Word Count: 2,739 Words
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"This Holy Pill City hasn't changed much."
Xiao Yan gently set Zi Yan down and let his gaze sweep across the streets. The only real difference was that the crowds were no longer as overwhelming as they had been during the Pill Gathering.
Even so, people still streamed back and forth in an unending flow.
As he and Zi Yan drew near the entrance of the Pill Tower, a familiar figure happened to emerge from within.
"You're... Xiao Yan?!!"
Song Qing!
The very same Song Qing who had once pursued Cao Ying and had so 'luckily' escaped from that fellow Mu Gu's clutches.
Xiao Yan's current Spiritual Strength allowed him to detect at a single glance the Hall of Souls' mark hidden deep within Song Qing's soul. Looking back now, it was clear that Song Qing's escape from Mu Gu had not been luck at all but the result of a deal between them. He had likely agreed to help Mu Gu seize the Three Thousand Burning Flame or find an opportunity to plot against Xiao Yan.
No one could have predicted that Mu Gu would end up being the one to die, falling into Xiao Yan's counter-scheme and meeting a miserable end under the combined assault of the Three Thousand Burning Flame and the Honorable Elders of the Hall of Souls.
Song Qing found himself face to face with Xiao Yan once more. For a moment, he couldn't quite name the emotions stirring in his heart.
In the years that followed, he had indeed continued pursuing Cao Ying for a time, but after that incident she had naturally come to loathe him to the extreme. Song Qing was no fool; he had long since realized that the man Cao Ying secretly cherished was Xiao Yan. There had never been a place for him in her heart. Eventually, he had simply let the matter drop.
The Pill Gathering was already several years in the past, yet he remained stuck at the peak of tier 7, not even touching the threshold of tier 8. Even if Xiao Yan had stood still all this time, the gap between them would still have been vast, utterly beyond comparison.
Xiao Yan glanced at him and offered a faint smile. "Long time no see, Elder Song Qing. Have you been well lately?"
"Ah... I've been well enough." Song Qing didn't have the slightest qualification to put on airs in front of Xiao Yan. Titles like 'youngest Pill Tower Elder' were nothing but nonsense before this man.
Whether then or now, the man before him remained the brightest star in the firmament. Even two such shining pearls as Cao Ying and Dan Chen would find their radiance eclipsed at his side.
Song Qing's words naturally drew the attention of those nearby, especially when the name 'Xiao Yan' reached their ears.
"Xiao Yan? He's the Pill Gathering champion?!"
"Heavens, he's so young! He looks barely twenty!"
"I wonder if he'd give me his autograph..."
In the blink of an eye, the entrance of the Pill Tower was ringed by onlookers. Xiao Yan could only sigh inwardly at the situation. Fame brought trouble, just as a fattened pig invited the butcher's knife.
Song Qing realized he had caused a commotion and hurriedly said, "Grandmaster Xiao Yan, please come inside the Pill Tower first."
With Elder Song Qing leading the way, Xiao Yan and Zi Yan smoothly entered the tower. As they walked, Song Qing asked respectfully, "Grandmaster Xiao Yan, may I ask what brings you to the Pill Tower this time?"
Xiao Yan smiled. "Nothing major. I've recently encountered a bottleneck in my alchemy, which reminded me of something President Xuan Kong Zi once mentioned. He said that within the Pill Tower lies a Small Pill Tower, a holy ground where champions of past Pill Gatherings and various genius alchemists gather to cultivate, study, and learn from one another."
"I came hoping to enter the Small Pill Tower and study there for a while."
Song Qing's steps faltered. He sucked in a sharp breath, eyes widening in shock. "A bottleneck? Grandmaster Xiao Yan, could it be that you've already reached the peak of tier 8 and are attempting to break through to tier 9?!"
He was already guessing on the high end. Back during the Pill Gathering, Xiao Yan had only just managed to refine a tier 8 pill that attracted six-colored Pill Lightning. Even if his progress had been like riding a rocket, reaching the peak of tier 8 in just a few years would already mark him as a superlative genius.
Yet Xiao Yan was not merely at the peak of tier 8. He was actually aiming at tier 9! That put him above even the Pill Tower's three giants!
Xiao Yan only smiled, neither confirming nor denying. If he had not gone through a hundred lifetimes of reincarnation, reaching tier 9 this quickly would indeed have been impossible. But now he had experienced those hundred reincarnations and refined the Bodhisattva Heart. That had not only enhanced his cultivation talent but had also sharpened his gift for alchemy, making the process feel even more natural and effortless.
"Entry to the Small Pill Tower is personally overseen by President Xuan Kong Zi and President Tian Lei Zi," Song Qing explained once he had calmed himself. "With Grandmaster Xiao Yan's status, you certainly qualify to enter."
He sighed inwardly. Whether he himself would ever have such an opportunity in this lifetime, he couldn't say.
