“Soulsoulzi… Teacher, do you know him?” The Pharmacist Elder’s reaction also made Xiao Yan slightly start, his gaze turning to the black-clad figure in the sky, frowning as he noted yet another person from the Soul Clan, these beings were always appearing and disappearing like ghosts.
“Do you remember the incident I mentioned about the Little Dan Tower? That man once hid within the Little Dan Tower and in the end betrayed and injured his master before fleeing.” The Pharmacist Elder spoke coldly, the voice filled with an unutterable distaste.
“Is that man Soulsoulzi?” Xiao Yan was startled, voicing his shock.
“Mm.” The Pharmacist Elder nodded slowly, his eyes fixed on Soulsoulzi in the sky, his voice icily continuing, “This fellow has a very high status within the Soul Clan, even Houmi Sheng is not equal to him. I didn’t expect that even he would be attracted by this Medicine Canon.”
“Soul Clan’s Soulsoulzi holds substantial importance to the clan. If my guess is correct, the scheme of the Soul Temple collecting so many souls must have his plotting behind it. Removing him would be like cutting off one of the main arms of the Soul Clan,” speaking, Xiao Yan’s eyes narrowed, a sharp, cold light flickering in his eyes. For the Soul Clan, his desire was to eliminate them all as swiftly as possible; if there was a chance, he could give it a try to see if he could kill this Soulsoulzi.
“But don’t be careless, this Soulsoulzi has extremely high attainments in refining medicine. Otherwise, back then, the master of the Small Pill Tower wouldn’t have seen potential in him, accepted him as a disciple. Coupled with many years of cultivation now, his skill in refining medicine must have reached a profoundly mysterious level,” the Pharmacist Elder softly reminded.
Xiao Yan nodded. In the Soul Clan, where experts gathered, having such a high status showed that calling him mediocre would be laughable, perhaps even a three-year-old child wouldn’t believe it. He would never be overconfident…
“Exactly how did this Soulsoulzi come here? Our Medicinal Deity Clan did not invite him.”
“Hmph, for years the Soul Temple has been capturing souls, even using any means necessary against Alchemists, stealing their souls. This definitely involved Soulsoulzi’s instructions.”
“We cannot let such a person participate in our Medicinal Deity Clan’s grand ceremony!” As soon as Soulsoulzi showed up, he immediately drew intense reactions from many Elders of the Medicinal Deity Clan, their hostile gazes turned towards him, and voices of condemnation constantly arose.
The Leader of the Pill Clan and Elder Flame beside him exchanged a glance, both finding each other with furrowed brows. Clearly, this unexpected appearance of Soulsoulzi was out of their calculations. To the Medicinal Deity Clan, the Soul Clan had always maintained a considerable distance; this ancient race surpassed them by far. Over thousands of years, no matter how much other races changed, only the Soul Clan had remained shrouded in mystery and terror. Occasionally, the terrifying power displayed instilled profound fear in people. Furthermore, the recent disappearance of the Spirit Clan and Stone Clan had left the three ancient races—Medicinal Deity, Thunder, and Flame—with a sense of vigilance towards the Soul and Ancient Clans. Hence, when they saw this unsolicited visitor, Soulsoulzi, they were displeased, but knowing the current state of affairs, they at least managed to maintain a facade of a host’s hospitality.
“Ha ha, it seems the Medicinal Deity friends are not very welcoming. This is contrary to the warm hospitality I expected from the Medician Deity way,” in the sky, Soulsoulzi, with his hands behind his back, looking directly at Yandie, smiled lightly.
“Soulzi, we, the Medicinal Deity Clan, did not invite you. And currently, the relationship between the Soul Clan, the Ancient Clan, and the other ancient clans is not the same as before. Your actions may possibly intensify our suspicion of your Soul Clan,” stated the Flame Elder with a heavy voice.
“Exactly because I am not afraid of deepening the doubts, I came today,” Soulsoulzi smiled, saying: “This Pharmaceutical Canon is reputed to be the highest alchemy competition in the martial universe. Haha, I do have some interest in the title of the first Alchemist. If you, Elder Flame, feel qualified to give me this title, I’ll leave now.”
“Arrogant.” Upon hearing this statement, an immediate roar of anger rose among the Elders of the Herbalist Clan.
