours. Even at such speeds, it would still take two days?

"How difficult is the Azure Dragon Academy's selection?" Tang Yan asked next.

"The Eastern Region is merely a remote corner of the Tingxiang Kingdom. Across the entire Tingxiang Kingdom, there are countless places similar to the Eastern Region. The number of people qualifying for this selection is at least fifty thousand. In the end, at most eight thousand will be able to remain."

Hearing Mo Bin's words, a flash of shock appeared in Tang Yan's eyes. Out of fifty thousand prodigies, after layers of elimination, only eight thousand would be left? The Azure Dragon Academy's selection standards were high indeed.

Because they were sharing an Azure Crane, the two conversed frequently.

As an Elder of the Azure Dragon Academy, Mo Bin had seen countless talents. Tang Yan revealed an extraordinary depth in both his speech and knowledge, possessing a bearing that could rival even the scions of top-tier aristocratic clans.

For a youth from a small family to be this outstanding, he must have put in effort far surpassing that of ordinary people.

"What a promising young man." Looking at Tang Yan seated beside him, Mo Bin sighed in his heart.

Two days passed in the blink of an eye.

On the evening of the second day, the Azure Cranes flew over a dense forest.

Mo Bin suddenly stood up. Pointing forward, he announced in a clear voice, "Fifty li ahead is the Azure Dragon Academy!"

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