Xiao Yan’s gaze locked tightly onto the void within the inner region of the Holy Pill City. A long while later, he slowly withdrew his gaze and rubbed his forehead; due to that terrifying shout earlier, his head was now slightly dizzy. “Indeed worthy of the Pill Tower, to have such terrifying experts…” He sighed softly, and with a wry smile, Xiao Yan thought about how the owner of that shout, who had not even shown his figure, could shatter someone’s soul with just one word. Such a capability would require at least an 8th-grade alchemist to achieve.
Gradually regaining his composure, Xiao Yan’s gaze swept around, but then he paused, as the courtyard was now brimming with a fresh, clean air. Lush green grass sprouted from the earth, turning what was once a desolate ground into a lively scene.
“What is this?” Xiao Yan frowned, clearly remembering that earlier in the day, the place was still overgrown with weeds and showing signs of decay. Why was there such a dramatic change now?
“Could it be because of earlier?” Turning his thoughts, Xiao Yan suddenly seemed to realize something. Earlier, under the guidance of the starry sky, he seemed to have entered a mysterious state.
At this thought, Xiao Yan closed his eyes, and after a moment, abruptly opened them, his eyes filled with a mix of shock and joy that he couldn’t hide.
“The spiritual energy within my soul seems to have become much denser…”
Xiao Yan was extremely unfamiliar with the so-called Spiritual Realm and did not know how to enhance the spiritual energy within his soul. Therefore, he could only rely on occasionally entering some mysterious states to acquire it. But these states were rare, occurring only once before during a frenzied pill concoction session, and now again tonight.
Nevertheless, the increase in spiritual energy within his soul was, for Xiao Yan, at least a good thing.
“At this rate, if I can enter that state a few more times, I might truly be able to enter the so-called Spiritual Realm. If that happens, I would have a great chance in this Pill Assembly…”
Feeling the refreshing sensation brought by the dense spiritual energy within his soul, Xiao Yan lazily stretched, somewhat greedily thinking.
As Xiao Yan was delighted by the increase in spiritual energy within his soul, somewhere in the heart of the inner region of the Holy Pill City, in a void, certain information was being exchanged.
“Someone spied on the Stellar Domain earlier, but luckily, they didn’t awaken the Three Thousand Fallen Flame. Otherwise, it would have been quite troublesome.”
An old voice slowly echoed through the void.
“Could you identify who it was?”
“No, but the person’s soul power was quite strong. I guess it might be an 8th-grade alchemist who has reached the Soul’s Spiritual Realm.”
“Could it be the people from the Hall of Souls? They have a great interest in the Three Thousand Fallen Flame. According to intelligence, they will also send people to this Pill Assembly. If they get one of the top ten spots, they will surely make a move for the Three Thousand Fallen Flame…”
A low, puzzled voice also quietly sounded.
“We don’t know. Although I shattered the spy’s soul, it was only a trace of their soul. Their main body should not have been severely harmed.”
“Strengthen the security. As the Three Thousand Fallen Flame absorbs starlight, it will become stronger. We can’t keep it sealed forever, but it harbors a great grudge against us. Once it breaks free, it could destroy the entire Holy Pill City. So, if someone can tame it, that would be best. Of course, that person mustn’t be like those from the Hall of Souls. Many alchemists’ souls on the continent have already fallen into their hands.”
“What does that guy from the Hall of Souls want? Capturing so many soul bodies… Sigh, I feel a bit uneasy…”
As the person spoke, the space fell into silence…
“Even Yao Chen is in the hands of the Hall of Souls,” a deep, old voice slowly emerged after a while.
“Yao Chen… What a distant name. Sigh, originally, he should have had a place among the three giants of this Pill Tower, but his ambitions lay elsewhere. These Hall of Souls guys are going too far.”
“I assume you’ve heard of the recent battle in the Pill Domain. It’s said that one of the participants was Yao Chen’s disciple.”
“Haha, Yao Chen’s disciple… I really want to meet him. To be chosen by that extremely picky old guy, he must have some extraordinary qualities. But who knows how he compares to those from the Cao and Pill families?”
