The Dragon Clan—one of the ancient divine beast races.
They were an incredibly mysterious species, rarely appearing in the mortal world. And unlike the Golden Crow Clan, which had dwindling numbers, the Dragon Clan was far from sparse.
The various dragon lineages were all distinct. For example, the one leading the way before her was a crimson divine dragon.
Originally fumbling around like a headless fly, Su Min quickly entered a massive barrier under the dragon's guidance.
With just a single step, she felt as if she had entered another world.
Magnificent palaces were embedded in the ocean floor like gemstones. The crystals adorning the underwater palace were extraordinary—somehow piercing through the dense aquatic haze. Below the palace stretched vast streets.
However, the inhabitants made Su Min's expression twitch slightly.
Because the Dragon Clan truly had no sense of decorum.
There were hordes of shrimp soldiers and crab generals—all of them carrying traces of dragon bloodline in their veins.
"The Dragon Emperor's nine sons—none of them pureblood."
Su Min couldn't help but mutter to herself.
She wasn't sure if it was due to biological differences, but there wasn't a single Golden Crow hybrid in the Eastern Mulberry State. Yet here? It was a complete free-for-all. Did they not fear diluting their bloodline?
But after a moment's thought, she shook her head.
Dragons had incredibly long lifespans. As long as they ensured they had a few pureblood offspring with another dragon, the rest could do as they pleased.
"Miss Su, I've already informed the Dragon Empress through a secret method. She awaits you in the Dragon Heart Hall."
The red dragon spoke politely to Su Min.
Regardless of her cultivation level, her status as an alchemist alone commanded respect. After all, alchemy was a human specialty—their vast Dragon Clan didn't have a single one.
So even if Su Min were at the Dao Comprehension stage, he would still treat her with courtesy.
"Thank you for guiding me."
Su Min nodded, as she had already sensed Ao Xue's location. No matter what, she needed to personally invite this one. Soon, after bidding farewell to the red dragon, Su Min arrived at a grand palace. There, she immediately spotted a golden divine dragon lazily sprawled across the floor.
Within this barrier, most creatures took human form—after all, their true bodies were enormous. Though the space here was vast, if everyone remained in their original forms, it would be chaotic.
But clearly, this one had certain privileges.
However, upon seeing Su Min, a flash of light shimmered, and a regal woman appeared before her once more.
"My, my. You never visit unless you need something. What brings you here?"
"Tch."
Su Min rolled her eyes, then flipped her palm.
A perfectly round pill hovered above her hand, encased in her spiritual energy to prevent it from dissolving in the water.
The moment the pill appeared, she felt a flash of light in front of her eyes. Two soft objects collided with each other directly.
This woman had just face-to-face confronted her—though Su Min's "firepower" was a bit lacking in comparison.
"Get off! You can't even use this pill! The Dao Comprehension Pill is for humans—it's useless for divine beasts like you. Move aside."
Pushing Ao Xue's face away with disdain, Su Min wasn't wrong. While Ao Xue was genuinely excited, the pill truly had no effect on her. What thrilled her was something else entirely.
"Did you refine this?"
"That's right. A genuine seventh-grade alchemist, no counterfeit."
Su Min then stored the pill away. Even if her success rate for seventh-grade pills was 100%, gathering the materials was a hassle.
She had only shown it to prove a point—as a seventh-grade alchemist in the current era, even divine beast clans would have requests for her. Which meant she could set her own terms.
"What do you want in exchange?"
Ao Xue licked her lips eagerly. Clearly, she also had urgent need of certain pills.
"Five seventh-grade pills—you provide the materials. If anything's missing, I can supplement it."
"What do you need me to do?"
Ao Xue narrowed her eyes.
Such a generous offer surely came with a steep price.
Even if they had to supply the materials, as the only known seventh-grade alchemist, Su Min had unlimited bargaining power.
"Help me annihilate Future Maitreya Mountain."
"Hmm..."
Ao Xue's brow furrowed slightly.
