After obtaining some information from Feng Kuang, Huo Yuhao decided not to return for the time being.
The internal situation of the Sun and Moon Empire hadn't stabilized over the past four months; instead, it seemed to become more intense.
After Xu Tianran ascended to power, he didn't seek stability; rather, he continuously engaged in external wars, clashing with the two major empires, Xingluo and Celestial Soul, and even swallowed a large portion of the Celestial Soul Empire's territory.
Celestial Armor City became truly the frontline.
"Wasn't Xu Tianran already deeply entrenched before he came to power? Why doesn't he consolidate his position now that he's in power, and instead act so recklessly?"
Huo Yuhao didn't understand Xu Tianran's actions.
While conducting a massive internal purge, Xu Tianran also continued to launch wars.
This resulted in internal conflicts and external battles breaking out simultaneously. Although it seemed that there were considerable victories on the side of the Celestial Soul Empire, the internal situation of the Sun and Moon Empire was somewhat severe.
Two major princes rebelled, leading thousands of the Soul Guide Team members to recruit troops within the Sun and Moon Empire's territory. Several members of the royal bloodline were even supported.
"I guess he wants to stabilize it more thoroughly." Su Yu said.
Understanding Su Yu's underlying meaning, Huo Yuhao took a deep breath.
Does Xu Tianran intend to kill all those with ulterior motives?
Not just these princes of royal blood, but also the nobles and others within the empire dissatisfied with Xu Tianran; all were to be purged.
"The national power of the Sun and Moon Empire is strong, and Xu Tianran knows this well. Since he can't play them to death, he naturally acts as harsh as possible."
Su Yu understood the foundation of the Sun and Moon Empire.
Huo Yuhao seemed not to understand the depths of the foundation, nor could he imagine the scene of level 9 Fixed Soul-guided Cannon Shells stacked together.
...
Given the ongoing turmoil within the Sun and Moon Empire, Huo Yuhao naturally wouldn't return.
During the four months on the Phoenix Continent, the pair didn't neglect their cultivation. Although they gathered many spirit herbs and elixirs, they didn't consume them but only raised their Soul Power by one level.
"Let's find a place to digest our gains this time. This many spirit herbs and elixirs should be refined into elixirs to maximize their effects."
And the suitable place for alchemy was naturally the recently emerged Profound Nether Sect.
The Profound Nether Sect was the place where the Profound Water Pill was refined; all the conditions for alchemy there were top-notch.
Of course, it couldn't compare to the configuration Huo Yuhao originally had for refining the Heaven and Earth Creation Pill.
But it was more than enough for practice.
First, use some low-level spirit herbs and elixirs to practice alchemy techniques, and once that is refined, refine the high-level spirit herbs into elixirs.
"This time you're in luck, the cultivation of the Extreme Martial Soul is most difficult from level 30 to level 70. Refining your gains into elixirs will not only rapidly increase your Soul Power, but also accelerate future cultivation speeds with the sedimented medicinal power."
When Su Yu practiced alchemy, he naturally didn't craft elixirs forcing potential growth; he instead sought to make the most of the medicinal power within, especially retaining as much of the essence-strengthening properties as possible.
...
Profound Nether Sect.
"The two of you are here at our Profound Nether Sect again; what brings you?"
Xu Yang welcomed Su Yu and Huo Yuhao again, his tone not overly friendly.
Although they had tacitly agreed to a deal with the Sun and Moon Empire, it didn't mean they held no grudges.
It was, after all, a so-called cooperation settled in the form of a threat.
"Sect Leader Xu, Yuhao and I happened to obtain some medicinal herbs and need to refine them into elixirs. We heard that your sect is renowned for refining the Profound Water Pill, and we thought that the alchemy equipment here must be among the best on the Douluo Continent."
Xu Yang snorted coldly.
"Our Profound Nether Sect has been secluded from the world, handling only the affairs necessary for the daily operation of the sect. Other matters are not dealt with."
"Sect Leader Xu, don't be too quick to refuse!"
Su Yu took out a spirit medicine resembling a snake's shape.
Xu Yang's gaze was instantly drawn to it, and he stared at the spirit medicine in Su Yu's hand, breathing quickly.
"Is this Snake Ganoderma?"
A massive number of snake-type Soul Beasts died, their souls swallowed by the Ganoderma, which through coincidental circumstances might become Snake Ganoderma. Snake Ganoderma has an excellent effect on stabilizing the foundation of snake-type Martial Souls.
Especially for the Profound Nether Turtle Martial Soul of the Profound Nether Sect, which, although capable of awakening a phantom Snake Soul through the awakening ceremony, thus temporarily entering the awakened state of the Black Tortoise, remains unstable.
If they could consume this Snake Ganoderma, the Snake Soul might stabilize, possibly solidifying this awakened state.
"Yes, it's a pity it has already become a Soul Beast and has no more than a millennium of cultivation. After it was defeated, its spirituality has been continuously diminishing."
Xu Yang then noticed the dim spirituality of the Snake Spirit Grass, with a faint glow flickering at the roots.
Each flicker made Xu Yang's heartache for a second.
Every flicker signified the dissipation of the spirituality within the Snake Ganoderma.
"How long do you need?"
Xu Yang directly asked Su Yu and Huo Yuhao how long they intended to use the pill furnace.
Evidently, the Snake Ganoderma was enough as compensation for this occasion.
"Not long, it will definitely be returned within half a year."
Alchemy is a time-consuming process, and with Su Yu and Huo Yuhao being novices, they weren't sure how long it would take to refine all their spirit herbs into elixirs.
Due to uncertainty, they decided to rent it for half a year.
For the sake of the Snake Ganoderma, Xu Yang didn't reject Su Yu and Huo Yuhao's request. Although it would delay the sect's Profound Water Pill refining, the refining cycle was once every four months, and with slight adjustments, the alchemy room could be freed for six months.
...
Su Yu took out the Medicine Chapter obtained from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eye, starting to study the medicinal pairing within.