Chapter 336: Xuan Yi: You're Going to Host the Pill Gathering!
"This disciple of yours is truly a peerless talent," Xuan Yi praised, her beautiful eyes resting on Xiao Yuan, who was seated atop the blue lotus platform, steadily stabilizing his soul realm.
"Hehe, that boy's been clever since he was a child," Yao Lao said, stroking his beard with a proud smile.
"Looks like both of your disciples are about to step into the eighth-tier alchemist realm. Xuan Kongzi, looks like you've been thoroughly beaten!" Xuan Yi grinned as she turned to Xuan Kongzi.
"Sigh… my disciple is already exceptional enough, but this child before us—if given time—might just surpass all of us in the Dao of alchemy. What else is there to say?" Xuan Kongzi sighed in resignation.
"It won't take long. Xiao Yuan's only been practicing alchemy for under three years," Yao Lao added, beaming with pride.
"What???"
The other three—Xuan Kongzi, Tian Lei Zi, and Xuan Yi—were all shocked.
Less than three years of alchemy training, and he was already at eighth-tier?
Was he even human?
Their stunned gazes lingered on Xiao Yuan, as though trying to see through his very soul.
"Hehe, as for Xiao Yan, he's only been practicing alchemy for about four years. These two kids are just twenty. I first met them five years ago. When I awoke from my slumber, I guided Xiao Yan in cultivating Dou Qi and alchemy. Before that, he was just a third-stage Dou Qi novice. It was all a coincidence—but one that hardened his resolve.
As for Xiao Yuan, he couldn't cultivate at all as a child. I later found a way to help him. Because of his special constitution, he started learning alchemy even later," Yao Lao explained, choosing not to reveal Xiao Yuan's full background—even among old friends, some things had to be kept private.
"You're saying… they reached this level in both Dou Qi and alchemy within just five years?"
The three Pill Tower giants gasped.
"Yes, that's correct," Yao Lao said proudly.
"Incredible. If we didn't know you were an honest man, we'd never believe it," they murmured, exchanging glances of disbelief.
While the others caught up, Xiao Yuan had finished stabilizing his soul realm. With the Soul Elevation Ring's support and the nourishment from the Yin-Yang Soul-Nurturing Pearl, he was no longer in danger. However, he couldn't yet handle high-tier eighth-grade pills. His soul origin was still depleted.
Still, being able to stabilize his soul and leave behind such a crucial soul imprint with only that price—Xiao Yuan considered it a worthwhile trade.
The imprint wouldn't last forever, but it could endure five years. Each time his soul power broke through a major boundary, it would recharge the imprint—potentially sustaining it for fifteen to twenty years. That was plenty of time for him to reach the Dou Emperor realm.
Then, he'd return to the River of Time to find Han Shanshan.
These thoughts passed through his mind as he opened his eyes—to see Yao Lao's familiar, weathered face.
Xiao Yuan smiled. "Master."
"How are you feeling? I heard you burned your Dou Emperor bloodline for my sake, nearly falling from the Spirit Realm. Are you stable now?" Yao Lao didn't ask what had happened right away. He placed a finger on Xiao Yuan's wrist, checking his soul as concern filled his eyes.
"I'm fine, Master. But… don't you feel like something important is missing?"
Yao Lao's expression turned puzzled. He thought hard but couldn't figure out what Xiao Yuan meant.
"Never mind. The power involved erased your memories—it's normal that you wouldn't remember. Aunt Xuan and the two elders should be aware of it too."
Xiao Yuan placed a finger on his forehead, and soul force surged outward, forming a light screen.
Within it replayed the memory Xiao Yuan had witnessed earlier:
"Will you remember me?"
"No. That's the price."
"…Maybe, if you become a Dou Emperor… we'll meet again."
"…Right?"
As that sorrowful voice echoed in the empty star domain, tears streamed down Yao Lao's face. Xuan Yi's eyes reddened, and even Xuan Kongzi and Tian Lei Zi were silent.
So… that was the secret behind Han Shanshan's disappearance.
"I've been searching for you all this time… but in the end, I was the reason…"
Yao Lao trembled with grief. His soul flickered violently.
He'd spent years traveling the continent searching for her—never realizing the very memory had been erased.
As they saw the memory from Xiao Yuan's perspective, all four turned to look at him after the soul imprint appeared on Han Shanshan's brow.
"Master, I know what you're going to ask. Don't worry. I wouldn't act recklessly. When I reach the Dou Emperor realm, I'll use that soul imprint to trace Han Shanshan through the River of Time. No matter what, I'll reunite you two."
Xiao Yuan's tone was serious, his eyes filled with resolve.
"Mm. I trust you," Yao Lao said, nodding heavily.
