Chapter 438: For Those Who Cannot Fly, the Higher I Soar, the Smaller I Appear to Them
After a brief transfer through the spatial tunnel, in less than a minute, the light before Xiao Yuan brightened dramatically. When he opened his eyes, he found himself standing atop a massive green mountain that reached ten thousand zhang high. Looking around, the mountain was wrapped in mist, like a true paradise.
"What a rich medicinal aroma…"
Xiao Yuan inhaled deeply. As he glanced around, he was surprised to see the entire mountain covered in herb gardens, filled with swaths of rare herbs that were scarce even in the outside world.
"This is practically another world of alchemy."
He muttered, wonder flickering in his gaze.
"These herb gardens all belong to individual owners—each one is a lifeline to one of the old fellows."
Xuan Kongzi chuckled and led the way toward the summit. Xiao Yuan and the others quickly followed. Along the way, through the dense herbal fields, they saw elderly figures tending their plots. Though they looked like simple herb farmers, Xiao Yuan could clearly sense powerful soul fluctuations from them.
Clearly, these elderly "herb farmers" were soul power masters in disguise.
Strangely, no one paid any attention to Xiao Yuan—the unfamiliar face—whereas Yao Lao drew many astonished glances. Several elders came up to greet him, clearly old acquaintances.
After walking a few paths, they finally reached the summit. Xuan Kongzi and the others arranged simple stone quarters for Yao Lao and Xiao Yuan, then left to inform the leaders of the Little Pill Tower.
After all, Yao Lao hadn't come just for medicinal formulas—he also hoped Xiao Yuan could join the Little Pill Tower.
This would help greatly in the future conflict with the Soul Hall.
Having once suffered from being isolated, Yao Lao was determined to build Starfall Pavilion into the strongest sect on the continent—rivaling even the Eight Ancient Clans.
Both Yao Lao and Xiao Yuan knew this couldn't be rushed, so they quietly rested. Half an hour later, the three returned.
"You picked a bad time. The Little Pill Tower only takes new members every two years. While we hold some sway, we can't create a personal test just for Xiao Yuan."
Xuan Kongzi explained with some helplessness.
"However, in seven days, the Elder Assembly has agreed to move the entrance forward. All qualified candidates will participate. Even if Xiao Yuan wins, he'll still have to face challenges again two years later."
Given the situation, this was already bending the rules.
After all, a quasi-Emperor soul could indeed change a few rules.
"I see. But two years from now, they won't dare challenge me again."
Xiao Yuan replied with a confident smile.
"Well said!"
Xuan Yi beamed with approval.
"That said, the most promising contender this time is someone you know," Xuan Kongzi turned to Yao Lao.
Yao Lao frowned slightly. "Old Freak Hou?"
"Yes. That stubborn old man. He's never gotten over losing to you at the Pill Gathering back then. If Xiao Yuan faces him, it won't be easy."
"Tch. Yao Chen is already a ninth-tier alchemist, and Xiao Yuan's been an eighth-tier for a while. With his soul power now, that old coot's no match."
Xuan Yi sneered, clearly not fond of Hou.
Yao Lao nodded. "Let Xiao Yuan crush him. That old man needs to know—if I beat him, so can my disciple!"
"Haha, if that happens, he'll lose all face."
Tian Leizi laughed.
Xiao Yuan wasn't concerned. With his current skill, he didn't fear facing any old monsters.
"How many-colored pill lightning can he summon?" he asked cautiously.
Best to know your enemy.
"Haven't seen him go all-out in years. Last time was twenty years ago—he summoned eight-colored pill lightning. He could probably reach nine-colored now."
Xuan Kongzi estimated.
"Nine-colored, huh…"
Xiao Yuan nodded. To compete with Yao Lao in his prime, the guy had to be top-tier.
"So he needs to refine a ninth-tier pill to beat him?"
Yao Lao frowned. Even crafting the lowest-tier ninth-grade treasure pill was difficult. Xiao Yuan had strength, but not as much experience.
Xuan Kongzi and the others turned to Xiao Yuan. "Confident?"
