Tuoba Xi was the very definition of a sycophant.
Back when Bibi Dong still held power, Tuoba Xi frequently wrote letters expressing loyalty, hoping she would remember him and bestow some precious resources to help him break through his cultivation bottleneck.
Coincidentally, Yin Zhang had already reviewed the records of the Sacred Dragon Sect.
The Sacred Dragon Sect had been founded several hundred years ago by an Elder of the Hall of Worship. That elder had many descendants, and with the support of Spirit Hall, the Sacred Dragon Sect was established and had remained a subordinate sect ever since.
It was one of the Lower Four Sects.
When Bibi Dong rose to power, Tuoba Xi noticed that the Hall of Worship remained silent, so he decisively aligned himself with her.
Although Yin Zhang looked down on Tuoba Xi's character, the Sacred Dragon Sect was still a subordinate sect of Spirit Hall and had already sworn loyalty. Naturally, Yin Zhang wouldn't reject him over such matters.
After all, it was nothing more than saying a few pleasant words.
Yin Zhang picked up a brush and casually wrote his reply on the scroll.
When he finished and reread it, even he found it almost unbearable.
He couldn't help but sigh—power really did corrupt people. He had actually learned to speak such hollow, flattering words.
Then again…
Yin Zhang admitted he had always been this kind of person.
Speak human words to humans; speak ghost words to ghosts.
He had engraved this principle deep into his heart.
Tuoba Xi's letter not only exaggerated the current strength of the Sacred Dragon Sect, but also openly and subtly flattered Yin Zhang, while vaguely reminding him of the promises Bibi Dong had once made.
Yin Zhang laughed, ignored that part entirely, and continued reading.
Next came a report from Hu Yan Zhen of Elephant Armored Academy.
Hu Yan Zhen was known as the Heavenly Elephant.
Several years ago, he had been hailed as the strongest defense below the Titled Douluo level—and that was still true today.
The only difference was that among Titled Douluo, the strongest defense had shifted from Gu Rong to Tang Zhen.
Yin Zhang mentally calculated the current strength of Spirit Hall.
Bibi Dong had been expelled and no longer counted.
First was the Hall of Worship.
There were eight Titled Douluo seated there.
Among them were two Level 99 Limit Douluo—one of whom was Qian Daoliu, a demigod-level powerhouse who had already mastered a portion of divine power.
The other six Elders were all Level 97 peak Titled Douluo, with Yun Shan being the strongest among them.
In addition, the Hall of Worship also had several other Titled Douluo: Porcupinefish, Snake Lance, Tang Zhen, Ghost Leopard, and Demon Bear—five Level 92 Titled Douluo in total.
On the Supreme Pontiff's side were Dugu Bo and Yuan Qiqi, both Level 92 Titled Douluo.
Adding Chen Xin and Gu Rong of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, who had pledged allegiance to Spirit Hall, made four more.
And Yin Zhang himself possessed combat power comparable to a Titled Douluo.
That totaled eighteen Titled Douluo!
Such strength was enough to sweep across the Douluo Continent countless times over.
Among all the sects and factions, the only ones that could pose any real threat were the remaining two of the Upper Three Sects—the Clear Sky Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect.
Within the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, only Yu Yuanzhen was worth mentioning.
Even then, though Yu Yuanzhen could rely on his unique Spirit to perform Dragon Transformation, he was ultimately only dominant among those below Level 96.
Any one of the eight Hall of Worship Elders could easily suppress him.
---
Two days later, Dugu Bo finally succeeded in refining the Fire Phoenix Pill.
He came to Yin Zhang carrying seven pill bottles, excitement evident on his face.
"This batch exceeded my expectations," Dugu Bo said with a laugh. "I estimated at least five pills, but my performance was unusually good this time—I refined two extra. Each pill has been stored in a bottle made of Arctic Cold Jade, which has excellent preservation effects."
Yin Zhang smiled and picked up one of the bottles, gently removing the wooden stopper.
The moment it opened, a rich medicinal fragrance poured out, so intense that simply inhaling it made one feel heat surge through the body.
He poured the Fire Phoenix Pill into his palm.
The pill was round and full, about the size of a mineral water bottle cap. Golden patterns covered its surface, vividly outlining the shape of a Fire Phoenix. The medicinal aroma was dense and profound.
Yin Zhang swallowed reflexively, returned the pill to its bottle, and said apologetically,
"Brother Bo, forgive my reaction. This is the first time I've ever seen a pill of such extraordinary quality."
Dugu Bo waved his hand with a smile.
"It's also my first time refining such a high-grade pill. And in preparing for this refinement, I've gained a much deeper understanding of the Dao of Alchemy. In the future, I plan to refine more pills—and perhaps even attempt to develop new ones myself."
Hearing this, Yin Zhang was genuinely pleased.
In the future era of Douluo Dalu II, there existed medicinal pills like the Mysterious Water Pill, which could increase spirit power, cleanse the marrow, and improve cultivation aptitude—treasures Spirit Masters would fight over.
Such pills didn't yet exist on the current Douluo Continent.
If Dugu Bo could revive alchemy, it would bring immense benefits to Spirit Hall.
Yin Zhang smiled and stored the pill bottle in his hand—along with five others—into the gold bead chain around his neck.
He had worn that chain since the age of seven. Nearly ten years had passed, and it had long since become something he never removed.
Looking at the final remaining bottle, Yin Zhang said warmly,
"Brother Bo, this Fire Phoenix Pill is your reward for refining the pills for me."
Dugu Bo froze, then shook his head with a wry smile.
"There's no need. Everyone in the Dugu Family is poison-attribute. Absorbing a fire-attribute pill like this would be harmful rather than beneficial. Xiao Zhang, you're about to become Supreme Pontiff—this pill will be far more useful in your hands."
Yin Zhang shook his head firmly.
"No. You must accept it. This is my reward to you."
Dugu Bo sighed helplessly.
"Even with an Arctic Cold Jade bottle, there will come a day when its preservation effect fades. When that happens, such a precious pill will be wasted."
He paused, then continued,
"How about this—give me the Dragon Flame Venerable Furnace instead? I've been using it to refine medicine these past few years. As an artifact, as long as nothing happens to it, it can be passed down as an heirloom of the Dugu Family."
The Dragon Flame Venerable Furnace?
Yin Zhang was stunned.
If Dugu Bo hadn't mentioned it now, he might have nearly forgotten about its existence.
It was a reward Yin Zhang had obtained after completing a selection in Heaven Dou City.
And it possessed extraordinarily powerful defensive properties.
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