Chapter 401: Processing the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit
Xiao Ze looked at the jade bottle in Hei Qing's hand, his eyes narrowing slightly.
If he said he wasn't interested in this Dou Saint Blood Essence, it would be a lie.
The blood essence of the ancient Taixu Dragon tribe is not only extremely powerful in terms of energy but also significantly enhances physical strength upon refining. Xiao Ze's physical capabilities were already approaching their limits, and most heavenly materials and top-grade elixirs had little effect on him.
However, the five drops of Dou Saint Blood Essence in front of him were different. Even though the jade bottle had been sealed with a powerful enchantment, the might of the Dou Saint Blood Essence could still be felt emanating from it. This was enough to demonstrate the strength of this essence.
Xiao Ze even suspected that these five drops of blood essence were more valuable than those taken out by Elder Zhu Li in the original story. Though the original story didn't specify the grade of the blood essence given to Xiao Yan, Zhu Li only mentioned that it was refined by himself, which should have been his own ancient dragon blood.
Although Elder Zhu Li was formidable, reaching the half-saint level, the intensity Xiao Ze sensed from the jade bottle far exceeded what a mere half-saint could offer.
Seeing Xiao Ze remain silent, Zi Yan gently patted his shoulder.
"Xiao Ze, take it. It's a token of goodwill from my Taixu Ancient Dragon tribe."
Hei Qing respectfully offered the jade bottle, and Xiao Ze, without further hesitation, reached out and took it.
"Hehe, the old man is being unusually generous this time. From his words earlier, I thought it was just a verbal promise, but I didn't expect him to actually bring out the blood essence stored in the Dragon Palace," Zi Yan chuckled happily upon seeing Xiao Ze accept the bottle.
"The items stored in the Dragon Palace are not easy to obtain, even for me. Most of them have a long history." Zi Yan was delighted that Xiao Ze had acquired Dou Saint-level ancient dragon blood essence.
A flash of curiosity appeared in Hei Qing's eyes. He had retrieved these five drops of ancient dragon blood essence from the Dragon Palace entirely on the orders of the Third Elder. But he still didn't know what exactly Xiao Ze had done to help the Taixu Ancient Dragon tribe.
Zi Yan noticed the change in Hei Qing's expression and playfully opened her hand. Although Zi Yan now appeared more mature, she retained some of her childhood habits.
"Uncle Hei, this is one of Xiao Ze's contributions to the Taixu Ancient Dragon tribe!"
Hei Qing looked at the purple-gold pattern on Zi Yan's palm, his confusion not only failing to clear but deepening, as he frowned and thought for a moment.
The next moment, Hei Qing's face filled with shock, "The Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit?!"
"It is indeed the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit. No wonder the Third Elder was willing to bring out the inherited blood essence from the Dragon Palace," Hei Qing said excitedly, his eyes fixed on Zi Yan's palm.
"If this is the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, our Taixu Ancient Dragon tribe might be able to produce a new Dragon Phoenix and become the true supreme magical beast!"
Hei Qing's expression was filled with excitement, and he sincerely bowed to Xiao Ze. "Hei Qing thanks Lord Xiao Ze!"
If Hei Qing's previous respect was based on the Third Elder's orders, it now came from the bottom of his heart. He was well aware that the current situation on Dragon Island was not good. If Zi Yan could refine the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit and become a Dragon Phoenix, those traitors who had split from Dragon Island would pay a heavy price and face the wrath of the Dragon Emperor!
Even with Hei Qing's composure, he couldn't help but show a delighted smile.
"There's no need for formalities, Senior Hei Qing. Zi Yan and I are close friends, and helping each other is only natural," Xiao Ze replied.
Hearing this, Hei Qing's face became more solemn. He greatly admired Xiao Ze. To be able to gift such a precious treasure for the sake of a friend showed that Xiao Ze was indeed a person of loyalty and righteousness.
"It is truly fortunate for Zi Yan to have a friend like Lord Xiao Ze," Hei Qing laughed heartily, touching his head.
While they were chatting, Zhu Li hurried back into the hall with an ancient book in his hand, his face showing some concern. He handed the book to Xiao Ze.
"The records of the Taixu Ancient Dragon tribe on the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit are not very detailed, and there is no specific record on how to refine it."
Xiao Ze opened the ancient book, quickly turning to the page marked by Zhu Li. His soul sense flashed, rapidly reading the information. A smile appeared on his face.
"Elder Zhu Li, don't worry. My alchemy skills are quite advanced. If you trust me, I can handle the refining of the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit."
"Of course, I trust Lord Xiao Ze. Besides, without your help, our Taixu Ancient Dragon tribe wouldn't have obtained the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit. Please, feel free to proceed without any concerns," Zhu Li responded with a trace of joy on his face.
As an eighth-grade peak alchemist, Xiao Ze was considered among the best in the Dou Qi Continent. If his alchemy skills were merely considered "quite advanced," then few others could match up to him.
"These are the herbs I need," Xiao Ze said, using his soul power to write down a list of over ten different herbs on a piece of paper, which he handed to Elder Zhu Li.
Most of the herbs he had collected could be used, but there were still over ten that were particularly compatible with the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit and needed to be gathered by the Taixu Ancient Dragon tribe. Most of these herbs either required watering with ancient dragon blood or were somehow related to dragon energy.
Zhu Li glanced at the list and nodded slightly, then passed the paper to Hei Qing.
"Bring all the herbs within ten minutes!"
"Understood!"
Hei Qing, efficient as always, took the list and quickly left the hall. In less than five minutes, his tall figure reappeared, and a flash from his storage ring revealed over a dozen well-preserved herbs floating in mid-air.
"Lord Xiao Ze, will these herbs suffice?"
"Of course, they will. Can we refine the medicine in this hall?"
"Yes, this hall is well-guarded. Refining the medicine here should be safe," Zhu Li nodded.
Without further delay, Xiao Ze summoned a surge of golden flames from his hand. Sensing the power of the Original Emperor Flame, Zhu Li took a step back, his face serious. Hei Qing's eyes widened in awe: "A strange fire!"
Xiao Ze ignored their reactions, his flames quickly forming a large cauldron in the air. Then, with a flash from his storage ring, thousands of herbs appeared out of nowhere. His vast soul power surged out, pushing everyone back.
Seeing Xiao Ze start the alchemy process, everyone watched with anticipation.
Time flew by as the alchemy process continued. In the blink of an eye, half a month had passed. Xiao Ze suddenly opened his eyes and turned to Zi Yan.
"Zi Yan, throw me the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit!"
"Okay!"
Zi Yan's hands emitted a purple and gold light, gathering into a uniquely shaped fruit in her palm, drawing the attention of Zhu Li and Hei Qing. As Zi Yan casually tossed the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, Zhu Li and Hei Qing's hearts skipped a beat in panic.
Thankfully, Xiao Ze's soul power caught it mid-air and sent it into the cauldron, allowing them to breathe a sigh of relief.
"Now, we just need to wait for the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit to absorb the medicinal liquid, and the refining will be complete!"
(End of Chapter)