“Lu Xuan has taken a disciple!”
The news hit Yao Baili, Dan Xiangzi, and the others like a thunderclap! They were tempted to descend upon Azure Mystery Peak immediately to investigate, but held back. After all, they were guests on the Grand Dao Sect’s home turf; a little gossiping was fine, but outright meddling was out of the question.
Yao Baili’s expression was different from the others. Memories stirred within him. As an elder of the Yao Family, loyal to the Divine Maiden Yao Liuli, he was privy to certain ancient secrets.
Qingzhou, Qingcheng, Ye Family, Ye Chen!
Yao Baili’s mind raced through past events. Back then, Yao Liuli had entrusted Yao Yan and others to send her son, Ye Chen, away from the Yao Family, specifically to the Ye Family in Qingcheng.
His face twitched. This is just too outlandish! How did Lu Xuan end up taking Ye Chen as a disciple?
Gu Yuefang remained silent, his expression grim. Ye Chen was a peerless genius who had stirred the Grand Dao Bell itself into resonance! And Lu Xuan already had another peerless talent under his wing, Ji Fuyao. If these grandstanding alchemists ever learned the truth, the Grand Dao Sect would be the laughingstock of the Southern Wilds for ten thousand years. Damn that Lu Xuan! How could he be so… himself?
The others, seeing Gu Yuefang’s reluctance to speak further, felt their inner gossip demons ignite. They turned their attention to Nangong Baixue. "Young friend, how did you come by this information?"
Nangong Baixue’s face flushed crimson with embarrassment, her toes curling as she wished the ground would swallow her whole. How could she possibly admit she’d gone to the Ye Family to annul her engagement? She glanced at Pill Saint Yunyang, whispering, “Master, can I tell them?”
Pill Saint Yunyang’s face twitched, a subtle sigh escaping him. “Go on, tell them.” This was bound to come out eventually. There was no point in hiding it now.
Gu Yuefang’s face darkened instantly. Yao Baili’s expression also grew conflicted.
Nangong Baixue, however, recovered quickly, her voice now perfectly calm and unblushing. “Years ago, my Nangong Family’s Old Ancestor and the Ye Family’s Old Ancestor had some connections in a secret realm, and they arranged a marriage between Ye Chen and me. But I never liked Ye Chen; he always pestered me relentlessly!”
“Later, I fell in love with Qin Xiao, the Young Master of the Ancient Qin Family. A while ago, I went to the Ye Family to annul the engagement. Who would’ve thought that in a fit of pique, that Ye Chen would actually take Lu Xuan as his master?”
“Heh. I know that Ye Chen still harbors feelings for me, but I’m already taken. So I just want to stay far away from Azure Mystery Peak; I don’t want to see him.”
Silence fell. Dan Xiangzi and the others were dumbfounded. They never expected to stumble upon such juicy gossip during this Pill Refining Exchange Conference. Nangong Baixue was now connected to the Ancient Qin Family and the Supreme Profound Sect, while the Ye Family had become part of the Grand Dao Sect. The information overload was immense!
Gu Yuefang’s face, however, was as black as thunder. He glared at Pill Saint Yunyang. “Heh, Fellow Daoist Yunyang, is this your disciple?”
Pill Saint Yunyang frowned slightly, thinking, Could there be more to this story?
Gu Yuefang’s gaze turned back to Nangong Baixue, clearly displeased. No wonder Ye Chen annulled their engagement. This woman doesn’t speak a single truth! She just spouts nonsense!
Beside them, Yao Baili’s face flickered between shades of doubt. Could it be true? Is Ye Chen, the son of Yao Liuli, truly so worthless? He found it hard to believe. Ye Chen possessed the bloodline of the Yao Family; how could it be so ignoble?
At this moment, Nangong Baixue looked at Gu Yuefang and respectfully bowed. “Senior, it’s best not to let Ye Chen appear at this Pill Refining Exchange Conference! He can’t even refine pills anyway!”
