The last one to appear was none other than Xiao Yan?
Even Xiao Li hadn't expected to meet Xiao Yan here.
Since their last separation on Tianmu Mountain, the two brothers hadn't had much contact.
Xiao Li wasn't worried about Xiao Yan; after all, he was the protagonist of the original story, and he had Yao Chen to protect him. Plus, he wasn't being targeted by the Soul Hall at the moment, making him much safer.
And since Xiao Yan was also an Alchemist, coupled with Yao Chen's influence, it was quite normal for him to participate in the Pill Gathering. It was just that Xiao Li hadn't anticipated it.
"So you two are brothers after all, Xiao Li, Xiao Yan. I hadn't connected the two," Xuan Kongzi said with a smile, stroking his beard.
Xiao Yan had already arrived in Holy Pill City a few days ago.
And because of Yao Chen, he had successfully met the three great leaders of the Pill Tower.
Xuan Kongzi had originally wanted Xiao Yan and Xiao Li to get acquainted.
He didn't expect them to be brothers.
Cao Ying and the others were also very surprised.
They had learned a bit about Xiao Yan — a rank seven intermediate Alchemist and a nine-star Dou Zong.
At such a young age, such achievements were extremely rare even in the Central Plains.
Of course, compared to Xiao Li, Xiao Yan's achievements were still a bit less.
But now, knowing that these two were brothers, everyone was a bit stunned.
Two brothers, with almost identical achievements, with the elder brother being a bit stronger than the younger, that was quite normal, wasn't it?
"I didn't expect you two to be brothers. It seems your Xiao Family indeed has a strong bloodline," Xuan Kongzi said with a smile.
It wasn't strange for a great family to produce a few geniuses.
Like the Five Great Families of the Pill Tower, they also had many young geniuses.
The difference now was that before, they could consider Xiao Li or Xiao Yan as lone geniuses.
Now that they discovered they were brothers, they had to consider whether there was a great family behind them.
The appearance of one genius could be a coincidence, but two in a row was no longer a coincidence.
The Xiao Family... there was no such family force in the Central Plains.
Perhaps it was some reclusive family?
After all, the Central Plains was full of hidden talents. Although the surface forces were only one Hall, one Tower, two Sects, three Valleys, and the Four Directions Pavilion, who knew how many reclusive family forces were hidden in the shadows.
Xuan Kongzi and the others now basically regarded Xiao Li and Xiao Yan as disciples of some reclusive family, out for some experience.
"Alright, since you all know each other, let's talk about serious matters," Xuan Kongzi didn't dwell too much on the identities of Xiao Li and Xiao Yan.
Everyone quieted down, listening to Xuan Kongzi speak.
"The Pill Gathering selections will begin in a few days. This year's Pill Gathering, due to the Three Thousand Yan Flame, has attracted many people."
"Many individuals who usually don't appear, or forces that rarely move, have come."
"Among them are people from the Soul Hall."
"Soul Hall?" Cao Ying and the other two frowned, evidently aware of the Soul Hall.
"The Soul Hall and our Pill Tower have always been mortal enemies. Although we will filter out the people from the Soul Hall in this Pill Gathering, we cannot guarantee that they will behave themselves and not cause trouble."
"And the Three Thousand Yan Flame has been sealed by us for so long; it holds deep resentment towards us. Once it's released, the consequences would be unimaginable."
"Therefore, we absolutely cannot let the Three Thousand Yan Flame fall into the hands of the Soul Hall," Xuan Kongzi said.
"Then what should we do?" Xiao Yan asked.
He had also dealt with the Soul Hall a few times — because of Yao Chen.
"What you need to do is actually very simple: try your best to secure a spot in the top ten of the Pill Gathering, and at the same time, be wary of people from the Soul Hall secretly attacking you."
"After all, to get close to the Three Thousand Yan Flame, you must reach the top ten in the Pill Gathering," Xuan Kongzi said.
These young people in front of him were all individuals he trusted deeply, who had a chance to enter the top ten of the Pill Gathering.
Whether out of protection for them or vigilance against the Soul Hall, it was necessary to remind them.
"Understood."
The few of them nodded.
"Alright, for the remaining few days, all of you go back and prepare well. I look forward to your performance at the Pill Gathering."
Everyone nodded and left the main hall... "Little Yanzi, come with me."
Xiao Li called Xiao Yan and walked towards the Ye Family's manor.
"I knew Second Brother would also come to the Pill Gathering, and sure enough, I met him," Xiao Yan said with a smile.
"You brat, since you knew I would come, why didn't you look for me?"
"I just arrived, and then Teacher started clamoring about wanting to visit his old friends at the Pill Tower. I haven't even had time to look for you yet," Xiao Yan said.
At this moment, Yao Chen in his ring was a bit displeased.
"What do you mean I wanted to see old friends? It was clearly you who, as soon as you heard you could enter the Pill Tower, couldn't be held back no matter what."
Yao Chen's voice was not deliberately concealed, allowing Xiao Li to hear it as well.
After all, he and Xiao Li had already interacted before.
In fact, Yao Chen had even been threatened by Xiao Li back then.
"Hahaha, speaking of which, Little Yanzi, why haven't you helped your Teacher reconstruct his body yet?" Xiao Li suddenly asked.
Yao Chen was Xiao Yan's good teacher. Although Xiao Li had scared him before, Xiao Li held no ill will towards him.
"I'm currently looking for materials; I've almost gathered them all. I estimate that in a while, I'll be able to help Teacher reconstruct his body," Xiao Yan said.
"If you need any help, remember to tell me. My alchemy skills are still a bit stronger than yours," Xiao Li patted Xiao Yan's shoulder.
A younger brother would always be a younger brother, unable to surpass his older brother.
"I originally thought that with Teacher's guidance, even if my cultivation couldn't surpass Second Brother's, my alchemy skills would definitely be stronger than Second Brother's."
"I didn't expect to still be unable to surpass Second Brother," Xiao Yan said, feeling quite helpless.
From childhood, Xiao Li's talent had always been better than his.
Later, after going out for training, Xiao Yan cultivated diligently and made rapid progress, thinking he could catch up to Xiao Li.
However, he was too naive.
"You're still a bit lacking. Work harder on your cultivation," Xiao Li said with a smile.
The two brothers quickly returned to the Ye Family's manor.
"Xiao Li!"
Ye Xinlan, hearing the commotion, joyfully came out to greet him.
But then she saw another person beside Xiao Li, who looked somewhat similar to him, and she was momentarily stunned.
"Xiao Li, he is?"
"Oh, let me introduce you. This is my younger brother, Xiao Yan."
"Little Yanzi, this is Xinlan, she's also your sister-in-law," Xiao Li introduced them to each other.
His call of 'sister-in-law' made Ye Xinlan blush a little.
Although Xiao Yan was his younger brother, he was still considered Xiao Li's family.
This made Ye Xinlan feel like she was meeting the family.
Sister-in-law?
Xiao Yan's expression was a bit strange.
He secretly nudged Xiao Li,
"Second Brother, how many sisters-in-law is this?"
Xiao Li immediately choked on his saliva: "Cough cough... Why ask so many questions?"
"Hehe, I understand everything."
Xiao Yan chuckled, then generously shook hands with Ye Xinlan.
"Hello, Sister-in-law."
"Hello..."
...