Chapter 220: Dou Sheng Essence
The old man has changed quite a lot.
Upon hearing this, Xuan Kong couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Back in the day, Yao Chen was so carefree, never liking to form alliances. Otherwise, with his talent for pill refining, he would have certainly become one of the three Pill Tower leaders, and the Hun Hall wouldn't have set its sights on him.
The woman in the qipao, Xuan Yi, who had been standing beside them, also felt the same. Her gaze softened with a bit of pity and relief. She pitied him for his experiences but was thankful that he hadn't fallen into the hands of the Hun Hall. As for losing his physical body… for them, that wasn't something that couldn't be resolved.
The Pill Tower lacked nothing but high-ranking pill refiners.
They even had the ability to call upon a few Dou Sheng-level experts if necessary.
However, this affection from the beautiful woman troubled Yao Lao. His interest in women had never been high. Rather than beautiful women, he preferred pill refining, enjoying the pleasures of the craft. Otherwise, with his talent and appearance, he wouldn't have been single for centuries.
As for Xuan Yi's feelings for him, didn't he feel them?
Back then, Xuan Yi even humbled herself to confess to him, but at the time, he had already adopted Han Feng. In order to better teach Han Feng, he had no choice but to refuse her.
Besides that…
Yao Lao never liked being tied down. While there were many benefits to joining the Pill Tower, it would also bind his freedom. This was the downside of joining a large force. Take Xuan Kong and Xuan Yi, for example. After becoming the Pill Tower's three leaders, they hardly left. They spent most of their time in Sacred Pill City, and even when it came to fighting others, they had to consider the consequences.
Unlike him, who could do whatever he wanted.
But now, Yao Lao had to consider the future, especially with Yao Yan, a descendant tied to his "bloodline." He wanted to cultivate Yao Yan, and with his talent, as long as he didn't fall midway, the chance of reaching Dou Sheng was very high. This was why he was considering joining the Pill Tower.
After all, although Yao Yan's talent was top-notch, his troubles were many. Without a powerful force behind him, relying solely on himself might not guarantee Yao Yan's full development.
As for himself... After being carefree for so many years, it was time for a change.
Xuan Yi looked at Yao Lao, who had a serious expression, and no longer focused on him. Her gentle, beautiful eyes turned to Yao Yan, and she curiously smiled, "Your last name is Yao?"
"Mm, I'm a descendant of Yao Lao's clan, but I've already been expelled from the Yao Clan. I guess I'm no longer a part of the Yao Clan," Yao Yan nodded and replied in a well-behaved manner, acting like a junior.
"The Yao Clan?"
Both Xuan Kong and Xuan Yi were surprised upon hearing this. They hadn't expected Yao Yan to really be from that clan.
"This kid's situation is quite complicated, but he is indeed from the same clan as me," Yao Lao stroked his white beard and said slowly.
"The trouble you mentioned earlier, it's not related to this kid, is it?" Xuan Kong suddenly thought of something, his gaze turning serious as he looked at Yao Lao, frowning deeply.
Upon hearing Yao Lao's words earlier, Xuan Kong felt something was off. Given Yao Chen's personality, even if he suffered great losses, he wouldn't have backtracked. Unless it was for someone else, like when he rejected Xuan Yi in the past to take care of Han Feng.
This old man seemed carefree and unruly, but he was actually very emotional. He was especially willing to do anything for those he cared about.
"It's somewhat related," Yao Lao didn't try to hide the truth and admitted directly.
"If it's the Yao Clan's trouble, the Pill Tower might not be able to handle it," Xuan Kong said solemnly.
"The Yao Clan's trouble shouldn't be too serious. This kid's former teacher held a high position in the Yao Clan. Otherwise, with his cultivation back then, he wouldn't have been able to leave the Pill World unscathed," Yao Lao wasn't too worried about the Yao Clan's issue.
Having once been a part of the Yao Clan, he knew better than anyone how proud the clan was, and what Yao Yan had done in the past, the Yao Clan would definitely not publicize it.
"What trouble did Yao Yan cause?" Xuan Yi asked.
"Avenged his parents, exterminated an entire family."
Before Yao Lao could speak, Yao Yan directly answered the question. His expression didn't change much, and his gaze was calm, as though he were recounting something unrelated to himself.
Both Xuan Kong and Xuan Yi were shocked, and they quickly understood what Yao Lao meant. If Yao Yan's teacher had been of a lower status, with the things Yao Yan had done, there would have been no chance for him to walk out of the Pill World alive.