"If it's just a treasure pill…"
Xiao Yuan lightly rubbed his fingers and said calmly, "While I lack experience, my quasi-Emperor soul makes up for it."
Hearing this, the three elders breathed easier.
"Good! Then we'll look forward to your performance. Stay here for now—the environment is perfect for alchemists."
Xuan Kongzi stood and left with Xuan Yi and Tian Leizi to prepare. Although the Elder Council had approved it, they still had to deal with other elders.
—
Over the next seven days, Xiao Yuan and Yao Lao lived atop the Pill Tower Mountain. Many veteran alchemists dropped by—mostly due to Yao Lao. Having not seen him in years, they came to exchange greetings.
Yao Lao, in turn, introduced them to Xiao Yuan. These elders had influence and connections, and making friends with them could only help.
Xiao Yuan understood this well and showed nothing but respect and courtesy. When they learned his alchemy rivaled Yao Lao's, their attitudes grew even warmer. Power earned respect, no matter the place.
By night, Yao Lao took Xiao Yuan into the Heavenly Tomb to exploit its slower time and gave him intense crash courses on refining ninth-tier pills.
—
On the eighth morning, Pill Tower Mountain bustled. Normally peaceful, the Little Pill Tower was now lively. Its residents were mostly withdrawn elders who preferred studying alchemy over worldly chaos.
Atop the mountain, a naturally formed plaza sat shrouded in mist like a heavenly realm. Xiao Yuan found the setting quite enjoyable.
Today, many elderly figures had gathered. Any one of them would be fiercely courted by top factions. Just one of these alchemists could dramatically boost a sect's power.
As more arrived, Yao Lao and Xiao Yuan walked in with Xuan Kongzi, Xuan Yi, and Tian Leizi. Yao Lao's appearance drew many warm greetings—he was clearly well-respected here.
"Yao Chen, you old bastard, you're still alive?"
A discordant voice rang out.
The crowd parted, revealing a thin, gray-robed old man.
"Old Freak Hou, if you're still alive, how could I be dead?"
Yao Lao replied calmly.
"That's him?"
Xiao Yuan looked over. The old man did look like a monkey—cold-faced and difficult.
"You left the Little Pill Tower on your own. I thought you had the spine to stay gone forever."
Hou sneered. He'd always clashed with Yao Lao, trying and failing to surpass him.
Yao Lao just smiled. With his strength, only the Great Elder was above him now. Hou was nothing more than a rival who could never catch up.
"So that's why the election got moved up—your schemes again. After all these years, let's see how your alchemy has progressed."
Hou snorted again.
Yao Lao smiled. "I'm not competing—it's my disciple this time."
"Your disciple?"
Hou turned to Xiao Yuan. Seeing how young he was, his face darkened.
"This brat is your candidate? Pulling strings like that? This is the Little Pill Tower, not some backwater sect!"
Some elders looked at Xiao Yuan in confusion.
"Hou, Xiao Yuan is the future Tower Master. His brother Xiao Yan won the Pill Gathering. He's also Yao Lao's other disciple. But Xiao Yuan's skill is even greater."
Xuan Kongzi stated coldly.
"Pill Gathering champion?!"
Hou's expression changed. Losing to Yao Lao in that very competition had always been a sore spot.
Now Yao Lao had a disciple who won it—and one even stronger?
"Sounds like this Pill Gathering wasn't that competitive."
"Wrong," Xuan Yi snapped. "Xiao Yan refined an eighth-tier pill with nine-colored pill lightning. You've studied alchemy for decades and never managed that!"
"Nine-colored?!"
The elders gasped. Even among them, some couldn't achieve that.
"Then this brat can refine a ninth-tier pill? I don't believe it!"
Hou barked.
Xiao Yuan replied calmly:
"For those who cannot fly, the higher I soar, the smaller I appear to them."
Hou's face darkened. A junior had just mocked him to his face.
"Hmph! If you can't refine a ninth-tier pill, you'll regret those words!"
He stormed off, furious.
Yao Lao patted Xiao Yuan's shoulder, smiling faintly.
"How about it? Confident?"
Xiao Yuan smiled and nodded lightly.
"Don't worry, Teacher."
(END CHAPTER)
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