Yao Yan was utterly dumbfounded!
What Peak Master Lu said likely transcended anything a Heaven-tier Alchemist could comprehend! A seismic wave of realization crashed through Yao Yan's mind! He had never once conceived of alchemy on such a scale!
Beside him, Ye Chen was equally agape. Lu Xuan's words, their very essence, vastly surpassed his inherited Five-star Pill Emperor's Memories! The profoundness was simply too immense.
After a long while, both Yao Yan and Ye Chen snapped out of their stupor, gazing at Lu Xuan as if he were a celestial being.
Yao Yan looked at Lu Xuan, his eyes now brimming with even deeper reverence. His voice trembled, "Peak Master Lu, only a supreme magnate such as yourself could possess such boundless insight and grandeur of vision. Though I am a Quasi-Emperor, my perspective has been narrow, like a frog in a well! Hearing your words today, Peak Master Lu, I realize I am but an apprentice on the path of alchemy. Or perhaps, more accurately, Heaven-tier Alchemists have only just stepped through the threshold of true alchemy."
Lu Xuan blinked. Seriously, that stunned? It's not even my original thought; it's from Jia Yi. I just quoted it. And that's enough to fool a Heaven-tier Alchemist like Yao Yan? Thinking this, Lu Xuan allowed a faint smile to play on his lips. "That's why I always say, broaden your horizons. The ultimate form of alchemy? One can take the starry cosmos as a furnace, the Grand Dao itself as spirit herbs, and the river of time as the spirit fire, to refine all of existence."
Yao Yan was utterly flabbergasted once more. The starry cosmos as a furnace! The Grand Dao as spirit herbs! The river of time as spirit fire! Refining all of existence! This... this was far too earth-shattering! They were mere alchemists, yet what Lu Xuan described vastly transcended the conventional scope of alchemy. Yet, at its core, it was still alchemy!
Ye Chen's eyes were wide, and he gazed at Lu Xuan with boundless reverence. His heart hammered in his chest! Master truly lives up to his name! He truly is the man who stands at the apex of cultivation in the Southern Wilds! Such grand pronouncements—even Great Emperors wouldn't possess such vision or profound insight! In an instant, Lu Xuan's status in Ye Chen's heart soared beyond the highest heavens. Master is truly a divine being!
Yao Yan, immensely agitated, looked at Lu Xuan and asked again, "Peak Master Lu, is this... the ultimate form of alchemy?"
Lu Xuan gave a faint smile. "Ultimate? How can there be an 'ultimate' on the path of cultivation, or the Dao of Alchemy?"
Yao Yan countered, "The supreme power is the ultimate!"
Lu Xuan chuckled softly and slowly spoke.
"The so-called supreme power? It's merely the road's end."
The moment these words left his lips, both Yao Yan and Ye Chen were utterly dumbfounded. They repeatedly muttered Lu Xuan's words, "The so-called supreme power? It's merely the road's end." The road's end! But how can the path of cultivation have an end? How can the path of cultivation possibly have an end? Such a realization far surpassed the understanding of even a Great Emperor. Yao Yan had once listened to a supreme Great Emperor discuss the Dao, yet never had an imperial magnate displayed such an unfathomable realm of insight! It simply left him awestruck! This is Peak Master Lu, indeed! Peak Master Lu must have already transcended the Emperor Realm!
At this thought, Yao Yan, somewhat startled, asked, "Peak Master Lu, have you perhaps already surpassed the Emperor Realm?"
Lu Xuan froze for a moment. What the actual hell? How did Yao Yan figure that out? I just spouted a few random lines. And that's enough to completely fool him? But now... since I've already started the act, I might as well keep it up. Lu Xuan offered no reply, merely a knowing smile.
To Yao Yan, this was undoubtedly an admission. Yao Yan's breathing grew ragged, and he spoke with boundless reverence, "Peak Master Lu, it is truly my honor to discuss the Dao with you."