"Just recently, the Small Pill Tower selected a new Elder seat and began choosing apprentices to enter and study under them. Things are quite lively at the moment."
Xiao Yan cupped his hands toward him and smiled. "Then I thank Elder Song Qing for the guidance. I'll take my leave here."
Song Qing watched Xiao Yan's retreating figure and let out a long, heavy sigh before turning away.
To be born in the same era as Xiao Yan... truly miserable.
…
Xiao Yan donned the Pill Gathering Champion's robes and made his way to the top floor of the Pill Tower without issue. In a spacious hall, he and Zi Yan took their seats while a Pill Tower Elder hurriedly withdrew to inform the presidents.
"They're actually making us wait. These old fogeys really have some nerve." The child-sized Zi Yan sat beside Xiao Yan, swinging her legs restlessly, boredom written across her little face.
To think they dared make the Dragon Emperor of the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe wait! Their guts were not small!
Xiao Yan smiled and picked up the teacup beside him, taking a light sip. He was in no hurry; this trip held many goals. He knew perfectly well that Zi Yan was still nursing a grudge from when the two of them had secretly entered the Star Region and nearly been slapped out of the sky by Xuan Kong Zi.
The hall remained quiet for a short while before hurried footsteps echoed from outside. The tightly closed doors swung open and hearty laughter rolled in.
"Haha, what rare guests! Xiao Yan, it's been a long time."
Dressed in pale robes, Xuan Kong Zi strode in with a broad smile. Tian Lei Zi followed close behind, also wearing a warm expression. Both men's gazes fell directly on Xiao Yan.
"It has indeed been a while. I trust the two Presidents have been well?" Xiao Yan set down his cup and smiled as he greeted them.
Compared to their very first meeting, his state of mind had undergone a tremendous change. He was calm and composed now, and their cultivation lay open before his eyes.
Both had reached Nine-Change Dou Venerate, with Spiritual Strength at the half-step Heavenly State. They were likely just one step away from becoming 9th-tier alchemists. Their strength could not be called weak.
Of course, compared to him, they still fell far short.
Xuan Kong Zi and Tian Lei Zi studied Xiao Yan in turn. After a moment, they exchanged glances, each seeing only shock in the other's eyes. Both felt as though they were standing before a boundless ocean whose depths they could not fathom.
"He has definitely reached the Heavenly State in Spiritual Strength."
"Mm, it's even possible he's already stepped into the Dou Saint realm..."
They shared another look. Beyond astonishment, there was only more astonishment. In just a few short years, Xiao Yan had surpassed them both. If a few more years passed, would he not stand shoulder to shoulder with the Pill Tower's Old Ancestor?!
Once he had collected his composure, Xuan Kong Zi smiled and shifted the conversation. "What brings you to our Pill Tower today, Grandmaster Xiao Yan?"
The topic had turned to business, and Xiao Yan's smile faded slightly. After a brief pause, he replied, "It isn't anything major. I seek some tier 9 pill recipes and wish to enter the Small Pill Tower to cultivate. I've heard the Small Pill Tower contains special alchemy techniques and ancient pill prescriptions not taught to outsiders. I'd like to study them for reference."
A trace of surprise flickered through the two presidents' eyes at the mention of tier 9 recipes. Naturally, they assumed he intended to begin refining tier 9 pills, preparing to step into the realm of 9th-tier alchemists.
They had no idea that Xiao Yan wasn't 'preparing' at all. He simply wanted recipes for pills he intended to refine and use directly.
"Tier 9 recipes are no problem," Xuan Kong Zi said. "What kind are you looking for? I must warn you, though, the price of a tier 9 pill recipe is far from cheap."
Xiao Yan smiled faintly and drew several brocade boxes from his storage ring. He opened them, revealing the Bodhisattva Seeds within.
"Bodhisattva Seeds!!!" Xuan Kong Zi and Tian Lei Zi shot to their feet in shock. If not for their remaining self-control, they might have lunged forward to snatch the boxes then and there.
Two years ago, the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree had appeared, but every single Bodhisattva Seed had ultimately fallen into Xiao Yan's hands. He had become the sole supplier of Bodhisattva Seeds in the world. Everyone had begged for even a single seed without success. Even the mighty Pill Tower had failed to obtain any.
"As expected... during that expedition to the Ancient Wasteland Region, you were the one who reaped the richest harvest." Xuan Kong Zi shook his head with a wry smile. At this very moment, he was missing only a single Bodhisattva Pill to help him break through to Dou Saint. And the main ingredient of the Bodhisattva Pill was, of course, the Bodhisattva Seed. Without it, no one could refine such a pill.
Tian Lei Zi leaned forward eagerly. "Xiao Yan, which tier 9 recipes do you want? I'll do everything in my power to find them for you."
It was almost comical to see these two normally dignified presidents behaving like eager children, as if they wished they could grab hold of Xiao Yan and pester him for seeds.