"Sigh… so this was the truth. Yao Chen, don't place all your hopes on the child—you must work hard too. This is your responsibility," Xuan Yi said firmly, without a trace of jealousy at Xiao Yuan's mention of "Master Han."
"Do you have a body prepared? As long as I have a body, I can be revived," Yao Lao asked, turning to the three giants.
"No. We haven't fought in years—we don't have any corpses lying around," they said with awkward smiles.
"I'll take care of the body," Xiao Yuan interjected quickly. "Don't be hasty. Rushing it won't help. If we can find an ancient relic and acquire a Dou Saint's skeleton, refining it into a body would be far better."
"A Dou Saint's skeleton? Aren't you a bit too ambitious?" Yao Lao laughed despite himself.
"It's for Master's sake," Xiao Yuan replied earnestly. "Before Elder Feng left, I asked him to look into it. Now I'll also trouble Aunt Xuan, and Elders Xuan Kong and Tian Lei, to use your networks to seek clues. If Dou Emperor remains existed, I'd prefer those—but even if I and Xiao Yan combined forces, we couldn't refine one."
"You're ambitious—but you're doing it for your teacher. That's admirable," Xuan Kongzi said, his gaze on Xiao Yuan full of appreciation and envy.
"He's a good kid," Tian Lei Zi added solemnly.
"All the praise's been used up!" Xuan Yi chuckled, then looked at Xiao Yuan warmly. "By the way, I covered for you earlier. Since Yao Chen's identity can't be exposed, I told everyone you're my disciple. I hope you don't mind."
Yao Lao said nothing—he knew better than to argue with a teary Xuan Yi.
"As long as I'm not causing you trouble, I'm more than happy. Since you and Master are close, being your disciple too is an honor," Xiao Yuan said with a sweet smile.
"Haha, such a clever boy. Then my seat is yours one day!" Xuan Yi ruffled his hair lovingly.
"Aunt Xuan, let's not go that far. I'm not good at managing things…" Xiao Yuan's expression collapsed.
"You're just like your master—lazy! I'm not stepping down now. What are you afraid of?" Xuan Yi teased, then shot Yao Lao a sharp glare as if to say, "Look at how you raised him!"
Yao Lao looked completely innocent.
This was just how Xiao Yuan had always been: fine with carrying a title, but don't expect him to actually work!
"Sigh… only you could end up with such a brilliant disciple," Xuan Kongzi sighed again.
"Hmph! What's that supposed to mean? If you've got the guts, go reincarnate as a woman and become his Master Wife!" Xuan Yi joked shamelessly.
Even Yao Lao's soul form blushed, though his gaze didn't waver.
After all he'd been through, he no longer ran from emotions. In the past, Han Shanshan had held a place in his heart—but now that he understood the truth, he was free. He wouldn't shy away from Xuan Yi's affection.
"I can't even remember the last time you teased like this," Xuan Kongzi said, watching Xuan Yi's lively demeanor. She had truly changed since Yao Chen returned.
"Hmph! The Pill Gathering is coming up. Spread the word: Xiao Yuan is my disciple. That'll help conceal Yao Chen's identity," she declared excitedly.
"The Pill Gathering? I wasn't planning to participate. But Xiao Yan will. One of us has to inherit the title of the continent's number one alchemist," Xiao Yuan said with a smirk.
"You're not joining? Fine. Honestly, you participating would just be bullying the others. But since that's the case… you'll have to take over as one of the Three Pill Tower Giants. That way the Soul Hall won't dare touch you."
Xuan Yi understood. With Xiao Yuan's importance to both Yao Chen and the Pill Tower, she had to ensure his safety.
If something happened to him like what happened to Yao Chen, she'd never forgive herself.
Besides, she knew that if Yao Chen's two disciples accepted her as their Master Wife, then Yao Chen himself wouldn't be able to run from it either.
As for Han Shanshan?
She and Han Shanshan had always gotten along. There would be no conflict there.
"By the way…" Xuan Yi added with a smile, "The Pill Gathering champion will become a candidate for the Pill Tower Giant position. Since you're not competing, you'll host the Pill Gathering as my successor!"
"Eh?!"
Xiao Yuan's eyes widened.
Wait, he could do that?
"You two don't have any objections, right?" Xuan Yi looked at Xuan Kongzi and Tian Lei Zi.
"Hehe, if the young ones want to handle it, we're happy to step back. Since he's Yao Chen's disciple and has your backing—no problem at all," Xuan Kongzi smiled.
"Can we at least… talk it over?" Xiao Yuan asked, rubbing his temples.
"Relax. It's not as complicated as you think. Just show your face so everyone knows who you are. The elders will handle the logistics," Xuan Yi reassured him, glaring again at Yao Lao.
"Oh, well, that's fine!" Xiao Yuan's expression lit up. He gave a thumbs-up.
(END CHAPTER)
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