“Those two are both prodigious. At this rate, in a hundred years, they will be qualified to become the next Pill Tower giants.”
“Mm… Let’s not worry about other things. The Pill Assembly is about to begin. Let’s make sure it goes well. As for the Hall of Souls, though they are powerful, they can’t control everything. If they have any sinister plans, the Gu Clan and some ancient, hidden forces won’t let them act recklessly. Now, what we need to do is prevent the Three Thousand Fallen Flame from falling into their hands. Disperse for now, and stay alert.”
“Mm…”
As the voice faded, the conversation among the Pill Tower giants in the void came to an end.
The next morning, when Little Healer Immortal woke up, she saw the garden filled with the colors of spring and was stunned.
“Awake?” Xiao Yan, who was sitting cross-legged on a wide stone pedestal, also opened his eyes and smiled at Little Healer Immortal.
Little Healer Immortal smiled gently, stood up, and her black robe slipped off. Seeing this, she paused, bent down to pick up the robe, and gently stroked it, her grayish-purple eyes filled with a tender expression.
“Mr. Xiao Yan, are you awake?” An old voice sounded outside the courtyard, and Ye Chong appeared at the entrance, smiling at the two inside.
Xiao Yan jumped down from the stone pedestal and said, “Are we leaving?”
Ye Chong nodded and said, “Let’s go. I’ll take you to the Pill Tower’s testing site to get a certified grade badge. Little Healer Immortal can stay here; she doesn’t need to come along this time.”
Hearing this, Little Healer Immortal hesitated, looked at Xiao Yan, who nodded slightly, and then softly said, “Be careful, then.”
Xiao Yan smiled, exchanged glances with Ye Chong, and turned to leave the yard.
Outside the Ye Mansion, Xiao Yan followed Ye Chong for almost fifteen minutes before stopping at a rustic stone tower in the outer region of the Holy Pill City. At the moment, countless alchemists were bustling about, their noisy chatter forming sound waves that spread out.
“This is the Pill Tower’s branch, similar to the Alchemist Guilds’ branches in some empires.” Ye Chong led Xiao Yan through the crowd into the ancient stone tower and introduced it in a low voice.
Entering the tower, Xiao Yan’s gaze swept around, surprised at how spacious it was, not smaller than the headquarters of the Jia Ma Empire’s Alchemist Guild. Inside the tower, many alchemists in robes representing various grades were bustling about.
“To the north of the tower is the trading area, where many alchemists exchange herbs or pills.”
After introducing, Ye Chong pointed to the north of the stone tower.
“However, there usually aren’t many good items here. In two days, the Holy Pill City will have a special auction, which is exclusively for alchemists. Only those with a Pill Tower certification can participate. Perhaps we can go and see, as there are often many rare items there.”
Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the exclusive alchemist auction. Though not a common occurrence, he was indeed interested, and even if he didn’t find what he needed, he could at least broaden his horizons.
“Haha, come with me first. The south is where the certification is done.” Ye Chong smiled and turned towards the southern area of the tower, followed quickly by Xiao Yan.
When they reached the testing area, a long queue had already formed. Seeing this, Ye Chong furrowed his brows and said to Xiao Yan, “Wait here, I’ll smooth things out. If we wait like this, we might not finish the testing today.”
Xiao Yan nodded and watched Ye Chong leave, habitually stepping back. Then, he felt his back collide with a soft body.
“Ahh…” A startled cry came from behind, and Xiao Yan quickly turned, seeing the girl he had knocked to the ground. His hand flashed out, reaching to grab her.
“No!” The girl, seeing Xiao Yan’s hand coming towards her, exclaimed in alarm.
But it was too late; Xiao Yan’s hand, as swift as lightning, caught her arm. Yet before he could apply pressure, his face paled in shock, as he realized the soul force swirling between his brows was surging, ready to flow into her body…
He bit his tongue, and his hand retracted as if shocked. Stepping back, he stared at the pale-faced girl before him, noticing the badge on her chest bearing a circular symbol, like a pill.
“A member of the Dan family?”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage