In the great hall of Starfall Pavilion, upon hearing the report from the two elders before him, Xiao Yan abruptly stood up, his face alight with joy. “Haha, both Huazong and the Burning Flame Valley have given us a clear reply. We’re just waiting for the Pavilion Master and the young Pavilion Master to decide when to announce this news,” one of the Starfall Pavilion elders responded with a smile.
Xiao Yan and the others, including Cailin, heaved a silent sigh of relief. The beginning is always the hardest, and with this positive start, future matters would be much easier to handle. Huazong and the Burning Flame Valley were both well-known in the Central Plains, and their joining the alliance would significantly boost its strength, far surpassing the momentum of the Nether River Alliance when it was first formed.
“This smoothness of events is somewhat beyond my expectations,” the old pharmacist said, stroking his beard with a smile. After all, the Soul Palace was no ordinary force, and standing against them required considerable courage.
“Then, when should we meet with both factions to discuss the details of the alliance?” Cailin asked.
“There’s no rush. Although we’ve secured Huazong and the Burning Flame Valley, it’s not enough. To contend with the Soul Palace, we must also bring in the Alchemist Tower. Otherwise, it will still be quite difficult,” the old pharmacist shook his head slowly.
Xiao Yan nodded slightly, his excitement gradually fading. He understood that the Alchemist Tower, among the three major forces, was the most crucial. This faction had an extremely strong influence in the Central Plains, and if they could join the alliance, it would undoubtedly surge the alliance’s strength to its peak. Even if they clashed head-on, they wouldn’t be inferior to the Soul Palace. However, he also knew that persuading the Alchemist Tower to join the alliance would not be an easy task.
The Alchemist Tower had always maintained a neutral stance and had never joined any faction since its establishment. Even if they harbored deep hatred for the Soul Palace, convincing them to join the alliance would not be highly successful.
“Perhaps we should send a letter to test the waters?” Little Healer Immortal suggested.
The old pharmacist shook his head. “We cannot be careless about this. To convince them to join the alliance, both Xiao Yan and I must go to the Alchemist Tower personally. Sending others would not yield a different result.”
“Agreed,” Xiao Yan nodded, understanding that the Alchemist Tower was unlike Huazong and the Burning Flame Valley. For the alliance to happen, they needed to make the visit themselves.
“Good. I’ll take care of the Starfall Pavilion. Things have settled down, and there shouldn’t be any more trouble. When do you plan to set out?” Cailin nodded, supporting the decision. The final decision of the Alchemist Tower was crucial to the alliance, so it needed to be handled carefully.
“There’s no time to waste. Let’s leave today,” Xiao Yan and the old pharmacist looked at each other and spoke simultaneously. “This matter must be resolved as soon as possible.”
With the decision made, Xiao Yan and the old pharmacist did not delay. They tidied up and set off for the Alchemist Domain. As the Starfall Pavilion had just stabilized, only the two of them left, while Cailin and Little Healer Immortal stayed behind to guard the pavilion.
Xiao Yan and the old pharmacist were now both considered Dou Saints, and their traveling speed was unmatched by ordinary strong practitioners. Along the way, they tore through space at a terrifying pace, reaching the Holy Pill City of the Alchemist Domain in less than half a day.
Upon returning to the Holy Pill City, Xiao Yan felt a mix of emotions. It was here that he first gained fame in the Central Plains, turning the tide at the Alchemist Grand Assembly, defeating the Soul Palace’s strong practitioner, and preventing the championship from falling into the hands of the Soul Palace. In a way, the Alchemist Tower owed Xiao Yan a favor, as the loss of the championship would have been a significant blow to their reputation.
Entering the Holy Pill City, Xiao Yan and the old pharmacist did not stop to enjoy the bustling scene. Instead, they headed straight to the Alchemist Tower.
At the top of the Alchemist Tower, in a large hall, Xiao Yan and the old pharmacist sat down. An elder swiftly left to inform the three grandmasters.
“These three fellows have grown quite lofty,” the old pharmacist chuckled, taking a sip of tea. Their journey had been tiring, but they were not ordinary, able to endure it without issue.