"Sorry, I didn't know about this," Xuan Yi looked apologetically at Yao Yan.
"It's all in the past," Yao Yan shook his head, signaling that it was fine.
Xuan Kong fell silent for a moment, then turned to Yao Lao and asked, "Are there any other troubles?"
"There are no other troubles. However, the technique this kid cultivates is rather special. It requires devouring heavenly flames to evolve the technique. I came to the Pill Tower this time for the Three Thousand Yan Yan Flames that are sealed in the starry sky," Yao Lao said with a soft laugh.
Yao Lao didn't hide anything from his old friends, and to obtain the Three Thousand Yan Yan Flames, he would eventually need the approval of the Pill Tower's three leaders.
As for forceful seizure…
Even a Dou Sheng strongman likely wouldn't have that confidence.
Rather than using underhanded methods, it was better to obtain the qualification in a fair manner. This was also why Yao Lao was willing to join the Pill Tower. Once his body and strength were restored, with the support of Xuan Kong and Xuan Yi, and with Yao Yan's talent, obtaining the qualification to refine the Three Thousand Yan Yan Flames would be no problem.
"That technique from back then?" Xuan Kong obviously knew about Fendao and quickly turned to Yao Yan with a puzzled expression.
He had heard about the peculiarities of Fendao from Yao Lao. The fact that it evolved through devouring heavenly flames was strange enough. Had it not been obtained from an Gu battlefield, he would have suspected Yao Lao was joking.
He never expected someone could actually succeed in cultivating Fendao, let alone be standing in front of him alive.
"Did you let Yao Yan cultivate that technique?!" Xuan Yi's expression tightened, her gaze turning hostile as she looked at Yao Yan, her tone serious.
Although it was their first meeting, she had been quite impressed by Yao Yan, who was charming and articulate. Hearing that he cultivated Fendao, however, the joy of reuniting with Yao Lao faded instantly.
"It wasn't me who let him cultivate it. He chose to do so while I was in slumber. At the time, I didn't have the ability to stop him..." Yao Lao chuckled bitterly, with a hint of regret.
If it were now, he would never have let Yao Yan cultivate Fendao. Back then, he and Yao Yan weren't as close, and their relationship was more of a transaction.
But with time, their relationship had naturally deepened.
"I think Fendao is a perfect fit for me," Yao Yan said softly, then raised his hand to summon a pale blue flame with a white glow.
The flame danced in his palm, its color mesmerizing. With a subtle movement of his mind, the dazzling flame instantly split into four different colored flames, each floating in his palm, their differences clear.
This scene caused Xuan Kong and Xuan Yi to widen their eyes. Even the three leaders of the Pill Tower had never seen something so miraculous.
It was beyond their understanding.
"Green Lotus Earth Fire, Bone Spirit Cold Fire, Sea Heart Flame, Falling Heart Flame..." Xuan Kong murmured, his voice filled with disbelief. He felt like he was dreaming. There was actually someone who could contain four different heavenly flames simultaneously and even fuse them freely.
"How old is Yao Yan this year?!" Xuan Yi looked at Yao Yan manipulating the flames, her eyes slightly shifting, her voice tense.
"Just over twenty," Yao Yan answered honestly.
"His strength, his rank as a pill refiner!" Xuan Yi pressed further.
"Four-Star Dou Zong. As for rank, he should be at the peak of the seventh rank, though I feel I could probably refine some lower-level eighth-grade pills without much issue," Yao Yan replied slowly, as though it were the most ordinary thing.
Xuan Kong and Xuan Yi were struck silent. They had seen their share of geniuses, and among the five major families of the Pill Tower, Cao Family's daughter had exceptional talent, and the Pill Family's daughter of this generation was a monster too, born with Hun power at the Spirit realm, even able to devour others' Hun power.
But compared to Yao Yan, they seemed lacking.
After all, combining both Dou Qi and pill refining was no easy feat. What's more, Yao Yan controlled four different heavenly flames. Once he devoured the Three Thousand Yan Yan Flames, he might become the youngest Dou Sheng-level expert in the Central Plains.
"Once the conditions are met, if Yao Yan is willing to join the Pill Tower, he can directly get the opportunity to refine the Three Thousand Yan Yan Flames!" Xuan Yi said with a smile.
Xuan Kong frowned but didn't argue.
Yao Lao had an odd expression on his face as he asked, "But hasn't the Three Thousand Yan Yan Flames always been kept hidden by the Pill Tower? Why is it being released now?"