This was indeed a significant request. Even the Dragon Clan hesitated to provoke those monks.
But five seventh-grade pills were too tempting to refuse.
"What kind of force are you bringing?"
Ao Xue needed to assess the situation.
"I have two Dao Comprehension-stage experts on my side—one is the Lunar Sovereign Physique holder, the other is the little Golden Crow. I've also sent invitations to the other super sects. They likely haven't replied yet, but given my terms, they probably won't refuse. That would add two more Dao Comprehension-stage experts, bringing our total to five."
"Deal."
Ao Xue no longer hesitated. With such a lineup, she had no reason to decline.
"Excellent. Then our cooperation is settled. As for the seventh-grade pills, I can currently only refine low-tier ones. If you're willing to wait a few centuries, I can refine higher-tier ones for you."
"Low-tier is enough. Our divine beast constitutions are far sturdier than humans'. We can handle impure medicinal effects without issue."
Ao Xue grinned.
Pills refined for divine beasts had one key trait—they didn't need excessive purification. Their robust bodies could endure the chaotic medicinal energy that would overwhelm a human.
So for them, a low-tier seventh-grade pill might be just as effective as a mid-tier one for humans.
"I'll take my leave now. Please arrive at the Immortal Gate within a month. I still have other matters to attend to. Oh, and those monks might be strong, but not that strong—their leader was killed by me."
After a few more instructions, Su Min turned and left. Divine beasts had better reputations than humans, so Su Min wasn't worried about them reneging.
With the Dragon Clan secured, she had two more tasks.
First, she needed to find Yao Xian'er and enlist her help in keeping the Great Thunder Temple in check. That little monk still made her wary—someone needed to keep an eye on him.
If Yao Xian'er intervened, even if the Great Thunder Temple and the Ancient Lamp Monastery sent all their experts, Su Min's side would still hold the advantage.
Xie Yingying, the little Golden Crow, and the Dragon Empress—these three were no joke in combat.
Especially the latter two, with their inherited legacies. If pushed, the Eastern Emperor Bell and the Dragon Pearl—the two divine race treasures—might even make an appearance.
"First, find Yao Xian'er. Then gather all forces before striking."
After emerging from the ocean, Su Min didn't return to her sect. She still had two Dao Comprehension Pills on hand—one for herself, the other entrusted to Xie Yingying. If the super sects' representatives arrived, she could use it as proof.
Even those two sects couldn't easily refuse a Dao Comprehension Pill. As for herself, she flew straight toward the Great Luo Tian State. Based on her intel, Yao Xian'er usually secluded herself there. This time, Su Min needed to draw her out.
Soon—
"What a rare guest. I should thank you."
Yao Xian'er stood beneath the pavilion's curved eaves, her white robes billowing slightly in the mountain breeze. She watched Su Min approach, dust-covered from her journey.
Her tone was casual, but her eyes shone with genuine warmth. She had good reason to be in a fine mood—Jiang Xi had been saved. The price was steep: the complete loss of her Lunar Sovereign Physique and the collapse of her cultivation. But for Yao Xian'er, that price was acceptable. Jiang Xi still lived.
If not for Su Min's intervention, she would have had no choice but to annihilate Jiang Xi alongside the Evil Soul. And that—no matter how calmly she might say it—would have destroyed her.
"Then show some gratitude. I see you've reached the late-stage Dao Comprehension realm—virtually unrivaled on the continent. But as far as I know, the Great Thunder Temple has a certain eminent monk..."
"Him? What do you plan to do?"
Yao Xian'er's eyebrow twitched—she had already guessed Su Min's intentions.
Su Min didn't answer immediately. Instead, she stepped up to the pavilion, the shadows of fluttering bamboo leaves crossing her face like falling brushstrokes. Her tone was low—measured, final.
"I'm going to wipe out Future Maitreya Mountain. But given the ties between the three major Buddhist sects and their branches, I'd prefer that monk not interfere."
