In a vast, endless desolate plain, sparse patches of emerald grass could be seen, but more so, it was covered in a barren, crimson hue. Occasionally, vultures flew overhead, their sharp cries piercing the sky. This desolation enveloped the plain, and at one moment, the space here suddenly fluctuated. A black rift tore open, and several figures tumbled out from it, then fell to the ground.
“Zi Yan, are you alright?” Upon landing, Little Healer Immortal saw Zi Yan’s pale face and asked anxiously.
Zi Yan shook her head, her body glowing with purple light, and quickly shrunk back into the form of a little girl. She panted, wiping cold sweat from her forehead, and said, “Nothing serious, just need some rest. Let’s see how Xiao Yan is first.”
Beside them, the Wind Venerable, upon appearing, grasped Xiao Yan’s wrist and began probing. His expression grew even more somber. Seeing this, everyone’s hearts sank.
As they stood in grim silence, the black ring on Xiao Yan’s finger trembled, and Pharmacist Elder’s ethereal figure flashed out, grabbing Xiao Yan’s wrist. After a moment, his eyes filled with murderous intent as he coldly said, “Old Star Plucker, such a cruel method!”
“Old friend!” The Wind Venerable sighed, feeling a wave of sentiment, but now was not the time for reminiscing. The most pressing matter was Xiao Yan’s condition.
“Pharmacist Elder, how is Xiao Yan?” Little Healer Immortal’s face was also somewhat pale as she asked softly.
“His meridians are shattered, and nearly seventy percent of his bones are broken. Old Star Plucker’s palm must have used all his strength,” the Pharmacist Elder replied in a deep, grim voice, his usually smiling face now revealing a hint of viciousness.
“From now on, we will have an unending enmity with the Soul Temple…” The Pharmacist Elder’s vicious tone made the Wind Venerable sigh softly. It was the first time he had seen the usually calm and collected Pharmacist Elder so emotional. Even when Han Xue betrayed him years ago, he had not been this agitated. Clearly, Xiao Yan held a significant place in his heart.
Hearing the Pharmacist Elder’s words, Little Healer Immortal’s already pale face turned even whiter. Her delicate figure swayed, and Zi Yan quickly came to her aid.
“Such severe injuries…” Heavenly Fire Venerable and Bear War exchanged glances, both sighing softly. Taking a full-strength palm from a Five-Star Peak Dou Venerable, other than Xiao Yan, anyone else would have likely died on the spot. Xiao Yan being still alive was already quite a miracle.
“There must be a way, right? Aren’t you known for being able to save lives as long as there’s a breath left?” The Wind Venerable hurriedly asked, noticing everyone’s gloomy faces. However, as the words left his mouth, he couldn’t help but smile bitterly. He had forgotten that the Pharmacist Elder, now devoid of a physical body and weakened by the Soul Temple, lacked the peak strength he once possessed.
The Pharmacist Elder’s face was grim as he sat beside Xiao Yan, gazing at the blood-covered face. His murderous intent surged again, the first time he had felt such intense killing urges in years. He knew that if it weren’t for Xiao Yan’s rescue mission, such a perilous situation would have been avoided with Xiao Yan’s usual prudence.
“Calm down, Xiao Yan went through great lengths to save you. If you go after the Soul Temple now, wouldn’t you be walking right into their trap?” Noticing the Pharmacist Elder’s expression, the Wind Venerable knew what he was thinking. Gently patting his shoulder, he said, “The most important thing now isn’t revenge, but saving Xiao Yan.”
Hearing this, the Pharmacist Elder took a deep breath. He knew the Wind Venerable was right; now was not the time for rash actions.
“Think carefully, your alchemical skills should provide some solutions,” the Wind Venerable suggested.
The Pharmacist Elder nodded, his vicious expression slowly softening. He placed his hand on Xiao Yan’s wrist, carefully examining his internal state. As he concentrated, the familiar aura of the Alchemy Sovereign gradually permeated, reminiscent of his once-legendary status. Although he had fallen from grace, regaining his peak form was not impossible. But now, his main concern was not that. If anything happened to Xiao Yan, the Pharmacist Elder’s remaining years would be spent in a maddening pursuit of vengeance…
Seeing the Pharmacist Elder focused, the others remained silent. Bear War and Heavenly Fire Venerable spread out, guarding against any sudden changes.
