Having established the perimeter was clear, the Fire Crows dove from the sky. They were streaks of living flame, hurtling toward the Fire Lure Pills scattered on the ground.

The first crow landed, snatched a pill, and swallowed it whole.

Seeing no danger befall their scout, the herd mentality kicked in.

Caw! Caw!

A chaotic swarm descended. One after another, the red birds fought for the remaining pills. Within moments, seven or eight had succumbed to gluttony.

Jiang Chen and Jin Fugui watched with barely suppressed glee.

This method was fast. It wouldn’t even take half an hour.

The first crow to consume a pill took flight again, but its movements were already sluggish. Its vision doubled, then blurred into darkness. It swayed in the air like a drunkard before gravity claimed it.

Thump.

It hit the dusty ground, kicking up a small cloud of ash.

Then, it began to rain birds. Like dumplings dropped into a boiling pot, the drugged crows fell from the sky one by one.

However, since they were mid-flight, their landing zones were erratic. Some thumped onto the safe ground near the trio. Others spiraled helplessly into the magma fissure below, incinerated instantly.

Luck was on their side. Six crows landed on solid ground.

“Now!” Liu Wei shouted. ” The drug wears off fast. Get them in the Ring!”

Jiang Chen didn’t need telling twice. He injected Wood Spiritual Power into the Spirit Beast Ring, activating its collection array. A soft suction force pulled the unconscious birds from the ground, shrinking them into streaks of light that vanished into the ring.

In moments, he had secured five.

Jin Fugui pointed at the sixth, which was starting to twitch. “What about that one?”

“Leave it,” Jiang Chen said, sealing the ring. “I only need five.”

He handed over 90 Low-grade Spirit Stones without hesitation. The transaction was smooth, and he had learned the baiting technique for future reference.

Liu Wei weighed the pouch in his hand, a satisfied grin spreading across his leathery face. “A pleasure doing business. Remember, fellow Daoist, to tame a Fire Crow, you must starve it first. Break its will with hunger, and it will become obedient.”

He paused, then added, “Of course, if you struggle with taming or breeding, I offer those services too. For the low price of 3 Mid-grade Spirit Stones, I guarantee results.”

Jiang Chen understood the upsell. For most cultivators lacking a Fire Spirit Root or specialized beast-taming arts, breaking a wild beast’s will was a nightmare.

But Jiang Chen was not most cultivators. He had the [Fire Crow Qi Nurturing Method]. Once he got home, taming these birds would be trivial.

“I appreciate the offer, but I’ll manage,” Jiang Chen declined politely.

Liu Wei shrugged, not pushing the issue. He had seen plenty of confident young cultivators fail before. He’ll be back, Liu Wei thought, begging for help once he’s killed a few birds.

Jiang Chen and Jin Fugui departed, carrying their new acquisitions.

As they moved away from the fissure, the temperature dropped from ‘lethal’ to merely ‘oppressive.’

Jin Fugui wiped sweat from his brow. “Old Jiang, since you got your birds, I’ll head back to Beast Mountain. I shouldn’t crash your date with the Senior Alchemist.”

He winked.

Jiang Chen rolled his eyes. “It’s a business partnership, Fatty. But sure, go ahead. I don’t want you offending a High-level Alchemist by breathing too loudly.”

Jin Fugui was about to summon his mount when he paused. “Oh, right! Do you still have enough… fertilizer?”

Jiang Chen did a mental inventory. “I’m down to a third. Why don’t you offload some now?”

“You got it!” Jin Fugui patted his chest.

He summoned his Giant Camel. The beast materialized with a snort, and Jin Fugui hopped on, riding off into the dusty haze.

Jiang Chen shielded his face from the kicked-up grit, then turned back toward the central district. He checked the time. He still had half an hour before his meeting with Yu Caiqing.

Returning to the main streets of the Earth Fire Zone, the atmosphere had shifted. The crowd for the Pill Tasting Gathering had swelled. It wasn’t just formal disciples anymore; Core Disciples had arrived.

High above, a seven-story crystal tower floated, suspended by anti-gravity arrays. Rainbow-colored light cascaded from its eaves, creating a dreamlike aura that clashed with the harsh volcanic surroundings.

The crowd whispered in awe.

“That’s Lady Tantai’s flying artifact!”

“A Golden Core Perfected Master… truly majestic.”

Lady Tantai. An Earth-grade Golden Core cultivator and a Core Disciple of the highest standing. Even Jiang Chen felt a twinge of pressure just looking at her vessel.

He scanned the crowd but couldn’t find Yu Caiqing. He pulled out her Communication Talisman.

Senior Sister Yu, I’ve returned. Where are you?

The reply came instantly. Head toward the Pill Tower. There is a teahouse called [Danxin Pavilion]. I am inside.

Jiang Chen knew the place. He navigated the throngs of people, arriving at the elegant three-story structure.

The Danxin Pavilion was packed. The first floor was a sea of Fire Spirit Root apprentices shouting over tea. The second floor was quieter but still full of Junior Alchemists discussing formulas.

Jiang Chen climbed the stairs, scanning for Yu Caiqing, but she wasn’t on the second floor either.

That left the third floor.

He started up the final flight of stairs but was blocked by a burly guard with crossed arms.

“Halt,” the guard rumbled. “The third floor is restricted. Only Senior Alchemists and Core Disciples allowed.”

Jiang Chen didn’t flinch. “I’m looking for Yu Caiqing.”

The guard raised an eyebrow. “Senior Sister Yu? The beauty of the Alchemy Hall?”

“She asked me to meet her here.”

The guard frowned, looking Jiang Chen up and down. “She is currently entertaining Perfected Master Tantai. I cannot verify your claim, and I will not disturb a Golden Core Master for a random Foundation Establishment cultivator.”

Jiang Chen was about to argue when a soft, melodic voice drifted down from above.

“Let him up.”

The guard stiffened. He immediately stepped aside, bowing low. “Apologies! Since Perfected Master Tantai has given permission, please proceed.”

Jiang Chen nodded to the guard, harboring no ill will for a man doing his job, and ascended the stairs.

The third floor was an open-air pavilion, devoid of walls, offering a panoramic view of the Earth Fire Zone.

It was empty save for one table.

Seated there were two women.

One was Yu Caiqing, cold and elegant as always.

The other was a woman whose very presence seemed to warp the air around her. Lady Tantai.