Starting as a supporting character in Doupo

"Hmph!" the gray-robed youth said defiantly. "Don't be so smug, there's still a third round!"

Xiao Yan glanced arrogantly at the gray-robed youth, looked around at the alchemists, and casually picked up the "Thick Earth Ganoderma" from his alchemy table and tossed it aside.

The surrounding alchemists seemed to understand something, casting grateful glances at him before focusing on their own alchemy.

Chapter 83 Xiao Fan's Backup Plan

Within the Black Corner Domain, in the Black Skull Tomb.

Inside the Eagle Protector's room, Xiao Fan was listening to the Eagle Protector's instructions.

"Alright, kid, that's all I have to say. I have some business to attend to and will be leaving for a while. You can stay here during that time." Protector Eagle sat upright in his chair, looking at Xiao Fan listening to his instructions, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.

"Yes! I'll take my leave if there are no further instructions?" Xiao Fan bowed slightly and said softly.

The Eagle Protector waved his hand dismissively, a complex glint in his eyes. In his view, Xiao Fan's matter was trivial; his own return was the real issue. According to his information, someone was already planning to remove him from his position as protector. Damn it, if only he hadn't...

After leaving Eagle Protector's room, Xiao Fan went to the place where he accepted missions at Black Skull Tomb and casually accepted a mission to assassinate the head of a pharmacy in Black Seal City. Then he went straight back to his room.

Sitting cross-legged on his bed, Xiao Fan closed his eyes and thought about whether he had overlooked anything. After finding that his plan was not flawed, Xiao Fan breathed a sigh of relief and then took out two round, light purple pills from his storage ring.

"Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill..."

The Purple Heart Breakthrough Pill is a peak-level fourth-tier pill, even comparable to some fifth-tier pills. Its effect is that after a person at the Great Dou Master level takes it, it can increase their strength by one star. If a Great Dou Master takes two Purple Heart Breakthrough Pills in a row, they can increase their strength by two stars without any side effects.

"I'll improve my strength this time, and after Protector Eagle leaves, I'll use the excuse of going on a mission to leave Black Skull Tomb. Anyway, because of Protector Eagle, Black Skull Tomb can't force me to stay." Xiao Fan planned in his mind.

This is mainly because some time ago, Xiao Fan collected several materials for refining the Purple Heart Breakthrough Pill by exchanging items from the Black Skull Tomb quest and using the medicinal herbs in Yao Lao's ring.

Unexpectedly, the Purple Heart Breakthrough Pill truly lived up to its reputation as a pinnacle among fourth-grade pills, and its refining difficulty was exceptionally high. Xiao Fan attempted to refine it three times, all of which ended in failure, and he had exhausted all the materials he had prepared. After these attempts, Xiao Fan was forced to improve his alchemy skills.

After all, Xiao Fan's soul power, after being refined twice by the system and enhanced by his breakthrough, was comparable to that of some five-star alchemists. The only thing he lacked was the success rate of refining pills. The success rate actually depends on the experience of refining. Xiao Fan had been traveling around and had few opportunities to refine pills. During his time in the Black Skull Tomb, the system did not trigger any new tasks, so Xiao Fan began to hone his pill refining skills.

After refining some simple fourth-grade pills, Xiao Fan successfully improved his alchemy skills.

Meanwhile, the changes in the energy of heaven and earth and the wafting fragrance of the pills during the refining process also attracted the attention of the others in the Black Skull Tomb. After discovering that Xiao Fan was a fourth-grade alchemist, many disciples came to visit, wanting Xiao Fan to help them refine pills.

Xiao Fan then helped some of the disciples refine pills, not only improving his own alchemy skills but also enriching himself with the medicinal materials they provided. After all, in the Dou Qi Continent, the rule that one must provide the pill formula and medicinal materials when hiring someone to refine pills remains unchanged.