Yao Xian'er grew silent. She already suspected as much. Su Min never visited without purpose—and the idea of her mounting a full-scale extermination campaign didn't surprise her. The grudge between Su Min and that sect had fermented long enough.
"I doubt he'll get involved," Su Min added, voice calm. "But I won't gamble everything on doubt. I want you to keep him occupied. If he moves, distract him. Delay him."
The request was blunt. So was the risk.
"..."
Yao Xian'er fell into thought, clearly weighing the implications. She wasn't afraid of that monk, but there was no need for a life-and-death struggle. Both were hidden powerhouses of humanity, potential allies against future threats.
But since this didn't involve her core interests, negotiation was possible.
Moreover, Jiang Xi's situation was different—she was truly starting from scratch. Without her Lunar Sovereign Physique, her old path was closed. Though she'd still be stronger than most, breaking through to the Dao Comprehension stage would be a hurdle.
"I want three seventh-grade pills."
Since Su Min was here, Yao Xian'er might as well pave the way for her partner.
"Of course, following alchemist rules—I'll provide the materials."
"Deal!"
Su Min agreed without hesitation. Refining pills only cost her time. Even with so many promised, she could fulfill them all within half a year.
No issue at all.
"Good. Then I'll keep him in check."
Yao Xian'er nodded in satisfaction. Her price wasn't high—this was practically free profit, since a fight was unlikely.
"Whew."
Su Min exhaled in relief.
Whether the two super sects joined or not no longer mattered. Their presence would be a bonus, but her forces were already sufficient. Her reasoning was simple—learned from her past life's America.
If you're going to strike, bring everyone along. That way, shared responsibility meant fewer future grudges. Now relaxed, Su Min glanced around curiously.
"Where's that senior?"
"Still in soul-body fusion seclusion," Yao Xian'er replied, her expression softening for a brief moment "I prepared enough rare treasures and artifacts for her resurrection, but she was reborn as an ordinary mortal—her cultivation gone. She needs to start over, so don't expect her help anytime soon."
"I see."
Su Min nodded thoughtfully.
The Lunar and Solar Sovereign Physiques were tyrannical blessings—only one bearer of each could exist in a generation. Now that Xie Yingying possessed the Lunar Sovereign Physique, Jiang Xi could never reclaim it. Even if she attempted to possess a new body, her soul wouldn't withstand the fusion. Her chance was gone.
But perhaps… that was a kind of freedom.
Without the rigid path of the Sovereign lineage, Jiang Xi could find her own Dao.
Of course, the difficulty would be immense.
Yao Xian'er, with her All-Embracing Physique, could integrate myriad techniques—her past experience still applicable.
But that wasn't Su Min's concern.
"You know," Su Min said, "losing the Lunar Sovereign Physique may be a blessing. It locked her into a legacy with no path past Mahayana. Now, at least, there's no ceiling—only a mountain she can climb however she likes."
"That's what I told her," Yao Xian'er said, her voice quieter. "Her soul needs time to settle. Until then, I won't let her be disturbed."
Yao Xian'er smiled, clearly not planning to summon her.
"Understood." Su Min dipped her head in respect. "I'll take my leave, then. We regroup at the Immortal Gate in one month."
With matters settled, there was no need to linger. This operation required secrecy, so Su Min needed to return to her sect and oversee preparations.
Though Xie Yingying was strong, she wasn't an alchemist—her influence paled in comparison. She might even arouse suspicion.
Moreover, the little Golden Crow was about to awaken. Su Min had to make arrangements.
She also needed contingency plans—lest the Fallen Ones raid her sect while her main force was away.
Even if they didn't attack the Eastern Mulberry State directly, the other four states might suffer.
This operation required flawless preparation.
She refused to let countless innocents suffer due to her actions.
"All that's left is setting up defenses and selecting rear guard personnel. But it shouldn't be an issue—those two are already at the half-step Dao Comprehension stage. I can entrust the sect to them."