A few days later...

As Song Yan had anticipated, the Crimson Palace Pill recipe of the Water Abyss Flood Dragon mysteriously appeared at a marketplace, only to be discovered by Sword Sect disciples out on errands.

Since both Sun Family and Su Family were present for purchases, no one could conceal it.

The recipe for the Crimson Palace Pill of the Water Abyss Flood Dragon was like a massive stone thrown into the Sword Sect's pond, stirring up endless waves.

The tension between the Sun Family and the Su Family began to escalate.

Once all the herbs needed for the Water Abyss Flood Dragon's Crimson Palace Pill were collected, neither side would allow the other's Pill Master to perform alchemy, not even jointly, insisting first on deciding to whom the elixir should belong.

As for the essence blood of the Water Abyss Flood Dragon, it was locked away, sealed in a secret chamber, and jointly monitored by the experts of both Sun Family and Su Family, not allowing anyone to take it.

Luo Wangsun claimed that his Ghost Shark's Crimson Palace Pill was destroyed because of this Water Abyss Flood Dragon, and as it suited him well, the flood dragon should belong to him.

The Grand Elder avoided mentioning the crack in the Sword Heart, only stating that the Water Abyss Flood Dragon's Crimson Palace Pill was immensely important to him and couldn't be given up, giving Sun Family's promise of substantial compensation if Luo Wangsun would back down.

...

...

On the other side, during the journey back from purchases.

Sword Sect's Elder Su Hongxian was looking at the Fox Demon and the Giant Wolf before him, smiling bitterly.

The Giant Wolf grinned menacingly, baring its teeth.

The Fox Demon in a red robe chuckled, its furtive eyes fixed on the Elder named "Su Hongxian," teasing, "Have you made up your mind?"

Su Hongxian took a deep breath after a long time, then nodded, saying, "Just this once, and let me make it clear, I'm doing this for my Su Family, absolutely not for you."

The red-robed Fox Demon said with a smile, "Even though it appears as provocation, it indeed benefits your Su Family. This talisman is called the Tiny Earth Element Talisman, obtained by our Fox Race from other cultivators."

"Use it, it can let you walk through earth unseen, to secretly take the Water Abyss Flood Dragon, aiding your Su Family's Ancestor Luo."

Su Hongxian took it and swiftly departed.

This elder was the one who had let go "the two young Fox Demons, not wanting any trouble" earlier that day.

A fly doesn't rest on an unbroken egg.

This elder is the crack on the egg.

A person who compromises once will compromise a second time.

Naturally, the Fox Wolf targeted him, and with some pressure and enticement, indeed... this elder agreed to work for them, while also justifying his actions as righteous.

The red-robed Fox Demon watched his departing figure, glanced at the Giant Wolf beside him, and said, "The Mortal World has been turned upside down by those young ones, so let's stir things between the two largest sects in the Three Kingdoms. If Song Yan still doesn't reveal himself, then we will just wait."

General Gu said, "The other two have already headed to the Desolate Wilderness, feasting daily under Song Yan's banner, having a great time. Though, they've also made sure that the lad won't escape."

...

...

Over a month later...

Su Hongxian extinguished the candle flame, then took out the "Tiny Earth Element Talisman."

The pure Earth Profound Qi within the talisman surprised and terrified him.

Because such "Tiny Earth Element Talismans" couldn't be crafted here, nor was there any "Earth realm rich in Earth Profound Qi" here, it was evident... the outside world is much larger than he thought.

Countless thoughts flashed through Su Hongxian's mind, and he gritted his teeth, injecting a large amount of profound Qi. The Tiny Earth Element Talisman ignited in flames.

The next instant, Su Hongxian disappeared from the spot.

When he reappeared, he was holding a box in his hand.

Inside this box was precisely the "Water Abyss Flood Dragon Essence Blood."

"Everything is for the Su Family."

Su Hongxian bit his teeth, then carefully stored the box into his storage bag, preparing to find a time to hand it to Luo Wangsun.

...

...

On the bamboo bed.

Song Yan hugged An Li Junior Sister from behind.

Junior Sister sighed gently, sorrowfully saying, "How could this suddenly happen? Today, cultivators from the Sun Family are calling you back to Red Leaf Island, saying that's where you should stay.

Also, some Sun Family elites who had come to Su Family have already left.

The elites of Su Family have returned from Sun Family.

Why is it like this?"

An Li Junior Sister was grieving, but suddenly seeming to sense something, she was startled, turned, and heavily struck Song Yan, saying, "Senior Brother, at this time, how can you still be thinking about that!"

Then she said nervously, "Senior Brother Bai, you wouldn't go to Sun Family too, would you?"

Song Yan shook his head, An Li Junior Sister turned and threw herself into his arms...

...

The next day.

The Water Abyss Flood Dragon Essence Blood was stolen, both Sun Family and Su Family were furious, and began searching everywhere.

...

A month later...

Luo Wangsun went out, only to be targeted, and it was discovered that the missing "Water Abyss Flood Dragon Essence Blood" was in his possession.

The Grand Elder struck out in anger.

Both sides fought fiercely.

The conflict between Sun Family and Su Family nearly reached a complete boiling point.

Song Yan did nothing, merely watched quietly, waiting, and suddenly, on this day, a Sword Rainbow descended from high in the sky, stopping far off the coast of Warm Water Island, and loudly declared, "Bai Xiuhu! Your venerable master is near his end, will you return to Sun Family, or not!!"

