Chapter 341: Vexing Vixen, Black-Hearted Xiao Yuan
From a distance, Xiao Yuan glanced toward Xiao Yan, who was currently being entangled in an awkward romantic situation. The corners of his lips curved upward slightly before he chose an empty spot and sat down cross-legged. He didn't want to get too close to anyone—especially not Xiao Yan—to avoid blowing his cover. Even if Xiao Yan figured out who he was, he had no intention of acknowledging it.
Still, his gaze wasn't exactly subtle. Xiao Yan, ever alert, immediately felt it—and his pupils shrank.
That… that outfit looked very familiar!
The white dress wasn't one he remembered exactly, but the white robe paired with a veil—that combination? Very recognizable!
Noticing Xiao Yan's eyes drift to the veiled woman in white, Cao Ying frowned.
What's that supposed to mean?
Is he looking down on me?
"Hey hey hey, don't tell me your type is the innocent kind? You don't like girls like me?"
Cao Ying didn't consider herself inferior to any other woman in terms of looks. Sure, she had been slightly outshone when she met Xiao Yuan… but that was a guy!
Xiao Yan had no proof, but he was almost certain that veiled woman was his third brother sneaking into the trial. Since the "woman" was clearly keeping a deliberate distance, it was obvious he didn't want to be recognized. So acting like strangers was the best course of action.
"You've misunderstood. I just think her strength may be greater than her badge suggests," Xiao Yan explained, sensing the rising flames of irritation from the beautiful seductress beside him.
He wasn't interested in Cao Ying. Compared to Xun'er, everyone else paled.
Still, she was Elder Xuan Kongzi's disciple, and before entering the Pill Realm, Xuan Kongzi had secretly asked Xiao Yan to keep an eye on her. It seemed the Soul Hall had infiltrated the competition.
"What makes you think that?" Cao Ying arched an eyebrow curiously.
"I didn't sense anything—that's why I'm suspicious," Xiao Yan replied.
"You sure it's okay being this close to me?" he added, speaking more to the veiled Xiao Yuan than to her.
"You mean Song Qing?" Cao Ying smirked as she glanced at the moody man nearby. "He's not worth my attention."
"Sigh, then don't use me as your shield."
Xiao Yan shook his head helplessly.
A short distance away, Wang Yuandan—seeing his master-uncle getting pestered by a vixen—sighed and found a spot to sit quietly. Still, he locked his soul perception onto Xiao Yan, remembering his master's instruction to protect him.
"Want to team up later? I feel like hanging with you will make the mission easier," Cao Ying asked with a charming smile.
"I don't mind," Xiao Yan replied, "but you'll have to follow my lead."
"Eh? So I just do whatever you tell me to?" she teased, biting her red lips with an innocent blink, playing the clueless rabbit.
"…Maybe you should go solo."
Xiao Yan had to admit—this woman was dangerous. Pure trouble. Keeping her around was asking for chaos.
He knew well enough that this phase of the Pill Gathering, while officially about finding medicinal herbs, was actually a brutal elimination round. The greatest threat wasn't the beasts—but the other contestants.
If not for Xuan Kongzi's request, and the fact that she had somewhat warmed up to Xiao Yuan at the Pill Tower, Xiao Yan wouldn't have bothered with her. She was a seductive, irritating disaster.
"Pfft!" Cao Ying giggled, lightly slapping his arm.
Xiao Yan's temples throbbed. The moment he first saw her, he knew she was trouble. His instincts were right.
Xun'er… he sighed internally. I wonder how you're doing in your clan.
He drifted into thought.
"…?"
Cao Ying noticed his lovesick daze and grew curious.
So… he already has someone?
Before she could dig deeper, an unassuming old man suddenly appeared in front of the portal—seated atop a giant black turtle.
Judging by his badge, he was with the Pill Tower. But most people had never seen him before.
When Xiao Yuan's gaze swept over the old man, his heart skipped. He couldn't read the elder's strength at all.
"No doubt… the Pill Tower really is full of hidden dragons."
Just as he discreetly retracted his gaze, the "sleeping" elder snapped his eyes open. A wave of soul force rippled so intensely that even Xiao Yuan felt a tremble in his own soul.
This guy… is a veteran Spirit Realm eighth-tier alchemist!
The elder glanced briefly at Xiao Yuan but didn't seem to notice anything strange. He lazily scanned the crowd and spoke in a disinterested tone:
"It's time. You may now enter the Pill Realm. Each of you, come get your task list, a map, and a spatial stone."
He lifted a hand. "The list shows the herbs you must find. Only by gathering all items will you pass."
"As for the map—it marks the exit. Once you have your herbs, head there."
"The spatial stone is for emergency use. If your life is in danger, crush it to exit. But doing so means you're disqualified. Understood?"
Everyone nodded.
He continued, "The Pill Realm has deteriorated over the years. You'll have ten days to gather herbs. Identifying them is your basic skill—I won't teach you."
"The beasts inside, however, have thrived. Some are very dangerous. If you die… no one's saving you. This is not a game. It's a battlefield."
His tone turned cold.
"Enough talk. If you're ready, step forward. There's still time to back out."
No one moved.
These were elites—none would flinch now.
Soon, a middle-aged alchemist stepped up, took his supplies, and entered the swirling portal. Others followed in turn.
Xiao Yuan waited patiently. After watching Xiao Yan, Cao Ying, and Wang Yuandan enter, he stood up and approached.
"Your soul force is impressive. You're participating too?" the old man asked, unable to sense who Xiao Yuan really was.
"Just here to broaden my horizons," Xiao Yuan replied, voice soft and melodious.
"…Take your supplies."
The old man passed over the items with a casual nod.
"Thank you, senior," Xiao Yuan replied gracefully and entered the Pill Realm.
The old man watched his departing figure and murmured,
"Let's hope she's not with Soul Hall… such terrifying soul force at that age—this competition will be fierce."
—
A desolate plain stretched beneath a golden sky. The earth was dry, occasionally dotted with small green patches. Beasts scurried in the distance, kicking up dust.
Suddenly, space rippled, and a white silhouette burst forth—Xiao Yuan.
Floating midair, he scanned the horizon.
"So this is the Pill Realm…"
He sensed the chaotic, turbulent energies within the atmosphere.
"Powerful energy, but unstable… Is that the result of spatial decay?"
He plucked at the air, pondering. Only Dou Saints could create independent spaces—and they required constant upkeep. Without maintenance, these spaces eventually broke down.
Shaking his head, Xiao Yuan brought out the parchment task list the turtle elder had given him.
"Only three herbs?"
But even with his vast collection, he only had one of them.
Nine-Flame Dragon Saliva Grass, Spirit Essence Berry, Immortal Crane Grass.
He muttered the names.
He had multiple samples of Immortal Crane Grass—it was a mid-tier seventh-grade pill ingredient.
But the other two? He'd heard of them… but never seen them.
Well, what else could he do? Search.
If he failed, he'd be eliminated. Not that he planned to enter the finals anyway.
His heart lightened. "Eh, whatever happens."
He unrolled the map. Three red circles marked specific regions.
"Guess that's where the herbs are."
Still, he didn't plan to turn in the herbs once he found them.
Why hand them over?
They're mine! All mine!
Just then, the space behind him shimmered. Nearly a dozen figures spilled out, landing haphazardly on the ground.
Hah, newbies.
Before he could finish that thought—
BOOM!
A monstrous serpent erupted from the dunes, its jaws lunging toward a stunned alchemist.
(END CHAPTER)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Albino1