“Haha, the title of ‘First Alchemist,’ we, the Medicinal Deity, do not have the authority to bestow willy-nilly. This title can only be claimed by proving one’s pharmaceutical prowess,” Yandi smiled faintly, adding, “Since you’re so interested in the title of the mainland’s top Alchemist, then stay. My clan is not one to slight guests. If you can follow our rules, you are a guest of our tribe. Otherwise, even if you are the head Alchemist of the Soul Tribe, I might still personally make sure you stay here.”
As he spoke, Yandi’s aged face revealed a steely look, exuding a chilling aura. The sternness of a chieftain made everyone present grow wary.
“Chieftain, is this not a bit inappropriate?” At the sight of Yandi allowing Soulsoulzi to remain, the elders surrounding him were surprised. The Flame Elder hesitated for a moment before questioning.
“The Pharmaceutical Canon is the most significant event in our tribe. Before so many, we cannot simply expel someone without cause. That would make us appear brutish. Although we need to guard against the Soul Tribe, with so many here today, what exactly could we be afraid of?”
Yandi waved his hand calmly. “I will keep a close watch on him. If I detect any ill intentions, I will take action personally to detain or subdue him.”
Seeing Yandi’s unwavering stance, the others could only assent.
“You are very generous, Clan Head Dan Yiyao,” Soulsoulzi smirked, curling his lip, a strange smile flashing quickly in his eyes. Then, his figure moved, and under the countless watchful eyes, he appeared right on a stone seat, very close to Xiao Yan and the Pharmacist Elder.
“Pharmacist Tu, you’ve got yourself a good disciple. Even while I dwell in the realm of the spirits, his name resounds like thunder,” sitting on the stone bench, Soulsoulzi cast a glance at the Elder, a strange smile curving his lips.
“Who can compare with the soul-devouring treachery of Soulsoulzi in renown?” The elder shook his head, smiling bitterly.
“Well, I was born into the Soul Clan, with their blood running through my veins. Betrayal of the Ancestor does not apply to me. As for betraying my teacher, well, I never recognized that old ghost as my teacher,” replied Soulsoulzi with apparent seriousness, although a dangerous glint flashed through his squinted eyes. “In fact, Tu Shen, you should thank me. Had I not noticed your talents and wanted you to serve my Soul Clan, your spirit would have dissipated long ago, leaving you no time to await your disciple’s rescue. But no matter, when those who flee get recaptured, sooner or later, the Heavenly Alliance will understand the foolishness of their resistance.”
At this, Pharmacist Tu’s expression grew dark. Beside, Xiao Yan remained unperturbed, giving a light laugh, but did not engage further. With a casual wave of his sleeve, the North King standing beside him shot out abruptly, appearing in a flash beside Soulsoulzi. The sharp gale of his leg, like a colossal blade, fiercely slashed downwards.
“Hmph.” The sudden attack caught even Soulsoulzi off guard. Though he had not expected Xiao Yan’s ferocity and direct aggression, he was no ordinary person. With a cold huff, the space around him warped, and he vanished mysteriously, reappearing on a distant stone seat.
*Thud!*
The North King crushed the stone table and chairs into powder and then paused, casting a cold glance at Soulsoulzi before walking back to Xiao Yan and standing motionless like a statue. Xiao Yan, sipping a jade cup, watched as a pretty maidservant hurriedly stepped forward, refilling it with the fragrant medicinal wine prepared by the clan. After taking a sip, he smiled leisurely, saying, “Traitors with no loyalty, better stay away from me…”
“Heh, a fine Xiao Yan,” Soulsoulzi’s countenance twisted into a cruel, wintry smile, fixing his gaze upon Xiao Yan while a terrifying energy rippled out from his body, visibly unsettling quite a few elders of the Pharmacophagites.
“Sulzong, today being the grand festival of our Pharmacopodia, physical confrontations are strictly prohibited. Violators will be expelled,” announced Chief Yan, who, despite ignoring the earlier conflict, now raised his head, speaking indifferently.
“Hah, since Patriarch Danyan has commanded, of course, I shall comply,” replied Sulzong. His sinister grin hardened before expanding further, but within his piercing eyes, a chillier gleam brewed. This old codger had failed to intervene when Xiao Yan attacked, but promptly leaped to restore propriety on retaliation, evidently orchestrating a public humbling.
“Incredible, truly the Pharmacopodia,” sneered Su Zong silently, his gaze becoming increasingly insidious. Paying no heed to Su Zong’s expression, Danyan’s scrutiny swept the gathering, finally settling momentarily on Xiao Yan. Then, in a calm voice that echoed like suppressed thunder, he declared, “It is time. The Grand Canon Ceremony shall commence.”
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