Chapter 642: Elder Wanhuo and the Medicine Clan Leader
"Xiao Yan, stop!"
Just as Xiao Yan was about to strike Yao Wan Gui, a loud and aged voice boomed across the sky. Everyone was shocked as they saw a massive cloud of fire quickly surging down from the mountain peak. Amidst the flames, a red-haired elder rapidly approached.
"It's Elder Wanhuo!"
Upon seeing the red-haired elder, exclamations of surprise rippled through the crowd in the square. They hadn't expected that even Elder Wanhuo would be alerted.
"A six-star Dou Saint?"
Mo Yu raised his eyebrows slightly. These ancient clans indeed had deep foundations. Even though Yuan Mansion had gradually absorbed the Nine Nether Earth Python Clan and the Sky Demon Phoenix Clan, there was still a considerable gap between them and these top-tier ancient clans.
At the same time, Xiao Yan frowned slightly when the red-haired elder appeared. He glanced at Yao Wan Gui, whose face was filled with both glee and malice, and Xiao Yan's gaze turned cold. His sharp finger wind was ready to pierce into Yao Wan Gui.
"Xiao Yan, do you intend to sever all ties between Yao Chen and the Medicine Clan with your actions!?" the red-haired elder shouted angrily, his eyes glaring wide as he saw Xiao Yan about to deliver a deadly blow.
Hearing this, Xiao Yan frowned tightly. He recalled the purpose of his visit, and severing relations with the Medicine Clan wasn't a wise move. So, he retracted his finger wind and, under everyone's watchful gaze, spoke in a low voice.
"Elder, I didn't come to the Medicine Clan to cause trouble. But if someone bullies my master and me, I won't let it slide so easily!" Xiao Yan's voice dropped, and Mo Yu stepped forward to support him. His eyes fixed on the red-haired elder, and he said calmly, "What Xiao Yan said is true. The Medicine Clan insulted Master Yao Chen first. Xiao Yan only sought justice for his teacher."
Feeling the aura of Xiao Yan, a five-star Dou Saint, and sensing Mo Yu's support, even Elder Wanhuo couldn't help but twitch. These two young men were the most prominent rising stars on the continent. Not only were they powerful, matching even some old monsters in strength, but their backgrounds were formidable too.
Xiao Yan came from the once-mighty Xiao Clan, which was formerly the top of the ancient clans. Although the Xiao Clan had fallen, with Xiao Chen's return and Xiao Yan's terrifying talent, it wasn't impossible for the Xiao Clan to restore its former glory.
As for Mo Yu, he carried the divine bloodline of the Thunder Clan. Even more astonishing, he had built Yuan Mansion from scratch, turning it into a powerhouse on par with ancient clans. His talents and methods were awe-inspiring.
Standing before these two young men, even Elder Wanhuo felt an intense pressure.
"Xiao Yan, today is a grand day for the Medicine Clan. If Yao Wan Gui has offended you, could you spare him, on behalf of our clan?"
Hearing Elder Wanhuo's softened tone, the crowd was surprised. But they quickly understood that the Medicine Clan couldn't afford to offend both the Tianfu Alliance and Yuan Mansion at the same time.
"Elder Wanhuo!" Several other elders of the Medicine Clan looked upset, unwilling to accept such humiliation.
"Be quiet! I know what I'm doing!" Elder Wanhuo shouted, his expression darkening as he scolded them.
Then, looking for a way to save face, Elder Wanhuo turned to Mo Yu and said, "For the sake of Master Mo, let's not dwell on this matter any longer."
Although the other elders felt resentful, they remained silent. Elder Wanhuo's status in the clan was second only to the clan leader. If he had decided, they couldn't argue further.
Hearing Elder Wanhuo's words, Xiao Yan's cold expression softened a little.
"Since Elder Wanhuo has personally intervened, insisting further would seem unreasonable," Yao Lao said with a light laugh, finally speaking for the first time.
Elder Wanhuo exhaled in relief, casting a complicated glance at Yao Lao. Who would have thought that the once-dismissed outcast of the Medicine Clan had grown so powerful? Not only had he become a Dou Saint himself, but he had also trained a disciple who surpassed him.
With Yao Lao speaking up, Xiao Yan nodded. He glanced coldly at Yao Wan Gui, then casually threw him toward the group of Medicine Clan elders, who rushed to catch him awkwardly.
"Elder Wanhuo, my teacher and I are here on behalf of the Tianfu Alliance. My teacher is the alliance leader. Please mind your words when addressing us," Xiao Yan said, his eyes fixed on Elder Wanhuo.
"You are right, Xiao Yan. As guests, you should be treated with respect. We'll make sure everyone in the Medicine Clan treats you properly from now on," Elder Wanhuo said with much more grace than Yao Wan Gui. His words showed the dignity expected of a great clan, and many nodded in approval.
Yao Wan Gui's face turned red with embarrassment, but he dared not speak further. If not for Elder Wanhuo's timely arrival, even if he survived today, he would have been humiliated in front of everyone.
Elder Wanhuo paid him no mind and declared, "For disrespecting our guests, you are exiled from Yao Mountain for ten years. Iron Guard, take them away!"
As soon as his words fell, several figures appeared and dragged the pale-faced offenders out like dogs.
"Master Xiao Yan, Lord Yao Lao, Master Mo, are you satisfied with this punishment?" Elder Wanhuo asked with a smile.
"Your fairness is admirable, Elder Wanhuo," Xiao Yan responded with a smile.