Lu Xuan simply smiled, saying nothing. At this moment, Ye Chen unfurled his right hand, and a jade slip slowly appeared. "Master, I've inscribed all your words onto this. I feel they contain profoundly deep 'Dao' and 'principles.' If I can fully comprehend them, becoming a Heaven-tier Alchemist will be a piece of cake!"
Lu Xuan's face twitched. What the hell... Seriously? He actually carved my random comments into a jade slip with spirit runes! Is he going to treat it like a holy scripture?
Ye Chen gripped the jade slip tightly. "Master, after your guidance just now, I promise you, I will absolutely seize first place at the Pill Refining Exchange Conference!"
Lu Xuan smiled. "I believe in you."
Soon after, Yao Yan and Ye Chen hastily departed. They were eager to comprehend Lu Xuan's profound words. Too profound! Too earth-shattering! Even Yao Yan, a powerful Quasi-Emperor, was utterly shaken to his core! How much more so Ye Chen? They now prostrated themselves in reverence before Lu Xuan!
Lu Xuan watched Ye Chen's retreating back, then glanced at the stone table. "Heh, did that kid Ye Chen just ditch the dishes and run?" Still, Ye Chen doesn't have much time left. Lu Xuan didn't call him back. He simply went to the straw hut himself to wash the dishes and scrub the pot. Well, that bit of grandstanding wasn't for nothing today. At least Ye Chen got some 'enlightenment' out of it. As long as the quest gets completed, that's what matters.
Not long after, Lu Xuan finished tidying up and returned to his cave dwelling, resuming his 'lying flat' posture. Outside, the Grand Dao Sect had grown exceptionally boisterous, filled with a clamor of voices. Spirit boats continuously tore through the void above, arriving from distant lands. Yet, none of this seemed to concern Azure Mystery Peak. Nor did anyone pay attention to Azure Mystery Peak. Lu Xuan didn't mind in the slightest. This is perfect. The more I can lie flat, the more comfortable I am.
He recalled why he had been so exhausted on Blue Star. Besides working like a dog in a factory, there was another reason: too much useless social interaction. Seemingly exchanging toasts, laughing, and chatting, but secretly wearing a mask, beneath which were exhausted flesh and soul. But now, on Azure Mystery Peak, my interactions are limited to just my two disciples; the Sect Master and others are negligible. All these years, haven't I lived quite comfortably? Ah, people... it's better to keep things simple to be truly happy. With that thought, Lu Xuan leisurely picked up a storybook and began to read. Ah, bliss.
Meanwhile, in Ye Chen's cave dwelling, Yao Yan took the jade slip from Ye Chen's hand, infused it with his divine sense, and repeatedly recited Lu Xuan's words:
"'Heaven and Earth as Furnace, creation as the craftsman; Yin and Yang as the charcoal, all myriad things as the bronze.'
'The ultimate form of alchemy? One can take the starry cosmos as a furnace, the Grand Dao itself as spirit herbs, and the river of time as the spirit fire, to refine all of existence.'
'Ultimate? How can there be an "ultimate" on the path of cultivation, or the Dao of Alchemy?'
'The so-called supreme power? It's merely the road's end.'
Each time Yao Yan recited, Ye Chen would grow increasingly agitated. These words are far too profound! Master is simply divine!
Ye Chen exclaimed excitedly, "Elder Yao, I've finally grasped the difference between Earth-tier Alchemists and King-tier Alchemists that you spoke of! The so-called 'Alchemy Intuition,' the imaginative spark in alchemy—I've touched upon it!"
Yao Yan nodded. "With only a few days left until the Pill Refining Exchange Conference, I truly believe you can shine brightly this time! With Peak Master Lu's guidance, your very understanding has already surpassed other geniuses, and even other Heaven-tier Alchemists!"
Ye Chen declared, "Before, I thought that Five-star Pill Emperor was terrifyingly powerful, but now, I believe my Master is the most formidable!"