Generally, two to three portions of medicinal herbs are provided. Even if the alchemist succeeds in refining the herb on the first try, you can't get the remaining two portions back. Moreover, even if you fail to refine all three portions, you can't hold anyone else accountable. This is why alchemists have such a high status.

Because of his identity as an alchemist, Xiao Fan's status within the Black Skull Tomb rose significantly. Taking advantage of this opportunity, he gathered all the necessary ingredients for refining the Purple Heart Breakthrough Pill. After previous failures, he finally succeeded in refining two Purple Heart Breakthrough Pills yesterday. This also means that Xiao Fan's alchemy skills have reached the peak of a fourth-grade alchemist, and he is only one step away from the fifth grade.

After regulating his breathing, Xiao Fan put the two round pills in his hand into his mouth and swallowed them in one gulp.

With the consumption of the Purple Heart Breakthrough Pill, Xiao Fan's strength began to increase. Originally a two-star Great Dou Master, his strength began to rise, reaching the level of a four-star Great Dou Master in just half an hour.

After digesting the energy of the Purple Heart Breakthrough Pill within his body and completely stabilizing his strength as a four-star Great Dou Master, Xiao Fan entered the system interface again.

There was one thing he hadn't forgotten: the reason the Yunlan Sect and the Xiao family became mortal enemies was not because of the three-year agreement, but because Xiao Zhan's disappearance led Xiao Yan to attack the Yunlan Sect once again.

Originally, Xiao Fan had planned to go to the Yunlan Sect with Xiao Yan. With him there, even if Xiao Zhan disappeared in the end, Xiao Yan wouldn't become a mortal enemy of the Yunlan Sect.

Unexpectedly, due to a series of unforeseen events, he was taken to the Black Corner Region by a powerful figure from the Soul Palace, leaving him unable to continue helping Xiao Yan.

Fortunately, he had a backup plan in the Jia Ma Empire, namely Han Jue, who was left in Mo City.

Xiao Fan had left an imprint on Han Jue's mind, and now Xiao Fan was able to use that imprint to explain things clearly to Han Jue.

Alchemists can summon helpers through their own brand; high-level alchemists use this method to gather friends and associates. This is one of the reasons why alchemists have extensive networks of connections, making many people hesitant to provoke them.

However, with Xiao Fan's current strength as a Great Dou Master, his spiritual power cannot break through such a long distance to connect with the Gama Empire from the Black Corner Region. Therefore, he needs to strengthen the connection between himself and his soul imprint through the one-time consumables in the system shop.

With the consumption of 500 Source Coins, Xiao Fan successfully sensed the soul imprint he had left in Han Jue's mind.

At the headquarters of the Desert City Iron Cavalry Mercenary Group, Han Jue was cultivating in his room when he suddenly heard Xiao Fan's voice and asked in confusion, "Young Master?"

"Han Jue, I'm communicating with you through a secret technique. Time is limited. Remember what I'm about to say: Take a team of elites and head to Wutan City. After the three-year agreement between Xiao Yan and the Xiao family ends, if someone attacks the Xiao family again, you must protect Xiao Zhan, the Xiao family patriarch. If Xiao Zhan still mysteriously disappears, wait for Xiao Yan to return. When he does, tell him that Xiao Zhan is perfectly safe and that the people who took Xiao Zhan were not from the Yunlan Sect. Tell him to immediately go to Canaan Academy, and then..."

Han Jue opened his eyes, a glint of light flashing within them.

Within the Black Corner Domain, Xiao Fan shook his head helplessly upon discovering that his soul perception had been severed once again. "500 Source Coins, which is 50 Gold Coins, and all I got for saying this few words? Luckily, I explained everything that needed to be explained."

Afterwards, Xiao Fan closed his eyes to regulate his breathing, planning to leave the Black Skull Tomb and head to Black Seal City the next day.

Chapter 84 Forced Kiss of Medusa

"I hereby declare the champion of this Alchemist Tournament to be—Rock Owl!"