In the alchemy room, An Li's face turned pale; her eyes were brimming with tears as she thought, "If my Dao companion goes this time, he might never return. But if my master's time is near, how can I not go back?"

The two embraced tightly, bidding a reluctant farewell.

Song Yan returned to Red Leaf Island, initially suspecting the Sun Family's deceit, but upon seeing for himself, found that Sword Master Kuye was indeed failing.

The elder's hair was white, his frail and skinny body showed no signs of recovery from erysipelas. He had planned to die in battle at Konglan Mountain during last year's Jingzhe but was fortuitously delayed.

But now, he could no longer hold on.

The old man tightly grasped Song Yan's hand, tears welling in his eyes, and said bitterly, "Had I known the Sword Sect would end like this, I should have died at Konglan Mountain back then."

Song Yan patiently comforted him, engaging in conversation with Sword Master Kuye until Meng Po arrived, and he stepped aside. However... naturally, he couldn't return to Warm Water Island either.

...

Several days later.

Sword Master Kuye and Meng Po both passed away in their bamboo dwelling.

Song Yan cremated them, placing their ashes in spirit urns which were sent to the Sword Sect's ancestral hall.

Meanwhile, he was reassigned to an alchemy room on Copper Sparrow Island, working alongside other pill masters.

...

Days passed one after another, Song Yan remained patient. Unable to return, he focused on alchemy, eyeing a bottle of demon beast essence blood—Wind Profound Crane—at the Sun Family's alchemy room.

This Wind Profound Crane, an advanced demon beast of Wind Spirit Finch, enhanced a cultivator's speed and agility.

It's said this 'Wind Profound Crane' blood was used by the First Elder to designate the Second Central Palace.

The First Elder, being the top expert of the Sword Sect, had extensively used this 'Wind Profound Crane Essence Blood.'

Thus, Song Yan essentially confirmed 'Phantom Shark' and 'Wind Profound Crane' as the left and right Central Palace blood for his 'Multi-tailed Fox.'

As for the 'Third Central Palace,' he placed his hopes on the 'Corpse-Eating Wolf Race.'

For the same reason as the 'Multi-tailed Fox Race,' it allowed refining.

....

While Song Yan's enthusiasm toward alchemy grew, Grandma Hong and old General Gu's patience had been exhausted.

The two demons felt as if they were performing a solo act, setting flashy traps. First was the 'Auspicious Commerce Soul Gold Stone,' and now there's 'the internal strife within the Southern Wu Sword Sect.' Beyond these, they commanded their underlings in various mortal cities to lay out plans, from large cities to small villages, traps were everywhere.

This wide search wouldn't be possible outside due to hidden powers and too many dangers. But because the Three Kingdoms were in a remote southern wilderness, it was feasible.

Grandma Hong said, "I've found Blood Cliff, the current Sect Leader of the Puppet Sect, ready to take action."

General Gu replied indifferently, "Whatever, I'm done searching for Song Yan.

That name disgusts me, I'm uncomfortable with it, it's vile.

I've never met someone who can hide better.

I have no interest here anymore. Anyway, another group is infiltrating the north; I plan to disguise as Song Yan for some amusement."

If it were last year, Grandma Hong would have energetically objected and proposed new schemes.

But now, even Grandma Hong felt thoroughly bored.

General Gu added, "I'm also uninterested in the Puppet Sect and Sword Sect skirmish. It's so dull; I'll return to glean some benefits after they're through."

Grandma Hong said, "Fine, I'll go with you."

After speaking, she sighed deeply, "Indeed, it's terribly boring."

...

In a moment, autumn had arrived.

The Sword Sect conflict slightly subsided.

Luo Wangsun, defeated, was both ashamed and angry, leaving the Sword Sect.

The First Elder secretly ordered the Sun Family's pill masters to overnight refine the 'Water Abyss Flood Dragon Crimson Palace Pill.'

Song Yan, naturally, was part of it.

This refining of Crimson Palace demon pills took quite a long time.

Whereas the 'Phantom Shark' required three days and nights, the 'Water Abyss Flood Dragon' needed a full ten days and nights to complete.

Various rare herbs and fire-enhancing spirit wood were placed in the Copper Sparrow Island alchemy room.

In the center, a grand cauldron burned fiercely.

Song Yan, along with two other pill masters from the Sun Family, took turns in vigilance, without resting a single day for fear of mishaps.

...

On this day, autumn leaves fell from the crescent moon-lit branches, drifting lazily to the Sun Family alchemy room's window.

Suddenly, tumultuous battle cries echoed from afar.

The Sun Family pill master, standing beside Song Yan, looked out in astonishment, vaguely seeing the northern sky tinged with red.

It was a twisted and eerie kind of red, yet familiar to any Sword Sect disciple.

This red appeared during last year's Jingzhe, causing a great battle, which ended with the Sword Sect's joint effort and some external factors.

But now, the Sword Sect was no longer united.

The Sun Family pill master was shocked, and in the distant night came the panic-stricken cries of disciples: "The Puppet Sect, it's the Puppet Sect! The Puppet Sect is attacking!!"

Song Yan glanced into the distance, resuming his alchemy work.

He gazed deeply at the alchemy furnace, feeling somewhat peculiar.

Unexpectedly, after all this time, the 'Water Abyss Flood Dragon Essence Blood' was about to fall into his hands.

Thus, the 'Phantom Shark' turned out to be unnecessary.

The Sun Family pill master, observing his calm demeanor, couldn't help admiring him silently, saying: "Xiuhu Junior Brother, truly composed."

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