Gu Yuefang exploded in fury. “You brazen woman, you speak such utter nonsense! Do you really think I don’t know the truth?”
Nangong Baixue trembled, her face beet red, panic rising in her heart. Seeing this, Dan Xiangzi and Yao Baili quickly stepped in to appease Gu Yuefang. “Fellow Daoist Gu Yuefang, let it go. Let’s drop this matter.”
Gu Yuefang’s expression softened slightly, and he reined in his aura. “My apologies, I lost my composure.”
After a moment of silence, Gu Yuefang offered a faint smile. “Everyone, please follow me to the spirit peaks to rest.”
“Alright,” the others agreed.
Pill Saint Yunyang transmitted a message to Nangong Baixue. “From now on, do not speak of this matter. The more you say, the more mistakes you’ll make.”
Nangong Baixue nodded like a pecking chick.
…
On Azure Mystery Peak.
Lu Xuan lay stretched out on his glacial bed, letting out a few sneezes. He rubbed his nose. “Who the hell is secretly gossiping about my good looks?”
He rolled over, settling back into his comfortable repose. Just then, the System’s voice chimed in:
“Ding! Ye Chen’s alchemy mastery is increasing! Synchronizing!”
With that, a surge of alchemical insights poured into his mind. Without even trying, in just three months, he had become an Earth-tier alchemist while simply lying flat! Who could possibly believe such a thing?
And what was more terrifying was that Lu Xuan’s current alchemy mastery was twice that of Ye Chen’s. He felt as though if he were to personally refine pills, he could easily create elixirs with nine pill halos!
For the next two days, Ye Chen sequestered himself in his cave dwelling, dedicating all his focus to advancing his alchemy mastery.
Two days later.
The morning sun rose, painting half the sky in fiery hues. The myriad mountains of the Grand Dao Sect were bathed in a rosy glow, appearing ancient and magnificent. In the void, countless brilliant spirit patterns surged like glittering stars, and auspicious beasts soared above the spirit peaks, emitting resonant, propitious calls that cleansed the heart and calmed the mind.
The Grand Dao Sect was awash in the festive atmosphere of a grand celebration. The invited Overlord-level Powers had already settled into their accommodations within the sect and were now soaring towards Pill Peak.
Other factions who had purchased observation passes for the Pill Refining Exchange Conference were streaming in from outside the Grand Dao Sect. Today, Pill Peak was the undisputed center of attention!
Above the void, countless figures rode divine rainbows, hurtling towards Pill Peak. Fierce winds whipped around them, and a terrifying, overwhelming aura surged forth like a tidal wave.
Below, Pill Peak itself shimmered with brilliant Dao patterns. Rich spiritual herbs exuded waves of medicinal fragrance. Bathed in the morning light, Pill Peak was exquisitely beautiful, its spiritual energy so dense it seemed on the verge of coalescing into liquid, drawing gasps of admiration from the arriving guests.
The Pill Refining Exchange Conference was to be held in the grand plaza beneath Pill Peak, lasting for ten days! The first three days would be dedicated to Heaven-tier alchemists Discussing the Dao. The remaining seven days would feature the Younger Generation Alchemy Competition!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A terrifyingly profound aura filled the air as Dan Xiangzi, Yao Baili, Cang Li, and Pill Saint Yunyang, among others, descended from the sky. All the major powers had arrived in the plaza.
Gu Yuefang, the Pill Peak Peak Master, had already made all the necessary arrangements. Everyone present was utterly astonished. This was the Southern Wilds’ century-long Pill Refining Exchange Conference, after all!
Not only would Heaven-tier alchemists Discuss the Dao and demonstrate their techniques, but the younger generation’s alchemy geniuses would also compete. All of this filled the onlookers with eager anticipation!
Once the other factions were seated, the Overlord-level Powers began to make their way to the forefront. The crowd immediately erupted in exclamations.
“It’s the Yao Family! Look, that’s Yao Baili, a Heaven-tier alchemist from the Yao Family!”