Within the Gama Empire, as Famo announced this in the VIP section, everyone cheered.

"Rock Owl! Rock Owl! Rock Owl!"

Everyone was chanting Xiao Yan's name. Their eyes were fervent, their voices excited, and their brows were full of fanaticism. In a corner of the VIP section, Nalan Yanran looked at the black-robed youth on the stage, a hint of grievance flashing in her eyes.

Why are you so cold to me...?

As the young sect leader of Yunlan Sect, I have always treated Yan Xiao with courtesy since we met, and I have lowered myself to get along with him several times. However, every time we meet, Yan Xiao responds with indifference. He can chat and laugh with Yao Ye, but as soon as I get close, his cheerful smile disappears instantly, as cold as winter.

“If there’s any misunderstanding between us, you can just tell me…” Nalan Yanran said softly, her gaze fixed on the champion of the alchemist competition, in a voice only she could hear.

Little did she know that she had fallen for the man she herself had rejected.

Just then, a disciple dressed in Yunlan Sect attire walked up behind Nalan Yanran and respectfully said to her, "Young Sect Master, the Grand Elder and the others want you to return to Yunlan Sect as soon as possible."

"Okay." Nalan Yanran parted her lips slightly and regained her usual composure, as if the person who had just appeared was not herself at all.

Meanwhile, in the Black Corner Region, Xiao Fan had already left the Black Skull Tomb and arrived at Black Seal City.

Before even entering Black Seal City, Xiao Fan encountered several pairs of battles outside the city, but he was used to it; this was the rule of the Black Corner Region—strength.

If you are strong enough, you can make a name for yourself in the Black Corner Region. But if you are not strong, you must be smart. Otherwise, if you are neither strong nor smart, you will die the most in the Black Corner Region.

Just as Xiao Fan had just witnessed, a young Great Dou Master, perhaps visiting the Black Corner Region for the first time, thought his strength as a Great Dou Master was enough to be considered a powerful figure. So he casually insulted a Dou Master passerby on the roadside, and the Dou Master kept bowing his head and apologizing. Finally, when Xiao Fan wasn't paying attention, Xiao Fan slashed the Dou Master's throat with a knife.

The fact that a Dou Shi (Battle Master) could kill a Da Dou Shi (Great Battle Master) seemed to be commonplace to those around him.

After all, even if a Grand Master like that, who has no brains, survives, he probably wouldn't be able to leave Black Seal City alive.

"Should I go check if there's any auction going on..." Xiao Fan stroked his chin, looking at the bustling Black Seal City, and pondered.

After all, Black Seal City is the territory of the Eight Doors, and its auction house often features rare martial arts techniques, fighting skills, or rare and precious materials. Even Earth-rank fighting skills appear here from time to time.

After all, many "smuggled goods" from the mainland are circulated and sold in this place called Black Corner.

Xiao Fan also had the idea of ​​taking a good look around the Black Corner Region, so he strolled around Black Seal City and took the opportunity to visit the Black Seal Auction House to see if there was an auction. If there was, Xiao Fan would not mind going to broaden his horizons.

After walking around Black Seal City for about half an hour, Xiao Fan finally found the location of the Black Seal Auction House. He carefully inquired with the person in charge and found out that the next auction would start the next day. Xiao Fan decided to check it out then.

With nothing else to do, Xiao Fan found an inn not far from the auction house, booked a room, and went in to rest.

Shortly after arriving in the room, Xiao Fan noticed that the small snake coiled around his left shoulder began to stir. Xiao Fan assumed that Sasha wanted to drink the Companion Amethyst Source again. After all, it had woken up twice during this period, and Xiao Fan had fed it quite a bit of the Companion Amethyst Source, but each time it would fall back into a deep sleep after drinking it. The only difference was that Xiao Fan could also feel its dependence on him.

Placed in his palm, Sasha's body had grown a little since then, but it wasn't particularly large. He took out the accompanying amethyst source and took a big gulp from the jade bottle. Ever since it had put its head into the jade bottle to drink, it hadn't asked Xiao Fan to feed it with a stick.

