Chapter 338: Cao Ying's Interest
For the past month, Xiao Yuan's main focus had been on restoring his soul origin and training his cultivation techniques and Dou Skills.
Unfortunately, the spoils from the rings of Chen Xian and his companions turned out to be full of worthless techniques and arts—none of which interested Xiao Yuan in the slightest.
However, with the abundance of battle techniques he already possessed, he wasn't too disappointed. Especially since Xuan Yi had gifted him a new set of Soul Seals, usable both in combat and in pill refinement.
She had also given him a standard Pill Tower robe—white with intricate purple-gold embroidery, classically styled yet opulent, clearly symbolizing status.
It was said that only the three Pill Tower Giants were permitted to wear robes with such purple-gold patterns. Xuan Yi wasn't joking; she truly intended to appoint Xiao Yuan as one of the next Pill Tower Giants.
Meanwhile, Yao Lao's black ancient ring, the Gu Yan Ring, had been claimed by Xuan Yi. As a result, Yao Lao was "forced" to stay with her every day. Though he was too embarrassed to say it, Xiao Yuan could tell: his master's spirit and soul strength had clearly improved while being around her.
As for Xiao Yan, he had gone off to participate in the Five Great Clans' Evaluation. With his Spirit Realm soul power and eighth-tier alchemist level, he crushed the event with flair, effortlessly humiliating challengers and shocking everyone in attendance.
Though the evaluations were semi-public, meaning many powers showed up either to spectate or to build relationships with the rising stars, some factions had come hoping to seize the Ye family's spot.
Unfortunately, all they got was front-row seats to Xiao Yan's glorious display.
After the exam, Xiao Yan returned directly to the Pill Tower. While powerful factions could enter the tower to visit, Xuan Yi's private courtyard on the top floor was off-limits to all but a select few.
This left Xiao Yan feeling relieved.
However, there was one thorn in his side—
"Xiao Yan, come out and spar with me!"
A graceful silhouette stood at the courtyard entrance, walking in without waiting for a reply.
The woman's figure was tall and curvaceous, dressed in a black robe that emanated cold arrogance. Her skin was fair as snow, her long black hair flowing freely over her shoulders. Her features were refined and delicate like fine porcelain. Her languid, narrow eyes held a seductive glimmer, making her beauty downright bewitching.
"Sigh… I really don't have time for another spar," Xiao Yan said helplessly as he stepped out to face the alluring woman.
This was Cao Ying, the most talented young alchemist of the Cao Family, and a future Pill Tower Giant candidate.
While her current fame might not turn heads, her future position certainly would—one of the Three Pill Tower Giants. That title came with unimaginable power. The Pill Tower, the sacred land for all alchemists across the continent, wielded influence like no other. And the Giants were its heart.
Cao Ying was the most gifted genius in her clan's history, the personal disciple of Xuan Kongzi. Given her trajectory, she would likely become the youngest female Giant in Pill Tower history.
However, with Xiao Yuan already being groomed for the position, Xiao Yan found her less impressive—especially since his older brother had already secured a Giant's seat.
Their connection traced back to Xinlan.
In the Ye Clan's downfall, a potential political marriage with the Cao Clan had been discussed but never finalized. Xinlan wanted nothing to do with someone she didn't know or love, so Ye Zhong sent her to Jia Nan Academy, where she met Xiao Yuan and Xiao Yan.
Recently, Cao Dan, the man who nearly became Xinlan's fiancé, came to the Ye Clan looking for trouble—and was swiftly put down by Xiao Yan.
Cao Dan, unable to retaliate, whined to Cao Ying.
Cao Ying hadn't cared—until Xiao Yan became an eighth-tier alchemist and casually shattered all of her records during the evaluation.
Taken alone, it was a common occurrence. But combined with the earlier grudge, it looked like a deliberate challenge to the Cao Clan.
More than anything, it caught Cao Ying's attention.
She liked rivals. Not overwhelming dominance, but the thrill of worthy opposition. Dan Chen had been one—though she was hidden away by her family most of the time. Now she had found Xiao Yan.
They had already sparred once during the evaluation—and Xiao Yan had, right before her eyes, copied and surpassed her own Soul Seal technique. Using her own move, he had smacked her away.
Though prideful, she wasn't a sore loser. Her slight grudge was overpowered by genuine curiosity about her new rival.
She had already come twice—once during Xiao Yan's pill refinement, and once where he intentionally held back, ending the match in a draw.
Naturally, Cao Ying wasn't satisfied.
Even worse: most men were dazzled by her. Whether talented or not, they always reacted. Xiao Yan… just found her annoying.