Yao Yan couldn't help but wholeheartedly agree, completely prostrating himself in reverence before Lu Xuan. "Peak Master Lu is simply unfathomable! I even wonder if your own master truly practiced alchemy! If so, then not only did your master reach the pinnacle of cultivation, but his alchemy attainments were also supreme!" Yao Yan sighed deeply. "I never imagined the Grand Dao Sect harbored such an heaven-defying expert." Suddenly, a thought struck Yao Yan: Between Peak Master Lu and that Great Emperor from the Forbidden Zone, who was steeped in eerie and ominous power, who was stronger? After only a moment's hesitation, Yao Yan conclusively decided: Peak Master Lu was undeniably stronger!
Beside him, Ye Chen was already impatiently summoning his Heaven-Devouring Cauldron, ready to refine Earth-tier pills. Mere words can only scratch the surface; true understanding demands hands-on experience! He began refining!
At the Supreme Profound Sect.
On Cloud-Sun Peak.
"Boom!"
A terrifying wave of energy surged outwards, shattering all seals and restrictions. Amidst an endless, brilliant divine radiance, Nangong Baixue, clad in an elegant, simple long gown, slowly emerged from her cave dwelling. A smile of utter satisfaction graced her features.
At that moment, Pill Saint Yunyang's figure drifted down. He gazed at Nangong Baixue with immense satisfaction, a smile spreading across his face. "Excellent, excellent. After three months in seclusion, you can now refine Xuan-tier Ninth-grade pills! Your alchemy talent is the best among all the disciples I've taken!"
Nangong Baixue respectfully bowed to Pill Saint Yunyang. "Thank you for your guidance, Master."
Pill Saint Yunyang smiled. "I have high expectations for your performance at this Pill Refining Exchange Conference."
Nangong Baixue declared, "Master, I will give it my all and absolutely will not disgrace you!"
Pill Saint Yunyang nodded, his gaze sweeping towards the distant void, a look of anticipation on his face. "Another century has swiftly passed. This time, we Heaven-tier Alchemists will gather once more to discuss the Dao. I wonder what insights our fellow Dao companions have gained." This was one of the two main highlights of the Pill Refining Exchange Conference. Heaven-tier Alchemists discussing the Dao among themselves! It was a clash of alchemy philosophies. Onlookers, if they gleaned even a sliver of insight, would benefit immensely!
Nangong Baixue curiously asked, "Master, will all Heaven-tier Alchemists participate in the Dao discussion?"
Pill Saint Yunyang shook his head. "Each major power will send a few alchemists to lecture, expounding their own 'Dao' and 'principles' of alchemy."
Nangong Baixue smiled. "Master, you are the strongest Heaven-tier Alchemist."
Pill Saint Yunyang's lips curved upward slightly, but he said nothing. Though he knew there was still a gap between him and the Heaven-tier Alchemists of the Yao family and Pill Fragrance Sect, Nangong Baixue's flattery was quite pleasing to him!
Nangong Baixue asked, "Master, when are we departing for the Grand Dao Sect?"
Pill Saint Yunyang offered a faint smile, recognizing Nangong Baixue's hidden meaning. She wants to see Qin Xiao. At this thought, Pill Saint Yunyang said, "You have one day to rest. After that, return to Cloud-Sun Peak, and we will depart for the Grand Dao Sect."
Nangong Baixue smiled. "Thank you, Master!"
Soon after, Nangong Baixue ascended into the air, a divine rainbow appearing beneath her feet, as she flew towards Grand Peak, where Qin Xiao resided. Clad in her elegant, simple long gown, she arrived at Qin Xiao's spirit peak.
Qin Xiao had long since received news of Nangong Baixue and had been waiting for a considerable time. These past three months, he had been absolutely stifled. Without Nangong Baixue, he could only rely on 'traditional methods' to release himself.
The moment Nangong Baixue landed, Qin Xiao pulled her into a fierce embrace and kissed her passionately. For some reason, Ye Chen's image flashed through Nangong Baixue's mind. She faintly shook her head, forcing herself to forget Ye Chen's detestable face. Qin Xiao raised a hand, conjuring a sealing restriction directly outside the cave dwelling, as brilliant spirit runes surged forth. In a breath, Qin Xiao carried Nangong Baixue towards the purple wutong wood bed deep within the cave dwelling.
...