The next day, at the gates of the Ye Clan, all the clan members were gathered, their eyes burning as they watched Xiao Yan and his companions. Whether the Ye Clan could regain its place among the alchemists’ elders in the Dan Tower now rested on Xiao Yan’s performance in this examination. If Xiao Yan could lead the Ye Clan to rank in the top three, then the Ye Clan would truly be able to lift its head high. With the protection of the Dan Tower, they could develop in peace. Although they certainly wouldn’t be able to surpass clans like the Cao Clan in a short time, they would at least have the strength to protect themselves. Perhaps in the future, the Ye Clan might produce a prodigious successor comparable to that demonic woman, Cao Ying, of the Cao Clan. Only then could the Ye Clan gradually rise again and restore its former glory.
“Second Elder, Third Elder, I will accompany Mr. Xiao Yan and the others to Sacred Pill City, so I entrust the Ye Clan to you,” Ye Zhong said solemnly to the two eldest elders standing at the forefront of the crowd.
“Of course, First Elder, focus on matters in Sacred Pill City. Although our Ye Clan has been declining, we still have some connections within the Dan Tower,” one of the elders replied earnestly, with several other elders nodding in agreement.
Ye Zhong sighed and nodded. With the continuous decline of the Ye Clan, many of their past connections had been severed. Fortunately, not everyone was as cold-hearted as the Cao Clan, and it was these remaining relationships that allowed the Ye Clan to maintain its title and a glimmer of hope after failing the examination twice.
Xiao Yan looked at the sky and said softly, “It’s about time. Elder Ye Zhong, let’s go.”
After a night of rest, the dazzling aura Xiao Yan exuded the previous day had gradually faded, but he sensed a subtle change in his spiritual power. It seemed more ethereal than before. The four realms of the soul, it appeared, only influenced alchemists, and had little effect on Dou Qi cultivation. After all, the cultivation of souls and Dou Qi followed entirely different paths. In the ancient times, both might have been valid, but for the current Dou Qi Continent, Dou Qi cultivation was the true path. Even some Dou Zun-level experts didn’t understand how to strengthen their souls through cultivation.
Hearing Xiao Yan’s voice, Ye Zhong smiled and nodded. Without much delay, he turned and walked swiftly towards a square slightly north of Ye City. Within the city, there was a spatial wormhole, though it wasn’t large and couldn’t reach Sacred Pill City directly. Multiple transfers were required to eventually arrive at the destination.
Accompanying them, besides Xiao Yan, Little Healer Immortal, and Heavenly Fire Venerable, were only Xin Lan and Ye Zhong from the Ye Clan. After all, it was better to keep the main force in Ye City.
The group followed Ye Zhong through the city, and after a few minutes, they reached the northern square. Although the Ye Clan had declined, the tiger, though thin, still retained its roar. At least in Ye City, no significant force dared to challenge the Ye Clan’s status. Thus, this valuable spatial wormhole was under the control of the Ye Clan.
Evidently, Ye Zhong had made arrangements ahead. When Xiao Yan and the others entered the square, it was conveniently empty. As Xiao Yan and his companions boarded the stone platform, the slowly rotating spatial wormhole came into view.
The spatial wormhole in Ye City looked somewhat grand, but the chaotic spatial fluctuations indicated that it had gone years without maintenance.
“Back in the days of our glory, we had two Dou Zun volunteers to maintain this wormhole, but with our decline, we can no longer hire such high-ranking experts. Apologies if this amuses you,” Ye Zhong said with a bitter smile.
Xiao Yan shook his head with a smile, “No problem. If we return, we can have Little Healer Immortal and Elder Yao help with the maintenance.”
“Thank you. Let’s get going,” Ye Zhong nodded gratefully, then took out a small, black, intricately designed boat from his storage ring. With a touch of his hand, he stepped into the dark wormhole, and Xiao Yan and the others followed closely.
In the silent spatial passage, they emerged, and Ye Zhong tossed the black boat, which grew into a massive ship, the most luxurious spatial ship Xiao Yan had seen since entering the Central Plains. Clearly, Ye Zhong had put a lot of effort into it.
They leaped onto the ship, and Ye Zhong, with practiced ease, activated an energy shield, encapsulating the vessel. The ship shuddered and accelerated, streaking towards the endless depths of the spatial wormhole.
“Ye City doesn’t have a direct spatial passage to Sacred Pill City. We must first go to Qing Ling City and use its spatial wormhole to reach Sacred Pill City,” Ye Zhong explained. “The journey to Qing Ling City takes three days, and from there to Sacred Pill City, it’s about four days. So, we’ll arrive in about a week. Rest in the ship; there are private cabins. I’ll handle the ship’s operations with Xin Lan.”
Xiao Yan and the others agreed without comment. After some conversation, they retired to their respective cabins.
The journey through the spatial passage was monotonous and silent, but this posed no issue for Xiao Yan and his companions, who were used to solitary cultivation. For several days, Xiao Yan secluded himself in his cabin, studying his newfound spiritual power. Despite the lack of significant results, he noticed that the pills he crafted now seemed to be of higher quality, likely due to his strengthened soul.
As the journey approached its end, they arrived safely in Qing Ling City. After a brief rest, they rushed to the city’s spatial wormhole, heading straight for Sacred Pill City!
Passing through Qing Ling City, Xiao Yan finally witnessed the tremendous allure of the Alchemy Conclave. The streets swarmed with alchemists of various robes, almost dazzled by their sheer number. This was the first time he had seen so many alchemists, far exceeding the numbers and quality of the Alchemist Grand Meet held in the Jia Ma Empire.
Moreover, this was just one city in the Pill Domain. The thought of the overwhelming number of alchemists converging on Sacred Pill City filled him with anticipation.
The sight of countless fires rising, thousands of cauldrons descending, and numerous pills emerging thrilled Xiao Yan, his blood boiling with excitement. To witness such a grand event was a lifelong dream!
The Alchemy Conclave, the supreme gathering of alchemists, was the lifelong goal for many. They worked tirelessly and shed sweat to stand out in this grand conclave, earning the right to compete with the continent’s elite. It was a recognition of their strength.
Who would be the supreme among the myriad of alchemical vessels? With fervent excitement, Xiao Yan and his group finally entered the dark spatial wormhole, following the endless stream of people.
Inside the spatial wormhole, the usual monotony was broken by the constant flow of spatial ships and the cacophony of voices. Amidst the hustle and bustle, they drew closer to the legendary Sacred Pill City.
After four days, a silver glow appeared in the distance, radiating powerful spatial fluctuations. As they neared the exit, the noise from the numerous ships suddenly hushed. Figures in alchemists’ robes stepped out, gazing at the silver glow with fervor.
Sacred Pill City, the holy land for all alchemists! Xiao Yan stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes fixed on the distant silver glow, his blood quietly boiling once more.
Sacred Pill City, Dan Tower… I, Xiao Yan, have arrived.
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