That irritated her—just a little.
But more than anything, she was annoyed by the pity of his earlier draw. She wasn't someone who needed mercy!
Now, with the Pill Gathering approaching, she had come again.
And when Xiao Yan declined once more, a dangerous smirk curved her lips.
In that moment, her delicate face exuded a dark charm.
"No time? If that were true, you wouldn't have come out to greet me. One match—just one!"
Recognizing the dismissiveness in his tone, she struck first. Soul force surged, laced with an unmistakable spiritual resonance.
Xiao Yan's gaze sharpened.
Was she serious this time?
Cao Ying inhaled deeply, her chest rising. Her hands moved rapidly, weaving different seals as if her hands were dueling one another. A dense soul pressure swept out from her palms.
Though it was the same Soul Seal from before, it had evolved with spiritual essence. An average high-tier seventh-grade alchemist wouldn't be able to withstand it.
But Xiao Yan had trained hard these past days. Not only had Xuan Yi given him the same Soul Seal as Xiao Yuan, but he had also studied it carefully—sparring and refining it with his brother.
He could now use it with ease.
Boom!
Cao Ying's soul seal erupted with strength. Her palms froze in an intricate, alien gesture that bore no resemblance to any Dou Technique.
With a flash of her eyes, she struck!
A formless palm strike, roaring like a tiger, blasted toward Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan's hair and robes billowed, but he calmly formed his own soul seal—even faster and more refined—and struck back.
Crash!
A wave of formless soul force exploded outward, shaking the courtyard.
The resulting shockwaves were enough to level nearby structures.
"Sigh… even friendly matches need restraint."
A familiar, exasperated voice rang out.
A flood of gentle soul energy swept over the courtyard, nullifying the residual force in an instant.
Clad in his white and purple-gold Pill Tower robes, Xiao Yuan stepped in from the courtyard entrance.
He had just returned from a Pill Tower elders' meeting. Frankly, it was dull.
One elder had even tried to raise the matter of Xiao Yuan killing someone at the trade fair. But the moment Xiao Yuan stood beside Xuan Yi and she revealed his identity, the elder was struck dumb.
He was Xuan Yi's personal disciple, the next Pill Tower Giant. By tradition, that elder should be bowing to him!
What more was there to say?
And Xuan Yi had sealed it with one sentence:
"If any of you were making seven-colored thunder pill at twenty and could battle a five-star Dou Zun, I'd gladly step down and give you my seat."
After that, all the elders quieted.
Thus, Xiao Yuan had been officially confirmed as the host of the Pill Gathering. Everything else would proceed as usual—he only had to make an appearance.
Upon returning, he walked in just in time to prevent a demolition of the courtyard.
"Brother, you're back!" Xiao Yan retracted his soul force and smiled.
"Mm, I'm back."
Xiao Yuan nodded.
Cao Ying frowned at the pair's easy camaraderie—until she noticed the purple-gold patterns on Xiao Yuan's robe.
"You're… the one Master mentioned? The personal disciple of Senior Xuan Yi?"
Naturally, Xuan Kongzi hadn't told her about Yao Lao. He had only said to befriend Xiao Yuan, as the two were likely to become fellow Pill Tower Giants.
"Brother, this is Cao Ying—the Cao Clan's top genius," Xiao Yan introduced.
They hadn't met before due to Xiao Yuan's seclusion.
"Oh? A pleasure. I'm Xiao Yuan," he greeted with a smile.
"Cao Ying."
She wasn't big on formalities. "I heard you made a pill that drew seven-colored thunder?"
"I did."
"You're incredible. I can't make that kind of pill," she said solemnly, having sensed the spiritual depth of his soul force moments earlier.
"Told you before—my brother's Xuan Yi's disciple. You didn't believe me," Xiao Yan sighed.
"Our matters have nothing to do with that," Cao Ying waved it off. She sauntered toward him, smiling sweetly. "You're still holding back. When the Pill Gathering starts, let's really go all out. Don't disappoint me, Xiao Yan."
Her voice, her scent—everything brushed close.
Xiao Yan looked at her captivating face and felt a twinge of unease. He responded calmly:
"I'll do my best—but not to please you."
"Hmph. What a surprising reply. I don't even know how to respond. Well then, see you at the Pill Gathering."
With a devilish smile, she turned and left the courtyard, leaving behind a lazy, proud silhouette.
Xiao Yan exhaled. Though he rarely pondered romance, being around his brother had made him more aware.
And from Cao Ying's intense interest… he could tell that their future interactions would be far from simple.
Better to keep a healthy distance—for now.
(END CHAPTER)
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