Central Region of the Central Plains.
After Xiao Li and Medusa left Tianbei City, they traveled through the spatial tunnel for another four days before finally arriving in the Central Region.
Emerging from the spatial tunnel, what appeared before them was a city bustling with people!
The scale of this city was not very large, similar to Tianbei City, and it was usually just an ordinary transit city.
However, now, due to the impending start of the Pill Gathering, people from all over the Central Plains were flocking here.
This caused the city to bear a flow of people it shouldn't have.
"So many people."
Even Medusa showed a hint of surprise at this sight.
It was too spectacular!
"As expected of the Pill Gathering, such appeal is probably unmatched," Xiao Li exclaimed in admiration.
"Are we going directly to Holy Pill City?" Medusa asked.
Holy Pill City was the venue for the Pill Gathering and the location of the Pill Tower.
Xiao Li's ultimate destination was certainly Holy Pill City, but not yet.
"No hurry, we'll go to Ye City first to find the Ye Family."
Xiao Li had previously promised Ye Xinlan that if he came to the Pill Gathering, he would find the Ye Family and help them pass this year's Pill Tower assessment.
So, first to Ye City.
Medusa nodded and flew towards Ye City with Xiao Li… Ye City, the city of the Ye Family in the Pill Region.
As one of the Five Great Families of the Pill Tower, the Ye Family had also been glorious in its ancestors' time.
Although it was now gradually declining, Ye City was still the Ye Family's territory.
Within several thousand meters of the city center, it was all the Ye Family's manor, and no one else was allowed to enter.
At this moment, the atmosphere in the Ye Family's main hall was somewhat tense.
"I will absolutely not marry that scoundrel Cao Dan!"
Ye Xinlan shouted angrily.
An Elder of the Ye Family immediately frowned: "Nonsense! Are you still unaware of our Ye Family's current situation?"
"The Cao Family is one of the Five Great Families, and they are a suitable match for our Ye Family. Cao Dan is also a rare Alchemist genius of the Cao Family. Marrying him would not only help our Ye Family resolve its crisis but also allow you to marry into a good family."
Ye Xinlan angrily retorted: "Do you really think the Cao Family would be so kind? Once I marry Cao Dan, their Cao Family will only find opportunities to gradually swallow up our Ye Family."
"If we are destined to be annexed by the Cao Family, we might as well just give up our status as one of the Five Great Families."
The Ye Family Elder's face immediately showed a hint of anger: "Xinlan, what are you saying?! Our Ye Family's foundation, you say you want to give it up just like that?!"
"In any case, I will not marry Cao Dan!" Ye Xinlan bit her thin lip, stubbornly stating.
The Elder snorted coldly: "It's not up to you to disagree with this matter. Our Ye Family has made its decision; you must marry Cao Dan!"
Ye Xinlan's face turned pale.
A family's decision was not something one person could change.
This was also the drawback of great families; often, one was powerless.
For the sake of the family, some sacrifices were necessary.
Just as Ye Xinlan felt despair and couldn't think of any solution, a voice came from outside,
"Instead of marrying Cao Dan, why not marry me?"
Everyone hurriedly looked towards the entrance, only to see a handsome young man and a charming, alluring woman walk in.
"Who are you? How dare you trespass into my Ye Family?!" the Elder immediately roared.
Ye Xinlan, however, was overjoyed: "Elder Xiao?!"
Upon hearing this, the Elder immediately understood: "You are Elder Xiao Li from Jia Nan Academy, whom Xinlan spoke of?"
But his tone did not convey much respect.
After all, an Elder of Jia Nan Academy was nothing to their Ye Family.
"Xinlan, I'm here." Xiao Li looked at the blue-clothed girl in front of him, a gentle smile on his face,
"I heard what you just said. Xinlan, instead of marrying Cao Dan and letting the Cao Family help, why don't you marry me? I can also help you overcome this crisis."
His words were half-joking.
Ye Xinlan also heard it, but her cheeks still flushed slightly.
The Elder, however, was very displeased with Xiao Li's dismissive attitude.
"No matter who you are, trespassing into my Ye Family, acting arrogant, and speaking wildly, you clearly don't regard our Ye Family at all!"
The next moment, the Elder flicked his sleeve, sending a fierce surge of power towards Xiao Li.
"Noisy!"
Xiao Li merely glanced at him.
The next moment, an indescribably terrifying pressure instantly disintegrated the Elder's attack, and even the table beside the Elder shattered.
The Elder's face immediately turned pale.
Because he could feel how terrifying Xiao Li's pressure was!
This was completely beyond what a mere Dou Zong like him could contend with!
This young man in front of him was ridiculously strong!
"Now, can we talk properly?" Xiao Li glanced at the others present.
For a moment, everyone whose gaze he swept over averted their eyes, not daring to meet his gaze.
At this point, a green-robed Elder stood up and bowed to Xiao Li: "This old man is Ye Zhong, the Great Elder of the Ye Family. Elder Xiao's strength truly lives up to its reputation."
Xiao Li merely nodded, saying indifferently: "I promised Xinlan to come and help, but if your Ye Family maintains this attitude, then I think it's your own fault if your Ye Family loses its status as one of the Pill Tower's Five Great Families."
He had the right to say such words.
The Ye Family was just one of the Pill Tower's Five Great Families; their biggest advantage was their connections as Alchemists.
But when it came to actual strength, the Ye Family was far inferior to the Four Directions Pavilion.
Xiao Li had no need to take them seriously.
"We were impolite just now; this old man apologizes to Elder Xiao here." Ye Zhong politely cupped his hands and bowed deeply.
His attitude made Xiao Li nod in satisfaction.
Fortunately, not all of the Ye Family members were arrogant and rash.
Otherwise, he might have just turned around and left.
Most importantly, Ye Xinlan had told Ye Zhong about Xiao Li's deeds.
If his achievements at Jia Nan Academy weren't enough to shock them.
Then, after arriving in the North Region of the Central Plains, Xiao Li's battle at Tianmu Mountain and his conflict with the Ice River Valley had left Ye Zhong incredibly astonished.
Of course, given the Ye Family's status, even the Ice River Valley had to maintain some courtesy.
But this was mainly out of respect for the Pill Tower; if it were purely based on the Ye Family's strength, it would not be comparable to the Ice River Valley.
And Xiao Li had not only offended the Ice River Valley and the Four Directions Pavilion, but he was still safe and sound, while the Four Directions Pavilion and the Ice River Valley had suffered losses.
Who would dare to underestimate such courage and strength?
"I don't want to explain too much. If your Ye Family needs my help, then I will stay."
"If your Ye Family thinks you don't need my help, or you don't trust me, then I will leave now," Xiao Li said calmly.
Upon hearing this, Ye Xinlan quickly looked at Ye Zhong, her eyes pleading: "Great Elder…"
Xiao Li was someone she had managed to invite with great difficulty; if things turned unpleasant because of this, it would be terrible.
Ye Zhong pondered for a moment, then bowed deeply to Xiao Li again,
"Then we will trouble Elder Xiao."
...