“That’s Elder Cang Li from Cangmu Academy! He didn’t share his alchemy insights at the past few conferences. I wonder if he will this time?”
“And that’s the Supreme Profound Sect! Pay attention to that woman, Nangong Baixue. She’s Qin Xiao’s betrothed…”
“That’s…”
The plaza was a buzzing hive of activity, packed with people and overflowing with chatter.
The Sect Master himself arrived, his divine sense sweeping across the crowd. A moment later, he noticed that neither Lu Xuan nor Ye Chen had shown up. A sigh of relief escaped him.
He had heard that Nangong Baixue’s slip of the tongue a few days prior had already caused some unpleasantness. As the host of this grand alchemy event, he certainly didn’t want any more unexpected incidents.
Meanwhile, on Azure Mystery Peak.
Ye Chen stood respectfully outside Lu Xuan’s cave dwelling, waiting for his master to emerge. Ugh! Master still isn’t awake.
He glanced towards Pill Peak. There, an expanse of rosy light and divine brilliance shone brightly, exuding a terrifying aura. Figures continually descended from the sky, each a Profound Saint or Saint King. His heart pounded with excitement. After three days of Discussing the Dao, it would be the alchemy competition. He was determined to make a name for himself! Not just for his own reputation, but for his master’s as well!
Not long after, Lu Xuan leisurely stepped out of his cave dwelling. “Ye Chen, let’s go.”
Ye Chen, a hint of urgency in his tone, noticed his master didn’t seem to be in a hurry. He quickly suggested, “Master, let’s fly over together.”
A divine rainbow manifested beneath Ye Chen’s feet, lifting Lu Xuan into the air as they shot towards Pill Peak.
Lu Xuan calmly said, “Relax, don’t rush. A grand event like this only truly begins when our sect’s supreme treasure, the Grand Dao Bell, appears!”
Ye Chen paused, then relaxed. His master was right. He had been too agitated.
At the same same time, in the plaza beneath Pill Peak.
The Sect Master, clad in grey robes, swept his sleeve, rising into the air. The morning light bathed him, making him appear solemn and dignified. He spoke slowly, “Fellow Daoists, your journey to participate in the Pill Refining Exchange Conference organized by our Grand Dao Sect truly brings honor to our humble sect.”
“Alright. Without further ado! I trust you are all eager to witness the Heaven-tier alchemists Discussing the Dao.”
Smiles appeared on everyone’s faces. The Sect Master nodded faintly and declared, “I announce that the century-old Pill Refining Exchange Conference officially begins!”
As his voice faded, a resounding Dong! echoed.
Above the void, the ancient, colossal shadow of the Grand Dao Bell suddenly manifested. In the next instant, shimmering with brilliant Dao patterns, the Grand Dao Bell appeared high above Pill Peak. Its profound chime resonated throughout the entire Grand Dao Sect.
Everyone closed their eyes, immersing themselves in the bell’s sound. Their hearts felt cleansed and incredibly clear. They hadn’t expected the Grand Dao Sect to bring out the Grand Dao Bell to inaugurate this grand event.
Many cultivators who had purchased observation passes with Saint Soldiers felt a surge of excitement. The Grand Dao Bell’s chime was known to aid in enlightenment, and even if immediate breakthroughs weren’t achieved, its profound aura was immensely beneficial to one’s Dao Foundation! This time, they had truly profited!
Dong! Dong!
The Grand Dao Bell chimed three times, its sound long and drawn out, as if emanating from ancient, desolate times, piercing through the river of time to the present. Everyone sighed with emotion, truly impressed by the Grand Dao Sect. The sound of this supreme treasure had actually imprinted a faint mark on everyone’s Dao Foundation!
After three chimes, the Grand Dao Bell slowly receded into the void, vanishing from sight.
Just as the Sect Master was about to leave, he spotted a divine rainbow streaking across the sky. He froze on the spot.
Lu Xuan and Ye Chen had arrived! The Sect Master’s face twitched, and he wished he could punt Lu Xuan a hundred thousand miles away!