The Heaven and Earth Demonic Pearl seemed to know that the only entity that could protect it was the Nine Extremes Universe Cauldron that forged it.
However, how could the Nine Extremes Universe Cauldron allow that to happen?
The Nine Extremes knew that the reason it was allowed to forge the Heaven and Earth Demonic Pearl was to offer it to its master.
And when a divine artifact emerges, it must undergo the Nine-Nine Heavenly Tribulation!
An artifact that does not pass the tribulation will never become a true divine artifact.
Therefore, the moment the Heaven and Earth Demonic Pearl charged towards it, it had already retreated into the Goddess's Palace.
Helpless, the Heaven and Earth Demonic Pearl was struck by the heavenly tribulation once more.
Sparks flew, and the Heaven and Earth Demonic Pearl moved closer to the ground.
Without a place to seek refuge, the Heaven and Earth Demonic Pearl was extremely enraged.
It flew straight up into the sky, heading towards the tribulation clouds above.
Wave after wave of tribulation clouds descended.
The radiance on the Heaven and Earth Demonic Pearl continuously solidified until it was completely contained.
As the tribulation clouds dispersed, the Heaven and Earth Demonic Pearl set a direction and prepared to flee.
Although the Nine Extremes Universe Cauldron was inside the Goddess's Palace, it had been constantly monitoring the Heaven and Earth Demonic Pearl.
Seeing the Heaven and Earth Demonic Pearl about to escape, the Nine Extremes Universe Cauldron shot out of the Goddess's Palace, flew into the sky, and directly swallowed the Heaven and Earth Demonic Pearl into the cauldron.
Then, it transformed into a beam of light and landed in Zi Linling's palm.
With a thought, Zi Linling, along with the cauldron, reappeared inside the Goddess's Palace.
The crowd who were preparing to snatch the Heaven and Earth Demonic Pearl saw a flash of light and the Heaven and Earth Demonic Pearl had vanished before them.
They all sighed and reluctantly departed.
However, those who left did not include the Zi family members or the Zi family imperial members hidden within the Zi family.
Because they had clearly seen a beam of light enter the Zi Xin Pavilion.
Therefore, shortly after Zi Linling entered the Goddess's Palace, the Zi Xin Pavilion was surrounded by members of the Zi family.
Under the protection of Elder Du's formation, the Zi family naturally returned empty-handed.
Inside the Goddess's Palace, Zi Linling dripped a drop of her essence blood onto the Heaven and Earth Demonic Pearl.
From this moment on, the Heaven and Earth Demonic Pearl had become another trump card for her.
After contracting with the Heaven and Earth Demonic Pearl, Zi Linling began to refine pills.
Although Huang Yi and Jiu Ji could cooperate to refine pills themselves, Zi Linling decided to take action personally to improve her alchemy level.
Thus, after ten days within the Goddess's Palace, Zi Linling finally refined all the medicinal ingredients harvested from the Misty Forest into pills.
Her alchemy level also forcefully rose to that of a Senior Alchemist.
Then, Zi Linling coincidentally slept for three days and three nights in the Goddess's Palace before leaving.
After giving Elder Du a large bottle of Soul Nurturing Pills, Zi Linling quietly slipped out of the Zi family.
Of course, before leaving, she released Xue Ying and instructed Xue Ying that she absolutely must not leave the Zi Xin Pavilion before her return.
Zi Linling left the Zi family and headed towards the Shui Yue Trading Firm.
The Marrow Cleansing Pills she had consigned to the Shui Yue Trading Firm twenty days ago should have been auctioned, and she was going to collect the auction proceeds.
The shop assistant of the Shui Yue Trading Firm naturally recognized Zi Linling, so when she entered, he called out the shopkeeper.
Upon seeing Zi Linling, the shopkeeper seemed relieved.
"Miss has returned. Was your journey smooth?"