A tense and quiet atmosphere enveloped the area. After a long while, the Pharmacist Elder’s slightly closed eyes snapped open, and he said softly, “It’s better than I expected.”
Little Healer Immortal and the others let out a sigh of relief. They could not bear any more bad news.
“There’s a chance?” the Wind Venerable asked, hopeful.
“The boy’s constitution is extremely strong. That palm from Old Star Plucker should have killed him, but he withstood it. The Celestial Flame also protected his heart, preventing fatal damage.” The Pharmacist Elder stroked his beard and continued, “And now, a Celestial Flame is repairing his damaged body.”
“You mean the Three Thousand Purifying Flame?” Little Healer Immortal asked softly.
“Yes, the Three Thousand Purifying Flame is known as the undying flame. The boy absorbed and assimilated it, gaining its resilient nature. As long as the Three Thousand Purifying Flame persists, his severe injuries have a chance of being repaired,” the Pharmacist Elder confirmed.
“But now he’s unconscious, and the repair from the Three Thousand Purifying Flame is automatic. This flame requires stellar energy to fully recover, so we need to find a place abundant in stellar power,” he added.
“Stellar energy?” The Wind Venerable paused, then smiled, “Then let’s go to the Falling Star Pavilion. You forgot that the pavilion is built on a meteorite from the skies. Even after countless years, the stellar energy remains condensed. It’s the perfect place to heal Xiao Yan.”
Hearing this, the Pharmacist Elder’s eyes lit up with joy. He had almost forgotten about this ideal location.
“With the meteorite’s help, the boy’s life is saved,” the Pharmaiser Elder chuckled.
“Though, I hate to say it, even if he survives, such severe injuries will affect his cultivation. If he finds his strength stagnating, Xiao Yan won’t take it well,” the Wind Venerable remarked, frowning.
Little Healer Immortal, who had just relaxed, tensed up again. She knew Xiao Yan better than anyone; the thought of his strength not progressing further would be agonizing for him.
“Don’t worry about that. Xiao Yan’s body is already at its breaking point. This is a perfect opportunity for rebirth. Sense his body and see if there’s anything familiar,” the Pharmacist Elder grinned.
The Wind Venerable, taken aback, extended his hand to probe Xiao Yan’s body. Soon, he detected a familiar, mystical energy, and his eyes widened in surprise, “This… this is the Yin-Yang Dragon Pearl?”
The Pharmacist Elder nodded, smiling, “Thankfully, I still have the Yin-Yang Dragon Pearl from Han Xue. Otherwise, it would have been much more troublesome.”
“Indeed, the Yin-Yang Dragon Pearl is perfect for him now. His injuries are even worse than mine were, and it will surely activate its full medicinal power,” the Wind Venerable said excitedly, “What a stroke of luck! This might even lead to a breakthrough to Dou Venerable for the boy.”
“It depends on his fortune,” the Pharmacist Elder nodded, his mood finally easing. With the Three Thousand Purifying Flame and the Yin-Yang Dragon Pearl, dying would be hard for Xiao Yan.
Little Healer Immortal and Zi Yan, listening, finally breathed a sigh of relief.
“Now, let’s head to the Falling Star Pavilion. There, with the meteorite’s help, Xiao Yan’s recovery will be faster,” the Wind Venerable said, standing up and surveying the area, “We’re probably in the North Barren Plain, miles away from the Ghost Mountain. It’s a fair distance from the pavilion, so we can’t waste any time.”
“Agreed. With the destruction of the branch, the Soul Temple won’t rest easily. The pavilion’s unique and hidden location is the perfect hiding spot,” the Pharmacist Elder nodded. The top priority now was to get Xiao Yan back on his feet, and the grudge with the Soul Temple could be dealt with later.
With no objections, the burly Bear War carried Xiao Yan on his back. Though his large hands and rough handling worried Little Healer Immortal, she stayed close by, fearful of any harm to the weakened Xiao Yan.
With a clear goal, the group prepared to set out. After a quick cleanup, they took to the skies, swiftly heading towards the Falling Star Pavilion.
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