Exiting the grand hall, Xiao Yan did not engage in much conversation with Cao Ying and the others. He strode directly toward a passage leading to the lower levels of the Dan Tower.
“Mr. Xiao Yan, wait.”
As soon as Xiao Yan’s foot stepped out, a seductive and alluring voice sounded behind him. His steps halted, and he turned his head to look at Cao Ying’s enchanting face, smiling, “Miss Cao Ying, is there something you need?”
Cao Ying’s eyes flickered, radiating irresistible charm. At that moment, she was suppressing a giggle, saying, “Last time, I didn’t have a chance for a deep conversation with Mr. Xiao Yan. Now that we have time, why don’t we chat a bit?”
Hearing Cao Ying’s invitation, Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow, glancing at Song Qing, who was frowning slightly.
“Forget it, I have some urgent matters. We can talk another time if we have the chance,” Xiao Yan replied with a smile, not wanting to provoke any conflicts, especially over such trivial matters.
Seeing her invitation rejected, Cao Ying’s flowing gaze paused momentarily. Rejection was uncommon for her, yet she kept her thoughts from showing on her face. She smiled, “That’s really a pity…”
“Ying’er, since Brother Xiao Yan has important matters, let’s not force it. The Dan Conference is approaching, and the refining of the medicine we discussed last time is not yet complete. Why don’t we finish it today?” Song Qing said with a smile.
“Hehe, then I’ll leave you two to it. I might be in seclusion for a few days and will look forward to chatting with you when the Dan Conference starts…” Seeing Song Qing speak, Xiao Yan did not wait for Cao Ying’s response. He cupped his fists respectfully and quickly turned, heading toward the passage. He did not want to get involved with the unpredictable and mysterious Cao Ying. Song Qing appeared to be an extraordinary person, but Xiao Yan figured that he would eventually be played by Cao Ying…
Seeing Xiao Yan turn and leave without hesitation, Cao Ying’s lips parted slightly, then a corner of her mouth lifted. This guy was indeed interesting. Most men hovered around her like flies, but Xiao Yan treated her like a wild beast.
“Interesting…”
Watching Cao Ying’s interested expression, Song Qing’s heart sank slightly, and a cold gleam flashed in his eyes. Over the years, he had seen Cao Ying as his possession, and he would not tolerate any other man getting close to her. In his mind, who else could match Cao Ying besides himself? Even though Xiao Yan had become the champion of the five great families’ assessment, it wasn’t enough to make Song Qing take him seriously. Regardless of background, talent, or strength, Song Qing had the qualifications to overshadow his peers. With his continued growth, he would inevitably become a powerful figure in the Dan Tower. If he won the championship at this Dan Conference, he would be a candidate for the position of a major figure in the Dan Tower. At that point, what woman wouldn’t he be able to obtain?
“Xiao Yan, I hope you don’t become an obstacle in my path. Otherwise…”
Song Qing’s gaze followed Xiao Yan’s disappearing back, his eyes flashing with a hint of viciousness.
Xiao Yan, of course, did not know that even his quick retreat had drawn Song Qing’s hostility. Even if he did know, he would only curse Song Qing inwardly for being a fool…
Following the path he came, Xiao Yan wandered through the massive Dan Tower for nearly an hour before returning to the residence arranged by Elder Sheng. The flow of people within the Dan Tower was quite large, all of them alchemists, including some true master-level figures. It was fair to say that the Dan Tower was a hidden dragon and crouching tiger.
Back at the residence, after greeting Xiaoyixian and the others, Xiao Yan entered his room.
Sitting cross-legged on the bed, Xiao Yan took a brief rest. Then, he clasped a hand, and a light gray scroll appeared in his palm—it was the gift from Xuan Kongzi.
As he slowly unrolled the scroll, an intangible wave emanated from it. This wave was very familiar to Xiao Yan; it was the soul imprint.
The scroll, upon being unrolled, contained no text, only some slightly twisted, invisible wrinkles. Pondering for a moment, Xiao Yan gripped the scroll and gently placed it against his forehead.
As the scroll touched his forehead, the intangible wave surged forth. Xiao Yan immediately felt a surge of information flood into his mind like a tidal wave.
After the influx of information stopped, Xiao Yan lightly set down the scroll and focused, beginning to organize the unique information.
After a while, Xiao Yan’s closed eyes slowly opened, shining with a faint light. The information was the soul skill that Cao Ying practiced, known as the Soul Handprint or Soul Seal. In ancient times, soul skills, like combat skills, were divided into four ranks: Heaven, Earth, Mystic, and Yellow. The Soul Handprint was a high-grade Mystic rank soul skill. Though not extremely advanced, it was still quite impressive. Its power, Xiao Yan had experienced firsthand. Unlike combat skills, due to the rarity of soul skills, they could have surprising effects in battle.
Of course, the most significant part was that the Soul Handprint taught one how to maximize the use of soul power, rather than relying solely on its brute strength as in the past.
The Soul Handprint consisted of three seals, and Xiao Yan had only learned the first seal from Cao Ying. However, the scroll now in his possession contained a complete record…
“So, this is a soul skill… It truly differs from the execution of combat skills,” Xiao Yan mused. While some combat skills required specific hand seals, soul skills absolutely needed them. As the hand seals changed, the soul power followed a specific trajectory, but fundamentally, the principles were similar.
Taking a deep breath, Xiao Yan gradually focused his mind, and his hands began to move slowly, following the imprints in his mind.
Xiao Yan’s hand seals transformed slowly, but he was completely serious. Soul power gradually flowed from his brow, aligning with the changes in his hand seals.
In the room, Xiao Yan repeatedly performed the hand seals. Although the training was monotonous, it was essential. Whether it was for soul skills or combat skills, mastering them required diligent practice.
Time passed quickly as Xiao Yan practiced, but as he steadily formed the hand seals, the energy fluctuations gathered in his palms became more and more refined…
“Extreme Soul… Close the Heavenly Spirit… Absorb and Forge the Soul…”
Completely immersed, a faint whisper escaped Xiao Yan’s lips, seemingly beyond his control. Under the unknown incantation, the space in the room rippled slightly, and wisps of delicate spiritual energy seeped out, penetrating Xiao Yan’s brow.
Xiao Yan was unaware of these changes. He only knew that with the incantation, his control over his soul power became more fluid, and even the lag between forming the seals diminished.
In the quiet and serene room, the sound of a low, Buddha-like chant echoed gently.
Time flew by like water, and Xiao Yan did not realize that ten days had passed. Due to the impending Dan Conference, the population in Sage Pill City had surged, and people could be seen everywhere.
With the population boom, trouble was inevitable, but fortunately, the Dan Tower was not an ordinary force, maintaining order well. No major disturbances occurred. As the Dan Conference approached, the entire city was in a state of intense excitement. The Dan Conference was a major event not only for the Dan Realm but for the entire central continent. Countless alchemists dreamed of shining brightly at the conference and becoming the next star of the continent.
However, beneath the surface, there were undercurrents. This Dan Conference was different due to the Flaming Three Thousand Fire. Many factions sent their alchemists, clearly aiming to obtain the fire. This Dan Conference would become a battleground for countless excellent alchemists, and all their training led to this moment.
Countless alchemists would compete fiercely at the conference!
And in the midst of the city’s fever, time finally reached the final day before the Dan Conference. In one of the rooms of the Dan Tower, a young man resembling an old monk in meditation gently trembled and slowly opened his dark eyes…
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