Raising its head, two drops of amethyst essence stood on the little snake's delicate chin. Xiao Fan used his finger to lift them up, and then the seven-colored snake opened its mouth and sucked the amethyst essence from Xiao Fan's finger into its mouth.

Just as Xiao Fan was enjoying the little snake's adorable behavior, the snake in front of him slowly transformed into a beautiful and alluring woman in Xiao Fan's horrified gaze, while Xiao Fan's finger was still being bitten by Medusa.

"I rely on!"

The sudden transformation caught Xiao Fan off guard. The awakening of the little snake was rare to begin with, and coupled with the fact that he had to cultivate under the watchful eyes of the Soul Hall experts for a long time, Xiao Fan had forgotten that this was Medusa's true form.

Medusa's narrow, elongated eyes gazed at Xiao Fan. At such close range, Xiao Fan could smell her delicate fragrance, and through her slightly parted lips, he could even vaguely see her pearly white teeth and a hint of pale pink...

"hello..."

At this moment, Xiao Fan was pinned to the ground by Medusa, his right hand was bitten by Medusa, and he could only support himself with his left hand behind his back to prevent himself from falling to the ground. He smiled awkwardly and gave her what he thought was a very friendly smile.

Medusa's eyes were filled with astonishing rage. Xiao Fan could feel the fighting spirit within his body flowing into Medusa's body through the finger she was biting, and he couldn't stop it at all.

"Holy crap, they've given in!"

Sensing the abnormality within his body, Xiao Fan tried to pull his fingers back, but Medusa's teeth bit down painfully instead. In his agitation, Xiao Fan tried to raise his left hand to stop her, but Medusa grabbed him as soon as he did so, and without the support of his left hand, he collapsed to the ground.

In an instant, their positions transformed into Medusa straddling Xiao Fan. Their thin clothing offered no respite from the intense heat between them, and two blushes rose on Medusa's cheeks. Xiao Fan, stunned by Medusa's beauty, simply stared at her in disbelief.

However, when he realized that his fighting spirit was still rapidly draining away, Xiao Fan panicked. He removed his bitten index finger, thumb, and other fingers, and used them to pinch Medusa's cheeks, making her mouth pout.

Noticing Xiao Fan's actions, Medusa's anger intensified.

Suddenly remembering that the system had previously rewarded Medusa with increased favorability, Xiao Fan quickly opened the panel to take a look.

【Medusa】Affection level 40, Dislike.

"Damn it, this system is a piece of shit! Didn't it reward Medusa with increased favorability? Why is she still showing dislike?!"

That being said, Xiao Fan also understood that if it weren't for the system rewarding him with a wave of goodwill, Medusa would probably have killed him the moment he woke up, simply because he dared to treat her like that.

After all, without Yao Lao by his side, he had no chance to negotiate with Medusa.

"You, you, you, I helped you with your tribulation! You can't repay kindness with enmity!" Xiao Fan shouted anxiously. Medusa seemed to remember something, a struggle flashed in her beautiful eyes, and finally she slowly opened her lips.

Because of the prolonged sucking, when they separated, a thin thread remained between them, seemingly emitting a faint fragrance...

"You..." Xiao Fan, who was halfway through his sentence, saw this scene and the rest of his words caught in his throat. Seemingly recalling the splendor of Medusa he had witnessed in his past life, a sudden impulse arose in his head, and Xiao Fan pressed his right hand against the back of Medusa's head, kissing her deeply...

Chapter 85 The Deal with Medusa

boom!

The loud explosion attracted most of the passersby around the inn.

"What's going on? Such a powerful aura!"

"I've met the sect leader of the Eight Doors, and this person's aura is probably even stronger than his!"

The innkeeper, trembling, ran to Xiao Fan's door, wanting to ask what had happened. But he heard a muttering voice coming from inside.