After the matter of the Ancient Bodhi Tree was concluded, Xiao Yan and his group did not linger in that ghastly place. They set off immediately, and after a few days of travel, they returned to the Falling Star Pavilion. This journey to the primeval domain was undoubtedly the most beneficial for Xiao Yan among all participants. Not only did he experience the legendary enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree, but he also secretly stored the Bodhi Heart within his body. Of course, he still had in his possession the eleven extremely pure Bodhi Fruits… Without even mentioning the benefits from the first two, just the eleven Bodhi Fruits alone were an incredibly rich reward. A single one of these fruits was enough to make peak Dou Zun experts go red-eyed with envy, not for their other utilities, but because it could increase the chances of advancing to the rank of semi-saint. This alone was sufficient to drive those considered top-tier experts to madness.
This bounty was abundant, but what made Xiao Yan feel particularly satisfied was that Huanyu and his gang gained nothing. Just thinking about those guys who went through great hardships to reach the primeval domain, yet ended up with nothing, Xiao Yan couldn’t help but smile wryly…
Falling Star Pavilion… After returning from the primeval domain, Xiao Yan and his group rested for a week before recovering from their fatigue. This trip was not easy; if not for Xiao Yan’s stroke of luck from the Bodhi Fruit in Nalan Jie’s ring, which woke them from the illusion, they might have been permanently trapped in that hyper-realistic dream world until they became semi-saint puppets. Even now, Xiao Yan still shivered at the thought, that illusion was truly too terrifying…
Back at the Falling Star Pavilion, Xiao Yan did not immediately refine the Bodhi Heart. He understood that this matter was exceedingly important for him, so it had to be done perfectly, leaving no room for any mistakes.
With this mindset, for the entire month, Xiao Yan waited for his peak condition to arrive. At the same time, he and the Elder Pharmacist prepared as many medicinal pills or precious treasures as possible to increase his chances of becoming a semi-saint. Everyone knew that if Xiao Yan successfully advanced to a semi-saint, the Falling Star Pavilion’s strength would instantly skyrocket. Two semi-saints, such a lineup, would be difficult for even the Heavenly Secrets Sect and those ancient hidden sects to match easily.
During Xiao Yan’s preparation, the Elder Pharmacist had left for half a month. When he returned, looking tired, he handed over a jade box to Xiao Yan. Surprised, Xiao Yan opened the box carefully and found a small green squirrel inside. The strong fragrance of the medicine permeated from the squirrel, invigorating him with a mere sniff.
“Is this… the Bodhi Pill?” Staring at the small squirrel for a while, Xiao Yan finally looked up and said, sensing a familiar aura within the squirrel.
“Yes.” The Elder Pharmacist nodded with a smile, his tired expression softened. “Unfortunately, this Bodhi Pill only attracted an eight-color pill lightning. If it had been a nine-color, the medicinal effect would have been even stronger. But with the Bodhi Heart inside you and the aid of the Bodhi Pill, you should be able to successfully advance to semi-saint.”
Looking at the Elder Pharmacist’s smiling but aged face, Xiao Yan felt a bit choked. It turned out that during the past half month, he had been away, making the Bodhi Pill for Xiao Yan. Such a high-level pill was still quite challenging for him. Moreover, he knew that with the Elder’s abilities, he could have attracted nine-color pill lightning, but the lack of the necessary fire made it difficult. If he still had the Bone Spirit Cold Flame, it would have been much easier.
For his sake, the Elder had done so much silently. “Teacher, thank you…”
The Elder Pharmacist shook his head and smiled, saying, “No need for thanks between master and disciple. Focus on your seclusion. I will take care of the Falling Star Pavilion and the Flames Alliance. Your most important task is to reach semi-saint as soon as possible. Otherwise, when the Pure Lotus Demon Flame appears in three years, you won’t have the power to subdue it. That kind of flame is too fearsome.”
Xiao Yan nodded silently. This was a critical leap. If he succeeded, he would truly step into the ranks of the continent’s peak experts. If he failed, he would remain at the top tier but not the pinnacle. Against the mighty Soul Clan, such power was virtually powerless.
Moreover, he had chased the Pure Lotus Demon Flame for over a decade and would never give up. Whether he could truly confront the Soul Clan hinged on obtaining the Pure Lotus Demon Flame. No matter what, he must get it!
“Rest assured,” the Elder said, patting Xiao Yan’s shoulder, “I will also oversee Caillin and Little Healer Immortal’s training. They are not ordinary women; with the right opportunity, their strength will improve rapidly. By the time you break through, they won’t hold you back.”
Xiao Yan nodded, hesitated, and then took out a jade vial from Nalan Jie. The vial had a layer of flame film, and a faint presence of a weak soul could be felt within.
“Teacher, this is Han Xue’s soul. You must deal with it,” Xiao Yan handed the vial to the Elder, speaking softly.
Hearing this, the Elder’s old face froze, gazing at the vial with a complex look. He had once regarded Han Xue as his own son. He had raised Han Xue from an abandoned orphan and taught him all he knew. Han Xue’s betrayal had deeply hurt the old man, and the pain of betrayal was more intense than losing his physical body.
The Elder’s withered hand trembled as he took the vial without a word, nodding slowly.
Seeing the Elder’s suddenly desolate and aging face, Xiao Yan’s nose tingled. Bowing low, he knocked his head twice, saying, “Teacher, your teachings and guidance have made me who I am. You are my master and father. The humiliation and pain you have suffered, I will repay, tenfold.”
The Elder was taken aback by this sudden action, trying to lift Xiao Yan, but before he could, Caillin, holding Xiao Xuan, knelt down silently beside Xiao Yan. As Xiao Yan’s wife, she saw the Elder as a father too. No matter how cold and stubborn she might be, she understood that she must follow her husband’s lead.
“Ah, you kids…” The Elder smiled, his eyes moistening, and the lines on his face softened. He now realized that fate had not forsaken him. Though he had been blind once, he was not blind again. For this disciple, he was willing to give his life.
“Grandfather…” Xiao Xuan opened her gem-like black eyes, her clear voice bringing smiles to everyone’s faces.
“Haha, good Xiao Xuan,” the Elder, chuckling, picked up Xiao Xuan from Caillin and said, “Come on, get up. This old man was just thinking crazily for a moment. You two are not children anymore, surely you don’t think I would do something foolish?”
Xiao Yan smiled, standing up and helping Caillin up. Holding the jade box, he turned to look at the hidden stone chamber behind them. “It’s time. I must go in now. I don’t know how long this seclusion will last, but it won’t be short. Listen to the Teacher’s instructions while I’m gone.”
Caillin and Little Healer Immortal nodded.
“Take care, Teacher,” Xiao Yan said, taking a deep breath and bowing to the Elder. Without further ado, he turned and walked towards the heavy stone door.
As Xiao Yan entered, the massive stone door descended slowly, slamming shut and kicking up a cloud of dust.
Staring at the closed door, everyone fell silent, sensing that this seclusion would indeed be a long one…
“Let’s go. We wait for him to successfully break through to semi-saint,” the Elder sighed and, hugging Xiao Xuan, slowly left, followed by Caillin and others, who kept turning back.
But none of them expected that this ‘long time’ would be a full two years!
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