Zi Linling nodded and said, "Thank you for your concern, Shopkeeper. Although there were some twists and turns on this journey, it was ultimately smooth."
"That's good! That's good!"
After a few pleasantries, the shopkeeper carefully took out a purple card and respectfully handed it to Zi Linling.
"Miss, this is the proceeds from the auction of that Marrow Cleansing Pill. It was auctioned for ninety million taels of silver. After deducting the handling fee, there are eighty-five million taels of silver left. Please take it. As for the medicinal ingredients from last time, we'll give them to you."
Zi Linling nodded and said, "You've gone to too much trouble, Shopkeeper!"
The shopkeeper quickly shook his head and said, "No trouble! No trouble! The Marrow Cleansing Pill Miss consigned has already made us a lot of money, how can we still charge you for the medicinal ingredients?"
Zi Linling was very satisfied with the shopkeeper's conduct.
"In that case, these two bottles of pills will be auctioned here again!"
As she spoke, she took out two bottles of pills and placed them on the table. One was labeled Body Tempering Pill, and the other was labeled Spirit Gathering Pill.
The shopkeeper was greatly excited and solemnly collected the two bottles of pills, saying, "Miss, rest assured, the Shui Yue Trading Firm will absolutely not disappoint your expectations."
Zi Linling smiled faintly, "Since that's the case, I should be going now!"
As she spoke, she prepared to get up and leave, but her gaze inadvertently fell upon a milky white light.
Hmm?
Zi Linling followed the light and saw a very peculiar herb.
It was peculiar because although the herb was clearly placed there, it seemed to not exist.
Zi Linling smiled and asked, "Shopkeeper, how much is this herb?"
The shopkeeper was taken aback and asked, "Miss, do you recognize this herb?"
Zi Linling chuckled slyly.
Few people in this world knew this herb.
And she happened to be among those few.
This herb was called the Yin Yang Grass.
The Yin Yang Grass mostly appeared in its Yang Grass state, visible to all.
But under specific lighting conditions, it would exhibit the characteristics of the Yin Grass, appearing to be there but also as if it didn't exist.
This Yin Yang Grass was one of the indispensable ingredients for refining the Nine Revolutions Great Elixir.
However, this Yin Yang Grass was extremely rare, almost impossible to find, and even the herb garden in the Goddess's Palace did not have it.
"No, I just found it curious!"
Zi Linling shook her head, caution was always good.
The shopkeeper was a little disappointed, as he had thought Zi Linling might recognize the herb.
"Since Miss is curious, this herb is for you."
Zi Linling shook her head and said, "I don't accept rewards without merit."
If she took it so easily, it would inevitably lead to much trouble in the future.
If the shopkeeper knew the market value of the Yin Yang Grass, even if he didn't want to offend her, he would owe a great favor.
Debts of money were easy to repay, but debts of favor were difficult.
But if Zi Linling paid for it, it would be different.
Even if the shopkeeper recognized the Yin Yang Grass in the future, he would have nothing to say.
Because he himself had misjudged it, and it had nothing to do with Zi Linling.
The shopkeeper was a little hesitant, as he truly did not want to accept money from Zi Linling.
After all, establishing a good relationship with an alchemist was quite beneficial.
"This..."
"Name a price!"
Zi Linling's voice held a hint of determination.
Seeing Zi Linling's resolve, the shopkeeper knew that if he didn't accept the money, Zi Linling wouldn't take the herb.
"How about this, this herb was purchased for fifty taels of silver. Miss, just pay fifty taels of silver!"
The shopkeeper gritted his teeth and stated the cost price.
"Okay! I'll give you five thousand taels of silver!"
Zi Linling said, taking out the card the shopkeeper had given her earlier and gesturing for him to swipe it.
The shopkeeper, resigned, could only swipe it.
"Alright, I'll take this herb!"
Zi Linling finished speaking and was about to leave with the herb.
Just then, an arrogant and domineering voice echoed, "Stop! I want this herb!"