"I need the recipe for the Nine Yin Yellow Spring Pill, a tier 9 pill that can restore overdrawn life force, and a recipe for the Lightning Calamity Pill," Xiao Yan said after a brief consideration. "The highest-grade versions you have."
The Nine Yin Yellow Spring Pill was for the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame. The life force restoration pill was for Zi Yan. As for the Lightning Calamity Pill, that was for the Nine Mysterious Golden Lightning he had discovered.
He knew the Nine Mysterious Golden Lightning was attempting to gather a spirit, but nine times out of ten that attempt would fail. If it did fail, he had no intention of wasting it. He would simply refine it into a pill and consume it himself.
As the name suggested, the Lightning Calamity Pill was refined using lightning tribulations.
If the Nine Mysterious Golden Lightning served as the main ingredient, the resulting pill could increase a Dou Saint's cultivation by an entire star. Its effect would be extremely domineering.
"No problem. Leave those recipes to us." Xuan Kong Zi patted his chest confidently.
With the matter of the pill recipes settled, Xiao Yan asked, "By the way, I remember that the Pill Gathering champion qualifies to enter the Small Pill Tower for cultivation, correct? May I go in to train?"
Tian Lei Zi's smile deepened when he heard this fellow finally wished to enter. "Of course. You can enter the Small Pill Tower to cultivate at any time."
"If you'd come a bit earlier, you could have participated in the Small Pill Tower's Main Elder Council election. Unfortunately, that Old Demon Hou took the position." Xuan Kong Zi laughed. "Speaking of which, you actually have a connection with Old Demon Hou. Years ago, your master Venerable Yao defeated him in that year's Pill Gathering, snatching the championship and relegating him to second place."
"Oh? So there's such a story." Xiao Yan blinked, then shook his head with a helpless smile.
Xuan Kong Zi stroked his beard with a pleased grin. "Heh heh, becoming a Small Pill Tower Elder comes with numerous privileges. Not only will you have your own personal medicine fields inside and receive resources regularly, but you'll also be allowed to bring an apprentice to assist you."
"As it happens, today is the Small Pill Tower apprentice competition." He regarded Xiao Yan with a thoughtful look. "Dan Chen and Cao Ying are both participating in the selection. Grandmaster Xiao Yan, are you interested in going to take a look?"
Memories of Dan Chen and Cao Ying surfaced in Xiao Yan's mind. During his time in Holy Pill City, the two had shown him a fair amount of care.
'Hmph, that vixen.' Zi Yan wrinkled her nose in disgust. She had always disliked women like Cao Ying who flaunted their charms and flirted at every turn.
"Collecting the recipes will take some time anyway," Xuan Kong Zi said with a smile. "Why not watch the competition while you wait?"
"Alright, let's go have a look." Xiao Yan nodded. He was indeed curious to see how far Cao Ying and Dan Chen's alchemy had progressed.
Xuan Kong Zi stood and walked to the far end of the hall. He placed his palm against the smooth, jade-like wall, and a faint ripple spread outward from his hand. Before Xiao Yan's eyes, the wall began to twist and writhe, transforming in moments into a slowly rotating spatial passage.
'So it really is a self-contained space. The Small Pill Tower exists within an independently opened realm after all.' Xiao Yan murmured inwardly.
"Let's go."
Xuan Kong Zi smiled and stepped into the passage first. Xiao Yan and the others followed in sequence. As the last person entered, the spatial tunnel gradually faded and solidified once more into a seamless wall.
The transfer lasted barely a minute. Light blazed before Xiao Yan's eyes, and when he opened them fully, he found himself standing atop an immense verdant peak that soared ten thousand fathoms into the sky. Clouds and mist coiled around the mountain, lending the scene an ethereal, otherworldly charm.
"What a rich medicinal fragrance!" Zi Yan inhaled deeply, her purple eyes shining with excitement.
The Small Pill Tower contained no shortage of tier 9 medicinal ingredients. The wealth and variety of herbs here surpassed even those of Eastern Dragon Island!
Xiao Yan flared his nostrils slightly and swept his gaze across their surroundings. To his surprise, the entire mountain was blanketed in medicine fields. Herbs that would be rare treasures in the outside world grew here in vast, carefully cultivated plots.
'This place is practically another Pill Realm... No, the natural energy here is of an even higher grade than that old Pill Realm, and the medicinal ingredients are as well.' A trace of genuine surprise flickered in his eyes at the sight.
"Each of these plots has an owner. They're the lifeblood of those old fellows." Xuan Kong Zi chuckled, then started up the path toward the summit.
Zi Yan, naturally, was not listening to a word. Her eyes darted back and forth, bright with thoughts that Xiao Yan preferred not to imagine.
He shot her a sideways glance and whispered, "Don't you dare make a move yet. Everyone here has extremely high Spiritual Strength. If something happens the moment we arrive, we'll be the first ones they suspect."