Mo Yu also nodded slightly, realizing that not all of the Medicine Clan was as corrupt as Yao Wan Gui. At least Elder Wanhuo handled things with poise and tact.
Turning to Mo Yu and his group, Elder Wanhuo's expression softened. "And this must be Gu He, the top alchemist of Yuan Mansion?"
"Oh, I'm honored that Elder Wanhuo knows of me. I am but a humble alchemist," Gu He replied calmly, though surprised by the elder's greeting.
As one of Yuan Mansion's top members, Gu He had long outgrown his former status as a little-known alchemist. He now represented the prestige of Yuan Mansion. Although facing a six-star Dou Saint like Elder Wanhuo was daunting, Gu He remained composed, mindful of the weight he carried.
"Haha, you are too modest. I've heard from our clan members in Yuan Mansion that you are on the verge of reaching the ninth-tier in alchemy. It seems that moment isn't far away," Elder Wanhuo said, looking at Gu He with genuine respect.
Among the people of the Medicine Clan, there was a common belief that true alchemists came from their clan, and that all others were second-rate. Even the Pill Tower, which gathered the best alchemists on the continent, had to admit that the Medicine Clan led the world in alchemy.
Given Gu He's background—a simple alchemist from a distant empire—it was astounding to think that he could reach the heights of the Medicine Clan's top alchemists. Elder Wanhuo couldn't help but be impressed.
Gu He smiled humbly and said, "My achievements are due to Master Mo's guidance. I owe it all to him."
If there was one thing Gu He was most grateful for, it was joining Yuan Mansion under Mo Yu's leadership. Mo Yu had provided him with invaluable resources, including a soul cultivation method and ancient alchemical formulas, which had allowed Gu He to rapidly progress to the pinnacle of the eighth-tier alchemists.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Elder Wanhuo smiled and said, "The hour grows late. If you would like to observe the Medicine Codex, please follow me to the mountaintop. The Medicine Clan's Codex is even grander than the Pill Tower's Alchemy Gathering. It's a gathering of the finest alchemists on the Dou Qi continent."
With that, Elder Wanhuo laughed and flew into the air, heading toward the mountaintop. The other elders quickly followed.
As the Medicine Clan elders flew away, Xiao Yan turned to his companions and said, "Master, cousin, Gu He, let's go meet the so-called top alchemists of the continent."
Mo Yu and the others laughed, nodding as they took to the air, following the elders toward the mountain peak.
...
At the top of Yao Mountain, mist swirled, and the fragrance of medicinal herbs filled the air, creating a peaceful, almost otherworldly atmosphere. The mountaintop was covered in fields of medicinal plants, which stretched out like a vast ocean.
Suspended in the air above the fields was a massive floating square. At each corner of the square, giant cauldrons emitted pillars of smoke, their scent of medicinal herbs reaching into the clouds.
By the time Mo Yu and his group reached the mountaintop, the square was already filled with people, and the air was buzzing with chatter.
Looking toward the northern part of the stone platform, they saw rows of stone chairs, with beautiful maidservants flitting between them like butterflies, filling jade cups with drinks.
As Mo Yu's group was about to find a random spot to land, Elder Wanhuo stood up from his stone chair and called out with a laugh, "Master Mo, Master Yao Lao, Master Xiao Yan, and Master Gu He, please join us over here!"
"Mo Yu, Xiao Yan, the Tianfu Alliance and Yuan Mansion are here as well?"
"Yuan Mansion has been unstoppable lately, swallowing up both the Nine Nether Earth Python Clan and the Sky Demon Phoenix Clan. Even the Hall of Souls is avoiding them, hiding like rats."
"Shh, be quiet. No matter what, the Hall of Souls is still powerful. If they hear us, we'll be in trouble."
As Elder Wanhuo's voice rang out, many turned to look at Mo Yu's group. Yuan Mansion had become a dominant force in Zhongzhou, especially after conquering the Sky Demon Phoenix Clan. The Hall of Souls had even started avoiding conflict with them, which made Mo Yu's arrival draw many curious eyes.
Ignoring the stares, Mo Yu and his companions followed Elder Wanhuo and found seats, where they were immediately served tea by the clan's maids.
"The preliminary rounds of the Medicine Codex are just the warm-up. The real competition comes at the end," Yao Lao said with a smile as he looked down at the massive stone platform.
He turned to Xiao Yan and added, "If you can win the final competition, you will earn the title of the continent's greatest alchemist."
Xiao Yan smiled lightly. "I don't care much about being first or second. I just want to prove, with the alchemy skills you taught me, that the Medicine Clan made a foolish mistake when they abandoned a true genius."
"Xiao Yan, you're too modest. I believe you'll win the championship this time," Gu He said, sipping his tea and smiling at Xiao Yan.
"Oh? You really think so?" Xiao Yan asked, surprised by Gu He's confidence. After all, this competition gathered the best alchemists from across the continent, and even Xiao Yan wasn't certain of victory.
"Just a gut feeling," Gu He replied with a chuckle.
"I also believe my cousin will win," Mo Yu added with a smile. In the original timeline, Xiao Yan had won the championship of this very competition, and he had no reason to think it would be any different now.
Xiao Yan was taken aback by the certainty in their words, then shook his head with a wry smile. "I didn't expect to be under so much 'pressure' before the competition even begins…"
As Mo Yu's group continued their conversation, the crowd around the stone platform grew larger and larger, filling the air with excitement. The noise of their voices even shook the clouds above.
Suddenly, a bell rang out across the sky, and all the members of the Medicine Clan rose to their feet, their voices echoing in unison.
"Welcome, Clan Leader!"
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