Chapter 75: Return to the Pill Tower
"If it's a long story, let's skip it for now," Xiao Shaopei said, his palm radiating a soft glow to shield the Yin Yang Evil Saint's soul.
"Come with me back to the Xiao Clan. We have a Soul Nourishing Ground that can help you recover your spiritual strength."
The Yin Yang Evil Saint nodded silently, no longer speaking.
"Do you have any other matters to handle?" Xiao Shaopei turned to Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan shook his head. "I've fulfilled my promise."
Xiao Shaopei nodded, and a spatial rift appeared before him.
"Consider this a favor I owe you," he said with a faint smile before stepping into the spatial crack and vanishing.
"A favor from the clan leader…" Xiao Wen and Xiao Wu exchanged envious glances at Xiao Yan.
A favor from a Nine Star Dou Sheng was an invaluable asset. It meant that when Xiao Yan became a Dou Sheng himself, he'd have powerful backing within the Xiao Clan's inner circle.
"A mere favor from a Nine Star Dou Sheng," Xiao Yan said, unable to suppress a smug smile.
The trip had been far more rewarding than he had imagined.
With the Yin Yang Evil Saint's unique expertise, the evolved Yin Yang Sacred Flame that aids dual cultivation, and a favor from the clan leader, Xiao Yan felt unstoppable.
Armed with these gains, he was even more eager for his journey to the northwest continent where he sought not just rare flames but perhaps... other opportunities.
"Young Master, what's our next step?" Xiao Wen asked.
"Let's head back to the Pill Tower," Xiao Yan replied with a grin.
Returning there would give him time to prepare for his next grand adventure.
In the Depths of the Medicine Clan
Yao Ling sat cross legged in her palace, her ethereal face cold and serene. Her snow white skin glowed faintly, making her look like a flawless jade sculpture.
Her long eyelashes trembled slightly as her powerful soul energy continued to grow. Having broken through to the Dou Zong realm, her soul strength had now reached the peak of the seventh tier.
It wouldn't be long before she could challenge the eighth tier a feat that would make her one of the youngest eighth tier alchemists in the Medicine Clan's history.
Suddenly, the space around her rippled, and a handsome young man appeared in the palace.
"Brother, you're back!" Yao Ling's clear eyes sparkled with surprise and expectation as she looked at Yao Tian.
She was eager to know if her brother had properly punished that scoundrel Xiao Yan.
Although she no longer harbored murderous intent toward Xiao Yan, the thought of him suffering a beating still brought her some satisfaction.
"Sigh…" Yao Tian let out a long sigh, shattering Yao Ling's expectations.
"Brother, what happened?" Yao Ling's expression faltered.
"Sister…" Yao Tian hesitated for a long moment before speaking. "What do you think of Xiao Yan as a person?"
"Despicable, shameless, and vile," Yao Ling answered without hesitation.
"I thought so too." Yao Tian nodded but then braced himself. "But... have you considered giving him a chance?"
"Brother, what are you saying?" Yao Ling's wide eyes glimmered with both confusion and a flicker of anger.
Had that scoundrel bewitched her brother as well?
"I met the Xiao Clan's clan leader," Yao Tian admitted with another sigh.
Yao Ling froze.
"Xiao Yan is not just a saint of the Xiao Clan. He is their Emperor's Heir. Do you know what that means in the Xiao Clan?"
Yao Ling shook her head in confusion.
"It means Xiao Yan's status is equivalent to the Xiao Clan's clan leader himself."
Her eyes widened in shock.
Ignoring her reaction, Yao Tian continued, "As I've learned, the Xiao Clan's previous two Emperor's Heirs have both reached Nine Star Dou Sheng."
Yao Ling gasped.
A Nine Star Dou Sheng! Such figures stood at the pinnacle of the Dou Qi Continent. Among the Ancient Clans, five didn't even have such a powerhouse. And yet, the Xiao Clan now had three.
Each could single handedly suppress the entire Medicine Clan.
For Xiao Yan to be chosen as an Emperor's Heir meant the Xiao Clan recognized his potential to become another Nine Star Dou Sheng.
The realization left Yao Ling's emotions in turmoil.
"If Xiao Yan truly becomes a Nine Star Dou Sheng in the future, then perhaps... he wouldn't be unworthy of you," Yao Tian said carefully.
"Hmph! Even if I were to marry a cripple, I would never become his woman," Yao Ling said coldly, her tone resolute.
"I'm simply relaying what I've learned. Whether or not you choose him is entirely up to you." Yao Tian shook his head. "I'm sorry I couldn't avenge you this time."
"You've done your best, Brother," Yao Ling murmured, lowering her gaze.
After all, even her brother a proud genius of the Medicine Clan couldn't possibly go against the Xiao Clan's clan leader.
With a nod, Yao Tian vanished silently from the room.
"Xiao Yan…" Yao Ling whispered the name softly, her eyes flickering shut as she resumed cultivating.
But this time, her usually calm mind was plagued with images of those three days in the ancient city.
Her steady heart wavered, a faint heat rising within.
"Argh, so annoying!" Yao Ling snapped, slamming her palm onto the jade bed, leaving cracks in the thousand year old artifact.
At the Pill Tower
As the fiery sunset dyed the skies crimson, the bustling Holy Pill City began to quiet down.
"That's all for today. You've all made remarkable progress over the past few days. Truly worthy of being called geniuses of alchemy," a middle aged alchemist said with a smile to his students.
His gaze swept across the room, landing on a delicate young girl with a pale complexion and gentle demeanor sitting quietly in the corner.
The alchemist frowned slightly but held back, remembering the boy who was often by her side.
If he dared to reprimand her, that boy would probably show up to cause trouble.
Xiao Yan, that troublemaker arrogant, shameless, and talented. And infuriatingly untouchable.
Dan Chen rested her chin on her hand, gazing dreamily out the window.
"Class is over, and you're still daydreaming?" A lazy voice teased.
Turning, Dan Chen saw a tall girl in red approaching her.
"Have you thought about it? Why not give me Xiao Yan instead?" Cao Ying asked with a sly smile.
"No," Dan Chen replied firmly, pouting slightly.
"Really?" Cao Ying leaned in, narrowing her fox like eyes.
Dan Chen shook her head again.
"Fine, you win." Cao Ying laughed, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Looks like we'll have to share him."
Dan Chen's cheeks turned crimson, but she said nothing.
"What's this I'm hearing?" A familiar, teasing voice echoed from the doorway.
Both girls spun toward the source, where a grinning black clad youth leaned casually against the frame.
Xiao Yan.
(End of Chapter)
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