Xiao Yan smiled, knowing that the old pharmacist had a good relationship with the three grandmasters and thus did not comment further.
The silence in the hall was broken by rapid footsteps. The closed door was flung open, and a hearty laugh followed.
“Ha ha, what a rare visitor! Old Pharmacist, I didn’t think I’d ever see the day when I’d meet you again,” Xuan Kongzi, wearing a light white robe, laughed as he walked in, followed closely by Tian Lei Zi and Xuan Yi. Their eyes were filled with excitement as they looked at the old pharmacist.
“It’s been a long time, how are you?” the old pharmacist set down his teacup, smiling at the three.
Xuan Kongzi and the others quickly entered the hall, approaching the old pharmacist. Seeing the familiar face, Xuan Kongzi sighed deeply and patted the old pharmacist’s shoulder. “I really didn’t expect to see you again in my lifetime.”
The old pharmacist’s smile widened, patting Xuan Kongzi’s shoulder, then turning to Xuan Yi. “After all these years, you still look as radiant as ever. Unlike us old men.”
Xuan Yi’s cheeks flushed slightly, and her eyes welled up with tears. Xia Yan noticed this and realized that the grandmaster of the Alchemist Tower indeed had feelings for the old pharmacist, something even he could discern.
The four chatted heartily, leaving Xiao Yan on the sidelines, unable to join in.
“Old Pharmacist, you’ve taken a fine disciple. So young, and already at the level of a Dou Saint. And very loyal too. If anything had happened to you, I might have wanted to snatch him away,” Xuan Kongzi said, finally noticing Xiao Yan.
“Don’t tease me, Senior Xuan Kongzi,” Xiao Yan replied with a wry smile.
“Ha ha, I’m no senior now. A wise man is a teacher, and whether in Dou Qi cultivation or alchemy, I’m not your equal,” Xuan Kongzi responded. He had just recently become a Half-Saint, but he felt like he was facing an endless sea in front of Xiao Yan, unable to gauge his true strength.
“Alright, no one comes to the sanctuary without a reason. Old Pharmacist, you must have a serious matter to come to the Alchemist Tower,” Xuan Kongzi changed the subject, looking at the old pharmacist.
“Indeed,” the old pharmacist’s smile faded as he explained the situation, detailing the need for the alliance.
“This matter is quite troublesome. Those old fogies are obstinate, as you know,” Xuan Kongzi and the others frowned after hearing the old pharmacist’s explanation.
“I know it’s troublesome, but we must try. The Soul Palace’s power is too strong. None of us alone can stand against them. If we don’t unite, we’ll all fall into their clutches. I was once captured by the Soul Palace, and I know they are plotting something sinister…” the old pharmacist said seriously.
Xuan Kongzi nodded slightly, understanding that the Soul Palace wouldn’t arbitrarily capture souls. But this was not enough to persuade the old members to break their usual ways and form an alliance.
“If the Ancestor were here, it would be much easier. His word would decide the final answer,” Xuan Yi said, frowning.
“The old codger is missing again?” the old pharmacist was surprised.
Xuan Kongzi and the others nodded bitterly. “He’s been missing for a long time. If it weren’t for the unharmed soul jade, we’d think he met with some misfortune.”
“Ancestor? Who is that?” Xiao Yan, overhearing the conversation, couldn’t help but ask, as he had never heard the old pharmacist mention an Ancestor in the Alchemist Tower.
“The Ancestor is one of the founders of the Alchemist Tower, the oldest and most influential member. His approval is necessary for the alliance. Without his nod, there’s no hope,” Xuan Kongzi hesitated before explaining.
“But the Ancestor enjoys wandering, elusive like a mythical dragon. Even the three of us have only seen him once in many years. He likes to find pregnant women, not to harm them, but for the fetuses that lose their life essence due to some accident. He enters the woman’s body in a special way, becomes a normal infant, and lives another life, until the body dies. He says it’s to experience life…” Xuan Kongzi finished, his expression bittersweet.
Xiao Yan stared, flabbergasted, and chuckled. “This Ancestor is truly a unique person.”
“Also, the Ancestor is not human…” Xuan Kongzi slowly shook his head, staring at Xiao Yan. “His true form is a pill.”
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