"This is a different time. The Three Thousand Yan Yan Flames have been sealed for nearly a thousand years, and their power is now terrifying. There have been several uprisings in recent years, but fortunately, the seal is strong enough. There's no need to worry. However, the Pill Tower's elders have been considering finding a master for it. If we let it grow unchecked, it will eventually break free from its seal. That would be a disaster for the Pill Domain," Xuan Yi explained softly.
"According to the elders, the Three Thousand Yan Yan Flames will be the reward for the next Pill Conference champion. There's still over a decade before the next conference," Xuan Kong added.
He paused.
"Yao Yan wants to directly obtain the qualification to refine it, he'll need to convince those elders. After all, the interests involved with the Three Thousand Yan Yan Flames are too great. This is not a decision for just the three of us," Xuan Kong continued.
The Pill Tower was not a one-man affair. As the three leaders, they had to ensure fairness.
Xuan Yi smiled and said, "With Yao Yan's talent, they have no reason to refuse."
"But Yao Yan has just entered the Pill Tower," Xuan Kong said calmly.
Yao Yan interrupted their discussion, speaking softly, "I'm not in a rush. Let's take it slow… The main reason I came to the Pill Tower this time is to help Yao Lao restore his body. I'm wondering if there are any Dou Sheng-level remains in the Pill Tower. I want to try and see if I can help Yao Lao break through to Dou Sheng."
"?!" Both Xuan Kong and Xuan Yi were stunned.
"To restore Yao Lao's body, we need the remains of a powerful expert. If we can find a Dou Sheng-level remains, I think with Yao Lao's talent in his prime, there's a good chance he can break through that barrier," Yao Yan continued.
Yao Lao fell silent, his gaze complicated as he looked at Yao Yan. He didn't expect Yao Yan to be so unconcerned with the Three Thousand Yan Yan Flames and instead care more about his own matters.
"There are some," Xuan Yi's eyes flashed, and she directly responded.
As one of the three leaders of the Pill Tower, she surely knew the Pill Tower's resources. The Pill Tower had been around in the Central Plains for many years, with many top-tier alchemists, even including a number of Dou Shengs. It was easy to imagine how many valuable items were stored there.
Dou Sheng remains were naturally rare in the outside world, but the Pill Tower had some.
Once a Dou Sheng's strength reached a certain level, their remains would transform into jade bones, and some jade bones even contained the essence of Dou Sheng-level power. These were great items that could increase the chance of breaking through to Dou Sheng, and they could also improve the success rate of refining ninth-grade pills.
"I have some shares, I can bring it to you," Xuan Yi continued, her eyes showing a hint of anticipation.
"That could help you break through…"
Xuan Kong was about to say something but was immediately interrupted by Xuan Yi.
"It's fine, I'm still a long way from that step. Let's let Yao Lao try first. If he fails, he can slowly repay me for the rest of his life," Xuan Yi said with a smile, her gaze on Yao Lao, clearly no longer concerned with the difficulty of breaking through to Dou Sheng.
Sometimes, emotions were so strange. Some people would cast them aside, while others valued them above all else.
Yao Lao's lips moved as if to reject her, but he was stopped by Yao Yan's hand on his arm, "Don't worry, Xuan Yi. If this old man doesn't take responsibility for you in the future, I'll help you break his old legs!"
Xuan Yi's cheeks flushed with a soft pink hue as she glanced at the uncomfortable Yao Lao, her smile widening. "Alright!"
Yao Lao listened to the conversation between Xuan Yi and Yao Yan and was at a loss for words.
Years ago, he had rejected Xuan Yi's confession to raise Han Feng, but after all these years, Yao Yan had somehow returned what he had lost.
Fate truly was remarkable.
Even Xuan Kong, who had received a dose of "dog food," couldn't help but laugh, glancing at his old friend Yao Lao and warning, "Xuan Yi's using this resource, it's equivalent to taking out all the contribution points she's accumulated in the Pill Tower over the years. Don't disappoint her, or I won't let you off!"
Yao Lao chuckled bitterly, shaking his head. He couldn't refuse now. Xuan Yi had already gone this far, and if he rejected her now, it would be too hurtful.
Besides, he truly needed this Dou Sheng essence.
"We're almost there," Xuan Kong said as he looked ahead, raising his hand to gently wave. The space in front of them unfolded like a curtain, and an indescribably large city appeared in their sight.
Sacred Pill City! (END CHAPTER)
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